Volume 1 - CH 18

Julis’s awayness continues.

However, there was no point in worrying about it.

Besides, some of the students were looking at Julis not with contempt, but with interest.

That was probably because they had seen Julis’s test performance.

He sank the duke’s son in an instant────it would be impossible not to be interested.

“My? As I thought, you also entered the S class, yes.”

When Julis was slumped on his desk, he is suddenly called from the side.

It was from a girl with light red hair.

“This is Anastasia-sama…… good day to you.”

“Don’t talk that way, it’s disgusting. Talk to me like usual.”

“…… Kay.”

There are other aristocrats here, too, he thought, but Julis returned to his original tone of voice, thinking that it could not be helped if the duke’s daughter told so.

“Long time no see, Anna. Is it been a month?”

“Yes, roughly.”

“Speaking of which, where was that black-haired girl from that time?”

“Ah…… Millie, she is in the A-class.”

“I see…….”

The girl who accompanied her seemed to be classified in a different class.

“Do you mind introducing me to those two?”

Anastasia moved her gaze.

There was Cecilia, who had somehow pulled her own desk next to Julis’s and was resting her head on his shoulder, and Mirabelle, who still couldn’t hide her nervousness.

“Eee, This is Cecilia, who won’t leave my place for some reason, and Mirabelle, who I made friends with the other day.”

“Ni, nice to meet you…… I’m Mirabelle.”

“Nice to meet you! I’m Cecilia!”

Mirabelle looked nervous, perhaps because she was facing a duke’s daughter.

On the other hand, Cecilia greeted her cheerfully. What a cheerful girl she is!

“And here is Miss Anastasia Miller, the only daughter of Duke Miller, who for some reason is very kind to us. She also wants you to talk to her in a friendly manner, so────you don’t have to be so formal, Mirabelle?”

“I, it’s still impossible for me, Julis-kun…….”

Perhaps it was still too much of a hurdle for Mirabelle to talk openly with the duke’s daughter.

“I’m Anastasia Miller. Well, as Julis said, I don’t like formalities stuff… so I’ll be happy if we can get along normally.”

“Normally……? Even normal people would find that difficult, you know…….”

“My? Did you say something?”

“It’s nothing at all, Anastasia-sama.”

Julis cowered at her piercing glare.

You could tell from this exchange that they two were on good terms, even able to joke around.

“Speaking of which, didn’t you do something in my territory?”

*Thud* Julis’s shoulders jumped.

“I, I don’t know what you’re talking about!”

His gaze swam around

He looked at Cecilia and Mirabelle, but his gaze trailed off into the distance.

“……You know what? You proudly gave your name, didn’t you? Count Gridd’s son came running into our place and he mentioned it himself.”

(AAAAAAAAAAAAGHH! Th, that’s right, I did IIIIIITTTTTTTTTT!?)

He introduced himself at the beginning to settle the matter peacefully.

If he had given his name, it was no wonder that the main culprit was revealed to be Julis. There was no point in running away.

“…..I sincerely apologize for the problem I caused. Whatever the punishment is I will……”

Julis gave up and bowed to Anastasia.

He couldn’t cover it any longer.

“U, umm! Please don’t be mad at Julis! It’s originally the problem that I got involved in…….”

“That’s right! Julis-kun was just helping us out! So, if you want to punish him, then me too!”

Following Julis, they both bowed their heads briskly.

The scene attracted the attention of the students around them, but they didn’t care about that.

Julis, who had defended them, might be punished for his actions.

That, of course, was not something the two could let happen.

Seeing this, Anastasia let out a small sigh.

“……Please raise your head. I have no intention of blaming Julis anyway.”

“Is that true?”

“E, ee…….”

Anastasia flinched slightly at their fierce looks.

“Sure, If it’s just a matter of a Viscount raising hand to a Count, then I have to blame Julis, even if the Count is wrong.”

You can’t go against someone who has a higher rank, even if the reason is to protect a girl.

This is the aristocratic society works. Therefore, no matter what the reason is, originally, Julis should be punished with his whole family under the name of the dukes.

But────

“But this time, there is no punishment for Julis. It’s because Count Gridd’s son tried to take Cecilia-san for himself.”

“Me……?”

“Eee, the existence of a Saintess who is showered with the blessing of the Goddess is great. In fact, it’s so big that we’re actually hanging our heads. Count Gridd’s son will be blamed instead because he tried to touch such a person, even though he doesn’t know her.”

Saintess is the closest existence to the Goddess that is worshipped on a global scale.

What if I tried to lay my hand on Cecilia?

At the very least, the church would not keep quiet.

“So this time, there is no blame on Julis. On the contrary, you’ll get a reward from Duke Miller and the Church────that’s for saving the Saintess. On the contrary, Count Gridd’s son will be given a very heavy punishment.”

As for the duke, that Julis had saved the Saintess in his own territory, he should have to give him a reward.

This is because he has to show the people and the country that he takes great care of the Saintess in his territory.

“It, it’s amazing, Julis-kun! A reward from Lord Duke! And from the Church as well!”

Mirabelle could not hide her surprise at the word “reward”.

That’s how great it is to be rewarded by The Duke and The Church.

“…….No need.”

“What you’re talking about, Julis-kun!?”

Julis made an averse face.

The reason is────

“……Say? What is the prize is anyway?”

“Fufuu…… Eee. The church gives permission for the Saintess to stay in Anderberg territory for an extended period. My family will also appoint you as an exclusive knight────Of course, It’s not mandatory.”

“…… No need..”

Julis made a big sigh.

In fact, Julis didn’t feel any merit from the reward.

First of all, as far as Cecilia’s stay is concerned, it won’t change much since she is currently staying with them. Or rather, she herself has no intention of leaving.

Secondly, the appointment of an exclusive knight is something that anyone with a low rank would love to have.

You will be favored by the duke, and it is considered an honor just to be appointed.

However, Julis will eventually inherit the Anderberg territory.

If he agreed here, the Anderberg family, which has only one son, may collapse.

“By the way, the church and the duke knew I’d say no, right?”

“Hmmm, I doubt that. At least, I want you to be my knight.”

Anastasia laughed with amusement.

In fact, The Church and Duke Miller knew that Julis would just reject the reward.

That’s because they knew Julis very well.

The church got it from Cecilia.

While The Duke knew from Anastasia.

It’s because she’d heard and seen a lot about Julis.

And it’s also true that Anastasia wanted him to be her exclusive knight.

Because────

(If Julis becomes one, I also will be able to have a good time with him…….)

However, she couldn’t just say such thoughts out loud.

That’s because she was well aware of her position and role.

So Anastasia turned her back on the three.

“Let’s get along well from now on. I’m sure it will be a fun academy-life.”

And then, leaving behind her one-sided words, Anastasia left Julis and the others.

“Uuu~mm…… does Julis not want to be with me?”

“It’s not what I meant!”

Then Julis did his best to explain himself to Cecilia until the teacher came to the classroom.

“……”

In the middle of his pleading, in the center of a certain crowd around, a silver-haired girl who is at the top of the country looked at Julis.

However, Julis didn’t notice that.