“Love… consultant?”
The princess asked with a puzzled look.
It was definitely an unfamiliar term to her.
Back on Earth, where I used to live, there were plenty of professional consultants for dating and marriage, but in this world, such occupations barely existed, so it was understandable that she didn’t quite get it.
At most, they might have matchmakers.
“Yes. A love consultant. To put it simply, think of me as a kind of butler who helps with your love life.”
“Hah, do you really think we’d need something like that? I’m confident I can handle things just fine on my own.”
“Then was it really necessary for someone like that to come to me asking for information and favors because she couldn’t even strike up a conversation?”
My direct hit to the gut seemed to strike a chord in all three women, as they each turned their heads and pretended not to know anything.
“And besides, none of you have ever actually been in a relationship, have you?”
“And what about you?”
“…I’ve been on a few dates, at least.”
Although it was in a different dimension.
I was in the 3D world, and she had been trapped in 2D.
“That’s strange… I never came across that bit of information…”
“Now, now, whether I’ve dated or not isn’t what matters here. The important thing is that I’m here to support all of you, both mentally and practically.”
“Then are you saying that you’ll choose one woman here and help only her?”
At the saintess’s words, the other two women glared with expressions that clearly said, “If he doesn’t choose me, he must have a death wish,” which sent chills down my spine.
Even if I were to declare that one of them was worthy to become Pollo’s lover, I’d probably find myself diving into the distant sea the next day. Permanently.
“The ones who asked for my help were the three of you, and all three of you wish to end up with one man. So I have no room to make a choice. On top of that, each of you is considered one of the best brides in the Empire. I can’t make a decision so easily.”
“So what are you suggesting, then?”
“That’s why I want to offer all of you a fair opportunity.”
I took out the three stacks of paper I had prepared in advance.
“What’s that?”
“These are information files I’ve compiled on Pollo. From his height and weight to his favorite foods, hobbies, and future dreams. I even noted down the general type of women featured in the secret sexy photo album he’s hidden.”
Flash—!
The moment I mentioned the documents contained information on Pollo, the women’s gazes shifted dramatically.
It looked like they might pounce and snatch the documents at any second, so I quickly hid them behind my back and continued with my proposal.
“However, all the information is identical, and I’ll be distributing it equally among the three of you. I do plan to charge a basic fee, of course.”
“All of it is the same? Then how are we supposed to compete?”
“Yes. That’s exactly the point I’m aiming for.”
Perhaps she didn’t understand the intention behind my actions, as the princess frowned slightly.
“In the end, I’m the one who knows Pollo best, and since I can’t refuse a request or rather an order from the three of you, I’ll have to give it to you. But if I were to choose just one of you here, I think my life at the academy would become pretty difficult.”
“…I wouldn’t do something so underhanded.”
Our princess, who had the kind of personality that insisted on getting whatever she wanted, seemed to be struck by something, as her words trailed off.
If I hadn’t chosen the princess, I would’ve instantly become the academy outcast.
“That’s why I’d rather give you all an equal opportunity. Based on the information I’ve provided, each of you can come up with your own plan to get closer to Pollo.”
“Explain in more detail.”
Nod—
“In the end, what matters is how Pollo feels, but everyone should at least have the chance to try. Only by trying can you accept the outcome. So, using this information, you each think of how to present yourselves in the most attractive way and show that to Pollo.”
“What if Brother Pollo expresses a firm refusal?”
“He’s soft-hearted and shy, so he won’t be able to flatly reject someone who approaches him. Besides, I plan to give him a little nudge and suggest he go on a few lighthearted dates to figure out how he feels.”
Just providing information wasn’t the end of my job as a love consultant.
Since I was his close friend and he listened to me clearly, he would probably follow my advice if I encouraged him to talk more with the girls and go on dates.
“I also plan to give you advice from various angles. Like how to better appeal to Pollo and how to close the distance between you. As your relationships with him deepen, I’ll encourage him to go on dates with each of you equally. And as you continue your connections with Pollo through my help and cooperation, he’ll eventually make a choice. While polygamy isn’t off the table, I’ve heard from Pollo himself that he wants to love only one person.”
That was something Pollo had told me directly.
It seemed that Pollo had been heavily influenced by his father, the Count, who had been a romantic at heart and had taken only the Countess as his wife.
“I figured that, given your personalities, you’d hate the idea of sharing an ideal man like Pollo with anyone else.”
“That’s right. I want a man who’ll be my one and only partner. Not some lightweight nobleman who goes around kissing women and then brings those lips to me.”
“But how did you know we had that kind of personality?”
“…I got a general sense from our conversation yesterday.”
I couldn’t exactly say I’d figured it out by checking the heroines’ status windows in the game.
“At that point, the remaining two of you should be able to understand. Even trying to crush things with power would be difficult. After all, the kind of person Pollo hates the most is someone who throws their weight around.”
“Hearing the explanation, it doesn’t sound like a bad proposal. I’m confident I’ll be the one he chooses.”
“You certainly seem that way.”
“So, what is it that you want?”
Realizing that I must have had something to gain from making such a proposal, the princess asked me directly.
“It’s simple. Money.”
“Money?”
“What a greedy human you are…”
“Are you really fine with just money?”
“You can think whatever you like about me, but I basically believe that any transaction should involve give and take. For personal reasons, I need money. And all of you need information. Buying information with money…it’s simple and perfectly logical, isn’t it?”
Sure, asking for money might have sounded a bit materialistic, but I had my own reasons.
Besides, with those three, money was something they had in abundance. Supporting one unfortunate noble wouldn’t be much of an expense. It was barely a drop in the bucket for them.
If I could save up little by little from this love consultant business and put it toward the estate, it would surely help improve our household finances quite a bit.
And I could also start saving up for my future marriage fund while I was at it.
“If you want to back out, you’re welcome to. After all, the ones in need right now are you, not me. For the record, our Lady Eus even offered me a proper reward before I could bring it up myself. Truly, a shining example of what a noble should be.”
“H-Huh? Ah, that’s right! I’m the one making the request here. Even if I have to bow my head to the son of a humble baron’s house, it’s only right to offer compensation for a favor!”
When she had faced me before, Lady Eus had promised to reward me, and now that the situation had tipped even slightly in her favor, she seemed more than pleased, flashing a broad smile.
“Haa… Fine. Since I’m the one asking for the favor, I suppose it makes sense that I should be the one to consider such things.”
“To think we’re buying and selling the ties of fate with money… Hah, but just this once, I suppose there’s no helping it.”
In the end, perhaps realizing the reality of the situation, the princess and the saintess also expressed their willingness to agree to the contract.
“I do like how quickly we’ve come to a compromise. Now then, all that’s left is for you to sign the Geass right here.”
“The Geass? You’ve really gone all in, haven’t you?”
Since this world included magic, there also existed magical contracts. One of which was known as the “Geass”.
Unlike ordinary written contracts, a Geass was formed based on the subject’s mana. If the agreed-upon terms were violated, the contract would inflict tremendous pain, or in severe cases, even death.
It was terrifying, sure, but as long as the contract was honored, there wouldn’t be any issues. In fact, thanks to its effectiveness, it was considered essential in high-stakes deals.
Incidentally, this particular contract had completely drained my secret stash of money…
“Well, it’s a major contract with people of high status. Frankly, if your romantic relationships work out and you decide to turn your backs on me, someone like me….a baron’s son would be powerless to stop you, wouldn’t I?”
“What do you take this princess for… Tch. Do we look like we’re going to devour you or something?”
“……”
“Why the silence?”
“Well then, that concludes what I have to say. If you agree to the contract, simply place your hand on the Geass and let your mana flow into it.”
The three women hesitated for a moment, but perhaps because of the hope that this contract would connect them to Pollo, they soon placed their hands on the Geass and infused it with their mana.
The Geass, having received mana from both them and me, began to glow briefly before fading away. A mark indicating the Geass had been activated appeared on the backs of our hands, then vanished.
“With that, our contract is complete. Here is the information on Pollo.”
When I handed out the documents I had kept hidden, the heroines clutched them tightly as if they were family heirlooms.
Are handsome men so popular that even just having information about them is this valuable?
It can’t even be compared to the worthlessness of my own information. Which was less than that of a fly on the roadside.
“Starting tomorrow, I’ll casually ask Pollo about his thoughts on romance and pass his responses along to you. If he isn’t interested in romance, I’ll try to make him interested. I’ll provide shared updates about Pollo to all three of you once a week. For those who paid extra, I can also provide additional information.”
At my words, the heroines looked at me like I was a penny-pinching miser, but none of them objected.
What can I say? If you’re not good-looking, you’d better at least be rich.
And with that, I took my first glorious step as a love consultant.
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