Chapter 1: Rubina Has A Fiance

“Then, the engagement of the two shall be acknowledged. We look forward to the further prosperity of both families.”

The engagement ceremony was held at the church. Surrounded by the smiles of both families, our engagement was sealed.

My name is Rubina Rosen. My engagement has just been finalized. My fiancé is Dietrich Morrison, the heir of a viscount family, and my family is also a viscount family, perfectly matched in status and age. Since our parents have a good relationship, we ended up getting engaged.

I’ve met Diet many times since we were children, so I had no objections to this engagement. It’s better than a political marriage with a complete stranger, I suppose. That’s how I felt. Noble marriages are often decided for the sake of family prosperity, and it’s common to be married off to someone much older or a complete stranger, so I might be lucky that my parents chose Diet for me.

We got engaged when we were 12 years old. After the engagement, I spent peaceful days with Diet, having tea or studying together. Three years later, when we turned 15, we started attending the academy. Entering the academy and meeting noble children I’ve never met before is both exciting and nerve-wracking.

Today is the day Diet comes to my house. We promised to look at the enrollment pamphlet sent by the academy.

When Diet arrived, I prepared tea and opened the academy pamphlet. The academy is vast, with classes divided into categories like [Knight Course], [General Nobility Course], and [Civil Service Course].

The [Knight Course] is popular among both boys and girls, while the [General Nobility Course] focuses on business studies. Diet chose the General Nobility Course, as it offers many subjects necessary for managing a viscount’s estate in the future. I also chose the [General Nobility Course], but a different class, the Lady’s Course, to learn the refinements needed as a bride to support him in the future.

The [Civil Service Course] is for those aiming to become administrative officers working in the royal palace, often taken by second sons of noble families. Graduating with excellent grades guarantees an elite career path, they say. Not just anyone can enroll in the academy; the tuition, donations, and other expenses make it a status symbol to attend.

I’ve heard that at social gatherings, parents proudly boast, “My child attends the Royal Academy.”

To enroll in the Royal Academy, you must pass a rigorous entrance exam. Even if you manage to enroll, failing to graduate brings disgrace. Dropping out could even bar you from appearing in high society.

Thus, the academy is a place where everyone strives to improve themselves through friendly competition. I’ve heard some students seek romantic opportunities there, but as long as they don’t disrupt discipline, it’s not frowned upon. Marrying and producing heirs is practically a noble’s duty.

“The campus is huge, and the buildings are separate, so it seems like we won’t see each other much at the academy, Diet.”

Looking at the pamphlet, my class is in a separate area. Since it’s a class full of young ladies, security staff are stationed outside the building, which makes it a bit different from other courses.

“Yeah, you’re right. But we can eat lunch together, no problem. The cafeteria has a wide variety of food.”

“We can meet during lunch break, then.”

“Since you’re so shy, Rubina, you probably won’t make friends to eat lunch with, so I guess I have no choice.”

Being shy, I don’t have anyone I’d call a friend. The only person I can have tea with is Cynthia-san, my older brother’s fiancée.

“I hope I can make friends.”

“The first impression is key. At least greet people properly, Rubina. Oh, and get me some more tea.”

Diet was carefully reading the academy pamphlet. I hope our academy life will be fun.

Since starting at the academy, both Diet and I have been busy, but we eat lunch together like proper fiancés. Even at the same academy, with different classes, we don’t see each other much, so we promised to spend lunch together.

Many students use the cafeteria, so the portions are large enough to satisfy even the Knight Course students. Even ordering a small portion results in too much food, making it hard to finish, which affects afternoon classes. This has made the cafeteria unpopular among the young ladies.

However, the dessert set is delicious and affordable, so many students go just for tea after lunch. It seems designed not to overlap with the crowded lunch rush. The cafeteria is bustling and noisy during lunch, so I prepare lunch for both Diet and me. On sunny days, we eat outside; on bad weather days, we use the lounge. The lounge only has tables and chairs, with no food service, so it’s mostly used by students who bring their own lunch.

Today, while eating lunch outside with Diet as usual, a female student called out to him.

“Diet!”

“Oh, Patricia? What’s up?”

A beautiful young lady called Dietrich by his nickname, Diet. She’s from a different class, so I don’t know her. Who could she be? I tilted my head as the girl called Patricia started talking to Diet.

“Diet, are you really having lunch with your fiancée? So dutiful. Everyone in our class wants to eat with you, but you keep saying you have a promise with your fiancée. I came to see what kind of girl she is.”

“Oh, is that it? This is my fiancée, Rubina. We’ve known each other since we were kids.”

So she’s a classmate of Diet’s. I should greet her. I stood up to introduce myself.

“Nice to meet you, I’m Rubi—”

“Never mind that, why don’t you have lunch with the class sometimes to bond? Come on, hang out with us and have some silly chats.”

My introduction was cut off. So, we haven’t properly introduced ourselves, meaning we’re not acquaintances. I felt disappointed that I couldn’t introduce myself, but Diet and Patricia-san kept talking. I couldn’t join in, so I stood there awkwardly. Standing there without greeting felt odd, so I sat back down. I could hear their conversation, and it didn’t seem like a private talk, so I stayed, but maybe I should leave to be considerate? I wasn’t sure what was right.

“It makes sense. Rubina, you’ve made friends in your class, right? You’ll be fine without me, won’t you?”

Diet suddenly addressed me, and as I was about to reply,

“Oh my, haha! Diet, you sound more like a guardian than a fiancé. She must have friends. It’s a class full of girls, isn’t it? It’d be weirder if she didn’t.”

Patricia-san giggled. I didn’t understand what was so funny.

“Yeah, you’re right. Rubina, sorry, but can you spend tomorrow with your classmates?”

I nodded and said, “Okay.” It would be my first lunch without Diet. Since some classmates eat in the classroom, maybe I’ll try talking to them.

“What’s for lunch today?”

Two days later, I was having lunch with Diet as usual. Today’s menu was sandwiches, quiche, and fruit. Diet said he likes sandwiches because they’re easy to eat, so I change the fillings daily to keep it interesting.

“I heard you have swordsmanship class this afternoon, so I made roast beef sandwiches. You need energy, right?”

Diet loves roast beef sandwiches and always enjoys them. The chef makes them, but I help with the fillings. I cut the fruit myself, though.

“Why don’t we eat at the cafeteria sometimes? Preparing lunch every morning must be tough.”

“It’s not really a hassle, but do you prefer the cafeteria?”

Maybe he’s tired of sandwiches. I need to expand my repertoire.

“Don’t you want to spend time with your classmates, Rubina? How about we have lunch together every other day?”

I understood that he wanted to eat at the cafeteria with his new friends.

“If that’s what you want, Diet.”

“Yeah, let’s do it for both our sakes. I feel a bit left out not joining conversations during lunch.”

Lately, it feels like Diet makes decisions without waiting for my reply, but making friends at the academy is wonderful. In noble society, both horizontal and vertical connections are important for the future. My father says people often bond over academy memories even as adults.

The next day, since I wasn’t eating with Diet, I wondered what to do when a new friend from my class approached me. They also disliked the crowded cafeteria and brought lunch from home. Many girls in our class prefer to bring lunch and relax.

“Rubina-san, you always have lunch with your fiancé, right? Is it okay today?”

I was approached by Sophia-san, a count’s daughter.

“Yes, we’re spending lunch separately today.”

“Oh my! In that case, why don’t you join us? It’s more fun with more people, right?”

Since we’d eaten together before, I was relieved to be invited again.

“If I’m not intruding, I’d love to join.”

“Of course not!”

“Let’s eat together.”

The three of them naturally included me in their group. Lunch with the young ladies passed quickly with chatter, and it was so much fun. It was the first time I’d had such an enjoyable time with friends. I thought it was wonderful.

“Rubina-san, if you’re not having lunch with your fiancé, why don’t you join us again?”

Sophia-san suggested it, and I told them I’d be having lunch with Diet every other day. They were delighted and said we should definitely eat together. I realized that having friends makes academy life so much more fun. I have no complaints about spending time with Diet, but time with friends is incredibly enjoyable. What seems trivial to men can be important to young ladies—talking about favourite types of guys, trendy snacks or dresses, homework, family, hobbies. Casual conversations are a great way to unwind, and smiles never stop. I’m truly glad to be in this class. I’m not brave enough to start conversations, so an all-girls class is very calming.

The next day, I was supposed to have lunch with Diet. Though we’d agreed to eat together every other day, he said he wanted to spend more time with his classmates, so we decided to have lunch together once a week, since the academy week is five days. This was already decided.

Diet’s conversations started mentioning Patricia-san a lot. Before I knew it, he was calling her “Sia” affectionately.

He’d talk about how Patricia-san likes blue, eats a lot for her size, excels at swordsmanship, struggles with embroidery, is the eldest daughter of a count’s family studying business to inherit her house, and has a younger sister. I ended up knowing so much about Patricia-san from Diet’s stories. Besides her, he mentioned being invited to a classmate’s 16th birthday party.

“Want to go shopping in town for a gift?”

“Walking around town sounds fun since it’s been a while. I heard from a classmate about a new café I’d love to try. I’ll ask Father if it’s okay.”

I’d been excited to visit the popular café bustling with women and couples ever since I heard about it, so I was thrilled by Diet’s invitation.

“You’re such a sweet tooth, Rubina. I thought all girls were like that, but Sia doesn’t like sweets. That’s rare, right?”

It seems Patricia-san doesn’t like sweets. Diet always sounds cheerful when talking about her. That weekend, we got permission from our parents to go to town. Diet came to pick me up.

“Auntie, I’ll make sure to bring Rubina back, so don’t worry.”

Diet greeted Mother.

“Take care of Rubina, okay? Both of you, come back by evening. If you’re not back before dark, no more town trips for you two.”

We replied to Mother and left. I’d been to town a few times, but it was my first time going with just Diet. Town trips were banned until enrollment due to the dangers, despite being fun. We visited several men’s stores, but Diet hadn’t found the perfect gift yet. We entered a new store known for importing goods, offering wallets, ties, and even fabrics with tailor referrals. The store wasn’t large but had a good selection of accessories, and time flew by browsing.

“Hmm, what should I get? I wonder what everyone else is giving. They wouldn’t tell me.”

Diet was puzzling over his choice while browsing.

“You should’ve discussed with your friends what to give.”

“True, but even if gifts overlap, it’d just be a funny story we’d laugh about.”

From this, it seems Diet gets along well with his classmates. While looking at accessories in a glass case, a male staff member approached.

“Is there anything that caught your eye? Would you like to see the items in the case?”

I thanked him, but then—

“Oh, isn’t that Diet?”

“Sia! What’s up, shopping?”

The two started talking, having run into each other by chance. Apparently, Patricia-san was also invited to the party and came to buy a gift. Diet and Patricia-san got so absorbed in their conversation that I was left standing alone. Their talk was lively, and glancing at them, they almost looked like a couple, which was strange. Diet is my childhood friend and fiancé, more like family, but seeing him with Patricia-san made him seem like just a guy. Not wanting to intrude, I decided to browse the store alone.

Looking closely at a men’s store was refreshing. Women’s stores are colourful and exciting, but this one was chic and calming, making me feel grown-up.

They had wallets, watches, ties, shoes, and socks—simple, practical items. The variety of tie patterns, different from women’s, was eye-catching and good for future gift ideas for Father or Onii-sama. While seriously browsing, I realized 30 minutes had passed! I looked for Diet and Patricia-san, but they were nowhere in the store.

“Huh?” I tilted my head. Surely we wouldn’t get separated in the store…?

I asked the guard at the entrance, describing Diet’s clothes and features.

“They left with a woman,” the guard said awkwardly.

I thanked him and stepped outside.

“…What do I do? I’m lost.”

Muttering to myself, I noticed a bench in the shade outside the store and decided to wait there. Surely Diet wouldn’t forget me and go home, right? Sitting on the bench, I gazed at the town scenery. Is summer coming soon? The clouds felt close. Sweat started beading on my forehead.

One hour, two hours… three hours passed.

“What should I do? I need to head back soon, or everyone will worry.”

There have been recent kidnappings of noble girls, I’ve heard. Our house is in the eastern district, so I could walk home, but maybe I should explain to the town’s knights and have them call a carriage. I should’ve brought a maid. I don’t know where Diet’s family carriage is parked, and getting lost looking for him would be trouble. It’s almost dusk. As I pondered, a store clerk approached, probably thinking I was suspicious for occupying the bench so long.

“Young lady, has your companion still not returned?”

It was the clerk who had assisted us at the store earlier. I stood up immediately, intending to leave the area. But before that, a word…

“Sorry for occupying the bench in front of your store. I was just about to head home.”

I had been sitting on the bench for so long that it must have caught their attention, whether I liked it or not. With that thought, I bowed my head.

“Pardon me, but where is your companion?”

“…It seems we got separated somehow.”

“I see. May I ask where your home is, young lady? Pardon my late introduction, but I’m not a suspicious person. My name is Jay Hudson, the owner of this store.”

His gesture of placing a hand on his chest while introducing himself made me think he must be a noble. Since he gave his name, it would be rude not to give mine in return.

“My name is Rubina Rosen. My home is in the eastern district.”

“Hmm, the eastern district? It’s about twenty minutes by carriage from here. Walking would take over an hour, and for a young lady like you, it would be dark by the time you got home. If it’s not too much trouble, I can arrange for you to be escorted.”

The owner of this store. But my parents and everyone at the mansion have repeatedly told me not to follow strangers. I appreciate the offer, but I should decline.

“I’m sorry. My parents told me not to go with strangers, so I’ll have to decline your kind offer.”

It was a generous offer, but I decided to refuse. He’s a stranger, and an adult man at that. I can’t trust him.

“You’re right, as your parents say. You shouldn’t go with strangers. However, I wasn’t raised to leave a lady in distress. But as you say, a lady being alone with an unfamiliar man isn’t good for appearances. I’ll call one of my female staff members, so please wait a moment.”

The owner brought a female staff member. He also arranged a carriage to take me home. The female staff member said she was told she could go home after dropping me off, and she was happy to leave early. Despite the inconvenience I caused, her cheerful response eased my tension a little.

When I got home, Mother asked why I wasn’t with Diet.

“We got separated somehow. I waited in front of the store where we parted, but I couldn’t meet up with Diet. I was in trouble, but the store’s owner, a Mr. Hudson, arranged a carriage for me to return home.”

Mother was furious and grounded me for a while. It was a promise for going to town, so I had no choice but to accept it. If the owner had been a bad person, I might have needed a search party by now, or worse, been kidnapped… The thought sent chills down my spine.

“I’m very sorry. I ended up being escorted by a stranger. I tried to refuse, but Mr. Hudson kindly called a female staff member to assist me since I had no way to get home.”

When I told Mother about the store and its owner, she seemed to know Mr. Hudson.

“The third son of Marquis Hudson. I heard at a tea party that he returned from studying abroad last year and opened a store. They say his imported goods are quite popular. When your father comes home, we’ll need to explain what happened and thank Mr. Hudson.”

I felt nothing but gratitude toward the owner. We need to thank him, but since Mother said she’d leave it to Father, I decided to let them handle it. It doesn’t seem like a matter for a child to get involved in.

“That aside! Diet! How could you leave Rubina and disappear like that? And going off with another young lady is unforgivable. What’s this about bringing her back before dark? If he’s going to lie, maybe I should sew his mouth shut!”

Mother was outraged.

“Maybe Diet had some reason, and since I got home safely…”

“That’s not the point, and it’s not just about you two! If something had happened to our precious Rubina, it would’ve been too late! If you say Diet might have had a reason, then go ask him what it was!”

I don’t have a lunch date with Diet tomorrow, but I’ll try to see him in the morning. Diet can be a bit careless, so maybe he mistakenly thought I came with Patricia-san?

…No, I want to believe that’s not the case.

I’m glad I got home safely, but what is Diet doing now? Has he remembered me? I haven’t heard from him…

~Diet’s Perspective~

“I’m glad we found something good. You really know great stores, Sia.”

Diet was at a high-end store in a different district from the one where he left Rubina.

“This place is famous in this district for carrying only top-quality goods. I’d hesitate to buy here alone, but since we shopped together, we got something nice.”

They bought a new wallet from this month’s collection. Adding initials gave it a special touch. Diet and Patricia were delighted with their successful shopping. Afterward, feeling they hadn’t talked enough, they went to a café. It was crowded, clearly a popular spot filled with couples and young ladies.

“This place is super trendy right now, isn’t it? Have you been here before, Diet?”

This was the café Rubina had told Diet she wanted to visit. Diet completely forgot who he’d heard it from. The plan was to rest at this café after shopping with Rubina. Diet and Patricia got so caught up in their conversation that they didn’t realize how much time had passed.

“It’s about time to head back. Are you taking a carriage, Diet? I need to call my family’s soon.”

Patricia’s home was in the southern district, and she said she’d call for a carriage. Hearing this, Diet made a suggestion, thinking it was a good idea.

“You’re calling one now? My family’s carriage is coming soon, so I can give you a ride.”

Diet’s home, like Rubina’s, was in the eastern district, but farther out. Dropping Patricia off would mean a slight detour, but he didn’t think it was a big deal. Patricia decided to take him up on his offer. Diet dropped her off, and when he got home, he ran into his father at the entrance, who was about to leave.

“I’m back.”

Diet greeted his father, feeling like he was forgetting something.

“Just got back? Did you enjoy your day in town? I’m thinking of inviting the Rosen viscount family for a dinner party soon. You’re both turning 16 this year, so we should celebrate. I look forward to seeing Rubina-chan again.”

His father patted Diet’s shoulder lightly and left.

“A dinner party—wait!”

He suddenly remembered something.

“…Rubina!!!!”

With that, he rushed back to the carriage in a panic and headed back to town. The coachman asked if he forgot something, but he couldn’t admit he forgot Rubina! Why didn’t anyone tell him?!

“Hurry!”

The town is a noble district with many knights, so the main streets are safe. That’s why Rubina’s parents allowed the two to go out together. Diet told the coachman to hurry, pulled up to the store where he left Rubina, and flung open the door.

The pleasant ding of the bell sounded as the door opened. He saw the clerk who had helped him and Rubina earlier. Catching his breath, he spoke.

“Excuse me, do you know a girl with long silver hair, green eyes, wearing a light green dress? She’s about 16 years old.”

Hudson replied.

“Oh, that young lady? She waited a long time for her companion, but as it was getting dark, we had one of our female staff members escort her home. Are you acquainted?”

Hudson gave a forced smile while looking at Diet, but his eyes weren’t smiling. Deep down, he was furious. He saw Diet as the worst kind of guy for abandoning the girl he came with to leave with another. From their brief talk, Hudson could tell Rubina was a pure-hearted girl who didn’t get angry but waited faithfully, believing her companion would return.

“What? She went home without telling me? Geez… what kind of upbringing makes someone so selfish? She could’ve at least left a message. Doesn’t she know how I felt coming back for her?”

Seeking agreement, Diet was met with Hudson’s unwavering smile.

“Your companion has left. We look forward to your next visit.”

Hudson escorted Diet to the exit and bowed.

“Sprinkle some salt after him.”

“Yes.”

Hudson spoke to the guard, who knew Rubina had been waiting outside for Diet.

“Poor girl.”

Hudson muttered to himself, unheard by anyone.