Chapter 33
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 33
Chapter Title: 18. Uncomfortable Meal
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‘Nah, no way.’
It sounded ridiculous even to me.
I shook my head, brushing off the idle fantasy.
No matter how much The Glory catered to yuri fans and respected diverse tastes,
a sudden cross-dressing girl setup just didn’t make sense.
Besides, in The Glory, Kaien was the proper heir to a duke’s family.
The Raven Duke’s house was notoriously patriarchal in the game lore.
No matter how talented Kaien was, would a family full of stubborn traditionalists seat a woman as heir?
‘Ridiculous.’
It was easier to just think of him as an overly sensitive neat freak.
“Master. Why’s that guy acting like that? His face turned beet red and he ran off.”
“Beats me.”
In truth, Kaien might actually be a girl.
But if I said that,
‘…Huh? Master, are you crazy?’
I could already picture Imir looking at me like I was some sick patient.
I gently set down Imir, who had been quietly nestled in my arms, and made up some excuse.
“...What was that? You suddenly hugged me, so I thought…”
She muttered so softly it was barely audible, then let out a small sigh.
She shrugged her shoulders and dove back into organizing the luggage.
Rustle, rustle.
“...”
‘At this rate, we’ll be up all night.’
[My lord. It’s about time you realized. That girl is terrible at organizing.]
I couldn’t fathom how even unpacking and sorting could be this hard for her.
“...Let me help.”
“Huh? No need. I can do it myself.”
No, let me help.
If I left her to it, we’d never finish before dawn.
In the end, I helped her rush through the packing.
“Finally done! So, when do we eat? I helped with your stuff too, Master, and now my stomach’s practically glued to my back.”
“Stop rushing me. I haven’t eaten either.”
Anyone hearing her would think I starved the maid the whole way to the academy and ate alone.
I ignored her whining protests as she waved her hands up and down,
and stretched toward the sky.
I thought it’d be quick since we didn’t have much luggage,
but it took longer than expected, and the sun was already starting to set.
“Let’s go.”
“Food at last!”
The moment we finished, I dragged the grumbling girl out of the room.
Creeeak.
“Huh?”
“...Yeah?”
By some coincidence,
as I opened the door, the door to room 302 next door swung open, revealing Celine.
And with her was Elysia, the elf I’d seen at the Noblesse Hall.
Apparently, Celine’s roommate was Elysia.
“O-oh, brother…”
Celine made a subtle expression the moment she saw me.
What was it? A mix of joy and awkwardness, maybe?
I racked my brain for anything that might bother her, but nothing came up, so I tilted my head unconsciously.
Maybe because of Elysia?
“Oh my. Evan, young master of House Dreadnote. I’ve heard so much about you from my roommate, Celine.”
Our eyes met, and she flashed a bright smile, gracefully bowing her head in greeting.
Up close, her elven mystique was even more striking.
Wow…
I wasn’t one to chase skirts, but I couldn’t tear my eyes away.
Her beauty was radiant.
Especially when she bowed slightly in greeting, the generous curves barely contained by her dress were overwhelmingly captivating.
‘...As expected, the top heroine.’
In The Glory lore, Elysia boasted the best figure among the heroines, and it wasn’t hype.
The explosive volume contrasting her slim waist made even Celine, another girl, glance unconsciously at her own chest.
Especially how those round orbs jiggled astonishingly with every slight movement as she smiled.
It was mesmerizing.
‘Big’ didn’t even cover it.
Perfect proportions and firmness sculpted by the gods, with an overwhelming presence that stole your breath.
“...”
Was I getting too worked up? It wasn’t like me.
‘Can’t help it. She’s one of my favorite characters.’
“...”
But Lin, why are you peeking?
You’re no slouch yourself. Have some confidence. She’s just a monster.
“...Brother?”
“Young master?”
...I must have zoned out for a second, mesmerized by her figure with nowhere else to look.
If other guys saw this, they’d act the same.
I was sure of it, but saying so now would just be a silent scream.
“...Pleased to meet you, Lady Elysia. I hope my little sister isn’t causing you trouble.”
“Oh, trouble? Celine is a kind and lovely roommate.”
I barely managed to fix my gaze on her eyes and replied calmly.
“...Master. Eyes up here.”
[I understand, my lord.]
Both of you, shut up.
Elysia smiled softly at Celine, whose expression had darkened for some reason.
“Speaking of which, are you two headed to dinner? We were just on our way to the cafeteria.”
I didn’t need to guess. Knowing Elysia’s personality, she’d invite us to join.
Even to villains she hadn’t met, she extended a hand without prejudice.
That’s the kind of girl she was.
If not for Evan’s cursed fate, I’d have happily tagged along, but…
“Enjoy your meal. We’ll head out first.”
I gave a short, polite reply that wouldn’t offend and tried to pass by.
Best to avoid entanglements.
‘That should work.’
Self-satisfied with how natural it sounded, but as I stepped forward, someone urgently grabbed my arm.
“W-wait, brother!”
Fearing I’d shake her off, she clutched my arm with both hands, looking up with pleading eyes.
“Together… let’s go together. We’re headed to the cafeteria anyway.”
“...”
Her eyes begged me not to leave.
Elysia watched with interest from the side.
And above all, Imir tugged at my clothes, worn out from hunger.
“...”
Ignoring them was an option, but…
Bluntly refusing here might put Celine in an awkward spot.
“...Fine.”
At my permission, Celine’s cautious face lit up brightly.
“Th-thank you, brother!”
+ + +
We headed to the S-class exclusive cafeteria in this odd group.
Celine and Elysia on my left.
Imir flanked my right.
From afar, it might look like a blissful scene surrounded by beauties.
I had no such thoughts, though.
“Master. That girl’s ears are weird?”
“...She’s an elf. Half-elf, to be precise.”
“There’s a race like that?”
Her curious eyes kept glancing at Elysia.
It made sense for Imir, who’d only known the mountains.
But that was that, and manners were manners.
Thwack!
“Ow! Why’d you hit me, you jerk master!”
“She’s a duke’s lady from a foreign land. Show some respect.”
“Oh my. Young master Evan, it’s fine.”
I’m not fine.
I was scared she’d cause another incident.
“...Hmph.”
Our chat was brief.
We reached the first floor and entered the cafeteria, hit by a fancy interior rivaling a high-end restaurant and delicious aromas.
The buffet dishes glistened temptingly.
Fitting for a dorm of top-class students, master chefs worked in the kitchen.
“Master. This place is insane?”
“Pile moderately. You don’t belong here anyway.”
“...Why? Aren’t I supposed to stick with you?”
“You’re not a student. You’re my maid.”
She wasn’t academy staff—just my personal servant, who should be in the servants’ quarters.
I was the one dragging her around by force.
So act accordingly.
“Got it. I’ll try.”
Thankfully, she took my advice to heart and started piling a reasonable amount—mountainous to others, but restrained for her appetite.
“Well then, let’s get ours too.”
As we rounded the corner with plates, I spotted S-class students already eating.
Kaien, who’d left first, was among them.
“...”
He sat alone in a secluded corner, elegantly slicing steak, ignoring stares.
His face looked quite serene after our earlier encounter.
‘...Definitely a guy, right?’
I hadn’t dwelled on it before, but from behind, his waist seemed slim for a man, wrists too,
and those eyelashes were overly feminine.
“...”
Whatever. Let’s just eat.
Why entertain nonsense? Obviously a guy.
‘Don’t waste energy. Eat.’
Shaking off doubts about Kaien, I plated food and sat in an empty spot when,
“Nice spot, young master.”
The girls surrounded me with their plates.
“Whoa, this is crazy. So good! Master! Try this!”
Imir shoved a drumstick at my mouth amid exclamations,
but
“...Got it. Eat quietly.”
I pushed her hand away lightly and scanned the room.
‘Almost all here.’
Besides Kaien, other S-class students dotted the place.
Arrogant noble ladies with flashy blonde hair, plain-clothed commoners with sharp eyes.
Let’s see.
‘Oh right. Her too.’
Faces from the game appeared one by one.
Seeing them in person stirred intense emotion in me.
I’d played this game hundreds of times, and now I was inside it.
As a diehard fan, it was thrilling.
If not for my life on the line, I’d rush over for autographs.
Pinching my thigh to keep a straight face, I silently ate steak, lost in thought.
‘Today’s done. Tomorrow’s classes… how to handle…’
That’s when
I glanced up and locked eyes with an approaching figure.
Silver hair, blue eyes.
It was Iris, from the entrance ceremony podium.
“...”
She stood frozen with her tray,
staring straight at me again.
She did this at the ceremony too. Why?
‘No way… she knows Evan’s notoriety?’
It wasn’t impossible.
She was a noble lady too, albeit minor.
She’d surely heard the dirty rumors about me.
‘Please just go.’
I averted my gaze, gulped water, and ducked my head so she wouldn’t see.
Futile, I knew, but maybe she’d pass by?
Just eat and leave peacefully.
I prayed silently to nameless gods dozens of times, but
as if mocking me,
she walked slowly toward us, eyes fixed on me.
Step. Step.
‘Don’t come. Please don’t.’
Her footsteps echoed deafeningly in my illusion,
the cafeteria noise fading, all eyes on her—or so it felt.
Step. Step. Thud.
“Oh? You’re…”
“Iris?”
Oh shit. She really came.
Elysia and Celine’s puzzled voices lingered in my ears.
No denying it now.
Iris was at our table.
“Mind if I sit for a bit?”
Her voice was clear and firm.
“...”
I stayed silent briefly.
I wanted to refuse. Avoid her at all costs.
A walking nightmare.
Getting tangled with her could bring unimaginable disaster.
‘Damn it.’
But refusing now? That’d be worse.
‘Have to agree for now.’
I swallowed curses and nodded curtly.
“Do what you want.”
She sat opposite me immediately.
“Thank you.”
She thanked briefly, then stared at me intently again.
“...”
“...”
Uncomfortable silence hung over the table.
Appetite gone. Just wanted to bolt.
We eyed each other warily for a while, but
“You know me, right?”
Her sudden question nearly made me spit my water.
“...What?”
“I felt it since the entrance ceremony. You seem to know me.”
Of course I do. You’re The Glory’s protagonist.
...Couldn’t say that, so I stayed silent.
“Have we met before?”
My heart sank.
We hadn’t. At least not that I knew.
‘Guessing? Or some ulterior motive?’
Either way, maddening.
I shrugged casually, feigning calm.
“...Saw you at the ceremony. Top entrant—hard not to know.”
“Besides that.”
She shook her head firmly.
“Before that. Like you’ve known me forever… that look in your eyes.”
“...You’re imagining things.”
I forced a twitching smile and shoved in a steak piece.
Needed something in my mouth to stay sane.
“First time at the ceremony. That’s it.”
“...Really?”
“What do I gain from lying?”
She paused at my retort but kept suspicious eyes.
“Hmm…”
She propped her chin, staring piercingly, then smiled oddly.
“Fine, let’s say so.”
Poke.
She speared salad, muttering.
“But weird. My intuition rarely fails.”
Cold sweat dripped down my back at her mumble.
...Is she a monster? Stats shouldn’t be that high yet.
No, unrelated to stats.
What’s with that ghost-like instinct?
‘Gotta bail ASAP.’
I shoveled remaining food, timing my exit, when
“Lucky you, young master! We’d love to get close to Iris too.”
Elysia smiled brightly, joining in.
“Your pledge at the ceremony was impressive. I’m Elysia von Arden.”
“Call me Iris Riel.”
Iris’s piercing gaze softened toward Elysia; she greeted politely.
“Riel okay?”
“Of course. Let’s get along as classmates. And you…”
“Celine Dreadnote. Nice to meet you.”
Elysia’s natural charisma took over.
She smoothly led the talk, easing the mood.
‘Nice one, Elysia!’
I cheered inwardly. Iris’s focus shifted off me.
Time to slip away—
“And you?”
As if refusing to let go.
Iris’s eyes returned to me.
“What’s your name?”
“...Evan.”
I answered shortly and stood.
Staying longer, she wouldn’t let me leave easily.
“Heading out. Tired.”
“Master, already? You haven’t finished.”
Imir asked disappointedly, but I shook my head firmly.
Staying felt nauseating.
“Come on.”
“...Tch.”
Imir stuffed her mouth with meat, grumbled, and rose.
“We’ll go ahead.”
I nodded lightly to the others and hurried out.
Iris’s gaze burned my back, but fearing a call, I didn’t look and quickened my pace.