Academy Rumors

Academy Rumors

I sighed, thinking I didn’t know where to start clearing up the misunderstanding.

‘It’s understandable to misunderstand if your fiancé suddenly says they want to meet your parents.’

Moreover, I didn’t properly explain the reason and just blurted out the conclusion.

This misunderstanding was entirely my fault.

‘So it would be best to clear up the misunderstanding first.’

I tried to wave my hand and tell Sien it wasn’t about meeting the parents.

But Sien’s expression looked so happy that I found it difficult to say it wasn’t true.

‘This is troublesome.’

How should I clear up this misunderstanding?

As I heard Sien saying in front of me, “Then I should prepare to greet Deren’s father as well.”

I couldn’t help but squeeze my eyes shut.

‘First, I need to calm her down.’

It would be better to explain it to her step by step.

I took a deep breath and spoke slowly to Sien.

“It’s just a meeting to talk, not a formal introduction to the family.”

As I spoke bluntly, Sien froze on the spot.

Then her face turned bright red as she blinked and started looking at me.

“I-Is that so? I must have misunderstood.”

She then showed an expression that was a mix of dejection and embarrassment, not knowing what to do.

Soon after, she looked down at the floor with a very deflated expression.

Seeing Sien like this, I thought for a moment and decided to say something that might cheer her up.

“Sien.”

“… Yes?”

“It’s not entirely a misunderstanding. In a way, I am going as your fiancé too.”

To be precise, going as a fiancé only accounted for a very small portion, like a hint of fragrance.

But there was no need to mention this fact, so I left it out when I spoke.

Sien then spoke to me in a somewhat excited voice.

“R-Really? That’s a relief then.”

I’m not sure what’s fortunate, but it’s probably better to think that way for now.

I looked at Sien, who was smiling brightly ahead of me, and returned to the main topic.

“So I’d like to talk to your father. Could you relay that message?”

“Yes, that should be possible. Father has also recently heard about Lord Deren’s great achievements and has hinted that he’d like to meet you.”

“That’s fortunate then.”

This should speed things up.

I nodded, deciding to think of things that the head of the Per family might like.

* * *

The appointment with Sien’s father, the head of the Per family, was set up faster than I expected.

Considering how busy the head of the Per family is.

It’s probably right to assume that Sien’s role played a big part in this.

I decided to thank Sien later as I headed towards the Per family mansion.

‘Is this the place?’

As expected of a traditional knight family, the interior of the mansion matches that theme.

As I slowly entered, observing the neat but surprisingly modest design unbefitting a high noble.

I saw Sien in armor greeting me with a beaming smile.

“Lord Deren. You’ve arrived.”

I nodded, and Sien pointed towards the inside of the house and said.

“I’ve told the butler and maids that I’ll be guiding Lord Deren. Today, please trust and follow me.”

Sien proudly placed a hand on their chest as they spoke.

Then slowly took my hand and began to guide me inside.

I was slowly walking while looking at Sien like that when I noticed nearby maids wiping away tears.

‘Why are they doing that?’

Wondering if there was a problem, I looked at Sien.

Sien smiled awkwardly and explained the reason to me.

“Ah, well… The maids say it’s very touching that I’ve become close with Lord Deren again… That’s what they’re saying.”

Sien seemed embarrassed to say this and looked at me with an awkward expression.

Then, as if feeling shy, she quickly moved forward.

As I watched Sien like that, I couldn’t hide one question.

‘What on earth happened in the past to make the maids react like that?’

Recalling Sien’s words, she said ‘we were very close when we were young’.

Thinking back to when I first met Deren at the Academy after being possessed, I remember hearing that Deren hated Sien.

It seems like it became that way after some kind of incident, but I can’t quite grasp what that incident was.

‘……’

However, since it was awkward to ask about it directly, I decided to wait until Sien tells me later and continued walking.

*

“This is the park for now. I have memories of playing house with Lord Deren here in the past, so it’s my second favorite place.”

“I see.”

“Yes. The toys we played with back then are still being kept. Would you like to see them?”

Thinking that I might be able to dig up some information about the past from those toys, I nodded.

Sien brings an elegant box from a nearby storage and tells me.

“I liked building sandcastles, and Lord Deren liked destroying the sandcastles I made, so I remember we got along quite well.”

“……”

I’m not sure if it’s right to express this as getting along well.

I was thinking that Deren might have bullied Sien rather than played with him.

Sien takes out the tools from the box and says.

“To be honest, since it’s such an old memory, I don’t remember the details… But I do remember that Lord Deren was very happy.”

No matter how I think about it, it still seems like he was just bullying him.

I was about to tell him the truth, but then I thought there was no need to bring up past wounds.

So I held back and answered Sien.

“I see.”

“Yes. Perhaps that’s why it remains quite a happy memory.”

“……”

“Then I’ll put the tools back in the box.”

As I watch Sien’s back as he goes to put the tools away, I’m smiling awkwardly.

Sien quickly puts down the tools and runs to me with a bright expression.

Feeling as if I’m looking at a puppy, I watch Sien as he tells me the next destinations one by one.

“Next are the kitchen and the study that Lord Deren and I often visited, and…”

It seems he has more memories than I expected.

I unconsciously pat Sien’s head as his eyes sparkle, and say.

“There’s no rush. We can visit them all.”

Sien freezes and stares at me, probably not expecting me to pat his head.

I’m trying to avoid Sien’s gaze, which feels strangely burdensome.

Sien takes a step closer to me, tilts his head, and says.

“… If Lord Deren doesn’t mind, you can pat my head anytime. No, I’d like you to pat my head.”

Then, clinging to me, she demanded that I pat her head quickly.

I had no choice but to pat her head again to soothe Sien.

Sien’s ears turned red and she didn’t know what to do, then she carefully looked up at me and whispered.

“I, I think we should move to the next place now. If we stay like this… the employees might come to secretly watch.”

At those words, I came to my senses and nodded.

No matter what, I didn’t want to show such affectionate behavior to others.

So, just as we were about to move to the next place, a maid approached and informed us that ‘the head of the family has arrived’.

“It seems he returned earlier than expected. It looks like Father was eager to meet Lord Deren as well.”

Now it was starting to get a bit embarrassing.

I thought that the head of the family had returned at quite an appropriate time, and slowly lowered my hand as I spoke.

“Then let’s go.”

“Yes.”

Sien nodded and looked at me, then subtly grabbed my hand and said with a bright smile.

“Since we’re engaged, I think this much should be fine. Of course, if Lord Deren dislikes it, I won’t hold your hand.”

“I don’t dislike it.”

“Then I’ll keep holding it.”

I led Sien, who was firmly holding my hand with both of hers, towards where the employee was guiding us.

* * *

As we headed to the reception room, I noticed a man wearing armor similar to Sien’s.

I gave a slight bow to the man, and he lightly returned the greeting and spoke to me.

“It’s been a while. I’ve heard a lot about you from Sien lately.”

Rough, coarse, and large hands.

I slowly grasp them as I see them extended towards me.

He firmly holds my hand and continues speaking.

“And… there’s also a rumor circulating at the Academy.”

The Academy.

I’m not sure what rumor he’s heard, but judging by the increasing pressure on my hand, it doesn’t seem to be a good one.

I remain silent in this situation, maintaining eye contact.

“Academy rumor? What is that?”

Sien, seemingly the only one who didn’t understand, tilted her head with a bright smile beside us.