Chapter 30

"Alicia, who is that man? Could it be that you were cheating on me?"

Felix-sama frowned deeply and approached me with visible anger. I caught my breath at his intimidating presence, and Noah stepped forward to shield me.

"Who are you? Do you know that she is my fiancée and still approach her?"

"The engagement has been dissolved."

"It's just a temporary disagreement. It's none of your business. If you understand, leave now."

Noah glanced over his shoulder. Even though I couldn't see his face, I could sense his emotions—sympathy and exasperation. That atmosphere was palpable.

"…Can't we reason with you?"

"I'm surprised you've been dealing with someone like this."

All I could do was nod at his sigh.

By the way, why is Felix-sama here? I peeked from behind Noah at my former fiancé, who was still ranting. His head was covered in snow, which fell off every time he shouted. Not just his head, but his scarf and the shoulders of his coat were also white.

From his appearance, it was clear he had been here for a while. If he had business with me, he could have asked my family to relay a message. There was no need to wait outside like this...

"Felix-sama, why are you here?"

"I wanted to see you, Alicia. I came here hoping to catch a glimpse of you."

"How long have you been here?"

"It hasn't been that long, so don't worry about it."

I wasn't really worried, but Felix-sama smiled at me, holding a wooden cup. It was probably a mug of hot wine from a street vendor.

"Alicia, I'm disappointed to see you with a man at this hour. I didn't think you were that kind of woman... But if my neglect caused this, I can't blame you. I'll forgive you this time."

I was scared.

"Felix-sama, with all due respect... Our engagement has been dissolved, and we have no further relationship. Besides, weren't you under house arrest? Didn't the viscount tell you not to involve yourself with the Bloom family anymore?"

"Hmm? Even if the engagement is dissolved, we still love each other, right? I thought that's what it meant when you accepted my letters and gifts..."

"I've returned everything. I haven't even read the contents. I'm sorry."

Felix-sama's blue eyes widened in shock. I didn't know how his letters and gifts were handled at the viscount's house, but he wasn't supposed to send them in the first place.

"…Please leave."

"Can't we go back to how we were? Can't you help me, Alicia?"

His anguished voice melted into the snow. But I knew it was the truth.

He doesn't really care about me. He just wants to protect his position.

The pain of betrayal and neglect tore at my heart, even though I thought I had moved on. But to Felix-sama, the engagement's dissolution was just a minor issue. My trembling heart couldn't form words, and only a deep breath escaped me.

"Give up. You're the one who betrayed Alicia. If you care about her, you should stay away."

"Who are you talking to? This is between Alicia and me. It's none of your business."

"It's none of my business, but I want Alicia to be happy more than anyone. I can't stand to see her suffer."

Noah's voice was low and cold, like a sharpened blade. Felix-sama, seemingly intimidated by the atmosphere, was speechless. He looked at me behind Noah, but I had no intention of responding.

Noah must have sensed my feelings. Felix-sama's eyes hardened, and he looked at me and Noah with a disdainful gaze.

"Who do you think you are, a commoner, to speak so boldly! What do you know!"

Felix-sama's hand moved. The sound of a splash hit the snow, turning it red.

A soundless scream escaped me when I saw drops on Noah's hair.

"Noah!"

"Ah... it's cold."

The strong smell of alcohol. The empty wooden cup fell from Felix-sama's hand. It seemed he had thrown wine at Noah. I sighed in relief when I realized it was red wine, not blood.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. But... it's about time."

"Huh...?"

His soft murmur was lost in the wind. Noah pushed back his long, thick bangs and placed his glasses on his head like a headband.

Noah's face was exposed. I couldn't see it from behind him, but Felix-sama's face turned pale when he saw Noah's face.

"You... No, you are..."

"Get lost."

The low, hard voice was familiar. Felix-sama, who had flinched, turned and ran without another word.

What did Felix-sama see? Well, he saw Noah's face, but...

I took a handkerchief from my bag and touched Noah's back.

"It's cold. Let's go home and change—"

My words were cut off when Noah turned around. His evening-star eyes looked at me with a troubled expression.

"...Sir Einhardt."

The handsome knight stood before me in Noah's form. I already knew Noah was Sir Einhardt, but my mind couldn't process it. Trivial thoughts, like how his hair was usually styled, filled my head.

"Stop it, just call me Noah."

"Why...?"

He noticed my hand, which was still holding the handkerchief. "Thank you," he said, taking it and wiping his face before frowning.

"I forgot it was red wine. It might stain... I'll return a new one."

"No, that's not necessary..."

I was still flustered.

I like Noah, and Noah is Sir Einhardt, so... I was in love with Sir Einhardt? It feels different, but right now, that doesn't matter.

"Alicia."

"Y-Yes?"

"Hehe... Alicia."

I straightened my back at his words, and he laughed softly. It was Sir Einhardt, but still Noah, and my head was spinning.

"Can I start courting you now that I've shown my face?"

"Huh?"

"Didn't you say, 'Show me your face first, then court me'?"

"That was..."

"I've decided not to hold back anymore. You should be prepared."

"P-Prepared...?"

"To become mine."

"Eh, wh-what...?"

He gently touched my head with a warm hand, which then slid down to my cheek.

"Goodnight, Alicia. See you at the library."

"...Goodnight."

I didn't know what to say, so only a short farewell came out. He smiled contentedly and didn't look back.

The snow intensified. I watched his back as the snowflakes were blown by the wind. I couldn't take my eyes off him.