Chapter 22
I stared at Theodore for a moment before letting out a scoff.
He frowned, clearly offended by my reaction.
"What? Why are you laughing?"
"Holy Knights aren't allowed to date. What kind of advice can someone who's never even been in a relationship give?"
A faint blush spread across Theodore's face.
"Isn't the same true for you?"
"..."
That hit a nerve.
It's not like I had 'Forever Single' written on my forehead.
How did he know?
Can he actually read minds or something?
"...How did you know I've never dated?"
This time, Theodore was the one who snorted.
"It's obvious. Anyone can tell you have no idea how to deal with men. If you'd dated even once, you wouldn't have acted like that around the Duke."
Excuse me?!
I have dated!
...Inside a game, anyway.
Seeing my lips pout, Theodore chuckled.
"A man understands another man best. Who knows? Maybe I can actually help."
"..."
Well...
Considering I was completely stuck, maybe asking Theodore for help wasn't such a bad idea.
While I hesitated, Theodore sat down on a nearby rock.
He brushed the spot beside him with his palm a couple of times before smiling brightly.
"Come on. Tell your big brother all about it."
'Big brother,' my foot.
It was obvious he was enjoying this far too much.
I shot him an annoyed glare before sitting beside him.
Then I explained everything that had happened between Jerome and me.
To my surprise, Theodore listened with complete seriousness.
After hearing me out, he finally spoke.
"There are two possibilities."
I swallowed nervously.
"First, the Duke has another woman."
"...What?"
Besides Vivian, there's another rival?
Well...
If another woman had appeared in the meantime, it would explain Jerome's sudden change in attitude.
Jerome Winston, you jerk.
We only shared a meal once, and you've already found another woman?
I didn't think you were that kind of man.
...
But... if there really is another woman... what am I supposed to do?
While I spiraled into gloomy thoughts, Theodore continued.
"But judging by everything you've told me, I think the second possibility is much more likely."
"What is it?"
I swallowed hard, waiting for his answer.
"The reason the Duke is acting cold toward you..."
"...is because he has feelings for you."
"...What?"
He'd been treating me like I was the last person on earth he wanted to see.
And that was supposed to mean he liked me?
"That's ridiculous! If he likes me, why would he act like that?"
"Because you were put in danger because of him. He feels guilty. He doesn't want you getting hurt again."
I frowned.
Feeling guilty, sure—I could understand that much.
But Vivian was already dead.
What danger was supposedly left?
"The one who put me in danger—Lady Vivian—is dead. There's no reason for me to be in danger anymore."
Instead of answering, Theodore asked,
"Do you know why dogs bark?"
"...Because they're scared?"
"Exactly."
Theodore nodded.
"The more frightened they are, the louder they bark. It's a defense mechanism."
He continued.
"Duke Winston is the same. He's afraid, so he pushes you away even harder. Like a hedgehog raising its quills to keep others from getting close."
I quietly listened.
"But I don't think it's really about protecting you."
He paused.
"If anything, he's running away from his own fear."
None of it made sense.
Afraid of what?
What danger is he supposedly protecting me from?
And why does he have to do it in such an unbelievably rude way?
The more Theodore explained, the more confused I became.
"What is he afraid of?"
"I don't know."
"...Then how am I supposed to change his mind?"
Theodore shrugged.
"Why not just find another man? His reasons for pushing you away are questionable, and honestly..."
He grinned mischievously.
"I've never once seen the Duke show interest in women."
With a half-serious, half-joking expression, he added,
"There were even rumors that he might be... incapable."
"If only the Duke possessed divine power, he'd make the perfect Holy Knight."
I shook my head firmly.
"No."
"It has to be Duke Jerome Winston."
Theodore burst into laughter.
"What exactly do you like so much about him? Surely not his personality."
He tilted his head.
"His looks? His status?"
"Both."
His eyes widened slightly.
"You're surprisingly honest."
Maybe that had been a little too blunt.
But I couldn't exactly tell him it was because I needed Jerome to clear the game's ending and return to the real world.
Besides, there was no reason to pretend to be modest in front of Theodore.
Resting his chin on his hand, he asked,
"So your dream is to become the Duchess?"
"That's not exactly wrong."
"Huh."
He smiled.
"You're more ambitious than you look."
"I like ambitious people. If you're going to aim for something, aim high."
Then his expression became serious again.
"The Duke is someone who prioritizes reason over emotion."
"The harder you chase him, the faster he'll run away."
"The important thing is to maintain a sense of distance."
I nodded carefully.
Maintain some distance.
I wasn't exactly sure how to do that...
But I'd remember it.
"You can't get emotional with the Duke."
"Especially not like earlier."
He sighed.
"Begging for his affection like that is basically the same as saying, 'Please reject me.'"
Ouch.
"..."
"What exactly was so pathetic?"
"You said things like you were hurt."
"Well... because I was."
"That kind of thing is fine between lovers."
"But if your relationship isn't even defined yet, acting emotionally toward someone as rational as Jerome will only backfire."
When he put it that way...
It actually made a little sense.
Jerome... you ridiculously difficult man.
Theodore lightly tapped my forehead with his finger.
"And another important thing."
"You need to leave an impression."
"Make yourself unforgettable to him."
"How?"
He looked at me in disbelief.
"You seriously don't know anything about romance, do you?"
"..."
If I did, do you think I'd be in this mess?
Besides...
Wasn't it stranger that he knew so much despite never dating either?
The words nearly escaped my mouth, but I swallowed them.
I still needed his help.
Still...
Why does this guy know so much about dating?
"For example..."
He explained.
"You keep appearing in front of him in ways that seem completely coincidental."
"Create natural opportunities to cross paths."
"The important part is that it must never feel intentional."
Oh.
I'd seen that in romance novels and dramas before.
Like accidentally meeting a handsome stranger on public transportation, only to discover he was your new classmate.
Or unexpectedly running into your first love at work.
The explanation was much easier to understand than before, and I nodded eagerly.
"The goal is to make him think about you."
"But..."
He raised a finger.
"You must never let him realize you like him."
"..."
My head started throbbing.
Make him think about me... while hiding that I like him?
What kind of contradiction is that?
Oblivious to my confusion, Theodore continued his lecture.
"And finally..."
"Give the Duke a reason to choose you."
"How?"
"Leave him with a sense of regret."
"Become someone he'll think..."
"'It would be a waste to lose her.'"
"'Someone I'll never meet again.'"
"..."
Were we even speaking the same language?
Because I honestly couldn't understand a single thing he was saying anymore.
A headache began creeping in again.
Wouldn't it just be easier to level up my Mind Control skill and use it on Jerome?
I'd simply tell him,
"Fall in love with me."
Then,
"Fill out the marriage registration."
And after that,
"Let's have the wedding."
Honestly...
That sounded much faster.
Seeing my deeply furrowed brow, Theodore laughed.
"If none of that works..."
"I'll use my last resort."
Last resort?
I had no idea what he meant.
Still...
It was nice that he cared enough to offer.
If only Theodore and Jerome had switched personalities...
My life would've been so much easier.
I let out a deep sigh.
Before I realized it, my true thoughts slipped out.
"I honestly wish..."
"...you were the Duke instead."
"Huh?"
At that instant, Theodore's face turned bright red.
A familiar system window appeared before my eyes.
[Theodore Blair's Affection has increased by 5.]
[Theodore Blair's Affection: 15]
...Huh?
That wasn't what I intended.
Without meaning to...
I'd just taken another step toward Theodore's inevitable execution.
