Chapter: 328
“Hehe. I didn’t know the Young Lady had such cute sides.”
“You can simply accept their gratitude since they’re genuinely concerned.”
“Lucy, are you a shy one?”
“Yeah. This little brat is definitely shy.”
As soon as I finished getting myself together, I was dragged into the academy’s private room, surrounded by the four of them, having to listen to all sorts of nonsense.
Normally, I would’ve been able to force myself to keep quiet, but unfortunately, I was currently in a perfect submissive position.
If they decided to change their minds and enforce some horrible penalty, I would be facing even worse humiliation.
Wanting to avoid the situation escalating, I clenched my fists and stayed silent.
And honestly, this situation isn’t all bad for me.
Sure, their misunderstandings were embarrassing, but thanks to those misunderstandings, Arthur and his party were feeling indebted to me.
If I could just tolerate this itching feeling for a little while, the severity of the punishment I would receive might lessen.
It’s fine. This isn’t such a big deal.
I’ve faced life-threatening situations countless times; I can handle this.
It’s not painful, it’s not scary, and I’m not in any danger; I’m just slightly flushed, and I can’t handle that?!
“Look at her. She’s too scared to say anything, probably afraid of what we might ask her to do.”
“A shy little coward.”
“You look so cute like this. I can’t wait to dress up the Young Lady later!”
“Joy, can I tag along?”
“Of course! In my dream…”
Oof. I can’t take it anymore.
As the thread of my reason snapped, I looked up, laughing.
“What’s up, Lucy Alrn? All of a sudden.”
“I’m a bit annoyed that the fresh-faced Prince suddenly acts all high and mighty! Just this morning, you couldn’t even meet my eyes, and now you call me a coward! How am I supposed to deal with this?!”
“W-What are you talking about?!”
“Really?! Is that true?!”
“…”
“Pervert~! How disgusting! I think I’m gonna gag~!”
Arthur’s face turned beet red, and he just stammered, unable to say anything in rebuttal.
Alright, that’s one down!
Next, I should sink the new strategy of making fun of Arthur with Frey.
“So, the Prince is a pervert then?”
“Hahaha! Foolish knight! Do you think anyone would believe you aren’t a pervert?!”
“…Huh?”
“Trying to provoke me like that, even though you’re getting beat up by me☆.”
“No, I’m not!”
“Really? Then why did you run away like a shy girl last time? I’m just dying to know!”
Frey stumbled and looked around awkwardly, then she just sank her head in defeat.
That’s two down!
As I whipped my head around, Joy and Phoebe quickly averting their gazes.
What, are they finally realizing they’ve crossed a line?
But it’s too late for that! Even if they shut their mouths now, what’s been said can’t be taken back!
Time for them to face the consequences!
“Cute Young Lady♡ I’m happy you’ve made friends, but there’s a limit, you know? If you keep this up, I’m gonna start calling you just “cute” from now on!♡”
“I… I wasn’t that excited!”
“Oh, really?♡”
“Of course! I, the center of numerous Young Ladies, wouldn’t get excited over such silly things.”
“Then does that mean I don’t get to be friends with you?♡”
“…”
“Really, you don’t need me?♡ You won’t play with the cute one?♡”
“…Waaah, no! I’m sorry! I got carried away!”
“Hahaha♡ Just know that it’s cute because you’re cute!♡”
And now, there’s just one left.
I casually turned to see Phoebe, whose face was as red as a tomato.
“Clumsy Saint?♡”
“Yeees!”
“Ugh♡ How can someone like you even be a Saint? Don’t you feel sorry for the believers?!♡”
“I’ll repent right away! I’m sorry!”
Looking at the faces of the four, unable to lift their heads for various reasons, I felt a sense of joy wash over me.
Future affairs? I’ll let the future me handle that.
Right now, I don’t regret this action one bit!
…Well, actually, I’m lying.
I regret it quite a lot.
I feel like I’m falling deeper into this Mesugaki skill. Why does it feel like my boiling point is getting lower and lower?!
Compared to the awful things I’ve done in my previous job, this is nothing!
While internally lamenting what I just did, I kept my chin up outwardly.
What’s done is done!
The die has been cast, and I have to push through to the end!
I’m going to act like it’s no big deal to lessen the punishment!
“Prince?… You’re still quiet?”
“Poor Prince? You still have a lot to say, so how long are you going to keep your mouth shut? Have you devolved to the point where you’ve forgotten how to speak?”
“…Yeah, I’ve got a lot left to say.”
The slow lift of Arthur’s head revealed his eyes burning with the heat of revenge.
Uh-oh. Acting like the boss has backfired spectacularly.
“Lucy Alrn, you remember what we agreed on when we succeeded at the conquest, right?”
“…Yup! I remember!”
“Do I look like I’d forget something to you, poor Prince?”
“Then it’ll be a quick conversation. We’ve discussed at length what we wish to ask of you. Among those was the suggestion of just buying lunch, simple as that.”
“Wait! Really?! That was an option?!”
“If only you had said that earlier!”
“I would’ve thought, ‘Oh, thanks,’ and quietly endured whatever you had to say!”
“But now it seems there’s no need for such mercy.”
As Arthur’s heavy voice fell, Frey and Joy both nodded eagerly.
While Phoebe seemed hesitant, the glances of the other three seemed sharp enough to cut.
“Lucy Alrn. We’d like to take a day of yours. To put it simply, for one day, you must follow the requests of whoever borrows that day.”
“I’ve already chosen when!”
“Me too.”
“I… I did too, Young Lady.”
“I did too! I’ll tell you the schedule in advance, so be prepared. Got it?”
Oh man, hearing Arthur’s words made me break into a cold sweat.
What now?!
“How long?!”
[The penalty has been determined.]
[You must follow their requests for one day.]
[Please do your best to fulfill the penalty.]
…
Yo, what the hell!
What’s this?
“Do your best?!”
“Are you kidding me?!”
“This is all your fault!”
“You’re the reason any of this happened!”
“Stop acting like it’s someone else’s problem!”
Just you wait! Pathetic God!
I will never forget this grudge!
I’m definitely going to teach you a lesson one day!
*
The day after the penalty was decided.
As I showed up at the training grounds like any other day, I was greeted by Frey.
She usually stuck by my side, but today, she seemed lighter on her feet than usual.
The reason is obvious: it’s her day to make requests.
She was bouncing around me like an excited puppy but still kept her expression flat, which made me chuckle.
Sigh. What is she going to ask for?
Last time I overheard, she was thinking of asking for compliments; maybe this time, she’ll want to be pampered the whole day.
If that’s the case, I can totally do that. It’s no problem at all to call a cute girl cute.
“Lucy. Lucy.”
“What is it?”
“Why? Are you a foolish knight now?”
“That’s not it! Today’s different.”
Different? Does she want me to call her by a title instead of a silly knight?
“Alright. Repeat after me: ‘Big Sister Frey.’”
“…What?”
“What?!”
“‘Big Sister Frey.’ Hurry.”
My brain got tangled around her weird request.
It’s not that I mind calling her a higher honorific. I mean, in social situations, it’s common to bow to someone much younger than yourself.
But still, calling someone “sister”?!
I’ve never even said that before!
I can easily say “older sister” or “noble lady,” but calling someone “sister” itself is making me bristle!
“Today, Lucy promised to listen to me. So say it!”
– ding!
[You must comply with the request.]
[If you refuse, more random people from your surroundings may be added to the penalty list.]
What does it mean, “adding other people to the penalty list”?
Does that mean I have to listen to others’ requests too?!
The thought of Little Brat wanting something from me is unbearable!
Gahhh! That’s a big NO!
Okay, okay, I got it! I’ll give it a shot!
But if I fail because of the Mesugaki skill, that’s completely out of my control!
If that happens, I’m switching sides permanently!
“F… Frey, Big Sister!”
“Big Sister Frey!”
Aha! This is definitely not going well! …
Wait?
Huh?
“Big Sister Frey.”
“Big Sister Frey.”
…Did I just call Frey by her proper name? Right?
I didn’t use any derogatory terms; I called her Frey properly!
Thinking I was dreaming, I pinched my cheeks and felt a sharp pain, smiling to myself in disbelief.
This is real!
I truly just properly said someone’s name!
And I wasn’t saying it weirdly either!
What’s making this possible, who knows?!
Is the penalty taking precedence over the Mesugaki skill, or did the pathetic God do something to alter it?
Whatever the case, who cares!
What matters now is I can actually say someone else’s name properly!
“Big Sister Frey!”
It felt fantastic to finally speak my thoughts coherently; I cheerfully called out Frey’s name, then noticed her equally flushed face.
What’s with her? I expected her to gloat, but why is she just standing there dumbfounded?
Thunk.
As something fell, I turned my head to see Joy and Phoebe staring wide-eyed.
Aren’t they a bit too early for training?
Why are they up and about?
“Young Lady!”
Suddenly bursting forward, Joy gripped my shoulders, and I felt bewildered as her excitement spilled forth.
“Me too! Call me Big Sister! No! Just calling me Joy is fine! Anything’s okay!”
Huh? You want me to call you Joy?
…Oh.
Could I do that?
I just called Frey’s name correctly, so maybe this works too?
“Joy?”
“What are you saying, Clumsy Young Lady?”
Looks like I need the penalty to get it right.
“Whaaa! Why can Kent call me that, but I can’t?!”
Seeing Joy nearly tearful with her noble dignity all thrown out the window made me chuckle.
Excuse me!
I want to call someone by their name more than anyone else!
Just wait until it’s your turn, and I’ll be nice and call you that!
And Phoebe, why do you look so desperate?
You were hoping I’d call your name too?
While I was busy thinking this, Frey, finally snapping out of it, interjected between Joy and me.
“Today, Lucy is mine. Step aside.”
“Uuuu, just you wait, Kent! When it’s my turn next, you won’t ever see Lucy Alrn again!”
Joy?!
What exactly are you trying to get me to do?
I feel extremely anxious right now!
Please explain yourself clearly!
“Do whatever you want. All I care about is taking Lucy home today.”
…Frey?!
What do you mean by taking me home?!
What on earth is that supposed to mean?!
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