Chapter 33

On a warm, soft afternoon for winter, the sunlight poured down.

The snow on the road had started to melt in places, forming puddles on the ice. With each step, the splashes sparkled in the sunlight.

"Your face is red, are you okay?"

Asked with a smile, I glared lightly at the man walking beside me. I knew he wasn't the type to be intimidated by such a thing. Indeed, he only seemed to find it amusing, shaking his shoulders in laughter.

"Whose fault do you think it is?"

"Mine."

Noah, who still hid his face behind his thick bangs, relaxed his lips in a good mood.

Sighing at his appearance, I was aware that my steps were light, and Noah must have noticed too. Glancing at Noah's profile, I recalled what had happened earlier.

* * *

As promised, Noah came to pick me up at home.

Before that, I had been dodging the bombshell Felix had dropped, not knowing how to explain it. Even saying we were drinking buddies didn't make my brother trust me. He would even smile and press further, knowing there was more to it.

That's when Noah arrived.

My family had been wary of Noah, whose face was hidden, until he placed his hand on his chest and performed a knight's salute.

"My name is Joel Noah Einhardt."

The elegant bow with his back straight.

Not only my family but I too was surprised by his name. I knew Noah's first name was Joel, but I didn't know he had a middle name.

"Mr. Einhardt, you are... the one who belongs to the Knights' Order, right?"

Mother asked with a smile, and Noah swept his long bangs to the side. His large, black-rimmed glasses revealed his evening star eyes, his straight nose, and his well-shaped thin lips. He was the handsome knight everyone knew.

"I am aware that I stand out, so I have taken this form."

"Indeed, in this form, it's hard to recognize you as Mr. Einhardt. Without your knight's uniform and with this hairstyle, your impression has changed quite a bit."

Mother, placing her slender hand on her cheek, nodded as if she understood. She looked back and forth between me and Noah, smiling meaningfully, which made me want to hold my head in my hands.

"What is your relationship with my daughter, Mr. Einhardt?"

Unlike Mother's smiling face, Father's expression was stern.

I understood he was worried about me, but I was also concerned that Noah might be uncomfortable. However, when I glanced at Noah, he showed no signs of discomfort and smiled calmly.

"I believe I have a good friendship with Alicia. Personally, I would like to take our relationship a step further... of course, Alicia's feelings are the most important."

"Mr. Einhardt, you know that my daughter has dissolved her engagement. Even so?"

"I understand, including the fact that she was a victim."

Although we were talking about me, my mind seemed to have wandered off.

Why was Father talking to Noah about this? Was it appropriate to discuss a deeper relationship in front of my parents? While I was lost in thought, looking at the decorations on the chandelier in the entrance hall, my brother nudged my arm.

I glared at him, but he just smiled nonchalantly. This was the face he made when he found something amusing.

"...The engagement I arranged has caused my daughter a lot of hardship. I don't want to hurt her any more."

"I understand. I intend to gain the trust of Alicia and her family. I have resolved to be a shield to protect Alicia."

"...I see. Alicia, be careful on your way out."

"Y-Yes, thank you."

Startled by the sudden voice, my shoulders twitched.

I had already finished getting ready to go out. Waiting in the entrance, the whole family had gathered.

"Shall we go?"

Noah, who had fixed his hair, bent his arm slightly. I understood he was inviting me to take his arm, but it felt embarrassing. I couldn't argue in front of my family, so I placed my hand there, feeling my face heat up.

Mark, who had been waiting, opened the door. Noah, nodding to him, stepped out, careful of my feet.

* * *

Once we were away from the house, I let go of the hand I had placed on his arm.

It wasn't that I disliked it. It was embarrassing, and the touch made my head feel like it was boiling. And Noah was teasing me about my red face.

"Your family is great. I can tell they care about you. But... your brother was sending out some serious killing intent, even with that smile."

"Really? Killing intent? That's intense."

"If he decided I wasn't suitable for you, he would do anything to get rid of me. I felt like he was warning me without even talking to me."

Noah laughed playfully, but I believed my brother felt that way. I was impressed that he could sense it, but then again, he was a knight.

"Didn't it bother you?"

"Not at all. I was determined to make him accept me."

What was he determined to make him accept?

I wanted to ask, but I feared it would lead to more trouble, so I kept quiet.

Drops from the street trees fell with a light, pleasant sound.

Water collected in the holes the drops had pierced in the snow, spilling over.

"Hey, do you always go out like this?"

"I rarely go out. My usual appearance would be too much trouble."

"You'd be surrounded immediately, right?"

"Which do you prefer? This look or the knight's appearance?"

Noah's lips curved into a mischievous smile.

"Which one...?"

I knew both Noahs cared about me. No matter what form he took or where we were, he always looked out for me.

"Both are you, aren't they?"

"I thought you might prefer the knight's appearance."

"I'm not talking about preference. Since you use them for different reasons, I'm fine with either. The person inside is the same."

Noah laughed low and touched the temple of his glasses, lifting them slightly. His evening star eyes, revealed by his lifted bangs, sparkled with amusement.

"If you prefer the knight's appearance, I'll choose that. Even if it causes trouble."

"I don't want it to be troublesome when we're together. If we're interrupted—"

I realized I had said too much when Noah took my hand. Looking up at him, I saw a deep smile on his lips.

"Right, I don't want to be interrupted either."

"...Shut up."

I couldn't bluff my way out of it. My face and ears were red, and it was too warm to blame it on the cold.

Giving up, I gripped Noah's hand tightly. He looked at me in surprise, and I could see a blush on his slightly visible cheek.

Feeling encouraged, I decided to keep holding his hand.

While the warmth didn't fully transfer through our gloves, it was a bit disappointing.