Chapter 32 — Princess's Invitation [2]
I glanced around discreetly.
Other high-ranking nobles were scattered throughout the cafeteria.
They didn't show it openly, but all of them kept glancing toward Layla and the trio around her.
'They're probably just waiting for the right moment to approach.'
For commoners, the academy was merely a place of learning. But for nobles, it was both a place of learning and socializing.
No one knew better than the noble heirs themselves how vital their connections were.
So, they tried their best to build as many connections as possible at the Academy before graduation.
And this year, among those connections, was one of the most important of all—the Princess.
Moreover, with the heirs of the other two ducal families also entering, all three ducal heirs were now gathered at the Academy.
For noble students, this was an opportunity they absolutely wouldn't want to miss.
'Moderation is always important.'
Among nobles, there was an unspoken rule.
When dealing with high-ranking nobles, one must be tactful and maintain just the right level of closeness.
In other words, with someone from a ducal or marquis family, one should spend an appropriate amount of time together and allow others the chance to approach as well.
Additionally, the chance to approach a higher noble first was usually yielded to someone of higher rank.
'So, normally, the marquis-born students would try to join in first.'
The reason the other nobles were hesitating was because they were waiting for a marquis-born student to initiate conversation with Layla.
Once that happened, the rest would gradually start approaching Layla and the three ducal heirs.
'There's nothing to gain from getting on the bad side of nobles. I'd better stay quiet and out of trouble.'
I was a noble of the lowest rank—just a baron.
And not even a proper one, but a fallen baron from an obscure, nameless family.
Someone like me wouldn't even be allowed to speak to the Princess, let alone to the heirs of ducal families.
In short, the conclusion was: stay low, stay quiet, especially in crowded places.
'Let's just eat quickly and go.'
As I looked around for an empty seat again—
"Alex! Over here! Come sit with us!"
Layla's cheerful voice rang out.
And in that instant, every gaze in the cafeteria focused on me.
'…I'm screwed.'
For a brief second, I thought frantically.
Ignoring a summons from the Princess was, of course, suicide.
But going over there to eat with her was also suicide in front of this crowd of nobles.
'Uh…'
I glanced toward the trio beside Layla.
They, too, looked completely stunned.
Naturally so—they were well aware of the unspoken rules among nobles.
They knew exactly what it meant for the Princess to single out a mere baron like me in such a public setting.
"…Hoo."
No matter how much I thought about it, there was no quiet way to slip out of this.
The Princess had called me out so loudly; pretending not to hear wasn't an option.
'Is she trying to get me killed?'
I doubted Layla for a brief moment—but the thought vanished when I saw her smile.
There wasn't the slightest trace of malice in that bright, innocent expression.
She really just wanted to eat with me.
In the end, I had no choice but to walk over to her.
"Lady Layla, have you been enjoying your meal?"
"Of course! Anyway, come sit down. We were just talking about you."
"Yes, understood. Um… would it be alright if I joined you?"
I directed the question to the three ducal heirs.
Cedric and Sara still looked startled, but the expressionless Eleanor opened her mouth.
"Of course. The Princess called you—naturally, you should sit."
"Understood."
I took a seat.
I'd been starving for a while and just wanted to eat something quickly.
But as soon as I sat down, I could feel countless stares piercing into me.
Their gazes were so intense that I could hardly move.
If I made even a single mistake here, I'd probably face severe backlash from all those nobles watching.
"Alex, don't be so tense. Eat up—you look hungry."
"Ah, yes. Understood."
Thanks to Cedric's considerate words, I slowly lifted my utensils and took a bite of meat.
At his comment, Layla tilted her head curiously.
"Tense? Alex, are you nervous? You usually talk to me so comfortably."
"Ah, that's… no, not really. Something just came up, that's all."
"Hmm, really?"
"Yes. By the way, I heard you were talking about me earlier…?"
"Oh, right! We were talking about how you wanted to join the Disciplinary Committee. And then…"
The conversation went along smoothly enough.
Layla spoke the most, Cedric chimed in here and there, and Eleanor added a few words in between.
Sara, however, remained silent.
She just glared coldly at me, then turned her head away, as if trying to pretend I didn't exist.
"Oh, and I heard this morning that Alex's from the Serenus Region. Apparently, he taught himself swordsmanship there."
Time passed, and the meal was nearly over.
Meaning, I'd soon be able to leave this place.
Layla seemed to have said everything she wanted, and Cedric looked like he'd be the first to suggest we get up…
"Self-taught swordsmanship in Serenus, huh… That's unusual."
Eleanor suddenly spoke in her calm tone.
"Hm? Eleanor? Why?"
"I once heard a rumor. About a hero who learned swordsmanship from other races at the southern edge of the Empire. They say he defended the Empire from a great threat with nothing but his sword."
"Oh, that's really something. A swordsman who protected the Empire—and now there's Alex, who also learned defensive swordsmanship in that same region."
"Yes, quite the fascinating coincidence."
"Could Alex be that swordsman's descendant?"
"I'm not sure. There aren't any records about that swordsman anywhere. It's only known that such a man once existed."
Eleanor spoke casually, but to me, it was an interesting bit of information.
Because when I played the game, I had never once heard a story about a man like that.
Maybe when I went back to Serenus during the break, I should ask the other races about it.
That man might even be related to the Vanehart Family's secret.
"Anyway, looks like everyone's done eating—shall we get going?"
"Good idea. We should head out. I still have plenty of Disciplinary Committee work left."
At Cedric's words, Eleanor immediately stood up.
"Lady Layla, please give me your tray. I'll take care of it."
"Hm? Oh, no, it's fine—I'll do it. Oh, alright, here."
Eleanor took Layla's tray and stood up, with Layla following behind her.
Cedric rose as well, giving me a look that seemed to say, "You should go first."
I bowed my head slightly in gratitude and quickly stood.
But just as I was about to leave—
"Alex."
Eleanor called out to me.
"Yes, Lady Eleanor."
"Thursday, at 5 p.m. Don't forget the entrance examination."
"Yes, understood. I'll definitely be there."
"Good. Make sure you come. There are a few other applicants… but you're the one I'm most looking forward to."
With those words, Eleanor turned and left.
And I quickly cleaned up my tray and exited the cafeteria as well.
[To be Continue ]