Chapter 16

As Clement had said, the deeper they went, the fewer people they encountered, and the silence spread. The corridors were also complex, perhaps for security reasons, and she might have gotten lost if she were alone.

After walking for a while, she heard lively voices. They were the voices of multiple men and the "kyururu" sounds of the griffins.

Turning the corner, she came to a spacious area like a garden, where the knights were using hoses to give their griffin partners a bath.

She immediately spotted Lucash in the group, but Viela couldn't bring herself to call out to him.

"Viela-sempai?"

"Well, I was thinking of waiting in the shadows of the corridor."

Perhaps because they were wet from the bath or because it was hot, all the divine beast knights were shirtless. Of course, Lucash was only wearing his uniform pants, and he was splashing water on Albertina with the hose.

Moreover, his long black hair, usually in a braid, was now undone and visibly damp from a distance.

This was a feast for the eyes. It was blinding.

Viela decided to retreat and tried to pull Clement back before being noticed—

"Kyururu!"

Albertina, spotting Viela, called out loudly.

The knights' gazes converged. Naturally, Lucash also noticed her arrival.

"Viela? What are you doing here?"

Lucash stopped the hose and ran over.

Viela, unsure where to look, let her eyes dart around.

Knowing that he was well-built due to his job as a knight, she was surprised by how muscular he was. He looked like someone who would appear slimmer in clothes.

His muscles were well-defined, with no excess fat, and his abs were perfectly chiseled, almost as if they belonged to a different person.

Moreover, his wet black hair clung to his body, making him look incredibly sexy.

Struggling to find a place to look, Viela quickly hid behind Clement and replied.

"Well, I came here directly without waiting for the welcome party, as I thought you had returned from the expedition."

"That's nice, but... why is Clement here? I thought you had returned to the Barrier Division and we wouldn't see each other again so soon."

Lucash's voice deepened.

Viela remembered that he had been angry about Clement's actions the day before and quickly tried to smooth things over.

"Clement-sama came to apologize, and we reconciled. He then offered to guide me here."

"I had some things to think about and decided to change my attitude."

"Hmm, you sure switched gears quickly."

Viela wanted Lucash to understand that Clement wasn't a bad person, but his voice remained low and displeased.

"Viela, how long do you plan to hide behind Clement? And Clement, thanks for bringing your fiancée. You can go back now."

"Lucash-sama, it's not right to leave a lady in a place full of men in such a state. Viela-sempai is clearly confused. I'll stay with Viela-sempai until it's over, so please continue the griffins' bath."

Sparks flew between the expressionless Lucash and the smiling Clement. After a few seconds of glaring, Lucash turned back to the square.

"...You guys, put your clothes on quickly! That's an order!"

The knights, surprised that "that captain" was showing consideration for a woman, quickly put on their shirts.

However, the problem was far from resolved.

Lucash was still staring at Viela.

Before she could point this out, Albertina dropped a large number of bath towels she had in her beak onto Lucash.

"Tina? What's the sudden move?"

Without responding to her partner, Albertina said "kyur" and winked at Viela.

(As expected of Lady Tina! She understands.)

Viela quickly stepped out from behind Clement, saying, "Excuse me!" and draped a towel over Lucash's shoulders.

The exposed skin decreased, and she finally regained her peace of mind. She met Albertina's eyes, and they nodded in unison.

Just then, a breeze blew through the square. It was a warm day, but it was getting late, and the wind felt a bit chilly.

Viela picked up another towel and gently dried Lucash's wet head.

"Come on, dry your hair quickly and put on your clothes, or you might catch a cold—... oh."

She stopped her hand, and her eyes met Lucash's blue-gray eyes through the towel.

(Too relaxed... I started drying his hair as if I were taking care of a younger sister. Because he was using his captain's authority unnecessarily and didn't notice my embarrassment, he seemed childlike... I can't say that.)

Moreover, the other knights and Clement were staring at her with puzzled expressions.

Feeling cornered, she continued to move her hands while thinking of an excuse, and Lucash's shoulder shook.

"Hehe, it's been a while since someone took care of me like this. Since I became an adult, Viela might be the first."

"Did I do something wrong?"

"Not at all! I welcome it from Viela. How about you finish the job? Can I ask you?"

"Sure."

With that, Lucash sat on a towel to make it easier for Viela to dry his hair and turned to Clement with a bright smile.

"Clement, it seems Viela is fine now, so you can go back. Thank you for your hard work."

Click—though not a machine, a sound came from Clement. His face was smiling, but his eyes were not.

(Why is Lucash-sama so provocative!? After all the trouble of bringing me here... I didn't even thank him.)

Viela let go of the towel and turned to Clement.

"Clement-sama, thank you for bringing me here. I wouldn't have gotten lost without your help."

"It's my pleasure, Viela-sempai. I'm glad you relied on me. Please feel free to ask me anytime. For example—"

Clement paused and leaned close to Viela's ear to whisper.

"About the engagement situation I mentioned earlier."

"—That's—"

Before Viela could respond, Clement pulled back.

"Then, I'll take my leave. See you, Viela-sempai."

With that, Clement glanced at Lucash but left the square without saying goodbye.

As Viela watched Clement leave, worried, her uniform skirt was tugged.

"Lucash-sama?"

"What did that guy say at the end?"

"Ah, well, something like 'see you tomorrow'?"

She couldn't honestly say that Clement had suggested switching her engagement from Lucash to him. Since she had no intention of breaking her promise with Lucash, she laughed it off.

"Hmm, that seemed a bit close, though."

"Clement-sama has always been that close since our student days."

"…That guy. Viela, be a bit more careful in the future. Since you're engaged to me, being closer to someone else might cause misunderstandings, like infidelity—"

"Ah! You're right."

Even Viela, who was unfamiliar with high society, knew that nobles spread rumors at will.

She had forgotten that jealous young ladies might spread lies to belittle her, which would not only harm her but also tarnish Clement's reputation and lower Lucash's standing.

Lucash smiled and looked down at her as she frowned.

"To avoid that, I have a proposal."

"Please, tell me."

"To look like a loving engaged couple, we just need to be visibly closer. If there's a clear difference between me and Clement, people will understand that I'm the real deal and Clement is just a close junior or colleague."

"That makes sense. Let's do that—wait?"

After nodding in agreement, she realized something important.

"Being closer... what exactly does that mean?"

"First, can you dry my hair? There are many divine beast knights watching, so let's show them we're close and have them spread the word."

"I see. Then, I'll do it again."

Though she felt a bit tricked, Viela moved her hands.

After drying Lucash's hair, they wiped down Albertina together, held hands, and walked to the carriage, heading to the Ambrosh Duke's residence.

Thus, they spent a few peaceful days. When they returned to the mansion from work a few days later, the butler informed Viela that a letter had arrived at her apartment.

The sender was her family, the Yubert household. She rushed to her private room, opened the letter, and froze.

"No way."

Viela's face turned pale, and her hand holding the letter trembled.

"Viela, are you okay? What does the letter say—"

Lucash, who was nearby, thought it was important to share the information if the content was serious. He supported her frail shoulders and peeked at the letter.

"Dear daughter. I'm sorry, Viela… The magic express message the other day was a lie… It was an accident. I'm fine, so don't worry about finding a husband—"

Unable to understand the content of the letter, Viela and Lucash stood there, stunned.

It had been ten days since she received the magic express message telling her to find a husband.