Chapter 5

Tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap...

-- The sound of footsteps echoed through the office.

Valerio was pacing back and forth in the office.

"Please calm down. Pacing around won't make Lady Rira arrive any sooner."

"I know, but sitting down makes me even more nervous."

Today, Rira was visiting the Claudel Duke's residence for the first time. Although he had been visiting the Sarrange Earl's residence once a week since then, this was the first time he had invited her to his own mansion, which made him feel uneasy.

Since becoming the head of the knights, he had received various reports from all over the country, but even when he received news of a village being attacked by a minority group near the border, he had been calmer than this.

Was inviting someone to his own territory this nerve-wracking? Would Rira like this house? Since she would spend more time in this mansion after marriage than he would, he should ask her now if there was anything she wanted to change.

When the servant at the gate informed him of her arrival, he hurriedly went outside to greet her.

As the coachman opened the door of the carriage parked in front of the entrance, Valerio approached and extended his hand into the carriage. A delicate, white hand gently placed itself on top of his. Her fingers were so slender that he feared they would break if he squeezed them too hard. Yet, they were not bony, and her fingertips were feminine, with small, neatly trimmed nails that were unexpectedly adorable for a young noble lady.

Rira, wearing a light blue, modest dress, stepped out of the carriage and smiled at him, but then her face suddenly turned startled.

Thinking there might be something wrong, Valerio turned his gaze to where Rira was looking and saw a group of servants, all with broad smiles, gathered to welcome her. He hadn't given any such instructions. When did this happen?

They must have come out of sheer curiosity to catch a glimpse of her. Glaring at them to make them leave without Rira noticing, a few of them hastily averted their eyes, but most ignored it, and it wasn't very effective.

The servants were all former knights, still in good physical condition, and many had rugged faces. Even without their knight uniforms, their presence was intimidating when they gathered together. No wonder Rira was startled.

"Welcome, Lady Rira! Welcome to the Claudel Duke's residence!"

The rough voices echoed throughout the Claudel Duke's estate. Rira's large eyes widened even more.

(If she's scared, what are you doing!?)

"Ri, Rira. These are the servants, they're not scary."

Despite his concern, a stifled laugh echoed.

"Heh, heh, heh, heh. Thank you all. I'm very happy to be welcomed. Heh."

(Cute... How adorable...)

The servants, charmed by her bell-like voice and delicate smile, blushed and stared at Rira. Even the tough guys looked silly when they blushed. He wished they would disperse quickly.

"Sir Valerio, shall I guide her?"

Filippo, stepping forward, prompted him, breaking Valerio's trance as he watched Rira's smile, just like the servants. He was about to guide her inside but froze when he saw Rira's expression as she looked at Filippo.

Just a moment ago, she had been giggling, but now she was staring at Filippo with a slightly surprised look.

Seeing this, Valerio felt disappointed.

He had seen countless women become entranced by Filippo's handsome appearance. When he decided to invite Rira, he hadn't completely ruled out the possibility.

However, since Rira wasn't afraid of him and had said she didn't care about his appearance, he had somehow hoped she would be different. That she wouldn't be affected by Filippo's looks.

But she was staring at Filippo.

(Do all women react this way to handsome men? Is Rira the same...?)

"Sir Valerio? Shall I guide her?"

"Yes...—Rira, let's go inside."

"Huh?...What?"

"Did you say something?"

"No, nothing."

Seeing Rira stare at Filippo like other women, Valerio couldn't hide his disappointment during lunch.

"This is also very delicious!"

"I'm glad you like it."

He couldn't engage in conversation. Rira tried to start various conversations, but they kept breaking off. He couldn't muster the energy to continue. He noticed her looking at him with concern several times but pretended not to notice.

"Until next week, then."

He watched the carriage carrying Rira leave the gate. The excitement he had felt before her arrival seemed like a lie, and a cold wind blew through his heart.

He had tried to act normal, but he felt he had been different.

(I had too high expectations. I knew I shouldn't expect and get hurt... I was elated thinking Rira accepted me, not being afraid of me.)

At first, he had thought that even if Rira had a lover of a different status, it would be fine as long as she fulfilled her duties as a duchess. He didn't want to see her captivated by another man.

Feeling betrayed, he realized he had come to care for Rira so much...

Leaning his cheek on his hand in the office, Valerio was lost in thought when Filippo entered.

Filippo hadn't done anything, but Valerio didn't want to see his face right now.

"I want to be alone right now."

"I apologize, but you seemed off. What happened, Sir Valerio?"

"What do you mean?"

"You don't seem well. You were so excited before Lady Rira arrived."

"Ha... She was captivated by you in front of me. It would be strange if I were cheerful."

Filippo looked puzzled and said, "Captivated? By who?"

He seemed genuinely unaware, looking up slightly as if trying to recall.

(Does he not realize how handsome he is?)

"Rira. She was captivated by you."

"Rira? No, I don't think she was captivated."

"Then what was it? It was the same reaction young ladies have when they see you for the first time."

"True, she looked surprised. However, young ladies who are captivated by me quickly show desire or flirtation in their eyes, but Rira didn't. She seemed purely surprised. I don't know what could have surprised her."

(So, he does realize how handsome he is. ...Why was she just surprised? Surprised by what? By his good looks? That's not any better.)

"Besides, after that, she only looked at you. She tried hard to improve the awkward atmosphere caused by your sudden coldness. She didn't even glance at me."

"...Is that so? Did I show it that much?"

"I think you hid it well. I only noticed because Rira was so concerned about you as soon as you entered the mansion. Otherwise, I wouldn't have noticed. Did you not notice Rira's concern? Even when you saw her off to the carriage, she muttered, 'Did I do something wrong?' and looked dejected."

"I didn't notice that."

He had noticed her concern, but he didn't realize she had been so persistent. Even Filippo, who hadn't noticed, had seen it. Rira had immediately noticed that he was acting differently.

"It's rare for Sir Valerio to be so oblivious. I chose Lady Rira as your match because I thought she would be suitable. I would never choose a young lady who changes her expression at the sight of me."

"Did you know Rira before?"

"I saw her once when I was a knight. On the day of the coup... After that, I only heard rumors. That's all."

"On the day of the coup?"

"Yes. She was a debutante that year. I remember her because she was one of the few young ladies who watched you intently."

(Saying 'one of the few' is a bit rude...) However, he hadn't noticed being watched. Could it be that when Rira said, "You look wonderful to me," it wasn't just a transparent compliment?

No, that couldn't be.

"Rira will be here again next week for the maid interviews. Why don't you observe her behavior and attitude then? You'll see that she wasn't captivated by me."

"You're right. If you say so, I'll do that."

Perhaps he had been more hurt by the continuous rejections of his marriage proposals than he thought. He had felt insecure about not being attractive to women. He wanted to stop thinking negatively.

In any case, they were going to get married. He didn't want her to elope with a servant, which would be a scandal, but if she was captivated by Filippo, he could accept it as eye candy. He wasn't sure if he could accept it himself, though...

If she was just surprised, she shouldn't show any interest in Filippo in the future. He hadn't had the presence of mind to observe her today, but he would pay attention next week.