Eventually, I couldn't resist not chiming in to correct things where they stood.
"Excuse me, Lady Tichá. I chose to stand here of my own will. The reason I am not eating is also simply because I am not hungry; it has nothing at all to do with any of My Lady's orders. Don't make baseless remarks."
I might have been a bit harsh considering I'm supposed to get close to the Protagonist, but her raw shamelessness was, to put it in a way, getting on my nerves. It was already hard enough to maintain this absurd bodyguard persona without breaking character―I didn't need her to come and make it even worse.
"S-sir Enki..."
The Protagonist's voice trembled slightly as she switched her gaze to me, her eyes like pink diamonds beginning to glisten with waxing wetness.
Honestly, it was hard for me to feel bad for her, even if she was only a kid.
Even excluding the whole part about her being a Protagonist, in the first place, I felt like it would be weird for me to get along well with people her age as an adult, but more than that, she was just plain annoying.
''#NaiveProtagonist'... What a joke.'
After I shut her down, it seemed there was nothing she could say in response, as those teary eyes only proceeded to alternate like a puppy between me and Lucretia―who in the meantime calmly finished her meal―as if lost.
"Enki. Let us depart."
Ultimately, in this cold silence, Lucretia finished her meal and stood up. Being her attendant, I collected the tray at her spot and put it in the disposal area.
But, just as we turned to leave, we were stopped by a voice.
Naturally, it was one unfamiliar to me.
"Hey! What do you think you're doing to Miss Ayla?!"
Suddenly, and without any warning, the silent atmosphere transitioned to something with significant character, and the start of some rather funky music flowed into my ears.
'What?! Damn it, I thought the 「scene」 was shut down quickly enough, but did it not even start yet...?'
Some random shouted from across the cafeteria and approached, puffing his chest out like a bird during mating season. His appearance itself was also not dissimilar.
Short, vibrant red hair that spiked like some cartoon character, matching red eyes and... well, those were the only noteworthy parts about him. Oh, I guess he sorta had a rough face for a noble kid, and considering the status and age, he seemed to be in decent shape, too.
Whoever he was, the guy stopped just in front of the Protagonist and glared in my direction.
"Who the hell do you think you are, messing with Miss Ayla?! Huh! Name yourself!"
I stared at him blankly for a moment, but inside, I was amazed.
Really. Almost everyone else I had encountered today had recognised the emblem on my clothes as that of the Archducal family's in an instant. This guy, however, was standing just a few feet in front of me and still didn't notice it. Were his observational skills that poor, or was he just stupid?
"Kran Vyckard. Under what right do you confront my attendant in such a crude manner?"
Beside me, Lucretia's overpowering voice resounded, a tone chilled to sub-zero temperatures. The moment she called the newcomer's name, he visibly recoiled, but swiftly acted to recover the previous too-bold attitude.
"...Archduchess. Hah, of course this guy's with you. No, it's probably you who set him up to it in the first place. You've been doing that a lot recently, haven't you? Messing with Miss Ayla, a poor girl with little standing, just because she's vulnerable; bullying her just because she's not used to noble etiquette yet! Tsk. Just disgusting."
He seemed to spit those last couple of words out as his face contorted into an ugly frown.
I don't know what his problem was with Lucretia, but he was obviously taking Ayla's side and making groundless claims even without any knowledge of what happened here. Just like she did.
In other words, another brainless idiot.
'Must be one of the other 「targets of interest」...'
I watched him carefully, making sure he didn't have the opportunity to lay a hand on Lucretia―If he did, then no matter if he was a side character or not, no matter if he was related in some way to the Protagonist or not, I would have to deal with him one way or another.
Regardless of the consequences, touching the Antagonist was a line I simply couldn't let be crossed.
"Sir Kran...!"
Surprisingly, however, the Protagonist cried out.
"Please, stop it... don't fight... I-I'm the one who approached them... I thought Sir Enki was being forced to do something against his will, so..."
'Hm...?'
For the briefest of moments I was impressed. I genuinely didn't expect the Protagonist to be so forthcoming and candid with what happened.
Somewhere during that short, transient time, there was an instant, I'm sure.
A feeling that the situation could be resolved amicably...
I was wrong.
"Again, Lady Tichá, you have unabashedly interrupted my and my attendant's fine schedule with your ill-mannered, disruptive nonsense. This marks the second time in one day, in fact. I am well aware of you holding a certain sense of 'dislike' for me, and that feeling is certainly mutual, I assure you, however, is it genuinely that difficult for you to separate your feelings from your actions and not lash out so abruptly and offensively? This could be addressed to the both of you disappointments, I suppose. As a word of advice from a fellow lady and a peer: If you plan to continue on as a noble in the future, it would certainly do you well to learn some proper decorum, as I have previously encouraged and will continue to should your behaviour cease to improve. Do consider my words, sincerely. That way, you might one day become suitable to hold that noble title you seem proud to represent, as presently, I do not believe it to be the case that you deserve it. Work to change my mind."
Following yet another superfluous, stern telling off that made even me hesitate―and before either the Protagonist or the other guy could respond―Lucretia threw a cursory glance at me.
"Enki. We shall make our leave."
Doing my best to quickly recover from stupor, I could only bow at her declaration.
"Yes."
As we left the academy dining hall, the music slowly faded out, signalling the「scene's」 end.