Chapter 11

My brother and I had become completely silent, our faces darkened.

And then, at that moment,

Phil, who had stood up by pushing his chair, patted our shoulders.

"Would you like me to go with Lucia?"

...Huh?

"By the time the Gorman lord's wedding takes place, my vacation will be over, but fortunately, I'll be working in the capital for a while. I have some time before I return to the north. So, it should be easy to take a day off."

"Really? It won't be a bother?"

When I asked, Phil smiled brightly.

"It's fine. If I can escort Lucia, I'll go even if I have to punch my noisy subordinates into submission!"

...Punch them into submission... huh?

What is he talking about?

That's not good at all, I think.

But... if I go with Phil, I feel much more confident. I have a sense of security, knowing I won't lose.

As I was thinking this,

I thought my brother Albes would be relieved like me, but his face turned pale, almost white.

"Eh, Brother, are you okay? Your face is so pale!"

As I panicked, Phil smiled faintly.

"Don't be so happy. I'll be embarrassed, you know?"

"…Stop it."

"Brother?"

"Please, stop it! Do you want to make Lucia unhappy!"

Brother Albes broke down.

With a pale and desperate face, he grabbed Phil's collar and whispered close to his forehead.

Even though his voice was restrained, it was filled with a murderous aura.

And Phil was smiling as if he didn't care at all.

"Albes, I understand your concern as a brother. But you can't go with her, right?"

"That's... but!"

"Are you going to let Lucia go alone? The Ophels family is a typical noble family. They will mock Lucia with the entire family. It won't be just a normal kind of torment. Are you okay with that?"

"Well, that..."

"To silence those kinds of people, it's better to have a man of higher status than the Ophels family's son escort her. You understand that, right?"

"But even so, you... it's not good!"

"I know that I'm on good terms with you, and those who are in the know should understand. ...But I won't reveal my name. I'll just be Lucia's companion. If anyone tries to call me by a higher name, I'll deal with them. ...How about it?"

How about it... What about it?

I understand why he doesn't want to reveal his name.

But why does he say he'll "deal with" them? Are knights really barbarians?

As I was stunned, my brother fell silent.

He let go of the clothes he was holding and started pacing around the room.

I glanced at Phil.

I thought he would straighten his clothes, but he left his disheveled shirt as it was. He clearly didn't care.

He has such a handsome face, but he's so careless about everything, which is a shame.

As I was thinking this, my brother stopped walking.

"Lucia, do you want to go with Phil?"

"I definitely feel safer going with someone."

"This guy might make you have a bad experience, regardless of the Ophels family's intentions."

"Well... would that be worse than being insulted by Lord Gorman?"

"I don't know. Women's jealousy is apparently scary."

I see. So there's that kind of danger, huh.

I thought about it seriously.

Phil, when dressed properly, is definitely a standout. If I go with him, the women's jealousy might be directed at me...

No, I can't decide.

I can't even imagine such an environment.

What I do know is that I'll be mocked if I go alone.

Not just a normal kind of mockery, but something that could endanger the entire Laguren viscount family.

But if someone escorts me, the situation will be much better than going alone.

If someone as noticeable as Phil is with me, the other attendees might refrain from openly insulting me.

As long as I can avoid the worst pitfalls, I'm prepared to fight for Albes and the Laguren territory.

So, there's no need to hesitate.

The blood of the Laguren viscount family flows in me, and in the end, I'm a barbarian like my brother.

"Phil, will you go with me?"

Brother Albes sighed sadly.

But he didn't say anything.

He just looked at Phil silently.

Phil, with a serious face, came in front of me and knelt on one knee.

"I am deeply honored to escort you. I will protect my princess with all my heart and soul."

...He wasn't serious at all.

When I sighed, Phil smiled a little and took my hand, pretending to kiss my fingertips.

"Take care, Lucia."

"Likewise."