Ch.204204. Really, Why Did Clara Ever Like You?

“Stop crying and tell me slowly.”

“I-I’m not crying. Just got some dust in my eye…”

Suddenly, Jawill Wilson entered the study.

There was a bright red handprint on his face.

“So why did Clara slap you?”

At my question, Jawill Wilson’s shoulders began to tremble.

“Well, we were having a nice time shopping and walking around, then we went to a tavern.”

“And then?”

“We were having a drink and talking about various things. Then suddenly Clara…”

Jawill Wilson’s face suddenly turned completely red.

So red that the handprint was momentarily invisible.

“Clara confessed to me.”

“C-confessed? Are you sure you didn’t mistake a death threat for a confession?”

“…I’m certain.”

“What exactly did she say?”

Jawill Wilson adjusted his posture and spoke with a serious expression.

“She told me I’ve become handsome.”

“…And?”

“…Pardon?”

“What did she say after that?”

“That was it.”

“…That was it?”

Jawill Wilson tilted his head with a clueless expression.

“Is anything else needed? She already told me I’m handsome.”

“So, before Clara said you were handsome, she didn’t say anything else?”

“No, she didn’t.”

“…Then why do you consider that a confession?”

“Because she said I’m handsome.”

I shook my head and continued.

“Anyway, so then what?”

“Well, I am a man, after all. I immediately moved to the seat next to her and tried to kiss her, but then…”

After all the effort I made to set things up, he kicked over the table?

I should never have hoped that this guy could bring Clara to Lake Estate.

I furrowed my brow in frustration.

“What’s the rush?”

“Rush? …Aren’t we both grown adults?”

Perhaps Clara was terrified not because of Brond, but because of this guy?

Well, I must be crazy for placing my hopes on someone who’s never even dated a woman.

“So that’s why she slapped you?”

At my words, Jawill Wilson placed his palm against his face and sniffled.

“…Yes. I thought I was being brave, but I never expected this outcome.”

“After she slapped you, then what?”

“Clara said ‘sorry’ and left the tavern.”

She said sorry…

If she had no feelings at all, she wouldn’t have apologized and would have just been angry…

Does that mean there’s still some possibility?

Well, it’s her first love, so she might forgive one mistake if he makes an effort.

I looked at Jawill Wilson with a serious face.

“Think about why Clara told you that you look handsome.”

“…Pardon?”

“She wouldn’t have just said ‘you’re handsome’ while you were quietly staring at her, right?”

“W-well, that’s true.”

“And this is something I wasn’t going to tell you because it pains me…”

As I trailed off, Jawill Wilson’s eyes widened like a rabbit’s.

I cleared my throat and continued.

“Clara told me she’s liked you since childhood.”

“…What?!”

“You know Brond liked Clara, right?”

“Y-yes, I know that.”

“Well, Brond knew that Clara has liked you since she was young.”

Originally, I had planned to watch the situation unfold from behind the scenes.

A natural meeting would be best for both Jawill Wilson and Clara.

However.

I need to go to Pandera Estate soon, turn the Forest of Death into a tourist attraction, and complete the coming-of-age ceremony.

Time is tight.

Jawill Wilson looked utterly shocked, as expected.

“I-is that true?”

“Why would I lie about this now?”

“N-no, it’s just…”

Still stammering, Jawill Wilson’s head tilted awkwardly.

“…T-then why did she slap me?”

“Hah… That’s because you suddenly approached her. Besides, what woman would like it if you tried to kiss her out of nowhere after meeting again after so long?”

“…I see.”

“Try approaching Clara more sincerely.”

“I was being as sincere as possible.”

“Enough. Just go and apologize to Clara for last night.”

Jawill Wilson’s shoulders drooped.

However, strangely, his expression was bright.

“…Clara liked me…”

As he hummed and walked out of the study, I also muttered quietly with a sigh.

“Yeah, why on earth did Clara like you?”

*

“You want to send Lucien to the academy?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

The next day, while I was waiting for Castleton’s report on the magic grass experiment results, Federicks came to my study.

With the unexpected suggestion that Lucien should be sent to an academy.

I furrowed my brow and spoke.

“Federicks, you know that Lucien is smart enough without going to an academy.”

Federicks cleared his throat and straightened his back.

“That may be true, but there are several reasons why Lucien should attend an academy.”

“What are they?”

“First, Lucien currently doesn’t interact with children of his age. No matter how intelligent a child is, attending an academy would greatly help in forming his identity.”

Lucien is intelligent and learns quickly.

But is it because he’s a dragon, not a human?

He occasionally acts oddly.

Setting aside his attempt to undress and propose marriage to me, he caused trouble in Cataria Estate despite my repeated warnings.

Of course, the Cataria incident was to save someone, but if Jawill Wilson hadn’t been there, it could have led to a serious accident.

I nodded briefly with a sigh.

“And?”

“Second, although Lucien doesn’t show it, he’s very lonely. Plus, you’re busy with work, and there’s a limit to how much Jawill Wilson can look after him.”

Federicks’ words seemed reasonable.

Everyone feels loneliness.

That would be the same for Lucien, an intelligent dragon.

Still, I felt uneasy.

I couldn’t be certain that Lucien wouldn’t cause trouble at the academy.

Moreover.

Most academy students live in dormitories.

How could I send the unpredictable Lucien to an academy, even if he would commute?

“I understand what you’re saying, but I don’t think we can send Lucien to an academy.”

“Are you worried?”

“Yes, even the closest academy is quite far from here.”

Then, Federicks smiled as if he had anticipated my response and placed the report he was holding onto the desk.

“Lake Estate, Academy Establishment Proposal”

I stared at the report with wide eyes, and Federicks continued.

“Like other estates, the children living in Lake Estate aren’t receiving proper education.”

“That’s true. Regular academies generally don’t accept commoners, only nobles.”

“That’s why we’re establishing an academy that will accept commoners’ children as well. If this succeeds, even if you return to Alphonse Estate, your achievement will remain forever.”

Federicks’ idea sounded quite innovative.

In academy novels, most student positions are occupied by nobles.

Along with a few talented commoner students who passed the entrance exams.

That’s how factions begin and common clichés unfold.

“I think it’s a good intention, but is it feasible?”

“Establishing an academy requires imperial permission, but I believe this will go smoothly.”

“Why?”

“The most important factor in establishing an academy is location, and as you mentioned, other academies are quite far from Lake Estate, aren’t they?”

I nodded while stroking my chin at Federicks’ words.

“Hmm, it’s true there’s no academy nearby…”

“Additionally, since this area has already experienced a monster wave, the possibility of another occurrence is low, making it currently the safest place in the Eastern Continent.”

“Well, we’ve restored the defense formation, so even if another monster wave occurs, it shouldn’t be a problem.”

“We can find professors, and the main issue would be the funds for establishment and operation…”

As Federicks trailed off, I waved my hand dismissively.

“Don’t worry about the funds.”

“Then I believe we can establish it without issues. Plus, you have the favor of the imperial family, don’t you? So there should be no problem in establishing an academy.”

While there are many complexities, if we just establish it, it will certainly generate unimaginable profits.

An academy that commoners can attend.

There’s even the possibility that mothers burning with educational fervor might relocate to Lake Estate.

If so.

No one would dare call Lake Estate a small territory anymore.

If all goes well, the annual tuition fees and donations would be enormous.

Money would flow in without effort, and I could keep Lucien close by—it’s perfect.

I slapped my palm on the desk and curled up the corners of my mouth.

“Let’s proceed with it.”