It's Not Like I Want to Play the Role of a Misunderstood, Good-for-Nothing Prince in a Villainess Story! - Chapter 69 – A Lively Meal

The shop interior had wooden walls, a vaulted ceiling, and a second floor.

In the reasonably spacious interior, quite a few customers were eating.

We were guided to a second-floor seat.

Large desks and chairs were lined up.

Incidentally, when I glanced down, in one corner—

The desk and chairs by the window seat were destroyed, and while the food had been cleaned up, it was obviously the scene where something had happened.

Asking what would be tactless, so I won’t say anything.

If I had to mention it, when Beldiha came into the shop with us again, the conversations of the people eating in the shop stopped unnaturally and they kept glancing this way—I wonder why that could be…

Well, there’s no point worrying about what’s already past.

Anyway, we were each guided to our seats by the staff.

After ordering food, I looked at Beldiha, who was drinking alcohol while sulking.

After that, since the team members who couldn’t enter this shop because they were commoners asked us to take care of the captain, I couldn’t do nothing.

However…

“Hey, Beldiha.”

“Huh? I didn’t do anything wrong.”

He turned her face away with a “tch.”

Even if I said something logical here, the conversation wouldn’t progress.

More importantly, there was something to do first.

“Can I start with introductions? There are probably people you’re meeting for the first time, Beldiha.”

“…………”

He was silent, but I took it as agreement.

I immediately started introductions.

“She’s Driema Caarlaan. My cousin and Larba’s betrothed.”

“Nice to meet you, I’m Driema.”

“…………”

I continued introducing Riti and Zaik, but there was no response from Beldiha.

Finally, I got to introducing Misty.

“She’s Misty Claudia. My betrothed.”

“I’m Misty, pleased to meet you.”

In that instant, Beldiha glanced at Misty.

“So you’re Misty. I’ve heard about you from those two idiots in the knights and from Tarsen. Your reputation isn’t bad.”

“Th-thank you very much.”

The two idiots were probably Garim and Debut.

They had a fair amount of interaction with Misty and probably talked about her in the knights.

Beldiha took a sip of alcohol while saying “hmph.”

“So, why are you all here?”

Just when I thought his mood was improving, Beldiha started the conversation.

“We’re here for school adventure training. We’re planning to explore the dungeon.”

“So that’s why noble brats are wandering around.”

“What about you, Beldiha? It’s unusual to see you in a place like this. Did something happen?”

“Mm…”

Right after that, the food arrived, so I decided to listen while eating.

“It’s nothing major. The dungeon’s movements are strange.”

“Strange how?”

“Monsters that don’t usually appear are coming to the upper floors. For example, monsters that should be on the 20th floor or below—middle floors and beyond—are showing up. Those guys who can only dive the upper floors should be happy that prey is coming to them on its own. That’s why I brought the guys who were free to investigate.”

Investigation, huh? A job that seems completely unsuited to this woman.

“Not Tarsen-san or the vice-captain, but Beldiha-san came?”

When Larba asked, he glared once before drinking.

“There weren’t enough people. Troublesome jobs piled up.”

In other words, he sent Tarsen and the vice-captain to the troublesome jobs thinking he could relax, but then the investigation order came, so Beldiha had no choice but to come.

“How was the investigation?”

“Who knows, I just came to eat at this place I heard was delicious before. The team members below will handle it somehow.”

I see, the investigation was too troublesome so she left it to her subordinates. Same as always.

“Then while I was eating at the shop, some noble I don’t know picked a fight with me. Said this is a shop for nobles and someone lowly like me should eat in an appropriate place. It pisses me off.”

THUD… she hit the desk.

I wish he’d stop with the sudden sounds since they make the women flinch.

Anyway, I understood why Beldiha was angry.

Beldiha hates nobles who act all high and mighty like that.

“Hey.”

Beldiha called out while looking at Larba.

“You were that old man’s disciple, right? How was it?”

“How was it… you mean?”

“The old man, was he strict?”

“Yes, considerably.”

When Larba said that, Beldiha exhaled sharply.

“Mighty Sword, huh. Good for you, getting a name.”

“…………”

Suddenly praised, everyone including Larba was staring blankly, but Larba, who regained his senses first, scratched his head modestly.

“No, I only received it as a favor.”

“There’s no way that’s true. That old man likes giving names like that, but he never gives them to those without talent. It’s your ability, be proud.”

“…Thank you very much.”

What’s with this guy? Why did he suddenly start praising? Is this really Beldiha?

When I looked at him with a suspicious expression, Beldiha noticed my gaze and tilted his head. “Hmm?”

“What? Are you jealous? …That’s right, should I take you as a disciple? You swing your sword every day, don’t you?”

Beldiha as my master?

“No, I don’t need that.”

“What!?”

In an instant, Beldiha stood up.

“You’re refusing my offer!?”

“Well, I have Rubert.”

“You bastard! If you weren’t who you are, I’d beat you half to death under the guise of training.”

“Don’t invite someone to be your disciple while saying stuff like that!”

Larba and the others started getting the sense they should stop this, but Beldiha immediately said “hmph…” and sat down heavily in his chair.

“Whatever, thinking about it, disciples are troublesome anyway. More importantly, you’re going in after this, right?”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

“I see. Then if anything strange happens along the way, tell me. I’m not good at this kind of investigation.”

I figured.

“That’s fine, but what’s the reward?”

When I said that, Beldiha silently stood up and grabbed my head.

“You cheeky brat! Who do you think you are!?”

“A prince!”

When I retorted without missing a beat, Beldiha laughed while roughly patting my head.

“Hahaha! Well whatever, I like that about you.”

He suddenly started laughing in a good mood.

I really have no idea what she’s thinking anymore.

Well, the investigation is just something on the side anyway, so it’s fine.

“Not a reward, but I’ll let you freely use the knights’ dining hall from now on.”

“Well, that’s fine then.”

It’s really not a reward, but I didn’t expect Beldiha to give a good reward anyway.

“Well then, kids. Good luck.”

Beldiha raised his bottle with a serious expression.

Incidentally, I’ll say at the end that the food at this shop was indeed delicious.

—Though I didn’t really have the leisure to enjoy the taste.