Chapter 18

I thought it would be a typical scenario where "Ralph-sama doesn't suit a lady like that!" and braced myself.

"…So, are you close with Lady Nadia?"

Eventually, the leader-like young lady blushed and whispered. Though taken aback by the unexpected question, I quickly replied, "I think we are close."

Her eyes widened and sparkled.

"We want to get closer to Lady Nadia."

"Huh?"

…Upon hearing their story, it turned out that they all admired Nadia. As a marquess' daughter and the top student at the magic academy, not to mention her beauty, it was easy to understand why they admired her.

Moreover, she was as quiet and reserved as Ralph, making it difficult to approach her. She always seemed to be alone at the academy, and I was surprised, having only known her friendly and always-smiling side.

Seeing me chatting with her earlier, they had come to ask me. The intense look I had mistaken for a glare was apparently due to their nervousness.

"Well, if Nadia agrees, I'll arrange for us to talk."

"Thank you…!"

After learning their names and promising to contact them later, we parted ways. I needed to hear Nadia's thoughts first.

Thankfully, it didn't turn out as badly as I had expected, and I felt relieved.

"…Lisette?"

Suddenly, a familiar voice called my name.

I hesitantly turned around and, sure enough, saw Roy. It had been since the day I was attacked by monsters in the sanctuary that I had last seen him.

"Why are you here?"

He looked extremely surprised.

After being confined to the countryside, I was now attending a marquess' son's birthday party, a natural reaction.

"Why are you here…?"

"It's a social obligation, a social obligation. I had some business to attend to and arrived late. What about you?"

As a viscount's son, it made sense that he would be invited to such an event. I regretted not thinking of this.

"The sanctuary is no longer safe, so I'm living in the capital… By the way, how is your grandmother?"

"She's fine, staying at home now."

"I'm glad."

I had heard from Ralph that he had returned home, but it was reassuring to hear that she was well. I had been saved by my grandmother many times.

Roy knew that I was from a noble family, and he seemed to have misunderstood that I had returned to my family.

"I was curious about the face of the woman who is the fiancée of that hero. Have you seen her yet?"

"Huh? No, well…"

"That guy, known for his lack of interest in women, is apparently head over heels. They say she's a beauty beyond compare."

"Uh-huh…"

I couldn't bring myself to say that I was the fiancée, especially with the rumors of being a beauty beyond compare, which made me feel heavy-hearted.

Feeling guilty for not meeting the world's expectations, I decided to be honest, sooner or later.

"Actually, I am the fiancée…"

Upon hearing this, Roy let out a disbelieving "Huh?"

"Stop making unfunny jokes. You, from that countryside, the hero's fiancée?"

"Um…"

He didn't believe me at all. It seemed he didn't know that Ralph had been visiting the sanctuary.

Just as I was about to let it go and leave, Nadia appeared, hugging me from behind, causing Roy's eyes to widen in surprise.

"Nadia Redford…? Really?"

It seemed Roy believed Nadia's words, and I nodded.

"…When did you two start seeing each other?"

"Huh?"

"Of course, compared to Ralph Redford, I'm nothing. Now I understand why she never even glanced at me. Did you live in that place for secret meetings or something?"

The situation was getting out of hand, and he seemed genuinely angry. It almost seemed like he genuinely cared for me.

Nadia, still clinging to me, whispered in my ear, "Should I silence this man with my magic?"

"…I gave up on you because I thought you wouldn't belong to anyone."

"Roy?"

"Yet, this…!"

Just as Roy, with a pained expression, reached out to me, Ralph, who had appeared beside me, firmly grabbed his arm.

Ralph's beautiful eyes were chillingly cold.

"Did you just try to touch Lady Lisette?"

"…I, we were originally—"

"Stop it, stop it. You'll die, you know."

It was Melvin, the mage, who had appeared from behind Ralph, who said this.

Remembering how he had almost killed me the other day, I instinctively stepped back. He smiled wryly, saying, "I wouldn't do anything in a place like this."

"Still, what's so great about this monster girl? Your taste is terrible."

"Monster girl…"

"Melvin, do you want to die?"

Melvin, who was glared at by Ralph, said, "Okay, okay, sorry," and then turned to Roy.

"If you don't want to die, get lost."

"…"

"Family is important, right?"

Roy, with a regretful expression, turned and left.

"…Hey"

"I didn't save you; I saved that man. I'm kind to humans."

Melvin, with a condescending look, said this and looked down at me.

Ralph turned to me, took my hand, and, contrary to his earlier cold demeanor, had a gentle aura.

"Are you okay, Lady Lisette?"

"Yeah, thanks. Are you okay, Ralph?"

"Yes."

"Hey, don't lie. You're not okay at all. You suddenly left in the middle of an important conversation with a big shot. I was tired too, so I tagged along."

He didn't seem okay at all. Ralph seemed completely distracted by my presence.

"Sorry for the trouble."

"Lady Lisette is not at fault!"

"That's right! My brother was just acting out. Don't worry about it. I would have blown him away if I had been a second later. It's none of his business."

Melvin, who had been watching them with a surprised look, said, "By the way,"

"Bev is coming back next week."

"…Really?"

"Yeah. I just heard."

"That's right. Lady Lisette, let's go see her together."

"Sure, thanks."

The opportunity came sooner than I expected, and I felt a mix of happiness and fear.

But to move forward, to survive, it was necessary. I was grateful to Ralph and the Holy Maiden.

Ralph, who said, "It's okay," as if soothing a child, had his hand tightly held by me, unconsciously.