Chapter 35

“Good morning~”

Today as well, I was attending school with full energy. The ball during the weekend ended badly, but from today onwards, I would get a fresh start.

“Ah, Fania. Morning!” Sara who was already in her seat waved at me.

“Sara, I’m sorry for last weekend.”

“Don’t bother, I’m alright— “

At the ball last weekend, I left Sara and just went home. Or should I say, I sobbed over my stained tuxedo. Then Al brought me back to the Royal Palace.

Al was being considerate by sending a messenger to tell Sara that I had returned to the Palace first. While I was only sobbing as I clung on Al and totally forgot about Sara who must be awaiting for me. I felt so sorry.

As for me who had returned to the Palace, the grand chamberlain, Nozart — he must’ve been contacted about my return — was already there waiting for me and assured me that he would clean off the stain so I shouldn’t worry as he took it to be cleaned. Jade and Bailard who accompanied me to the Palace also consoled me, saying this and that to make me feel better and I was sent off to bed.

I was feeling so down as I felt really guilty for dirtying the tuxedo that was a present from Al, but everyone around me spoiled me so much that I simply forgot how I was weeping and ended up sleeping with a smile.

I’m so easy to be coaxed, that was the first thing in my mind when I woke up the next morning.

“By the way, Fania, do you know?”

“About what?”

“I was only a wallflower at the time so I didn’t see with my own eyes, but I heard there was a very nasty high noble son. Maybe it was after Fania went home? They say he raised a huge racket; that’s what everyone has been talking about today.”

“Ooooh,” I couldn’t hide my surprise as I listened to Sara.

In this academy, most of the students were nobles, so they should’ve been properly educated beforehand; how could there still be someone acting like that?

“Anyhow, he was said to not only diss a commoner, he threw food on the other and he even punched down another who tried to stop him.”

“What’s that, that’s terrible.” I would’ve never imagined someone would do that at the party venue.

But isn’t that just like a villainous noble son? In the BL game, I was supposed to be one, but is there any other? Don’t tell me there’s another game thrown into the mix aside from this BL game and the otome game…. I don’t want to be in more confusion.

“Right? What’s more, they said it was the son of a Duke named Fania Arginia!”

“Brrrf, what did you say?!!!” Sara’s words made me impulsively cry out wildly.

“What’s wrong? You’re so loud.”

“What are you guys clamouring about?”

“What is it? What is it?”

From a short distance away from us, three of our classmates heard the noise we made and came inquiring.

“You see, we’re talking about the rumoured self-indulgent son of a Duke.”

“Oh, that one called Fania Arginia.”

“Just because he’s a high noble, he’s acting all haughty and did whatever he pleased I heard.”

“I heard how he made a great racket too. I’m so glad we’re in Class 3 so we’re spared from having someone like that as a classmate.”

Everyone other than me started chattering on the topic.

“No-no-no, everyone, wait a moment. Fania Arginia, isn’t that me?”

“Ah?” “Eh?” “ Mn?” “Huh?” All of them stared at my face.

That rumoured villainous noble son, is that referring to me? Me?

Anyhow, in this academy, there was no one named Fania Arginia other than me. However, did I do something that terrible during the party? No, I was surely a victim. I was splattered by food, and I left the venue in tears…… Eh, uwaaa, when I reflect about it, was I a little kid? That was too pathetic of me.

Nevertheless, there were rumours about me apparently floating around the academy. It turned out that regardless of my own will, my actions were seen as those of a villainous noble son’s from others’ eyes.

“As I thought, I’m a vile1 noble son.” I thoughtlessly mumbled.

It might be the game’s compelling force at work; even when I didn’t harass the MC or did any bad things, bad rumours about me still spread. From hereon, I would be gradually hated by everyone, and eventually get convicted just like the original story of the BL game.

I felt like everything was dark before me.

“Ahahaha! Fania, you’re so good at joking. With you like this, what are you saying? You made me laugh.”

“Impossible, totally impossible. To say that Fania is a vile noble son, is it even possible for someone vile to be this cute?”

“My stomach hurts from laughing too much! Fania, a vile noble son, that’s hilarious. On the contrary, you’re more likely to be the one being bullied. Stop it, stop it.”

“Fania, did you listen to our story? The one in the rumour is a son of a Duke. He’s not someone like you, a son of an insignificant noble.”

Every single one of them denied what I was saying. Not only that, it felt like they somewhat made a fool of me there.

“No-no-no, didn’t you all say it, Fania Arginia. Isn’t that me? My name is Fania Arginia. The one you talk about in the rumour, that’s me!” I raised my voice.

The full name was the same as mine, so why were they so confident that it was absolutely another person?

You people, your reactions were just too weird.

“Ah~ YES YES” They replied in unison.

“Don’t just answer me perfunctorily!”

Of course, I had no intention to be anything like a villainous noble son. However, just why did it feel irritating when it was denied this far?

The existence of the rumours were inconceivable, but what was more inconceivable were the reactions from people around me.

I was supposed to be a villainous noble son, but what was it with everyone’s reactions just now? What should I make of it? Was this a good thing? Or a bad thing?

For them not to acknowledge me as a villainous noble son…. Was I a failure as a villainous noble son?

I racked my brain yet again.