Chapter 2: School Enrollment

I decided to leave home a bit early tomorrow to wait for Diet on his way to school. I haven’t contacted him about getting home, and he hasn’t reached out since either. Mother said, “Leave him be,” so I did. Father stayed silent about the matter, and when my kind father doesn’t speak, it means he’s deep in thought, so I figured he wouldn’t talk or respond, and I decided not to bring it up further.

“Rubina, I’ll personally thank the son of Marquis Hudson for his help. You should write a letter expressing your gratitude as well. The deadline is before you head to school tomorrow. It’s best to show thanks promptly.”

Since Father will handle the thanks, I’ll write a letter to the store owner.

“Rubina, you must be exhausted today, so rest well.”

Mother told me to go to my room and rest, so I said goodnight and retired to my room. I lost my appetite and skipped dinner. I’m more tired than I thought, and after writing the letter, I just want to lie down. Feeling relieved to be home safely, I sank into the sofa the moment I entered my room… I felt so alone and scared. Tears welled up, and I hugged a cushion tightly.

~Rubina’s Parents’ Perspective~

“Diet! Unforgivable! He invited Rubina to town, then left her behind without a word to go off with another girl—unbelievable! I never thought Diet was such a foolish man! Rubina might think it’s her fault, but it’s clearly Diet’s wrongdoing!”

Rubina’s mother fumed.

“You’re the one who stopped Rubina from contacting Diet’s family, aren’t you?”

Rubina’s father was quietly angry, speaking little.

“Yes! Why should we send a letter saying, ‘Sorry for leaving without notice, I’m home safely’? Rubina waited three hours outside for Diet, who left without a word, as dusk approached. Just thinking how scared she must’ve been makes me want to punch Diet in the face!”

Seeing his angry wife, Rubina’s father began to calm down.

“I’ll write to Viscount Morrison. This isn’t a protest; I want to see how Diet handles this. If he tells his parents about today and formally apologizes to Rubina… I might… no, I’ll consider it. But if he tries to hide this, we have our own plans.”

With that, Rubina’s father went to his study. The steward took two letters and left the room.

The first, to Jay of House Hudson, to be delivered first thing in the morning.

The second, to Viscount Morrison, to be delivered urgently.

The next morning, Viscount Morrison sent an apology letter and agreed to the terms. By afternoon, Jay of House Hudson replied, arranging to meet that evening. Rubina’s father visited Jay’s store. Jay gave the impression of a fine young man and, when thanked, shook his head, saying, “I only did what was right.”

“Your daughter seemed troubled, so I approached her. Our female staff escorted her home. I only spoke to her and provided the carriage. The guard noticed her sitting on the bench outside and spoke to her a few times. He suggested waiting inside, but she said being outside was refreshing and fun. Hearing that, I wanted to ensure she got home before dark, so I insisted on sending her. I worried this might strain her relationship with her companion… but I swear on her honour, she refused to go with a stranger, saying her family would be upset.”

(It would be a shame if people thought she followed sweet words easily.)

“I see. Thank you so much. With all the recent incidents, I’d be beside myself if my daughter got caught up in something. I wanted to bring her to thank you, but as her parent, I came to greet you first. She wrote you a letter, so please read it when you have time. Due to this incident, she’s grounded for now, so please understand.”

It was my wife’s rule that any trouble meant grounding, which allowed the town trip. When told she was grounded, Rubina simply said, “I understand.” She must’ve accepted it knowing we were worried. She’d happily asked if she could hang out with her new academy friends after school, but that’s on hold now.

Her kindness is her strength, but it could let Diet take advantage. She should let her emotions out and complain to him sometimes. Suppressing her feelings won’t make their relationship work. I hope she finds someone broad-minded enough to accept her complaints with a smile. My wife sometimes explodes with emotion, but it’s out of care for others, and I find it endearing.

“As long as she got home safely, that’s what matters. When her grounding is lifted, please visit my store with her, Viscount.”

After talking with Jay, Rubina’s father returned home.

~The Next Day~

I arrived at the academy early to wait for Diet and got off the carriage. Then—

“Rubina! Why did you leave without saying anything yesterday?”

It was Diet waiting for me. He approached, his shoes clacking.

“Oh, Diet, good mor—”

“I went to pick you up, and the store clerk said they sent you home!”

“Sorry, I waited for a long time, but—”

I tried to explain, but Diet, furious, cut me off.

“Waited? Even a dog waits obediently for its master! A dog’s loyalty is better than yours!”

I was shocked to hear such words from Diet and couldn’t speak. His angry face scared me, and I felt sad. He shouted despite the crowd of students around us.

“Hmph, it’s the truth. Did you even think about me? Leaving without a word—what kind of upbringing teaches that? I’m holding back from complaining to your viscount family! I’ll forgive you this time, but there won’t be a next! I won’t have lunch with you for a while. Discipline for a dog requires withholding, after all.”

Diet said what he wanted and stormed into the school building. I fought back tears, desperate to leave. Onlookers watched from a distance, frowning with clear disgust. I needed to get away, but my legs wouldn’t move. Just then, Sophia-san, arriving from her carriage, called out to me, unaware of what happened.

“Good morning, Rubina-san… Is something wrong?”

Seeing Sophia-san’s gentle voice and soft smile, tears welled up, and I looked down. She saw me at my worst.

“Shall we go inside, Rubina-san? You can tell me what happened once you’re calm.”

Sophia-san held my hand and took me to the lounge instead of the classroom. She brought a damp handkerchief to press against my eyes. Rubbing my back, she spoke gently, with care.

“Are you feeling better?”

“…Yes. Thank you.”

“Can I ask what happened?”

I was too ashamed to say my fiancé called me less than a dog. Sophia-san might despise me. My shoulders trembled with that thought.

“…Nothing. Just something in my eye.

I lied on impulse, an obvious lie. Sophia-san looked sad but remained kind.

“I enjoy our daily time together, Rubina-san. I’d be happy if you feel the same. Seeing a friend sad makes me sad too. Am I not someone you can confide in?”

Sophia-san, a count’s daughter, welcomed me when I was alone and called me a friend. Yet I lied to her… Diet’s words hurt deeply, but I’m glad Sophia-san cares so much. I don’t want to make her sad or lie to her anymore, as she’s my friend.

“…I’m sorry. I lied to you, Sophia-san. It wasn’t something in my eye.”

I told her in a small voice, tears threatening to spill.

“Will you tell me what happened? I won’t force you, but… I might be able to help.”

I nodded and told Sophia-san about yesterday’s town trip and how Diet’s words this morning hurt me. She went to the teacher to excuse us from first period. I tried to refuse, not wanting her to miss class, but she firmly declined.

“I got the teacher’s permission, and I can’t leave you alone when you’re unwell, Rubina-san. I wasn’t raised to abandon a struggling friend! My family would understand.”

She smiled brightly. I thought it was a jab at Diet’s “what kind of upbringing” comment.

“Thank you, Sophia-san. I’m so happy you call me a friend.”

“Do you think of me as a friend, Rubina-san?”

“Yes… but I was afraid you’d despise me for telling you something so embarrassing…”

I confessed honestly. The students who heard this morning might laugh at me for being called less than a dog, and it could trouble Sophia-san and the others.

“I’m furious, Rubina-san, and I’m sorry, but I despise the Morrison heir. To vanish with Countess Smith’s daughter despite having a wonderful fiancée like you… and then to insult you when he’s the one at fault is despicable. A dog? Loyalty? He’s completely mistaken! You’re too kind, Rubina-san.”

Sophia-san listened to the end and got angry, just like Mother did yesterday.

“…You’re the kind one, Sophia-san. Listening to this… getting angry for me. Do you know how much you’ve saved me? If I were alone, I probably couldn’t have moved.”

I want to be strong enough to help a struggling friend. Just wallowing in sadness won’t move me forward. Seeing Sophia-san made me think that.

“Hehe, you say such interesting things, Rubina-san. Helping a struggling friend is only natural, isn’t it? First period is about to end. This is my first time skipping class voluntarily. I thought spending this time with you was more meaningful than the lesson.”

“…Hearing you say that makes me so happy I could cry.”

I pressed the handkerchief to my eyes. They felt unbearably hot.

“Crying from happiness is less taxing on the heart than crying from sadness, isn’t it? Our friends are probably worried about us by now. Or maybe they’re jealous we skipped class!”

Sophia-san laughed playfully, and seeing her, I laughed too. Sophia-san is such a wonderful person. When we went to the classroom, many classmates who heard about the morning’s commotion offered kind words. Some were angry on my behalf, saying there are plenty of men out there and inviting me to a tea party for new encounters. Sophia-san said, “That’s not a bad idea. If it’s okay with you, Rubina-san, shall we go together?” I feared classmates might look at me with pity or ignore me, but I was wrong—they gave me so much encouragement. I’m so glad to be in this class.

~Diet’s Perspective~

“Huh? Diet, you haven’t been having lunch with your fiancée lately, have you? Is that okay?”

I was heading to the cafeteria with friends as usual, including Sia. There are few girls in the business course, so Sia’s like a Madonna figure. Her family is a count’s, higher in rank than mine. Sia doesn’t seem to have a fiancé, and she’s close with the guys. With her black hair, she has a mature, confident, and beautiful aura. Rubina is cute and makes me feel I need to protect her, but she’s too quiet. I’ve never seen her talk to other guys, so it’s troublesome if she depends on me too much. She should look around and make more friends. Her conversations aren’t particularly interesting or exciting. Isn’t she out of place in her class? Books, flowers, what embroidery pattern to use on a handkerchief—I’m not interested, and it’s unnecessary. As long as it’s usable, isn’t that enough? Rubina loves sweets. I thought all girls were like that, but Sia’s different. I thought girls liked pastel colours, but Sia’s different. The business course is mostly guys, yet she joins in and chats lively. Rubina probably couldn’t keep up and would shrink back, unable to join the circle. Look around, Rubina. You can’t navigate the world with such a timid personality.

“Hey, are you listening, Diet!”

Sia called out, exasperated.

“Sorry, what were we talking about?”

“Ian’s birthday party. Is your partner your fiancée?”

Rubina’s grounded for a while, apparently. When Mother asked if something happened, I said, “I don’t know.” Her expression stuck with me, but we didn’t say more. During the town trip, Rubina’s mother said no more trips if we weren’t back before dark. Did Rubina get home after dark? Come to think of it, I don’t know what time she got home… She didn’t report anything.

“No, I’m not going with Rubina.”

“Really? Then, would you be my partner? It’s lonely going alone, so it’s fine, right?”

I agreed readily. Whether Rubina was there or not, I planned to go alone anyway. It’s my friend’s party, nothing to do with her. Sia and I bought the gift together, and we’ll present it together, so being partners is no issue. That’s what I thought.

＊＊＊＊＊＊

“Ian! Happy birthday!!”

Ian, a count’s heir, was the star of the party, receiving heaps of gifts from his friends and connected families.

“Congrats, Ian! This is from me and Diet.”

“Can I open it?”

“Of course.”

Our voices overlapped, and Ian carefully unwrapped the gift, revealing its contents.

“Campbell’s new wallet! I wanted this. Thanks, both of you!”

Ian seemed thrilled, saying he’d treasure it.

“Patricia gets along with everyone, but she’s especially close with Diet, huh…”

Ian seemed concerned about me.

“Really? They’re all just friends. I just spend a lot of time with the class.”

Some guys in the class with fiancées have started avoiding Sia. Her closeness seems to have angered their fiancées. Sia thinks saying, “We’re just friends,” excuses getting along with engaged guys. There are other girls in the class, but Sia only exchanges greetings with them. Being a Madonna figure, she might keep a distance from other girls.

“No Rubina-chan, huh? That’s a shame.”

Ian, for some reason, wanted to talk to Rubina. Even though we’re in the same General Nobility Course, different tracks mean different buildings, so we rarely cross paths. Rubina and her friends don’t come to the cafeteria. A friend said he saw her in the library, but is that the only place she goes? He wanted to talk to her but felt he couldn’t since she’s my fiancée and he had no business with her. I told him conversations with her don’t last and aren’t interesting. Rubina’s birthday is coming up, marking her debut in high society as an adult. Even though we’re engaged, since she hasn’t been formally presented, only academy friends and relatives know. Once she debuts, I’ll only attend parties with her, so partnering with Sia will end. Like Sia once said, I’ll be like a guardian. Ian’s family party is glamorous, very fitting for a noble heir. Come to think of it, Rubina said her party would be “homey.” Please don’t tell me she has no friends to invite… I’d be the one embarrassed.

“Speaking of which, Rubina-chan’s birthday party is soon, right? A young lady’s party sounds glamorous. I’m jealous, Diet.”

“Is it? She said it’s a homey party, but probably just because she has no friends to invite.”

“No way! She’s always with her classmates, isn’t she? They seem so warm and soothing. Joining them for lunch would make break time paradise. I don’t get why you’d ditch Rubina’s homemade lunches to hang with classmates. Keep that up, and she’ll dump you someday.”

I’d get tired of eating sandwiches every day, and there’s nothing special to talk about with Rubina. I invited her to town, but the moment I looked away, she went home without a word. Her quiet appearance fools people.

“Dump me? Not even if the world turned upside down. Without our engagement, Rubina would stay single forever. She’s plain and uninteresting. She can’t even talk to guys on equal terms like Sia. In high society, no one would give her a second glance.”

Since no one would, I have to be the one to deal with her.

“Diet, is this who you are? Wake up. Do you realize how the academy sees you right now?”

He’s probably talking about me lecturing Rubina. It’s part of disciplining my fiancée, so outsiders should stay out of it. I wanted to say that, but Ian doesn’t have a fiancée, so he wouldn’t understand. Other friends chimed in.

“Maybe we can’t understand since we don’t have fiancées?”

“If my fiancée were at the academy, I wouldn’t eat with you guys.”

“I’d want to be soothed by my fiancée during break.

They laughed, but not having lunch with her is her punishment. It’s the most effective for Rubina.