I Was Reincarnated as a Villain Prince’s Follower, but I Refuse to Be Ruined—Turns Out the Prince Is Surprisingly Competent - Chapter 6

To put it simply, the tea party was a success. Rufus acted as a bridge between Chris and the few classmates Chris had invited.

In truth, Rufus mostly just kept the conversation going with small talk. The classmates had likely come just for the chance to speak with a prince, but thanks to the relaxed atmosphere and Rufus’s perfect timing, they opened up. They even started talking to Chris on their own, and the mood became quite friendly.

Sensing the right moment, Rufus excused himself. “Pardon me. I have some business to attend to, so I will leave you to it.” This left Chris alone with his new friends. Jeremy secretly watched from the shadows, feeling relieved to see them chatting happily.

(Spending time with the person you love is important, but having friends like that is necessary too.) Jeremy thought.

“It looks like things are going well for Chris and the others,” Jeremy reported to Rufus. Rufus smiled and replied, “That’s good.”

Just then, Reinhard approached. “How is he doing?” he asked.

“Don’t ask us. Go see for yourself; they’re at the cafe,” Rufus replied.

“If I go, the others will get scared. I don’t want to get in the way. So?”

“It seems to be going well.”

“…I see.”

“Chris doesn’t think you’re in the way at all,” Jeremy added.

“I wonder.”

Reinhard pouted a little. He was clearly unhappy that Chris wasn’t “his” alone anymore. Still, Jeremy knew that when Reinhard saw how happy Chris was to have friends, he wouldn’t show his frustration. Instead, he’d probably act like a spoiled boy when they were alone, saying, “I’m glad, but make sure to pay attention to me too.”

(The way Reinhard hugs Chris by dropping to his knees to match his height is so cute!) Jeremy squealed internally. In his mind, he could see Reinhard showering Chris’s forehead and neck with kisses, full of longing and affection.

“Well, we’re leaving now,” Rufus said, starting to walk away.

“Wait,” Reinhard called out, following them. “…Have you still not given up on Chris?”

He was still glaring, but the murderous intent from before had faded. It was more of a confirmation than a warning.

“I wonder. But it’s true that I enjoy the time I spend with him.”

(I wonder?) Jeremy couldn’t believe his ears. This was the Villain Prince who was supposed to be obsessed enough to ruin his own life. Even Reinhard seemed stunned by the answer and couldn’t respond immediately.

“Jeremy, let’s go.”

“Y-Yes, sir!”

They climbed into the carriage together. As it swayed, Jeremy thought about Rufus’s words.

(What does that mean? He’s interested, but not as much as before?)

“Does it bother you that I’m acting so indifferent toward Chris?” Rufus asked with a wry smile.

“Can you tell?”

“I can see it on your face.”

“Have you lost interest in him?”

“…Strangely, I don’t feel that intense obsession anymore. Of course, Chris is honest and kind—almost too kind for aristocratic society—so I still enjoy his company.”

If that was true, it was great news. Rufus was already straying far from his “destiny” of ruin. Had Jeremy achieved his goal already? But if so, what should he do now? Avoiding the downfall was one thing, but then…

(Since I live in this world now, I guess I just have to live my own life.)

For now, he decided not to think about difficult things and just enjoy school.

“By the way, it’s your birthday this weekend, isn’t it?”

“…Oh, yes.”

In this kingdom, sixteen is the age of adulthood. It marks the beginning of one’s social debut. The mansion was currently hectic with preparations. This wasn’t just a birthday party; it was Jeremy’s coming-of-age ceremony. Usually, they only invited family, but this time, many heads of houses and heirs associated with his father were invited.

Because of this, Jeremy had to spend his time at home learning social etiquette from a tutor. As someone who was a lowly office worker in his past life, being scolded over how to move silverware was exhausting. However, his father reminded him every day that the family honor was at stake, so he was working hard even if it meant losing sleep.

“I haven’t received an invitation yet,” Rufus noted.

“Eh?”

“Did you forget?” Rufus looked visibly displeased.

“Are you actually coming? But Your Highness is royalty.”

“There is no law saying a royal cannot attend a birthday party.”

“I’d be happy if you came! To be honest, I was worried because the guest list is full of people I don’t know.”

Rufus’s expression softened. “You’re hopeless. You’ll never survive high society like that.”

“…I’ll get used to it eventually.”

“Well, if that’s the case, I’ll gladly attend. I look forward to the invitation. I’ll show up even if it doesn’t arrive, though.”

Rufus said it jokingly. Jeremy felt a little flutter in his heart seeing such a charming, playful side of the handsome prince.

When school ended and he returned home, Jeremy went to his father’s study.

“What is it?” his father asked, not looking up from his papers.

“About the party this weekend, there’s a guest I’d like to invite.”

“…No.”

“I haven’t even said who it is yet.”

“You’re going to say the Second Prince. Listen. You aren’t the heir, but you are a member of a Baron’s house. This party is your big moment. It’s no exaggeration to say it will decide your future.”

“I understand. That’s why I’m asking. Connections with the royal family are important, especially for a house like ours.”

“I don’t call a sinking ship ‘important.'”

“Haven’t you heard? Everyone at the academy is talking about how the Prince has changed. His reputation is soaring even in my grade.”

“What do students who know nothing of hardship understand? A person’s true nature doesn’t change so easily. He only appears to have changed.”

His father had a point. The people gossiping at school were just fans of the drama. But his father only knew the old Rufus; he didn’t know the current one. In the end, his father was just as biased as the students. Jeremy tried to argue his case, but he couldn’t convince him.

The next day, Jeremy felt depressed thinking about telling Rufus he couldn’t send the invitation.

(What if he gets furious and goes back into ‘Villain Prince’ mode…?)

He felt too awkward to face him and avoided Rufus all morning. By the time he realized it, it was already after school.

“Jeremy.”

“Y-Your Highness…”

Rufus appeared in the classroom and beckoned him with a finger. “We’re having tea with Chris and the others.”

“Oh, I actually have something to do today—”

“Did your father refuse to let you send the invitation?”

“How did you know…?”

“When someone suddenly avoids me right after we talked about it, it’s easy to guess.”

“I’m so sorry! I couldn’t convince my father but there’s still time, so I’ll try—”

“Don’t push yourself. You have a mountain of preparations to do before the party anyway. Don’t worry about me; focus on that.”

“…Ugh.”

Rufus’s kindness and broad-mindedness made Jeremy feel even worse about himself.

(The Villain Prince was a problem, but now that he’s a good guy, it hurts in a different way.)

Rufus was a high-spec individual. Normally, a second son of a Baron like Jeremy wouldn’t be able to hang out with him. It was only because Rufus was being shunned by everyone else that he chose a “mob character” like Jeremy to be his lackey. Now, if Rufus reached out, daughters of noble families would line up to be part of his circle.

When Jeremy and Rufus arrived at the cafe terrace, Reinhard and Chris were already there, chatting happily. The four of them had tea together; this after-school time had truly become a routine.

“Chris, how are things with those friends?”

“Great! We had lunch together today. I even promised to hang out with one of them soon!”

“That’s wonderful.”

It seemed they were getting quite close. Jeremy glanced at Reinhard, but for someone so jealous, he seemed fine listening to the story.

“Oh! Jeremy, take this,” Chris said.

“Hm? What is it?”

“It’s your birthday this weekend.”

“Oh, that’s right. Your family was on the guest list, Chris.”

“Yes. I thought you’d be busy on the actual day, so I wanted to give this to you now. Happy birthday!”

Chris handed him a small box.

“Can I open it?”

“Go ahead. Rein and I picked it out together. I hope you like it.”

Chris nodded shyly. Inside the case was a cravat with an intricate floral design.

“Thank you. It’s beautiful. I love it.”

“I’m so glad!”

“Tell me when your birthday is, Chris. I want to get you something too. …Uh, Reinhard?”

“I don’t need anything.”

“Ahaha, yeah… I figured…”