Even on Catherine's face, her perfect, polite smile showed a minute trace of stiffness.
A flicker of surprise flashed deep within her aquamarine eyes.
Why would Vivian Kahn take the initiative to refuse on behalf of Greg Sass?
This completely contradicted her calculations.
Despite the growing doubts in her heart, Catherine maintained a proper, calm exterior. She didn't show any sign of being offended or displeased; she simply tilted her head slightly, looking at Vivian with just the right amount of confusion and respect as she inquired softly:
"Princess Vivian, if I may be so bold... might I ask the reason you are refusing for him?"
Her tone remained respectful and polite, yet she threw the question directly back at Vivian. It was also a subtle probe—she wanted to know by what right or position Vivian was making this decision for him.
Vivian's ice-blue eyes met Catherine's calmly as she replied, "Because he is currently a Disciplinary Committee member of the Student Council. At this time, he needs to report to the council and begin preparing for today's duties. If you have other matters to discuss with him, you may make other arrangements after his work for the Student Council is complete."
Her reasoning sounded sufficient and legitimate.
It explained her standing to refuse on his behalf and provided a polite out by suggesting 'other arrangements.' On the surface, it was beyond reproach.
Greg listened from the side, his lips twitching imperceptibly.
"Right... so she just doesn't want her own workhorse to be led away by another capitalist during working hours..."
The unrealistic fantasy that had just begun to bubble up within him popped instantly. He mocked himself inwardly, though he was secretly relieved to have escaped Catherine's invitation for the time being.
The surrounding students, who had been listening intently to the interaction between these three prominent figures, fell into a brief, collective silence upon hearing Vivian's words.
Then, a chaotic mix of disbelief, absurdity, and even comical expressions broke out across their faces like a spilled palette of paint.
"W-What?! Did I hear that right? Greg Sass is... a Disciplinary Committee member?!"
"He's a Disciplinary Committee member? Did I not wake up properly, or is there something wrong with the world?"
"You're letting Greg Sass—the guy who used to lead the pack in breaking school rules—manage discipline?! This is more ridiculous than the Demon King Cult announcing they're converting to the Goddess of Light tomorrow!"
"I'm a little worried about the academy's future atmosphere... He wouldn't abuse his power to pass some rule like 'girls' skirts must be at least twenty centimeters above the knee' and 'violators must be personally measured by a Disciplinary Committee member,' would he?"
"Hey! that last part is totally your own delusion! But... it doesn't seem completely impossible?"
Whispers surged again like a tide, every face written with shock and incredulity.
When Catherine heard the title 'Disciplinary Committee member,' her aquamarine eyes narrowed slightly, reflecting a flash of genuine surprise.
This appointment had been completely absent from any of her previous intelligence.
This meant the decision had been made suddenly within the last day or two.
And those with the power to make such an unconventional and absurd appointment within Glory Cael Academy were few and far between.
Either it was Vivian Kahn herself, who, as the Student Council President, held certain personnel powers.
But based on Catherine's understanding of Vivian, she would never voluntarily recruit such a stained individual into her ranks, especially into a sensitive department responsible for managing discipline.
Thus, the only other logical explanation was direct intervention or instruction from the academy's higher-ups.
This realization made Catherine's heart sink slightly.
If Greg truly had some high-ranking figure from the academy backing him, then things were far more complicated than she had anticipated.
This meant that the difficulty and the price she would have to pay to reach an agreement with Greg would likely increase exponentially.
He was no longer just a fallen former noble who could be handled with simple interests or threats; she now had to carefully consider how to play a game of chess against a man shrouded in secrets.
While Catherine's mind rapidly weighed this sudden variable and re-evaluated her future strategies, Vivian did not give her any more time to linger.
Having finished her explanation, she stopped looking at Catherine and ignored the increasingly noisy chatter around them.
With an almost indifferent air, she gave her waterfall-like, lake-blue hair a light toss, the strands cutting a sharp arc through the air. Then, she stepped forward, walking straight past Catherine without a second glance.
Her stride was steady and her posture composed, as if the entire conversation and the surrounding clamor were nothing more than insignificant background noise.
Greg blinked, watching Vivian's retreating back as she left without hesitation. He glanced at Catherine standing there, then at the growing crowd, and immediately chose to follow his temporary superior.
He quickly caught up to Vivian's side, hesitated for a moment, and then whispered in a volume only the two of them could hear, "Um... about just now, thanks."
He was referring to her blocking Catherine's invitation for him.
Regardless of her reasons, she had objectively helped him out of a tight spot.
Vivian didn't stop, nor did she even turn her head. She merely swept a cold glance toward Greg from the corner of her eye.
"There is no need to thank me."
Vivian's voice was even colder than her gaze, carrying a businesslike detachment and a faint, nearly imperceptible trace of... irritation?
"But please remember, Greg Sass. You are now a Disciplinary Committee member of the Student Council. I do not wish to see you affecting the normal operation and reputation of the Student Council as a whole due to private disputes with other women."
Having said that, she seemed to have no desire to speak further with him. Her pace quickened noticeably, and within a few steps, she had left Greg half a body length behind, leaving him with only the sight of her straight, distant blue back.
Greg rubbed his chin, looking at Vivian's back, which seemed even stiffer and colder than before, and fell into thought.
That tone... why does she sound a bit unhappy?
When she refused Catherine for me just now, her tone was cold but relatively calm.
Why does it feel like her mood suddenly soured?
"Could it really be because she's jealous?"
The absurd thought crossed Greg's mind again, but he immediately dismissed it.
No, impossible.
I'm definitely overthinking it.
She probably just finds me troublesome—a potential troublemaker—so she's giving me an early warning. After all, Catherine isn't someone to be trifled with, and being associated with me could indeed bring unpredictable trouble to the Student Council... Yes, that must be it.
"Tsk, if I'd known, I wouldn't have spent all my time in my past life just playing Galgames. I should have made time for a real campus romance! At least then I wouldn't be so completely unable to guess what's going on in this princess's head..."
Ultimately, Greg could only shake his head helplessly, tossing the messy thoughts aside as he quickened his pace to obediently follow the princess ahead.
Rate on N.U.
