Chapter 178 (1/2)

Chapter 178

「What are we fussing about over here?」

In order to rescue Polte from being attacked by the other n.o.ble girls centered around the Count’s daughter, Gretel, I pretended to hear the commotion it caused and entered the cla.s.sroom .

「Ah, Hardlett-sama!」

A look of relief washed over Polte’s face as she saw me, while Gretel and the other students take their seats awkwardly .

「What’s the big fuss?」

「No, it’s nothing . 」

I’m sure it’s hard for Polte to say anything .

「That’s right, Gretel…… was it? What happened?」

The girl faltered for a split second before clearing her throat once and standing up boldly .

「The instructor didn’t seem to be feeling well, so I suggested that she take a break . 」

「Fumu, that sounds serious . 」

「…… it’s because Hardlett-sama pounded me so much with his d.i.c.k . 」

A whisper that sounded almost like a pout leaks out from Polte under her breath, which she later corrects in a louder voice so everyone can hear .

「It’s just a slight leg pain, it shouldn’t affect the lecture at all . 」

「She has stated herself that she’s fine . There’s no need for everyone to worry . 」

I pull up a chair and sit next to the teaching podium .

「Margrave, sir?」

「I’m a little interested to learn about domestic affairs too . Let me listen to the lesson from here . 」

Polte lets out a gasp of surprise and the students start murmuring amongst themselves .

「Now, please resume the lesson . 」

「I-I understand . Umm……the extent of land that a single farmer can till isn’t simply limited to its area……」

I make it seem like I’m listening to Polte’s lecture but I’m actually just watching her a.s.s shake left and right .

Knowing that a.s.s belonged to me the other night is a really satisfying feeling .

「That’s why this much water will be necessary for the flood control at this extent . 」

Almost as if the earlier commotion didn’t even happen, everyone is diligently listening to the lesson .

Some of the students, particularly Miss Gretel, appeared dissatisfied since they couldn’t just voice their complaints about the instructor while I’m watching .

The lesson proceeded smoothly after that and they were able to cover the necessary material to keep up with the curriculum .

Polte bowed to me with a look of relief on her face .

It’s fine, let’s go drinking together again .

I’ll embrace you after creating a better mood next time .

Leaving things like this isn’t enough though since the same thing would repeat itself once I’m gone .

I won’t be able to stay with Polte forever either .

Let’s provide some additional motivation .

「Let’s end the lesson here, now I have something to announce to everyone . 」

Everyone directs their attention to me .

Gretel and her faction does the same .

This girl…… now that I look at her again, she’s actually really pretty, and makes me crave her despite being a little childish .

「After you graduate and start looking for a job, you can’t enroll in cla.s.s anymore . 」

Erich also told me that very few domestic affairs officials are replaced so it’s quite hard to find an opening even after graduation .

「Starting now, there will be periodic tests which measure your understanding . Those who score high will receive a letter of recommendation from me . 」

The students grow lively .

Those who try to sell themselves to the feudal lord without any sort of connections won’t even be entertained, whereas if you have a letter of recommendation, they’ll at the very least schedule a time to meet .

「Of course, the subject of the tests…… will be decided by the instructor and then compiled onto paper . That’s all . 」

After saying that, I stand up from my seat .

Simultaneously, the students who have been acting reserved around Gretel and company until now gather around Polte to ask about any unclear points they had with today’s lecture .

Descendants of high cla.s.s n.o.bles like Gretel can rely on their own family in the worst case scenario, but there are an overwhelming number of students who can’t .

If their future jobs can be guaranteed, they wouldn’t do something as foolish as lowering their grades .

This means that the instructors who decide the scope and topics of the tests, including Polte, will experience an increase in authority .

I would gladly invite someone skilled to my territory to work for me too .

「Margrave Hardlett . 」

「Hm?」

The one who called out to me was Gretel .

When I turn around, she grabs the edge of her dress and curtsies elegantly .

「What a pleasure and honor it is to meet you . My father sends his utmost grat.i.tude for the incident at the ball . 」

So he was at the ball after all .

「My father has already returned to his territory so I will thank you as a representative of the household of Count Beltz . 」

「I’m also a n.o.ble of Goldonia . Taking down an enemy of the country is part of my duties, please tell him that it wasn’t that big of a deal . 」

Gretel knits her eyebrows at my somewhat savage response .

Unlike Polte, she’s still just a kid, so she feels a sense of discomfort unless spoken to in a rather polite tone .

「In line with this, after today’s lesson is over, would you like to accompany me to a meal to deepen the relations.h.i.+p of our households?」

How did it come to this from the conversation we had?

「Yeah, why not . 」

However, my mouth moved before I could think about it .

It can’t be helped, so I bring myself close to the girl’s ear .

「Students are restricted from any excursions except on weekends though . I’ll treat this as a special interview so please keep it confidential . 」

「Yes, thank you for your consideration . 」

I didn’t think Gretel would be the one inviting me .

She’s practically asking me to sleep with her, isn’t she?

I’m almost certain .

The girl’s still young, but her b.r.e.a.s.t.s are big and her body is fairly developed .

I’ll gladly accept this opportunity .

The lesson ends and I was supposed to return to cla.s.s with Myla .

「Hey Myla…… I have a special interview today . 」

「……with an instructor? Or a student?」

「A student . 」

「……」

「It’s just an interview, but because of certain circ.u.mstances, I decided to have a meal with them as well . 」

「……」

Myla stares at me while stepping back .

「That’s why I want you to tell Celia and Mel that it isn’t anything strange . 」

「……」

Myla remains silent, returning to cla.s.s while keeping her eyes on me .

Hmm, this might cause a huge fuss when I get back home .

「Ara, did I keep you waiting?」

As I was thinking about what excuse to give the others, a voice calls out from behind me .

Let’s concentrate on Gretel right now .

「No, women need time to get ready after all . Especially one as beautiful as you . 」

I carefully escort Gretel who is wearing an even more extravagant dress than the one she wore for school .

As she’s puzzled by the difference in my tone of speech, I lead her to the carriage I had prepared ahead of time .

This kind of att.i.tude is probably what she likes .

「Take us to the Gold Lake . 」

「Very well sir . 」

「……Gold Lake?」

The Gold Lake is the highest cla.s.s restaurant in the capital .

In order to reserve this place and the carriage, we skipped out on afternoon cla.s.ses .

「A suitable place is needed for a talk with a refined lady like you . 」

「Oh my……」

Gretel probably doesn’t desire a place where she can eat in a carefree manner .

When we arrived at the restaurant, neatly dressed employees line up and lower their heads .

「「「Welcome to our humble establishment . Magrave Hardlett, Miss Gretel Beltz . 」」」

「Did you prepare us a private room?」

「Of course, sir . Please follow me this way . 」

The shop manager himself guides us into a private room in the back .

Inside the room, lights of different colors s.h.i.+ne down on the table and other furniture from the jewel-studded chandelier, and there’s even an aquarium acting as the ‘lake’ in the name of the restaurant .

The multi-colored beams reflect off the water in the tank, creating a beautiful light show .

「Waah! It’s so pretty . 」

Gretel pretends that it wasn’t anything special at first glance but she seems to be in a rather good mood based on her facial expression .

Maybe she’s experiencing something like this for the first time .

As the two of us take our seats, appetizers are quickly placed in front of us .

「I’m sure you already know, but I am just an ill-mannered simpleton of commoner’s origin . I may be ignorant about the manners and upset you as such, so please be easy on me . 」

「I am aware . I will try not to pay too much attention to that while I’m here . Oh, this is good . 」

Gretel gracefully picks up a serving of one of the appetizers and puts it in her mouth while drinking a gla.s.s of first cla.s.s wine .

That expression shows how truly happy she is, which is good, because I was a little concerned whether this food would be good enough when I heard she was the daughter of a Count .

「Before we chat, let’s indulge in the food and wine . 」

「Yes, let’s do so . 」

After that, waiters would gradually bring many plates of food to us .

I thought that would be too slow and asked them to bring all of it at once, but these are all appetizers and my main dish is Gretel’s body so I’ll endure it .

「This here is a wintertime-limited black beast steak, directly from Rafen . 」

Oh, it’s been a while since I’ve seen that meat .

「!? S-so good…… who knew such delicious meat existed . 」

She continues to conduct herself in a refined manner, but she’s still in her growth period as expected, and reaches for many more servings while checking my reaction .

No matter what she said, she’s still just a young girl .

The girl has been drinking in conjunction with eating so her face is getting redder by the minute .

It should be about time now .

「Miss Gretel, don’t you have something you wanted to talk to me about?」

I get close enough to her that our shoulders are touching and bring my face in towards her .

Initially, we ate while facing opposite each other, but as the girl got more drunk, our seats drew closer together .

Right now, I’m directly beside the girl .

「Ah, yes . 」

Gretel looks at me and wipes her mouth gracefully .

「Ahem, there is a tremendous gap between my traditional, long-standing Count household and the house of the up-and-coming Lord Hardlett . Our family’s territory is in the north of the capital so there are very few chances to meet with the feudal lord too . 」

「That’s true . 」

「However, it must be some sort of fate for us to meet in a place such as this royal inst.i.tution . I think we should further improve the interactions between both of our households . 」

I don’t know what she means .

I’m pretty sure she doesn’t think of us new n.o.bles too highly, yet she deliberately wants to exchange culture?

「Could you elaborate more?」

I stack my hand on top of Gretel’s hand .

I signal the waiter who brought in the dessert and tell him with my eyes not to enter the room .

「The fact is……」

Engrossed in the food, alcohol and atmosphere, Gretel becomes loose-lipped .

「I believe you know I am the fourth daughter . 」

「Yes, that’s what I have heard . 」

「Besides my three sisters, I also have five brothers . That’s not including the illegitimate ones . 」

Oh wow, her parents worked hard .

「I am the youngest child and would be sheltered in our domain until they decide to dump me off to some random va.s.sal or retainer . 」

“Just like some piece of jewellery” – Gretel adds in a louder voice .

「I’m already 16 . It wouldn’t be strange if they married me off tomorrow . 」

Traditional n.o.bles often view their children, daughters in particular, as tools for marriage .

Not only is she a tool as the fourth daughter, but I heard that daughters in similar positions to her are treated like a prize to a lower ranked n.o.ble partner in most cases .

「I want to live relying on my own strength . That’s why I enrolled in the royal inst.i.tution despite the objections of my parents . 」

It’s certainly true that even her parents can’t meddle excessively while she’s in school .

I couldn’t imagine them picking a fight with the King or Erich just so they could make her drop out of school and marry her off to someone .

「I can understand that part . But why me?」

My tone reverted back to my usual tone, though Gretel doesn’t notice .

She drinks more of the wine I recommend to her .

「My father thinks poorly of new n.o.bles, but he would like a friendly relations.h.i.+p with a great feudal lord like Lord Hardlett . So if I were to act as the intermediary……」

「You won’t be seen as just a tool for marriage?」

I refill her gla.s.s with even more wine .

「Thazz righd, if I can also bolster my knowleje, and attain a responsible position in the kingdom then I can live on my oohn~1」

Is it alright to tell me that much?