I’m Reincarnated In Otome Game?

Randy's triumphant return to the royal capital with Liz, or Elizabeth, went surprisingly smoothly.

At the checkpoint, they both braced themselves for trouble, but the guards only froze at the sight of Liz, their faces momentarily shocked, before letting them pass without a word.

"They looked like they'd just seen a ghost," Randy remarked.

"Well, rumors of my death have been circulating recently," Liz replied, scratching her cheek.

Randy could only nod in agreement. "Makes sense."

He wasn't sure why the kingdom hadn't quashed those rumors despite clearly knowing Liz was alive. But Randy wasn't particularly curious. He guessed it might have something to do with the strange circumstances of Liz's exile, but to him, it didn't matter.

The petty schemes of those selfish nobles didn't concern Randy. All that mattered were the facts: Liz had been exiled and was now temporarily allowed back into the kingdom.

"If rumors of your death were going around, you're bound to be a star when the new semester starts," Randy teased, smirking.

"Are you mocking me?" Liz puffed out her cheeks slightly, clearly annoyed.

"It's my way of cheering you up," Randy said, shrugging. He met her gaze with a playful grin. "Didn't I say I wouldn't hold back?"

"Well… yes," Liz muttered, still pouting slightly.

Seeing her sulking expression, Randy awkwardly averted his eyes to the window.

"Look, the ones who enjoy themselves win in the end, no matter the situation," he said offhandedly.

Liz, finally realizing Randy's intent was to cheer her up, straightened up and nodded. "I'll do my best."

"That's the spirit," Randy chuckled, though he added under his breath when he looked at her clenched fists, "But don't overdo it."

The carriage continued its steady journey toward the academy.

As they got close their destination, the number of carriages heading in the same direction increased. It was the day before the opening ceremony, so students returning to the dormitories had reached their peak. The sight of so many carriages seemed to made Liz nervous.

"Don't worry," Randy said, noticing her unease. "You'll only stand out at first."

Liz with her face still stiff, nodded to Randy, who had no intention of hiding his brazen attitude anymore. No matter how many reassurances were exchanged, it was a separate issue whether one could truly feel at ease.

Understanding this, Randy opened his mouth again, hoping to help Liz, even if only a little.

"You're not the only one who stands out. I'm in the spotlight too."

Realizing for the first time that she wasn't alone, Liz raised her head.

"And besides—"

"Besides?"

"People will just mumble and criticize from afar. That's all they can do. They're irrelevant to our lives in the end."

Randy snorted, and Liz instinctively nodded in agreement. Indeed, those who loved to gossip knew nothing about Liz and they can say whatever they want

"Let them say whatever they want. They'll shut up soon enough."

When Randy smirked mischievously, Liz, couldn't to help herself from pouting . "Violence is not the answer," she said.

"Of course not. The one to silence them isn't me; it's you, Liz. Remember who you are."

At Randy's furrowed brows, Liz murmured, "Who I am…"

"That's right. The daughter of the terrifying Marquis, and now one of Victor's most outstanding civil servants. You can't let the nobodies continue to run their mouths unchecked."

Randy pressed on, his tone provocative.

"You'll definitely soar once again. So shut them up with your power. Blow them away. Make them regret their actions—those fools clinging to the past."

Liz tightly pressed her lips together before nodding firmly. With slightly teary eyes, she slowly opened her mouth.

"And Randy… Randy, too. You'll soar from here as well."

Faced with Liz's earnest gaze, Randy shrugged, saying, "Not that I want to, but yeah."

"A master who falls behind their attendant is hardly impressive, after all. I'll do my best, as much as I can."

Liz nodded vigorously at Randy, who was staring out the window.

The carriage would soon arrive at the academy. Inside, where the atmosphere had lightened, Liz suddenly remembered something and spoke up.

"By the way, why did you try to keep a low profile at the academy, Randy?"

"Oh, that?"

With a wry smile, Randy turned to look out the window and began explaining, "It's not much of a reason." 

What followed was the truth about his studies abroad, caught between the intentions of the duchy and the kingdom.

In recent years, the duchy had received offers for scholarships to study at the Royal Academy in the kingdom.

Being a powerful and most advanced nation on the continent, the kingdom's Royal Academy was a dream destination for many. In the early years, the duchy enthusiastically sent its brightest sons and daughters to study there.

However, the tides shifted when the first batch of graduates returned.

The duchy had expected its brightest minds, equipped with the knowledge from the advanced kingdom, to return home. But contrary to their hopes, the graduates chose to remain in the royal capital and join the kingdom's bureaucracy.

The same happened the following year and the year after that.

Attracted by the kingdom's allure, none of the students wanted to return to the duchy. Rumors even spread that some were recruited by the kingdom for their exceptional talents.

One factor could have been that the duchy only sent the children of central nobles—who, without lands of their own, faced career issues as second or third sons. Nevertheless, the duchy was not pleased to see all of its talent siphoned off by the kingdom.

The Alexandria Kingdom wanted talents, the while duchy didn't want to lose anymore talent. Thus, Randy's study abroad program was born out pf this concern.

The idea was that a noble with a territory would likely return home.

And even if he didn't, a minor noble like him was replaceable.

　It was impossible for Randy to muster enthusiasm for a study abroad program he had been randomly chosen for based on such reasoning.

"Even if that weren't the case, it's a academy—a noble academy, no less. What is there to learn besides petty power plays? Like I'd be interested in that."

"Is that so? Then… did I do something wrong?"

Liz lowered her gaze slightly, but Randy snorted dismissively.

"Not at all."

He smiled. "Looking back, it was just a childish tantrum. If anything, I'm grateful that you made me realized that."

"A childish tantrum?" Liz tilted her head in curiosity.

"Yeah. Acting all aloof and throwing away the opportunities I was given. What else would you call it but a tantrum?"

As Randy spoke with exasperation, Liz chuckled softly. He added,

"Whatever the reason, if you have an opportunity, you've got to make the most of it."

The moment Randy declared that, the carriage came to a stop, signaling their arrival at the academy gates.

Harrison opened the carriage door, allowing sunlight to pour in. Randy stepped out first, while exuding confidence.

"May I—"

"A master offering a hand to their attendant is—"

"Perfectly fine," Randy interrupted with a grin.

Overwhelmed by his smile, Liz took his hand and stepped down from the carriage.

A ripple of murmurs swept through the surroundings, and countless eyes turned toward them. 

Under the weight of curious stares, Randy strode confidently toward the reception desk, with Liz walking half a step behind him in a manner befitting a servant.

When they reached the desk, Randy looked down at the receptionist with a smile.

"Second year, Randolph Victor, and—"

"His attendant, Elizabeth," Liz introduced herself.

At that moment, the murmurs around them turned into an uproar. Whispers of "She's really alive?" and "Who on earth is that?" echoed across the crowd.

The receptionist, startled, seemed to recognize Elizabeth and hastily began flipping through the documents.

"L-Lord Randolph…"

The stares burning into their backs and the unsolicited chatter reached their ears, but Randy's composed smile blew it all away.

"Looking forward to the second semester," he said smoothly to the receptionist.

"Y-Yes, of course," she stammered, nodding timidly under his powerful presence.

From a distance, various eyes observed the scene.

"Whaaat? Why is she here?"

"Elizabeth von Blauvelt… I won't let her lay a finger on Cathy."

"Could it really be… Liz…?"

Thus began their chaotic academy life.