Reincarnated As The Only Son (18 years old) Of The Arrogant And Wicked Marquis Family. - Chapter 44: Time of The Meeting.

Time of The Meeting.

“Hmm.”

“What is it?”

The next day, when I arrived at school as usual.

A few minutes later, Elena entered the classroom and as soon as she saw me, she narrowed her beautiful eyes and approached me.

“Did something good happen?”

“Huh?”

“I guessed it, didn’t I?”

“Yeah… How did you know?”

“It’s simple. You were smiling to yourself. That’s the evidence.”

“Hey…”

Just as I thought of putting my belongings on the desk, Elena came closer and pinched both of my cheeks with her cool fingertips. Then, she pressed downwards to make my raised corners of the mouth return to their original position.

“See? You were smiling, right?”

“Mmm.”

“Hehehe, what a funny face. It’s a little cool, you know.”

“Let go of me already.”

“Alright.”

I urged her to let go as she playfully pulled my cheeks sideways, and she immediately released her grip.

Although my pronunciation got distorted due to having my cheeks pulled, the message still came across clearly.

“By the way, isn’t this too sudden? We met face to face for about 10 seconds, and you started pinching my cheeks.”

“Sorry about that. It was such an unusual expression, I couldn’t help myself.”

She apologized with clasped hands, but she was laughing joyfully. She definitely wasn’t feeling remorseful.

“I feel like whenever you tease me, Elena, you end up touching my cheeks.”

“Because you don’t avoid it or resist it, do you? Unlike you, it’s more effective than teasing with words, isn’t it?”

“Even if I tried to avoid or resist, it seems like you would still grab them.”

“I won’t force on you something which you dislike. Unlike you, I’m not uncivilized.”

After making a casual remark, Elena continued with even more teasing.

“Oh, could it be that your cheeks are tough because you’re so uncivilized? I’ve been thinking that every time I touch them.”

“What kind of ridiculous theory is that, Elena?”

“Because it’s actually true. Would you like to touch my cheeks to confirm? I think they’re twice as soft as yours.”

“Hmph.”

Just as I thought she was puffing out her right cheek, she brought her perfectly composed face closer as if urging, “Do you want to try?”

It was a side of Elena that I didn’t see in our everyday interactions. I couldn’t help but feel a flutter in my heart in response to her unfamiliar gesture.

“…I’ll pass. Rumors might start spreading that I’m bullying you or something.”

“Oh, you knew about that? You don’t have to worry about it.”

“Huh?”

“There’s a rumor going around that I’m getting involved with you because you’re blackmailing me.”

“That’s the first time I’m hearing about it… Why would it even turn out that way?”

I had no idea that there were negative rumors circulating about Elena as well.

I put my hands on my head and looked at her with a serious expression.

“I really can’t say for sure. By the way, there were two people again this morning who asked me things like, ‘Has Beret-sama done anything to you!?'”

“Again this morning… I’m sorry for causing trouble.”

“I told you not to worry about it. So it’s fine.”

“Well, it’s reassuring to hear that from you, but other troublesome things are happening as well, aren’t they?”

I wasn’t completely certain when I voiced my speculation, but it turned out to be correct.

“It seems like there are more nobles who think that if they help me in a crisis, they’ll earn my favor.”

“I see…”

“And you don’t think that kind of ulterior motive is obvious?”

“Well, maybe it’s just because you’re so charming, Elena.”

“Hmph, I don’t need flattery like that… It’s a weak pick-up line.”

“I wasn’t trying to flatter you.”

“Hmph.”

Elena snorted, conveying her disbelief.

“To be honest… I’m not happy about it.”

“Not happy?”

“I mean, it’s not something I can say, having misunderstood you from the beginning, but to be seen that way by someone who misunderstands you…”

“I see. You’re quite straightforward, Elena.”

Her comment revealed her honesty.

“Well, um… don’t worry, okay? I respond like this to people who express their concern. I tell them, ‘Don’t worry, I’m involved with him because I like him.'”

“Haha, thanks. That’s the most reassuring thing to hear.”

“Ugh, I didn’t say it for your sake. Don’t get the wrong idea about that part.”

“I get it, I get it.”

“All right, then.”

As soon as she finished speaking, she turned away.

Her neatly arranged red hair swayed, and the scent of jasmine perfume filled the air.

“So, um… if something troublesome happens to you, let me know. I’ll help you a little too.”

“Thanks, that means a lot.”

She glanced briefly at me before turning away again.

Though her words had zero sincerity, her feelings were clearly conveyed.

I thanked her sincerely in return.

“So, what’s the deal? What’s the happy thing that happened to you? I’m curious.”

“I can tell you, but you might get jealous.”

“Why do you drag it out so much? I hate to burst your bubble, but it’s probably not that big of a deal, right?”

“No, it’s actually a pretty big deal.”

With that preamble, I began to recount what happened yesterday, unconsciously breaking into a smile.

“Well, you know… I actually received a present from Shea! It’s for home use, so I can’t show it to you, but it’s a set of a feather pen and ink.”

“Oh my, I must admit that I’m envious.”

“I never expected to receive a gift, so I was really happy. It made me realize that I need to study harder from now on.”

“Hehe, it seems like you have your own special way of boasting, just like Shea. Your lines and expressions are the same.”

“Oh, ahaha…”

“But I understand. A few days ago, Shea asked me a question. She said, ‘Do you have any ideas for gifts that would make a man happy?'”

“She did?”

“This is where you find out. That gift wasn’t something spontaneous; she spent time planning it.”

“I see… She was asking around for advice from others, wasn’t she?”

“…”

“It seems she even used her entire savings for it. I heard she received advice like ‘a large gemstone’.”

“That’s so Shea… Really. But did you stop her?”

“Of course. I may have gone a bit overboard, but because it’s you, I said, ‘A gift that’s heartfelt is more important than the price.'”

“Thank you. That’s absolutely true.”

If she used all her savings, it would fill me with a sense of guilt. It’s clear that a gift that is within one’s means is more appreciated.

“To be honest, I had trouble giving advice. Most nobles… would be delighted by an expensive gift, so…”

“Haha, you’re right about that.”

“Really… I mean, not ‘you might be right,’ but it’s true. This is why it’s difficult to deal with eccentric people like you.”

Elena opened her pink lips, sighed in exasperation, but then softened her expression with a gentle smile, as if striking a chord.

“…Let me tell you something. It’s about the meeting with my father.”

“Oh?”

“He proposed next Saturday at 2 p.m. He wants the carriage to arrive at your mansion by 1pm. Is that okay with you?”

“It’s fine. I’ll make sure to be prepared by 1 p.m.”

“I’m counting on you.”

“Sure.”

As the plans for the meeting finally solidified, I remembered something.

“Elena.”

“What?”

“Oh, sorry. I forgot what I wanted to say.”

“What? Geez… Let me know when you remember.”

“Yeah, um…”

I couldn’t ask. Elena must have read it in the invitation as well.

‘If there is any extra time during the meeting, how about discussing a potential engagement?’

About this content.

And so, the promised Saturday for the meeting approached.