The Ugly Orc Strikes Back ~ Reincarnated as the Cruel Crown Prince of a Twisted Doujin Eroge with No Happy Endings, But as an Inexperienced Guy, Cruel Play is a Hopeless Challenge, So I'll Give My Best to Break the Flags and Strive for Survival ~ - Chapter 28: I Didn't Sign Up for a One-on-One

Chapter 28: I Didn’t Sign Up for a One-on-One

After school, I arrived at the terrace in the courtyard of the Imperial Academy. 

Eleonora was hosting a tea party here, and I managed to shake off Ophelia, who had been persistently clinging to me. 

Seriously, why do I have to accompany Ophelia for sword training until after school? I don’t have enough bodies to handle it all.

“Anyway…”

The promised time is approaching, but I can’t find the young lady anywhere near the terrace. It’s hard for me to go there without someone arriving first.

You know, when it comes to gatherings like university parties, isn’t it annoying to be seen as too eager if you’re the first one to arrive? 

And when you’re left alone with the next person who arrives, it’s super awkward if they turn out to be a stranger.

…I’m an inexperienced man, and I’ve never been invited to a party in my past life, so I don’t really know. But I’m sure it must be like that. Probably.

So, without heading to the seats on the terrace, Ilse and I continued to observe the situation… !?

“What are you doing?”

“P-president Eleonora!?”

Suddenly, I was called out from behind and couldn’t help but be surprised.

However, Ilse didn’t show any signs of being disturbed at all, so I think she’s amazing. We’re quite different.

“Well, um… Since no one seemed to have arrived yet, I thought maybe I got the wrong place…”

“Fufu, you’re in the right place. However, the tea party is only for Your Highness Ludwig and me.”

“Huh…?”

Unexpectedly, it turned out to be one-on-one.

No, no, no, no, the difficulty level suddenly skyrocketed.

Unable to bear it, I turned my gaze towards Ilse.

I don’t think I’ll be able to hold a conversation on my own, so please, I’m begging you, help me out?

“Today, I would like to enjoy tea with His Highness alone, so could you, as his attendant, please leave the seat?”

“…”

Oh dear… while glancing at Ilse, Eleonora said something outrageous.

First of all, with that proposal, I think she’ll regret inviting me, let alone enjoying tea. It’ll be boring.

“P-president Eleonora, Ilse is my precious partner, and her words are my words as well. So, please allow her to accompany us.”

“B-But…”

“Please!”

Bowing deeply, I earnestly pleaded with Eleonora.

Because if someone like me were to have a tea party alone with her, it would definitely be a constant stream of landmine-triggering words, leading to a bad ending. 

No, on the contrary, it’s possible that today’s events can motivate Eleonora to rebel.

“Sigh… I suppose I have no choice.”

“! T-thank you so much!”

Pressing her temple, Eleonora let out a sigh and waved her hand.

With utmost gratitude, I bowed once again.

“Louie-sama… for someone like me…”

“It’s not like that, Ilse. I’m doing this because I want to.”

That’s right. Just having you by my side saves my mental state.

So, can I leave the girl-talk to you?

Escorting the blushing Ilse, I followed behind Eleonora and took a seat at the terrace table.

“…As Your Highness Ludwig mentioned at the ball, you value your servant very much, don’t you?”

“Ahaha… Yes. She is an irreplaceable woman to me.”

Well, if Ilse weren’t here, I would have definitely stayed holed up as the “Ugly Orc.” Moreover, being able to maintain my current slim figure is all thanks to Ilse’s dedicated training.

I truly can’t express enough gratitude.

“Is that so…”

“Is there something wrong with that?”

I wondered why Eleonora’s gaze fell to the table and asked her curiously.

And why has Ilse been staring at me ever since she took her seat? Did I violate some tea party etiquette…? No, that can’t be it, right?

“The reason I invited Your Highness Ludwig today is none other than that. Actually, I wanted to extend an invitation.”

“An invitation…?”

Eleonora nodded slowly, but I couldn’t shake this bad feeling. This definitely seems like some kind of trouble…

“Are you aware that there are several salons within the Imperial Academy?”

“Salons…?”

“At the Imperial Academy, student activities in the form of salons are permitted, with the purpose of students learning and developing together.”

When I heard an unfamiliar term, I looked at Ilse, and she gave me a brief explanation. Oh… so it’s like extracurricular club activities, I guess.

“In the salon I organize, ‘Evolution,’ we engage in open discussions among students of the academy who will bear the future responsibilities, regarding the current state of the empire.”

“Oh, I see…”

I gave a nod, but isn’t this dangerous? I mean, ‘Evolution’ implies progress and development. If you add an ‘R’ at the beginning, it becomes ‘revolution’.

“Your Highness.”

“Y-yes!”

“What are your thoughts on the current Waldberg Empire?”

At Eleonora’s question, I momentarily choked on my words.