Chapter 27: Love Talk with the Eldritch Goddess

"I heard about the budget! Thank you, Iris!"

"It was all thanks to Lord Klaus."

After the budget meeting, Freida came to thank me.

"I heard at the meeting that the Literature Club will be publishing a work soon. How is your own project coming along, Freida?"

"So-so. I’m currently working on a poem and a short story to submit."

"Writing fiction is impressive. I could never manage something like that..."

I do enjoy reading novels, but writing one myself? No way. My vocabulary is limited, and my literary knowledge is barely crammed in overnight.

"Oh, mine are just barely passable—mediocre at best. But Lord Albrecht? He’s incredible. He’s won awards multiple times, and even when I read his work, I find myself empathizing with the characters, getting excited… It’s like, ‘So this is what a truly great story feels like.’"

"You really do admire Lord Albrecht, don’t you?"

"W-Well, yeah. ...Hey, Iris, is there someone you like?"

Freida turned the question on me.

"No one in particular, no. I haven’t even been at the academy for a full year yet. It’s still too early for that."

"I see. For me… I think I really do like Lord Albrecht. But even if I confessed now, I wonder if he’d accept my feelings..."

She sighed.

I could irresponsibly say, "I’m sure it’ll be fine!"—but if he rejected her afterward, I’d feel terrible.

"Do you feel your current relationship isn’t enough?"

"Yeah. At the end of the day, we’re just classmates and clubmates. We’ve never even been on a real date, you know? Jumping straight to a confession like this… Ugh."

"A date, huh?"

I’d always assumed Freida and Albrecht were basically dating already—what with all their time together in the library—but apparently, she didn’t see it that way.

"Then why not try going on one? It doesn’t have to be framed as a date. Even just going out together outside the academy might make things feel more natural."

"I don’t have the courage for that! Just the two of us alone… Wait—!"

Freida suddenly fixed me with an intense stare.

"Iris, you should come too."

"M-Me? If I tag along, it won’t be a date!"

"No, no. You’ll invite Lord Felix, and we’ll make it a double date!"

"Huh?!"

Why in the world would I have to go on a date with Felix?!

I don’t think he has any particular feelings for me, and I certainly don’t have any for him. That’s just how our relationship is. How do people even see us…?

"There’s absolutely nothing between Lord Felix and me. We don’t have the kind of chemistry you and Lord Albrecht do."

"Really? It didn’t seem that way to me..."

"It’s the truth."

This misunderstanding is so annoying. Felix just isn’t my type, okay?!

"But honestly, I’d feel way more at ease if you came with us. It doesn’t have to be Lord Felix—is there anyone else you could invite?"

"Even if you say that, the only people I’d consider close enough are you, Lady Emilia, or Lord Leonhardt. Wait—why not ask them to join as the other couple?"

"Those two are way too lovey-dovey. It’d be awkward..."

"I see..."

I want to help Freida, but how…?

"Fine. I’ll try inviting Lord Felix. But if he refuses, you’ll have to accept it, okay? I’m not in any position to force him."

"Thank you, Iris! This is why friends are indispensable!"

And just like that, I found myself roped into inviting Felix on a date.

"What's the specific plan for this outing?"

"Well, there's a literary survey event coming up in town to coincide with our club's publication. We could just have you both join us for that."

"Understood. I'll extend the invitation with that premise."

Now then... would Felix actually agree? I had a sinking feeling he'd just snap, "Why the hell should I waste my time with you?" and leave me hanging.

With these worries swirling in my head, I made my way to the student council room—where, of course, Felix was present.

"Lord Felix. Do you have a moment?"

"I'm busy."

Welp. This is doomed. He wouldn't even hear me out.

"Then I'll wait."

But if I gave up this easily, Freida would be disappointed. So I settled in, quietly transcribing meeting minutes while biding my time.

"You waited, Miss Iris. What is it?"

Oh? So he was willing to listen after all.

"Well, you see... Freida and I will be visiting town soon to survey popular books for our club's research. I was wondering if you might... join us?"

"Is this a Literature Club activity?"

"Yes. Precisely."

"Hmm..."

I'd carefully avoided any mention of the word date, and Felix fell into thought.

"Fine. I'll go. When?"

"This weekend, 10 AM at the Imperial Central Station."

"Imperial Central Station at 10 AM. Noted."

...Huh. That went suspiciously smoothly.

Then again, framing it as a casual outing rather than a date probably helped. After all, this was technically a double date—but Freida and Albrecht were the main event. Felix and I? Just background noise.

"Do come. I'll be looking forward to it." (Lie.)

"Yeah."

(I wasn't actually looking forward to it, but if he bailed last-minute, the whole plan would collapse.)

The Day Arrives

Though it was summer, I remained clad in my usual attire—a high-coverage dress, gloves, and tights. To any onlooker, it must have seemed unbearably stuffy, but to me? Nothing. After all, I am the Dark Lord~.

"Oh? Lord Felix, you're already here."

"Mn. Punctuality is non-negotiable."

I’d arrived ten minutes early, yet Felix had beaten me there. Dressed in impeccably tailored attire, his height and bearing made him seem less like a student and more like a nobleman.

"Iris! Lord Felix!"

Freida’s voice rang out as she arrived with Albrecht in tow.

She’d clearly gone all out for the occasion, wearing a charming yet breezy summer dress. Albrecht, however, looked no different than usual—much like Felix.

"We’ll be in your care today."

"Fine. I’ll assist where I can."

Felix responded to Freida with his typical brevity.

"Shall we go, then?"

Freida positioned herself firmly at Albrecht’s side, while I fell into step beside Felix, careful not to intrude. The two of them led the way, with us following behind.

"Miss Iris. Aren’t you overheating in that?"

Felix’s question wasn’t a compliment—just blunt curiosity.

"I’ve been advised to avoid chilling my body."

"I see. That sounds troublesome."

Ugh. This silence is agony. So awkward~.

"Do you come to this area often?"

"No. I rarely go out. My parents worry about potential... incidents."

"Then let me show you around."

Felix pointed toward one of the capital’s most prominent buildings.

"That hotel was built for the World Expo. Still operates as a luxury establishment. The rooftop restaurant’s view is worth experiencing."

"I’d love to see it someday."

"You should. And that monument commemorates the end of the last war. Designed by an artist who graduated from our academy—which also donated funds for its construction."

"Ohh."

I listened as Felix narrated the capital’s landmarks. Surprisingly engaging. The game had glossed over these details.

"Incidentally, where are we heading for these books? The major bookstore here would be Nakoto Books. Is that the destination?"

"That’s what I’ve heard. Along with the bookstore section in the Imperial Department Store."

"I see. Miss Iris, any favorite books you’ve read recently?"

Wait, why is Felix being so... proactive? What’s happening?

"I haven’t had much time for reading lately... Keeping up with studies is demanding enough."

"I see."

But this silence is worse! Say something~!

"Iris! Lord Felix! That’s Nakoto Books up ahead!"

Freida’s voice rescued me as the massive bookstore came into view.

……………………