I was able to find out that Liz can, in fact, defend herself quite well. She’s, at the very least, able to fight against an adult and protect herself.
To be honest, I didn’t believe it until I was able to see it for myself.
Even if this is the case, she still is unable to remain calm under pressure so she really wouldn’t be of great use as an escort.
But she was ready to prove herself in any way possible. The most important thing is that we doing something that will get the students and teachers to trust that Liz won’t be causing them trouble again. Once we do that, we can get back to proving to her family that she can do things on her own.
I don’t imagine that if Liz is just acting as an escort, the commoner students will accept her like that. The main problem that exists between them is the fundamental difference in their values. So, if I don’t find a way to fix that issue, then nothing will get fixed in the long run.
So, the next day after school, I invited Trevor and Akane to the footbath maid cafe.
“Sorry for inviting you two here so suddenly.”
“It’s fine. I don’t mind if it’s a request from you, nii-san.”
“She’s right. There’s no way I could refuse a request from my Master.”
These two are just too kind. I originally only attended to go to school for Alice, but I’m glad that I was able to meet these two as well.
“Thank you, both of you. Today will be my treat so feel free to get whatever you like.”
“Ah, I see. If you say so then…I’ll have the deluxe parfait with the extra option of having a maid feed it to me!”
“…uh, is there something like that on the menu?”
I was curious and checked the menu myself….
Experience what it’s like to live as a noble — that may be what it says, but no matter how I look at it this is just a recreation of a maid cafe menu item that a Japanese otaku would love.
…well, as long as there’s a demand for it I really can’t say anything.
“So, what about you, Akane?”
“Is it really okay? Isn’t this place quite expensive?”
“That’s no problem.”
It may be even more obvious that I’m a noble now, but I’m pretty sure Akane figured that out a long time ago. Then Akane murmured to herself, “This place also had the name ‘Alice’ on the sign.”
“So, what do you want?”
“Hmm, what would you recommend, nii-san?”
“Strawberry shortcake…or at least, that would be my usual order. I think a parfait with vanilla ice cream would be best while soaking my feet in the footbath.”
“Then, I think I’ll go with that.”
We each gave our orders to the maid before returning to the main topic I wanted to discuss with them.
“The reason I asked both of you here today –”
“It’s about Liz, right? It seems that you did your best to clear up the misunderstanding between the students and Liz, but, even though all of the students forgave her, you still weren’t able to change the way everyone views her. Am I close?”
Akane stole my line before I even had the chance to say anything. Well, she is right.
However, Trevor doesn’t seem to have the faintest idea of what’s going on with Liz.
“What’s going on with that clumsy big-breasted loli?”
What was that? Clumsy big-breasted loli…no, that seems pretty accurate. When I first met Trevor in the classroom, all he could talk about was girls, but…he perfectly summed up Liz in so few words.
Anyway, I told Trevor about the rumours surrounding Liz. I told him everyone thinks she’s selfish for refusing the marriage her parents tried to force on her and how I’m trying to help her.
“Wait, what!? Did I just describe a noblewoman as a big-breasted loli!?”
“You didn’t know that part already!?”
Well, to be more precise, she’s a Princess, not just a noblewoman.
Her classmates already noticed that she was nobility, and Akane knew this from the beginning, but I assumed Trevor had already figured it out.
“How am I supposed to know that if she was keeping it secret?”
“…I mean, Akane found out I was hiding my status as well almost immediately. She may be a special case but most of the students found out about Liz relatively quickly as well.”
“…what? That’s impossible….”
“That’s right, Akane is freakishly perceptive.”
“Wha-!? Master is also a noble!?”
Trevor’s eyes opened wide in disbelief. He didn’t even notice that I’m a noble? Was he calling me master this entire time thinking I was a commoner?
As I was thinking this, Trevor suddenly looked serious.
“Hey…Akane. Did you only start talking to me because you knew I was a noble?”
“Why are you suddenly asking that? You’re just going to make our relationship awkward.”
“Then…there was a different reason?”
“I knew there were nobles in this school, but I really just talk with everyone. I started talking to you just because you were you.”
“I see. Thank you, Akane! I hope we can become even closer!”
Trevor’s suspicions seemed to disappear and he quickly returned to his usual bright self.
— Did he really not notice? Akane didn’t deny that the main reason she started talking with him was that he was a noble….
…well, I don’t think Akane is only trying to be friends with nobles. She’s just talking to anyone and everyone that interests her.
The more I look at her and who she becomes friends with, the less I believe that she’s only interested in forming trade partnerships with the people she meets here.
“Let’s get back to the main subject. Do you think Liz is being selfish?”
I cleared my throat and looked at Trevor.
“Hmm? That loli with the huge breasts?”
“Would you stop talking about that! I’m talking about her political marriage.”
Why is he so obsessed with her figure? No, I understand what type of person he is. He’s the kind of guy that only thinks about stuff like that.
“Oh…right. I don’t think there’s anything in particular wrong with her doing that, but, at the same time, I really don’t know all of the details. I really don’t know how to feel without knowing everything about her situation.”
“As expected of you, Trevor.”
I was expecting him to say it was selfish of Liz to go against her parents. I’m sure that’s how most nobles would feel, but he considered her feelings before answering. I’m glad he decided to stay neutral.
And so — I explained how I believed everyone had a different set of values that led to the rumours about Liz and the misunderstandings of the students.
“A difference in values. I can understand that…but how do you plan on fixing that, Master?”
“I’m not planning anything too crazy. I just want to show everyone how people can view things differently based on how they were raised. That way, if Liz does her best and is able to achieve something, they can truly accept her.”
“…so they’ll recognize her for putting in the hard work.”
A painful expression floated across Trevor’s face for just a moment. He’s the son of a nobleman that came to a school intended for commoners. He probably has his own reasons for being here.
Maybe he won’t be willing to help. I thought this, but just a moment later Trevor grinned.
“Alright then. If that’s your plan, I’ll help out.”
“Oh, seriously?”
“Of course I’m serious. After all, this is a request from my Master.”
“Thank you.”
I bowed my head to Trevor before turning my eyes to Akane.
“Can I count on you as well, Akane?”
“Of course. I’m sure it will be beneficial to me to have both you and Liz owe me a favour.”
“You’re the same as always, but I knew I could count on you. Thank you.”
After that, we ate the parfaits the maid had brought and begun planning.
