"H-Hey!"
Lyra tried to quickly move past me, but I blocked her path with a hand against the wall.
I leaned in closer, my hand now pressed against the wall next to her face.
It was cliché, but it worked well to intimidate her.
Yeah.
I needed to intimidate her.
It wasn't the first time in the previous two weeks that she had mysteriously vanished from Milleia and Jayden when Alfred arrived. She was doing it on purpose.
Either to forget her boredom or something else I wished wasn't the case.
"Do you really think I would force myself on you, Lyra?"
At my words, Lyra looked at me with defiance in her eyes.
"You're not strong enough to overpower me. And even if you were, I know you wouldn't dare try. You are hated enough among nobles."
"You're right."
I nodded.
"And I have no intention of forcing myself on you, Lyra. I'm not interested in a boring girl like you."
"..."
"A boring girl looking for something to occupy her time—isn't it pathetic from a Marquis' daughter, Lyra Kertalir?"
Lyra was speechless at my words.
I couldn't let her ruin everything for such insignificant reasons.
Alfred was already madly in love with Milleia because of her. I don't know what she did behind my back, but I was pretty sure she did something. The only good side was that Milleia was unaware of Alfred's feelings because she was dense.
[She is, indeed, dense...>]
In that regard, she is as dense as Jayden.
[Yes...]
What's the deal with those two?
Whatever.
"I regret to inform you that if your words were intended to turn me off, you have failed. Edward."
Lyra smiled.
"Why are you interfering in Alfred's business right now? Are you sure you know what you're doing?"
"Is that why you dragged me here so forcefully?"
Lyra crossed her arms and teased me, but I was in no mood to play with her.
"He's infatuated with Milleia, and I think it's a problem. His desire for her could bring the downfall of our kingdom."
Lyra scoffed when I said that. "You're being dramatic. Since when are you worrying about our Kingdom, Edward? And there's nothing wrong with Alfred liking Milleia. They're both my friends, and I want them to be happy."
"But you're not doing this for only their happiness. You're doing it for your own selfish reasons and something else."
"And what reasons would those be?"
"I think you're still suspicious of my intentions."
I had no doubts about that.
Lyra's expression softened slightly. "I admit, I'm not entirely sure what your intentions are with Jayden and Milleia. But I'd rather see Milleia with Alfred than with Jayden. Alfred is a nice guy who would take care of her."
I clenched my fist. "Are you her mother? Milleia can make her own choices. And as for Jayden, he's part of my plan, so I don't want you interfering."
Lyra rolled her eyes. "Your plan? You're acting like you're some sort of mastermind."
I smiled. "I suppose you could call me that. But you should know, Lyra, that I'm not afraid to do whatever it takes to achieve my goals. It's for a good reason."
Lyra raised an eyebrow. "And what good reason could there be?"
"A good reason for you could be the worst one for everyone else."
I laughed when Lyra said that.
"It's been two weeks. We were in the same class for two weeks, and your trust in me is that low?"
"It's not even low because I have no faith in you."
Lyra and I had been in the same class for two weeks, yet she still didn't trust me. I was determined to get her on my side, however, because she was causing me a lot of trouble.
No.
I didn't even need to get her on my side.
She just had to remain still without doing useless things.
"Jayden is better than Prince, isn't he?" I asked.
"Maybe," Lyra replied, "but he's part of your goal, so I'd rather not."
I sighed. It was clear that Lyra was not going to help me.
I have no choice anymore.
You should have stepped back.
"You seem to be a perfect noble lady, but you are not. I know that," I said, tapping my finger on the wall.
"What are you talking about?" Lyra asked, crossing her arms again.
"There are several taboos that you shouldn't break in the strict world of nobility. Even if your father, Marquis Kertalir, is a good man who trusts you enough to let you stay in the academy dormitory instead of your own mansion," I said.
Lyra's face showed confusion, but I continued. "You broke one of those taboos."
"I don't know wha-"
"Carlos Dugary."
Lyra's face twisted into shock as she heard my words. It was the first time I had seen such a reaction from her, given her usually reserved and uninterested demeanor.
"A secret relationship between a noble and a commoner is forbidden," I said, watching as Lyra's complexion grew paler. "It could result in the downfall, or even the annihilation, of an entire house. This is especially true for a Marquis House in the High Nobility."
"How did you find out?" she stuttered, her noble facade beginning to crumble.
"You were discreet, but not discreet enough," I replied in a low tone. "I noticed how your gaze often wandered towards a boy in our class. He was strong for a commoner, but nothing exceptional. Still, you couldn't help but look at him. And he was doing the same to you, so it was easy to guess that you knew each other."
Lyra's expression was one of disbelief. She was wondering how I had found out about her liaison. But of course, I knew about it from the game. And I wasn't going to reveal my source.
"I have my ways," I said with a shrug. "But you must have been surprised to see him here in the academy, and in our class."
Lyra's guard was crumbling, and I could see the fear in her eyes.
"I hope you understand the gravity of the situation, Lyra," I said in a threatening tone.
"You're threatening me?" She snarled, her eyes blazing with fury.
I was indeed threatening her. I could ruin her family's reputation if I revealed their taboo liaison with a commoner. It was the worst possible nightmare for a noblewoman like her.
"You don't have any evidence," she spat.
"I already have a living proof in our class," I countered. "Carlos himself."
Lyra's eyes widened in shock. She knew that I had her cornered.
"But Carlos isn't my only source," I added, my voice low and dangerous. "If I hear anything suspicious happening to him, I will reveal everything to the entire academy, and then to the entire kingdom."
There was the possibility of her chasing Carlos away from the Kingdom after all. She was capable of that with her status.
Lyra's expression was a mix of fear, anger, and resentment. She glared at me with pure contempt, and I could feel the venom in her eyes.
"Now, here's what I want from you," I said, ignoring her hateful stare. "I want you to stop interfering with Jayden and Milleia. If I catch you disappearing again when Alfred comes around, I will leak your liaison to the entire academy. A photo, a recording, a letter. Believe me, I have them."
Lyra's disbelief was palpable, but I knew I had to keep my bluff.
"What's going on here?!" Suddenly came a voice from the door.
I turned to see Simon, my stepbrother, bursting into the room. Elona was with him, looking worried as she saw the tense atmosphere between Lyra and me.
"What are you doing?" Simon demanded, his voice full of suspicion.
Well, I and Lyra were extremely close with her against the wall.
"I'm just here to talk," I replied calmly, though I could feel my temper rising.
"Brother…?" Elona was looking at me with concern.
I ignored her, my eyes still fixed on Lyra.
"Lyra, are you okay?" Elona asked, seeing that Lyra's head was downcast.
"I'm fine," Lyra said, without looking back.
I was relieved that Lyra seemed to have swallowed my lie, but I couldn't help feeling annoyed at the whole situation. Simon and Elona were there at the worst moment.
"What's going on?" Simon demanded.
Lyra pushed me away from her and straightened her posture. "Nothing," she said, looking back at Simon.
I glared at Simon. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm here to accompany Elona," Simon said.
"What a nice relation between siblings both of you have. I'm quite jealous."
I said sarcastically.
I was annoyed that they burst into the room at that moment.
Just when I was cornering Lyra.
Now she recovered a little clarity.
"Edward, what…were you doing?" Elona asked, looking at me and then at Lyra.
"Just talking with my classmate," I shrugged my shoulders.
I knew that Lyra would keep her end of the deal now that I had leverage on her. I had a plan to get out alive from this game and I wasn't going to let anyone stand in my way.
Still I needed confirmation from her own voice.
"Your answer."
I wasn't about to let her go without a response.
Lyra stopped her steps.
"I'll do what you say."
She left the room without turning around.
I appreciated your response, but why didn't you choose different words?!
Simon and Milleia have already misinterpreted me!
[<Not like the truth was going to change anything. You threatened her.>]
Shaddap.
Simon's and Elona's expressions were not good at all.
I didn't want to think about what they thought I had asked Lyra.
"If you touch Lyra, I will not forgive you, brother."
Elone warned me.
Wasn't that already the case?
Look at her.
How can she still call me 'brother' after everything I've said and done?
I wanted to shout back but.
"..."
Memories of my childhood with Elona flashed into my mind.
"You are annoying. I don't care about her. I only warned her. That's all."
I said and walked out of the room.
I have to be more careful.
The troubles will just increase from now on.
The first two weeks weren't eventful but the first big event will start soon.
At that moment, I will know if I am really able to finish that game alive.