Chapter 49: Cat Fight

“Hmm?”

“What’s wrong, Lord Behirit?”

“…It’s nothing.”

About a week had passed since I accepted the offer for the visiting professorship.

Before I knew it, it was the morning of the day I was to leave for the academy.

While preparing to go out in my bedroom, I scratched my ear, feeling an itchy sensation.

‘Weird.’

Is someone talking behind my back?

Nah, that can’t be it.

Where would you find someone as upright and just as me?

Anyone with common sense wouldn’t dare badmouth me.

Right. 

Of course not.

Dismissing the fleeting thought, I slipped a shirt over my bare torso.

“That shirt really suits you, Lord Behirit.”

“Thank you.”

“Wait a moment. Let me button it up for you.”

Liliana, who was helping me get ready in the bedroom, approached with a slightly flushed expression.

But why is she helping me get dressed?

This is usually the job of the other maids.

As I watched her stand close enough for her breath to reach me while buttoning my shirt, I couldn’t help but wonder.

Though I had a hunch.

Perhaps she was trying to get closer to me in her own way.

In fact, since the day we visited the weapon shop, I had been intimate with Lucy a few times at the mansion.

Liliana’s room is quite close to my bedroom, so she must have heard me with Lucy.

Despite her feelings for me, she hasn’t made much progress, so maybe she’s been feeling impatient.

‘Ah. She touched me again.’

At that moment, Liliana, who was diligently adjusting my clothes, subtly touched my body.

Her slender fingers, while buttoning, lightly pressed against my firm abs.

At the same time, a hot breath escaped her slightly parted lips.

But was it just my imagination?

For a moment, Liliana’s eyes seemed to turn into heart shapes…

‘Phew. I must be going crazy. No matter how much I like her, seeing a girl who has feelings for me as a succubus…’

I scolded myself for treating the lovely Liliana so carelessly.

Lately, my wandering thoughts have increased, no doubt influenced by my conversations with the perverted ego sword.

I decided to at least block out visual stimuli and closed my eyes.

Whether she knew of my inner turmoil or not, Liliana left the last button undone and gently pressed the area below my abs.

Squeeze♥

“…”

The sensation of her delicate fingers pressing near my groin made my member twitch.

It was an audacious touch.

Wouldn’t holding back be a crime?

I had been holding back until now.

But thinking about it, the time we’ve spent together has accumulated quite a bit.

Maybe it’s time to respond.

In that warm, fluttering atmosphere.

As our faces drew closer.

Just as I was about to slowly lean in towards Liliana’s lips.

Click

“Your Grace. Are you ready to depart?”

“Ah.”

“Hmm.”

“Oh my.”

Endless suddenly opened the door and appeared.

She covered her mouth in surprise, but her gaze was precisely directed at me and Liliana.

A silence fell over the room as the dragon guardian opened the door without knocking.

“…”

“Ahem. Sorry for interrupting. You can continue enjoying your time; I don’t mind leaving a bit later.”

Endless said with an embarrassed face.

Awkward.

What about the mood?

You ruined the moment, so you should take responsibility, I wanted to say.

But my rational mind chose more appropriate words to speak.

“You’re here. I’m almost ready, so I’ll be out soon.”

“Ah, yes. Then I’ll see you later.”

Endless quickly regained her composure and left.

She’s such a self-centered woman.

Although Endless caused a brief romantic comedy-like incident, I let it slide.

Readers of the original work also found her quirky side, contrasting with her voluptuous figure and tone, to be a charming point.

Moreover, I’ve grown accustomed to her while living together at the mansion.

…But I’ll make her take responsibility for interrupting my time with Liliana later.

“We should get going. Let’s move.”

“Yes…”

Liliana replied in a somewhat微妙 voice.

Is she disappointed that the physical contact was interrupted?

‘Hmm…’

I feel a bit unsatisfied ending it like this too.

Then how about this?

After a brief contemplation, I stroked her head and spoke.

“I heard there are many shops in the academy, not unlike the capital.”

“Huh?”

“So, while we’re at the academy, if there’s anywhere you’d like to go, would you accompany me?”

“Ah.”

Liliana’s lips parted slightly.

Did she understand my meaning?

Her lips, receiving my blunt date proposal, gradually curved into a soft smile.

“I’d love to!”

She answered brightly, with a smile like sunshine.

***

After making a date promise with Liliana.

We set off in a carriage and arrived at the academy after a long journey.

Perhaps because I had been here once before.

The journey didn’t feel as unfamiliar as it might have.

‘We arrived quite quickly after having set out from the capital. Must be thanks to Endless’s carriage.’

Leaning back against the plush seatback, I recalled my previous memories.

Surprisingly, Endless had visited the Debelion mansion by carriage.

A dragon riding a carriage.

At first, I didn’t understand why she traveled by carriage.

But after riding in it myself, I quickly understood.

Endless’s carriage was a self-moving carriage.

In other words, an autonomous driving carriage.

‘It’s still amazing even now. The power of magic is truly remarkable.’

I marveled at the carriage moving solely by intricate pre-set magical formulas, without a coachman.

Its ride comfort was as soothing as Lucy’s thighs, and its speed was incredibly fast.

Thanks to it, Liliana, Endless, and I arrived at the academy and were now traversing the city.

Looking at the quaint buildings passing by outside the window, I felt a surge of joy at revisiting a major setting from the original work.

‘Hehe…’

[You seem in a good mood, Master? Did something happen?]

‘Ah. Something like that.’

[What’s with that tone? Tell me too.]

Cheonryeo whined in my head.

So noisy.

But what would a pile of scrap metal understand even if I told it?

I simply looked out the window, anticipating life at the academy.

[Tch. You’re not going to tell me in the end, are you? Hmph.]

Cheonryeo finally sulked and fell silent.

Alright, I might tell you about my possession-related facts when the time comes.

But at least not now.

I gently stroked the sulking guy’s scabbard and looked at Liliana sitting across from me.

Smirk

When our eyes met, she gave me a crescent-eyed smile.

Her expression seemed to say she couldn’t be happier.

Slowly lowering my gaze to her hands, I noticed she was wearing a ring.

‘Hmm. She’s wearing it well.’

That ring was none other than the artifact gift I had given her.

After hearing from Hilda that the artifact was completed, I immediately collected it.

Out of the five rings, I gave two to Lucy and Liliana, and arranged for the subordinates’ rings to be delivered through Vanessa.

The remaining one was for Justia, whom I planned to give it to directly…

‘?’

Liliana was tenderly caressing the ring.

Looking closely at her hand, I saw she was wearing it on her left ring finger.

…Lucy did the same when I gave her the gift.

This must mean the same thing.

Sigh.

It can’t be helped.

In that case, I have no choice but to take responsibility and make them the happiest women in the world.

It won’t be easy, but I’ll have to do my best.

While making such resolute decisions for the women I love.

The carriage arrived in front of the academy’s main building.

[Oh ho. So this is the academy? It’s better than I expected.]

What a surprise. We just arrived, and you’ve already sensed the students’ potential?

[No? I just smelled the fresh scent of females and made a comment.]

“…”

Of course.

Well, I’ve gotten quite used to this guy’s nonsense by now.

Resigned, I got off the carriage with the others.

“Welcome. Since you wished to stay at the faculty residence, I’ll guide you there first. How does that sound?”

“That sounds good for now, as we need to unpack. But is the Chancellor personally guiding us?”

“Hehe, of course. The Empire’s hero, Your Grace, deserves my personal…”

“Chancellor!!!”

While talking with Endless after getting off the carriage.

A sharp-looking beauty with glasses shouted from the main entrance.

The Chancellor’s secretary?

She looked furious, probably due to the Chancellor’s whimsical nature.

But Endless spoke to her nonchalantly.

“Kyla? Did you come to greet me?”

“Greet you? Do you know how much work you’ve left behind? Come to the office right now!”

“Wait a moment! I need to guide His Grace!”

“Another person will take care of that, so come with me now!”

“Oh, no!”

The beauty named Kyla bowed deeply to me, then dragged Endless into the building.

It all happened so fast that I was left dumbfounded.

Is it okay for the academy’s Chancellor to be treated like this?

But thinking about it, it was her own doing.

“Somehow… the Chancellor seems a bit eccentric.”

“I think so too. But she seems like an interesting woman.”

I agreed with Liliana, who was standing beside me, watching Endless being led away.

Soon after, she levitated the luggage we brought from the mansion.

We waited for someone to guide us to the faculty residence.

Someone else will guide us, so they should be here soon.

But I am a Duke, after all.

This guide is a bit late.

Who is coming?

While waiting with Liliana, a golden-haired girl came running towards me.

“Your Grace!”

“Princess Justia?”

“Sorry for being late. You’ve been waiting, right?”

Justia’s pink lips parted, producing a beautiful tone.

So it’s Justia who’s coming to guide us.

Quite a pleasant surprise.

But is it okay for the Princess to take on this task?

“Hehe. Actually, after hearing that Your Grace was coming as a visiting professor, I volunteered to guide you. I wanted to surprise you, so I didn’t say anything in advance. Seems like it worked.”

“I see.”

I had a brief moment of doubt, but Justia’s explanation made sense.

If she wants to do it, then why not?

By the way, her breasts seem to have grown since we first met.

Still growing, Justia.

“Um, who’s the person next to you…?”

“Ah. Your Highness must have met her before. She’s Liliana, a first-year at the academy and my side.”

The carriage arrived in front of the main building of the academy.

[Oh ho. So this is the academy? It’s better than I expected.]

What a surprise. We’ve only just arrived, and you’ve already sensed the potential of the students here?

[No? I just caught a whiff of a fresh female scent, so I made a comment.]

Of course, that’s what it was.

Well, I’ve gotten pretty used to this guy’s nonsense by now.

I resigned myself and stepped out of the carriage with the rest of the group.

“Welcome, truly. Since you mentioned wanting to stay at the faculty residence, I’ll guide you there first. How does that sound?”

“Well, since we need to unpack anyway, that sounds good for now. But is the Headmaster personally guiding us?”

“Hehe, of course. The Empire’s hero, the Grand Duke, deserves nothing less…”

“Headmaaaaster!!!”

As I stepped out of the carriage and was talking with Endless, a sharp-looking beauty with glasses shouted from the entrance of the main building.

The Headmaster’s secretary, perhaps?

She looked furious, probably because of the Headmaster’s whimsical nature.

But Endless, upon seeing her, casually remarked, “Kyla? Did you come to welcome me?”

“Welcome? Do you have any idea how much work you’ve left behind? Come to the office right now!”

“Wait a moment! I need to guide the Grand Duke!”

“Someone else will take care of that, so no excuses, Headmaster! Come with me now!”

“Oh no!”

The beauty named Kyla bowed deeply to me, then dragged Endless into the building.

It all happened so quickly that I was left dumbfounded.

Is it really okay for the Headmaster of the academy to be treated like this?

But thinking about it, it was probably deserved.

“Somehow… the Headmaster seems a bit eccentric.”

“I think so too. But she seems like an interesting woman.”

I agreed with Liliana, who was standing beside me, watching Endless being led away.

Soon after, she levitated the luggage we had brought from the estate, and we waited for someone to guide us to the faculty residence.

Someone else was supposed to guide us, so they should be here soon.

But, I am the Grand Duke, after all.

The person who’s supposed to guide us is a bit late.

Who on earth is coming?

As Liliana and I waited for our guide, a golden-haired girl came running toward me.

“Grand Duke!”

“Your Highness, Justia?”

“Sorry I’m late. You’ve been waiting, haven’t you?”

Justia opened her pink lips, her voice like a beautiful melody.

So, it was Justia who was coming to guide us.

It’s quite a pleasant surprise, but…

Is it really okay for the princess to be handling this?

“Hehe. Actually, after I heard the news that you were coming as a visiting professor, I volunteered to guide you. I wanted to surprise you, so I didn’t say anything in advance. Seems like it worked, huh?”

“I see.”

I had a brief moment of doubt, but after hearing Justia’s explanation, it made sense.

If she wants to do it, then why not?

By the way, her chest seems to have grown since the first time we met.

Still growing, huh, Justia?

“By the way, who’s the person next to you…?”

“Ah. Your Highness must have met her before. This is Liliana, a first-year at the academy and my assistant.”

“Liliana Mapleflower, eldest daughter of the Mapleflower family, greets Her Highness the Princess.”

Liliana bowed gracefully to Justia, her movements elegant yet somewhat mechanical.

Justia’s eyes narrowed slightly as she observed Liliana.

“Ah… so you’ve come together. It’s been a while since the class placement exam, Liliana.”

Her voice was cold, contrasting with her smiling expression.

Liliana stiffened at Justia’s demeanor, which was quite different from the gentle image she was known for among the Empire’s citizens.

What’s going on? 

Did something unpleasant happen today?

As the meeting between the two heroines I care about took on a slightly awkward tone, I watched with concern.

Then Liliana, her green hair swaying, spoke up.

“Yes. It’s been a while. I hope Your Highness has been well?”

“I’ve been fine. But I was a bit worried that you might have neglected your magical studies while staying in the capital and being absent from the academy.”

“Thank you for your concern, but I’m fine. I’ve been staying at the same residence as Beherit-nim, so I’ve been learning about many things besides magic.”

“…That’s good to hear.”

Justia’s voice was calmer now as she responded.

She subtly glared at Liliana, who met her gaze without backing down.

A subtle tension flowed between the two.

‘This is awkward. What’s going on here?’

[What do you think? A love rivalry. You’re more clueless than you look, huh? Kehkehkeh.]

‘Shut up.’

I snapped back at Cheonryeo, who was cackling in my head.

If what he’s saying is true, this is a bit troublesome.

Because…

‘Let’s just get going…’

I’m tired from the carriage ride, and this is getting ridiculous.

But whether they sensed my feelings or not, under the blazing sun, Justia and Liliana stood in the middle of the academy, engaged in a fierce battle of glares.

I stood there dumbly beside them, trying to quiet Cheonryeo, who kept making lewd remarks, and waited for us to finally get moving.

It was summer.