Chapter 41

Not long after Noah came to the house, Joel Einhardt and I, Alicia Bloom, had our engagement announced.

I was taken aback by the grand announcement, but Noah is a noble and a knight who has sworn loyalty to the royal family. It was inevitable that it would be a grand affair.

Before the announcement, I had already informed Wendy, and she was overjoyed as if it were her own news.

"It's Lord Einhardt! A hidden love that blossomed in secret is so romantic. I'm sure a love story will be written about you two!"

Wendy, blushing, spoke happily, but I felt a bit uncomfortable with that.

Noah had said, "I'm not really a noble," but I thought there would be situations where that wouldn't be enough. I hoped I could rely on Wendy in such cases, and she readily agreed.

"Have you met Lord Einhardt's parents?"

"Not yet. I received a letter, and it seems they are pleased with the engagement. A dinner gathering involving both families is planned soon."

"That sounds wonderful."

"I hope it goes well."

"Alicia, you'll be fine."

When Wendy said that, I strangely felt it would be fine.

Worrying too much won't help, and if I lack something, I'll work harder. I'm sure Noah will acknowledge that.

The engagement of the Knight of the Evening Star, who is also a dream for many women in the capital, and the fact that I, who had my previous engagement dissolved, was his fiancée, would likely be met with disapproval. However, it was received more positively than I expected, and there was a reason for that.

The knights, starting with the captain, celebrated the news, and the royal family officially announced their blessing. I think that made a big difference.

It wouldn't be wise to openly criticize an engagement blessed by the royal family. If someone said something in private, it wouldn't hurt me, so that was fine.

Yes, if they want to criticize, they should do it in private, among themselves.

Yet, in front of me stood a person who didn't hide her displeasure—Baroness Kira Fritche, arms crossed over her chest.

I had been asked to guide her to find a book, and this person was waiting at the end of the path. The noble lady who had requested the guide was one of the girls who had surrounded me the other day.

"You cheating woman. While seducing another man, you still managed to get engaged to Lord Einhardt. It's so frustrating how commoners are so loose."

No, I don't think commoners are involved here. Besides, it's you who fell in love with someone who was already engaged.

"I am not cheating."

Though the library was quiet, I kept my voice low as I responded.

"Then who was that unrefined man? You were showing affection to him, but your true love is Lord Einhardt? How shameless."

If I told her that the unrefined man was Lord Einhardt, would she believe me? As I thought this, Kira's lips curled into a smile.

"Hey... If Lord Einhardt found out you were cheating, wouldn't that be bad?"

"That's why I—"

"You wouldn't want it to be exposed. If it were known that you deceived Lord Einhardt, it would cause a huge scandal in the capital. Your family wouldn't get off scot-free either."

"...What are you trying to say?"

"Break the engagement. Step aside and say it wasn't suitable for you. Then introduce me to Lord Einhardt. It's simple, right?"

Kira, who had uncrossed her arms, clasped her hands in front of her face and giggled.

Her innocent, childlike demeanor sent a chill down my spine.

"I—"

"Hey, are you causing trouble again?"

The voice was cut off. Behind me stood Noah, frowning.

"Noah..."

"Lord Einhardt!"

Kira and the two other noble ladies, who had been laughing maliciously, blushed at Noah's appearance. I inwardly sighed at the sudden change.

"Alicia, it seems you have something to tell Lord Einhardt... Right, Alicia?"

Her voice, now playful and cute, was a stark contrast to before. She nodded her head, urging me to speak.

Propose to break the engagement. Or I'll expose your cheating.

Even without words, her eyes conveyed her message.

I sighed and spoke.

"You say I'm cheating."

"Huh?"

"Y-yes..."

Noah remained calm, while Kira and the other ladies were surprised.

"Did you see this unrefined man?"

"Yes, yes. He was hunched over with messy hair. Despite Lord Einhardt being there, Alicia was cozying up to him."

She said "unrefined" again.

Noah chuckled, and I wondered if he was planning something.

"Is this what the unrefined man looked like?"

Noah ran his hand through his neatly combed hair, messing it up. With his disheveled hair, he looked like the "unrefined man" Kira described.

"Wh-what...?"

Kira gasped in surprise.

Her mind must be in chaos. She had called the man she thought was her cheating partner "unrefined," and now he was standing right in front of her.

"I believe the noble families connected to the Bloom family have been receiving complaints. The Einhardt family will also file a protest. Since you've raised objections to an engagement recognized by the royal family, be prepared for the appropriate punishment."

"But we didn't...!"

"We just followed Kira, we didn't do anything!"

"You...!"

Noah's cold voice made the other noble ladies pale, and Kira's face turned blue.

"Don't come near my dear fiancée again. I finally have her, and I don't want her to be bothered by your voices."

Noah, still holding my shoulder, brushed his bangs back with his free hand. His purple eyes were sharp and cold, making even me shiver.

Kira seemed to want to say something more, but she was pulled away by the other noble ladies. I had a lot to say too, but I didn't want it to turn into a shouting match.

"Are you okay?"

"Yes, thank you. ...I relied on you completely."

"You can rely on me. I said I'd be your shield, didn't I?"

"Yes, but..."

"More importantly, did you see their faces? They were so worried when they found out the cheating partner was me."

Noah laughed, and I couldn't help but laugh too, feeling a possessive desire to be the only one who could see him like this.

I leaned into Noah, who still had his arm around my shoulder, hoping he could feel my feelings.