At that moment, every student in the classroom locked their eyes squarely on Hale—giving him a firsthand taste of being the center of the world’s attention.
Lenny was practically fuming. Sure, Christine inviting Hale was one thing, but to say she’d personally come find him if he didn’t show up? It screamed *only you matter*.
Back then, Lenny had also wished to pay his respects. But as the son of an earl, he simply lacked standing. Even his father pulling strings would only earn a reply: *Lady Christine is far too busy*.
Yet now? Christine clearly had time—enough for a private meeting with Hale.
Just as Lenny suspected.
Such words were merely polite refusals. As a Vestal Candidate, Christine couldn’t possibly meet just anyone.
“Looks like I can’t refuse, huh?”
*You’re really asking for a beating, Hale.*
Hearing his resigned remark, that was exactly what everyone felt.
Lenny and most classmates thought he was showing off.
Siman sighed inwardly: *Still the same. Does he think Christine’s just another girl he’s toyed with?*
Maria believed he was being disrespectful to Lady Christine.
She cast a gentle, measured gaze toward the young man.
“I’ll go this afternoon.”
No avoiding it. Better to seize control himself.
At this point, Christine likely still didn’t know that mana replenishment with him boosted her power.
Hale planned to use the time before 3 p.m. to carefully recall every landmine in Christine’s storyline.
…
“So… why are you following me?”
After class, Hale had intended to head home—to enjoy Lofu’s company. That morning, she’d mentioned preparing a new maid outfit and stockings.
A shoulder rub from the little maid, a taste of House Faxius’s chef…
After transmigrating, the first priority was enjoying life—not rushing into danger.
No need. He wasn’t some destined hero rising from ashes to restore his clan.
He was a full-fledged villainous antagonist—the type who leads heroines astray. Charging recklessly? That’d cost him his life.
Yet after delivering the message, Maria didn’t leave. She followed him all the way out of Sanctum University.
A noble heir trailed by a nun—eye-catching even in Saint Louis’s chaotic streets.
As passersby glanced curiously, Hale finally turned to her.
Not embarrassment—he *was* the dissolute noble heir archetype.
But Maria clearly intended to follow him home.
Ron Cathedral, where Christine stayed, lay in the opposite direction of the Faxius estate.
“I am here to assess your character, Baron Hale.”
Hale held the lowest noble title, baron. But staying out of trouble meant inheriting his father’s dukedom someday—or at least retiring comfortably as a marquis.
“Miss Maria, are you mistaken?”
He knew her thoughts. She was Christine’s die-hard devotee. In-game, she was a recruitable unit: +50% damage alongside Christine, constant support buffs from reserve.
Solid for dungeon clears—but only if paired with Christine. Skip her route? Maria gathered dust.
Leveling Christine alone meant grinding high-difficulty side quests, rerolling sub-stats and crits. Once strong enough, Christine could solo simpler heroine routes—no support needed.
Maria’s role? Awkward.
Verdict: Only worth training if pursuing Christine. Otherwise, forget her.
“This is my duty as a nun. You have a private audience with Lady Christine this afternoon…”
She might as well have stamped *I don’t trust you* across her forehead.
Hale pondered. In the original plot, Christine hid her strength well; Maria only learned later she wasn’t weak. To Maria now? She feared Hale might take advantage of solitude.
But since leaving class, Hale’s sole worry was: *Please don’t let Christine make a move on me.*
“Don’t worry.”
Maria neither nodded nor shook her head—just held his gaze.
Unreassured. Hale’s reputation was notoriously poor. Earlier, Siman had even pulled her aside: “Is Christine serious? My cousin’s behavior toward girls…”
Maria recalled Siman faintly. Seeing his worry deepened her own.
Before leaving church, she’d reread her diary: Christine met House Faxius only once—at a banquet years ago upon arriving in Saint Louis. No contact since.
Why request Hale *today*?
She could’ve met countless well-regarded nobles. Arranging a meeting would be effortless.
Why *him*?
Maria was utterly baffled.
*Could Lady Christine intend to purify the tainted soul of the Grand General’s son with sacred light?*
Indeed—if Hale inherited his father’s post governing Papal Dominion lands, such conduct would be disastrous.
Lady Christine must have profound reasons.
*Then I must guard this first gate,* Maria resolved. *Judge if his character truly matches the rumors.*
Seeing her firm stance, Hale didn’t force her away. Triggering a weird plot twist—her reporting unexpected slander to Christine—would be catastrophic.
He wanted neither friendship nor enmity with Christine.
Silently, they returned to the Faxius estate.
A normal lunch was fine. He could endure.
Hale knew the difference between one day’s pleasure and lifelong comfort.
“What would you like for lunch?”
“Many suffer in this world. Simple food is enough for me.”
Uh. What logic was that?
Hale was momentarily taken aback.
“Going vegetarian? How about dessert?”
“Sweet… No, thank you.”
He read her expression—she wanted it. Duke Faxius was generous; servants enjoyed ample afternoon tea and desserts, though leftovers were discarded by dawn.
He recalled Maria had a sweet tooth.
“If you won’t eat it, it’s wasteful to throw extras away. I’ll have Lofu bring some.”
He signaled another maid to inform Lofu.
Maria watched him, a tiny warmth blooming inside. From a humble background, desserts were birthday luxuries.
Serving Christine—frugal by nature—she’d long avoided indulgence.
But that flicker of goodwill vanished the moment Lofu arrived.
The maid’s revealing outfit struck her as utterly shameless.
*Hale… truly cannot be trusted!*
