The Reincarnated Villainous Noble Still Won't Try His Best! - Chapter 44 : She Is Quite Eager

Chapter 44 : She Is Quite Eager

The party hosted by the royal family ended relatively peacefully, despite a few minor disturbances.

For some reason, Cecilia invited me on a date, but other than that, everything was normal.

Well, considering that alone, I can’t really say it was normal. But as of now, there were no ‘flags’ raised between us.

As long as no flags were triggered, I doubt someone as strong-willed as her would confess to me.

Speaking of which, my situation with Flora was still somewhat ambiguous, but had no intention of looking back to the past.

I will face the present and the future head-on.

Cecilia probably just invited me to help her pick out a souvenir for Lilia and had no ulterior motives.

If that’s the case, I don’t mind going along with her shenanigans.

And so, another week passed since the party.

The more I dreaded the day, the faster it seemed to arrive.

I had the maids pick out some appropriate clothes for me, then left the house.

My destination wasn’t the meeting place — rather, I was headed to Cecilia’s home, the mansion of Aquamarine Duchy.

Why?

Because she asked me to come pick her up.

Unlike last time with Lilia, we’d be heading to the western district, where many shops catering to nobles were located.

Since we’d be passing through the Aquamarine Duchy anyway, it wouldn’t be much of a detour.

Still, I didn’t see the need to go all the way to her house just to pick her up.

But apparently, these kinds of small gestures build up over time and are important.

…Build up to what, exactly?

Forced into it without fully understanding, I grumbled to myself as I made my way to her house.

The distance between my home, the Greylord Duchy, and Cecilia’s home, the Aquamarine Duchy, isn’t that far.

After all, there are only four ducal houses in the royal capital.

Since all of them hold positions primarily tied to the royal castle, their residences are located nearby.

In about ten minutes, I arrived at the vast grounds of the Aquamarine Ducal Estate.

Stepping out of the carriage, I stood before the grand entrance.

A few minutes later, the gates opened, and Cecilia appeared from within.

“Good morning, Marius. Thanks for coming all the way here. That outfit looks good on you.”

“Good Morning, Cecilia. If you think so, then don’t make me come all the way to your house.”

“That’s a rather harsh way to put it. Today is a date, isn’t it? Shouldn’t you be a little nicer to your date? I want it to feel more like a date.”

“What do you mean by ‘date-like atmosphere’…?”

“At the very least, right now, you’re failing. You’re not acting like a gentleman at all.”

“A gentleman? You really think I can act like one?”

“That’s exactly what a date is for, isn’t it? Please, just be a little kinder?”

“…I’ll try.”

Stop acting so timid all of a sudden.

The difference in contrast was throwing me off.

“Anyway, let’s just get going. The time we have is limited. We can use my family’s carriage.”

“I appreciate the offer, but let’s not. From here, it won’t take long to walk.”

“Huh…? Do you want to walk the whole way?”

“It’s written all over your face — you think it’s a hassle, don’t you? Do you really hate the idea that much?”

“I prefer to avoid unnecessary effort. Taking the carriage would be easier.”

“But that wouldn’t be very date-like, would it? It’s not that far, so let’s just walk. Okay?”

“…Fine.”

Stop looking up at me like that.

Am I actually weak to this kind of pressure?

Or am I just easy to push around in general?… Or probably both.

And so, Cecilia and I set off toward the western district of the royal capital.

◇◇◇◇◇◇

After walking for about ten minutes, we arrived at a section of the western district.

Since the Aquamarine estate is in the northern district, which is closest to the west, just as she said, it didn’t take much time.

The problem was…

“There are quite a lot of carriages passing through. Step aside, it’s dangerous.”

“Okay.”

Today, many nobles had come shopping as well, and the streets were bustling with carriages.

To avoid getting hit, I guided Cecilia toward the side of the road, standing between her and the street.

Kind of like how men are supposed to walk on the roadside in my past life. A basic courtesy, or so they say — not that I know much about it.

“…You can escort someone properly, huh?”

“What are you talking about?”

“You deliberately positioned yourself on the road side. Are you trying to protect me?”

“It’s better if you don’t say that out loud. It’s embarrassing for the one being told.”

“Fufu~. Sorry, but I appreciate it. Thank you, Marius. As a reward, I’ll link arms with you.”

“…What?”

Saying that, she wrapped her arm around mine.

Something soft pressed against me.

“Hey—! Too close! At least hold my hand instead!”

“Really? This is my first time going on a date, so I wasn’t sure… But Lilia said this would be better… I-I mean, it is a little close, but… I’m fine with it.”

“Your face is completely red, though?”

“S-Shut up.”

When I pointed it out, Cecilia turned her face away.

But every so often, I could hear a small, pleased chuckle from her.

Well, as long as she’s enjoying herself…

As for Lilia, who was clearly putting these strange ideas into her head — I’ll have to get back at her later. Maybe just with some teasing.

I thought about this while walking with Cecilia

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TL : zenon_xt