The Weekend Date Begins
“……”
I examined my reflection in the mirror a second time, a third time, and then once more after that, checking my appearance over and over.
Objectively, I had to admit that my looks were more than decent—upper-tier at the very least. My mother was a stunning beauty, and my father had been quite the catch back when he was young. The proof sat right there in the form of Pletia-noona’s beauty, so there was no need for me to worry.
Instead, the thing that kept nagging at me was the outfit I was wearing. It was the clothes I’d brought when I first entered the academy, but they felt a bit too flashy. I’d never worn them before, actually.
Thinking of it in university terms, it was like wearing a formal suit every day in college—something I’d never done.
But today was different. It was the day I’d made plans for a weekend date with Rie.
Especially since I’d even suggested going outside the academy. I had to be extra careful.
“It’s a bit uncomfortable… but this should work, right?”
I put on the shirt and pulled out the silver pocket watch I’d worn once before. It looked plain enough from the outside, but I’d finally understood its true value. On a day like this—something important—it felt like the perfect accessory.
I hadn’t exactly been a virgin when it came to dating, but this was the first time in this world. And the person I was going on a date with wasn’t just anyone—it was Rie.
The academy genius, the aspiring Sword Master, and the young lady of the Haniell ducal family. With titles like that, of course I was nervous.
I forced myself to calm my racing heart and left the room.
Minerva Academy wasn’t just a collection of lecture buildings. It was like a small city of its own, with student dormitories, various facilities for the students, and everything else you could need. The academy grounds alone spanned an area comparable to a baron’s estate, and beyond that lay even more territory.
Every student who entered here was someone destined to lead the future of Lebechia. So the kingdom had built them this perfect space.
There wasn’t a single regret about it. Not just the kingdom, but the entire continent looked at Minerva Academy with envy.
“Senior Mikael said there’s a very elegant restaurant outside the academy,” I recalled.
Mikael-senpai was senpai for a reason. He knew the best information.
If Senior Mikael trusted a place, it was reliable. Other students probably didn’t know about it. It was like a hidden gem where only those in the know exchanged tips.
Of course, since it was outside the academy, the prices were steep.
I didn’t really care for spending money, but when you had to, you should. The person sitting across from me wasn’t just anyone—she was the girl who’d confessed first after staring at me for so long.
If I started worrying about money right now, I’d be less than a man.
“Still, how long until she gets here? The time is almost up.”
I knew it was polite to wait for a girl to get ready, but with Rie—someone who never missed a promise—it made me wonder if something had come up.
Just as that worry flickered in my mind, I sensed footsteps approaching from beside me.
“You’re finally here…”
Wait. That was cheating. This was too much!
As I watched her approach—more like float toward me—I couldn’t help but let out a foolish sigh.
How could someone be this beautiful? Especially with light makeup and a gorgeous dress that made her radiance feel amplified by several times over.
Was I facing a person right now, or some incredibly powerful being?
It was a serious question I had to wrestle with.
“You’re late, but I waited. Sorry,” I said.
“Oh, no, I’m the one who’s sorry. I was just getting ready a little earlier…”
Normally I only saw her in the academy uniform, hair tied up tightly because it got in the way during practice. But now, dressed in a flowing dress with long hair cascading down, Rie looked absolutely breathtaking.
Her beauty made my heart thump wildly again.
“You’re… beautiful,” I said without thinking.
“What?”
“Stunningly so.”
I didn’t know why I said it, but I had to. You’re really beautiful. So beautiful my heart might actually burst.
Rie’s face flushed instantly, and she lowered her head with a soft “Eek…”
Seeing her neck turn bright red, I could feel just how embarrassed she was.
“T-thank you, Lucian. You look… handsome too. Like always.”
“Really? That’s good to hear. I was worried you might not like it.”
“That will never happen. Never. Ever.”
There was a tiny, almost imperceptible tremble in her voice, but I let it go. I didn’t care about anything else.
“Rie, if we go out like this, might our classmates or seniors notice?”
“It’s fine. We both got the highest scores on the midterms, didn’t we?”
“Not just high—exclusive first place.”
“That’s right. We can say we both worked hard on the midterms and had a study session together to celebrate. If there’s something in our hearts and we’ve helped each other, no one will suspect.”
I was skeptical it would work, but since it wasn’t a big deal, I shook my head.
Academy students weren’t even forbidden from dating, and plenty of couples had already married after forming relationships here. The real danger wasn’t romance itself—it was accidentally leaking information about the Haniell and Deodor families and turning the whole academy into gossip.
Especially since there were families quietly eyeing Rie with interest, just for the chance to connect with the Haniell ducal family.
The Cleasant Marquis’s family was a prime example. They’d been targeting her for central politics and wanted Deodor’s involvement to return to the capital.
They weren’t just guessing—I’d put money on it that they’d spread rumors about using the Haniell family for their comeback.
I wasn’t spreading rumors; I was just planting a seed. If it didn’t take root, no harm done. If it did, I’d get a weak point to exploit later.
We didn’t need to hide our identities, but we couldn’t be too obvious either. So I guided Rie toward the restaurant Senior Mikael had mentioned.
Since it was a weekend, the academy gates were crowded with students. The area outside was always lively, bustling with people who had nothing to do but hang around and enjoy the fresh air.
“Lucian, are you heading to the Blue Umbrella now?”
“Huh? How did you know?”
“Actually, I was going to suggest we go together.”
“Really? Senior Mikael told me about it, but who told you? You said only those who know it can find it.”
“It was Pletia-noona… I mean, Pletia-senpai.”
“Ah.”
“She said she’d be cheering you on.”
It seemed Pletia-noona had been quietly watching over us.
That made sense. She was sharp enough to sense the odd atmosphere between Rie and me right in front of her.
“Here we are,” Rie said as we entered a small alley and walked a few more minutes, stopping in front of a modest door.
I followed her inside, and on the second floor a waiter in simple attire bowed elegantly before leading us in.
Another waiter took over, guiding us to a private table.
They didn’t say a word—just moved with perfect gestures, as if they knew everything about us. It was a professional touch, ensuring every customer’s privacy.
From what Senior Mikael had said, the menu here was fixed to one course every time. No extras. If the chef was that good, I didn’t mind.
I broke off a piece of the starter bread and nibbled on it while Rie drank water and spoke.
“Lucian, there’s something I want to clear up.”
“What?”
“The midterms are over, and soon there’ll be the academic festival, right?”
“Yeah. I heard it always happens right after midterms.”
“Exactly. And important people from across Lebechia usually attend.”
For first-years, it was just an event, but for upperclassmen it was different. The academic festival gave everyone a chance to showcase their achievements—not just to classmates and professors, but to the whole continent.
Senior students looked forward to it more than anything.
“Actually, the duke is coming too. My father.”
“Wait—what? The Haniell Duke is coming to the academic festival?”
“Yes. He’s been coming every two years. He wants to see the academy’s level with his own eyes and recruit talented youths.”
“That’s our duke for you. If he thinks someone can help the kingdom, he’ll stop at nothing to push them to greatness.”
“That’s one of the things I admire most about him. But how about meeting my father during the festival?”
“You want me to… meet the Haniell Duke?”
Rie nodded as if it were obvious. “You’re my rival and the top genius of the first-year literary division on the surface. On the inside, you’re my boyfriend. Of course you should meet my father.”
I had planned to reveal our relationship to the duke someday, but I hadn’t thought about the timing yet.
In this world, marriage followed the same custom as our previous life—introducing your partner to your parents and receiving blessings. So of course I’d have to meet him.
I just hadn’t realized how soon it would be.
“If my father meets you, he’ll be overjoyed. It’s been a long time since you last saw each other,” Rie said.
“Yeah. We were close when we were kids, but life got busy.”
“That’s why I think you should be the one to bring it up first at the festival. Then my father and Lord Deodor can find out naturally and help us when the time comes. No one will suspect anything.”
I hadn’t even considered it yet, but Rie had already thought it through.
We’d only been dating for a few months, and now she wanted our parents’ approval.
Sometimes I was reminded of how decisive this girl could be.
“Hmm… I guess it’ll be fine? The duke might not like me that much.”
That was supposed to be a joke. I’d blurted it out because the idea of asking for both families’ blessing made me nervous.
But to Rie it sounded like genuine concern.
“No, that won’t happen,” she insisted.
“Rie…?”
“I’m sure of it.”
“…”