Chapter 65

In the midst of cherry blossoms dancing in the wind, Shelia opened the old diary and read the words of promise written there.

Having been saved from a dangerous situation and experiencing a fateful encounter, Shelia returned home with high spirits. By her side, walking with her, was Siegfried, the protagonist of Fate 48.

"Is this the right way?"

"Yes!"

In contrast to Shelia's enthusiastic response, Siegfried's expression was stiff. After all, they were heading to the royal castle. Siegfried suspected that Shelia might be serving someone of very high status.

He was right. Shelia was a servant of the Harvest Duke's household and a maid to Leoard, with whom Siegfried had a history.

However, Siegfried had imposed two penalties on Leoard after their duel. One was not to have any contact with Claris, Leoard's ex-fiancée, and the other was to disappear from Siegfried's presence.

These conditions had already been met. Leoard had been expelled from the academy and was now confined in Zeato, out of Siegfried's sight. His engagement to Claris had also been dissolved, and he was in a place where he would never be involved with her again.

But now, Leoard was being summoned to the capital as a key figure in quelling the monster panic. Although it wasn't by his own will, it was unclear how Siegfried would react to this.

During their journey, they had been chatting and enjoying themselves, but the pleasant time came to an end when they reached the front of the royal castle. Gilbert, who had come to greet them, appeared.

"I've come to pick you up, Shelia. Were you a bit late? Did something happen?"

"Grandpa!"

Seeing Shelia run to Gilbert, Siegfried decided his job was done and tried to leave.

"Well, I'll be off then."

"Wait! Hold on!"

Shelia, who had been hugging Gilbert, stopped Siegfried from leaving. Siegfried stopped in his tracks, and Gilbert became interested in the man Shelia had brought.

"Shelia, what's your relationship with him?"

"Um, he helped me when I was being harassed while shopping!"

"Could you tell me more about that?"

Shelia explained in detail to Gilbert what had happened with the three men who had harassed her. Although Gilbert's expression didn't change, he was inwardly furious. As Leoard had feared, he was angry at his own naivety and at the three men who had threatened his granddaughter. However, since Siegfried had already helped Shelia, she didn't seem to be deeply hurt. This was a relief.

"Thank you, Sir Siegfried, for saving my granddaughter from those ruffians. I will certainly find a way to thank you."

"No, I've already received thanks from Shelia."

The moment Siegfried called Shelia by her first name, Gilbert's expression stiffened, but he quickly regained his calm smile.

"That won't do. As the head butler of the Duke's household and as Shelia's grandfather, I must formally thank you."

Siegfried couldn't refuse Gilbert's request.

"Alright, then."

"Thank you for your understanding. I will visit you another day."

"Sure, I understand."

Just as Siegfried was about to leave, Shelia ran up to him.

"Hey, can we meet again?"

"Huh? Oh, if there's an opportunity, I think we can meet again..."

Shelia's face lit up with a radiant smile, and Gilbert's eyes widened. He had expected something like this, but the obviousness of it was clear to him. His granddaughter had fallen in love, and with Siegfried, who had a history with Leoard.

"See you again sometime!"

"Sure, see you."

Watching the two wave goodbye, Gilbert covered his face with his hand, unsure of what to do. His granddaughter had fallen in love with someone who had a history with Leoard and was the heir to a baron's household. He wanted to support her, but the social gap and the ongoing conflict with Leoard, his current master, made the situation complicated.

But Gilbert was always soft on his granddaughter. Despite the difficult road ahead, he wished for her love to come true.

Gilbert and Shelia returned to the room where Leoard was waiting. On the way, Shelia talked non-stop about Siegfried, and Gilbert found it endearing. However, he had forgotten about the history between Leoard and Siegfried.

"We're back!"

"Hmm, welcome back. How was it? Did you find a good souvenir?"

"Yes! But, Lord Leoard! I had a terrible experience!"

"Something happened?"

"Yes! When I was about to go home after shopping, I was harassed by three men who claimed to be the third sons of a baron's family. But then, Sir Siegfried appeared and saved me. He was so cool at that moment~"

"..."

Leoard's eyes were wide with shock. His emotions were unreadable. Shelia, oblivious to Leoard's reaction, continued to praise Siegfried.

(What?)

This was the second time Leoard had frozen today. He had never expected to hear Siegfried's name from Shelia's mouth, and more importantly, her face looked like that of a girl in love.

After being sent to Zeato and enduring daily hellish training with Gilbert and Barbarotto, Shelia had been his oasis, his only source of comfort. He never thought she would fall in love with Siegfried.

Leoard awkwardly turned to Gilbert, who was looking at his granddaughter with a fond smile. Realizing he couldn't rely on Gilbert, Leoard looked down.

(Is this the protagonist's privilege? Damn it, I'm trying my best too! But no matter how hard I struggle, I'm just a bait dog, huh? Damn it! At least I'll break the fate of dying!)

Leoard had hoped to have a more intimate relationship with Shelia, but she was already infatuated with Siegfried. She would never turn to him again. He could use his power to force her, but Gilbert would likely break his neck.

Sadly, Leoard was forced to realize once again that he was just a bait dog.