Chapter 52 – Extra: Play

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"Hmm~ Hm~ Hmhm~"

On a Saturday morning, the sound of someone humming could be heard coming from the front of the stone fountain in the center of the academy square.

There, a brown-haired female student was twirling around the fountain, humming softly.

"Hm~ Hmhm~"

Somehow, I arrived 15 minutes earlier than our usual meeting time, but there was no harm in coming early. Edwin always came out before me anyway. Maybe for once, it wouldn't be too bad if I came out earlier than him. Thinking about it, it felt a bit awkward.

Creating an image of diligence all by myself, I've turned myself into a lazy girl. But then again, in a way, it was also to avoid making him wait for me.

"Hehe…"

As I pondered, an uncontrollable smile appeared on my lips once again. I have been having good days lately. The day we first met still crosses my mind from time to time. 

Edwin had spared their lives, but I was not such a kind person. I had asked Anze to deal with them appropriately, and I was sure that Anze, being a smart woman, would understand my wishes and carry them out.

I didn't want to be involved with these lowly people, but she had to clean up the mess that had already happened.

Even though Eda, Anze, and Lara mocked Edwin, saying, "What's so great about a man like that, who looks like a leech?" they were just saying things out of ignorance.

Even if my strength was average, I am sure that my aesthetic sense is far superior to that of those girls who had lived their lives wielding swords.

And that was just looks.

I knew better than anyone how shallow and empty men could be. I have met enough of them in my life. But Edwin is different. 

And that is not an impulsive, generous evaluation based on my gratitude for him saving my life or his handsome appearance, but it is a conclusion I came to after spending many hours together at the academy and figuring out what he was like.

He had the courage to jump into danger alone, the consideration to willingly lend his robe to others, the virtue of not seeking credit for himself, and the ability to hide his claws for the sake of his goals.

He is a perfect example of an ideal man who lacks nothing.

I was puzzled for a moment when I heard the students' evaluations of him, but soon, I regained my composure when I saw how Edwin treated me.

He definitely did not hate commoners. In fact, given his character, I think it would be more accurate to say that he couldn't hate them.

If he really had that kind of personality, he would have coldly pushed me away when I pinched his thigh and made him cry in the cafe. He wouldn't have been so flustered.

If Edwin ever saw the way people who truly thought that way acted towards him, he would realize how awkward his acting was.

So, the incidents that he was said to have committed might also have different truths hidden behind them if you looked closely.

Friends… well, for now we are friends. Even though he hadn't told me everything about those things, I don't feel particularly disappointed or anything.

A man with many secrets is rather attractive. 

And the more time we spend hanging out together, the more I am getting eroded by that charm. 

"Hmmm~" 

I am very happy with my current situation. 

A humble commoner girl who had fallen head over heels in love with the man who had saved her, and a man who was known as a villain in the world, but who actually had a very kind heart.

Such amusing situations are hard to come by anywhere else.

When I met the man who saved my life, or rather the benefactor of my country, at the academy, in the same class, I was so happy that my heart felt like it was going to burst.

When I first heard Edwin's offer at the cafe, I had to hold back the urge to scream for joy.

Because what he offered was exactly what I wanted right now.

I felt sorry for my classmates who were sad for me, and they were definitely not unimportant, but people always have priorities.

In addition, Edwin accepted the price I demanded, keeping my true feelings hidden. So, I was able to stay with him all the time at the academy and continue to be together whenever I wanted, even outside of it.

And as I thought, the time I spent with him was overflowing with joy.

It was so thrilling to receive the pitying gazes of the people around me, and the feeling of superiority that I alone knew his true nature, which others did not know, was so sweet.

Come to think of it, it was also strange. He said he got it by accident, but I've never heard of glasses that make people around you lose their perception just by wearing them. Well, thanks to that, we can meet outside comfortably like this.

Where and how did he get such an artifact? Or is it really an artifact? Could he have other items similar to this?

Still charming. I'm curious. I want to know. I want to become more intimate with him and share his secrets.

One thing I regret is that I don't know if Edwin's kind and considerate side is because he treats me specially, or if it is his true nature.

If it's the latter, I might feel a little disappointed.

I suddenly remembered something. His fiancée, now his ex-fiancée. Anyway, did Iris know this side of Edwin? Did she already share the feelings I am feeling now with Edwin?

Suddenly, jealousy welled up, but after thinking about it calmly, I soon concluded that it was not the case. This is also based on the information I have gathered, and you can tell by the way Iris treats Edwin.

But last time, when we met Iris by chance in the park. Edwin on that day felt a little different from usual. Where did his usual gentleness and coldness go? He was just full of excitement.

It caused a brief moment of awkwardness, but thinking back, it was rather enjoyable…

Anyway, Edwin's feelings towards Iris seem much deeper and more complex than expected. Considering my accuracy in reading such situations, it's likely that this is the truth.

As I thought about it, the jealousy that I had just barely suppressed seemed to be crawling out again.

Edwin said that he was promiscuous, but he wasn't interested in women in general. So, I think his ex-fiancée Iris is the woman he has been closest to so far. Is it first love? I couldn't understand this feeling before, but now I can understand it to some extent.

But Edwin. Your first love is already over. And that first love is now flirting with another man.

I heard that Austin and Acelus are already attached to that boy, but if Robinette joins in, it could be a pretty funny situation. The meeting of Austin and Robinet, who are nobles of the emperor's faction, and Acelus, who is of the noble faction.

Well, Eugene was it? Seeing nobles showing interest in commoners is intriguing, but when you actually see it, it doesn't feel that significant. He's got a decent appearance, but it's just not my taste…

My heart has long been claimed by someone else, so I don't really want to bother with such things. The important thing is that while Edwin's first love didn't happen, there's still a chance for mine.

Edwin Reed. I've set my sights on you, and what I desire must be claimed. Our relationship has just started making history, but it's just the beginning. I'm confident that we can move forward more deeply and intensely.

So, Edwin. It may sound old-fashioned, but I hope you won't turn your eyes to another woman while I'm around. Whether it's your former fiancée or anyone else. People might laugh if they hear it, but I'm more jealous than it seems…

—Oof

"Ouch, my lips… I thought I had stopped this habit of biting my lips. Wait, I'm not bleeding, am I…?"

Ellie took out a mirror, examined her lips, and sighed with relief when she confirmed that there was no bleeding.

And while checking if her makeup looked good by turning her head here and there, she heard a familiar voice calling her name from a distance.

"Ellie? You're early. I guess you heard your alarm properly today?"

"Fool. I always come out earlier than scheduled…? You're the one who always comes out too early…"

Ellie replied to Edwin's words and, putting the mirror back into her handbag, ran to his side.

Today, she thought about holding hands for a moment, but judging by Edwin's character, approaching slowly rather than rushing might be better, so she casually linked arms with him.

Perhaps due to lack of experience or something, he seemed to consider linking arms something friends could do. However, the cute thing is that if the arm slips away as they walk and pretends to be embarrassed, he subtly switches to a fist bump. And he pretends not to notice but seems embarrassed.

And then, at some point, she started using a nickname, and despite his efforts to act indifferent and composed, there's an unmistakable attempt to gloss over it.

Cute. Really cute.

Where else in the world can you find such a man?

"Ed, there was something I wanted to try… If we go down that alley over there…"

"Okay, Ellie. I got it, so please, take it slow…"

Ellie's joyful escapade, today, too, began like this.

—— End of chapter —–

If you want to read the first 25 chapters for free and read up to the final chapter for a cheap price patreon.com/Makima02