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The Villainous Noble Who Kept Rewinding After Death: The Story Somehow Changed When I Committed Suicide

Side Story: The Meeting of Two – Part 2

One day, Edward was supposed to study with Elize, but since class ended early, he headed to the A-Class classroom to pick her up, only to hear voices from inside arguing.

“You! Always hanging around Lord Edward, aren’t you a bit too brazen?”

“Right? For someone from a viscount family to flirt with Lord Edward, you’ve got some nerve!”

“Just because he’s been nice to you doesn’t mean you should get carried away. If you understand that, hurry up and remove yourself from Lord Edward. Frankly, you’re a nuisance!”

It seemed these were harsh words directed at Elize by some jealous female students regarding her relationship with Edward. Peeking into the classroom, Edward saw Elize surrounded by three girls.

“Those girls!”

He had never felt anger towards the opposite sex before, but witnessing that scene filled him with an unprecedented rage, and he was about to rush into the classroom driven by his emotions.

“Is that all you have to say?”

But it was none other than Elize’s shockingly calm voice that stopped him. When Edward looked towards her, he saw her with a cold expression he had never seen before, staring at the girls.

“I’m just receiving help with my studies from Lord Edward. There are no special feelings or relationships. If you’re angry because he doesn’t pay attention to you, you can’t take it out on me. If you have the time for this, shouldn’t you kneel and ask Lord Edward for guidance instead?”

“Y-you arrogant!”

“While my family is indeed a viscount family, I understand my standing quite well. However, that has nothing to do with asking Lord Edward for help. By that logic, it would mean that if a member of the royal family were taught by a teacher without a title at this academy, that would also be overstepping their bounds. What do you think about that?”

“That and this are different!”

“Your reasoning that this and that are different won’t hold. This academy promotes equality. In other words, rank doesn’t matter in teaching or learning. If you want to learn, you must create the opportunity to learn yourself. That is the equality upheld by this academy. And I merely got this opportunity through a friend’s introduction. So, instead of surrounding me to vent your frustrations, shouldn’t you be taking action first?”

“W-what’s up with this person?!”

“Enough already. Let’s go.”

“What an uncouth person!”

Overwhelmed by Elize’s unwavering gaze, the girls hurriedly left through the back door of the classroom, leaving Elize to gather her things.

“This is troublesome… I think I’ve fallen even more for her.”

Having witnessed the entire exchange, Edward hid himself and covered his mouth with his hand, chuckling to himself.

It appeared he was captivated by Elize’s dignified and cool demeanor that she had shown for the first time, making him fall for her even harder.

From then on, Edward began to spend more time with Elize, being cautious of their surroundings, and occasionally giving her gifts.

“Lord Edward. Another gift?”

“Yeah. This time, I thought I’d try a hair ornament. What do you think?”

“Ugh. I’ve told you so many times, please stop doing this. There are eyes around, and it could have a negative impact on your future.”

“Don’t worry about me. But if Elize really dislikes it, I won’t do it anymore. So just be clear about your feelings. Don’t make excuses about those around us.”

“That is…”

Elize hesitated for a while while looking at Edward. His eyes seemed to say that excuses were not acceptable, so she resigned and received the hair ornament.

“Thank you. I’m glad you accepted it.”

“Really, you’re such a sneaky person.”

Having gone through this exchange many times, Elize sighed at Edward who had asked a question knowing she couldn’t refuse, while tightly clutching the precious hair ornament.

“However, if we truly consider your future, this is not a wise action. Please stop. Understand my feelings.”

“Then, Elize, you understand my feelings too, right?”

“But, our statuses are…”

“Wait. No need to go further. Right now, just understanding how I feel is enough.”

More than six months had already passed since they first met.

Over this time, Elize had grown attracted to Edward’s kindness and sincerity, and before she knew it, she had developed feelings for him.

However, in just a few months, they would graduate from the academy and return to their respective territories, becoming separated.

Even if they had feelings for each other, the difference in status between a duke’s and a viscount’s family made it difficult for them to be together, not to mention the scrutiny from those around them.

Knowing this, Elize couldn’t convey her feelings and, to avoid leaving any regrets, had been refusing Edward’s gifts and pretending not to notice his affections.

“Speaking of which, Elize. I’m sorry, but it looks like I won’t be able to see you for a while.”

“Huh? Why?”

“I can’t say. But I promise I’ll be back soon. So just wait a little.”

“Understood.”

“I’m sorry. Well then, take care.”

After saying that, Edward left the scene, heading to a certain place to secure a future with Elize.

A few months later.

On this day, the graduation ceremony at the academy had finally arrived, and Edward and the others were attending the graduation party held in the hall.

“Elize. You look absolutely beautiful. I’m honored to escort you today.”

“Thank you. Lord Edward, you look wonderful too.”

“Haha. Thanks.”

At the academy’s graduation party, it was customary for those with fiancés to escort them, while those without a fiancé would escort someone they were interested in.

In other words, by escorting Elize, Edward was clearly signaling his affection for her to those around them.

“However, this is going to cause some serious trouble.”

“I told you before, right? It’s fine. Just trust me and enjoy the moment.”

“Ugh. Understood.”

Having come this far, Elize sensed that there was no turning back. Even if this was to be their last moment, she decided to treasure this instance, gripping Edward’s hand tightly.

After that, the headmaster and the emperor, who had come to celebrate their graduation, delivered congratulatory words, followed by a speech from the crown prince, and the graduation party began in earnest.

To wonderful music and delicious food, the students chatted joyfully with friends, sharing tears and laughter while reminiscing about their struggles and memories.

As the party progressed, it was nearing the time for dancing when, for some reason, the emperor stepped forward.

“I have an important announcement for everyone.”

With those words, all eyes turned to the emperor, who began to speak with a solemn atmosphere.

“Several months ago, a large-scale monster rampage occurred near a certain town.”

At the moment he mentioned the monster rampage, a tense silence spread throughout the previously jovial venue.

“Many adventurers and soldiers responded, but there were too many monsters, and some were quite powerful, putting the town on the brink of destruction.”

With the scale of destruction being immeasurable, everyone held their breath in fear of the horrible reality.

“However, it was my son, the crown prince, along with several of his friends, who stepped up. Even as students, they bravely fought alongside the adventurers and soldiers present and repelled the monsters. I would like to take this opportunity to commend those brave individuals. Is that alright?”

As the emperor asked, all the students stared at him in agreement, and the emperor nodded in return, understanding their sentiments.

“Then, brave individuals, step forward.”

At the emperor’s words, several students, including the crown prince, gathered in front.

“Elize. I’ll be right back.”

“Huh?”

It was the same for Edward, who was next to Elize. He smiled kindly at her, then let go of her hand and slowly walked behind the crown prince.

“I cannot express my gratitude enough to the brave individuals here. You have all done a great service. Thus, I shall bestow a reward upon each of you. If you have something you desire, feel free to speak it now.”

Following the emperor’s words, the crown prince and other students began to state their desired rewards, and soon it was Edward’s turn.

“Edward Valentine. What do you wish for as your reward?”

“I…”

Edward paused for a moment to look at Elize, then, with a serious expression, conveyed his wish to the emperor.

“I wish to become engaged to Lady Elize Shivalzo.”

With those words, the venue erupted into a buzz, leaving Elize stunned at the unexpected development.

“Hmm. Engagement, is it? However, there is too great a difference in status between the duke’s and the viscount’s families. Moreover, the House of Valentine has existed since the founding of the Ruzenia Empire, and if traced back, even has ties to the royal family. You understand this well, do you not?”

“Yes. Therefore, as my request for a reward, I wish for our engagement to be recognized by Your Majesty.”

“I see. So you want to use me to silence those around you. Well then, that’s fine. However, I will set one condition.”

“Anything you say.”

“It’s regarding the engagement. It shall only proceed if the other party shares the same feelings for you and has an affection for you. Understood?”

“I accept.”

“Very well. That concludes my announcement. Everyone, please enjoy the dance afterward.”

The emperor said that while excusing himself from the venue, and soon after, the conversations in the hall turned to Edward and Elize’s story.

“Go for it, Edward!”

“We’re cheering for you!”

“Thank you! Your Highness, Mile, and everyone here. I’m going now.”

With his friends, including the crown prince and Mile, giving him encouragement, Edward slowly made his way over to where Elize was, and everyone nearby sensed the atmosphere and cleared a path for him to approach her.

“Lord Edward…?”

“Lady Elize. May I have a moment of your time?”

“Ah, yes.”

Elize seemed a bit confused about the situation, but she took Edward’s outstretched hand, and they headed to the terrace where there were fewer people.

“Ah. So, Elize, is there anything you want to ask?”

“Um, not just anything, but I want to know from start to finish. What in the world…?”

“Haha. I guessed as much. Then let’s start from the beginning.”

“Please.”

“To put it simply, as the emperor mentioned, a few months ago, I went out with the crown prince and the others to quell the monster rampage. You should know how long ago that was.”

“No way. You mean from that day you said you wouldn’t be able to see me for a while? I did notice that the crown prince and several others have been missing from the academy since.”

“Exactly. We left the academy to head to the site of the monster rampage at that time.”

“Why on earth would you go to such a dangerous place?”

“There are various reasons, but the main one was to solidify the crown prince’s position. Currently, the second prince is recognized as the crown prince in the Ruzenia Empire, but the faction supporting the first prince has not vanished. They are superior in military might, after all. Therefore, the crown prince needed to demonstrate that he was not inferior on the military front by stopping the monster rampage with his own strength.”

“I see…”

In the current Ruzenia Empire, the second prince was appointed as the crown prince instead of the first. However, the first prince showcased extraordinary talents in both military and knowledge, so the faction supporting him had not disappeared. Thus, it was crucial for the second prince to establish military achievements this time around.

“Nevertheless, my participation wasn’t just for my friends. My primary goal was to shine in this battle and earn a reward.”

“That means…”

“Of course, I mean you, Elize.”

As Edward said this, he looked lovingly at Elize and kissed her beautiful hair.

“I joined this battle to secure a future with you. As a result, I was able to earn a reward through sufficient accomplishments as planned, leading to the opportunity to propose engagement to you like this.”

“You risked your life to go to such a place… for something like that?”

“That’s not right, Elize. I went there with that purpose in mind. I only think about a future with you and have no intention of marrying anyone else. So I was ready to do whatever it took to make that happen.”

“But taking such an attitude towards the emperor, even being from a duke’s household, is too dangerous. And you could have died!”

“I’m really happy that you’re worried about me, Elize. But don’t worry about the emperor. Regarding that reward, it was a matter I had previously brought up to him. I won’t be suspected of disloyalty after the fact, so you can rest easy.”

“Huh?”

“In fact, right after we returned to the imperial capital, we were summoned by the emperor to the castle. That’s when the topic of the reward came up, and at that time, I expressed my desire for our engagement. The emperor smiled happily and permitted it, saying that he would allow it if you shared the same feelings. However, in light of future circumstances, we decided to stage a little act at this graduation party to announce that acknowledgment.”

“So, you really…”

“Yep. As long as you answer my feelings, we will be able to become engaged. My parents will acknowledge it if I decide, so there’s no need to worry about that.”

As Edward said this, he took a small box from his chest, knelt on one knee, and presented it to Elize.

“This is…”

“Lady Elize Shivalzo. Please marry me. This is an engagement ring, and I will prepare wedding rings next. Might I ask for the honor of giving you that wedding ring?”

“……”

A moment of silence.

Elize seemed overwhelmed by the sudden turn of events, her beautiful golden eyes shimmering with tears, yet they held no rejection or disgust—only joy and happiness.

“Yes. I would be delighted.”

“Thank you!”

“Eek!?”

Overcome with happiness, Edward hugged Elize, and for a rare occasion, she let out a cute voice before returning the embrace affectionately.

“Phew. I’m sorry. I just got so overwhelmed with joy.”

“Hehe. I’m glad too, so it’s fine.”

“But really, I’m relieved. I was worried about what I would do if you rejected me.”

“Worried? Why?”

“Well, you might not remember, but when I first saw you, you looked quite annoyed with me. I couldn’t shake that from my memory, so I worried you might reject me.”

“Oh, was it the time in the academy plaza when you were surrounded by the female students?”

“You remember that?”

“Yes. I have a good memory. But that was a misunderstanding. I did think it was bothersome, but that was because I was projecting myself onto you.”

“Projecting?”

“Yes. It’s a bit embarrassing to say, but I’ve also been approached by male students a lot because of my looks. It was extremely annoying and bothersome, and when I saw you surrounded by girls, it brought back those memories.”

“Oh, I see.”

Listening to Elize’s explanation, Edward felt relieved that he hadn’t been seen as bothersome, but at the same time, just imagining unfamiliar boys approaching her made a dark feeling swell within him.

“Anyway, please rest assured that I’ve never felt any dislike or aversion towards you from the start. And now, I love only you, Edward. So there’s really no need for jealousy.”

“C-can’t handle it!!”

Struck by how adorable Elize looked as she blushed while saying that, Edward pressed his hand against his chest, feeling dizzy.

“I will love only you, Elize, from now on forever. I will definitely make you happy.”

“Hehe. That’s a promise, Edward. But please don’t just love me, but also love our children a lot. Make them happy too. I will do the same.”

“Haha. You’re right. Then I vow to love and make happy the children we will presumably have together, with all my might.”

“Yes.”

Thus, on this day, illuminated by the beautiful full moon, the two vowed eternal love and happiness, slowly sharing a kiss.

Afterward, they reported their engagement to their friends, receiving their blessings before marrying after graduation, and years later welcomed a new family.

While it was a challenging journey, the new family born from their love thrived, being showered with affection as they grew up happily.

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And thus, this side story comes to an end!

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