Reincarnated as a Villainous Aristocrat in an Otome Game, So I Bought the Main Heroine with Money - Chapter 30: Talking to Liese

Chapter 30: Talking to Liese

《Cerios’ Side》

As I searched for Liese, an uneasy feeling stirred in my chest.

It wasn’t that I’d ever taken her for granted.

I trusted her as an exceptional attendant, someone who worked tirelessly without complaint. But Clarice’s words had made me realize something—I had always drawn a line, seeing Liese as just the heroine from the game, separate from the real world we were living in.

“What do I really think about Liese…?”

I’m alive in this world now, and so is Liese. That’s why I wanted to find out how I truly felt about her—about the person she is now. And to do that, I needed to ask her directly.

I finally found her in the academy’s courtyard, talking to three familiar faces.

There was Edward von Luclair, the Crown Prince.

Raul Diego Albert, the son of the Prime Minister, with his striking silver hair and intelligent demeanor.

And Gald Reinhardt, the Marshal’s son, renowned as a skilled swordsman.

The three idiots—no, the future leaders of the kingdom, high-ranking nobles in their own right.

All three of them had gathered around Liese, practically enclosing her as if staking a claim.

Though Liese wore a smile as she spoke with them, there was something off about it—it felt stiff, almost forced.

The smile that once seemed so genuine now felt different, as if she was forcing herself to stay polite with these high-ranking nobles.

If that were true, was it my fault for letting her endure such a situation?

For a moment, I felt a sharp pain in my chest.

Was Clarice right after all? Or was Liese simply treating these love interests with care, just as in the game? I couldn’t decide which was true.

Doubts like these crept into my mind, making me waver. But from somewhere deep inside, another voice rose up.

Even so, I had something I needed to say to her. I wanted to share my feelings with Liese.

Summoning all my courage, I took a step forward.

“Liese, may I have a moment?”

My voice might have trembled slightly, but I made sure to call out to her clearly.

The moment I spoke, the three nobles noticed me and turned their gazes toward me. Edward, the prince, stepped forward, looking down at me with a sharp glare.

“Cerios. Miss Liese is speaking with us. Please be considerate and leave.”

His words carried a clear sense of intimidation.

The other two followed suit, glaring at me with similar hostility. Their collective pressure was almost enough to make me falter. But when I looked at Liese, I saw her wide-eyed, staring at me with a surprised expression.

That look awakened the courage buried within me.

As I was about to speak again, Liese opened her mouth.

“Lord Cerios! Of course, I don’t mind!”

Her words brought a small warmth to my chest.

Liese gave a polite bow to Edward and the others before running over to stand by my side.

The moment she stood next to me, the expressions of the three men grew noticeably harsher.

“Cerios, I understand that you are Miss Liese’s master. But what reason do you have to interrupt our conversation with her?”

Raul said, his calm voice laced with sarcasm, his eyes betraying his irritation despite his composed tone.

“I don’t need a reason. I called her because I wanted to.”

I surprised even myself with how steady my voice sounded.

Gald crossed his arms and smirked, his tone mocking. 

“I see. So, you just wanted to disrupt our friendly chat with Miss Liese? How small-minded of you.”

Maybe I was small-minded. After all, I’d realized I didn’t like seeing Liese talk with other men.

“Let me guess, you just can’t stand us talking to her, can you?”

His provocative words left me momentarily at a loss for a response. But before I could say anything, Liese stepped forward, her voice firm.

“Lord Gald, please refrain from speaking to Lord Cerios in such a manner.”

“W-Wha?!”

Her resolute tone caught Gald off guard. Edward furrowed his brow, turning his gaze toward Liese.

“Liese, are you truly planning to side with him?”

“Lord Cerios is my master. That alone is reason enough.”

At her words, the expressions of the three men darkened noticeably.

“…Miss Liese, I’ve always wondered. Why do you refuse our invitations but readily accept his? Could it be that you’re being coerced?”

Hearing this, the other two seemed emboldened, their expressions turning smug, as if Raul had hit the mark.

“In that case, we would gladly rescue Miss Liese. Using power to control a woman is utterly disgraceful.”

“No doubt he’s using his noble status and money to manipulate Liese, isn’t he? What a despicable man!”

Prince Edward glared at me, while Gald sneered, as though he somehow knew the truth—that I had, indeed, used money to secure Liese’s contract. Their accusations hit uncomfortably close to home, and I found myself at a loss for words.

But before I could say anything, Liese stepped forward, standing firmly in front of me.

“Lord Raul, Lord Cerios has given me the freedom to live as I wish here at the academy. He encouraged me to study, make friends, and enjoy myself. But I have chosen to support my master, Lord Cerios. That is why I prioritize him over anyone else’s invitations!”

Liese’s response was calm and composed, her unwavering determination evident in her voice. She then turned her gaze toward Prince Edward.

“Your Highness Edward, my master, Lord Cerios has never once told me to obey him simply because he is a noble.”

Edward seemed stunned, clearly not expecting Liese to counter him, and froze with a surprised expression.

“Lord Gald, it’s true that Lord Cerios covered the cost of my mother’s medicine when she was ill. However, he never demanded anything from me afterward. Instead, he gave me delicious meals, a warm place to sleep, and even found me work. Do you really think calling such a person despicable would make me happy?”

“I-I didn’t mean—”

Liese’s resolute demeanor left the trio visibly overwhelmed.

“My apologies for speaking so bluntly to three esteemed high-ranking nobles. If I have committed any offense, please punish me as you see fit. Lord Cerios, I deeply regret that I cannot repay your kindness.”

With unwavering determination, Liese addressed them, even inviting their judgment. Her words carried a clear challenge, implying that if they used their noble status to condemn her, they would be proving her point.

“We—we would never do such a thing!”

The first to react was Prince Edward, his voice unsteady.

“That’s right! Just because we are nobles doesn’t mean we would force others to listen to us. And we certainly wouldn’t punish anyone for such a thing.”

“Y-Yeah… sorry about that.”

The trio left, looking visibly uncomfortable. I turned my gaze to Liese, who stood by my side.

To be honest, I was surprised.

I never thought Liese would so effortlessly put those three in their place.

“…Thank you. You really saved me.”

“I only did what was natural,” she replied with a smile.

Seeing that smile, the heavy feeling that had been weighing on my chest lightened just a bit.

“Lord Cerios, what did you wish to talk about?”

“Wee… it’s…”

Caught off guard, I realized I hadn’t actually thought through what I wanted to say. For a moment, I fumbled for words, but she continued to look at me gently.

“It’s about… uh, something from class. And… how have you been doing lately? Everything alright?”

I managed to squeeze out those words. Liese looked surprised for a moment but then smiled warmly.

“It makes me so happy that Lord Cerios is concerned about me.”

That smile made my chest tighten all over again.

(Liese… how do you feel about me?)

I still didn’t have an answer to the emotions swirling inside me. But what I did know was how much it meant to have her by my side.