Chapter 13 – The Social Scene is Complicated

The summer at the academy brings a long break. During this time, the aristocracy enters the social season.

“Lalalala~.”

I was in high spirits. After all, I had ranked sixteenth overall in the regular exams just before the long break!

Isn’t sixteenth amazing, considering there are nearly eighty Alphas in my grade!?

My tutoring sessions with Brother Ninrenei are still ongoing.

There are some who don’t look too pleased about my improved grades, but that’s fine by me!

“You seem in a good mood, Captain.”

“Hehe, it’s rewarding to see results, isn’t it?”

We were in the middle of lunch.

We eat together almost every day. The table at the corner of the café terrace has become our spot. Since Al brings along a steward who reserves our place and serves us, I’m really grateful.

Before Al enrolled, I had a maid from the Nobizel Duke’s household, but she was always so nervous and restless that I quickly told her she didn’t need to come anymore. Before I regained my memories, I had been chasing after His Highness Prince Narish, so my attendant was too busy to prepare lunch. When I couldn’t find the prince, I would lash out at my servants without hesitation in front of others.

Of course, I don’t do that anymore, but it seems my past impression is hard to shake off.

Al, who had just enrolled, didn’t know about these circumstances and thought I was someone who didn’t bring attendants. He figured he wouldn’t bring one either, but once he realized it was simply because the attendants were scared of me, he decided to bring a caretaker from the Roydenatel Marquis family.

After the stewards finished serving, Al dismissed them and invited me to eat.

“What will you do about summer social events, Captain?”

Al asked, elegantly cutting his sauté without a sound.

“Social events? Munch munch… just the bare minimum.”

“Did the Captain have poor manners before regaining his memories?”

“No, that’s not it. It’s fine, right? I just want to eat freely with those I’m comfortable with! I can behave properly when I need to!”

Al looked as if he wanted to say “Really?” as he speared a piece of sauté with his fork and took a bite.

“I have to start attending this year.”

The debut into high society begins in the summer of the year one turns sixteen. Since Al is already well-known as a businessman, he will likely be in high demand.

He has experienced social events before, accompanied by his parents, but now he must socialize as a full-fledged Alpha male.

As for me, I’m technically an Omega from a duke’s family, so I made many appearances last year. I was the top candidate for His Highness Prince Narish’s engagement, and I thought it was necessary to build connections. Perhaps because of that, rumors spread that I was out and about, charming everyone with this face. What does it say about me that just attending evening parties and chatting leads people to think I’m out for fun? Do I look like a courtesan? All the jewelry I wore was paid for with the Nobizel Duke’s money, yet somehow it was said that I had extorted it from Alpha and Beta males. If I had been extorting, I wouldn’t have been short on pocket money.

“You seem busy, Al. Will you be in the royal capital the whole time?”

“I plan to return to my territory briefly and then come back. And about that…”

“Hmm?”

“Will you be my partner this year?”

Huh? That sounds troublesome.

Though I didn’t voice it, Al understood perfectly.

“I know the current Captain dislikes such things. You skipped the deployment ceremony before.”

Deployment ceremony? I thought, but it seems to refer to something from my previous life. For some reason, regaining my past memories had increased my combat abilities. If it’s called a deployment ceremony, I must have been involved in some kind of war back then.

My memories of my previous life remain hazy.

“Why me? With Al being who he is, I’m sure many would come if you called.”

An Alpha, a marquis’s son, wealthy, athletic, and serious—he’s a prime catch.

“That’s exactly why. When you’re with the Captain, no one approaches.”

Well, isn’t that because everyone wants to avoid me?

“And this year, the Captain has gone from being the top engagement candidate for His Highness to just another candidate, so you’ll get more invitations.”

Oh! That’s right! Last year, I was the top candidate, so no one invited me. But that didn’t mean His Highness Narish paid me any attention. Brother Bizet mostly accompanied me, and occasionally Brother Ninrenei would go with me.

“No, but you see, the rumors about Oryuga Nobizel haven’t improved at all, so no one will invite me.”

Exactly, who would invite me?

Al sighed.

“Are you serious? If you’re connected to the Captain, you can link up with the neutral Nobizel Duke’s family. It has political significance. Plus, you’re an Omega. Even without bias, you’re a beautiful Omega. Any Alpha without a partner would take a chance. In fact, if there’s already a partner, those who hear bad rumors about an Omega like you might still consider marrying you as a second or third partner. I believe the Nobizel Duke’s household has received such proposals.”

I was overwhelmed by the sudden explanation.

Huh? Are they really suggesting I could be a second or third partner? Even I wouldn’t want that!

“No way. I don’t want to marry a lecherous Alpha.”

“Then let’s be partners this year.”

Grrr. I guess I have no choice… Al wants to avoid Omega and Beta women, and I want to avoid lecherous Alphas, so we decided to team up.

Little did we know this would lead to a lot of trouble later on…

As the academy entered its long summer break, we were set to attend the royal family’s evening party, the first event of the season.

When I told Brother Bizet that my partner for this summer would be Isreal Roydenatel, he was quite shocked.

“Come on, don’t be so down. You’re a debutante from Noatuna, so make sure to escort her properly today.”

We were now in the entrance hall.

Al had come to pick me up, and I was waiting for him.

In the Kingdom of Aninagarte, one becomes an adult at the young age of sixteen. However, Omega children from noble families are not allowed to appear in society until they turn sixteen.

While the legitimate sons of noble families often participate in evening parties from a young age to help with their parents’ businesses, Omega males and females are only permitted to enter society once they turn sixteen, when they are finally allowed to debut.

The royal family invites all sixteen-year-old noble females and Omega children to the evening party to celebrate their coming of age.

Today is that day.

Noatuna, who turns sixteen this year, will also be attending her first evening party.

If one has a fiancé, that person will be their partner and escort, but since many do not, it’s common for their father, brother, or a relative to take on that role.

Last year, I was still the top engagement candidate for His Highness Narish, so he was my partner.

But this year, His Highness’s partner will likely be Neiny.

The evening party will be grandly held at the royal castle, and most nobles are expected to attend. It’s hard to refuse without a good reason, so I decided to go with Al.

If Al weren’t there, I would have asked Brother Ninrenei, but when I told him I was going with Al, he smiled and agreed. For some reason, Brother Ninrenei is very generous towards Al.

“I’m ready!”

Noatuna came down the elegantly curved staircase from the second floor. Her pure white dress suit, adorned with lace and sparkling little jewels, looked stunning.

“Oh wow, Noatuna, you look adorable!”

She blushed happily at my compliment. Just like me, Omega males are treated the same as females, so today’s evening party marks their first social event. Moreover, it signifies that they are now adults and can marry, which makes them quite nervous.

“You really have become beautiful.”

Brother Bizet was moved. He is very indulgent towards his two Omega younger brothers. Today’s outfit for Noatuna must have cost a fortune to make.

He even had tears in his eyes from the emotion. It’s strange that someone so emotionally expressive and full of familial love like Brother Bizet is still single. He’s only twenty, so it’s not unusual for him to be unmarried.

Since Brother Bizet is like this, Brother Ninrenei tends to be a bit more reserved.

Brother Ninrenei complimented our outfits and calmly gave instructions to the servants. Brother Bizet is certainly not incompetent; he just becomes so when it involves us.

“All three of you, the Roydenatel Marquis’s son has arrived.”

At Brother Ninrenei’s call, we waited outside the entrance.

Al arrived looking sharp as always. Perhaps because it was an evening party, his black jacket with glitter fit his body perfectly, and the cape draped over one shoulder looked stylish. His long black hair was styled to flow sideways today.

Are you really sixteen?

He was adorned with garnets that closely matched the color of my eyes, giving him an elegant appearance.

I wore the evening attire that Al had sent me. Since Al has black hair and eyes, my outfit was a grayish-blue fabric with thin black stripes, and I adorned it with black jewels placed in the same spots as Al’s. My light brown hair was styled high on the side today, and I wore a natural black diamond hairpin that had come with the outfit. It made a delightful sound, and I liked it.

Before regaining my memories, I loved fashionable clothes and expensive jewelry. I still like them, but I no longer feel the need to wear them at all costs. However, I still enjoy them, so the maids put a lot of effort into dressing me up for today’s evening party.

After Al exchanged greetings with my brothers, he came in front of me and let out a sigh of relief.

“I prepared this on short notice, but it suits you well.”

With a charming smile, he offered his arm to escort me.

“Yeah, it’s been a while since I dressed up this nicely.”

As we began to descend the stairs from the entrance, a short scream of “Ah!” rang out behind us.

Turning back, Al quickly extended his other hand to assist.

Noatuna had stumbled.

Al, being well-built, caught Noatuna firmly.

“Are you okay?”

“Noah! I’m so sorry, young master.”

Brother Bizet hurriedly supported Noatuna.

“I’m so sorry. I’m not used to heels…”

Noatuna, being short, was wearing shoes with a bit of a heel today.

“No worries, it’s good that you didn’t get hurt on such a fine day.”

Without a smile, Al handed Noatuna back to Brother Bizet and promptly escorted me towards the carriage.

Brother Ninrenei would not be attending today’s festive evening party. Apparently, he had to leave urgently on official business in place of His Highness Narish. It’s rare for His Highness to change plans like this, and Brother Ninrenei seemed suspicious about it.

“Al, you don’t seem to be very close to Noatuna, even though you’re the same age.”

“……Well, yes.”

His response was hesitant.

I wondered what that was about as we got into the carriage.

Al opened his mouth first.

“You mentioned before that the Captain is the villainous son towards the main characters, but Noatuna is the villainous son in case I get targeted.”

“Whaaat! Really!?”

This was news to me! So that’s why you were so distant earlier!?

According to Al, the protagonist Neiny and the villainous son Noatuna are a troublesome pair. He had said he wanted to avoid them.

Well, I’m also avoiding His Highness Narish, the main target, so I understand.

“Got it~.”

He asked me to help him out too.