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

After my meeting with Hestia, I asked Selene for a month’s schedule. The experience of unexpected appointments suddenly appearing wasn’t very pleasant.

Sure enough, my schedule was completely filled with training and classes. But there was one event that caught my eye.
“Eve party?”

The schedule showed that I was to attend an event called the “eve party” the day before Academy enrollment. See, if I hadn’t checked in advance, I would have been scrambling to prepare on that day.

An eve party the day before enrollment—is it like a casual meetup before the Academy’s opening ceremony, something like a freshman orientation?
“Yes. It’s not mandatory, but we’ve cleared your schedule. Since you’ll be moving into the dormitory three days before enrollment anyway, you’ll be in the capital that day. There’s no need to feel burdened.”

Selene added an explanation from beside me.
“No, I will attend, so please prepare accordingly.”

Avoiding people left and right isn’t necessarily a good thing. Plus, although I hate to say it, someone of my status avoiding events doesn’t look good. It’s what you’d call noblesse oblige. Whether event attendance is a noble’s duty or not, I’m not sure.

The Academy dormitory was a single room. There were double and quad rooms too, but my room was already set as a single. Typically, children of high-ranking nobles use single rooms, minor nobles use double rooms, and the rest use quad rooms. It’s not a strict rule, but for reasons like money and social pressure, it has become an unspoken rule.

The dormitory was even bigger than I expected. It feels like a suite room. I had imagined a shabby wooden bed and an old desk, so this is a pleasant betrayal of expectations. Come to think of it, pampered nobles couldn’t possibly stay in such shabby facilities.

After moving into the dormitory, three days passed in a flash.
Before I knew it, it’s the eve party day. I lost track of time preparing for enrollment after moving into the dormitory. It feels especially so after suddenly being placed in a different environment after repeating the same tasks at the same time every day.

“Young master. If you keep moving like that, your shirt will wrinkle.”
“Alright, I’ll try to bear with it.”

Formal attire was more uncomfortable than I thought. There’s so much to put on, attach, and stuff into a suit. If Selene hadn’t pointed out everything one by one, I wouldn’t have been able to dress properly. Even in this situation, I had to put on the clothes myself. Thanks to that, she only gave verbal instructions.

Selene is scheduled to return to the ducal mansion tomorrow. From tomorrow, the dormitory staff will take care of various tasks instead.

The rule that new students must move into the dormitory three days before enrollment—that’s the only reason Selene came all this way. I thought it was excessive fuss for just three days, but I would have been in big trouble if I had come alone. She diligently took care of me as I was disoriented in this unfamiliar environment. She truly is Selene Maman.

It’s been about a month since I came to this world. Selene now feels half like my personal maid. It’s the result of looking for her whenever something happens. I’m grateful that she came all this way for just three days.

“Thank you, Selene.”
“For what, sir?”
“For coming all this way.”
“There’s no need to thank me. All other students also brought their servants. Didn’t you notice? And I’m employed by the ducal household and receive sufficient wages.”
“That’s that, and being grateful is being grateful.”

She says everyone does it or that it’s only natural because she’s paid, but my stance doesn’t change. That’s that, and my feeling of gratitude is my feeling of gratitude. It doesn’t cost anything to say thank you, so why hold back?

“What about Hestia?”
“She’s probably waiting.”
“She’ll be angry. Let’s go quickly.”

It was my first time wearing such clothes, so it took longer than expected. I had planned to score points by taking care of Hestia on the way, but now I might lose points instead.

“You’re late! Forget escorting me, being late? Isn’t that too much?”

When we arrived at the campus fountain where we had arranged to meet, Hestia complained about us being late.

Her silver hair, reaching her chest, is neatly tied up, revealing a tempting nape. Her blue dress, harmonizing with her transparent skin, is so beautiful it hurts my eyes.

“Sorry. It took a bit longer than expected. Did you wait long?”

I’ve had brief conversations with Hestia every time we met since moving into the dormitory. We decided to meet today and go together during one of those conversations.

When I first met her, she had a cold and haughty image, but I feel her emotional expressions becoming more abundant with each meeting. We haven’t even met that many times, but her initial coldness has almost disappeared.

She had an image of lofty dignity that was hard to approach, but now she seems somewhat easier. It’s like looking at a cat. A cat that hisses when you try to pet it, but then slinks towards you when you take a step back. Cute.

“No, I didn’t wait that long. Let’s go. If we’re too late, people will think it’s strange.”

Hestia leaned towards me as if demanding my arm. What’s this? What is she implying?

“Aren’t you going to escort me?”

Hestia spoke grumpily while maintaining that posture. Ah, I see. Escorting, that is. My mischievous side activated.

“I’m not sure what you mean?”

I pretended not to understand what her gesture meant.

“Eek…! Fine! I’ll go ahead!”

Hestia trembled slightly and started to leave by herself. I couldn’t let that happen. I quickly followed her, lifted her arm, and linked it with mine. She grumbled as if she didn’t like it, but then seemed to resign herself and accepted my arm.

“Is this fun for you? Being late for our appointment and playing these petty pranks on me?”

Honestly, it is kind of fun. She reacts immediately when teased, so there’s a certain pleasure in bothering her.

“I said I’m sorry. I did it because you’re cute. I won’t do it again.”
“Hmph. Let’s go.”

She turned her head away and snorted, but didn’t reject my arm. Is this what they call tsundere? It’s just too cute.

“Your dress is really pretty today. It suits you well.”

I complimented her dress, partly to appease her. It’s not empty words. Actually, I wanted to tell her the moment I saw her, but couldn’t because I was late.

“Thank you. It suits you well too. Did that maid choose it for you?”
“Yes. It’s nice, isn’t it?”

We whispered together with our arms linked. It feels embarrassing, almost like a couple. Of course, since we’re engaged, we’re more than just a couple.

The venue for the eve party was the Academy’s auditorium. Light leaking from the auditorium illuminates the dark campus grounds. It seems quite lively, as if everyone is having a good time.

“Mikhail von Sirius and Hestia von Gracia.”
“Yes, confirmed. Have a pleasant evening.”

At the entrance to the auditorium, a servant is recording the guest book. It’s quite formal.

The interior of the auditorium feels like a ballroom. Lavish banquet and drinks. Probably alcohol. In this world, 18-year-olds are considered adults.

There’s even a band from somewhere. Several couples can be seen dancing to the music. Most are engaged in light conversation.

It’s as if the image that comes to mind when thinking of a fantasy world ballroom has been directly transferred to reality.

I rolled my eyes around and headed toward where the drinks were, still not letting go of Hestia’s arm.

“Would you like a drink?”
“No, I don’t particularly like alcohol.”

I offered Hestia a drink but was rejected. I wanted to see her drunk once. She would undoubtedly be cute.

As I happily conversed with Hestia with our arms linked, I could feel the surrounding whispers. I would usually dismiss it as self-consciousness, but anyone could see they were looking at us.

“Hestia. Did we do something strange?”
“Are you really asking that?”
“What do you mean?”
“Someone who never showed his face in such places, suddenly appears with his fiancée—rumored to be on bad terms—arm in arm, whispering closely. Isn’t that it?”
“Ah.”

She explained point by point why the surroundings were reacting this way. Well, it’s natural for them to whisper in surprise.

The more I dig, the more I worry about the original owner of this body’s human relationships. From my position, it might be easier if there were none at all, but still, as a human being, I think this is a bit too much.

“Well, let’s just say I’ve come to my senses.”
“Hah… how can a person change so much?”

Hestia seems unable to understand. Well, it’s because I’m actually a different person. I forcibly swallowed the answer that almost slipped out.

I smiled bitterly and evaded the answer. Let’s stop this topic now. Even if she asks why I changed, I have nothing to say. I pulled her towards another location.

“If there’s anything you’d like to eat, just tell me.”
“No, the cooking at the count’s mansion is superior anyway.”

Hestia seems to be a gourmand. Honestly, I can’t tell the difference. The food at the ducal mansion and the food here taste similarly delicious to me. I picked up a canapé from the table and ate it.

“Then, how about a dance?”

I’ve noticed her glancing toward the stage for a while. Wondering if she might want to dance but is too shy to bring it up, I casually asked.

“Dance?”

Her face distorted in disbelief. It’s the first time she’s been this surprised since the day we first met and I persuaded her to take a class together. I certainly don’t have the image of someone who would dance. But is it really that surprising?

The etiquette education at the ducal mansion naturally includes social dances. Judging by her reaction, it seems like I’ve never danced before, but am I really completely ignorant? I decided to trust the memory assistance. And even if it doesn’t activate, it’s just a minor mishap where people might think I’m not good at dancing.

“Is it that surprising?”
“Ah, no. But I’m not very confident in dancing…”

Hestia hurriedly made an excuse when I pretended to be a bit hurt by her reaction. Should I say she’s easy, or innocent? I’m worried she might get taken advantage of by some suspicious person.

“I’m not particularly confident either. And what if we’re not good? I doubt anyone would be brave enough to laugh at the son of House Sirius and the daughter of House Gracia dancing?”

I took Hestia’s hand and pulled her to the stage. This is all about confidence.

“Wait, wait! I really can’t…!”

Hestia reluctantly allowed herself to be pulled along, but her face reddened with excitement. It seems she did want to dance after all. She’s just not honest.

“Ah, that was fun! I’m glad to see my dancing has improved somewhat. It was worth practicing.”

Hestia said with sparkling eyes. She was half honest. The part about not being confident in dancing.

“Haha… I’m glad you enjoyed it.”

I spoke while looking away from my feet, which felt as if they’d been punctured after being stepped on by Hestia multiple times.

She was truly a terrible dancer. Meanwhile, my body moved naturally, just like during sword training. It seems the correction had activated.

However, unlike me, when the music started, Hestia began to wobble slightly, and eventually started stepping on my feet with each step. I wondered if she was doing it on purpose because I had forced her onto the dance floor, but she was smiling happily throughout the dance. She probably didn’t even realize she was stepping on my feet.

After the song ended, Hestia and I came down from the stage. Her white cheeks were flushed red. She smiled brightly, clearly enjoying herself. I was about to say something to her, but seeing that smile, I was at a loss for words. Let’s just… let’s just let her enjoy herself.

“Hahaha… I witnessed a rare sight.”

As Hestia and I were catching our breath, a blond ruffian approached us. His platinum-blond hair, which changes from white to yellow depending on the lighting, ripples elegantly. His face, though handsome like a pimp’s younger brother, had an aspect I didn’t like.

“Hestia von Gracia greets His Highness Wilhelm Leonhardt, the Sun of the Empire!”

Hestia, who had been panting beside me, jumped in surprise and showed her respect. This sleazy pimp’s brother is the Crown Prince?

“Mikhail von Sirius greets His Highness Wilhelm Leonhardt, the Sun of the Empire.”

I too placed my arm on my chest and bowed to show respect to the Crown Prince. After all, royalty is royalty, and he hasn’t done anything to us, so I shouldn’t judge a person by their appearance.

“Raise your heads. We’ll be fellow students from tomorrow, right?”

Wilhelm smiled broadly. I was confused by the inexplicable irritation welling up inside me, but I managed to control my expression.

“That doesn’t diminish the noble blood flowing in the Imperial family.”

My tongue moves naturally. Words that fit the situation come out on their own. It seems the correction needs to activate when dealing with the Crown Prince.

By the way, despite Wilhelm saying we’re fellow students and whatnot, this response seems to have been the correct one. In an instant, my hostility towards him rose again.

“Enough. Let’s stop with such talk. Seeing you two dance, I also have someone I’d like to introduce.”

Who could he want to introduce? He broke off his engagement. There’s no way he has someone to introduce to us…

“Pleased to meet you. I’m Lily von Adamas.”

A bright and cheerful voice approached from behind Wilhelm.

And as soon as I faced her, I felt my heart beating rapidly as if it would burst. It felt like being struck by lightning, unable to move.

Her golden hair, as bright as melted gold, naturally falls to her waist. Large, friendly golden eyes that one could fall into. Her slightly smiling appearance is like a cute puppy. Her delicate and slender figure, which looks as if it might fly away with the wind, is attractive.

She’s a lovely girl by anyone’s standards. There were rumors that the Crown Prince fell in love and broke off his engagement—it might be because of her. No, seeing that he approached to introduce her to us, it’s almost certain. She was a beauty worthy of being called a country-toppling beauty.

But I prefer silver hair to blonde, cats to dogs, and the more maternal charm, the better. Honestly, she’s pretty, but not really my type. I prefer Hestia.

Yes, that’s what my head is thinking. But why is my body acting separately? My heart is racing, sweat is flowing, and my face is reddening. I already know under what circumstances the body shows such reactions.

Love.

Clearly, my head is shouting that Hestia is more my type than Lily, but my heart isn’t listening. What the fuck is this? I feel bad about this inexplicable phenomenon. Why doesn’t my body follow my head and move on its own?

In an instant, a realization flashed through my mind.

There’s only one answer. I’ve experienced this phenomenon of my head and body acting separately before.

Just like during sword training, like when I was dancing earlier. The body moves this way because it’s the direction that won’t arouse suspicion. Because it’s natural.

With that thought, the discrepancies I’ve felt so far fit together in my mind like a puzzle.

The maids who try to minimize contact with male nobles to the point of obsession. The circle and aura system that exists only in name without any detailed explanation. The ducal family called the Shield of the Empire despite having no opponents to defend against. The world-setting with holes in strange places. My unexplained hostility towards the Crown Prince.

And decisively, my heart beating for Lily despite my thinking that I like Hestia.

It seems I didn’t just fall into a fantasy world, but a romance fantasy world.

Fuck. Can’t I just live happily with Hestia?