Indulging My Fiancée's Little Game

On the day of the entrance ceremony, I headed to the academy a little offset from the other students.

The greetings and procedural run-throughs had been finished by the day before, as a courtesy so my arrival wouldn't cause a commotion during the rush.

I brought Kenho along as my attendant, just in case.

Passing through the less-crowded main gate by carriage and alighting at the drop-off, I found Kenho heaving a sigh.

"What's wrong, Kenho?"

"Ah. No, it's just, y'know? I was thinking, that fiancée of yours is coming too, right."

"Don't tell me… you're going to say you've fallen for Koleha?"

"Don't be stupid!! You're about the only one who'd fall for her!!"

"Huh? 'Her'? Did you just call my fiancée 'her' like that? … Well, I can't say I don't get the feeling, but for my fiancée's honor, I demand an apology."

"… My bad. That was just a figure of speech. I only mean that no one but you could keep her in check. Aside from a bit of aversion, I don't have any ulterior intent."

Mm, good. I nodded, accepting the apology.

"I think you'll make a fitting crown prince couple."

"Yeah. Thanks, that's the best thing you could say. I'll strive to make it so."

One way or another, Kenho's heart had been thoroughly broken by Koleha.

When she laid out his idea of the 'ideal knight' and ranked the reasons that, as he was, he could never become it — I thought that was cruel.

Well, it's led to improvements on many fronts, so it's fine in the end.

The old Kenho wouldn't have admitted a weakness, much less apologized; he'd have been removed from my side in time.

If he'd been raised by the tutor Koleha dismissed, maybe they would have been a good match.

As we bantered and made for the auditorium, we spotted a suspicious woman wandering around even at this hour.

Glossy long blonde hair. The academy uniform. Judging by how she wasn't used to the clothes, she was likely a new student… a honey trap?

Even so, I couldn't ignore her. I elbowed the dazedly gawking Kenho and, while staying wary, addressed her as if I'd just noticed.

"Hm? You there, are you a new student?"

When I spoke, the woman twitched and looked our way as if startled.

"Y-yes. I am a new student. Um, and you are…?"

"Ah. I'm also a new student… but what are you doing here? The ceremony will start. Come, let's go."

"Y-yes!"

Suspicious. Very suspicious… but I recognized that voice.

The arrangement of the features on that face also tugged at my memory.

"Hm? You there…"

"Hya!?"

"Your Highness, maybe don't stare at women so much?"

"Ah, my apologies. I couldn't bring the name to mind. I thought I'd memorized the faces and names of all new students."

Oops. Kenho called me out.

I kept my distance while the unease lingered. It would be bad if I touched her by accident.

You see, I have a contract: 'A fine for touching any woman other than my fiancée or family.'

…

Ah. Right. That facial layout.

"Ah. Well, I'm a commoner, so it's only natural you don't know my name."

"… Hmm. True, if you're not a noble, you won't be in the registry. But with that face, I'd have sworn you were a noble."

"P-perish the thought!"

Yeah. Thought so. This one is Summer—a commoner, my fiancée Koleha's attendant maid.

Or rather… had she been promoted to lady's maid now?

According to Jangaria's intel, she'd secured admission in the lady's maid slot.

Which means Koleha should be nearby, too…

Right. This one would have been registered under Summer's name. If I asked her name, wouldn't she slip up?

And if she did, wouldn't she seek Koleha's help?

"And your name?"

"Eh!? U-um…"

The woman's gaze turned toward the bushes.

There it was, as expected — the purple hue of my beloved fiancée.

I deliberately didn't look straight that way, keeping her just at the edge of my vision.

No doubt about it. Koleha's setup.

A honey trap to test my sincerity — 'trial behavior'?

… Hmm. Since she went to the trouble, indulging my fiancée's little game might be nice.

"Hm? Is there something over there?"

"N-no, um! H-Hiiro Inn."

"Inn… Hmm. There was an Innsmouth family, wasn't there. Are you related?"

"W-who knows? I've never seen the family tree."

Out of the corner of my eye, the shrub rustled.

Your hiding is sloppy. And your follow-through seems sloppy, too.

That name is too random. I'll check the rolls later and it'll be exposed in an instant.

I glanced over just a little; she was holding her breath adorably.

"Hm? Something wrong, Harks?"

"… No, just a cute violet blooming. We should be going or we'll be late. Hiiro, was it? Hurry so you're not late."

"Ah, yes."

I tore myself away and headed for the auditorium with Kenho.

Hey, what's with that "It's fine, he's an idiot!"? I can hear you.

… I'll summon Summer later and hear her out.

From the look of it, she'll spill immediately about what Koleha is plotting.

It's our precious school life, indulging her schemes is a pleasure in itself.