Chapter 11:

Eres slipped out of bed, still drowsy. She yawned, looking around her dorm room, but Celise was still asleep, and Arille was gone. Had she stepped out? The mysterious fourth roommate was absent. 

She hopped up Celise’s ladder, pushed her shoulder a couple of times, and waited until the girl stirred.

“Celise, want breakfast?”

“Mmmm…”

The girl tilted over. Her hair stuck out at an impossible degree. Eres snorted. Ah, if only she had a phone. Then she could show the entire school how undignified their princess was. 

She lightly touched her own head. Well, not that she was any better. Was it really possible for hair to stand like that…?

Eres pulled shoes on and walked out, brushing her hair lightly. The dorm was far more lively than it was the night before. How Eres had managed to wake up before her dorm-mate despite staying up so late, she had no clue. Maybe Celise was catching up on sleep-debt? 

Eres walked down the stairs and stepped outside. The stares and cheeky smiles of the girls walking by her made her somewhat uncomfortable. Damn it, Leo!

What was that bastard even doing? Living it up, probably. Leave her to clean up the aftermath of being declared his fiancée publicly. Ugh. Well, if she had to be someone’s wife, maybe being his wouldn’t be the worst.

…

Nah, no way. She’d rather go to a convent. What’s the point in being a rich lady if you have to sleep next to a conceited bastard like him? Shaved heads and potato sacks, please. Besides, it’s not like he’d actually burn down a church to bring her back. He wasn’t that socially inept. In fact, he’d become rather confident in public.

When had that otaku even practiced public speaking? Had he been out selling vacuum cleaners to unsuspecting nobles while she was asleep? Apparently he’d been fighting bandits, thwarting assassins and breaking curses, according to Celise. Maybe he had more free time than she thought.

The cafeteria was filled with unkempt, grouchy, ungrateful brats. Eres almost snapped a boy’s neck that tried to cut in line before he realized who she was, and fled like a wild dog with a tail between its legs. Some perks to this at least~

She was eating by herself at a table—the others avoided her as if afraid to be seen with her—when she spotted a familiar, zombie-like boy trudging in. This guy, seriously. She stood up, a vengeful smile on her face, and crept behind him. He still had his vision locked on the nearest pot of coffee. 

Hmm? Who needs that? She’d already developed the perfect anti-Leo sleep defense. She reached her hand out and flicked his earlobe. 

He flinched, and, without turning around, raised his hand and grasped her wrist. Leo pulled her in front of him. 

She stumbled, falling before Leo reached out and caught her at the waist. He pulled her close. 

“Good morning, Eres.”

He gave her a sickeningly-sweet smile. Her skin crawled. Leo with that face? It was like he’d sewn somebody’s expression over his own. That Leather-face leer of Leo’s was more terrifying than a Lana after cursing. 

She pushed back, her disgust plain.

“Hah? Holding me so close, aren’t you afraid I’ll charge you for a crime?”

“What crime is there in hugging your fiancée?”

“It’s not the act that’s the crime—it’s you. You.”

“How am I a crime?”

She ignored him. Eres still had a plate of food to tend to. She retreated to her spot, regretting ever talking to that sick freak. She glared at him a few minutes later when he slid next to her at the table.

“There’s an entire side over there. Help yourself.”

“Oh, no need.”

“I insist.”

Leo looked at her, his expression tearful. “But it’s so cold over there, Eres. Much warmer here.”

“Hmm~ what do I get out of it? Convince me, Young Bastard.”

He bowed his head. “Your salary is under negotiation, dear Eres.”

Sweet words still left those lips? How rare.

“Words are wind, Leo.”

Leo reached over and massaged her neck, his words coming in honeyed ingratiation—the spitting image of a boot-licking subordinate. “How could a Duke leave his wife with light pockets? I’ll have a new contract drawn up tomorrow.”

Eres rolled her neck, and gave a satisfied nod. “Hehe, perhaps I was too hasty in my assessment of the noble Young Master. A valiant man like yourself could never take advantage of his maid in a such dastardly way.”

“Of course not,” He lied. 

Eres continued to eat. When Leo let go of her neck to eat his own food, she glared at him with cutting mockery. 

“Hmm? Did the Young Master’s hands get tired? Does he not intend to keep his promise?”

“It’s true, Eres. My hands are aching. Please, help me eat.”

“…”

Her lip twitched. She stood to leave him behind, but his hand pressed on her shoulder. She shot him an annoyed glare. “I thought your hands were injured, Young Master.”

He leaned close, whispering, his breath touching her ear.

“There’s three girls that’ve been following me around since yesterday. Come on, Eres. Please? They don’t believe I’m engaged to a maid.” 

So, that’s how it was. No wonder he was being so creepy today. Hah…

She looked over her shoulder. Three girls were sitting on one side of a far table, staring at Leo’s back. 

Had he garnered a fan club in such a short time? What was so good about this chicken-legged freak? She really didn’t get it. 

With a face stiff as glass, she raised a shaky hand, grasped Leo’s fork, and brought it to his lips. 

“I expect a bonus for this, Leo.”

His mouth was too full to understand, but it sounded close to, “Of course.”

Leo’s cheeks puffed out like a hamster. Hahaha. Young master…be careful what you wish for.

She speared another pile of food and pushed it to his mouth, not giving him time to swallow his food. 

“Mmmph?!”

Another. Leo’s eyes widened in panic. She watched a bead of sweat drip down his forehead.

Hmm? Could it be? Had he not realized how petty she was, even after all these years?

“How is it, Young Master? Tasty?”

He forced the breakfast down with a near-lethal gulp. Shaking, he gave her a thumbs up. “It’s sweet.”

“?”

Eres looked at his plate. Bacon, sausage, eggs. Nothing sweet. Leo wasn’t the type to use condiments—outside of coffee creamer. She shrugged. This kid’s tastebuds must be broken from vandalizing his coffee for two lifetimes. 

Eres ate her own food, ignorant of the blushing stares of the surrounding students who’d been fed dogfood at their public display of affection. Leo looked at a nearby boy who looked half angry, half jealous. 

Leo smirked. 

He leaned over as Eres was chewing the last bite. “You’ve got something there.” He picked up a napkin and gently rubbed the side of her mouth. Of course, nothing was there. Eres was practiced at eating without incident. 

Eres blinked. Had she missed something? She hadn’t felt any food on the side of her face. Small bites were mandatory for prim eating, a habit that’d been instilled in her for years. She must be tired.

“Mm. Thanks.”

She finished her drink and looked at Leo. “I’ll be back to my maid duties to help you before class tomorrow. Should we meet at your dorm?”

He nodded. “You can meet me outside.”

Eres stood. She shot a finger gun at him and clicked her tongue. “I’m gonna fuck off for the rest of the day. Later.”

Leo snorted as he watched her walk away. Always so carefree. Would she object to extending her work contract for increased pay? He doubted it. It was Eres, after all. 

He stood, adjusted his clothes, smoothed his untamed hair, and walked back to his dorm with a smile. His thoughts turned inward. 

“She is my future wife.”

He’d said that to both protect and tease Eres. Her, the only one who could understand him in this world. Flashes of their teasing conversations and time spent together ran through his mind. She really was the only one he could be himself with. 

Maybe I should take this a little more seriously.