It's Not Like I Want to Play the Role of a Misunderstood, Good-for-Nothing Prince in a Villainess Story! - Chapter 58 – Stealing an Entourage

I entered the classroom and sat next to Misty.

I tried asking about those people from earlier, but she said she had no particular idea who they were.

Hmm, so if I had to think about it, could it be that person?

What suddenly occurred to me was that person who was, in a sense, well-known even in the game.

Stella Warden.

A genuine villainess who, in the game, tried to crush Misty together with me—Prince Zeke.

Rather than a villainess, what she did was pure evil, including the backstory.

She’s probably in a different class, so maybe I’ll go look for her during break.

“Um, if it’s alright, again…”

“Zeke-sama!”

“Y-yes.”

Someone burst in with a loud voice.

Also, you totally smashed your head on the desk—are you okay?

“I’m truly sorry for causing you trouble because of me!”

“Because of you?”

Are you not looking down because it hurts, but because you’re prostrating yourself?

Looking at the raised face, I remembered.

“You’re that guy from back then.”

The guy who was being yelled at by Hens.

“My name is Zaik! To think that Zeke-sama got suspended for protecting me when I got into a dispute with that guy…”

Well, more than protecting him, I just did it because I was also pissed at that guy for mocking Rubert.

“To be protected to the point of receiving punishment—I’m overwhelmingly grateful. I’ve decided. I was thinking about who to serve, but it has to be Zeke-sama after all. After graduation, please let me work under you!”

“Eh?”

Work? You’re a noble, aren’t you? Go back to your own territory and work.

“You don’t need to thank me. Besides, Zaik, don’t you have your own territory?”

“I’m the second son!”

If you’re the second son, you still have plenty of chance to become the head, so why not fight for succession?

“Zeke-sama.”

My sleeve was tugged.

“Wouldn’t it be rude to treat coldly someone who admires you?”

“Mm.”

Indeed, Misty was right.

It wasn’t something to be thanked for, but still, rejecting his offer outright wouldn’t be good either.

“…Fine. Do as you like.”

“Yes, thank you very much! If you need anything during school life, please give this Zaik orders.”

He bowed politely and walked away.

He seemed more decisive than before, somehow refreshed.

On the way, he passed by Levin, but Zaik just bowed once and returned to his seat.

Ah, come to think of it, he was Levin’s entourage, wasn’t he?

“…………”

Levin glared at me.

Sorry for taking your entourage, but this was his own decision, so it can’t be helped.

“Zeke-sama, you’ve gained another strong ally.”

“Really?”

His full name was Zaik Bensam.

The second son of the Count Bensam family, and since he wasn’t the next head, his position was slightly lower, but still, he was a person from a count family—that was Misty’s explanation.

“Was he a pretty influential guy?”

“The Bensam family is a nouveau noble house. They’re what you’d call a margrave, so they’re inferior to central nobles, but they’re a noble family with substance over name, protecting the border. That said, one of the adjacent territories is the Duchy of Lindl, so…”

“Ah…”

So that’s why he was in Levin’s entourage.

The royal family versus the prince of the neighboring Duchy of Lindl. He was considering which side to join, but in the end, he sided with me, the embodiment of the royal family itself who protected him.

Yeah, I don’t really understand, but if things worked out well, that’s good!

Lunch break.

I ate quickly and decided to go searching right away.

I asked around in the neighboring class, but was told there was no viscount’s daughter named Stella.

“That’s strange…”

Could it be she’s not at this school?

Things around me are quite different from the game, so it’s not impossible she’s not here.

Still, is it really possible she doesn’t exist…

Below viscount rank, families quite often fall into ruin, so there’s little information.

The palace library should compile all those detailed records more thoroughly.

“Are you looking for someone?”

“Ah, just a bit.”

…………

“Why is Misty here?”

“No, I heard from Zaik-kun that Zeke-sama was searching various classes for a woman, so I thought I could help.”

“Ah, well, that’s true. But it’s not something that needs Misty’s help—”

“…Or am I in the way? You’re looking for a woman, aren’t you? One that Zeke-sama is infatuated with.”

“No no, that’s not it. It’s different. I-it’s really helpful.”

And so, Misty ended up joining as a result of circumstances.

☆☆☆

Since she wasn’t in any class, we came to the courtyard.

I wonder if she has an entourage or something to make her easier to find.

“By the way, about this Stella-san? What kind of person is she?”

“Ah, um…”

Brown hair, a body so slender it looked like it might break. Somewhat short in height, with an atmosphere like a small animal that made you want to protect her.

“I think she looked something like this.”

“…………”

I explained things as described in the game, but there was no response from Misty.

“Hm, what’s wrong?”

“No, you’re just quite knowledgeable. I was wondering where you met her.”

“No no. I haven’t met her. Just, you know, somehow.”

“…………”

No reply from Misty.

I used to think she wouldn’t make eye contact, but today Misty’s eyes looking at me were scary, and conversely, I wondered why I was the one who couldn’t make eye contact.

Could this be the emotion Misty held toward me?

Was she scared or something like that?

…No way.

“Ah, that’s right. Misty. I have some apple pie for dessert. Want to eat it? The meal was a bit much, so I was troubled because it’s not an amount I could finish alone.”

“…Is that what’s left after Zeke-sama ate?”

“No way! I haven’t eaten it. I mean, there’s no way I’d give Misty leftovers.”

That would be rude.

“I see…”

Misty’s voice seemed to have gotten smaller somehow.

Wait? She would have preferred leftovers? Which means… maybe Misty wasn’t very hungry either.

Indeed, the whole thing would be too much.

“Wait, Zeke-sama, on the ground—”

“Eh? Whoa!”

I just stepped on something! It went squish!

When I hurriedly looked down, a student had collapsed there.

“S-sorry!”

The student had brown hair, wore a somewhat dirty uniform, was small and thin, and—

“Ahh… such a good smell. Please. Food… please spare me some…”

A slightly haggard girl with a very familiar face.

Stella Warden was lying there.