After I, a Penniless Noble, Entered a Fake Engagement with the Most Elegant Duke’s Daughter at the Academy, For Some Reason She Started Showering Me with Love - Chapter 02.2: Show Off That Lovey-Dovey Life with the Duke’s Daughter!

Chapter 02.2: Show Off That Lovey-Dovey Life with the Duke’s Daughter!

“Let’s show everyone just how lovey-dovey we are!”

That was the core concept behind this round of Operation Overwhelming Husband Love.

Just hearing the operation name and the idea behind it was enough to give me a headache.

Painful in every sense—

Which, from Yuri’s perspective, meant it was a roaring success.

But if we measured this by how much psychological damage I took,

Then the cost was way too high.

“Well then, do you have a better idea?”

“…No.”

I had never regretted my lack of cleverness as much as I did now.

If I’d had just a bit more brainpower, I could’ve stopped this insane plan before it got this far.

“Here you go—say aaah~ ♪”

“…”

And that’s how I ended up being spoon-fed by a duke’s daughter… right in the middle of the cafeteria.

In full view of everyone.

It felt like I was being rewarded and tortured at the same time.

To me, this was nothing short of hell.

“What’s wrong? You won’t get any food unless you open your mouth, you know?”

“…I don’t want to eat.”

My heart was already full.

“Hmm, well, I guess that can’t be helped.”

Thinking she’d finally given up, Yuri brought the fork—still holding the piece of steak—to her own mouth.

Thank goodness.

That tiny relief lasted only a moment.

“Fufu… then hof ahouh a hite fhrough moufh-to-moufh infteaf?”

(Fufu… then how about a bite through mouth-to-mouth instead?)

“Aaahn, please.”

With a soft “mm~,” Yuri puckered her lips toward me—and I surrendered completely.

Who could possibly win against a duke’s daughter trying to feed you mouth-to-mouth?

There was no way to resist such a bold and utterly unfair move.

“Fufu. No need to be shy just because everyone’s watching.”

“Hahaha…”

I couldn’t tell if that smile was genuine or just an act.

Either way, all I could manage was a dry laugh.

Then, with a cheerful “Aaahn~♪,” she popped the steak into my still-open mouth.

“Whoa… that’s good.”

Juices burst as the meat melted in my mouth.

As expected of a cafeteria used by upper-class nobles.

It was so high-end I’d never even dared step inside before.

I never imagined the food here could taste this amazing.

“Delicious?”

“Really good.”

“I’m glad.”

When I answered honestly, Yuri let out a small smile.

“Here, say aaahn.”

“Aaahn.”

In the end, I gave in to the taste of the food and let Yuri keep feeding me.

The stares from everyone around us faded into the background as I focused on the flavor of the meat.

“…What the hell am I doing?”

That line slipped out as I leaned against a wall, head hanging, after leaving the cafeteria.

And no—this wasn’t the end of it.

The next trial came during class.

◆◆◆

The classroom was filled with tension and confusion.

Not just the students—even the teacher standing at the podium had “What am I supposed to do?” written all over his face.

“It’s so fun, taking class with my husband.”

“…Right.”

Sitting right next to me, Yuri had pushed her desk right up against mine and shared her cheerful thoughts.

She sounded so carefree, it was hard to believe she was the very reason the room felt like a battlefield of silence.

If Yuri had always been in the same class—if she’d always been seated next to me—

Maybe things wouldn’t have been this bad.

But sadly, neither of those were true.

As if speaking on behalf of how I felt, the poor male teacher finally forced out a shaky “Um…” and asked Yuri a question, his voice clearly strained:

“Lady Yuliana… may I ask why you’re here?”

“Why, to take class with my dear husband, of course!”

She said it so boldly that, even knowing the situation, I almost believed her for a second.

“Oh… so that’s why she’s here…”

No. No, no, that doesn’t make it okay.

“B-But Lady Yuliana, you’re in a different class…”

“A minor issue.”

“Actually, you’re not even in the same year…”

“Love knows no bounds.”

“……………………………………………… Let’s begin the lesson.”

The long silence said everything about the teacher’s inner struggle.

His arguments were completely valid—so much so that I started to feel guilty.

Yuri was a second-year. I was a first-year.

Not just in different classes—we weren’t even in the same grade.

So her being in this classroom at all was just plain wrong.

The teacher wasn’t mistaken for questioning it.

If it had been any other student, they would’ve been scolded and kicked out on the spot.

But Yuri was a duke’s daughter.

If he upset her, he could lose his job in an instant.

And not just professionally—possibly literally.

So this was what power looked like.

I, a broke viscount’s son, could only sit there and silently face reality.

As I did, Yuri leaned in a little closer.

A sweet, floral scent brushed against me, making my heart skip just slightly.

“May I take a look at your textbook?”

“Why am I not surprised.”

Whether she actually needed it or not, I placed the book between us so she could see.

“Thank you.”

Yuri looked genuinely happy as she smiled and thanked me.

“It’s my first time doing something like this. It’s kind of exciting.”

“Yeah… my heart’s racing too.”

“Is that because of me, dear husband?”

No, it’s because of this entire situation.

She traced her finger along her lips, clearly trying to make me conscious of her,

But I avoided looking at her and focused on the lesson instead.

It was an unusual situation—but this was a noble academy, and the teachers here were professionals.

Even if a little awkward at first, the teacher carried on with a solid explanation.

I followed along, watching his writing and listening closely, doing my best to absorb the content.

“You’re really serious, aren’t you?”

She said it softly, almost like talking to herself.

I glanced to the side and found Yuri looking straight at me.

She wasn’t paying attention to the teacher or the textbook—

Those blue eyes were focused entirely on me.

Caught in the quiet glow of her gaze, I asked what she meant.

“Isn’t that normal?”

“It’s serious. I mean, none of the other students are actually listening to the lecture.”

“Well… in this situation, I can’t blame them.”

A duke’s daughter from a higher grade sitting in our classroom?

Of course no one could focus.

“It has nothing to do with me being here. After all, most of the students in this academy didn’t come here to study. This place is a noble’s playground—to socialize and find a future spouse. You know that better than anyone, don’t you?”

“Yeah… I know.”

That was exactly why I never felt comfortable here.

Why I always felt alone.

“Not everyone is like that though, right?”

“As far as I know, everyone but you is.”

“Well, I am a broke viscount’s son.”

Her words felt like praise, and I couldn’t help but feel a little awkward.

With a self-deprecating shrug, I turned back toward the front and tried to focus on the lesson again—

But just then, Yuri whispered quietly beside me.

“That kind of husband… is the one I like.”

It had to be an act…

At least, it should’ve been.

But her whisper was so quiet, so personal, it didn’t sound like something meant for others to hear.

I needed to focus on the lesson.

I tried to focus.

But Yuri’s words kept echoing in my head, making it impossible to concentrate.

And on top of that, I could feel her gaze on me the whole time—

There was no way I could pay attention in that kind of atmosphere.

In the end, I didn’t absorb a single thing from class that day.

I ended up bowing my head and asking, “Please… no more during class.”

From that day forward, Yuri stopped showing up in my classroom during lessons.

“My darling husband! Let’s have lunch together!”

…During class, that is.