Absolutely Do Not Touch Eldmia Egga – Chapter 82

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Yuziro
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Surprisingly, the Academy’s classes proceeded normally despite Esmée’s sudden visit.

After the professors and students understood that Esmée had no intention of violating the Academy’s rules, the sight of them passing by her as if she were an ordinary student felt very strange to me.

Even the nobles merely exchanged light greetings with her whenever they recognized her, as if greeting a fellow student.

“This is happening because they believe in the Empire’s laws. It’s possible due to the many efforts made to reach this point.”

Esmée explained, revealing a hint of pride as if she had read my expression.

Well, her pride was certainly understandable given the scene.

No matter how strict the Academy’s rules were, these people would eventually become part of the class-based society outside.

Even the professors were already members of society.

It was clear that without firm trust and confidence that everything observed within this academy would not cause any disadvantages outside, the faculty would not follow such a system, starting with the professors.

They would be wary, fearing potential future retaliation.

“I had some expectations, but I didn’t think they would trust the rules this firmly. I can’t even imagine how long it took to achieve this,” I said.

“You’re quick to understand, as expected. However, it didn’t require such a long time. People tend to follow, once you firmly establish that ‘this is how things are’ with a few stern measures, and it becomes tradition after just a decade or so.”

I thought I saw a flash of sharpness in Esmées eyes when she mentioned “stern measures,” but I decided to let it pass.

“Although there are differences in status, all positions and power ultimately come from the Imperial family. Discrimination and persecution based on social status in this place, established by imperial decree to discover the Empire’s talents, would be an insult to His Majesty the Emperor himself.”

Esmée maintained an upright posture and elegant gait as she shared various stories,

seemingly unconcerned about the attention she and I, her escort, were receiving as the scenery changed.

Many foreign nobles had been visiting the Academy since yesterday, and I was grateful for her kindness in protecting me from the incident people, under the pretext of escorting her.

However, to be honest, it was concerning in a different way.

Due to our significant height difference, it was clear she was struggling just to link arms with me.

It was almost pitiful to see.

I could easily guess that she had deliberately worn high-heeled shoes, but even so, there seemed to be more than a 30cm height difference between us.

She had to raise her elbow to her shoulder just to link arms with me.

“Esmée, I appreciate your consideration regarding yesterday’s incident, but isn’t this posture uncomfortable for you?” I asked.

“Hm? I-It’s fine! Occasionally, don’t you need days like this to relieve shoulder stiffness? I often have desk work, so this is necessary!”

No, rather than relieving stiffness, this seemed more likely to cause it.

Despite what must have been considerable discomfort, she smiled brightly.

As expected of a princess, her expression management was impeccable.

“R-Rather, isn’t it uncomfortable for you, Eldmia? Having to match my pace, or being the Margrave of Levien…” she asked.

“No? It’s not uncomfortable at all. In fact, it’s nice to be able to hear various stories as we move.”

I’m not sure why she asked about Lagnis, but anyway, it was fine if it was fine.

Ah, perhaps she was asking if escorting someone other than my master, Lagnis, might be considered neglecting my duties?

I wasn’t so complacent as to consider getting along with a potential future emperor candidate as neglecting my duties… but then again, she hadn’t met me yet, so she might have been thinking conventionally.

“By the way, Hero, why have you been so quiet with that gloomy face?” I asked.

“Every time I speak, you two pick on me,” Sieg replied.

“No, do you think we pick on you simply for speaking? We pick on you because you say nonsensical things,” I retorted.

“Little brother, if you keep doing that, big brother will be hurt,” Sieg said.

“If you’re hurt, you should have won in the duel,” I replied.

“Aish, damn it. Let’s fight again!” Sieg exclaimed.

Right.

No matter what, it seemed Sieg was at his best when he was being a nuisance.

There was no point in him sulking with a blank expression; it only made him look twice as ugly.

I looked at Sieg and smiled slightly.

“I don’t fight amateurs twice. I have my pride too.”

“Argh! Now he’s pulling the personality card!” Sieg cried out.

Even if you lose 99 times, and win the last time and claim a mental victory, you become the ultimate winner.

Moreover, I had never even lost once, so there was nothing to say.

Surprisingly, this seemed to be Sieg’s trigger button, and it was quite satisfying to see him looking freshly wronged.

Since it was fun to tease him, I decided to use this tactic often during my remaining time here.

“Eldmia…?”

As we were teasing Sieg and approaching the classroom where tactical theory class was being prepared, we encountered Lagnis.

But why did he have that lost expression again…?

“So you’re Lagnis Lien da Levien, the Margrave,” Esmée said.

As Esmée naturally unlinked her arm and approached Lagnis, Sieg, who had been following behind with his women, cautiously asked me:

“Little brother, will this be okay? Won’t there be a knife fight?”

“What kind of crazy talk is that again? Why would there be a knife fight between the Margrave and the Princess?”

This crazy guy really says dangerous things so casually.

Usually, Esselua would have rebuked him for this level of nonsense, but strangely, this time she seemed to agree with Sieg’s opinion.

What?

What’s going on?

But regardless of our reactions, Lagnis and Esmée continued their conversation with smiles.

“Although the Empire extended the invitation, I thought it was my priority to show the Hero’s achievements, so my greetings were delayed.”

Esmée said.

“It’s an honor to meet you, Princess Esmée Bistim Tel Noa, the White Star of the Empire,”

Lagnis replied.

“Mm. I too am within the Academy’s rules now. You may comfortably call me Esmée.”

“…What knife fight are you talking about between these two people who are exchanging greetings so amicably with smiles?”

I asked, looking at Sieg with incomprehension.

It was just pleasant to see two beautiful women smiling and chatting happily.

As I glared at Sieg, unable to understand, I was met with the gazes of the four men and women who seemed even more unable to understand me.

“I see. Then… Esmée? Has ‘my’ attendant committed any discourtesy?”

Lagnis asked.

“Hm? There’s no need for any worry. I’ve already ‘exchanged many words’ with ‘Eldmia’ yesterday and deepened our friendship. Rather, due to the duel incident, it’s as if the Empire has committed a discourtesy to him.”

Esmée replied.

Flinch.

A spasm seemed to occur on Lagnis’s smiling face.

“That’s a relief then. But may I ask what brings you to the Academy? From what I’ve heard with my limited knowledge, I understood that Esmée had already completed all the Academy’s courses… I couldn’t have imagined you’d suddenly appear being escorted by my attendant.”

Lagnis said.

Well, she seemed a bit displeased… but she was still smiling, so it must have been my imagination?

For some reason, Lagnis’s eyes didn’t seem to be smiling at all as he asked this question.

Esmée, whose back was all I could see from my position, shook her shoulders slightly and answered with a small laugh.

“As the Empire’s princess, shouldn’t I make amends for the Empire’s mistake? Many foreign nobles have already been invited and entered the country since yesterday, but we can’t be certain there won’t be another case like the young lion of Rudra. That’s why I decided to personally accompany Eldmia to avoid giving any pretext for conflict to arise.”

She explained.

“Y-You mean you’ll be constantly by his side?” Lagnis asked.

“That’s right. We can’t exactly rebuke our invited guests, can we? Please accept this as an apology for the recent incident.”

Esmée replied.

“Y-You don’t have to go that far… your intention alone is enough…”

Lagnis stammered.

“Hahaha. It’s because ‘my heart’ isn’t at ease. Fortunately, as we communicate well with each other, I assure you it won’t cause you any inconvenience.”

Esmué said.

“…Hehehe. If that’s the case, I suppose it can’t be helped.”

Lagnis responded.

Seeing the two finish their conversation with laughter, it must have been my imagination after all.

“It’s nice to see you getting along so quickly. I thought Lagnis would want to be more formal, but I guess not. Don’t you think?”

I said.

Quite satisfied with the scene, I turned to Sieg with a pleased smile.

This time, his expression was completely sour as he shook his head and punched me in the side.

What’s with this guy?

“Oof! Why are you suddenly acting up again?”

“Just gouge out your eyes, you idiot. Why bother having them if they’re useless?” Sieg retorted.

“Why would I suddenly gouge out my perfectly good eyes?” I asked.

“You call those perfectly good? Then your brain must not be working right, so why don’t you remove that instead?” Sieg shot back.

This bastard was swinging his fists with such conviction that even though I wanted to argue, I couldn’t bring myself to refute him, wondering if I had actually done something wrong.

“Eldmia? Don’t we have a class to attend?”

Lagnis called out to me with a smile, seemingly unconcerned about me being unjustly hit.

As I turned to look at Esmée, who was smiling at me… one thing became clear.

No matter how I looked at it, her eyes weren’t smiling.

I didn’t do anything wrong, so why was she acting like this…

“Aren’t you coming?” Lagnis asked.

“Yes, I’m coming.”

I replied, my voice unconsciously becoming submissive due to the sudden feeling of murderous intent.

As I approached, with Sieg clicking his tongue behind me, Esmée naturally linked arms with me again.

Lagnis’s eyes turned cold as ice as he watched this.

Something… something bad was definitely happening.

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[Damnnnnn let’s goooooo the Harem part of the novel is finally starting, it only took 82 chapters to get here. Fr tho, I can’t wait for Lagnis and Esmee to make out already]