Reincarnated As The Only Son (18 years old) Of The Arrogant And Wicked Marquis Family.

Reincarnated As The Only Son (18 years old) Of The Arrogant And Wicked Marquis Family. - Chapter 10: A Brilliant Bookworm Girl.②

A Brilliant Bookworm Girl.②

As Elena and Shea were having a pleasant conversation in the cafeteria—

“Is it good? Beret St. Ford.”

“Ehh?”

“That book I recommended.”

Just as I was quietly reading a book in the reading space in the library, a brilliant book-loving woman, who was also reading, approached me.

“Ahh …It’s in its early stages, so I can’t say for sure, but it’s good.”

“I see.”

What I was reading now was a romance novel. Its story was a story with differences in backgrounds.

“If you feel it’s not for you, feel free to let me know. We have a lot of books here.”

“Yes, thank you.”

“No, you don’t have to thank me.”

Her eyes were fixed all the time on the book she was holding with both hands.

Her sleepy golden eyes ran over the vertically written words as she skillfully managed to do two things: reading and talking.

“Excuse me, does anyone else use the library during lunchtime?　From the looks of it, it seems like it’s just you and me.”

“Yes, there is a librarian who comes in once in a while. Eating and drinking are not allowed in the library.”

“I see.”

That was a good thing to know. It was as if I had found a place where I could kill time without being seen.

“But I didn’t know there were others who choose reading over appetite, which is one of the three major human desires.”

“Haha, that’s a misunderstanding. I have more appetite than reading.”

“I’m sorry, You certainly are. If you are as eccentric as I am, then we would have seen each other everyday? Forget what I just said.”

A strange statement for me with a wicked reputation… I knew she had a lot of guts, this girl.

She always looked at me with contempt when I was going to school, and basically avoided me in the hallways and classrooms, so I was happy to be treated as a normal student.

I guess she was one of those who understood the school motto, “All students are equal.”

“Oh, and by ‘we would see each other every day,’ you mean you use the library every day?”

“I use the library every day.”

“I-is that so?”

“Yes, I do. I took a test and got a special exception.”

“Wow…”

A special exception. Of course, she would not have been allowed if she did not get a high score on the test…

There was no point in lying.

Conviction was quick.

“Now, Beret St. Ford. I have one question for you as well.”

“Of course. What is it?”

“Do I need to introduce myself? You have been calling me ‘you’ for a while now.”

“Oh, yeah. That would be great. I’m sorry, I don’t know your name.”

“I don’t mind. I’m of low status and I’ve never been to a soirée before.”

I had always wanted her to introduce herself to me, but I had never been able to say so.

When I gratefully accepted the offer, her sleepy eyes, which had been fixed on a book for a long time, turned toward me and she bowed her head, which was tied into a side-tail, and greeted me politely.

“Luna Peremmel. Third daughter of a baroness. Second-year high school student.”

“Thank you for your kindness. Luna, yes, I remember you. Should I introduce myself?”

“No, I know who you are.”

“I see.”

“Yes.”

I had expected her to come from a noble family based on the atmosphere and appearance she wore, my expectations were correct.

“…”

Introductions were done, and when the conversation stopped, I went back to reading myself.

It was a very quiet time, but I didn’t feel awkward.

And so it was, just as I had entered the world of books and continued reading for what seemed like ten minutes.

“…I’m going to believe you now. Beret St. Ford.”

“Ehh!? Why?”

She suddenly communicated in a certain tone and with no expression on her face. The unexpected words made me rub my face and listen to her again.

“The rumor about you was like this, wasn’t it? You are rumored to be a marquis who wields the power of a marquis and takes an aggressive attitude toward those who can’t resist you.”

“Ah, Hahahha… Well.”

“But it wasn’t like the rumor to be with you, you know.”

Luna said with some dignity, who could only smile bitterly.

“I told you that I was a baron, the lowest of the nobility, and you didn’t change your attitude. And when I called you an ‘eccentric,’ you didn’t rehash it. That is more than enough reason to believe in you.”

“I see. So you were making all kinds of strategic moves.”

“Yes, I did. I don’t want to continue to doubt you. I’m sorry I was rude to you earlier.”

“No, no, I’m glad you believe me, so don’t worry about it. Frankly, I’m more than happy to be treated like an equal.”

“I appreciate you saying so.”

She still had a straight face and a tone of nothingness in her voice, but the fact that we were able to talk about this made me feel relaxed. I felt a little more open.

I thought I would say this now.

“Luna, can I come to the library tomorrow at this time too?” and in an atmosphere where it was easy to ask questions.

However, my stomach betrayed this thought.

—guuuuuh.

“!!”

Perhaps it was because the words “I believe you” had released my unconscious tension, but my own stomach rumbled at an impossible timing.

In the quiet space of the library, it was loud enough to reach Luna’s ears.

“Oh, haha… Sorry. My stomach rumbled.”

“It sounded magnificent.”

“I-Is that so…? Haha…”

The expressionless and calm tsukkomi made me feel embarrassed.

“Are you hungry? Beret St. Ford. I think it’s too late to go to the cafeteria.”

“Well, I thought I’d skip lunch. I wasn’t going to go to the cafeteria in the first place.”

“Even though you have a good appetite?”

“Uh-yeah…”

“I see. Is there a reason?”

There would be no point in making a funny mistake here.

I nodded to her perceptively and suddenly…. Closing the book she was reading, Luna got up from her chair.

“I understand. Then you can have my food. I always bring my own.”

“No! That’s not right. Then there will be no food for you, Luna.”

“No, you don’t have to worry about that. I always bring lunch and dinner so that I can stay until the end of the school day. I don’t plan to stay until the end of the day, so I’ll have extra anyway.”

“…”

It was difficult to spot her lying, with no change in facial expression or tone of voice, but I knew that ‘I don’t intend to stay until the end of the day’ was a lie.

If she had no intention of staying, there was no need to bring an evening meal.

Because I realized this, my reserve came to the fore, but it was Luna who was a cut above the rest in her choice of words.

“It is a disgrace for a baron not to be able to lend a helping hand to those in need. Or is the food I, as a baron, have brought for you too tainted for you to eat?”

“No, of course not, Luna. Thank you very much. I’ll take your word for it.”

The persuasion to block the escape route. The smartness of the person.

It was the moment when I directly felt the reason why she took the test and was approved as a special exception.

“Please follow me. You can eat and drink in the librarian’s office.”

“Can I come in that room…?”

“I’m eating and drinking in the librarian’s office, so they say it’s okay as long as you stay next to me. But please do not touch anything in there.”

“I understand.”

Then, as I was being guided, I went downstairs, past the counter, and into the librarian’s office…

I received a bag from Luna, which I opened on the long desk.

The colorful sandwiches were carefully packed in a bamboo basket.

“I’m going to have lunch, too. Let’s eat together.”

“I’m really sorry. You’ve taken so much care of me.”

“No, please accept my apology for being rude.”

“No, that’s not how it works. I’ll be sure to thank you for this.”

“I see. Then I will take your word for it and hope for the best.”

“Yes, please look forward to it.”

“…”

I would never do anything to diminish her kindness.

When I smiled and looked at Luna, she looked away as if she was shy.

“Ah, delicious.”

Afterwards.

Beret took a big bite of the sandwich given to him by Luna, and his thoughts were leaking out of his mouth as he thought of it.

“I also ate the sandwich from the basket, but you don’t think the food is poisoned? You’re taught, ‘Be careful with what you eat.'”

Luna, who had been watching me take my first bite, said the words in slight surprise.

“I’ve certainly been taught that, but I don’t want to be the kind of person who doubts the kindness of… people. If I were that thorough, I wouldn’t be able to trust anything.”

“A…”

Beret did not see it. The moment the expressionless face fell.

“…That is a natural thought for someone in your position. If I had the will to kill, wouldn’t I be able to kill you all I want?

“Ha-ha-ha, then I will pass away gracefully.”

“Are you eccentric in another way? Beret St. Ford.”

“Thank you for the compliment.”

“…But, off topic, are you sure it’s good? Is that sandwich really good?”

“Of course, it’s really good. I’m sorry to say this, but it’s so good I’ll gladly skip my lunch.”

“Is …that so…?”

With that reply as the last, Luna also began to take a bite to eat.

…How happy it makes me

She thought secretly.