Chapter 273: You Scoundrel!
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 273: You Scoundrel!
"Student Liya..."
Looking at Liya, who was tied to a chair in a thoroughly humiliating position by his senior, Muen couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth. His expression was a mix of bewilderment and awkwardness.
"Could you explain why you aren't in class? Why are you here at this hour, and why on earth were you doing... that? If I recall correctly, the time I invited you for was supposed to be tomorrow."
To be honest, no matter how many scenarios Muen had played out in his head, he never could have imagined this.
The future Saintess of the Life Church, the dignified Liya Angel, had actually appeared while he and his senior were... busy. And she was... peeking?
Her "Saintess" persona has completely crumbled, hey!
"Ugh... I didn't! I wasn't doing anything like that... No, absolutely not!"
Liya wailed in denial, but she clearly lacked conviction. Her protests grew quieter and quieter as her face flushed a deep, burning crimson once more.
Suddenly, she bit her lip, looked up, and glared at Muen with tearful eyes.
"Besides, it's all your fault, Muen Campbell!"
"Huh?"
Muen was dumbfounded.
My fault?
Why?
Is it because I'm too handsome? Because my pectorals are too charming? Or is it because my vibe is just too irresistible? Did I arrogantly attract your gaze simply by existing?
"It's your fault! You didn't stick to the agreement! It took you nearly a month to contact me. I thought you were plotting some kind of conspiracy, so... so I came..."
Liya’s small feet shifted restlessly on the floor as she stammered, "So I came a day early to scout the location!"
"Pfft..."
Muen nearly spat out a mouthful of blood.
Conspiracy? Scouting? And the "scouting" turned into that?
What kind of smut-manga logic is this?
Muen looked at Liya, who was glaring at him with an adorable expression, and felt a sudden urge to crack open her little head just to see what kind of nonsense was swirling around inside.
"I—"
"Oh my... An agreement? A conspiracy? That sounds... rather evocative, doesn't it?"
Muen was about to speak when his senior’s meaningful voice drifted from behind him. He jolted, quickly turning around with a forced smile.
"Wh-what do you mean evocative? Senior, you're overthinking it! There's nothing but pure innocence between us!"
"Is that so?"
Anna sat on a desk, her long legs clad in black stockings crossed elegantly. She tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear.
There wasn't a single trace left of the frantic passion they had shared moments ago. Her clothes were neat, her demeanor calm and graceful, and a soft smile played on her lips.
However, the Death Premonition in Muen’s mind was screaming at full volume. He immediately straightened his back.
"Of... of course! Student Liya is merely a private musician I hired to perform for me. Before this, we barely spoke a few words to each other. Our relationship is as pure as it gets!"
"A private musician hired to perform?"
As if recalling something, Anna narrowed her beautiful eyes and stared at Muen with a half-smile. "Why does that routine sound so familiar?"
Muen froze. "D-does it?"
"Would you mind telling me your reason for suddenly hiring a private musician?"
"Well..."
Beside them, hearing Anna ask this, a flash of panic appeared in Liya’s eyes.
She didn't want anyone to know about that incident—not just because of the shame, but because of her secret identity. If word got out, it would definitely have a negative impact on her future.
But...
Liya lowered her head silently.
Given the state she was in, she hardly had the right to stop him...
"Because, as a future Duke, isn't it normal to want to improve my appreciation for music? The Academy doesn't offer music appreciation classes, so I had to hire a private musician myself."
Eh?
Liya looked up in astonishment. She saw Muen grab Anna’s small hand and act spoiled.
"Senior, you can't let your dearest junior be looked down upon by those pot-bellied, grease-brained nobles, can you?"
"Heh, even the excuses are identically high-sounding?"
"It's not what you think! There's really nothing between us. And you should know that from the fact that Liya was able to find this place. I originally intended for her to come to this classroom so I could introduce her to you, Senior. I just didn't expect... cough, cough... I wanted everything to be out in the open so you wouldn't misunderstand!"
"Who knows if you weren't just trying to hide her right under my nose?"
"I'm not that much of a player," Muen said with a pained expression. "If you still don't believe me, I'll... I'll... I'll swear by the Goddess! If I really—"
"Forget it."
Anna suddenly pressed a finger against Muen’s lips and said coolly, "I'm not a believer of the Goddess. Your oaths are useless to me."
"Mmm... Senior~"
"Hmph."
Anna walked over to Liya. She reached out a finger, tilted Liya’s chin up, and studied her pretty face carefully. After a moment, she sighed.
"This face... it looks exactly like the type that guy would like."
"I-I'm not!"
Liya’s face flushed red again as she shouted, "I... I really have nothing to do with that guy! And... and there's no way I'd ever have a relationship with a man whose head is filled with nothing but filth and depravity!"
"Is that so?"
"Of course!"
"Hehe."
Anna let out a meaningful chuckle but said nothing more.
"In that case, I'll be going. You two can continue with your music appreciation class."
"Eh? You're leaving now?"
Muen was stunned. He immediately stepped forward to pull Anna into his arms, asking nervously, "Are you angry?"
"Of course not. Who would waste their breath being angry at a bad man like you?"
Feeling the warmth enveloping her, Anna’s heart softened. She said helplessly, "I've already wasted enough time waiting for you. The Silence Bureau has already pestered me several times."
"But there's no need to be in such a rush."
Muen had originally hoped to take Anna somewhere else to finish what they had started.
"This is a punishment."
"Hmm?"
"A punishment for you being dishonest, my dear junior."
Anna tapped Muen’s forehead firmly and pouted. "Come find me again when you've learned how to behave."
"Eh... I don't want to..."
"Get off me..."
"Let me hold you for a bit—no, give me a kiss before you go..."
"Who wants your hugs? Mm... let go."
"Hehe... Senior, your mouth says no, but your body is being quite honest."
"You... bad..."
After a bit of lingering affection, Muen reluctantly watched his senior depart.
Then, he turned around to look at the other girl in the classroom.
Seeing Muen turn back, the girl—who had been secretly watching with a racing heart—immediately snapped her head the other way.
"Sigh."
Muen let out a helpless sigh and went over to untie Liya.
The atmosphere in the classroom suddenly became quiet and awkward.
After a long while, Liya rubbed her sore, numb arms and asked in a low voice, "Muen Campbell."
"Yeah?"
"Why didn't you tell her?"
"Tell her what?"
"The... the real reason you hired me."
Liya fidgeted with her fingers. "If you had told that senior about what happened that night, she would have understood that you were just being kind and helping me. There wouldn't be all these misunderstandings."
"...I never intended to help anyone. I just needed a private musician, that's all," Muen said, glancing at Liya with a mock-stern look.
"And speaking of misunderstandings, you're the one who caused this whole mess by doing something like that!"
"Ugh..."
"Sigh, forget it. I'm also at fault for ghosting you for a month without explaining things clearly."
Muen sighed again. "You don't need to worry. Someone as rational and gentle as my senior wouldn't have unnecessary misunderstandings about something like this."
"Is that so?"
A hint of confusion flashed in Liya’s eyes.
She thought back to the senior from just now. That woman was mature, intellectual, and clearly on a completely different level than a lower-year girl like herself. She didn't seem like the type to be easily fooled by a scumbag.
And yet, she was so obviously, so passionately, and so recklessly infatuated with Muen Campbell.
Recalling that woman's meaningful gaze, Liya couldn't help but look up and study the blonde man before her.
He stood in a patch of glimmering light reflecting from the window, gazing sideways at the vast white expanse of snow as if chasing after someone's departing figure.
Despite the strange atmosphere of being alone with a girl after such an event, his deep blue eyes remained clear, untainted by even a speck of impurity.
"I'm sorry."
"Hmm?"
Muen turned his head, looking curiously at the girl who had suddenly apologized.
"I'm sorry, Student Muen. I've misunderstood you once again."
Feeling a touch of warmth in her heart, Liya sniffled and wiped a tear from the corner of her eye with her finger, smiling. "It seems you really are different from the rumors... and from what Ariel said."
"I've been working so hard for so long, and you're only just realizing that? It's a bit embarrassing, honestly."
Muen smiled as well. He pulled out a handkerchief and handed it to Liya. "Wipe your eyes. I don't want my private musician to have a long face while she's playing."
"Okay."
Liya took the handkerchief and began to wipe her eyes.
"Wait..."
As she wiped, she noticed something was off.
The handkerchief had a strange fragrance and felt oddly warm. Would a grown man like Muen Campbell spray perfume on his handkerchief like a young girl?
And the color... the texture...
Liya looked down silently at the "handkerchief."
The black "handkerchief" had an exceptionally rebellious, strange shape and strings. The lace trim felt exquisite against her palm.
And in the most prominent spot on the "handkerchief," a small red bow sat, looking as if it might turn into a fluttering butterfly at any moment, swaying gently in the breeze.
Swaying...
Swaying...
The "handkerchief" unfurled in her hand.
But this wasn't a handkerchief at all.
This was...
Liya’s face instantly turned a violent shade of crimson. Her eyes, brimming with tears, snapped up to glare at Muen, whose expression had also frozen in horror.
"Wait, Student Liya, let me explain! This is a misunderstanding! This time it really is a misunderstanding!"
"Muen Campbell, you—!"
A humiliated wail echoed through the entire building, accompanied by a sharp slap and a certain someone's cry of pain.
"Pervert! Lecher! Shameless! I was wrong about you! Your head really is filled with nothing but filthy thoughts!"
"Waaaaah... [incoherent wailing]... You scoundrel!"