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 04.1: A Private Meeting with Prince Lionel and a Pressing Choice

Chapter 04.1: A Private Meeting with Prince Lionel and a Pressing Choice

What… what am I supposed to do here?

This felt like I’d accidentally witnessed a top-secret government secret.

Well, maybe not secret—more like embarrassing—but that I shouldn’t have seen this feeling was very real.

Still frozen in place, I stood there unsure of what to do while Prince Lionel slowly turned around… still on all fours.

“…”

“…”

The silence was excruciating.

(Maybe I can pretend I didn’t see anything and just walk past… no, that won’t work, will it?)

Before I could act on that idea, Prince Lionel stood up, calmly brushing dust off his knees.

“We met at the social gathering, didn’t we? You were with Lady Yuliana—”

“Wait… you’re really going to just keep going like nothing happened?”

“…I would’ve appreciated the courtesy of pretending you didn’t see anything.”

“…Sorry.”

My true thoughts slipped out.

Normally, I’d never speak that casually to royalty,

But the shock of it all got to me, and it just blurted out.

I quickly clamped my hand over my mouth—

But of course, it was already too late.

His sharp golden eyes narrowed slightly, making cold sweat run down my back.

“Lady Yuliana’s introduction makes more sense now. You’re just like her.”

“…That’s not something I’m proud of.”

The last thing I wanted was to be lumped together with Yuri,

Someone who practically lived off teasing people for fun.

In her case, it’s not that she can’t read the room—

She just chooses not to.

I wasn’t like that.

I just panicked and said the wrong thing.

But Prince Lionel chuckled quietly and added,

“Yes… definitely similar.”

No, we’re not.

You’ve got the wrong idea!

“This works out. I’ve been meaning to speak with you. Lend me a moment of your time.”

“Uh… well…”

I glanced toward the hedge in the garden—

That was where Yuri and I usually had our tea during lunch.

We hadn’t made any official plans, but if I didn’t show up, she’d definitely worry.

More importantly…

What came after would be terrifying.

Why didn’t you come today?

Just imagining her closing in with that perfect smile made my blood run cold.

Prince Lionel followed my gaze, then stroked his chin thoughtfully.

“I won’t take up much of your time. I’ve no intention of interfering with your little rendezvous with your fiancée. —Even if she’s only one in name.”

…He knew.

He completely saw through us.

I didn’t know if he was trying to pressure me or not,

But it definitely felt like, ‘If you don’t come with me, I might just expose that fake engagement of yours.’

That’s… such a noble move.

Very royal family of him.

“…Alright.”

“Good. Then follow me.”

Prince Lionel turned around and began walking like everything had gone exactly as planned.

I’d been outmaneuvered.

Even if he was royalty, the fact that I felt like I’d just lost an argument really irritated me.

But… that’s what it meant to be a subject.

That was the gap between our social standings.

“…Do you like cats?”

“…You really are just like her.”

Watching his shoulders slump from behind gave me the tiniest bit of satisfaction.

◆◆◆

“I don’t like cats or anything.”

We were in a guest room, a little ways off from the rose maze.

It was a private chamber meant for high-ranking students to have discreet conversations.

And the first thing Prince Lionel said in that room… was an excuse.

“I don’t think it’s something you need to defend.”

“Correcting misunderstandings is part of a royal’s duty.”

That sounded more like a personal issue than a royal one, honestly.

“…Alright, if you say so.”

“You clearly don’t understand anything.”

“Weren’t you just asking me to keep your love of cats a secret?”

“That’s not it.”

I really couldn’t take that denial at face value.

I mean, I saw him on all fours, trying to pet a cat.

You don’t do that unless you really like them—especially if you’re a noble who hates getting dirty.

“You’re not thinking anything disrespectful, are you?”

“Not at all.”

I laughed it off, trying to dodge the question.

Prince Lionel looked like he wanted to say something… but ended up shutting his mouth again.

“…Fine. Anyway, like I said, I don’t like cats. I was just trying to get used to them.”

“Used to them?”

Prince Lionel said it like it was hard for him to admit.

But really, I couldn’t imagine a reason a royal would need to get used to cats.

Was the royal palace planning to adopt one or something?

Just as I started wondering that, Prince Lionel must’ve noticed—

Because he went ahead and told me why.

“It’s a personal reason. One of my… well, my friends really likes cats. They couldn’t stand seeing how animals—cats especially—are scared of me, so they’ve been trying to help. I don’t really mind it myself, but… seeing how hard they’re trying, I figured I should at least make an effort too.”

His tone sounded a little troubled… but also softer than usual.

Even his normally expressionless face, which always gave off a cold impression, had eased into something warmer—a friendly smile.

Whoever this friend was, they must be someone he’s really close to.

So he can make faces like this too…

I was still caught off guard by how different he looked when Prince Lionel suddenly straightened his expression again.

“I may have said a bit too much.”

Honestly, I kind of wanted to hear more.

But that probably wasn’t the reason he called me here.

If this whole thing was just about cats, then yeah—I’d definitely start worrying about the country’s future.

“The real reason I called you here… I want you to convince Lady Yuliana.”

Thankfully, it wasn’t about cats.

It was just what I expected.

After what happened at the social gathering, this was the only reason that made sense.

To reset the mood, Prince Lionel raised his brow slightly, sharpening his expression.

His golden eyes locked on me with a piercing gaze.

“The kingdom is in a fragile state. Do you understand why?”

“Lack of funding, right?”

At my answer, Prince Lionel gave a small nod.

“Exactly. That sums up the root of the kingdom’s current problems. I’d heard the Ryule family fell into decline after the gold mine dried up—But perhaps you’ll manage to turn things around after all.”

“More like… I’ve just gotten good at dealing with the struggle directly.”

If not for that, I might’ve given a completely different answer.

But the surprising part wasn’t my response.

“You know my name?”

“You’re Crule from House Ryule, right? I’ve memorized the names and faces of every student enrolled at the academy.”

“That’s… impressive.”

“It’s only natural for a royal.”

Only natural, he says.

He looked completely unfazed, but even if this academy only admitted nobles, it still had over a hundred students.

Sure, remembering classmates might be doable,

But knowing the names and faces of students from other classes and other years—with whom you probably have no interaction at all—is a different level.

I’d always thought all that ‘closest to the throne’ talk was just nobles exaggerating again…

But maybe it wasn’t as overblown as I thought.

“If I were to explain the funding issue more fully—The kingdom’s primary industry, mining, is in decline. That’s led to a rise in unemployment. Then, with our domestic food production lacking, we’ve become dependent on imports. But we don’t have enough funds to keep buying. Now add the succession dispute on top of that. These problems are spreading, one after another. But at the core of all of it… is a lack of money.”

“So… if the kingdom had money, everything would be fixed?”

“Not everything. But the nation would at least be stable.”

That hit close to home.

After all, my own family was part of that industrial decline.

And this whole idea that money solves everything…

It sounded uncomfortably similar to our situation too.

“But I don’t really see how marrying Yuri… I mean, Lady Yuliana, would solve everything.”

“It connects perfectly. If I marry Lady Yuliana—or rather, the Arrose ducal house—then I become the next king. Even my older brother, who’s first in line to the throne, won’t be able to overturn that. That would settle the succession dispute. The nobles who’ve been sitting on the fence will rally behind me. With their financial support, even if it’s only temporary, the kingdom can be stabilized. After that, it’s just a matter of what I can accomplish as king.”

“So, if you become king, the kingdom will be stable?”

“I’ll make sure it is.”

His reply was firm and full of conviction.

There were a lot of uncertain factors in what he said, and nothing was guaranteed.

But somehow, I believed him.

He had the kind of presence that made you think, If anyone can do it, it’s him.

So this was what royal authority felt like.

“It wouldn’t be a bad deal for you either. Considering the state of House Ryule, I assume you want stability for the kingdom too. If you’re willing to cooperate, I won’t hesitate to offer my support.”

“…That’s a dream offer for a fallen viscount like me.”

I’d enrolled in this academy to land a good job—and ultimately, to earn money.

If Prince Lionel was willing to back me…

That would solve almost all the problems I’d been carrying.

I could finally support my family.

My sister wouldn’t have to be forced into some unwanted marriage anymore.

“Let me hear your answer, Crule Ryule.”

Prince Lionel’s words carried a weight that felt almost overwhelming—

And I—

◆◆◆

“You’re late.”

“Yeah, sorry.”

After my talk with Prince Lionel, I headed to the garden, where a visibly pouty Yuri was waiting for me.

“Where were you and what were you doing?”

“Uh…”

What should I say?

For a moment, I hesitated under her sharp, scolding gaze.

But in the end, I figured—whatever, I’ll just be honest.

“I was talking with Prince Lionel.”