I Was Reincarnated as a Villain Prince’s Follower, but I Refuse to Be Ruined—Turns Out the Prince Is Surprisingly Competent - Chapter 2

The next morning, Jeremy woke up and slipped into his school uniform. Thanks to the maid’s careful maintenance, there wasn’t a speck of dirt on it. He thought to himself that having servants do everything for you was exactly what one would expect of a noble. Since regaining his memories of a past life, he felt a bit of resistance to the idea of taking such service for granted, but he decided to simply accept it as the way of this world.

There were many things he had to get used to in order to survive in noble society. After finishing breakfast, Jeremy greeted his father and climbed into the carriage. Jeremy was a second-year student at the Royal High Academy, a school for the children of the nobility. For the record, the protagonist Chris was a first-year, while Reinhard and Rufus were third-years. He gazed out the window at the European-style cityscape.

It was truly the Royal Capital. Not a single piece of trash was in sight. The beautiful cobblestones, the grand cathedral, and the houses unified with cream-colored walls and orange roofs were so lovely they left him breathless. Beyond the streets, the Royal Castle towered in the distance, a chalk-white structure with blue triangular roofs that shone like a pearl.

The season was early summer. The weather was pleasant enough to make one break a light sweat. He stepped out of the carriage at the school gate and joined the other students on the red-brick path leading to the historic, ivy-covered school building. Even though they were nobles, they weren’t much different from students in his previous life. Some were excited by idle gossip, and there were even couples. Though, considering this was noble society, those weren’t likely products of free romance, but rather arranged engagements.

(It’s a story world, but even the parts that weren’t described in the book are built with such detail.)

It felt just like reality. Just like the way his wounds from yesterday were still throbbing.

“Excuse me!”

Hearing a high-pitched voice behind him, Jeremy turned around and felt a jolt in his chest. It was a boy with short brunette hair and beautiful red eyes that looked like rubies—the protagonist of the story, Chris.

(Contact from the protagonist already?!)

This was an unexpected development. He never thought the protagonist would speak to him the very next day. However, he was immediately struck by a chill and a sharp gaze. Standing behind Chris like a guardian deity was Reinhard—a young man with silver hair, green eyes, broad shoulders, and a thick chest. Though hidden by his uniform, his abs were clearly ripped, and he stood nearly 190 centimeters tall. He was glaring at Jeremy with eyes so sharp they would make a wolf turn pale. Jeremy felt like a frog being stared down by a snake.

“Rein, stop glaring.”

“He’s the one who tried to hurt you. No matter how kind you are, I can’t understand why you’d worry about someone like him. If I hadn’t been there, who knows what would have happened…”

“Yesterday was clearly going too far. To use high-level fire magic…”

“I put it out right away.”

“That’s not the point. You can control your power much better than that, Rein. Because of what happened, even you got summoned by the Ministry of Magic, didn’t you?”

“I don’t care. I’m used to being summoned.”

“Well, I care.”

The two of them began to bicker, leaving the intercepted Jeremy standing there.

“U-Um…”

When he timidly spoke up, Chris snapped back to attention.

“I’m sorry, senior. Are you okay after yesterday?”

“Oh, yeah, I’m totally fine.”

Jeremy nodded with a wide smile. His relationship with Chris and Reinhard was vital for his survival in this world.

“Rein is really sorry!”

“What?!”

Jeremy was shaken by being apologized to by the victim.

“Come on, Rein, you apologize too.”

“Huh? Why should I?”

“You promised, remember?”

Reinhard choked on his words.

“…Yesterday I went a little too far someone like you deserved a low-level spell at most if you hadn’t done anything in the first place I wouldn’t have had to do anything either don’t you forget that!”

Reinhard blurted it all out in a single breath. Jeremy couldn’t tell if he was apologizing or threatening him. I guess he’s so obedient to Chris because he’s head-over-heels for him, Jeremy thought.

“Geez.”

“I’m done with this. This is ridiculous!”

Reinhard spat out the words and looked away. Still, the way he refused to leave Chris’s side was almost heartwarming.

“…What are you smirking at?”

“! S-Sorry… Anyway, I’m fine. And like you said, I’m the one who was in the wrong.”

“See? I told you so.”

“…I understand. Well then, senior, please excuse us. Let’s go, Rein.”

Naturally taking Reinhard’s hand, the two disappeared into the crowd of students.

(Isn’t the protagonist a bit too much of a saint?)

Jeremy was moved. If he had to be a lackey, he wished it could have been for someone like that.

(Well, that’s probably impossible.)

Reinhard was always by Chris’s side to make sure no “pests” got close, so being a follower would be out of the question.

(Alright, time for me to move toward avoiding my own destruction!)

As soon as Jeremy reached the school building, he started looking around to make contact with Rufus.

“Hey.”

The person he was looking for came right to him. He was a beautiful young man with clear, silky blonde hair that reached his shoulders and refined features. His eyes were a deep sea-blue, and he was tall and slender, standing a bit over 180 centimeters. He didn’t have Reinhard’s ruggedness, but his well-proportioned build was obvious even through his uniform. Jeremy bowed respectfully.

“Good morning, Your Highness.”

“Yeah. Come with me.”

Rufus gestured with his chin and walked off. That simple gesture alone made their relationship crystal clear. Rufus led him to the greenhouse. Various seasonal flowers bloomed in a riot of color, and butterflies fluttered about.

(Let’s break ties quickly.)

“Your Highness—”

“…Is your injury okay now?”

“Huh?”

Rufus currently had his back to Jeremy. The arrogant, “I am the boss” aura he usually carried had faded; instead, he asked the question while acting slightly restless.

“Oh, y-yes…”

Surprised by this reaction, Jeremy nodded in confusion.

“I see. Then… that’s fine. I’m glad.”

He muttered it so quietly his voice almost vanished. His ears, peeking out from his blonde hair, were slightly red.

(Wait, wait, wait… hold on a second…)

According to his memories of his past life, Rufus was an arrogant jerk who didn’t care about anyone else—a perfect villainous prince who only cared about himself. But the Rufus standing before him completely shattered that impression. He seemed almost innocent, or perhaps just socially clumsy. Rufus cleared his throat loudly and turned around.

“And?”

“Yes?”

Rufus knit his well-shaped eyebrows, looking dissatisfied.

“You were about to say something.”

“Well… uh… that is…”

I’m just here to break things off. This should be easy, right? Or do I want to go down with him? No way. A villain prince doesn’t need mercy. If you’re going to be ruined, go right ahead and do it alone. That’s what Jeremy had planned, but his resolve wavered after seeing that brief glimpse of the prince’s other side.

“If you have nothing to say, I’m leaving.”

“Ah! W-Wait, Your Highness! What I wanted to say is… shouldn’t we change our strategy?”

“? Strategy?”

Rufus frowned.

“It’s no use continuing the harassment. Chris will never fall for you, and Reinhard will only get more obsessed with protecting him!”

Rufus’s face twisted with irritation.

“I am merely showing that first-year who is truly worthy of him! How is that harassment?!”

“Unfortunately, that message isn’t getting across at all. It’s a waste of time. You’re just making them suspicious. Your Highness, do you honestly think you can win Chris’s heart by continuing like this?”

“Hey! You’re just the second son of a Baron; how dare you give advice to royalty?! You should be grateful I even let you stay by my side!”

(…That actually annoyed me, but considering the Prince’s situation, he just looks like a cat acting tough because it can’t be honest. He’s almost cute.)

In truth, with his refined features, Rufus was incredibly handsome. If he stopped acting like a fool and behaved more rationally, he would be much more attractive.

(…I can quit being his lackey anytime.)

If he could change Rufus, he might be able to prevent the Prince’s downfall. After all, the only reason he became a villain prince was that his feelings for Chris turned toxic and went out of control. Having read the original story and knowing there was a past that deserved sympathy, Jeremy hesitated to just toss him aside.

(As I thought, once you see the real thing, it’s hard not to get soft.)

Especially when he’s this good-looking.

“Your Highness, please take a moment to cool your head. Let’s meet here again during lunch. Please consider my suggestion until then. Because the way things are now, Chris will definitely never look your way. Well then.”

“Hey, wait—”

Rufus called out to him, but Jeremy didn’t stop. He hurried away, leaving the Prince behind.