Chapter 27

"Anyway, I want you to act close to me in public places where people can see us."

"Do you want us to be all lovey-dovey?"

"I...!?! F-Fake it, please."

"Hmm? Even if you say 'fake it,' there are limits, I think."

Lord Ranhart smiled confidently, crossed his long legs, and rested his elbow on the armrest. I was flustered when he said something so explicit about being lovey-dovey.

"But why do you need to do that? You don't seem to be tired of the Duke yet."

"...I can't say, but it's necessary right now. We plan to break up by the end of next month."

"Surprising. You two seemed so close."

With a look of interest, Lord Ranhart stared at me intently.

It seemed that we had appeared close to others, which made me feel both happy and a bit uneasy.

"Even on that day, you were restraining me."

"…………?"

Seeing my puzzled expression, Lord Ranhart laughed, saying, "Are you really Grace Sentsberry?"

"So, if I help you, what's in it for me?"

"Is there anything you want from me?"

"Hmm, let me think."

The way he scratched his forehead as if in thought was too picturesque. I had heard he was 22, just a year older than Lord Zein, but he exuded so much charm that I felt intoxicated just looking at him.

"I can't think of anything right now, but I want you to promise to do one favor for me. If you do, I'll pretend to be your cheating partner."

"Alright! I'll do what I can."

"Okay. I'm also looking forward to seeing how that cool Duke will react when he finds out you've been cheating on him with someone like me and then dumping you."

"…………"

Lord Ranhart leaned forward, clasping his hands on his knees, his gaze locking with mine. I felt as if he could see right through my heart, and my heart skipped a beat.

"From now on, call me Grace. I want you to call me Ranhart."

"Wh-What...?"

"We're supposed to be cheating partners, right? We should at least do that much."

He was right, but it was a high bar to clear. In this world, I had only called a few men by their first names, like Evan.

But I nodded, thinking it was important to start with the formality, and Lord Ranhart—Ranhart—smiled contentedly and stood up.

"It's going to be fun from now on. Contact me anytime, and I'll rush to my cute cheating partner."

"Thank you. Please keep this a secret."

"Okay, I understand."

He came over to me, who had also stood up, took a lock of my hair, and kissed it with a loud smacking sound. Seeing my startled expression, Ranhart laughed.

"You really are genuine. You're so cute."

"......T-Thank you."

"If you blush at that, you can't really cheat, can you?"

He laughed, looking very amused, and left the mansion. I watched him go, somewhat dazed, and sighed.

"......As a cheating partner, he seems really good."

"Yes, I think you need that kind of enthusiasm to pretend to cheat."

Since the conditions were met, I just needed to go out with him in crowded places from now on.

I returned to my room with Evan and collapsed onto the sofa. I was exhausted just from that short conversation. It wasn't like that with Lord Zein.

"......What is the power of love?"

"What do you mean?"

"I don't really understand, but it's supposed to save the world."

Charlotte and Lord Zein's love will awaken Charlotte's power as the Holy Maiden. I knew that much, but how it worked was a mystery.

The novel didn't explain it in detail, so I didn't understand. Where does love begin?

"Well, it's not my concern."

Those two would be fine. Thinking that, I lifted my face, slapped my cheeks to avoid wasting time, and took out my sewing box.

◇◇◇

On Sunday, I visited the Duke's mansion as usual.

In the parlor, while having tea with Lord Zein and Mariabel, I waited for the right moment and, thinking "Now!" I took a package out of my bag.

"Lord Zein, this, if you'd like..."

"......What is this?"

"It's a sword belt. I embroidered it myself."

"For me?"

"Yes. It's my first time embroidering a sword belt..."

The other day, Lord Zein mentioned that his long-used sword belt was finally broken.

In this country, a sword belt is a very important item for knights, like a talisman. According to Yana, family members or close friends embroider it with prayers for their safety.

"I've never seen a plain one. Even I, who am lazy, always ask someone to do it for me."

Evan told me that the embroidery, infused with love, has the power to protect.

Mariabel, who is smart and can use magic, is apparently not good at sewing. When I learned she used a plain one, I stayed up late to embroider it.

I hesitated about giving it to someone I was about to part ways with, but when I heard about the large-scale monster extermination expedition next week, I wanted him to use it at least for that day.

"I'd be happy if you could use it on the expedition next week. You can throw it away afterward, like a disposable one."

"There's no way I'd do that."

"Huh?"

Lord Zein looked down and traced the embroidery with his long fingers, as if it were precious.

I've been mending clothes since childhood, so I'm confident in my embroidery. This was one of my best works. Incidentally, Evan had already reserved one.

"Thank you. I'll treasure it forever."

"No, it's not that great."

"Brother, that's wonderful...! You've been using the one Mother embroidered, trying to repair it all this time."

"That's right... Please come back safely."

I was relieved to see him happy. Charlotte, being the all-around perfect girl, would probably embroider for him too.

As I thought about that, my hand was tightly gripped. When I looked up, I met his golden eyes, which seemed to have a hint of warmth.

"I'll definitely come back safely."

"Y-Yes."

"Really, I'm so happy. Thank you, Grace."

His face was so close that I was flustered, and Mariabel, sitting across from us, chuckled.

"Hehe, watching the two of you makes me feel so happy."

Mariabel, covering her cheeks with her hands, said with a mischievous smile, "Grace, did you know? Brother goes to restaurants himself to find places you might like."

"Huh?"

"Mariabel."

Lord Zein called her name, as if asking her to be quiet. I couldn't hide my surprise at the unbelievable story.

"R-Really...?"

"......Can you pretend you didn't hear that?"

He covered his mouth, and his face was clearly red. I also felt my face heating up.

Every time we went on a date, Lord Zein always took me to places where the sweets were so delicious that my cheeks would drop. I had always been so impressed that I never thought much about it.

– A person like him could easily have someone else do the research.

Thinking that he had taken the time to do it for me despite his busy schedule, my heart warmed.

"I'm so happy. Really, really happy."

"......I see."

"Yes, really, thank you so much! Every place Lord Zein takes me to is incredibly delicious and makes me feel so happy."

"That's good to hear."

I was so happy that I couldn't help but smile, and my heart beat loudly and rapidly. I squeezed his hand, which was still holding mine, but pretended not to notice.