Chapter 21

I tried to call out to Lauro, who had fought for me...

"Lord Lauro, you were so strong!"

"Indeed, the strength befitting Lady Asaria's personal knight!"

"It was so wonderful, I was completely captivated!"

I was surrounded by my entourage of young ladies.

Although they had shown a slight disappointment when they heard that he was a commoner, now their cheeks were flushed as they approached Lauro.

Well, it's natural to be captivated, considering he defeated the knights in just a moment.

With his excellent looks and physique, and his position as my personal knight, he is probably of higher status than the sons of barons.

Moreover, if one were to become engaged to Lauro, it would be highly likely to get closer to the Spencer Duke family.

Although I doubt any of the young ladies have thought that far yet.

There are simple reasons to be captivated by Lauro, and there are also reasons to gain something by approaching him.

"...Thank you."

Lauro, at the center of it all, seemed as usual, but there was a slight hint of confusion in his demeanor.

It's reassuring to see Lauro acting as he always does.

On the other hand, I also wanted to see him act all flustered... but I can't really imagine that.

"Lauro"

When I called out to him, Lauro gave a slight bow to the surrounding young ladies and came over to me.

"Yes, Lady Asaria."

"The duel was tough, wasn't it?"

"Thank you."

For Lauro, the duel might have been over in an instant, with no sense of accomplishment, but I enjoyed it very much.

Especially the reactions of Lady Eira and Oline.

"I'm sorry for making you fight so suddenly."

"No, it was no problem at all."

Well, of course, it was over in an instant.

But since I initiated the duel, I want to give him some kind of reward...

"Is there anything you want? I want to give you a reward."

"Reward? No, I don't need anything."

I thought he would say that, as Lauro has no material desires.

Even though I prepared a large house and a room just for Lauro, he only had the bare essentials.

I gave him a considerable amount of money as a preparation fund, I think.

I want to give him some kind of reward, but knowing Lauro...

Every time I ask, it will probably end with "No, I'm fine."

Something that Lauro would be happy about...

Ah, that's right.

"Lauro, crouch down a bit."

"? Like this?"

Lauro, who was a head taller than me, crouched down so that his head was at the same level as mine.

Then... I petted Lauro's head.

"!? What are you...?"

Lauro seemed very surprised, but I had always wanted to do this.

"Because you always pet Leo and Rena's heads, right? I always thought it was cute, but you've never been petted, have you?"

"I am their older brother, so of course not..."

"Right? So I'll pet you."

Leo and Rena look very happy when they are petted.

Seeing their smiles, Lauro also seems to be happy.

I think Lauro has been working hard to be a kind older brother, letting them be spoiled to protect them.

I think he will continue to do so, but I want to let Lauro be spoiled a little too.

So I petted his head...

"Did you dislike it? If so, I'll stop."

"...No, I didn't dislike it."

"Really? Then can I continue a bit more?"

"...If Lady Asaria wishes it."

Lauro said this while averting his gaze, so I continued petting his head a bit more.

Lauro's hair, which looked soft from a distance, was actually quite hard.

But it wasn't tangled, so it seemed he washed his hair properly.

As I petted his hair, I noticed that Lauro's cheeks were slightly flushed.

Is he blushing? So he does have such shy feelings.

In a way, Lauro feels like a large dog.

Since Leo and Rena have a cute, small-dog-like charm, Lauro seems even more like a large, parent-like dog.

As my personal knight, he feels like a guard dog.

"...Lady Asaria, how long will you continue?"

"Hmm, right."

I took my hand off his hair, and Lauro stopped crouching.

...By the way, this was supposed to be about giving Lauro a reward.

I petted his head because I thought Lauro, like Leo and Rena, would enjoy it, but honestly, I just wanted to do it.

"I'm sorry, Lauro. Petting your head wasn't a reward for you. I'll think of something else."

"Ah, no, that's..."

"? What's wrong?"

"...No, it's nothing."

Lauro, with his cheeks flushed, averted his gaze.

Well, if it's nothing, I won't ask, but what was it?

I turned my gaze away from Lauro and spoke to the young ladies around me.

"Ladies, let's return to the party. There are still sweets we haven't eaten, and the tea has gone cold, so let's make some fresh."

When I called out to them, they nodded and followed me.

We sat back at the table and resumed the tea party.

But unlike before, the young ladies' gazes felt warm.

Lady Daria also had a gentle smile.

"Lady Asaria, you are a truly wonderful person."

"Huh? What's this, Lady Daria?"

"No, I just realized how much you are admired by everyone."

What, admired?

I was supposed to be known for having a bad personality, right?

But maybe the rumors are finally being dispelled.

"Really? That's nice to hear."

"Yes, of course I admire you, Lady Asaria."

"Thank you, Lady Daria."

When I thanked Lady Daria, the other young ladies also said, "Me too!" and "I like Lady Asaria!"

Before the regression, I had been told this by my entourage a few times, but this time it felt different, as if they really meant it.

It's a bit embarrassing, but I'm really happy.

"Thank you all so much."

When I smiled and thanked them, they also smiled warmly.

"Also... hehe."

"Huh?"

Lady Daria looked behind me and had a meaningful smile.

There's only Lauro behind me, I think.

The other young ladies were also looking at Lauro, so I turned around, but Lauro was just standing there expressionless.

Feeling curious, I turned back and spoke.

"Ladies, you're all looking at Lauro. What's going on?"

"No, we just thought that Lady Asaria is also well-admired by her personal knight."

"Yes, I agree."

"It's very admirable and enviable."

Hmm, I don't quite understand, but if they see that Lauro trusts me, that's nice to hear.

"Lord Lauro is amazing. Only when Lady Asaria is looking at him..."

"Yes, how does he manage not to blush?"

"Huh? What are you talking about?"

"No, it's nothing, Lady Asaria."

"Yes, just a bit of small talk."

"Okay?"

The two young ladies seemed to be whispering about something, but if it's not about me, there's no need to ask.

After that, I was finally able to enjoy the tea party quietly.