"I like you! Can we be friends with the notion of dating in the future?!”
...Eh?
I blinked several tis as I stood frozen in front of an unfamiliar figure who was bowing his head earnestly.
I’d like to ask: WHO ARE YOU?!
But alas, the person before had introduced himself before he said the shocking words. So, I definitely couldn’t respond with it now... sobs sobs.
Can soone help and kindly tell how should I react in this kind of situation? Please send a telepathy ASAP, I’m waiting! ( ; ω ; )
Ahem, howdy, world? I’m Alrescha Lyra Hartmann, Interdiate Level 1 special class student, turning 11 this year.
And this is my first love confession in my whole life—let add an emphasis: whole life as in... as Reinst and Lyra.
As a noble, I had never expected a love confession like this as I still had the belief that nobles would end up getting an engagent arranged for them.
But then again, ti has changed and I am in Harmonia Academy, which is famous for its freedom and equality. Though so of the nobles here already have their future spouses decided for them in engagents, so are still free.
Ah, but there were stories of “forbidden love” where love confession scenes like this happened—like (in my past self’s school) how classmates fell in love with each other despite having their engagent decided on them by their families... I never found out their fates, though. I also forgot their nas... Too bad.
As for my last life as Reinst, I guess my status, rumors about , and my cold face were enough to chase away others’ interests of .
In this lifeti, I thought that people would still think twice before they confessed to due to the fact that I was close to the crown prince and how people were speculating that an engagent between us would soon be made official...
To be honest, I had a mixed feeling due to it. At one side, I felt a bit worried that I wouldn’t be able to have a good romance story myself due to it. Well, I might be able to do sothing about it once I found soone I like.
On the other side, I was relieved because I wouldn’t need to think about ‘what if soone confessed to ?’
And the latter was already smashed to pieces with this incident.
Gabriel Erneste de Schubalt.
Marquis Schubalt’s only son, from Interdiate Year 2’s regular class. He’s 14 years old this year and oddly enough, he still doesn’t have a fiancee. It is said that he is really pampered by his parents as the only son that they agree to his request of finding his life partner himself.
Hmm? How did I know about it?
Eeh, it’s simple. This person has been hailed as the “prince” in school. And no, the title isn’t the sa as Luca’s official title as the country’s formal prince. Erneste’s title is ‘bestowed’ by the students here—mostly the female students.
As a part of the female tribe—I an, as a female student myself, I ca to learn so information about the school’s “prince” naturally.
His popularity... how do I say it? Is it fine for to say that his popularity might exceed the real prince’s popularity—Luca?
Now that I got to see the real person up-close, I could tell the reason behind his popularity as the “dashing prince of Harmonia Interdiate”.
Long, slender legs coupled with tall and slender body. Snow white skin that I even envied...
Beautiful face which consisted of: long eyelashes, gentle-looking golden eyes, even his nose and lips looked perfect.
His hair color was soft yellow, and it looked quite soft too. His hair was a bit curly, yet he kept it short and tidy.
His voice when he spoke to earlier was also gentle and could definitely send the ladies flying to the fangirling heaven.
Add the information I acquired from the rumors: though he didn’t enroll in special class, he was a top student in his class, a model student, a student which the teachers praised.
He didn’t only excel in the lessons, he also excelled in music, arts, horse-riding, and combat via bowgun. I heard that he was blessed with an average [Neutral] magic that he honed so he could play a supportive role in his party.
The [Prince Erneste fans club] even sold a candid picture of him riding his gallant white stallion while holding his bowgun...
How could such a perfect man exist?
Wait, it could be that “male beauty” trap!
God would never create anyone so perfect, so what could be his flaws?
He might be a psychopath or an evil being off-stage!!
I gotta stay alert!!
(Erneste would definitely cry if he could hear Lyra’s inner thoughts...)
“...Miss Lyra?”
Erneste was looking at with eyes full of concern as he slightly tilted his head.
Ugh!
With that kind of face, I don’t think that’s possible.
I have only heard rumors on how kind he is, so...
Alright, I was definitely on my denial back then, to think that I could be suspicious of such a man...
More importantly, how could he confess to... , of all people?!
“...Why?”
When I could finally utter sothing out, it was with a very small voice.
“Pardon?”
As expected, Erneste couldn’t hear , so I steeled myself and looked straight at his eyes before repeating myself more clearly this ti.
“Why do you like ?”
I don’t rember having spent any ti getting a proper conversation with him, let alone spending my ti together with him.
Yet, he confessed to out of the blue.
Did he get the wrong person?
The fine-looking youth before seed to be startled for a mont before his face broke out in a smile.
“I’m sure you must be wondering that. We haven’t had that many chances in getting to know each other so far. But I’ve seen you several tis.”
...And that’s enough for you to ‘like’ ?
Ah, but then again, he especially said that he’d like to be friends with with the notion of going out in the future, not directly asking to go out with him.
1 point to his gentleman side.
“You’re quite famous, Miss Lyra. I was curious about you because of it, so I ended up looking at you whenever you were close by. I think that you are kind, cute, smart, and quite mature for your age. Those attractive points made wonder if perhaps you’re the one for ... And so, I braved myself to talk to you. I don’t want to stay silent and regret, after all.”
Then, he ended his explanation with a smile so bright that even his eyes turned into crescent.
TOO BRIGHT!
“...Is that not a good reason to ask you to be my friend?”
After not getting any reaction from , Erneste’s face grew concerned again as he asked.
“Uhm... No, that’s a valid reason, alright...,” I stuttered.
“So, if I may ask, your answer is...?”
“I-if you’re just asking about my answer to becoming your friend, then sure... But as for going out with you, t-t-t-that is...”
“It’s fine. Thank you very much for willing to be my friend!” Erneste’s face imdiately brightened up like a sunshine upon hearing my answer.
“About my asking you to beco my... special one...,” Erneste seed to have blushed a little before continuing, “There’s no need to rush. We can take one step at a ti. It’s my pleasure to be your friend, Miss Lyra.”
“Uhm, drop that ‘Miss’ then...”
“Then... Lyra. I’m looking forward to hanging out with you,” Erneste said as he smiled.
Luckily, he didn’t go straight off to hanging around with , as we went our separate ways after that.
I returned to my pals, who were all speculating about what just happened.
“Lyra, you’re finally back! I-is it really a love confession?” Iris, the most girly one out of my pals, said as she wrung her handkerchief.
“Whaaat? Soone actually dares to confess his love to Lyra?” Harvey asked in disbelief.
“Why not, Harvey?” Iris asked with her cheeks puffed. Then, she added, “In any case, it’s the Prince Erneste!”
“Prince? Wait, Riviera only has one prince now, right? That is, this Luc over here?” Carbuncle imdiately frowned.
“Urk. It’s just a figurative title, Kuu!” Iris touched his forehead as she tried to explain things to Carbuncle.
anwhile...
“Hey, hey, did that girly boy really ask you out, Big Sis Lyra?” Ein asked as he tugged on my sleeves.
Though Ein was now in the sa class as , he was still the youngest out of us all, which made him currently the smallest—Iris was the second shortest out of us all.
I patted Ein’s head.
“You’re still too young to be concerned about things like this, little Ein,” I said like a big sister figure I was.
“...,” Ein was rendered speechless.
“Wait, did you just say girly boy?” I asked after I recalled his words.
“You just rembered it now?” Luca asked in disbelief.
“Yes, why?” I asked Luca back.
“...Your focus is off sotis, you know?” Luca shook his head.
“Uh, well, true...”
I was more concerned with Ein than Erneste. After all, Erneste was soone I just got to know today.
Moreover, girly boy, huh?
He looks like one, certainly.
“So?” Luca suddenly asked as he raised his eyebrows.
“Hmm?” I tilted my head.
“What’s your answer to Ein’s question?”
“Oh? Well, yup, he asked out... Ah, no, no, no! He asked to be his friend with the notion of going out in the future...”
“...What’s the difference?” Luca quickly asked.
“Uhm...”
“And what did you say to him?” Luca didn’t give a chance to talk before he gave another question.
“Yeah, Big Sis Lyra! What did you say?”
“I told him that it was fine being friends but as for going out or sothing, that’s not sothing I can answer now, so...”
“Still, you’re giving him a chance by saying yes to his request of being your friend,” Alt-nii finally opened his mouth.
“W-well, I don’t know what kind of person he is, so isn’t that only natural? It’s not wrong for to befriend soone, right?”
Now I’m not sure what’s wrong or right anymore...
“Hehe,” Alt-nii only chuckled.
What’s so funny?
“Don’t get fooled by his appearance, Lyra,” Clavis suddenly gave a warning with a stern voice.
“Eh? Do you know him, Clavis?” I sensed that there was sothing wrong in Clavis’ tone, so I asked.
“Huh? Oh, no,” Clavis seed to have snapped out of sothing and answered.
“? Then... Why did you say so?” I tilted my head, not understanding why he said that.
“That... I-I, I just don’t want you to end up hanging around a bad guy,” Clavis said as he avoided my eye contact.
“Hmmmm?”
Clavis is the one acting weird!
“Hehe,” Alt-nii chuckled again.
“Alt-nii?” I turned to my eldest brother in hope he could enlighten .
“Nah, don’t mind him, Lyra. Rember, don’t be hasty.”
“Of course!” I didn’t know what was going on with Alt-nii and Clavis, but I answered nevertheless.
“Eeeeeh? No, Big Sis Lyra! Rather than being with soone unknown and shady as that girly boy, why not be with ?” Ein suddenly offered himself.
“Ein? Aren’t you my little brother figure? You proclaid it yourself!” I protested.
being with my forr self’s nephew? Yeah, as if I could do that, right?
“But, but! I like Big Sis Lyra sooo much!” Ein said as he gestured with his hands.
“Uuuuuuh!” I refrained myself from hugging him. After all, he was Ein, not Freyr. Moreover, if this child really developed a romantic feeling to due to misunderstanding my display of affection to him... Yeah, that’d be not good.
“For one, I gotta admit he’s quite brave to confess to our Lyra here!” Harvey suddenly added.
“I agree!” Kiri chid in, after being so silent this whole ti.
“Whaa? He really did that to Lyr? Oh, wow. A brave human, indeed. But I don’t like his appearance. He looks weak,” Carbuncle stated her opinion.
“Now, now, Kuu! He’s the famous school prince, you know?” Iris looked at Carbuncle in disbelief, her expression saying, ‘do dragons have a different sense of aesthetic than us?’
“Nah, I’m just stating my opinion. I don’t know what you guys are fretting about from him,” Carbuncle shrugged.
Kiri seed to glance at Luca for a mont—as Luca only remained silent with his eyes closed and his arms folded in front of his chest—then, Kiri turned to and asked.
“What do you think of him, Lyra?”
“Eh? ? Hmmm...,” I looked up as I thought.
“I think he’s a good guy... But I’m not sure about it.”
“Oh? Is he your type, Lyra? And what kind of a man is your type?” Alt-nii took the chance to ask .
“I’m not sure about it... My type... I never really considered it before, but I guess as long as the man is good, kind, and loyal...”
“Standard answer, huh?” Alt-nii put his hand on his chin.
“What about you, Alt-nii?”
“? Ah, I like soone who’s strong, elegant, beautiful, charming, kind, and gentle! She has to exude this extraordinary aura, haha! Oh, and she has to be a family person, as I consider myself one, too” Alt-nii quickly answered.
“...”
When will spring co for Alt-nii, then? It seems that his standard is pretty high...
“What about everyone else?” I quickly shifted the topic.
When I did so, I was greeted with my friends’ surprised gazes.
“? Well, I...,” Harvey scratched his head as he (perhaps unconsciously) glanced at Iris.
“...,” I grinned.
“The school prince is good! I think... but i-if I’m allowed to dream of my romance, then I want soone who’s kind and protective of ...,” Iris said with both her hands resting on her reddening cheeks.
Ah, Harvey could be included in her criteria, then?
Shall I play matchmaking next ti?
“He has to be able to beat ! And he must yield to like a princess I should be!” Carbuncle laughed arrogantly.
...That seems hard, too... Soone who can beat her, yet is willing to yield and follow her orders, hmm?
“I have never thought of it yet...,” Kiri murmured.
“...Big Sis Lyra!” Ein imdiately answered.
“Urkkk!” I unconsciously raised my voice.
“For , I guess it’s soone who can be patient and understanding towards , soone who’s willing to accept for who I am,” Clavis answered.
I nodded. Yup, that’s important.
I turned to the last person who hadn’t given his answer yet—Luca. Now, it’d be sothing about the future queen of this country! Why wouldn’t I be curious?
“Huh? My type? Why does it matter to you?” Luca sensed my gaze on him and asked.
“Everyone’s already given their answers, you know? I’m just curious as a friend.”
“Well, it’s definitely not soone as curious as a cat like you! Curiosity might get the cat killed, you know? I don’t want to be with soone that might be killed because of their own curiosity,” Luca taunted .
“You! Must you always pick a fight with e?” I asked in my agitation.
“Pfft,” Luca held his laughter.
“Just you see! I can’t wait to know who will end up with you! I’d pity that person!” I harrumphed.
“Yeah? Likewise!” Luca said as he turned the other way, too.
“You two... are really ‘rivals’, huh?” Harvey shook his head.
“Having a rival like that is good, too,” Clavis sighed, looking relieved for so reason.
“Heee...,” Alt-nii only said that.
Kiri looked like he was confused on why we suddenly fought like this.
“Big Sis Lyraa! Pick , not him!!” Ein begged as he tugged on my sleeves.
“Uuuh, Ein! Romantic love and familial love are different, you know? You will understand it when you’re older,” I patted Ein’s head patiently.
“What? I know it already, Big Sis!”
“No, you don’t~”
“Yes, I know!!”
“Nope~”
...
That day, after having a quality ti with my small circle of friends, I ended up forgetting about how nervous I was with Erneste’s love confession.
I even almost forgot about it all the way to ho, when...
“WHAT?”
I heard Dad’s voice as it was followed by the sound of the table being slamd.
I quickly went towards the source of the noise—and saw Alt-nii chatting with Dad in the family room.
The twins followed behind, their heads sticking from my left and right side respectively.
“Dad? What’s the matter?” I quickly asked.
“...Lyra, that should be Dad’s line, right? Why didn’t you tell imdiately as soon as I returned ho?” Dad asked.
“Tell you what...?” I tilted my head to the side as I looked at Alt-nii.
Alt-nii’s mouth was forming a word, [confession].
My body froze up after I figured the reason why Dad got so agitated like that.
The little in my head clapped a fist to the other hand as she shouted, ‘AH, RIGHT!’
“Oh, what’s the matter?” Mom also entered the family room and asked.
I breathed deeply before narrating the whole story.
Gosh, it was my first ti talking about stuff like this with my family! I felt my face was burning hot when I was telling them what was happening.
And then...
“Well, as expected of my daughter!” Mom said proudly.
“Whaaaat? How dare he do that!” Dad looked upset.
The twins tilted their heads in confusion. They seed to be unable to comprehend why Dad looked upset while Mom was proud.
“Soone confessed to Lyra,” Dad gritted his teeth as if he didn’t want to admit it.
“Oh co on, isn’t that a good thing?” Mom argued.
“Confess...?” Freyr tilted his head as he thought.
“...Soone confessed their cris to Lyra-neechan?” Freyr suddenly approached with his eyes shining.
“Wow, really? How did you do that, Lyra-nee?” Freyja excitedly asked.
“Uh, you’ve got it totally wrong, that’s not what ‘confession’ ans in this context...,” I wanted to laugh, but I couldn’t because I was still seeing Dad’s grave expression.
Who knows what hell will break loose with Dad being like this?
“Soone just said that he liked your big sister,” Alt-nii chuckled as he simplified things for the twins.
“Like?” Freyr tilted his head.
“Isn’t that a good thing, then?” Freyja tilted her head, too.
“Hmm, technically, yes,” Alt-nii said.
“Then, Dad, why are you so mad?” Freyja bravely asked Dad as she tugged on Dad’s sleeves.
Dad cald down a bit as he swooped Freyja to his arms.
“It’s because that person wants to snatch your big sister away from us.”
“...”
DAD, WAIT, THAT’S WRONG!!
“Eeeh? Then, I don’t wanna!” Freyja imdiately shook her head as she buried herself in Dad’s arms.
“We like Lyra-neechan, too! Lyra-neechan, don’t get snatched by that person!” Freyr clung to my arms tightly.
“D-dad, you really put it in a horribly wrong way...”
Although I admit, I was so happy to see them not wanting to lose .
“Co on, dear. Let our daughter decide it for herself, okay? And Alt, you’re her big brother. Warn her if you feel like the person Lyra chooses seems sketchy or unconvincing,” Mom said to Dad, then to Alt-nii.
“B-but...,” Dad wanted to protest.
“Of course, Mom! I wouldn’t let any bad person get close to our Lyra!” Alt-nii chuckled.
“Good, Alt. ...Cyan, but what?” Mom smiled at Alt-nii before turning stern to Dad.
“But—”
“Lyra’s turning 11 this year. Until when are you going to confine her? Just let her do what she wants, as long as it’s not sothing bad. Don’t you think it’s best for her to get to know to many people so she has more choices?” Mom asked.
“...,” Dad was speechless.
“Dad...?” I asked Dad in a worry.
“Don’t worry about your father, Lyra. He will get over it and understand, soon,” Mom said as she hugged .
Then, she whispered in a voice that only I could hear, “Next ti, there’s no need to inform your dad about it, lest he makes a commotion of it.”
I slightly nodded.
Mom’s right.
“Alright, then. Now, what kind of person he is, again?” Mom clapped her hands.
“...”
***
Perhaps since this was my first ti getting a love confession, everyone was quite excited.
Because of this incidence, I also found out that Alt-nii had his shares of love confessions from the girls, too. I had a hunch when I saw his Valentine chocolates, though...
Although Alt-nii had never gone out with a girl, he said that there were so girls who he felt attracted to and befriended, but he didn’t feel like they were the ‘one’.
...His standard was pretty high, alright.
Tonight, I wondered about my friends as well, especially Luca, the crown prince.
Surely there were many girls aiming for him, or more precisely, his position?
I felt bad for him, and then I realized that I was also a duke’s daughter.
But I didn’t want to have any prejudice against people I didn’t know, so I guess I should just wait and see for now.
After thinking about it like that, I slept soundly that night.
I completely forgot to consider that the school prince’s extre fangirls might target due to this incident...
So, I never prepared myself for their attacks the next day...
Nor did I ever imagine it to happen to ...............
[T__T I haven’t done anything wrong, hellooo?!]
-Lyra in the next chapter-
Author's Note:
Is this an expected developnt? Or was it too sudden that it caught you off guard? XD
Thanks for reading and don't hesitate to comnt! I hope you're still enjoying this series :3
The light novel project is in the (very start of its) making, so wish us luck! If you have any suggestion or idea on the artwork, feel free to drop any comnt here or in the Discord server! Fan arts or suggestions on which artists are good for commissions are also welco :3
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