episode_0011

On the day of Renia’s birthday.

A smile kept appearing on Renia’s lips. A smile that even I can’t bear. Even if I wasn’t conscious of it, the corners of my mouth kept rising.

That’s why the maid who was helping dress up next to her urged Renia.

“Miss, it’s troublesome if you keep moving like that. Your makeup should look pretty!”

“But… I can’t help it!”

Renia heard the news about Chris.

News that his friend arrived here yesterday. So doesn’t that mean we can meet soon? Because of this, the corners of my mouth kept rising.

The maid who was urging her also looked at Renia with a happy expression. However, he also said that makeup should be done well.

“Still, if she looks pretty, Chris will like it too.”

Renia looked at the maid with bright eyes.

“Huh? Is that it? Why?”

If you look pretty, Chris likes it. These were incomprehensible words to Renia.

The maid answered in a soft tone.

“That’s right, I feel better when my friend dresses up nicely. Especially between men and women!”

“That’s it… ? okay! I’ll do my best to endure it!”

Renia kept her mouth shut. And the corners of her mouth that were about to rise were somehow blocked with strength, and she began to hold back until the maid’s makeup was finished.

*

Lecter, the eldest son of Viscount Koblache.

A boy named Rector also participated in Renia’s birthday party. After entering the party venue, Rector first looked around the venue.

“Hmm, there are more people than I thought.”

The venue was crowded with many people. Beings each decked out in colorful clothes. Even among those beings, Lecter’s decorations were even more extravagant.

First, Lecter looked at the boys who were his age.

‘He and that guy are inferior to me… And he’s inferior to me too.’

Among the peers who attended Renia’s birthday party, there was no boy she thought was better than her. Lecter was relieved at that.

The reason why Lecter was relieved.

It was because Lecter liked Renia.

“As expected, I am the only man who matches with Lady Renia.”

When he attended Renia’s birthday party, Lecter fell in love with her at first sight. Since then, Lecter has been missing Renia.

And today, another opportunity presented itself. A chance to become friends with Lady Renia.

Lecter vowed never to miss this opportunity.

“Lady Renia and I are clearly destined.”

Rector’s family also had a long history, similar to the Ruber family. Moreover, they are from the southern part of the same empire. Therefore, Lecter accepted this as fate.

He said that he and Renia were destined to come true.

“Uh, Lector, are you here?”

A boy who appeared to be Lecter’s age approached him. Lecter naturally treated the boy’s words with disdain.

“Medi, you came too.”

Medi was a boy that Lecter became close to because the territory was close to him. However, even though they were the same age, it felt like Medi, the Baron’s son-in-law, was assisting Lecter rather than a friend.

“Please eat inside first!”

“Yes, yes!”

Even at a young age, they have a thorough superior-subordinate relationship. If other people saw that relationship, I would have said nothing.

Like that, Rector walked to the center of the venue.

Then suddenly-.

My gaze went to one side.

There was a boy with brown, messy hair that I remembered seeing there before. There was that boy. Apparently, the boy also participated in the party.

Lecter made a sinister expression. Because I had an interesting idea.

Rector squared his shoulders and walked confidently towards the brown, messy-haired boy with Medi next to him.

and-.

“Hey, it’s been a while!”

I spoke to the brown, messy-haired boy.

***

Busy party venue.

A soft musical performance also played and lingered around the venue.

Among so many people. There was no one I knew.

The only person I know here is Renia. So, I was alone until Renia came along.

When I remembered that, I felt a little lonely.

Perhaps the lively party atmosphere had an effect.

“It would have been better if my father had come with me.”

When I actually got to the party, I was very disappointed that my father didn’t come.

But what… .

“It’s delicious.”

A corner of the party venue.

All the food served here was delicious. So I was killing boring time by eating food.

While I was slowly tasting the food in the venue one by one…

“Hey, it’s been a while!”

A familiar voice came from behind me.

An obnoxious voice that I’m sure I’ve heard somewhere before. Moreover, if you look at how he speaks like he is ignoring people… .

At that moment, one person passed through my mind.

I turned my head and confirmed the owner of the voice.

also… .

“Rector Koblache.”

He was Lecter, the eldest son of Viscount Koblache.

Moreover, next to Lecter is Medi, who can be said to be Lecter’s loyalist. Looking at Lecter’s face, I remembered what Lecter said to me before.

‘Tsk, people from commoner backgrounds are vulgar. It must be something that resembles Abby G.’

That’s what Lecter said. It was such an unpleasant incident that it still remains vivid in my memory.

In fact, the person who made me feel disgusted with noble children was Lecter.

‘… If most of the families existing in the south came, of course Lecter’s family would also be there.’

What I was worried about when I came here has become true. The Koblache family was a southern family with a famous military history.

Suddenly, I remembered that I had promised myself that if I ever met Lecter again, I would show him my true worth.

but-.

This is the venue where Renia’s birthday party is held. I didn’t want to make a fuss.

“Why are you alone? Now, let’s talk together.”

A seemingly very friendly Lecter is pointing at a group of people. There must be a hidden intention behind this action.

Lecter looked at the group he had pointed to.

A group of kids my age. They were talking among themselves and laughing.

Lecter’s recommendation really feels like good intentions.

But to give you my honest thoughts-.

‘Honestly, I don’t want to go… .’

Even if this was really well-intentioned, I didn’t want to go. In my heart, I wanted to reject Lecter’s invitation outright.

but-.

I was worried that if I said I didn’t like it, I might get caught. The being in front of me, Lecter, is more than enough.

I smiled awkwardly and accepted Rector’s recommendation.

“… Good.”

So I followed Lecter.

Noble kids gathered together in groups of threes and threes. They were each family with their own history. Unlike me, who came from a commoner background.

“Now, let me introduce you. A commoner! The Plitcher family is called Chris.”

Rector introduced me. Emphasizing the common people as if paying attention. Moreover, even our family name was wrong.

I corrected it and said it again.

“Fletcher, not Fletcher.”

“Oh, is that so? I’m sorry. Since the family name has no value, I must have made a mistake.”

At the same time, laughter erupted from the kids who were listening to Lecter.

“Hoho, it’s something that can’t be helped. This is a family I’ve never heard of before, so I understand Lecter’s mistake!”

“Hahaha, I think the same way.”

Even though they are the same age, it feels like they are clearly divided into upper and lower classes. Everyone was praising Lecter. And I found this very unpleasant.

And I also realized Lecter’s purpose.

‘You just wanted to make me a laughing stock.’

I started to get angry at Lecter for making me a laughing stock.

but-.

‘You have to endure it.’

This is the venue where Renia’s birthday party is being held. The atmosphere was very good. If I get angry in a place like this…

I’ll be the main culprit who ruined Renia’s birthday party.

As Renia’s friend, I couldn’t do something like that.

“… ”

Therefore, I lowered my head without saying a word. But did Lecter become more amused by my actions of holding back?

Lecter started talking about my father’s work.

“I really don’t understand. You can buy a title with money. Isn’t this the same as not having a wall between commoners and nobles?”

And Medi responds to Lecter’s words with a wicked smile.

“That’s right. Why is the world like this, ah… ! if… ?”

“Why but Medi?”

“I heard that rebels are on the rise these days… Since you are from a commoner background, aren’t you actually secretly providing funds to the rebels?”

“Oh, that makes sense. Medi, you have deep thoughts. Anyway, a lowly being like a commoner… Tsk! This is why only noble bloodlines should become nobles.”

It was nonsense.

My family is funding the rebels. Even though he is rotten, he is still good. Isn’t his father also an aristocrat of the empire? We receive benefits as nobles, so why are we funding the rebels?

I thought that he was naturally making sounds that did not sound like words.

furthermore-.

The words were not mocking me, but my father, and honestly, I… I felt like crying. Not because I’m sad, but because I’m so angry.

‘You can’t cry. Even if you cry, they will actually like you more.’

No one dissuaded Lecter. Everyone is of similar tribe. There was no one on my side here.

Although I was angry at the fact that I had no choice but to endure it like this, I was somehow holding back the tears. At the same time, I wondered if I had come here for no reason.

And I realized it again.

‘I hate noble kids.’

How can they ignore commoners when they are just born well? Looking at it this way, the differences between these guys and Renia became clear.

These guys are Renia and other noble kids. These might be normal noble kids.

When I was cooling off my anger with my head down… As the performance ended, the surroundings suddenly became quiet.

I could hear some mumbling, but I couldn’t hear it because I was holding back my tears.

Meanwhile, I heard the sound of shoes coming closer and closer. The sound of shoes hitting marble with the sound of shoes hitting each other.

At the same time, Lecter says something else.

and-.

match-!

The sound of flesh clashing strongly could also be heard.

And the silence that follows…

I raised my head to the feast of incomprehensible sounds.

OK-.

In front of my field of vision.

Before I knew it, a girl was standing in front of me with her back turned to me. A girl standing between me and Lecter wearing a pure white dress.

I immediately recognized the girl’s identity.

It’s impossible not to know. He’s my only friend.

Lena Louver.

Renia was standing in front of me.

As I looked around, I noticed that all nearby eyes were focused on this place.

for a moment-?

Then, what was that ‘clap-!’ sound just now? ?

In front of Renia standing in front of me.

A bewildered Lecter came into view with his eyes wide open. The image of Lecter caressing my cheek.

I noticed it right away.

‘No way, Renia hit Lecter’s cheek… ?’

I couldn’t see Renia’s expression, but I could tell it somehow. Because my body was completely frozen.

The facial expression must be like that too.

Renia exhaled harshly. As if he was angry. No, Renia was clearly angry now.

Renia huffed for a while and then shouted at Lecter.

“Chris is a much more noble being than a guy like you!!!”

At Renia’s harsh shout, all eyes in the party venue turned in this direction.