~Chapter 10~
“Sir Harbor, today’s the day.”
“Yes, Lady Amelie.”
Sir Harbor answered me with a heavy, serious voice.
“You prepared the item well, right?”
“I hid it in a safe place.”
“Good.”
If anyone overheard, they’d think we were plotting some black-market deal.
But our plan was just as important. Tonight, at the “Night of Duels,” Harbor’s one-sided love was finally going to end.
“Everything is perfect.”
I could say that confidently, thanks to what happened yesterday—because Claire herself had shown her feelings so clearly.
— “Lady Amelie… Don’t you like Sir Harbor?”
— “Do you mean like, romantically?”
— “Ah, yes. Romantically…”
Thinking back on my talk with Claire yesterday made me grin again.
She must have seen me hanging around Harbor lately and misunderstood, thinking I liked him.
I denied it right away, and the relief on her face was instant—her smile melting across her face.
‘What else could that mean?’
No doubt, that was jealousy and love.
Now that I had confirmed both of their feelings, the only thing left was timing the confession.
“During the fireworks at the after-party festival—you call Claire over, give her the gift, and then… you know.”
Fireworks at night—could there be a better push toward romance?
With a bit of alcohol in them, under the glowing lights, with their faces half-shadowed—it was the perfect stage.
Sure, history could be made in the daytime. But evening confessions were unbeatable.
“Giving the gift is fine, but… honestly, I don’t think I can confess.”
Unlike me, who had already simulated the scene in my head, Harbor still lacked courage.
I knew Claire’s heart, so I wasn’t worried. But from his side, not knowing her feelings at all, I could understand.
“Sir Harbor, there’s a saying: love has its time. Tonight is rare. If you miss it, maybe someone else will take the chance and Claire could end up with them instead.”
I lowered my voice, steady and calm, to strike fear in him.
It worked—his shoulders twitched sharply.
“Of course, you can just stay as you are now—good comrades, nothing more. But can you accept losing a wonderful woman like Sir Claire?”
“…I’d regret it.”
“Then don’t hesitate.”
“…Yes. I’ll try.”
After one deep breath, his eyes looked different—steady, determined.
“Thank you for giving me courage. I’ll keep my resolve.”
“Now that’s the Sir Harbor I know.”
A truly reliable man.
Satisfied, I gave him a big thumbs-up.
“Rowen Harbor! One last sparring session!”
A voice called him from over the wall.
“I must go.”
“Alright. And remember what I told you—I’m the angel of love. With me helping you, it will work out.”
‘What are you worrying for? You’ve got Cupid on your side—just confess!’
I sent him my telepathic cheer.
Whether he heard it or not, Harbor nodded firmly before heading to the training grounds.
“I’d better go get ready too.”
Busy, busy.
For “Night of Duels,” I had another event prepared. There was no time to rest. The duels would begin soon.
By noon, the seven banners of the Imperial Knight Orders fluttered above the round training grounds.
After short encouragement speeches from the commanders, the official matches began.
Since commanders were not allowed to participate, Richard simply sat watching in silence.
“As expected of Lysa Mediniel. The difference in skill is overwhelming.”
The 5th Order’s commander spoke with genuine admiration. Richard’s eyes lingered on him for a moment before returning to the field.
Indeed, Lysa was crushing every opponent without a single moment of danger.
And then—
“Lysa, you’re amazing!!”
Amelie Garnet’s voice rang louder than the knights themselves.
She had somehow found a megaphone bigger than her face, and her presence stood out even among the burly knights.
“…Who is that young lady? How did she get into the Night of Duels?”
“I invited her. She’s Viscount Garnet’s daughter—the one who’s been boosting our order’s morale.”
The 2nd Order’s commander proudly introduced me.
“Oh, so that’s her? The lady who supports the knights every day.”
“I’ve heard too—she even listens to their personal worries.”
“My men envy your order to death.”
The other commanders joined in, nodding.
Only Richard sat among them, displeasure clear on his face.
“Haha! It’s no wonder. She’s so kind—our order calls her an angel without wings.”
“Angel without wings?”
At that nonsense, Richard almost laughed out loud.
How could they say that, knowing his precious Lysa had suffered because of Amelie Garnet?
Shaking his head, Richard rose from his seat.
Better to go down among the noisy cheers than sit listening to this praise.
“Your Highness, where are you going?”
“I’ll watch from below, with the knights. Lysa will win, as always. She’ll face me in the end anyway.”
“Yes, unless something unexpected happens.”
The commanders exchanged awkward glances.
Richard was a prince—like a superior officer to them.
Since he stood up, they couldn’t just stay seated.
“No need to follow. Stay here and watch comfortably.”
Leaving the half-standing commanders behind, Richard strode away—straight toward the 1st Order.
Waaah!
The crowd roared as Lysa claimed another victory.
“You’re the best, Lysa!!”
Amelie’s voice soared, no less loud than the cheers.
‘Quite an act.’
Since her frail act no longer worked, she seemed to have switched to being Lysa’s obsessive follower instead.
Clapping eagerly, she bounced in Lysa’s arms like a true fan.
From his new seat in the lower stands, Richard watched.
The circular stands gave him a clear view of everything—perfect for keeping an eye on her.
“…C-Captain?! Why are you down here instead of above?”
A knight spotted him nearby and nearly fell over in shock.
Announce yourself next time!
If he’d gotten caught up in the excitement and tried putting an arm around Richard… just imagining it made the knight shudder.
“Who’s Lysa’s next opponent?” Richard asked casually.
“Sir Gilbert Mormon of the 7th Order.”
“This will take a bit longer.”
“Perhaps, but with Vice-captain Lysa’s current momentum, she may finish quickly.”
Richard turned to the arena.
There was Lysa, glowing in triumph. And there was Amelie, clinging to her, celebrating wildly.
The two looked, to anyone, like dear friends.
‘If Lysa is happy, it’s because of Amelie Garnet.’
Annoying, but undeniable.
“…All a lie.”
Right now, Lysa looked purely happy.
Her loud voice, her welcoming arms, even her smile under the sun—
Glowing? Who?
Richard blinked, startled by his own thought.
“…I’ve been looking too often.”
He muttered, frowning deeply.
This strange reaction—it was all because Amelie Garnet had been acting so oddly today.