Tilea's Worries

Miles Vincent was deep in thought.

It was unbelievable. Even now, it felt like a dream.

When he had a falling out with Girotina, he had braced himself for the worst. After all, he had defied the heir of the Montesquieu family. The funding was certain to be cut off. With that, the Vincent family, already burdened with massive debt, would surely face bankruptcy.

The noble title would be stripped away, and attending school would be out of the question. Even feeding themselves would become difficult. He might even have to sell his body just to survive.

He couldn't bear the thought. He didn’t want to live at the cost of losing his noble pride. He had resolved to end it all with his family...he was that desperate...

But when he opened his eyes, he found that their debt had vanished. The Anasie family had extended a helping hand.

The Anasie family negotiated with the creditors—at times even involving the royal family. Apparently, it was an unfair contract that had taken advantage of his kind-hearted father, and most of the debt was declared null and void. As for the remaining debt, the Anasie family took it on without requiring any collateral.

No matter how much he bowed his head, it wouldn't be enough to express his gratitude to Anasie-senpai.

Now that he thought about it, he hadn't even had the chance to properly thank them in the midst of all the chaos. He should express his gratitude properly once more.

Anasie-senpai was walking to Timu-chan's right, carrying her bag. He looked almost like Timu-chan's squire. Who would believe that the eldest son of the Anasie family, who could even move the royal family, was acting as a bag carrier for a commoner like Timu-chan?

Was Anasie-senpai just that magnanimous, or was Timu-chan’s influence immeasurable...?

It must be both.

Miles ran up to Anasie-senpai.

"Anasie-senpai, thank you so much. I never imagined the Anasie family would pay off our entire debt."

"Miles-kun, I told you before, there’s no need to thank me. I didn’t do much."

Anasie-senpai waved his hand dismissively, as if it was no big deal.

"That’s not true. I know how much effort you put into helping us. You risked your own family’s stability to save the Vincent family. And it wasn’t just the debt—you even secured us a higher title... I was ready to give up on life entirely."

"Miles-kun, enough about that. All I did was correct the egregious interest rates imposed by the Girotina family. Even the royal family agreed that it was only right that your father, an honest man, should be granted a higher title."

"Thank you so much. I never dreamed I’d be able to return to school."

Tears welled up in Miles’s eyes. Many had sympathized with his honest father, but no one had gone this far. No one wanted to challenge the great nobles like Elizabeth’s faction.

"After everything you’ve done for us... What can I do to repay you, Anasie-senpai?"

"Nothing. You don’t need to repay me."

Anasie-senpai’s tone was almost annoyed. He was clearly signaling that he didn’t want his time with Timu-chan interrupted any further.

"But... but..."

"Miles-kun, I understand you’re grateful. But you’re thanking the wrong person. I didn’t act out of some noble sense of justice because the Vincent family was treated unfairly."

"What do you mean?"

"I’m not so charitable that I’d help someone out of the goodness of my heart."

Anasie-senpai explained calmly.

He wasn’t saying it out of modesty or to hide his embarrassment; he was being truthful.

Indeed, there was no reason for the Anasie family, with no prior connection to the Vincents, to offer support. Nobles don’t act out of sentimentality, especially not to the extent of risking their wealth. Why had they gone so far as to save the Vincent family?

Were they planning to control the Vincent family through money in place of Girotina?

Or... was he after my body?

If Anasie-senpai’s kindness had been calculated from the start...

That’s terrible.

Miles gave Anasie-senpai a look of disdain.

"Ah, I see you’re getting the wrong idea. That’s not it. The reason I helped your family is because it was an order from Camilla-sama."

"What!?"

"Miles-kun, you should be thanking Camilla-sama. Without her command, I wouldn’t have gone this far."

"So, my family was saved thanks to Camilla-sama?"

"Of course. There’s no other reason for me to act."

Anasie-senpai spoke as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Just because he worshipped Timu-chan...

It must have cost millions of gold to save my family. Even for the Anasie family, a count’s household, it must have been a significant blow. And they even defied a powerful noble family like Girotina. The risk was enormous. They could have lost everything.

"This is a joke, right? What’s the real reason?"

"Miles-kun, do you really want to make me angry? It’s highly insulting to suggest I would joke about Camilla-sama!"

Anasie-senpai’s voice grew fierce. Usually so calm, he was now visibly agitated, almost spitting as he spoke.

Th-this is serious. He really did this because of Timu-chan.

So the real benefactor is Timu-chan?

Miles looked at Timu-chan.

Timu-chan walked on, looking bored.

"Uh... Camilla-sama saved me?"

"Indeed. Miles, you are my puppet. I will not allow you to leave the academy without my permission."

"Oh... Thank you, Camilla-sama."

Timu-chan gave the order, and Anasie-senpai spent millions of gold like it was nothing...

Timu-chan accepted Anasie-senpai’s excessive devotion as if it were completely natural. It was as if she expected people to offer up their family fortunes at her word. There wasn’t even a hint of hesitation.

A commoner commanding a count’s household as if it were nothing... could that really be possible?

Looking at Timu-chan, Miles couldn’t help but think it might be.

Ever since Timu-chan transferred in, my understanding of the world has been turned upside down.

"So, the elevation of our family’s title is also thanks to Camilla-sama?"

"Indeed. Was it a baronetcy? The ‘baron’ part sounds better without the ‘baronet’ attached. I don’t care about human titles, but it wouldn’t do for my puppet to have a name with an unpleasant ring to it."

What!? What!? I thought my father’s character was the reason our title was elevated?

It’s because the title didn’t sound good... Timu-chan’s feelings took precedence?

"This must be a joke, right?"

"It’s no joke. I like the sound of Baron Vincent. It’s a good name. So this will do."

"Yes. Everything is as Camilla-sama wishes."

Anasie-senpai immediately echoed Timu-chan’s words.

Normally, titles are granted by the royal family to those who have earned merit—but, you know what? Never mind. It seems silly to worry about this now.

"By the way, Anasie, is your family a count?"

"Yes. If it pleases you, I can have it reduced to a barony."

"Do that. Baron Anasie. That has a nice ring to it. I like it better than count."

"Understood."

"W-wait, Anasie-senpai, you’re joking, right? You wouldn’t actually get demoted..."

"Miles-kun, I’m serious. If lowering my rank will please Camilla-sama, I’d do it even if I had to kill my parents."

...A-Anasie-senpai...

This goes beyond just being a man who spoils a wicked woman.