Chapter 9
Chapter 9
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 9
Chapter Title: New Face Pink Hair (3)
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"Aren't you heading out every single day lately?"
"Huh? I still gotta play it a bit careful. Hehe."
"I get that, but seeing you pack up and vanish into the streets like it's no big deal? I'd straight-up believe you got a boyfriend."
"Nah, no way."
Karin was having lunch with her two friends she hadn't eaten with in a while. Among the rainbow-haired folks of the kingdom, her friend with the rare purple hair stood out—Natalie Etman wielded her chopsticks one in each hand like she was conducting an interrogation.
"Hey, come on. At least tell us where you're going. Or better yet, take us with you."
"Eh, that's a bit..."
"Are you really dating someone? Why keep hiding where you're off to?"
"Sigh. Leave her be. That weird senior drained her dry like threshing grain—could be she got lured in by some shady guy when she was all worn out."
"I told you, no. Sophia, your imagination's running wild. You tie everything to romance."
"Romance is the best. Always on the hunt for a boyfriend."
Anyway, not really? Or is it? Their first meeting was her bawling her eyes out as she stumbled into the cafe, so in a broad sense, maybe it wasn't entirely off-base.
Nah. No matter how you slice it, the cafe manager wasn't some creep, and even if they'd gotten friendly, romance was still miles away.
"And how'd you end up buddies with that senior Namei from the senior class, anyway?"
"Yeah, that's what I'm more curious about. Natalie, you're in the knightics department, so you might not get her rep, but Namei-senior's one of the top powerhouses in the magic department."
"...She helped me out because she doesn't get along with Rias-senior."
"Aha. That infamous rumor, huh? The fiasco with Rias Calamity's fiance."
"Huh? I don't know the details."
"Haha. I'm Sophia Ishtvan, youngest daughter of a count's family—total pro on noble gossip."
"Right, you're a count's lady."
"What's with that 'I forgot' tone, Natalie?"
"Just saying there's not much difference in refinement between a knight family nobody like me."
"You're a late baby, so they only drilled the basics into you to keep you out of trouble. My parents praise me just for breathing quietly."
Is that something to brag about? Still, as the eldest daughter of a merchant family, Karin—who'd been properly taught manners and etiquette to avoid offending nobles—gave Sophia a pitiful look.
But she couldn't ignore her as a source on noble intel, so she kept the topic going.
"So, what's the story with that fiance mess?"
"Sluuurp. Tough to explain without prior knowledge of love triangles. Key players here: seven of 'em."
"Give me the gist."
"Alright. First up, the one you gotta know: third-year Ermina Cassias-senior."
"Oh, that rare light-attribute magic aptitude holder? The Sun Saintess."
"Yep. Spot on. She's got talent for days, but her face? Drop-dead gorgeous. Personality's sweetheart central, from what I hear. So even as a commoner, she's got two guys here hooked: same-year third-year Second Prince Christoph, and second-year count's heir Yumin Bertrand."
"...High and mighty folks, huh?"
"And those two guys each have fiances. Too many names to remember, so I'll just call 'em the fiances."
"Having fiances and falling for another girl? Total trash."
"Hey now, he's still our kingdom's prince."
Hm. So where does the cafe manager fit into this? Karin poked a small sausage chunk and popped it in her mouth, lost in unrelated thoughts.
Reminds me of that breakfast the manager made last time. So good.
"Now it turns into a full-blown drama: Rias Calamity, duke's daughter with her own separate fiance, is head over heels for Second Prince Christoph Imir."
"Human relations turning into a dumpster fire this fast? For real? I always figured Rias-senior was just a bit off in the head."
"Told you, noble gossip. Gotta be this juicy to grab attention."
"This is real life?"
"Anyway, the deadly triangle tormenting Ermina-senior? That's the two fiances and Rias-senior. The fiances, fine—but Rias-senior's mindset is baffling."
"So far: two guy-girl pairs, Ermina-senior, Rias-senior—that's six? The last one's Rias-senior's fiance?"
"Bingo. Julius Lebedev. Heir to the Lebedev dukedom."
"But why's he not at the academy? Doesn't seem older."
Here, Karin caught on. That's gotta be the manager. The answer was closer than she thought.
She rolled her eyes discreetly, pretending ignorance as she listened to Sophia.
"Hold up. That deadly triangle's leading the charge against Ermina-senior, you think the prince and count's heir—who're smitten with her—just sat there?"
"...No?"
"Right. Lucky break to ditch their fiances, too. For guys with crushes elsewhere, it's a once-in-a-lifetime shot."
"Makes 'em twice the trash. Noble guys ain't all that."
"Story goes they teamed up, meticulously gathering bullying evidence. Planned to expose it all at last year's big party around this time. But Julius-senior beat 'em to the punch. Tracked down every witness they'd lined up, bought 'em off or whatever, swiped and faked evidence to make it look like most of the harassment started from him."
"That worked? Weren't they prepared solid? Getting sniffed out and robbed blind means the prince is incompetent."
"Nah, nah. From someone who's been to social parties a few times and met him: Julius-senior's a monster. Top dog among ducal heirs with direct royal sway—insane competence, beloved by all, network from hell. Even folks loyal to the second prince (who lost the succession race to his bro) or a talented count's heir can't hold out against his threats or bribes."
"...Then why would a guy like that bother? His fiancee's the unfaithful one. If I were Rias-senior's fiance, I'd have shoved her straight to hell."
"No clue. How he sniffed out their evidence hunt, why he kept his weirdo fiance alive and took the fall himself? All mysteries."
"Hmm."
"Maybe he just got fed up with the mess and bolted..."
Sophia shook her head at Karin's mutter.
With utter conviction, she declared:
"Julius-senior, noble among nobles, true gentleman, the kingdom's last shred of conscience? No way."
"Whatever. That's the end? Lame conclusion."
"Actually, there's a twist."
"Oho. Spill."
"The girl at the center—Ermina-senior, loved by those two guys—turns out she had a thing for Julius-senior. He stonewalled her, though. End result: everyone miserable."
"Gasp."
"So now Ermina-senior resents those two guys who tried to tank their fiances with evidence, too."
Karin thought: If that casual vibe he's showing now was his real noble self, she'd 100% wanna run for the hills.
She pictured him smiling as he smoothly dodged Ermina-senior—someone he only knew by face—approaching.
Like dodging regular customer elf Mina's love stories.
She gulped down her ice water coolly, then asked what'd been bugging her.
"So where's Namei-senior tie in?"
"Namei-senior and Julius-senior were super tight. Namei's magic talent's so off-the-charts, her family's basically cut her loose. She used that power to boot all her fiance candidates. And the one she got personally close with was Julius-sen...ior."
Sophia's excited face froze mid-sentence, her body starting to tremble. Her pretty black hair quivered with genuine fear.
"So. What about Julius and me?"
"N-nothing! Sorry! Please spare me! She asked! I just answered!"
"Karin. If you were curious, why not ask me directly?"
"...Sorry."
"It's fine. Curiosity's natural. But mess up rumors like these, and it can blow up big time."
Namei placed a hand on Karin's crown from behind, gently petting her hair as she spoke. The occasional press of her nails against scalp suggested she was a tad pissed.
"Next time you're curious, don't chat it up out here—come find me. You, the black-haired one?"
"Y-yes. Sophia here. Humble youngest of the insignificant Ishtvan count family."
"Got it, Sophia. You seem real interested in Julius and his circle. I could fill you in personally sometime. Recommend visiting our sorority."
"No thanks, not interested!"
"I recommend it."
"...C-can I skip?"
"I recommend it."
"I'll come with my neck washed."
Namei sighed. Rubbing her temple with her right hand like her head hurt, she plopped down at the end of their bench.
Natalie, right next to her, scooted her butt over quick to vacate the spot, noting her sour mood.
"I could handle Rias alone, but if the high nobles tangled in this hold a grudge, academy life's gonna suck. Best not broadcast it outdoors."
"...You mad?"
"A little. But I knew this mess was gossip fodder. Bluntly: it's those five idiots' problem, not mine."
No need to name who the five were—everyone knew. Everyone but Ermina and Julius.
"Might be rude, but how much is true?"
"Didn't hear it from the start, tough question. Rumors are just rumors. Can't say more. Not all true."
Couldn't read Namei's twisted lips, but her clenched teeth screamed fury.
She switched back to her kind smile quick, patting Sophia, Natalie, and finally Karin's shoulders.
"One thing on that front: at my request—and the Lebedev side's—he could reenroll if he wants."
Karin knew that was aimed at her. She probably knew about her cafe runs too.
Not saying it outright, but she hoped the manager would come back on his own.
But he didn't seem keen, so she wasn't sure how to respond.
Namei saw her conflicted face, flicked her forehead, chuckled, and stood.
"Only if he wants to, though."