After Richard apologized to Max, despite how much the others protested, he left the academy with Amelia on his side.
About his fan club, then Richard had no idea when and why this group formed when he hadn't done anything notable in the academy to gain himself some little fans. The most astonishing part was the fact that some of those members were from the second and third years.
Richard didn't approach them just yet and decided to talk about their activities tomorrow. Just like today, if they interfered in the future, it might become a hindrance, so it was better to get rid of them when he could.
"The rate of female attraction has elevated after your return. Must be the mature aura you now possess." Amelia commented; her voice laced with slight frustration as she saw several students(female) glancing at him as they walked.
Richard's face has turned a little more chiseled after he spent months in Endless Hold. The remaining baby fat from his face completely disappeared and the new short hair he had gave him a serious and hot look. His body, just a little, has bulked up as well.
"Trust me, I never seek attention. The moment I stepped into this academy, my second priority was to remain low-key." Richard spoke and ended his sentence with a sigh.
Amelia raised a brow, "And what was the primary?"
Richard held her hand gently before whispering, "Spending time with you."
A thin smile elevated her lips before she could even resist it.
How much she tried, she couldn't stay upset with him for long.
Not only their hands but also their arms were soon interlocked as they stepped out of the school building and approached the entrance of the academy when suddenly someone ran to stand before them.
"Rose?" Richard asked as he saw a dishevelled pink-haired girl standing before them while breathing unsteadily.
Her bountiful bust was going up and down with each breath, as she barely remained standing on her weak legs.
"What happened to your hair?" Amelia asked, seeing the girl's face barely visible behind the curtains of pink.
Rose first calmed her breathing rate as she responded, "S-Someone...asked me for...my hair clip..."
Amelia heaved a sigh before she stepped forward and stood behind the girl, taking her hair in her hold and arranging Rose's hair gently.
Rose purred in delight, feeling the fresh air finally hitting her face, and also with delight, there was slight shyness being seen like this.
"You two seem pretty close," Richard commented.
"She sometimes swings by the Council Office. Got to know her recently. The clumsy book lover." The last bit made Rose hide her face with her hair, only for Amelia to slap her hand, and the girl instantly released her hair.
Richard chuckled seeing the two. Amelia was like her elder sister, braiding her hair and chiding Rose for her behaviour.
"Then....what did you need, Rose?" Richard asked.
Rose suddenly seemed to have remembered what she had come for as she hurriedly responded, "The President! She said we should study together for the competition."
Richard hummed a bit as he cupped his chin. Indeed, it would be best to study together since, if Richard participates, he would be the replacement for Rose. Then the focus of his study session should be aligned with Rose's.
"Got it...if you are okay then wait for me in the morning so we could get some hours of study in the morning before classes."
Amelia suggested, "Rose can come over to the mansion if that's all right with you, Richard."
Richard raised his brows and Rose looked flustered.
"I don't have any problem but I don't think Rose will come with us."
Rose shyly spoke, "Y-Yes...it would be bad for me to leave the academy."
Amelia shrugged, "Up to you then. I just thought that since there are still two hours before curfew, you can come along. After all, Rose wakes up late, no?"
Rose was flustered even more as she nodded in assent, "I-I have a problem waking up early."
Richard heaved a sigh, "Then come with us? I will send someone to drop you back at the academy gate."
Rose slowly nodded, "Okay...sorry for the intrusion."
Richard smiled, "You aren't intruding. This is for the contest."
Soon after Amelia neatly tied her hair in a bun, the trio left the Academy and headed toward his mansion situated not much far away.
"Welcome home, master." There, five maids awaited them, and all of them bowed in unison upon seeing Richard.
Richard nodded as he stepped inside and allowed Lilia to take off his blazer. While he was doing so, he asked, "When did she arrive?" His question was directed at Jasmine's presence in the mansion.
Lilia informed, "In the afternoon. She was restlessly trying to go into your room but I prohibited her."
Lilia's tone suggested how tired she was because of Jasmine's endless antics.
Richard was feeling bad for Lilia so he assured her, "I will talk to her, don't worry."
Lilia nodded, before she asked, "Will the young lady stay for dinner?"
Richard nodded before he asked, "Where is Bella?"
Lilia looked troubled, "She is on the...rooftop. She spends most of her time there."
Richard heaved a sigh. He has sensed the growing distance between himself and Bella recently. After a few days, they spent the mansion back in Dukedom, after coming here, Bella has become a little unusual. She mostly spends time alone and only comes to meet him during breakfast or on a walk.
Was she missing the old world—he wondered.
"I will talk to her after dinner," Richard told her before he returned to the duo who were already sitting in the reception.
Violet was standing nearby, ready to serve tea. Richard asked her, "Are you fine now? No dizziness right?"
A few days ago, Richard went berserk when he was attacked by that clone, and Violet got severely attacked by his flames. Although she was healed a week ago, she was told by Richard to rest as much as possible and slowly get back to her working schedule.
"I am fine now, Master. Thank you for your concern." Strangely, the frost around her hasn't reduced. She was stern and unreadable as ever.
"Tomorrow, I am taking her to the Academy. I have already talked to someone who can recruit her."
Richard was informed that Amelia had talked to the chef of the Academy regarding Violet. If Violet can impress the chef, then she will get herself a job as a cook. If she could get some experience there, she can pursue the life of a chef in the future.
"Okay I will-"
"Master," Suddenly, Violet interjected, which was surely unusual.
Richard turned towards her and urged her to continue.
"I-I don't want to change my job, master."
Her words urged Richard to encourage her, "If you are worried about your parents, then you don't need to worry. I have already-"
"No, it's not like that!"
"Violet," Lilia warned the blue-haired, given she interrupted Richard twice now.
However, Richard gestured toward the brunette to not say anything here. It was very rare for Violet to show emotions, and Richard didn't want to restrict her words once again.
"Go on, tell me what you want to do." He encouraged.
Violet, with her eyes drawn to the ground and fist clenched, spoke, "After I witnessed how much young master cares for me....respects me...I believe I can never be myself if I leave my job. I have a hobby of cooking new dishes, inventing them...bringing innovation. However, it's a fact that I only feel content while cooking when..."
Her tear-filled eyes lifted as she looked at Richard with a soft smile and uttered, "...when I am cooking for my master."
A brief pause followed before Violet added, "So please...let me serve you, my lord. I can only feel the worth of my life while I am serving you."
The mansion was enshrouded in silence after that. It could be seen from Violette's demeanour that she was determined to serve Richard. Her devotion towards him suddenly surfaced, and Richard couldn't think of a reason.
However, denying the girl what she desired would be heartless of him. This was no longer about the debt her parents took from the Scarlette family which the girl was trying to repay.
Violet genuinely wanted to show her usefulness by being on his side.
Richard heaved a sigh before he placed a hand on her head gently.
As Violet looked up, she heard him saying, "If you show that adorable smile once in a while, then surely I can let you serve me as long as you desire."
Fighting the blush that threatened to bloom on her face, Violet nodded, "I will try my best, my lord."
Once seated with the other two, Amelia couldn't help but compliment, "Not only among students, you got yourself maids fawning over you as well."
Richard grinned, "Well, blame it on the irresistible charm that only I, Scarlette Richard, could possess."
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A/N:- Harem of a hundred girls!!