Chapter 3
“A Temporary Love, and the Prince’s Shaken Pride”
The mornings at Roselia Royal Magic Academy always began with rumors.
Today was especially bad.
The moment Kai stepped into the classroom, the whispers of the noble students reached his ears.
“Is it true about that teacher… that commoner teacher?”
“The duchess’s daughter is… dating him? Seriously?”
“Why would she!? That’s impossible, the social gap is way too big…”
(…Wow, it’s already turned into a rumor.)
◆◇◆
The origin of it all was yesterday’s “contract.”
Lutia had asked him to act as a “temporary lover” to protect her position after breaking off her engagement with the prince.
Of course, they weren’t actually dating. It was a contract. A disguise. An act.
…And yet.
“…Good morning, Kai.”
In the morning hallway, it was Lutia von Valenstein herself—
surrounded by the scent of flowers, smiling as she approached him.
“…G-Good morning.”
“I’m looking forward to today’s lessons. I actually like your… voice.”
The other students all turned to look at them.
(Wait, what? Is she actually serious…!?)
“But, Lutia, I should tell you, I’m bad at acting. I can’t really behave naturally, you know?”
“I’ll take the lead. You just stay quiet and hand out candy.”
“Hey. How do you even know about that part?”
“You brought candy to my room yesterday, remember?”
“Well, that’s a Kansai thing…!”
By the time the morning classes ended, the rumors had solidified into “confirmed facts” spreading throughout the academy:
‘The duchess’s daughter and the commoner teacher are lovers.’
‘Actually, that teacher secretly got engaged to her.’
‘They even have children (completely false).’
(Whaaaaat!? Who spread that!? Who said “they already have kids”!?)
◆◇◆
Meanwhile, in another part of the palace, Prince Leon Adelheit was receiving a report in a corner of the throne room.
“…Lutia has started dating a teacher…?”
“Yes. At least within the academy, there’s a rumor that she ‘chose’ to become close with him herself.”
A frown formed on Leon’s forehead.
“…That woman? Lutia, who was always so proud and looked down on men… with that man…?”
The prince bit his lip.
(…She’s ‘abandoning’ me… for another man? And it’s… a teacher…?)
Kai, unaware of the prince’s turmoil, headed to the cafeteria for lunch.
The moment he sat in his usual seat, Lutia immediately sat beside him.
“Isn’t this the nobles’ seating…?”
“Sitting next to your lover is only natural, isn’t it?”
“No, this is a contract! Don’t take it seriously!”
“I know. But an ‘act’ is meaningless unless you commit to it fully, right?”
As Kai buried his face in his hands, she smiled gracefully while taking a bite of her food.
Elegant gestures, composed posture. Yet, whenever she glanced at Kai, there was an unusual light in her eyes.
“…Why me, really?”
Kai muttered to himself.
“There are better options, you know? Like that prince, the young swordsman, the magic prodigy…”
“…You’re annoying.”
Lutia put down her knife and fork and looked him straight in the eye.
“Because you’re ‘no one else.’ You see me not as a ‘duchess,’ but as a person.”
“…!”
In that instant, Kai couldn’t find words.
(…Maybe she really is a good person…?)
◆◇◆
That afternoon.
Kai was taking a break in the courtyard when someone appeared—
“…Teacher Kai Cross, isn’t it?”
First Prince Leon Adelheit.
Blond hair, blue eyes, handsome features, royal elegance. A prince so beautiful he captivates everyone.
And the original “love interest” of the otome game.
—Lutia’s former fiancé.
“…What do you want?”
“…What’s your relationship with Lutia?”
“What do you mean… it’s a ‘cooperative relationship.’”
“Cooperative…?”
“Yes. Between nobles, engagements, and all that complicated stuff. I don’t want to get too involved…”
The prince’s expression hardened.
“You’re… not using her as a toy, right?”
“Who would do that! That’s not me!”
“Good.”
With that, the prince left.
Kai muttered to himself, noticing a faint aura of “jealousy” trailing him.
“…Hey, Lutia… you really have no lingering feelings for the prince?”
◆◇◆
That night.
On Lutia’s balcony, the two of them looked up at the night sky together.
“The sky’s beautiful… two moons, that’s kind of strange.”
“Your world only had one?”
“Yes. But… I don’t know, this place is starting to feel not so bad.”
“…Hey, Kai, when this ‘contract’ ends, what will you do?”
“Well… I’ll quietly teach math again, hand out candy now and then, and live peacefully.”
“…I see. Then… maybe it’s better not to end it.”
“…Huh?”
“…Hehe. Just kidding.”
(Really…?)
No one knew yet.
That this temporary love would eventually grow into a storm capable of shaking the entire kingdom.
The pace keeps getting faster, it feels like.