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 03.1: Praising My Dressed-Up Wife in the Waiting Room Before the Social Gathering Is Way Too Hard

Chapter 03.1: Praising My Dressed-Up Wife in the Waiting Room Before the Social Gathering Is Way Too Hard

Every month, the academy hosted a social gathering.

They claimed it was to encourage student interaction… but if we’re being honest, it was just a matchmaking party.

As the date got closer, students across the academy got all excited, rushing to prepare dresses and take dance lessons.

And as usual, I ignored all that and quietly focused on studying.

That was how this season always went for me.

…And yet,

“Why do I have to be here?”

Standing in front of the waiting room near the venue, I let out a heavy sigh.

Attendance was optional.

I’d actually tried going once when I first enrolled, but it felt so out of place that I left almost immediately.

The whole thing was just nobles smiling politely while actually asking, So, how rich are you? What kind of family do you have? How valuable are you?

Even just overhearing that kind of conversation was mentally draining.

“I promised myself I’d never come back.”

With another deep sigh, I recalled what happened in the garden—the so-called “invitation” Yuri had given me, which was more of an order to “definitely attend.”

I did try to turn her down.

But once she smiled at me, I couldn’t say no.

“Too pretty for her own good…”

Maybe being weak to beauty was just something built into men.

Feeling kind of pathetic about it, I gave a resigned shrug and knocked on the door.

From inside the waiting room, Yuri’s voice called out, “Come in.”

“Maybe I really should just go ho—”

As soon as I stepped into the room and started to complain, the words vanished the moment I saw Yuri.

“Glad you came.”

Waiting inside was Yuri, beautifully dressed in an elegant gown.

It was a deep navy blue, like a piece of the night sky had been cut out and turned into fabric.

The dress boldly exposed her shoulders and neckline, but it didn’t look vulgar at all.

Maybe that was because of her natural grace.

“Coming in only to talk about leaving right away… that’s just like you. But no, you’re not allowed to.”

“…”

“You came this far, didn’t you? So just give up and stay with me—hmm? Is something wrong?”

“Wha—no, what do you mean?”

“You’re just staring at me… Oh, I see.”

At first, Yuri looked puzzled.

But as she spoke, her voice started to take on a teasing tone, like she’d figured something out.

That snapped me back to reality—but it was already too late.

“Could it be… you were captivated by how I look in this dress?”

She placed her hands lightly along her exposed neckline, drawing attention there.

My eyes reflexively followed—and I quickly turned away in a panic.

But that reaction alone was like a confession.

Yuri’s soft giggle made my face burn even hotter.

“So, you really are a man after all.”

“Shut it.”

“Fufu, my apologies.”

When I couldn’t take it anymore and sulked in silence, Yuri smoothly stepped into my line of sight again and said, 

“By the way, surely a true gentleman wouldn’t overlook a lady’s effort to look beautiful, would he?”

“You seriously want me to say something right now?”

“Don’t you think unspoken feelings aren’t really a thing in this world? Words matter, don’t they?”

What a roundabout way to guilt-trip someone.

She was clearly asking for praise, yet pretending otherwise.

Yuri waited with a gentle smile, like she had all the time in the world.

My head felt hot enough to faint.

Honestly, if I could’ve passed out, I might’ve escaped both giving a compliment and attending the social gathering altogether.

But unfortunately, my body, toughened by a poor man’s life, wasn’t fragile enough for that.

Still… I couldn’t hold out against those blue eyes, filled with anticipation.

“You look good.”

“That’s it?”

Bully.

“You’re beautiful. A little bold, maybe, but that navy dress really suits you. It matches your silver hair perfectly… like a river of stars. I could stare at you forever.”

“Fufufu… is that so? I see.”

Yuri murmured softly, as if savoring every word.

Her pale cheeks looked faintly flushed—

So she did feel embarrassed after all.

“Thank you. I’m really happy.”

Her teasing tone faded, and she gave a shy smile, her eyes softening beneath the makeup.

“I wonder why… I’ve been complimented plenty of times, but when you say it, it makes me genuinely happy. Maybe because… you’re my dear husband?”

“Fake husband.”

Seeing her get flustered made me feel embarrassed too.

More than that, when Yuri smiled from genuine happiness, her usual elegance faded a bit, revealing a hint of innocent charm.

It was different from her usual poised beauty—there was something irresistibly cute about it that kept pulling my eyes toward her.

“You look good in formal wear too, dear husband.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

I didn’t like how happy I felt over such a simple compliment, so I responded a bit bluntly.

But Yuri, clearly in a great mood, didn’t seem to care.

She casually stepped closer and reached out her hand.

“Your tie’s a little crooked.”

The sweet scent of her perfume brushed past me, and my heart skipped a beat.

“Fufu, don’t you think this feels kind of couple-like?”

“More like something a married couple would do.”

“Well, we are engaged, so it’s not wrong.”

I was too tired to bother correcting her with “It’s a fake engagement” anymore.

And besides, she was so close that I could clearly see down her neckline.

Trying hard to keep my eyes—and my thoughts—away from the gentle curve of her chest, I forced the conversation toward something safer.

“Was there even any point in me coming to this party today? The rumors have already spread enough, haven’t they?”

Lately, the whole academy had been buzzing about who the duke’s daughter was engaged to.

Strangely, the name of that person—me—hadn’t made the rounds just yet.

But everyone had heard that Yuri had chosen someone.

“It’s absolutely necessary. I need to make it clear at this social gathering that you are my fiancé—especially to that person.”

“…That person?”

“…All done.”

Yuri finished fixing my tie, gave it a light tap, and smiled.

“Now then, will you escort me, dear husband?”

I had a feeling she was dodging the question, but I didn’t have any reason to press her about it.

So, I placed my hand over the one she offered.

“I really don’t wanna go.”

“Fufu, me neither.”

Despite sharing the sentiment, we stepped out of the waiting room side by side.

Into the noble world.

And into the social gathering that was basically a living nightmare.