Chapter 19

"Hey, hey, Phil. Can you let go of my hand now...?"

"No. This is a rare opportunity, after all."

Eh, what?

It's true that, since I'm wearing a formal dress I'm not used to, it's reassuring to have my hand held. But...

I secretly glanced around as I walked. As usual, people around us were looking at us.

"Why are they looking at us so much?"

"Because Lucie, you're very beautiful."

...That can't be it.

I instinctively thought that.

If I had to guess, about half of it is surprise. The rest is a mix of other emotions.

Perhaps the story of my engagement being broken off by Lord Gorman has spread. But I didn't think that was all of it.

It's not just about my appearance being vague and soft; it's more intense... like, for example, a killing intent...

"...Ah."

I know one emotion that can evoke such a killing intent.

Or rather, I know it as knowledge.

"...Jealousy? Toward me?"

Something feels off.

...Ah, I see.

It's Phil. Because I'm walking with Phil, the women are directing their killing intent at me. This must be what Albes mentioned.

That's right, that's it.

It's not my fault, that's good.

The wedding ceremony of Lord Gorman and Irena was conducted solemnly, befitting the marriage of a baron and a viscount.

The altar, lavishly adorned with gold to demonstrate the power of the Ophels family, reflects the candlelight brilliantly. Looking up from the audience seats, it's almost tiring for the eyes.

I can't help but admire the baron's family.

...But even as I try to distract myself, the discomfort continues.

Right now, the ceremony is about to be completed. I doubt anyone in the audience is looking at the bride and groom.

They are so focused on our seats.

Of course, no one turns around openly. But they whisper to their neighbors, glance over their shoulders, and quickly look away, then whisper again.

Or I feel a piercing gaze on my back.

...Of course, there are gazes that mock me for being here at a wedding after my engagement was broken off. But most of them are shock, suspicion, and jealousy.

What exactly is going on here?

Is it my simple yet beautiful necklace that catches everyone's attention? Or the large teardrop pearl earrings?

Of course, they are drawing attention.

The absurdity of attending a wedding after my engagement was broken off is also intriguing.

But this... is definitely...

I glanced at Phil beside me.

I wanted to see what kind of expression he was making, the cause of all this attention.

The beautiful silver-haired man with the handsome face... had his eyes closed.

He maintained a beautiful posture, as if lost in thought. ...But he's definitely sleeping, right?

Would anyone normally sleep at a time like this?

Especially when they are receiving so much attention.

As I stared in shock, Phil opened his eyes.

Despite clearly having been asleep, there was no trace of drowsiness when he looked at me. He could probably draw his sword and move without any sluggishness.

He's a true active knight.

I was slightly impressed, and then Phil slowly smiled and leaned close to my ear.

"Lucie, it's embarrassing to be looked at so much, I can't sleep."

...No, don't sleep.

I pushed Phil's face away.

In the end, Phil slept through the entire ceremony.

Thinking about it, he had been very busy with work until just before this. So it's understandable... I hope the people around us think the same.

While I was worrying about this...

"Welcome, thank you for coming!"

The newlyweds, Lord Gorman and Irena, along with Lord Ophels, approached our seats.

The altar area was already half-empty, but the entrance was still crowded, and I could feel the gazes of those people turn toward us.

I was a bit taken aback and panicked.

I tried to stand up to greet them, but Phil held my shoulder, preventing me from standing.

...Eh, what do you want me to do?

I was confused for a moment, but Phil's hand patted my shoulder a few times.

This helped me calm down a bit. I noticed that Lord Ophels and Lord Gorman weren't looking at me. Neither was Irena, who had become Lord Gorman's wife.

The three of them were looking at Phil.