Chapter 71…………………………..
The professors’ dining hall was as quiet as a funeral house.
“Is it always this quiet? Everyone’s just eating without saying a word.”
“It’s because of you, Duke.”
“Me? Why?”
“With the Empire’s highest noble sitting nearby, who could eat comfortably?”
“Ah…”
“That’s why I said we should eat outside. Why were you so stubborn about it? The professors’ dining hall isn’t even particularly good.”
But students always have this romantic notion about the professors’ dining hall.
It was the same back in college.
Whenever I got the chance to eat there with a professor, the food always tasted especially good for some reason.
Thinking back now, I don’t remember there being anything particularly special on the menu.
‘Hmm. Maybe it’s the feeling of eating next to a really intimidating professor?’
When I casually glanced around, the professors immediately ducked their heads.
It was obvious they didn’t know what to do with themselves.
They couldn’t very well greet someone in the middle of a meal, but if they just stood up and left, they probably feared they’d get on my bad side.
‘This is amusing.’
I smiled faintly at the thought—
Clatter! Clatter! Chairs scraped loudly.
The professors all leapt up at once and streamed out of the dining hall.
Ruspel, watching this, muttered in awe:
“Oh…”
“Close your mouth.”
“Yes, sir…”
Just then, a familiar voice rang out at the entrance.
“Hmm? Where are you off to? You’ve barely touched your food.”
“S-suddenly, I thought of a breakthrough in my research. I’ll excuse myself, Dean.”
“Is that so? Research is important, but don’t overwork yourself.”
After encouraging the professor, Oswald glanced around the dining hall.
Then his eyes found me, and he strode over.
“Your Grace.”
“If you’re eating, sit down.”
“No. I have something urgent to discuss.”
“Now?”
“Yes.”
Oswald sat across from me, face solemn.
His expression was so grave that I lowered my voice as well.
“What’s wrong? Did something happen with Piace?”
“Please take a temporary professorship.”
“……”
I stared at Oswald for a long moment, then asked again:
“Repeat that. What did you just say?”
“The subject is architecture. Just until we can hire a proper professor.”
“What do I know about architecture that I should be entrusted with students? No matter how urgent, you need someone qualified.”
“I made this decision carefully. Please, accept it.”
Carefully, my ass. He was just desperate and trying to grab anyone available.
“Let’s pretend I didn’t hear that.”
“Your Grace!”
At that moment, Ruspel put down his fork and spoke up.
“I honestly think there’s no one more suited to teach architecture than you, Your Grace.”
“You should focus on eating.”
“But the plaza construction is going exactly according to your proposal. It was so good it convinced His Highness to change his mind.”
“So anyone who writes one decent proposal can suddenly be a professor? Sounds easy.”
“His Majesty was impressed enough to appoint you as an advisor. That’s hardly ‘anyone.’”
“Exactly! Our Duke can’t be compared to just anyone.”
Oswald chimed in from the side, nodding eagerly.
I shot him a warning glare, then frowned.
This was bad.
At first, I just wanted to block a statue from being built.
Then somehow I ended up writing a proposal. Then I got dragged in as an advisor for the construction.
‘And now they want me to teach students?’
This wasn’t a butterfly effect—it was a damn avalanche.
I only wanted to sit back and watch the protagonist shine until the end.
“The parents won’t stand for it. Let’s drop this.”
“Are you sure?”
“It’s easy for you to say that. But parents are different when it comes to their children.”
“You explained your proposal to the nobles yourself. Do you remember their reactions? They were amazed. They couldn’t stop praising you. I think they’d be thrilled.”
Oswald looked at me proudly, then added slyly:
“When you gave that special lecture before, the response was excellent. We even got requests for additional lectures.”
“See?”
Ruspel speared a sausage with his fork and popped it into his mouth smugly.
“Do you think there’s any architecture professor here with a more solidly proven record than Your Grace? If you’re not qualified, then no one is.”
But I knew better than anyone that I wasn’t fit to teach.
As an architecture student myself, I was painfully aware of that.
“I refuse—”
Stage3:(Sighreluctantly)Well,Isupposenooneismoresuitablethanme…I’mtoobusytocommitlong−term,butforthedean’ssake,I’lldoittemporarily.Stage 3: (Sigh reluctantly) Well, I suppose no one is more suitable than me… I’m too busy to commit long-term, but for the dean’s sake, I’ll do it temporarily.
So that’s why I felt uneasy earlier.
‘Damn hack author, don’t you have any shame?’
You caused a mess, bailed without cleaning it up, and now you shove this on me?
Stage3:(Sighreluctantly)Well,Isupposenooneismoresuitablethanme…I’mtoobusytocommitlong−term,butforthedean’ssake,I’lldoittemporarily.Stage 3: (Sigh reluctantly) Well, I suppose no one is more suitable than me… I’m too busy to commit long-term, but for the dean’s sake, I’ll do it temporarily.
The second warning.
To avoid a penalty, I had no choice but to follow the directive.
“Sigh… well, I suppose no one is more suitable than me. I’m too busy to commit long-term, but for the dean’s sake, I’ll do it temporarily.”
Oswald’s eyes bulged as if they’d pop out.
“A-are you serious? Thank you! Thank you so much—”
“But, only twice a week. Students who want to attend will have to sign up separately, and I’ll gather them in one place. It’ll be like a special lecture.”
“Hmm, how about three times a week?”
“If you don’t like my terms, find someone else.”
“N-no! Twice a week is fine!”
“And don’t interfere with my lessons. Even if no replacement is found, I’m quitting after a month.”
“Of course, of course! We’ll work around you. Thank you again for accepting despite your busy schedule! Now, please enjoy your meal.”
Without waiting for my reply, Oswald bolted out of the dining hall, afraid I might change my mind.
I held my forehead, struggling to contain my anger.
‘Think positive. Just… think positive.’
I’d have to come often anyway for Ruspel’s experiments.
“At least this way I get to eat with you, Your Grace.”
“…Were you that eager to share lunch with me?”
“The dining hall is always so crowded, it annoyed me. Thanks to you, at least twice a week it’ll be more comfortable.”
“……”
Ah, I just want to go home.
That evening, I had dinner with Piace.
“P-please eat lots, Your Grace!”
After a whole day of irritation, seeing Piace calmed me somewhat.
“You too, eat plenty.”
“Hehe.”
“Why are you smiling?”
“It’s the first time you’ve said that to me, Your Grace.”
“…I only said it so you wouldn’t disgrace the Ibrante name by being picky at the academy.”
“Piace isn’t picky! Look, I even eat onions!”
“Keep it that way.”
“Yes!”
As she chewed her salad, Piace suddenly said:
“You know, Your Grace, t-today something happened at the academy…”
Her shoulders twitched slightly—probably swinging her legs under the chair.
‘If it were the old Adrian, he would’ve scolded her harshly for bad table manners…’
But I deliberately let it slide.
Glancing at the butler, I saw only a gentle smile—he didn’t seem to think anything unusual of it.
Come to think of it, even though Piace was chatting mid-meal, no one was nervously watching my reaction.
It seemed I could show a bit of warmth toward her now without raising suspicion.
‘Yes, it’s time to start showing some change.’
From now on, I could play the role of the cold-hearted duchess slowly opening up to the heroine, awkwardly learning how to express care.
I was smiling to myself at the thought when Piace lowered her voice conspiratorially.
“And then T-Tan asked me who I wanted as my partner. I said I didn’t mind anyone, so…”
“So?”
“So I suggested we just d-decide with rock-paper-scissors.”
“Who won?”
“T-Tan did.”
“I see.”
Excitedly chattering, Piace suddenly whispered, almost secretive:
“But, Your Grace, I already knew.”
“Knew what?”
“That T-Tan would win.”
“How did you know?”
“I saw it in a d-dream. Hehe, amazing, right?”
“……”
A prophetic dream.
I forced myself to act calm and asked:
“Have you had similar dreams before?”
“Um…”
Piace pursed her lips, then shook her head.
“I think… it only happened yesterday. I-I’m not sure. I usually don’t dream much.”
“What about the picture you gave me? Wasn’t that from a dream?”
“No, I-I just drew that from my imagination.”
“I see… Well, if you ever have another dream like that, tell me.”
“Okay!”
First foresight, now prophetic dreams.
Piace’s abilities were growing. Was awakening drawing closer?
‘I need to meet with Owen.’
