I’m a Second Male Lead in a Romance Fantasy, but I Don’t Like the Female Lead

The sofa in the reception room was softer than I expected. My room’s bed is quite soft, but this sofa is even more so. It feels like I’m melting into it. If I had a sofa like this back on Earth, my body and the sofa would have surely become one.

The refreshments on the tea table look high-class at a glance. I don’t know their names, but extremely sweet-looking desserts are laid out. The smell of yet-to-be-poured tea from the teapot fills the reception room. Even for someone like me with little expertise in tea, I can tell it’s high-grade by its luxurious aroma. I don’t know the name, but it must be extremely expensive.

I was sitting on the reception room sofa, shaking my legs. I didn’t want to show that I was nervous, but I couldn’t help the involuntary trembling. If I take my mind off my legs for even a moment, they start shaking without my knowledge.

The title “fiancée” made me incredibly nervous. I’ve never properly had a girlfriend, and suddenly I have a fiancée. Back when I was still wearing a school uniform, I went to movies a few times holding hands with a close female classmate. But truthfully, I have zero experience with what people commonly call dating.

I never thought I’d regret not having gone on a single blind date while on Earth. In some ways, this is more nerve-wracking than a blind date. For me, it’s a first meeting, but to others, we’re engaged, which makes it even more so. What should I say to avoid awkwardness?

Just as I was deeply contemplating what would be a good first greeting:
“Young master, Miss Gracia has arrived.”

Hestia von Gracia, my fiancée, appeared in the reception room.

The first thing that caught my eye was her hair. Silver hair so clean it seemed untouched by the world’s filth. Her silver hair, reaching down to her chest, swayed beautifully with each step she took. It felt like watching a shampoo commercial in person.

Her skin is also surprisingly white. I thought my skin was quite white, but compared to hers, I feel like I’ve become golden-tanned. Her skin is not just white; it’s almost transparent.

And her eyes. Piercingly cold blue pupils. Combined with her large, haughty eyes, she’s almost cat-like. Her nose is straight and high. Her mouth is small and cute.

Her figure, oh my… it’s a bit of a cliché expression, but she has a perfect body where what should curve in curves in, and what should curve out curves out. Her motherly mid-section, not concealed even by her dress, creates a synergy effect with her white skin.

Specifically, I can see the veins running through her chest. Insane.

Everything around me blurs, and only her figure remains clear. I feel my gaze being drawn in. She walks toward me with a confident and elegant attitude.

To be honest, her appearance was a strike. Not just touching the strike zone, but a 100-mile fastball hitting dead center. I just realized my ideal type is a silver-haired cat-like beauty. I never had the chance to meet someone with such looks on Earth.

But regardless, isn’t it too easy to be dazed just by someone’s appearance when meeting them for the first time? It’s a bit pricking at my conscience even as I think about it. I didn’t realize I was such a sucker for looks.

“It’s been a while.”

She spoke as she sat down. The butler waiting nearby comes and pours tea into our cups. Even as the teapot rises higher, the tea doesn’t splash at all. It’s something I’ve only seen on TV, and seeing it in person is truly remarkable.

By the way, her voice is pretty too. I’ve never empathized with expressions like “like jade beads rolling” or “a nightingale singing,” but from now on, I can empathize with them all I want.

“Y-yes. It’s been a while, Hestia.”

I stuttered, perhaps too nervous. I need to calm down a bit. For some reason, the tongue assistance isn’t working. The automatic correction of attitude and speech that naturally activated when dealing with my parents doesn’t activate for her. Didn’t it work for close relationships? Surely a fiancée should be close enough.

The lines I had prepared feel blocked. I don’t know what to say to make it natural. Cold sweat runs down my back.

“…”
“…”

After exchanging greetings, silence fell. What should I say? This is my first time with her, but not her first time with me. I have no idea what topic to bring up. The awkward silence continues.

“Huff… you’re still a man of few words. You are.”

Hestia was the first to break the silence. With a sigh that felt like irritation, she spat out sharp words that seemed to mock me. What’s this? Aren’t we engaged? Are we not on good terms?

Anyway, continuing to keep my mouth shut is a bad strategy. At this point, it’s better to just proceed with my own speaking style, thick-skinned.

“I’m not good with words. I’m sorry if that’s how you felt.”

She doesn’t seem very pleased even after accepting my apology. I should take a slightly humble approach for now. It’s an inevitable choice since I know nothing about her and don’t have confidence in leading the conversation well.

“…What a surprise that you’re answering today. Before, no matter how much I spoke to you, you just kept your mouth shut.”

“…? Ah, ah! I’m sorry about before. I had some things to think about.”

Mikhail, you crazy bastard. When I heard she said I was quiet, I thought that was all, but it seems I blatantly ignored her words before. I just made up an excuse.

With this, I can understand why she’s showing me a sharp attitude. Of course, she wouldn’t feel good about someone who outright ignored her words.

So I apologized first. It feels like I’ve been apologizing since earlier, but it’s not like I lose anything by apologizing, and if I feel I’ve done something wrong, it’s easier to just quickly ask for forgiveness. It wasn’t my fault, but what can I do? I have no intention of engaging in a pride battle.

“Hmph… now, after all this time…”
“What did you say?”
“Nothing.”

She turned her head away, looking somewhat pouty.

And again, silence. Only the sound of us drinking tea flows through the reception room. I need to bring up a topic. Honestly, regardless of whether her appearance is my type or not, anyone would find it strange to invite a fiancée and not have any conversation.

“Are you preparing well for the Academy?”

According to what I heard from Selene last night, almost all noble children attend the Academy unless there’s a special reason not to. Naturally, she would be entering the Academy too.

When I first opened my mouth, she seemed a bit surprised. Why is everything so surprising? Both the maid earlier and Hestia now give surprised expressions whenever I open my mouth, and it’s annoying. What kind of life did Mikhail lead?

“Yes, well. What about you? You didn’t seem like you wanted to go to the Academy.”
“Me? Not particularly.”

This is the first I’m hearing of this. Was Mikhail not interested in the Academy?

“When we talked about the Academy before, you didn’t say anything, so I naturally thought you weren’t keen on it.”
“Now I think it’s a good opportunity to gain knowledge.”

Just how taciturn was Mikhail?

More than that, I now understand why Selene looked at me like that last night.
‘You haven’t shown any particular interest in the Academy until now, have you?’
And then that expressionless gaze.

If someone who never uttered a word about the Academy suddenly calls you over and says they want to learn more about it, of course, it would seem strange.

Now I also understand why the Duke asked about enrollment preparations yesterday and why the Duchess seemed overly excited when I asked about the Academy. With enrollment right around the corner, they must have been worried that I showed no interest in the school I was about to attend.

But that’s Mikhail’s story.

Since I’m going to attend the Academy anyway, I want to do it properly. It’s not like I can avoid it even if I want to. Plus, I somewhat regret my school days on Earth, which ended with me just reading novels.

Anyway, having been born into such a good environment, isn’t it a waste to just dig holes in the ground saying “why am I the only one sent to this world ;ㅅ;”? It’s not like whining about wanting to go back will make it happen. And honestly speaking, I don’t have much attachment to my life on Earth. I rather like it here.

If there’s one concern, it’s the aftermath if I suddenly return to Earth after becoming attached to this world. It would be quite painful to fully adapt to this world, make family and friends, and then suddenly part ways.

But deciding not to form any human relationships would be an even more foolish choice. I don’t want to live abandoning a certain present because of an uncertain future.

“Do you have any classes you want to take?”

In that sense, I decided to become friends with Hestia. I should start by taking the same classes. Honestly, I can’t say there’s no self-interest. She’s my wife (to be), so what’s the problem?

“Why are you asking that?”
“If it sounds good, I thought we could take it together.”

Hestia’s face is filled with astonishment. If earlier she seemed to be thinking “that’s unusual,” this time it’s as if she’s seen something impossible. Is this really that surprising? What on earth did she think of me?

Maybe the tongue assistance didn’t activate because there were too few meaningful conversations between us before?

“T-take it together?”

Hestia’s wide-open mouth barely moved. Wow, pretty girls are pretty even when they make faces like this.

The suggestion to take the same classes is quite sincere. I have a romantic ideal of school life with my wife (to be) in the same classes, and I feel the need to become closer to her than we are now.

Judging by her attitude, if we get married as is, we’re destined for a loveless, separate-room marriage. That’s not the future I want.

Another reason is that I don’t have any particular classes I want to take. Among the classes Selene introduced, none interest me except those related to swordsmanship. Rather than randomly choosing classes, it would be better to take classes with her.

“I don’t have any classes I particularly want to take. Do you have any in mind?”
“You’re a novice when it comes to magic. I don’t think there are any classes we can take together.”

So this body is far removed from magic. My knowledge has increased.

Actually, even if taking classes related to magic, one couldn’t fill all their classes with just that. I know this from what I heard from Selene yesterday.

I had asked if it was possible to fill the schedule with similar content classes. I didn’t particularly plan to do so, but I was just curious. I wondered if it was possible to recycle what you learn in one class for another to game the credit system. The answer was absolutely not. Not only would it be hard for the student, but the professors would also refuse.

So this is probably a roundabout rejection. Just how much does she dislike me? It’s not a big deal, but to reject even just taking a class together like this.

But I, Mikhail, am a man who doesn’t know the meaning of giving up. Judging by her attitude, there’s not much lower her favorability can go. There’s a risk it might plunge into negative numbers, but surely she won’t have such a strong rejection reaction to just taking a class together?

“You’re not going to fill all your classes with magic, right? There must be one or two subjects we could take together.”
“Urgh…”
“Do you dislike it that much?”
“……”
“Hestia?”
“No, I think I could take one class with you.”

After struggling and contemplating for a moment, seemingly reluctant, Hestia suddenly lifted her head as if she had a good idea and accepted my proposal.

It looks like she suddenly thought of a class she wants to take together.

“Good. What were you thinking of?”
“Do you know about a class called ‘Understanding Marriage’?”

Hestia looked at me with a slight smile. This is the first time today I’ve seen her smile. Rather than a bright smile, it’s closer to a crooked smirk that feels malicious.