Chapter 54
Chapter 54
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 54
Chapter Title: Why Is the Duke Acting Like This?
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"The Duchess of Venezia and the Elf Kingdom's Queen are coming to observe the class...?"
"Is that for real...?!"
The academy was in an absolute uproar as we arrived for morning class.
It wasn't just this morning session—word had spread that Duchess Iris of Venezia and Elf Queen Leila were observing all the classes.
Not only the students but the other professors and even Eris were on edge.
"They're probably coming to see their kids too, right?"
"Yeah, that's gotta be it... But if we catch their eye, who knows? Our families might get a huge boost..."
The students dreamed of showing off their skills to stand out, while the professors wanted to prove their teaching prowess. The entire academy buzzed with tension and anticipation on the verge of exploding.
Everyone except me, that is.
"Hoo..."
"Your expression doesn't look so good, dear husband?"
How could it? Leila was one thing, but Iris—that psychopath—was coming.
"It's just... because of the Duchess of Venezia..."
"Why the Duchess? She's such a kind person..."
She might be to you, Ruane. Can't you see Philia flinch at the mention of Iris?
"Haa... Anyway, I don't wanna stand out like everyone else, so I should ask Eris to let us skip."
"That's a shame... It would've been nice to show you off to Mother and the Duchess."
Ruane looked genuinely disappointed, her face clouding over just a bit.
"Show them you and Philia instead."
"M-Me too? I kinda wanna rest... I don't feel so well...?"
Philia stammered, grasping for an excuse.
"I see..."
Ruane's expression darkened even more.
Was she feeling left out because Philia and I both wanted to skip? Sorry, Ruane... Iris leaves me no choice.
I couldn't risk showing off and ending up in yesterday's mess again.
Philia and I went to ask Eris to let us sit out the class.
"Professor Eris, Philia and I would like to—"
Eris didn't seem to be listening, so I grabbed her shoulder.
"Professor Eris...?"
"Y-Yes! M-Master... Nngh...!"
"This is the academy, Eris...!!!!"
Was she spaced out? She reacted late to my words and nearly yelled "Master" loud enough for everyone in the academy to hear. I clamped my hand over her mouth just in time.
I whispered a warning in her ear about the academy, and she snapped out of it. Her dazed look shifted back to her usual stern expression.
"Ahem... Right. What was it, Student Song In-hyeok?"
"Philia and I want to sit out this class."
"Hm? The Duchess and Queen are coming—why skip?"
Eris gave me a look like she genuinely couldn't comprehend.
"We just don't wanna catch their eye."
Philia answered before I could, beating me to it.
"I don't get it, but if that's what you want, fine."
Eris stared at us oddly, scratched her head, and shrugged.
"Still, I can't wrap my head around it... Even setting aside parents, having the Duchess observe your class is a huge honor."
"Do you admire the Duchess, Professor Eris?"
Her eyes lit up at my question, and she launched into a proud spiel about herself—or rather, the Duchess.
"Admire? It's more than that. She's not the Duchess of this empire for nothing. Anyone who studies sword and martial arts here has no choice but to revere her."
Was Iris really that big a deal? Even the mighty Eris spoke of her this way...
"Yeah... Mother is..."
Philia murmured, her face conflicted.
Admiration as the Sword Saint, but fear of Iris too?
I pulled Philia into a light, comforting hug, and Eris shot us an envious glance.
"Ngh...♡"
Out of sight of the others, I grabbed one of Eris's breasts hard.
"Pets shouldn't envy this, right?"
She instantly switched to a aroused female face, rubbing her thighs together at my words.
"Ah..."
She let out a small sigh of regret when I pulled my hand away.
"How about a walk tonight, Professor Eris?"
"Y-Yeah...♡"
Thinking of our evening stroll, Eris shuddered faintly. I left her behind and headed to the corner of the training grounds with Philia.
"Don't you kinda like standing out? With Ruane and all."
"Leila noticing would be great... but Iris is the problem."
Philia stared at me in surprise for calling them by name, then snickered like she got it—that was just me.
"You skipping because of Mother too?"
"Yeah. Last time, she beat me half to death for no reason."
Philia's eyes filled with shock and worry at "half to death."
"Sorry... because of my mom..."
"No need to apologize, Philia. She's the weird one."
"You're probably the only one who'd call Mother a 'bitch.'"
She was Philia's mom, sure, but after tormenting Philia and trying to kill me? Bitch fit. No way was I treating her like a mother-in-law.
I wasn't even thinking of her that way to begin with.
"Philia."
"Yeah?"
"Don't you wanna get close to Iris?"
"With Mother...? Like, get along...? That seems impossible..."
"Don't worry. I'll fix your relationship."
I grinned at her.
Philia looked curious about how, but I couldn't tell her yet.
How do you say to her face, "I'll turn them both into my women and make them get along"?
Hoping that day came soon, Philia and I watched the morning class from the sidelines.
"Please ignore us and carry on with class as usual."
"Yes."
Eris bowed once to Leila and resumed the lesson.
"Seeing the students so enthusiastic... I can't just sit back."
Iris commented while observing from the training grounds.
"May I teach them as well?"
"Of course! The students would love it!"
Eris's tail and ears perked up eagerly at Iris's words, her face lighting up.
The other students looked expectant too...
Seeing Iris mobbed by students, answering every question, correcting their sword and martial arts forms—it pissed me off.
She's all smiles and kind to them... Why only me?
I knew the reason vaguely, but her extreme difference in treatment because I was a commoner grated on me.
Philia felt the disconnect too.
"...Ngh...?"
I was stroking her head when I sensed sudden killing intent.
A familiar chill—I looked toward it, and Iris was glaring at me murderously.
The students around didn't notice, chirping like chicks around a hen, oblivious to her aura.
She was directing it solely at me... Even Philia, right beside me, hadn't picked up on it.
"Why is that commoner student sitting out class?"
Shrinking under the pressure, I heard Iris call out loudly.
"Her body wasn't feeling well, so I let her rest..."
"Even nobles crave knowledge this much—how can a commoner slack off? Unacceptable."
Iris cut Eris off.
"I'll teach the commoner specially. Come here."
Eris looked flustered, and even Leila couldn't intervene as Iris went berserk targeting me.
Philia glanced between us, at a loss.
"......"
"You'll regret it if you don't come now, commoner...?"
Sigh, fuck...
At Iris's final warning, I stood and approached her.
The students clinging to her scattered like the Red Sea parting.
Avoiding me, huh, you bitch? That's why they cleared out, but now you're calling me over.
My grumpy scowl nearly surfaced, but I remembered her words last time and stood before her with a straight face.
"It's an honor to receive your guidance, Duchess of Venezia."
"Better than last time. Commoners only listen when you show strength."
Hoo... Endure it. I couldn't win now. Without the Tamer's "Strong" skill, even Eris beat me—let alone Iris, stronger still. Better not to even think of messing around.
Play nice and take it... For future momentum.
"What guidance will you give...?"
I barely kept a neutral smile—not too grinny, not blank—and asked.
"Do you think you're in a position to question me?"
"No... I'm sorry, Duchess of Venezia."
"A commoner like you should be groveling in thanks for my guidance, but haa... This is why commoners are no good."
Who asked for your fucking guidance, bitch...
"Anyway, I'll specially let you spar with me."
Iris grinned menacingly.
"I'll go easy enough not to kill you—so be grateful?"
She basically said she'd beat me to the brink of death.
Infuriating, but I had no choice but to agree.
Fine—might as well gauge how strong Iris really was.
"It's an honor to spar with you, Duchess."
I forced a smile, hiding my true feelings.