Chapter 10
Chapter 010.
I sat with Orion in a private room on the top floor of the cafe.
I could see his eyes darting back and forth between the orange juice and the chocolate pudding on the menu.
'He likes sweet things.'
His taste seemed similar to Lenny's.
"I'll have black coffee."
After much deliberation, he made a decision that was completely different from what his eyes had been drawn to.
Without hesitation, I immediately pointed to something at the end of the menu.
"I'll have orange juice."
"You like orange juice."
I only thought I should switch drinks with him because it seemed like he ordered the wrong thing.
Orion nodded and said seriously.
"I'll remember that."
Why would you remember that?
I vowed not to ask him anything anymore.
Whatever I asked, I got an unexpected answer, which was a little scary.
It would have been a much more predictable scenario if he had grabbed me by the hair and questioned Mom's promiscuity and my origins.
'I don't know why he keeps looking at me with those moist eyes.'
For some reason, when I received that gaze, I was tormented by guilt and embarrassment for no reason.
"Is this usually around the time you get out of Academy?"
"No. These days, I tend to stay longer for self-study to prepare for the advancement exam. I just came out a little early today."
"How are your relationships with your classmates? Have you made many friends while attending the Academy?"
"Yes, you've seen her before. Reinia Lo Kreutz. She's my friend."
He flinched for a moment, looked at me, and then carefully asked again.
"Any other friends?"
"I have a few others, but she's my closest friend."
I couldn't figure out the intention of this question at all.
Even if the Grand Duke was cautious, did he have to investigate the friendships of his remarriage partner's daughter at the Academy?
"It's good to make friends at that age."
"Yes."
"I heard you're preparing for the advancement exam."
I nodded at the question he asked again.
"I know a prodigy who entered early, advanced to the upper grades in one go, and then transferred from a public Academy to the Imperial Academy. If you want, I could tutor yo..."
"No, it's okay. Studying is something you should do on your own."
"Of course, that's right. I think that's a great mindset. But getting a tutor isn't a bad thing either!"
Only then did I realize why he had demanded that I be brought here.
'Even though I'm not related by blood, he's not going to just sit back and watch.'
If I bear the name of the Dukedom, I have to show definite results.
Feeling the pressure of the exam results intensify, I nodded and pushed the fresh orange juice in front of me towards Orion.
"I'll do my best to show good results. I'll try to work hard without a tutor first."
As I handed him the juice and picked up my bag next to me, he looked at me with a flustered expression.
"Huh? Where are you going?"
"To study for the exam. If I want to get excellent grades, I have to focus only on studying."
"Thank you for the advice."
I'm not the type to be obsessed with grades, but I can do that much if necessary.
Orion's eyes widened at my words that there was no need to create such a situation anymore.
"No, grades aren't everything in a student's life..."
I was about to get up from my seat, ignoring his urgent cry.
At that moment, I felt a strong surge of magical power.
When I turned my head, I saw a familiar green magic circle glowing.
"No way..."
At the same time as the faint form of a gray robe appeared, Orion's face hardened, and he came in front of me and pushed me back.
"Merian, stay back. It's a Magic User."
"I know."
That Magic User is someone I know.
Orion drew his sword with a tense expression.
Then he muttered seriously.
"They targeted a situation where there was no escort. I don't know which faction it is, but..."
"Um, Vice Duke."
Before I could explain, Jen, who had finished moving, looked up and glared at Orion, who was protecting me.
"If you send the girl behind you safely to this side, I'll spare your life."
Jen said ominously in a cracked voice.
It sounded like he had just woken up or come straight from lying down, so his voice wasn't fully warmed up, which made it even more bizarre.
"Don't be ridiculous. Do you think I'll hand her over?! I don't know where you came from, but today I'll make you reveal not only the mastermind but also everyone who cooperated with you."
'Ah.'
A sigh escaped me.
The two of them were playing the main characters in comedies of different genres.
Jen was playing the hero of justice who came to rescue the kidnapped woman, and Orion was playing the hero of justice who was punishing the criminal trying to kidnap her.
'What if they're both heroes?'
To resolve this situation, I stood on my tiptoes and waved at my somewhat violent friend.
"Jen, don't prepare to chant a spell. This person is my new older brother."
"Th, that's right. I'm Merian's!"
Orion shouted in a slightly trembling voice as soon as I finished speaking.
'I can strangely feel joy in his voice, but that must be my imagination.'
Unfortunately, Jen was not convinced at all and glared at Orion after glancing at me.
"I know. That bastard is the pervert you were talking about who scans people with a unique look in his eyes."
At that moment, Orion turned around in disbelief.
Just in time, the door burst open, and Vertein and Lord Rune rushed in.
The two of them, who had heard Jen's words, also began to stare at me intently.
As Orion's clear blue eyes darkened, he quickly denied it.
"No, when did I ever!"
"You told me that the day you came back after meeting her for the first time. You couldn't even eat properly that day after meeting that pervert, so you borrowed money to eat again."
"That's just because I was nervous. When did I ever say you were a pervert!"
It was the moment when relief filled Orion's face at my words that I had never said he was a pervert.
Jen replied with a serious face.
"No. Now that I see it, you do seem like a pervert."
'What kind of guts does he have to call the Vice Duke of the Empire a pervert?'
This situation was as chaotic and confusing as Orion's bewildered eyes.
I did my best to explain amidst the gazes that were going back and forth.
"He's a bit unique and difficult to understand, but he's not a pervert!"
I felt a strange cold sweat as I felt Orion's eyes moisten again.
At the same time, Jen checked Lord Rune, who was standing by the door.
For some reason, Vertein and Lord Rune had both already drawn their swords.
Sparks flew in Jen's eyes as he looked at Lord Rune, who was holding a sharply honed sword.
"You even had a gang waiting!"
"No!"
And one of the people over there is our gang.
I was frustrated with Jen, who couldn't even recognize his friend because he was out of his mind.
Vertein was just rolling his eyes by the door, not even trying to stop this situation.
In the end, I slammed the table next to me with a loud bang.
"Everyone, put down the weapons you're holding and stop chanting spells! Right now!"
I really hate speaking loudly, ordering people around, or asking someone for a favor.
"Everyone, drop what you're holding and raise your hands so I can see your palms!"
I'm annoyed that people keep making me do that.
At my words, Orion, as well as Vertein and Lord Rune, quietly lowered their swords and slowly raised their hands.
The cafe employee who had hidden behind the counter also put down the serving tray he was holding and raised both hands in the air.
Everyone was staring at me with wide eyes, and I felt an indescribable sense of exhaustion.
* * *
In the deep silence, we were bowing our heads.
Even the serving employee couldn't meet my eyes, as if he was ashamed of not being able to maintain his usual professional demeanor.
"I told you I wasn't."
At the small protest, Jen glared at me as if he wanted to kill me.
Even in the midst of all this, Orion was apologetic and thankfully took my side.
"Words can get twisted when you're talking. It's okay. I'm not angry."
"I'm sorry. I know he has a quick temper, so I put off explaining it later, and then..."
"It's okay. Of course."
I could see Lord Rune turning his head as if he was trying to hold back a laugh.
I looked at Vertein, who had stormed in here with Lord Rune, with questioning eyes.
He smiled bitterly, as if he had sensed my gaze.
"Lenny said that Jen was bound to go wild, so he asked me to stop him so he wouldn't get into trouble."
"Ah."
I was grateful for his concern, but it didn't seem to have been of much help in resolving this mess.
Orion, who had exchanged polite greetings with Vertein, asked curiously.
"It doesn't seem like the two of you were introduced for the first time at the banquet?"
"We're Academy classmates, but I've known him through Jen since before that."
"He's so famous that I asked him to pretend not to know me on purpose when we go to crowded places."
Only then did Orion nod as if he understood.
An awkward silence fell again.
They had been about to kill each other until just now, and they all had the common trait of being shy.
They didn't know how to handle the situation and were just standing there blankly.
In the midst of all this, Lord Rune, who seemed to be the most sensible, stepped forward.
"I think it's been enough for today to have introduced each other, so how about we call it a day?"
"I'm fine with that."
When I readily replied, Jen answered by just looking at me without saying a word.
Orion paused for a moment at the mention of parting, but he nodded gloomily as he looked at me, who was tired.
"I'll visit the Dukedom separately after this exam is over."
If I bring a good report card, won't Orion be relieved and leave me alone?
Orion nodded, looking quite pleased.
"I'll be waiting."
Only after he left the cafe did Jen say a word.
"He's not a pervert."
"I told you he wasn't."
"But he's definitely weird."
I couldn't bring myself to say that he wasn't and just shut my mouth.
Vertein took out a bead from his pocket that was vibrating like crazy.
"The situation here has been resolved for now... Lenny has been contacting me since earlier, what should I do?"
I, Jen, and even Vertein looked at the bead, which was shaking like an earthquake, without saying a word.
"How about we all lie that we put the bead somewhere else and pretend we don't know anything until tomorrow?"
I just wanted to rest today.
I was too tired.
