I was Reincarnated as the Youngest Child of a Villainous Noble Family Who Controls the Kingdom from Behind the Scenes

I, Esty, was using my lunch break to do some self-training at the second training ground.

Then, Dale and his two friends showed up and surrounded me.

Dale is the son of a count whom I had faced in a match.

Even though we're supposed to be equals in status, the atmosphere didn't feel like I could oppose him.

"Can I  have few word with you ."

"Huh, but... lunch break is almost over..."

"it's will take a bit of your time . Or do you look down on me, a noble who couldn't settle things with a commoner like you?"

"N-no, not at all!"

And so, reluctantly, I ended up following Dale and his friends.

Just outside the second training ground, there's a small forest that's somewhat hidden from view.

There, I was surrounded by Dale and his friends.

"Don't get all high and mighty with your training, commoner."

"N-no, it's not like that..."

"Here, they say we're all equal in status. But that doesn't mean the difference in status disappears. You get what I mean?"

"Yes..."

Dale and his friends were smirking.

I had a really bad feeling about this.

"You, lose to me in the next mock battle class."

"Huh, that's a bit..."

"I have a glorious future ahead of me, unlike commoners like you. Or what? Do you care more about yourself than my future?"

"Uh, um... I didn't say that..."

Ugh, why did this have to happen?

It seems they were really upset that I put up a stubborn fight in that self-introduction mock battle.

I don't have much combat experience, and I was just running away the whole time.

"Your father works at a woodworking factory, right?"

"H-how do you know that?"

"That factory is a subcontractor for my father's company. You get what I'm saying?"

"That's..."

Why, why is this happening to me?

And to drag my father into this...

He worked so hard to pay for my tuition; I can't possibly cause him any trouble.

Someone, please help me—

* * *

"That's enough."

As we tailed Leticia, we stumbled upon quite a scene.

Leticia appeared gallantly in front of Dale and Esty.

We decided to hide in the shadows of the trees to observe without being noticed.

"Lady Leticia! Why are you here?"

"I saw you forcibly taking Esty away. I came to see what was going on, and it turned out to be this."

"I-it's a misunderstanding. We're actually good friends. Right?"

Dale tried to cover up, glaring at Esty as if to threaten her.

He was clearly implying that she'd better not tell the truth.

"Esty, is that true?"

"Y-you know my name?"

"We're all students at the same academy. I know everyone's name."

"That's amazing..."

After enrolling, the first thing Leticia did was memorize all the students' names.

She went around the academy, committing faces and names to memory.

And she did this while also keeping up with her training. Her determination is something you don't see often.

"So, Esty, what's going on?"

"...Um..."@@novelbin@@

Dale was glaring at Esty as if to silence her.

Then Leticia took Esty's hand.

"Esty, it's okay now.  You can speack honestly "

Esty bit her lip, then spoke as if holding back.

"...I was being threatened."

"I see. Thank you for telling me."

After smiling at Esty, Leticia turned to Dale and his friends.

Her expression was completely different from the smile she had shown Esty.

It was a cold, piercing gaze, as if she were looking at criminals.

Dale and his friends were completely pale.

Well, no one would be calm after being so thoroughly scorned by a princess.

"Dale, Kater, Biz. You threatened Esty. Do you understand what that means?"

"N-no, it's not like that... we were just joking around..."

"I'll be taking care of this matter."

"W-what's going to happen to us?"

Just then, the bell signaling the end of lunch break rang.

It meant there were about 10 minutes left before classes resumed.

"We should go. Everyone, it's time for afternoon classes. Esty, let's go."

"Y-yes!"

Leticia and Esty ran off toward the school building.

Dale and his friends were left behind.

"...Damn it! Why did it turn out like this?"

"Dale, this is bad. If Lady Leticia has her eye on us, we're done for."

"Why is Lady Leticia protecting a commoner like that? It's so frustrating! I'm really pissed off!"

"Let's just give up on Esty..."

Dale was scratching his head in frustration.

Well, it seems he hasn't learned his lesson.

I remember this was supposed to be a sub-event.

Esty was originally a nameless mob character.

I know what happens next.

In the game, Alphiss didn't get involved, but I'm different.

"Hey, what are you doing here?"

"Y-you! No, I mean, .Alphiss .. !"

"You remembered my name. No need to be so scared; I don't hold a grudge about what happened before the entrance ceremony. So, what's going on?"

"N-nothing, just taking a little break."

When they confronted me near the school gate, they didn't know I was from the Balfont family.

Now they're clearly intimidated. After Leticia, I showed up, so they must be feeling uneasy.

"Is that so? I thought you might be up to no good."

"Haha... no way..."

"Well, just be careful. Depending on the situation, it could be more than just suspension or expulsion."

"Y-yeah, right..."

Dale and his friends were still pale, forcing nervous laughs.

I showed up and tried to intimidate them, but it doesn't seem to have had much effect.

It would be easier if they just learned their lesson.

This was supposed to be a sub-event that happens later, so the current Leticia might have a tough time handling what comes next.

"Don't even think about retaliating just because you lost to Esty."

"Huh... no, of course not... haha..."

"Right. Just saying."

"Haha... oh! Class is starting!"

Dale and his friends, still pale and sweating, ran off toward the school building.

They practically bolted.

Well, I should head back too.

"Lushel, use magic to strengthen your legs and let's head back. This is also training."

"Yes!"

Using magic to enhance our speed, we quickly overtook Leticia and Dale.

This kind of daily training is the secret to getting stronger.

Well, there's no way Dale and his friends will stay quiet. I guess I'll have to put in a bit more work.