Chapter 88: Yandere…?

“I-Its nothing, Lady D’Arclight!”

Vivianne shot to her feet so quickly that her chair flipped over. Sitting casually while the Ruby of D’Arclight was addressing you seemed disrespectful.

And in this situation, even just a small amount of disrespect would be enough to cost them their lives.

“Nothing? I heard that it was the opposite of nothing.”

Evelina scanned the room, taking in the crowd of female students packed into the lounge, leaving barely any space for the few men to sit comfortably.

It was just like the information her spies had given her. People were talking, and it was about something that likely warranted her attention.

And most likely her ire.

“I’m a student as well, you know? Why not let me in on this fun conversation you were all having?”

Evelina was clearly holding back her rage; she knew this was my plan, to let Vivianne increase my reputation and influence in the academy.

But… the tactic that Vivianne used was definitely less than satisfactory. Of all the tactics she could use, she seriously used the one that made her lover a romantic interest for everyone?

Anyone would be enraged.

But she couldn’t do anything about it right now in the open; for now, only a few people should know the nature of their true relationship.

Threatening everyone so openly would only confirm the rumors about her and me, and it was still far too early for her to admit to them.

Both for my safety and hers.

“Don’t be shy, continue speaking.”

She walked to a nearby chair, and the student sitting there immediately stood up to let her take the seat.

“U-Um…”

Vivianne swallowed, her brain scrambling for a way out that didn’t involve exile, execution, or spontaneous combustion.

“Well… we were just talking about, um… recent academy events,” she said carefully.

“Events,” Evelina echoed, resting her chin on her hand. Her tone was light. Pleasant. Dangerous. “How vague. I’d hate to think you’re hiding something from me.”

A few students laughed nervously.

“R-Right! Events!” one of the girls chimed in way too fast. “Like, you know, the training halls getting damaged again, and the exams coming up, and—”

“And?” Evelina prompted, eyes flicking toward her.

“And… uh…” The girl trailed off, immediately regretting volunteering.

Vivianne felt sweat bead at her temple.

She jumped back in. “They were asking about… Cael, you know… how I got stronger and stuff…?”

Ah.

There it was.

The room went dead quiet.

While they didn’t know about Evelina’s true relationship with me, as Vivianne does.

They still knew I was at least close to a servant or even a friend to her, but they definitely didn’t expect this much of a reaction from her…

Were the rumours really true?

The students who gathered around the table thought.

But they’d rather not answer it for now, assuming something like that while Evelina was directly within their presence would be a death sentence.

Evelina didn’t react right away. She simply tilted her head slightly, crimson eyes narrowing just a fraction.

“…Cael,” she repeated.

Vivianne nodded stiffly. “Y-Yes. Because, well, he’s been… noticeable lately.”

“That’s one way to put it,” Evelina said softly.

Her fingers tapped once against the armrest.

“And what about him?” she asked, still smiling, “was interesting enough to gather this many people?”

No one answered.

Evelina’s gaze swept across the group again, hooking onto every flinch, every averted glance.

“I heard words like kind, gentle, and romantic on my way here,” she continued conversationally. “Very flattering descriptors. I didn’t realize he left that sort of impression.”

Vivianne’s soul curled into a fetal position.

Evelina’s gaze flicked toward one of the girls who had earlier called him a prince. Enough to cause fear, but not enough to be interpreted as something else.

’Calling him a prince… who does she think she is?’

Evelina clicked her tongue, then returned her gaze to Vivianne.

“I never realized my servant was so popular,” Evelina remarked with a smile as she crossed her legs and settled comfortably into her seat.

Servant… it left a bad taste in her mouth describing me with that word.

While it used to be accurate… saying that to a crowd of women would be like telling a bunch of competitors your lover was actually single.

She hated every word of it, but she had no other choice.

And it did work; most of the students listening in took it at face value, not even assuming it was a lie or had hidden meaning behind it.

Evelina was very good at hiding her inner feelings; she could convincingly tell a lie as if it were the total truth without a problem.

Most D’Arclights had a skill like that. Drilled tirelessly by her father, Vredemann, to every member of the family without rest until perfection.

“Its all my fault… I guess I just have a big mouth…”

Vivianne awkwardly laughed at her self-deprecating remark.

Then Evelina suddenly stood up.

The pressure in the room spiked instantly. Several students felt it like hands closing around their lungs.

Evelina stepped away from the table, her presence receding just enough for everyone to breathe again.

As she walked toward the exit, she paused.

“This was an informative conversation.” She looked behind her shoulder before turning her gaze back to the door.

“Oh,” she added casually, without turning around, “do feel free to keep admiring him.”

The students froze, but also now slightly more relaxed, if Evelina herself were saying it, they should be safe for now…

“But remember,” Evelina finished, crimson eyes glinting as she glanced back over her shoulder, “just don’t… overly objectify something that’s mine, kay?”

Then she left.

The lounge stayed silent for a full five seconds.

Vivianne collapsed back into her chair.

“… I lived!” she whispered.

“W-What was that about?” A student spoke up, still trembling from Evelina’s presence.

“Was she always that protective about people under her?” Another added.

“Well… Cael’s competent, she’s likely more careful around him.” Vivianne added, trying to stop their theorizing, just in case they went into uncharted territory they weren’t ready for.

“Right, has to be it.”

Most of the students just nodded at her answer; there was no point in risking their lives digging deeper after all. I was her servant, nothing else… right?

*** Outside the Student Lounge

Evelina just outside for a quick three seconds, unmoving, unflinching.

Then, after those three seconds, immediately clenched her fists, emotions she was holding back while she was still being watched.

But now that the coast was clear, she had no reason to.

“Vultures. Every last one of them.” She furiously walked away, each step radiating intense dark magic around her.

“Vivianne Crestwood… may the results of your plan be worthwhile, for your sake and mine…”

She snickered at herself, a wild, manic sound coming out of her mouth.

The fabric choker around her neck reacted to all of this, subtly chuckling and loving the current development of her master.

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