Chapter 8

"Ben, stop it already! Noah, stop laughing and help me! Ugh~ Even Sir Rihito~!"

The girl puffed out her soft-looking cheeks and lightly hit the arms and chests of the three boys in protest. The cheerful voices of the boys echoed through the auditorium as they watched her.

This was no surprise, as there was no one else in the auditorium making a sound. Everyone had their heads bowed, pretending not to look in the direction of the voices, but they were all listening intently to the conversation.

I was one of them.

However, a young lady approached the unusual scene alone.

She was Rose Adel, the fiancée of the Third Prince. Her silver hair flowed like a shining river, her features glowed like a goddess of the night, and her violet eyes held an intellectual gleam.

"Good day, Sir Rihito. The sound of the Prince's laughter has made me feel joyful as well. Sir Ben, I watched your sword practice the other day. Your lion-like movements were very impressive. Sir Noah, your appearance during the Sunday service was also splendid. Next week, I will donate lilies."

First, she greeted the Prince, who had the highest status in the room. Then, she addressed the high-ranking young men close to him. Her greetings were elegant and perfect, each movement calculated. Her demeanor was fitting for a high-ranking noble lady and a royal fiancée.

"–And, Lady Sonia. I'm glad to see you in good spirits today. Though I know it might seem presumptuous, some people are worried about your close proximity to the gentlemen. Please be careful."

Her singing voice signaled a change in the auditorium's atmosphere. Someone let out a sigh of relief.

The words spoken by the young lady were quite ordinary, but no one in the auditorium, who had been looking down, could have said such a thing to the high-ranking noble boys at the center.

In essence, her words meant, 'Maintain your distance in public.' However, if no one was watching, it would be fine, but that was a personal matter. Regardless, such interactions in public, especially with the Prince, were not commendable. The Prince, of course, and the other two boys each had their own fiancées, who must have been anxious watching this scene. However, with the Prince present and seemingly accepting the situation, no one could say anything.

Only Rose, the Prince's fiancée, could advise him.

Yet,

"Miss Rose, stop beating around the bush. You're just jealous."

"Sir Ben..."

"Miss Rose, it's not wise to dampen the mood with jealousy. It will only lower your standing."

"Sir Noah..."

The sharp voices of the two boys, who were candidates to be the Prince's attendants, echoed lowly in the auditorium.

Everyone thought the matter was settled with Rose's advice, but the situation took an unexpected turn. They all looked up, stunned, at the center of the room. Rose's jealousy...? What? What? What? I wasn't the only one with a blank expression.

"Rose... If you think it's presumptuous, please step back. Sonia might be scared."

"...Sir Rihito!"

The Prince, who usually had a gentle tone, replied with a bitter expression to his fiancée. It seemed like a small, pleading voice came from the young lady, but it was drowned out by the girl who had been standing behind the boys, now stepping forward.

"I'm sorry! Miss Rose, everyone is just friends! I was so happy to finally have friends... I must have been a nuisance... I'm really sorry..."

The girl's voice was trembling.

After a moment of silence, the young lady's composed voice rang out coolly.

"No, it's fine. It's wonderful that you're getting along with the others."

The teacher then entered, and the matter was left unresolved as everyone dispersed.

*

"And then! Sir Rihito pulled Lady Sonia close like this! Ah! I wish someone would draw that scene! With light shining down from the sky!"

At that moment, Sir Rihito looked like a knight given a mission. A knight protecting a wounded maiden (Lady Sonia)! It was perfect!

After the scene in the auditorium, I was still excited in the afternoon. I had to tell Sir Richard. I wanted to tell someone, anyone. I couldn't contain my excitement!

With a gleam in my eyes, I searched the grass and the shadows of the corridors when, by chance, Sir Richard appeared behind me. Another coincidence led us to an empty reception room, where I was able to smoothly report today's events.

Usually, only my brother would be present, but this time, other attendants were also seated, listening. When I confirmed with Sir Richard, he replied, "Don't worry about it," so it must have been fine. I reported the scene in the auditorium while my excitement was still fresh.

"Rose... Isn't your story a bit embellished?"

"Huh? Sir Richard, why the demon lord face... I apologize. You don't seem to be feeling well. I didn't realize I was talking so much..."

"No, it's different. I feel great. I feel like going hunting right now."

"You seem very energetic... in that sense."

Sir Richard's demon lord smile was terrifying. When I glanced at my brother and the other attendants, they all had the look of someone about to hunt down prey. Stop! The animals in the forest, run away!

"Miss Rose, my brother, Ben, is sorry. He's been focusing too much on sword training and lacks in other areas."

Thomas Patriot, the son of the Knight Commander, a wild and handsome young man, looked like he could take down prey with a single blow.

"My Noah... I'm very sorry. It seems he has a severe cognitive distortion..."

Michael Zarom, the son of the High Priest, a delicate and handsome young man, looked like he could set traps to catch prey at any moment.

"Rose, if you have any problems, come to me. I'll make sure everything is fine."

Patrick Adel, an intellectual and handsome young man, looked like he was about to present trained prey to a demon lord. He was a reliable brother.

–The younger brothers of Sir Richard's attendants are often candidates to be Sir Rihito's attendants.

When a royal child is born, nobles tend to have children to become future classmates. I'm no exception. I became a fiancée instead of an attendant, but it seems that didn't work out either...

"It's fine! My appearance brought them closer together!"

"–And shortened their lifespan."

"Huh?"

Who was that assassin-like voice?

"–Then, let's make the afternoon hunting time."

Sir Richard said with a demon lord's smile.

...You really are in high spirits.