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 - V2 Chapter 06

Chapter 06.1: The Dorm Matron’s Student Days

I was bad at writing letters.

Once I inherit the title, I won’t have a choice—I’ll have to write them whether I like it or not.

For now, Mom handles all of that.

I can’t keep running just because it’s a “future problem,” but… at least until graduation, I’ll let her take care of it.

“…Graduation, huh.”

I leaned back in the chair in my room and stared at the ceiling.

The first year isn’t even over yet.

Graduation is still far away.

But not so far that it feels unreal.

It will come someday.

And when it does… what will I be doing?

“…Honestly, I have no idea.”

More accurately, I used to know.

When I first enrolled, my goal was simple.

Money.

I needed money.

Study hard. Get a good job.

Even if I eventually inherit the title, without money I can’t rebuild our territory.

That was my plan.

I pushed myself with that in mind.

And yet—

Without me doing much at all, the territory is already showing signs of recovery.

Thanks to Lulu.

In the end, I’ve nearly achieved my original goal without really earning it.

And now that I have… what am I supposed to aim for next?

We found gold.

There’s finally a path toward restoring our land.

So is it enough for me to just focus on studying and securing a good position?

“…It’s not, is it?”

That’s the conclusion I keep coming back to.

Maybe even attending this academy has lost its meaning.

Maybe I should return home, inherit the house early, and properly assist Mom.

I know that.

But when I imagine actually leaving…

There are things here I’m not ready to let go of.

“I used to hate this place so much.”

Even now, I’m still not comfortable with an academy that treats marriage prospects as its central purpose.

It still doesn’t feel like I truly belong here.

That discomfort hasn’t disappeared.

And yet…

The reason I remain here is both because of Yuri—and thanks to Yuri.

“I don’t have to decide everything right away… I suppose.”

The tuition is expensive. The entrance fee was too.

To stay here, I’ve already paid my own kind of price.

So staying until I figure things out should be allowed.

“At the very least, the Academy Mineral Exhibition might help the family.”

I picked up the letter and stood.

Leaving my dorm room, I went down the stairs.

Perfect timing.

The dorm matron was outside, sweeping.

“Good morning.”

“Yes, good morning.”

We exchanged greetings.

Some students say that if you greet the matron first thing in the morning, you’ll have a lucky day.

Honestly, I understand why.

Her bright smile alone is enough to wake you properly.

“Shall I bring breakfast to your room?”

“No, I’ll eat in the salon later.”

The usual polite exchange.

But today, I had one extra matter.

I handed her the letter I was holding.

“Could you take care of this?”

“A letter?”

She examined the envelope stamped with the Ryule Viscount house crest.

Then her eyes widened slightly.

She released her broom and covered her mouth in surprise.

A moment later, her brows drooped apologetically.

“I’m very sorry. I’m flattered, but as the dorm matron, I cannot accept your feelings.”

“It’s not a love letter.”

Her eyes widened again.

“…It’s not?”

Of course it isn’t.

Why would I engrave my family crest onto a confession?

The matron is making bold jokes this early in the morning.

Unlike Yuri, she doesn’t smile mischievously when she teases me.

She looks completely serious.

That’s what makes it dangerous.

She’s probably copying a joke I once made.

But coming from her, it’s bad for my heart.

I don’t have a hobby of risking my life right after waking up.

There’s still that unspoken rule in the dorm—no sneaking ahead.

Who knows who might be watching from the windows reflecting the morning sun?

“I see. That’s unfortunate.”

“You were the one who refused.”

A love letter delivered in person doesn’t come stamped with a family crest.

“Do you say that to other students too?”

“Only to you, Crule.”

“…I see.”

And just like that, I feel slightly pleased.

Men really are simple creatures.

“It’s a letter to my family. Could you send it?”

“Of course.”

This time she accepted it properly.

“But it’s rare, isn’t it? For you to write home.”

“…I’m not very good at writing.”

“You should stay in touch with your family more often.”

She’s right.

People who claim they’re “too busy” to write letters usually just never make the time.

At the very least, I should aim for once a month.

I quietly made that promise to myself.

“I’ll be participating in the Academy Mineral Exhibition, so I need to confirm a few things with my family.”

“Oh my, is it already that time of year?”

I don’t know how long she’s been the dorm matron, but unlike me, she clearly knows about the Exhibition.

Well… of course she does.

I told Prince Lionel I would participate.

But whether we can actually exhibit anything is another matter.

Do we even have enough gold to present?

Do we still have craftsmen capable of turning it into proper goldwork?

And the preparation time is short.

He said it would be held before the end of the year.

That gives us, at most, a month.

Considering the time it takes to send letters back and forth…

Will we even manage it?

I agreed on the condition that it depended on circumstances.

But instead of confirming or denying, His Highness simply patted my shoulder and said, “I’m counting on you.”

Which essentially means, Make it happen.

My stomach already aches from that royal pressure.

Thankfully, he did say he would offer support.

He’s even willing to provide funding.

Worst case, I might have to exhaust a horse riding back and forth to our territory.

…The future looks bleak.

I shook my head, trying to drive away the gloomy thoughts.

As I stood there looking troubled, the matron glanced upward, as if recalling something from long ago.

“The Academy Mineral Exhibition, hmm. I participated once during my student days… but I don’t have particularly fond memories of it.”

“You were a student here?”

“Yes.”

She admitted it without hesitation.

That was unexpected.

I always assumed she came from a respectable family.

But to attend this academy, her house must have been fairly wealthy.

If that’s the case, she could have chosen a much easier position than managing a dorm full of troublesome young noble boys.

She could have become a tutor for some noble girl.

Or—

She’s beautiful. Educated. Graceful.

Normally, someone like her would have married into a respectable household by now.

So why is she here?

Did she choose not to marry?

Or… was there another reason?

I pressed my lips together tightly.

I’m curious.

But this isn’t something you ask out of idle curiosity.

If the reason is simply independence, that’s one thing.

If it’s something like debt or family trouble…

That isn’t something I want to dig into casually.

I sealed away my curiosity and focused on listening.

“I was a student here, yes. But I simply attended and graduated. It was a rather dry and lonely student life. I also participated in the Academy Mineral Exhibition, but it is strongly diplomatic in nature. Even though students are said to ‘exhibit,’ it is not like a marketplace where they personally stand and sell items.”

“Ah, so that’s how it is?”

I had wondered whether noble sons and daughters actually stood behind booths.

Apparently not.

“Yes. At most, students provide instructions to professional artisans regarding how they wish their pieces to be presented. And even that is often entirely left to servants. So calling it a student-led festival may be something of an exaggeration.”

So it’s less of a school festival…

And more of a polished political showcase dressed in a student uniform.

“It is quite grand, of course,” she added.

For some reason, that sounded faintly ironic.

Perhaps I imagined it.

I had pictured something closer to a town festival.

Students preparing stalls themselves, setting everything up, getting their hands dirty.

But I suppose my thinking still leans toward that of a commoner.

If nobles are the ones who give orders, then directing others and shaping the final result is probably considered valuable experience.

It isn’t wrong.

But still…

It feels a little lonely.

“Is something wrong?”

“Huh?”

I looked up.

Clear golden eyes were watching me.

“You looked a little sad.”

“Ah, no, I didn’t mean to…”

But.

Well.

There is something.

“In my mind, a festival is something everyone prepares together. The preparation is the most enjoyable part. So… I suppose I feel slightly disappointed.”

She let out a soft laugh.

“Yes… I understand. Truly.”

Being laughed at, I touched my earlobe.

She probably wasn’t mocking me.

But when an older woman smiles at you like that, it makes you feel like you’re still just a child.

Which, to her, I probably am.

And the fact that I want to protest that makes me feel even more childish.

“It may be difficult to find joy in the preparation itself. However, there are other ways students enjoy the Academy Mineral Exhibition. For example, there is a saying that if you exchange gemstones with the person you love during the festival, you will share lifelong happiness. Doesn’t that sound like something students would do?”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

I couldn’t help frowning.

“Oh? Does that not interest you?”

“I just don’t like how everything somehow circles back to engagement or marriage.”

It’s hard to like that.

I doubt the academy officially spread that superstition.

It sounds more like something dreamy students came up with.

Maybe a little too fairy-tale-like.

But I suppose it’s better than a purely profit-driven event.

Girls would probably love it.

Still.

It irritates me.

The matron gave a small, knowing smile.

“I understand how you feel. But romance is also part of youth. I know that, as nobles, free love is difficult. Still, if you continue looking at everything with cold eyes and graduate like that, you may come to regret it.”

“Did you regret it?”

Her words felt too real.

When I looked at her, she only offered a faint smile.

“Perhaps that is why I remain attached to this academy, even at my age.”

There was something fragile in her expression.

Like snow about to melt.

Lonely.

Yet strangely beautiful.

A feeling rose in my chest.

I couldn’t put it into words.

But I felt strongly that I shouldn’t simply ignore it.

“…I’ll think about it.”

“Yes. I hope your Academy Mineral Exhibition becomes a good memory of your youth.”

For some reason, I kept staring at her back as she walked toward the dorm.

Even after she disappeared inside,

The image of her lingered in my eyes.

Chapter 06.2: The Superstition of the Academy Mineral Exhibition

Maybe it’s because the Academy Mineral Exhibition is drawing closer, but the entire academy feels more alive lately.

Students are talking about it even during class.

You can tell they’re genuinely excited.

“I can’t wait.”

“It’s going to be incredible.”

Every time I hear that, my head feels heavier.

Eventually, it sinks onto my desk.

“You look exhausted,” Yuri said.

“My head hurts…”

It’s after school, sure.

But a second-year like Yuri casually visiting a first-year classroom should technically be strange.

At this point, though, I’ve stopped questioning it.

My classmates still stare at us, not quite used to this scene.

There’s nothing I can do about that, so I ignore it.

“Poor dear husband. Let me comfort you.”

“Don’t you dare.”

She happily rubbed my head over and over.

I didn’t even have the energy to push her away.

I made a weak attempt at resistance, then simply slumped forward.

After that, a letter arrived from home.

Mom gave her “permission.”

She said she would send several samples of newly mined gold ore, along with a few crafted gold pieces.

I felt a little guilty making them adjust to my schedule.

But as if she had anticipated that, she added at the end: “This will be good publicity. Do your best.”

That lightened my heart.

At the same time, it added even more pressure.

The weight makes me want to throw everything aside.

But when I think of my family, I have no choice but to carry it.

After multiple meetings with Prince Lionel, we secured a location.

Ordered materials.

Once they arrived, I had to inspect them and arrange storage.

All while still attending regular classes.

No special treatment.

Everything had to be handled in short bursts after school.

The fatigue just kept piling up.

It never truly faded.

I can understand why some students leave everything to their servants.

Unfortunately, I don’t have servants to hand it off to.

“I’ve been spreading word about your exhibition, Crule. The response has been quite positive. The discovery of a new gold vein seems to carry weight.”

“I’m not sure whether that’s a good thing or a bad thing.”

It honestly feels like things are only getting more complicated.

But since Yuri confidently says, “It’s a good thing,” then perhaps it really is.

She isn’t only helping with publicity — she’s also sitting in on meetings with Prince Lionel.

I’m grateful.

We’ve only just begun.

But having someone reliable beside me already makes things easier.

I let myself relax under Yuri’s gentle hand as she stroked my head.

It felt nice.

I nearly closed my eyes, thinking I could just fall asleep like that—

Then her hand suddenly stopped.

“Hm?”

I lifted my head from the desk.

Yuri’s hand remained suspended in the air.

She was staring somewhere else.

What now?

I followed her gaze.

A group of female students were chatting gracefully nearby.

“Will your fiancé give you a gemstone?”

“Yes. He said he would prepare one, so I’ve asked my family to send the finest piece as well.”

“How lovely. Mine asked, ‘Is that really necessary?’ He has no sense of generosity.”

“Oh my, how dreadful!”

Ah.

They’re talking about that superstition.

Somewhere along the way, the conversation shifted from romance to complaints about their fiancés.

Very noble.

Very human.

There’s something oddly entertaining about gossip, I suppose.

“Yuri?”

“…You know the story about exchanging gemstones and becoming happy, don’t you?”

She asked without looking at me.

“Yeah.”

I had just heard about it from the dorm matron the other day.

Though in Yuri’s version, she left out the part about “with the person you love.”

“Not really.”

“I see.”

“Then that’s fine,” she said, finally turning toward me with an easy smile and resuming the head-patting.

But I said “not really.”

There was more I wanted to say.

Her simple acceptance swallowed the rest of my words.

I just stared back at her.

That reaction was almost too obvious.

Normally, Yuri would demand something directly without hesitation.

Maybe she held back because I looked exhausted.

There’s no way someone as fearless as her would hesitate out of shyness.

When she shows this kind of quiet consideration, it makes me feel like I should do something in return.

Perhaps that’s her real strength.

“What is it?”

“Nothing.”

If I say it first, my face will probably burst into flames.

So I lowered my head and hid my face in my arms.

I can’t say it honestly.

But—

“If you continue looking at everything with cold eyes and graduate like that, you may come to regret it.”

I don’t want to be the kind of man who can’t even step forward.

Chapter 06.3: From the Outside, We Probably Look Like Newlyweds Flirting

There’s nothing worse than having to work on a day off.

On a normal holiday, I could still be in bed.

But dragging myself out because of work?

Pure misery.

And to make it worse, it’s snowing outside.

The cold air bites at my skin and makes my whole body shiver.

“Back home, I never had days off.”

I was always chasing something.

Money.

Work.

Mom.

My sister.

Compared to that, having a holiday at all should be a blessing.

But once you grow used to comfort, your mind softens.

A yawn slips out before I can stop it.

“You look sleepy.”

“…You didn’t have to come with me on your day off.”

Even though it’s early morning on a holiday, Yuri stands beside me full of energy.

Perfect posture.

Perfect smile.

Perfect noble lady.

Meanwhile, I’m half-awake, my collar slightly loosened because I feel stuffy.

The contrast between us was embarrassing.

“I said I’d help, didn’t I? Besides, if I get to see you, dear husband, I’ll go anywhere.”

“Even hell?”

“Does that mean ‘together until death do us part’?”

Her comeback was flawless.

Even my light joke got twisted in that direction.

I shut my mouth.

Yuri looked smug — as if she had just won something.

There wasn’t even a competition, yet I still felt defeated.

Is this part of her strategy?

To make me confess first?

But she’s teased me like this since the day we met.

If anything, this is normal.

She hasn’t changed.

Which somehow makes it worse.

It feels like I’m the only one becoming self-conscious.

It’s frustrating.

And if I try teasing her back, I already know how it ends.

She wins.

Even I can clearly see that future.

So I focus on work instead.

I mean, that’s why we came here, right?

Today, we’re inspecting the venue for the Academy Mineral Exhibition.

After hearing the details from Yuri and Prince Lionel, I now understand that the entire academy will transform into a festival ground.

The heart of the event will be the grand hall—the same place used for formal academy gatherings.

That’s where the main displays will be set.

In other words, the academy’s featured exhibitors.

And somehow, I’ve been assigned a corner there.

Fewer than ten exhibits will be placed in the grand hall.

Even if they’re not royalty or from a ducal house, they’re still powerful nobles.

Marquesses.

Counts.

Even viscounts like us.

But their influence and wealth are on a completely different level.

Just imagining my display standing among theirs makes my stomach feel like it’s filled with lead.

“You look excited.”

“Are your eyes made of stone?”

“Of course. Beautiful gemstones.”

“I can barely see anything,” I said.

But she proudly placed her index finger beneath her eyelid and tilted her face forward as if to say, Look properly.

As she claimed, her eyes were beautiful.

Blue like polished sapphire.

That much I can’t deny.

All I could do was huff.

Apparently that amused her, because she laughed.

“Let’s focus on work. Work.”

“Running away?”

“Shut up,” I muttered, swatting her hand as she started rubbing my cheek again.

I looked around the grand hall.

Workers were busily preparing the venue.

The entire space hummed with construction and preparation.

But there were no students in sight.

Only adults steadily arranging decorations and assembling booths.

Standing there in my school uniform, in front of our empty assigned section, I felt completely out of place.

I’ve been getting a lot of looks.

“Maybe they’re worried some noble boy will get in the way.”

“Or maybe they’re thinking, ‘Stop flirting, you newlywed couple,’ out of jealousy.”

“Eh?”

Wait.

No.

That can’t be—

“We’re not flirting.”

“What you think and what others see are different things.”

“But we’re not holding hands or linking arms or anything.”

She smiled faintly.

“You’re so indirect, dear husband.”

Before I could react, she smoothly slipped her arm through mine.

Even through our uniforms, I could swear I felt her warmth.

“I didn’t ask for that.”

“Didn’t you? Well, I want to. So I’m not letting go.”

She tightened her grip around my arm.

The faint softness of her body made my blood rush.

At this rate, we really will look like some lovey-dovey newlyweds.

I don’t even know how people saw us before, but this feels like turning fiction into reality.

The pressure of the workers’ stares definitely increased.

They’re sweating, carrying heavy materials, working seriously.

And here we are.

The looks feel strangely similar to the jealous stares we get from students at the academy.

Nobles or commoners, it seems some reactions are universal.

Honestly, that’s one thing they don’t need in common.

“So,” Yuri said casually, still clinging to me, 

“What kind of booth are you planning?”

“It’s not really a shop…”

But what am I planning?

A table.

A signboard.

Place the goldwork on top.

That’s about as far as my imagination goes.

When it comes to presentation and design, I have no talent.

If I handle it, it’ll just end up… safe.

Not bad.

Not great.

Perfectly average.

I squeezed my brain for ideas, but nothing impressive came to mind.

Since I received the offer from Prince Lionel late, I’m already behind schedule.

There isn’t much time to think deeply about it.

The fastest solution would be to leave it to professionals.

But then I remembered what the dorm matron said.

A lonely student life… huh.

“What would you think if I said I wanted to prepare it myself?”

“You mean… the booth?”

“Yeah.”

I nodded.

“I’d still need to request materials. But building the stall, making the sign, decorating it myself… I think that might actually be fun.”

…Probably, I added silently in my mind.

After hearing the dorm matron talk about her own student days, something lingered with me.

Part of me still thinks, I came here to study. Whether my student life feels lonely or not shouldn’t matter.

But another part of me says, That’s not all there is.

Both feelings are real.

And because they’re both real, I end up stuck.

Like I’m standing in one place, stamping the snow without moving forward.

If I could live as freely as Yuri—simply following what I want—I wouldn’t overthink things like this.

But if you move too quickly and stumble, you can get seriously hurt.

If both of us rushed ahead recklessly, that would be dangerous.

So perhaps this balance is just right.

Yuri lightly touched her ring finger to her lips and murmured, “…Do it ourselves.”

She lowered her gaze in thought.

I waited for her answer.

Slowly, she looked up.

Her face bloomed into a radiant smile.

I didn’t need her to say it.

I already knew.

Before she could speak, I let out a small laugh.

“Then let’s do it.”

“It’s my first time doing something like this… I’m a little excited.”

That makes sense.

She’s a noble lady.

A daughter of a ducal house.

Normally, someone like her wouldn’t handle things with her own hands.

So of course this would be her first time—

…Actually, wait.

Now that I think about it, Yuri usually does things herself.

She makes tea for me personally.

She clearly has maids, but she never seems like the type to constantly order them around.

Maybe she doesn’t like leaving things to others.

Or maybe she doesn’t like keeping people too close.

Both feel possible.

But the second seems more likely.

And if that’s true… and she still chooses to stay by my side—

Well.

That probably means something.

Realizing that makes my face heat up.

Even now, I still wonder—

Why me?

The academy.

Youth.

A festival.

Instead of simply letting it pass me by,

I think I’ll try stepping into it myself.

◆ End of Chapter 06 ◆
To be continued.