The Struggle of a Weak Aristocrat in a Different World Our Domain is Surrounded by Large Aristocrats

C52: An invitation to the salon from Marquise Claire (2)

The two of us walked in silence down the corridor in the evening sun. The other students, who hadn’t left and were still talking happily, stopped every time we approached, their eyes glued to us. I felt awkward for some reason and spoke to Claire, whose face was red from the setting sun.

“Um, Lady Alcala, where is the room?”

“Through this corridor, there is a building for the salon. It’s on the top floor. The higher the floor of the building, the more powerful the nobles are supposed to be.”

The higher the floor, the more powerful the nobility.

“It’s not the title, it’s the power?”

“There was a time when the children of noblemen who didn’t know anything about politics and affairs fought against powerful noblemen just because of their titles, and they got hurt. So all the heads of noble families begged for it and created this system.”

I see. It’s easy for the low ranking nobles to figure out who they should be rubbing elbows with, two birds with one stone.

“Oh, really? I didn’t know there was such a situation. Then there are people who don’t want to belong to the salon downstairs, aren’t there?”

“No, that’s not true. In the first place, only a few people can get a room. Just belonging to the salon is a kind of status.”

“So you’re saying there aren’t many people who can belong to the salon?”

“No!”

“If we increase the number of people and someone from the salon causes a problem, the salon’s dignity might be questioned. That’s why we can’t increase the number of people so easily. But that doesn’t mean I don’t want to increase the number of people in the salon.”

“What do you mean?”

“Joining the salon in the first place means joining a faction, definitely the more the merrier.”

Doesn’t that mean I’ll join a faction if I’m invited to the salon? Isn’t that a bad idea? How do I get out of here……?

“In the school, it is only a formality, but it is a statement of equality of status.”

Now, if I turn back, will I make it in time……? No, they should have seen us enter the school building where this salon is located together. No doubt Alfred and Mist will know about this. That’s tricky.

“Yes, I want you to call me Claire! I’ll call you Chris, too!”

I wondered what kind of trap it was, but entering this school building with her was a trap in itself…….This way, she can make the other two families think that I’m a member of her faction, and if I approach them, they’ll suspect that I’m a spy for the Marquis family, thus preventing any contact between me and the other two families. Damn, I didn’t see that coming until it was too late!

“Hey!”

Claire’s voice suddenly sounded in my ear.

“Yes?”

I was so busy thinking that I didn’t hear.

“Are you sure?”

Claire is clenching her fists tightly. I think I’ve allowed something to happen. Damn it, what have I done!

“Chris, what’s up?”

You called me out of the blue…….What the hell did I just nod my head at?

“What do you mean Lady Alcala?”

Then Claire became mushy and pouted her lips.

“Mmm. I know you’re embarrassed, but you need to call me something.”

You’re trying to get me to call you something in a way that makes me embarrassed! What kind of woman is she? As soon as the hierarchical relationship was established, she tried to embarrass me.

She probably wants me to call her “Princess” or “Queen”! I don’t have a choice. I’ll just have to keep calling her until I come up with a solution. I opened my mouth willingly.

“I understand, Princess.”

“What? Huh?”

Claire was so surprised that her face turned as red as the setting sun. I must have offended her! So ‘Princess’ is not enough for you!

“My princess, who is incomparably nobler than I am!”

“Waaaah….”

Claire froze as she let out a voice that sounded like it wasn’t even a word.

“Oh, um?”

When I called out to Claire, she turned her body in the direction of the road we had come from and I could hear the mechanical sound of a giggle.

“Today’s discussion is cancelled!”

Claire said and ran off. I’m afraid I’ve made her very angry…….