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 06.1: A Duke’s Daughter Invites Me to Bed… in My Own Dorm Room

Chapter 06.1: A Duke’s Daughter Invites Me to Bed… in My Own Dorm Room

They called it a boys’ dorm, but in reality, it was closer to an apartment complex.

There was a shared lounge and dining hall, sure—

But using them was optional.

If you wanted, you could live perfectly fine just inside your own assigned room.

That said, not many noble sons were capable of living alone.

Most lacked the basic skills for it and brought along personal servants instead.

So the first floor was used by the servants and for communal spaces like the lounge and dining hall,

While the upper floors—starting from the second—were reserved for the students themselves.

My room was on the second floor, all the way at the end.

I remember once thinking, “Corner room? Lucky!”

Past me deserved a punch in the face.

“So this is the boys’ dorm?”

Yuri looked around curiously as we walked down the hallway.

Her eyes wandered, clearly taking in every detail with fascination.

But to the boys living here, the rare and unusual sight wasn’t the building—it was her.

A girl in the boys’ dorm was a big enough deal already,

But a duke’s daughter? That was like a celebrity sighting.

Some guys peeked through their doors.

Others casually trailed behind us.

Before I knew it, we’d become the center of attention.

I could already imagine the rumors I’d be dealing with later.

Dread weighing heavy on my shoulders, I looked up to see Yuri standing in front of my room.

“May I go in?”

“…Go ahead.”

No point resisting now.

It was way too late for that.

I opened the door.

Yuri stepped in lightly—but just as she crossed the threshold, she suddenly stopped.

Still half-turned into the room, she looked back past me—

And smiled.

“We’re about to have a lovely time together, so do try not to cause a scene, won’t you?”

With that completely unnecessary comment, Yuri strolled into my room.

The atmosphere behind me wasn’t just tense—it felt like a storm was brewing.

No way was I turning around.

I followed Yuri into the room without looking back.

“…There’s no way that won’t cause a scene.”

If her goal was to stir things up, then she was a genius.

And sure enough—

The moment I quietly closed the door behind me, I heard a loud “WHAT!?” erupt from the hallway, followed by a boom of chaos.

It was like tossing a torch into a gunpowder barrel.

Honestly, not even surprising.

◆◆◆

“So this is your room, dear husband…”

Yuri glanced around quickly, taking in everything at a glance.

“There’s… nothing here!”

“Yeah, not exactly noble-tier living.”

The only large items in the room were a bed and a desk.

Nothing else really stood out.

It had been nearly half a year since I enrolled, but I hadn’t brought much with me.

Mostly because I couldn’t afford it.

But also because the basic furnishings provided by the academy were enough.

“I was hoping to snoop around, but this is kinda disappointing.”

“…That was your goal?”

I stared at her, exasperated.

“Well, not like I’ve got anything worth hiding anyway.”

“Then do prepare something.”

“…Why?”

“Because it would be fun for me.”

Yuri’s ability to say something like that with total confidence was… impressive.

She had nothing even close to modesty or restraint.

It really felt like the world revolved around her.

“You’ve got an enviable personality, you know that?”

“Fufu… you can keep the compliments coming, I don’t mind at all.”

The fact that she took that as a compliment just showed how real Yuri’s self-confidence was.

Some might call it arrogance.

Others might say it’s the kind of confidence that comes from actual ability.

Honestly, I could see both sides.

But the best way to describe her would be—

Very noble-like.

“Is this really your room, dear husband? You’re not trying to trick me, are you?”

“I’m not! You’re the one who showed up out of nowhere. You really think I had time to set up a fake room or something?”

“That’s true, but still—this place has no color. Even the servants’ rooms have more personality than this!”

“Like I said before, I came here to study.”

I didn’t have the luxury of decorating.

“As long as I can study and sleep, that’s all I need.”

“That sounds so boring.”

“I didn’t come to this academy for fun.”

All I wanted was to get good grades, graduate,

And land a job that paid decently.

That was it.

That was my entire goal for being here.

I glanced at Yuri and let out a quiet sigh.

“…Why do you look so bothered?”

“Because it makes me sad to think my dear husband is living such a dull school life.”

“It’s fake, remember?”

I’d lost count of how many times I’d denied it,

Yet here I was, saying it again.

Still, with everything that’s happened…

From her coming to my room to the way she acted—

It was getting harder to tell how serious she really was.

At first, I thought she was just using me.

A fake fiancé to ward off other suitors.

A decoy.

But now…

It felt like that wasn’t the whole story anymore.

That said—

Was she actually seeing me as a man?

That part was still doubtful.

If she did, she wouldn’t have marched into a guy’s room so cheerfully, all alone.

Especially not someone who’d been raised as a proper noble lady, trained in etiquette and grace.

But now, there she was—

Her lips slightly pouting, sulking like a child.

And even someone like me, clueless about matters of the heart,

Could tell that the reason behind it…

Was me.

So I figured I should say something to make her feel better.

But the words got stuck.

The moment I tried to speak, I hesitated.

My cheeks felt warm.

Still, I managed to force something out of my throat.

“…Well, I guess lately, I’ve been too busy for boring days anyway. Everything’s been kind of… loud.”

Saying stuff like that really wasn’t my thing.

If it were an official event or something formal, sure—

But trying to say something nice to someone I’m actually close with…

That just felt awkward.

And over time, I’d gotten used to covering those moments with sarcasm or dry humor,

Until speaking my honest thoughts felt like something I just… forgot how to do.

If that’s what becoming an adult meant, then maybe I was already halfway there.

But right now, I was still a kid.

So maybe something like this could be forgiven.

…Or so I thought—

But when she didn’t say anything back, I started to get nervous.

Was I too indirect?

I glanced over at Yuri.

She stood there, wide-eyed and stunned, just staring at me like she couldn’t believe what she’d heard.

Her big, round blue eyes looked straight at me,

And for some reason, it made me feel incredibly restless.

“What?”

“So… that means you enjoy being with me?”

“…”

Could she maybe—just maybe—try to be a bit more subtle?

If I was a kid, then Yuri was basically a toddler.

She was way too straightforward.

It felt like she just said whatever popped into her head,

With absolutely no filter.

Seriously, what is this?

Do I have to give a full, honest answer to every single one of her blunt questions?

She stared at me without blinking once, and I felt cold sweat running down my back.

That unshakably direct gaze was too much to handle.

Unable to withstand it, I instinctively looked away.

“…Well, I guess… yeah. Something like that.”

“I see.”

I managed to give a choppy, awkward confirmation.

But all I got in return was a flat, almost indifferent reply.

You’re the one who asked.

Couldn’t she have reacted more… I don’t know, something?

Not that I wanted her to press me about it either, but still—

It just felt oddly unfair.

With that half-pouting thought in my head, I glanced over at Yuri—

And noticed something was… off.

“So it’s fun, huh…? You’re having fun, huh…”

“Yuri?”

Even when I called her name, she didn’t respond.

I frowned, starting to feel uneasy—

Then she suddenly let out a soft laugh.

“Fufu…”

Then burst out.

“Ahaha! I see! You’re having fun!”

“Okay, no, now you’re scaring me—what’s going on!?”

She laughed while stumbling around the small room, swaying from side to side like she might crash into something at any moment.

Left, right, wobble, sway—

Watching her made me anxious.

Then, without warning, she spread her arms wide and flopped backward onto my bed.

Hey, wait a second—

“Not the bed! Anywhere but the bed!”

What if the smell stuck and I couldn’t sleep anymore?

“Dear husband…”

Yuri lay flat on her back,

Looking up at me with a glimmering smile on her soft lips.

Her gaze—playful and almost inviting—made my chest tighten for some reason.

“Let’s sleep together?”