Chapter 10

"Do you know Ada?"

Startled, she asked, and Alex nodded with a somewhat complicated look.

"Yes, I know Ada and Aki well. They are planning to attend the wedding tomorrow. However, there's a bit of a problem..."

As he said this, Alex looked down as if truly troubled.

Seeing his expression, Rane, though feeling a bit presumptuous, spoke up.

"Is there anything I can help with?"

For a moment, Alex looked at Rane with a pleading gaze, but then he quietly shook his head.

"No, I can't ask you to do this, we just met. I shouldn't have brought it up. Forget about it."

"But..."

He had helped her when she was in danger.

Randy might have been trying to be kind, but when he suddenly grabbed her arm and threatened her, Rane had panicked. If she had shaken him off and run further, who knows what might have happened.

At least, she wanted to hear his story. Repeatedly asking, Alex, though puzzled, finally told her the details.

"I need to bring a partner to the wedding reception tomorrow. I'm a commoner, and the party at the castle is just formalities. However, since Ada and Aki are the main guests, I can't not attend."

Sighing deeply, he continued.

"My sister absolutely refused and went back to town alone. There are women who would volunteer, but asking a noble's daughter would be troublesome."

Suddenly, Alex stood up and knelt at Rane's feet.

"Eh? Alex?"

Surprised, Rane looked at him, and he pleaded.

"I'm sorry. I know it's unconventional to ask you this, but there's no one else. Could you be my partner tomorrow?"

"..."

Rane couldn't answer immediately and remained silent.

He really seemed to be in trouble.

Besides, even though Alex had said he wanted her to forget, she had insisted on hearing the story. She felt she shouldn't refuse him after making him say so much.

However, the party tomorrow was Ada and the Holy Maiden's wedding. If she, the ex-fiancée, went with Alex, she might cause him trouble.

She asked Alex to stand and, choosing her words carefully, explained.

"There's a bit of a situation with me. If I go, I might cause trouble for you."

"What kind of situation?"

"..."

Rane looked around.

Even in the large park, there were many people around. It wasn't easy to say she had been engaged to the Sword Saint who was getting married tomorrow.

"I see. Then, how about we have dinner together? There's a place with a private room and soundproofing magic."

"Soundproofing magic? Such a thing..."

There, she could speak freely, but she hesitated about going out to eat because she didn't have much money.

However, she wanted to explain her situation to him properly.

(I had planned to live alone after leaving the village, so I do have some savings. I'll have to use them.)

Deciding, she nodded at his invitation.

"Yes."

"It's a great building, but the restaurant is quite down-to-earth. The food is cheap and delicious, so you can look forward to it."

As he said this, Alex led her to a building that looked quite luxurious, but the food served was familiar and the prices were not as high as she had feared.

Alex seemed to know the owner well and went straight to the private room.

"Let's enjoy the meal first. If you haven't seen the sea, I recommend seafood."

Indeed, she had rarely tasted seafood.

Following his advice, she ordered seafood stew with bread and a seafood salad.

"Delicious..."

Alex smiled happily at Rane's glowing eyes.

"The seafood here is from my hometown."

"Is that so?"

She tried to imagine the vast sea she had heard about, but having only seen small ponds, it was difficult. The area near the capital didn't seem very safe, so moving to the seaside might be a good idea.

"So, about my situation..."

After finishing the meal, Rane began to explain.