Anoseka Volume 3 Chapter 9

This is MTL. So, I cannot guarantee that the translation 100% contextually accurate or appropriate.

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Chapter 09 "Self-Esteem"

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Part 1

"You missed breakfast, so you bought food at a concession store."

"You're so noisy! It's because Cynthia didn't wake uuuup!"

In the ship's lounge, Marie was eating with the three people she was taking care of.

She wanted to have an elegant breakfast, but she was not able to make it in time.

They bought food at a concession store and ate at this place with a nice view.

After finishing her sandwich, Cynthia-san put her face down on the table and went to sleep.

"I'm full. Wake me up when it's noon~"

"Cynthia, no! You have to wake up!"

In a seat near Marie, who was tapping Cynthia-san's head, Ellie was reading a thick book.

She occasionally reaches for a coffee and a sandwich, she eats slowly.

Betty-san, who has a sketchbook, used a sandwich as the subject of her sketch.

"Everyone is too free."

As I watched and laughed, Marie came crying to me.

"This is no time to laugh! Leon, please scold these kids a bit!"

"Even if you told me to scold them, it wouldn't be a flaw from my point of view."

"Why!?"

Seeing that Marie didn't understand, I sighed softly before answering.

"All three of them may have their flaws. But to us, the poor Barons' group, they're all attractive goddesses. Look over there."

When I guided Marie's gaze, I saw the boys in the same group as me staring at us.

There are other boys who are also gazing at us.

Everyone looked at us enviously.

Marie tilts her head, unable to comprehend the situation.

"I don't understand why these girls are so popular. Then why was I so unpopular?"

"In your case, I'd say it's because of your family's debt."

"Why doesn't anyone look at me personally?"

During the first semester of freshman year, Marie was unpopular with the boys.

If we approach Marie, who was hated by the girls for aiming for a rich man's fortune, the other girls will hate us.

But the main reason was that her family, the Lafan family, was in huge debt.

In this world, marriage has a strong meaning of connecting families.

Being married to Marie is like accepting that huge debt as well.

Everyone hesitates.

As I was wasting time talking with Marie, an acquaintance approached me.

"Leon-kun, can I have a moment?"

It was Rukul-senpai with his distinctive narrow eyes.

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Part 2

The place where I was called to was an entertainment hall with a billiard table and other equipment.

There are a variety of things to do without gambling, but it seems that it is not popular and there are only a few students.

In a place like that, I was surrounded by the boys from my group.

The one taking the lead is Rukul-senpai.

"Leon-kun, as you see! I want you to give us a chance to talk with Cynthia-san and the others!"

The boys all bowed their heads and begged.

I think I understand the feelings of my comrades who are desperate for marriage.

Now that I've gotten engaged to Marie, I can't bear to see my comrades suffering.

But!

"Even if you said that, I've set up a number of occasions for you, but all you do is duel, so they are tired of you."

Rukul-senpai and the others had arranged many mixers for them by offering Marie pudding from the school cafeteria.

However, every time a mixer is held, conflicts arise.

Who will talk to who —— That's all it takes to get them to bring out their weapons and start a duel.

It is not at the level of being too desperate and going round in circles.

It seems that Rukul-senpai and the others are also reflecting on their actions.

"I mean, the opportunity to get to know those goddesses is a miracle!"

"I agree, but no one wants to go to a bloody mixer every time."

"Right. I'll try to cut down on the numbers before the mixer this time."

Rukul-senpai was the one who said the scary line without a care in the world, and his friends behind him agreed with him.

Although usually forgotten because they are oppressed, these guys are also from a respectable feudal noble family.

I guess they are used to bloody stories.

It looks like these guys are going to seriously start trying to crush each other.

"I don't think Marie would like that, you know?"

"It can't be helped! Now that the number of boys has decreased due to group division, this is our chance! Leon-kun, we are serious."

"You have to be serious at the blind date, not serious in a fight."

"I don't want to hear any good arguments! You can say that because you are engaged to Marie-san. For us, this is our last chance."

Seeing the tears flowing from Rukul-senpai and the others, I let out a deep sigh.

The boys in my group are too hot-blooded, which is a problem.

While I was wondering what to do, Deirdre-senpai gracefully appeared on the scene accompanied by a group of female students.

"It's not something boys cry over easily."

The boys in the group straightened up as the gorgeous female student appeared.

Since Rukul-senpai is a third year, he seems to be familiar with Deirdre-senpai.

"Deirdre-san! W-w-w-why are you in a place like this?"

When asked, Deirdre-senpai who must have stopped by on a whim —— takes one look at me and then answers with a smile.

"I came to see my cute little brother. He seemed to be in some kind of trouble."

Rukul-senpai and others who had been giving me trouble were looking around and breaking out in a cold sweat.

"R-R-Right! Well then, excuse us"

Rukul-senpai and the others ran off, leaving me behind.

They're really weak when it comes to girls. ——Including me.

Now I guess you could say that Deirdre-senpai is a relative of mine, but that's only through Nix.

I didn't think there was a deep connection between us.

"A~ah, everyone left me behind."

When I pretended to be sad, Deirdre-senpai looked at me and giggled happily.

"Ara, you poor thing. Shall I comfort you?"

"No thanks."

"That's disappointing."

Saying that, Deirdre-senpai leaves the room with her entourage.

What did she really come here to do?

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Part 3

As Deirdre leaves the room, one of her entourage, who doesn't know the details of the situation, approaches her and speaks to her.

"Deirdre-sama, that boy is?"

Deirdre opens her fan to cover her mouth and then says to her followers, who are hesitant to say words.

"Yes. He was the knight to strike a blow against a famous group of sky pirates and reach the Offley family first. Personally, I prefer his exploits as an adventurer, though."

"I-I see. In that case, he is also a distant relative to Deirdre-sama."

Deirdre thinks highly of Leon, and those around her look troubled.

After all, the connection between Leon and the Roseblade family is tenuous through Nix.

Leon himself is in a position where it is certain that he will become independent in the future.

Nix is also set to become the first head of the Viscount Bartfalt family, prepared by both the Bartfalt and Roseblade families.

Considering the connections between their families, the connection seems a little weak.

Still, for Deirdre, he's a cute little brother.

"I personally think highly of him. It's a shame he got engaged."

Deirdre let out a small sigh, and her cronies were having trouble guessing how serious she was.

Deirdre was about to say that she was joking, but something caught her eye before she could.

(Ara? It's the duo from the other day, isn't it? Dally and Donna —— what are those troublesome kids up to again?)

The two of them were talking excitedly about something.

They were in a very bad mood, and Deirdre predicted that this was going to be a rough one.

(It's interesting that the two daughters of the Redgrave faction's leading figures are so angry. I'll have them checked out later.)

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Part 4

"It's annoying! Donna is so angry! What's wrong with that exclusive servant!"

Beside Donna, who was ruffling her hair with both hands, Dally was wrinkling her brow.

"How troublesome. Especially when he mentions the name of His Highness Julius."

Despite saying it was a hassle, Dally was also annoyed by Kyle's words and actions.

The other girls didn't go near the two of them, who had been irritated since the morning.

They were the daughters of a viscount's family, a noble family at court —— and prominent members of the Redgrave faction.

The other girls were afraid of getting involved and getting into trouble.

Even these two had no choice but to back down when Julius' name was mentioned.

They understand it in their heads.

There was no benefit in messing Olivia, Julius' favorite.

However, Kyle's words and actions had deeply hurt their self-esteem.

For the two of them, who had grown up selfishly, the situation in which they had no choice but to back down was unpleasant.

A stroll around the ship as a distraction did not make them feel any better.

"In that case, why don't we go and distract ourselves with someone else? Donna wants to bully boys and have fun."

As Dally wondered whether to agree with Donna's frustrated words, she heard a voice.

It was the voice of Kyle, the one who had humiliated them this morning.

"It's true, I ran away with it."

As the two were strolling around, they happened to pass by a lounge used by the exclusive servants.

As this was a place the demi-humans used during their breaks, there were other exclusive servants there besides Kyle.

They are entertaining Kyle.

"The Crown Prince's backing is strong."

"Should we try to curry favor with Kyle?"

"You've got a good master, Kyle."

The exclusive servants seemed to be talking to each other —— in private, but Dally and Donna's bloodshot eyes were wide open to the limit.

Kyle apparently didn't notice the two of them.

"I hope they understand their position a little better. To challenge my master, who is His Highness Julius' favorite. They need to know their place."

Donna, who was expressionless, turned to Dally.

"It's all about us, isn't it? What does it mean to know your place? Donna is too stupid to understand."

Only the words were deliberately playful, but both Donna and Dally were expressionless.

Dally says.

"——I'll crush them. I was thinking of letting them go because it would be too much hassle, but I'm going to crush them completely. I'm going to knock her down together with that insolent elf brat."

When Julius' name was mentioned, the two reluctantly backed down, soon reaching their limit of patience.

The two of them turn around.

The voices of the exclusive servants were heard, but the two could no longer hear them.

"So, who was the schoolgirl who ran away?"

"They're the kind of people who can't even afford to have their own exclusive servants. I think one of them was called Marie."

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Part 5

When Olivia woke up in the evening, she was still feeling sluggish.

The fever had gone down somewhat, but she couldn't let her guard down, and then —— Kyle told me what had happened while Olivia was asleep.

He said he had turned away the female students who came to visit.

If that was all, it would be expected, since she had been sick and bedridden.

The problem is Kyle's method.

"You used His Highness Julius' name!?"

Kyle brags to Olivia, who yells out impatiently.

"Thanks to that, they backed off easily."

Kyle showed no signs of remorse, and Olivia felt as if the fever that had almost gone down had come back up again.

"Why did you mention His Highness Julius' name?"

Kyle looked pouty at the rebuke.

He probably thought there was no reason for her to get angry.

"It is true that goshujin-sama is a favorite of His Highness Julius, isn't it?"

Certainly, if you mention the names of Julius and his friends, most students will back down.

But Olivia didn't think that was a good idea.

"Don't ever use the name of His Highness Julius and the others again! The other parties are nobles. If you anger them you will be in big trouble."

It is easy to mention the names of Julius and his friends, but the other parties are nobles.

Not long ago, the names of House Offley and House Lafan were wiped from the map.

Olivia believes that it is dangerous for her, who has nothing, to easily defy an entity that has and is capable of exercising military power.

Even for free, she does not feel she is accepted by the school.

If it were known that she had used Julius' name——.

The image of Angelica appeared in Olivia's mind.

(Scary. I'm scared of the nobles.)

——She doesn't think Angelica, Julius' fiancée, would keep quiet.

And yet, Kyle used Julius' name.

Kyle doesn't seem to think much about what that means.

"You can talk to His Highness Julius and the others. Just ask them to help you because there are a lot of people who are trying to mess with you. That would solve the problem, so why are you hesitating?"

Olivia shuddered at the thought of discussing the situation with Julius and making the problem even bigger.

"That's absolutely not good!"

Kyle was surprised and stunned when Olivia raised her voice.

"S-Sorry. Kyle-kun, can you bring me some water?"

When asked, Kyle replied with a somewhat dissatisfied look on his face.

"——Yes."

Kyle is usually smart and good at his job, but he is known for his foul mouth and condescending attitude towards others.

It can't be helped since he's still young, but considering his age, he is probably a fine person.

However, the question is whether this failure can be reversed.

"I used His Highness Julius's name, so surely Angelica-sama will hear about this. If I continue like this, my hometown will be erased."

Even a Count or Baron can wipe a noble's name off the map, so how much power does a Duke's daughter have?

Olivia has no idea what will happen, but the thought of her home burning brings her to tears.

"I thought it would be easier if I had someone to talk to."

It wasn't a servant that Olivia wanted.

She just wanted a friend to talk to in a school where she felt isolated.

However, Kyle was annoyed with Olivia for not taking full advantage of her position.

No matter how many times she says it, he doesn't understand how she feels.

"This would have been better if I was alone."

She now regrets that she signed a contract with Kyle.

Olivia, who felt feverish again, closed her eyes and wept as she lay down.

"I just wanted to study."

On the desk are books, textbooks, and notebooks, all still exactly as they were yesterday.

She wants to start studying right away, but her body won't listen to her.

She was mentally cornered and nothing was getting through to her head, even when she read books.

"Dad, Mom —— I'm sorry."

She felt miserable with her unworthy self.

Then the door was slammed violently and repeatedly.

Olivia jumped up in surprise, realizing that the other party was not Kyle.

(Are they the girls who came in the morning?)

Scared, she opens the door.

"What is it?"

There they were, Dally and Donna, with serious faces.

Behind them, their exclusive servants were also behind them, but they looked strangely intimidating.

Dally was the first to open her mouth.

"Seems like the cheeky, troublesome little brat isn't here, huh? Well~, that's fine. Let's play together, okay?"

Olivia also realized that when they said let's play, they didn't mean what they said.

Olivia looks away from Dally and tries to close the door.

"I'm not feeling well today, so I'll have to pass."

However, Donna gets in the way by putting her foot on the closing door.

"Donna is inviting you, don't you understand what that means~. ——You should just follow us."

Donna grabbed Olivia by the arm and pulled her out of the room, unable to put up much resistance due to her fever.

Dally came close to Olivia's face.

"There is a casino on this luxury liner. I'll take this opportunity to teach you how to gamble."

Olivia was too scared to resist Dally and Donna, who were smiling nastily.

With her feverish head, she couldn't think clearly and just let things take their course.

(What am I supposed to do —— someone, please help me)