My Reborn Villainess Fiancée Is Obsessed with Me—Too Bad I’m Not Interested - Chapter 2.8

During the afternoon classes, the teasing whispers about me increased strangely. I wondered what Lily had told everyone in the last few hours, or if the surrounding students were just letting their imaginations run wild…

“Isn’t Serena actually trying to seduce Prince Alexis?” “I heard she hasn’t reflected at all after doing all those horrible things,” a group chatted loud enough for me to hear.

—Surprisingly, the girls sided with the heroine more than the boys did. It’s likely because Lily’s reputation as a “Saint” has spread so widely.

This spiteful atmosphere was unpleasant, but I tried to stay as calm as possible. Even in my past life, I was the type to ignore backstabbing as much as I could. However, irritation was building up deep in my heart.

If this really is the common “villainess bullying payback” found in games, I might eventually reach my limit. But even so, I can’t afford to lose my cool carelessly.

—Before worrying about “ruin flags” or anything else, I need to become a bit smarter to survive in this world myself.

When class ended, I felt the people who had been glancing at me quickly leave. I let out a sigh and stood up to leave the classroom.

“…Lady Serena, are you tired?”

The person who spoke to me was a young man named Noel Grandir. He was a dignified knight apprentice with short, silver-gray hair, and he seemed to be in a position close to being my guard.

I felt like I had seen him in the hallway earlier, but we hadn’t talked much. Perhaps he is good at hiding his presence, as I have the impression he is always quietly protecting me from behind.

“Ah… Noel, right? Sorry, I couldn’t remember your name immediately when I saw your face.”

Since my memories are fuzzy, it sounded a bit rude, but Noel only smiled and said, “Please don’t worry about it.”

“I am originally your caretaker, or guard, or in a position like that… but lately, there have been so many big commotions, and it has pained me that I couldn’t protect you from up close.”

Noel said this and bowed politely. I felt a little bad and shook my head.

“No, it’s fine. I’m the one who is struggling because everything is so unfamiliar, so I’d appreciate it if you could help me with various things for a while.”

The exhaustion I couldn’t hide leaked into my voice. Noel smiled gently and took my luggage for me.

“Of course, with pleasure. …By the way, it seems Lady Lily is talking about ‘Lady Serena’s evil deeds’ all over the place. Whatever the truth may be, it might be better not to act too conspicuously.”

As I handed over my bags, I grumbled, “I know. I’ve been shown enough of that since this morning to be annoyed…” Noel’s eyes took on a slight look of sadness.

“Lady Serena… please do not push yourself too hard. No matter how much His Highness wavers, your feelings are the most important thing.”

Hearing him say that so casually made my heart skip a beat. Does Noel understand my situation and put my “feelings” first?

I’m getting used to the days of being jerked around by Alexis and attacked by Lily, but just having an ally like Noel makes me feel a bit more relaxed. However, I still only know fragments of what kind of relationship Serena built with Noel while growing up.

—But at least, it seems this person will act sincerely to protect me. I feel I can rely on him.

“Thank you, Noel. Well then, I’m going to walk around the school for a bit. …There are things I want to think about.”

I told him that and left the classroom. Noel nodded lightly and followed quietly, walking a short distance behind me.

This distance of a “guard” is comfortable. He doesn’t interfere unnecessarily, yet he never moves too far away. Even if other students try to get involved, most of them back off if Noel glares at them.

—Even for a reincarnation story, a knight character like this would probably be popular in a game, I thought idly. In fact, Noel has a calmness and loyalty that would likely attract many female fans.