I Became an Outcast in the Academy

7. Proof (7)

“No, that is absolutely not possible!”

As expected, the person who most strongly resisted Duke Orphega’s proposal was the princess, who was known to the outside world to be in a romantic relationship with me.

“Does the Duke know what he is talking about? “How could you say something like that when you clearly know what kind of relationship I have with Xian?”

The Duke of Orphega answers in a strange tone to Cartesia, who is running wild as if she doesn’t like something so much.

“Of course, I know very well what kind of relationship you have with Xian. “I have heard rumors that Your Highness has that girl as your mistress, and you even showed off your affection for each other in front of everyone before the duel began.”

The Duke’s face is surprisingly somber. It seemed like he already knew that we were pretending to be lovers in love.

“But I think the suggestion just made isn’t too bad for Her Majesty the Princess. “If only His Highness were to continue playing house with Xian like this.”

“… Yes?”

At that moment, I was able to clearly witness the bewildered expression on Cartesia’s face.

“Your Highness is saying that she loves that guy, Xian, but at the same time, isn’t she showing her true feelings to her Xian? Because Your Highness has an unidentified fiancé with whom they have already promised each other a future.”

“Well, that’s…” “

“In other words, anyone would perceive that Your Majesty is just trying to see between two men. “He constantly weighs these two values: love and his own future.”

What the Duke said was truly true.

Except for the trivial fact that his fiancé actually does not exist in this world.

“Well, I’m not saying that’s a bad thing. In any case, the person called Your Majesty’s fiancé must have been a kind of arranged marriage that His Majesty forced you into. This is especially true if you consider the fact that the majority of nobles who enter into arranged marriages are secretly committing adultery.”

“…..”

Hearing the Duke’s words, Cartesia and I looked at each other without saying a word.

When the word ‘adultery’ came out of his mouth, it gave me a strange feeling, as if we had committed a very serious sin.

‘Actually, Cartesia and I are just friends… ‘

But when I thought about it, it seemed like Cartesia and I were no longer in a relationship that could simply be called ‘friends.’

‘But, casually touching each other or kissing each other… ‘I don’t think we can call them friends.’

If we were to be honest, such behavior was something that could only be seen between married couples who had been together for a long time, but it felt very strange to call it a normal friendship.

But compared to acting like that in front of everyone, Cartesia and I were not actually dating.

They were claiming to be in a romantic relationship externally, but it’s a bit hard to call it an official relationship…

‘What, actually, were we really having an affair? Were we really like that?’

For some reason, I felt like what the Duke was saying was correct, and even when I was confused, the Duke continued to talk.

“However, if we continue to maintain such a relationship, it may be good for the conveyance, but it will only lead to unfortunate results for Xian. For example, if a baby were to be born between the two, the baby would at most be treated as an illegitimate child, rather than being included in the royal family’s list.”

“… Yes, illegitimate child… !”

At that moment, Cartesia’s eyes shake greatly. It seemed clear that the word ‘illegitimate child’ had a great impact on her.

“But I have no intention of treating Xian like that. I plan to make Sian mine, and officially marry her to my daughter. “So that I can nail him down in front of everyone, rather than remain in an awkward relationship with Xian like your Highness.”

“So, why is it a prerequisite for the duke’s daughter to marry Xian? “Xian is mine!”

“In that case, wouldn’t it be okay to give your Majesty a small share of Xi’an?”

“… Yes? I beg your pardon?”

Cartesia blinked her eyes like an idiot, perhaps because she did not understand the duke’s words well.

So… You want to give me a share? Who’s whose?

“I’m not that much of a villain either, so I don’t feel like forcibly tearing apart a man and woman who are in passionate love for each other. So, even if Xian marries my daughter, I will tolerate continuing such a relationship with Your Majesty.”

“… That kind of relationship? Connivance?”

Duke Orphega, perhaps aware of the bizarre twisting of the corners of Cartesia’s mouth, continued her speech.

“I don’t think my proposal is too bad for your Majesty. Also, she promises that if Your Majesty gives birth to a child, she will add that child to the duchy’s family register. “I think this is a very good condition for both parties.”

So soft.

Cartesia’s body trembles as if there is an earthquake nearby.

I know very well the history I have had with Cartesia over the past few months, but it was no different from a sign that she was about to explode.

But there was nothing good about Cartesia yelling at Duke Orphega here, so I sighed and opened my mouth.

“Thank you for the Duke’s suggestion, but… No matter how much I think about it, I don’t think the conditions are too high for a mere orphaned cadet. “Do you, Duke, not even care about my background?”

“Because I’m from… “If I had considered that, I would never have accepted your sister as my student in the first place.”

At those words, Ellie, who had been looking down at her in silence until now, flinched at her own body.

“Just because I am a person doesn’t mean I don’t consider my lineage. However, the reason I consider lineage is to look into the environment in which a person was born and raised. “Which of the two do you think is more likely to succeed: farming in a dry wasteland or farming in a rich plain?”

Of course, it is clear that farming will be better in the plains than in the wastelands.

In order for plants to grow in a dry wasteland, numerous conditions and luck must meet for them to sprout, but in the plains, plants will grow well without much effort.

“But that is why I love people like you who come from humble backgrounds but stand out in some way. This will be proof that you have proven your abilities by overcoming the things you were born with and your own limitations. “Just like you are now.”

“… What if, as a result, lowly bloodlines are introduced into the noble bloodline of the dukedom?”

The duke chuckles at my words as if it were indeed funny.

“Bloodline has no value. A person’s worth can only be proven through his or her own abilities. And since you said you would not become my disciple, I made this offer. “I want to hold on to you in some way.”

“But when I look at it objectively, I don’t think it has that kind of value.”

“No, I know. It’s definitely for you… There’s something. I can’t explain it in words, but I can feel it. For example, even if you are now connected in some way with His Highness Cartesia.”

“… !”

For a moment, Cartesia and I looked at the Duke with surprised expressions.

Even though I knew full well that I had to control my facial expressions here, I was so surprised that I ended up reflexively looking at the duke’s face.

‘Could it be that the Duke can see the connection between me and Cartesia?’

No one I’ve met so far has noticed a connection through ‘return to life’?

‘… No way.’

Now that I think about it, I heard about it somewhere in the past when I was working as a mercenary.

The story is that a person who has reached the level of a master, who can be said to be an absolute being, acquires the seven senses that allow him to feel something transcendent beyond his innate six senses.

So, does this mean that the duke has now instinctively figured out what my abilities are through his seven senses, which are no different from the exclusive domain of a master?

“I’m a little interested in the identity of that connection… If you are uncomfortable, it is okay to not reveal it. “I don’t have the hobby of digging into other people’s secrets.”

As he said that, the duke looked at me with something in his eyes that seemed to linger.

“I have no intention of forcing you to answer here. I have to think about my relationship with Her Highness Cartesia, and you probably have a lot of things to think about as well. However, I can assure you. “That there will be no one in this world who values you more than me.”

I guess so. He went so far as to say that he would even hand over his precious daughter to you for wholesale money.

“But it would be nice if you could give me an answer as quickly as possible. Even though I look like this, I am quite a greedy person, so if there is something I want, I have to have it at all costs. This is especially true if it is an unclaimed gem.”

As if he had finished speaking, the Duke passed me by without any hesitation and disappeared.

And the Duke’s disciple, Eli, also followed the Duke and quietly disappeared into the background.

… But I heard clearly.

When the Duke of Orphea and I were talking, Eli, who had not said a single word, silently recited those words to me quietly as he passed me.

“… Yes, this is how you try to take everything away from me. Brother?”