It felt like a sharp, unexpected question had hit me straight on my face.
I thought Lionel would tease me as usual… but I didn’t expect him to directly ask about the reason for our engagement.
“W-Well, it’s because we’re in a romantic relationship……”
“Say something that makes sense. How long have you even known the Young Duke? You even told me before, there was nothing going on between you two.”
“……”
“And now, all of a sudden, without any warning, you’re dating and engaged? Isn’t it only natural to feel like there’s something going on behind the scenes?”
Lionel’s suspicions were valid. Since we were close, he would feel that way even more.
But I…… couldn’t tell him the truth.
‘It was in the contract.’
Ludger and I had sworn to keep our engagement’s true nature a secret. No one could know it was a mere agreement.
Of course, I could ask Lionel to keep quiet and tell him the truth. He’s not the type to betray a secret once told.
But that would… feel like a betrayal of trust.
Though I don’t fully trust Ludger yet, I want him to keep his word.
I hope he would honor our promise and would not go down the wrong path. I wanted to believe that we were both committed to ensure this world can have a happy ending.
If I demand trust from the other person, I too have the duty to keep my own trust.
I’m a worthless knight with no chivalry, only concerned with my own safety, but there was still a tiny bit of honor left in me.
So, I carefully spoke, choosing words that wouldn’t breach the contract.
“…I understand that you were surprised by the sudden engagement. Sorry for not telling you beforehand.”
“……”
“Actually… it was me who liked him first.”
As the words left my mouth, embarrassment washed over me, and I couldn’t help but bury my face in my hands and lower my head deeply
“The reason I acted tough in front of you before… was partly because I felt guilty for my feelings……”
“……”
“I honestly thought it would end like that. But then, it turns out the Young Duke felt the same way toward me…..”
My voice trembled. Was I really fooling him? Being so clumsy at love, wouldn’t Lionel see right through my awkward lie?
His silence made me even more anxious. As I nervously licked my dry lips, Lionel finally asked, slowly.
“…When did that happen?”
“Well, I was invited to a tea party. By the Second Prince.”
“Mm-hmm.”
“After meeting at the party, we were walking back together… I guess you could say…. ahem, I was confessed to.”
Huu, my heart raced as I fabricated more of the story. I could feel cold sweat forming.
“Even if we say you started dating like that, isn’t it too soon for an engagement?”
“There’s a bit of a situation. The biggest reason involves the Young Duke… but it’s difficult to explain to you.”
“Okay.”
“…Besides that, the Young Duke also said he didn’t want me to be misunderstood, so it’s better to make our relationship official.”
This part wasn’t entirely false. Ludger had suggested the engagement as a way to protect my reputation.
When a commoner dates a high-ranking noble, they’re usually subjected to dirty looks, assuming the other party is just a mistress.
He didn’t want his lover to be treated like that, so that was another reason for the quick engagement.
‘It’s better to….. not talk about my personal matters.’
Lionel was quick to catch on. If I gave him any more hints, he might figure out that the engagement was a contract.
Not to mention, the shameful history of my family’s corruption….. was something I didn’t want to ever discuss.
If possible, I never wanted to mention it for the rest of my life.
I slowly lifted my head and stared at Lionel. My cheeks still burned. Maybe the dim lighting in the café would hide how red my face really was.
“So you’re saying it’s what you really want.”
“…I told you that from the start.”
Of course, it wasn’t because we were lovers or because of love or anything like that.
But, at least, there was no pressure for this engagement. And this engagement was something I had chosen, for better or worse.
Lionel softened his somewhat cold expression and gave a faint smile.
“You really do like him. The Young Duke.”
It wasn’t teasing. Just a simple, straightforward statement.
But the truth was different. Ludger and my relationship was nothing but a web of lies.
Maybe that’s why agreeing with those words felt incredibly difficult.
I struggled to part my lips and answer.
“… Yeah.”
“……”
“Basically, it’s something like that… so please leave it at that. I’m really embarrassed since I’m saying things I don’t usually say……”
“Our Clara, are you shy for getting a lover before your Big Brother~?”
“Don’t pretend as if you’re really my brother!”
Lionel chuckled and teased me like usual. Matching his tone, I replied and felt a wave of relief.
Lionel, my friend.
He was always by my side with the same warmth.
“Hey, still, I was a bit hurt. I had to hear such important news first from Sir Billy mouth?”
“No, I had my own reasons. Originally, I planned to tell you first, and then inform the other subordinate knights one by one.”
“So what happened?”
“This morning, I was caught on my way to work in the Young Duke’s carriage……”
“…Hmph. You really get along well with your lover.”
“Enough of that. If you tease me more, I’ll throw my drink at you.”
“Okay, okay, I’ll stop.”
Just in time, the food we ordered arrived. I cheerfully said,
“Alright, let’s eat. Since your Big Sister is treating you today, you can eat as much as you want.”
“Sure, but don’t forget, you’ve got an engagement ceremony coming up. Better watch that waistline if you want to fit into your dress.”
“It’s okay. A knight’s meals go straight to the muscles.”
“Oh my..…”
We bantered on about nothing important, and before we knew it, the night had grown late.
Even though I said it was okay, Lionel said there was still time until the paid carriage arrived and insisted to see me off.
He walked me home, staying by my side until we reached my street.
“Well then, go and rest.”
“You’re the one who should hurry and rest. My stamina is way better than yours.”
“Hey, Clara.”
Just as I finished saying goodbye and was about to turn away, Lionel called out in a firm voice.
“Huh?”
“Remember that I’m always your friend. So if… if you’re going through something tough, feel free to talk to me.”
“…You’re so cheesy.”
“I’m serious.”
I nodded at him and smiled.
Yeah, Lionel was truly a precious friend.
There were times when I was distant and awkward when I first joined this knight order, but truly, in that chaotic place where there was no one to trust, I endured it because Lionel helped me open up.
It was also thanks to Lionel that my heart, which had been filled with pain because of Gustav and found it hard to trust my comrades, changed.
“Same goes for you, okay? If you ever need help, your Big Sister will be here.”
“Though this Big Brother probably won’t have such a thing, alright. Go inside.”
“Yeah, see you tomorrow.”
As I climbed the stairs to my apartment, I glanced back through the window on the second floor landing.
Lionel was still standing there. His figure seemed lonely under the streetlights, but maybe that was just my imagination.
I gave him a small wave, though he wasn’t looking my way, and headed inside.
* * *
The next day, I apologized to Lan and Billy for leaving them to work overtime and left early. I had no choice, since my boss, Commander Geloic, had summoned me.
Before heading to the Royal Palace, I stopped by home to change into clean clothes, and then I found a letter waiting for me. It was a letter sent by that damn crazy blood relative who brings nothing but bad luck.
‘It’s probably about the lawsuit, as expected.’
Just to be sure, I checked the contents, and sure enough, there was nothing but a warning from Count Rudelman to back down before the lawsuit even starts. Nothing new.
‘Did Gustav not tell him about Ludger and my engagement?’
I was really confused because I couldn’t understand that guy’s true intentions.
Maybe because the Sapphire Knights were busy and didn’t have time, he hadn’t come to pick a fight so far but…
I really wish he’d just give up now. But every time I held that hope, that guy would pull some strange stunt, so letting my guard down was out of the question.
Gathering my resolve, I left the house.
Since it didn’t seem work-related, I took a carriage instead of a horse to the Royal Palace.
I could have walked if I wanted to, but since I was told to come after work, if I went slowly, I felt like I’d get scolded somehow.
After arriving, I went toward the building where the Diamond Knights’ headquarters was and said I was here to see Commander Geloic, but unexpectedly, I was guided somewhere else.
It was the Glass Palace in the center of the Royal Palace.
The Glass Palace wasn’t part of any specific palace but was mainly used to receive guests. True to its name, it featured a glass greenhouse garden and an artificial waterfall, showcasing the height of luxury.
I had only heard rumors about this place, but I never thought I’d actually come here.
More importantly, doesn’t it require royal permission to use this place? Why did Commander Geloic call me here?
Feeling uneasy, as if I had been called to a place that didn’t suit me, I sat restlessly. Then, a figure appeared from the other side.
My eyes widened in shock at the sight of the unexpected visitor.
