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Until the day after the academic festival, I reviewed the evaluations and filtered out the professors. Upon closer inspection, there weren’t as many unqualified individuals as I had thought. Indeed, a prestigious institution lives up to its name. The level of the professors here was generally high, and the magic they researched was also quite advanced, making them worth investing in. Among them, Professor Puring’s research was particularly noteworthy.

I had Helga investigate Puring’s background. Puring, from a poor adventurer family, was a genius who had shown exceptional talent in magic from a young age. With the support of those around her who recognized her abilities, she attended school and became the youngest professor at Meikhael University.

Currently, Puring is known among the professors as an eccentric. Except when giving lectures, she stays holed up in her lab, a recluse… no, a recluse professor. It seems she doesn’t even have a home, living in her lab as a poor eccentric. Her speech and appearance make it hard to guess her age. Naturally, I couldn’t help but wonder, “Why didn’t I know about such a unique character?”

I made my own assumptions. Puring was likely dismissed from her professorship due to poor performance at the academic festival. If I hadn’t intervened, she would have disappeared from the school without a trace.

“Puring is grateful to the Chairman!” she said, her naive demeanor making it clear she was thankful. She even came to thank me in person.

“No need to thank me.”

“But I must! Professor Ariel said one must always be grateful!”

“…Right.”

Puring spoke with childlike innocence, making it feel like I was talking to a little kid.

“If you need anything for your research, let me know. Anytime—”

“Then Puring would like a raise!”

“Hoh. I didn’t expect such a bold request.”

I rested my chin on my hand and looked down at her. “…Why?”

“With more salary, I’ll have more money for research!”

“…?”

This was strange. Why would salary and research funds… Wait. Could it be…?

“Professor Puring…”

“Yes!”

“What do you plan to do with a higher salary?”

“Use it all for research!”

“…Salary isn’t meant for research funds.”

“Huh? The salary you gave Puring wasn’t for research?”

“No.”

My head started to ache. This girl… She’s been using her entire salary for research funds. No matter how clueless she is about the world… It’s only because people like Ariel and Mondri recognized her talent that she’s been able to stay as a professor.

“Puring had no idea! The Chairman is as cunning as they say!”

“…It’s ‘clever.’”

“But Professor Ariel said you’re cunning! Did Puring misunderstand?”

Indeed… Did Ariel really teach her that? I couldn’t hide the pride spreading across my face.

“No. That’s also correct.”

“Then that’s a relief!”

“Right. Both Ariel and Mondri seem to acknowledge your abilities.”

I stood up and gazed out the window.

“From now on, I’ll personally provide your research funds. If you need anything, skip the procedures and request it directly from me. If you’re unsure, you can also ask Professor Ariel.”

“Puring is grateful! The Chairman must be a great person!”

“I am a great person.”

“I knew it! Puring is meeting a great person!”

“Enough with the admiration. I’ll visit your lab soon, so you can go now.”

“Understood!”

Puring bowed deeply and skipped out of the office. As she left, Helga entered.

“Are you done now?”

“Yes.”

“Ah, the flowers have bloomed more than yesterday, haven’t they?”

Helga came to my side and looked out the window with me. Outside, the campus was surrounded by fully bloomed white flowering trees, with people strolling beneath them. The school festival had finally begun.

“Count, your tie is crooked.”

“Hmm.”

Helga reached out and adjusted my tie. Then, almost casually, she asked, “So… are you going now?”

“Yes.”

It was almost 1 o’clock. I had to go meet Bella now, as I had promised to spend the festival with her.

Truthfully, festivals had nothing to do with me. My schedule was packed, and I had no time for leisure. Still, I went along with Bella to avoid the hassle of dealing with the aftermath.

In the original story, Bella was destined to be with the protagonist, Peter. Though the festival was different, Bella and Peter were supposed to enjoy it together. But with the protagonist missing, Bella was now actively approaching me. She had even challenged me to a duel to persuade me to go to the festival with her. Whether she won or lost, she was determined to drag me to the festival. If I had ignored her, she would have kept asking until the last day of the festival.

I decided not to avoid this event. It felt like I was stealing the protagonist’s moment, but there was no other choice. Just in case, I made plans with Wendy for the evening, so I had an excuse to leave if needed.

“I see. That sounds fun.”

Helga, who had been adjusting my tie, nodded slowly. In the past, she would never have let me meet another woman so easily.

“I’ll stay a step behind and guard you, so please enjoy your time, Count.”

Had she learned a lot while serving me? Or was it, as she said yesterday, simply because she disliked festivals? Helga was the epitome of a calm secretary.

Feeling a pang of pity, I spoke up.

“Lonely, isn’t it?”

“Hehe… If I’m lonely, will the Count comfort me?”

“No.”

“Ah, how disappointing! Helga will cry boo-hoo!”

“……”

“The Count’s gaze is scary, but honestly, I don’t dislike it. Keep glaring at me. Okay?”

“…Enough.”

“Don’t say that—whoa!”

Helga’s high heel snapped, and she lost her balance. I quickly caught her before she could fall face-first onto the floor.

“Be careful.”

“Th-thank you… My foot hurts a bit. Ahaha…”

Helga, clearly startled, buried her face in my neck for a moment. I couldn’t bring myself to push her away. Was it because I felt weak? Or because she smelled nice? But that wasn’t the reason.

*Crunch…*

True to the Wolfbert family’s reputation for strength, Helga was crushing me in her embrace. For a moment, it felt like I was caught in a hydraulic press. She probably didn’t mean to, but it still hurt. Keeping my composure, I pointed it out.

“…How long are you planning to cling to me?”

“Eek! S-sorry!”

Finally, I was freed from her grip. If I weren’t trained, my ribs might have broken.

“Ahaha… I didn’t mean to…”

Helga smoothed her disheveled hair. Watching her, I noticed something different.

“Helga.”

“Yes?”

“Your lipstick. It’s a new color.”

“Ah…! You noticed?! Is it pretty?”

Helga’s lips had a faint purple tint. It didn’t make her look pale; instead, it complemented her purple hair perfectly. But I didn’t voice such thoughts. That wouldn’t be like Tristan.

“…It’s fine.”

“Hehe… Right?”

Helga smiled mysteriously. Maybe it was just my imagination, but…

*

“Miss, please slow down a bit. You might trip.”

“No, let’s not slow down.”

Under the blooming white flowering trees, two women walked briskly. Both were rare beauties, but the one leading the way was particularly striking.

Her shining silver hair, pale skin, and delicate features made it hard for anyone who saw her to look away. Bella Izakhel, the owner of that beauty, elegantly wiped a drop of sweat from her forehead and asked, “Does my makeup look okay? Nothing strange, right?”

“Yes. You look more beautiful than usual.”

As Blanshe said, Bella was more beautiful than ever. She wasn’t wearing a dress but a casual checkered skirt and blouse, dressed to impress. Though she chose clothes that wouldn’t stand out too much, her beauty was impossible to hide.

“I didn’t expect makeup to take this long…”

Perhaps because she had put more effort into her makeup than usual, she ended up being late.

Bella’s steps were quick, but her demeanor was endlessly graceful. Her actions were undoubtedly influenced by the pride of the Izakhel family, one of the highest noble houses. But today, there was another intention.

‘Ugh… It’s a bit tight, but it’s still… fine… Yes! Safe!’

Perhaps because she had dug out an old outfit, her skirt was… a little, just a little tight.

Bella swallowed hard. It wasn’t that she had gained weight. She had just grown. This skirt was over a year old. Naturally, she had grown taller and her body had developed, so it was only natural for it to feel tight. So, she hadn’t gained weight. Definitely not.

After walking for a while, Bella spotted a man standing under the white flowering trees. It was the person she had been looking for.

‘Phew…’

Bella took a quiet breath and approached him with a dignified stride.

“…You’re here.”

Tristan Ruelberta recognized her. The young chairman of the school and head of the notorious Ruelberta family. But now, he was her most important person.

First, an apology.

“I’m sorry, Count. I got caught up in preparations and ended up being late… huh?”

As Bella looked closely at Tristan, something strange caught her eye.

A purple mark was on Tristan’s neck. At first, she thought it might be a bruise. But its shape was unmistakably…

“Oh my…”

At that moment, the woman standing next to Tristan gave Bella a light nod. It was Helga Wolfbert, wearing a black military coat.

That alone wouldn’t have been a problem. But Bella didn’t miss it.

The faint purple tint on Helga’s lips matched the color of the kiss mark on Tristan’s neck.

“You’re a bit ‘late,’ Princess.”

With that, Helga sensually licked her lips.

 

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