Chapter 5

For a while, Ian remained silent.

Feeling awkward, I followed him.

It seemed that I was hidden behind his large back, as people we passed gave us surprised looks more than once.

Ian, who seemed intent on remaining silent until the end, suddenly stopped as we walked through the corridor overlooking the courtyard.

To avoid bumping into his back, I also stopped.

Then,

"Thomas..."

I thought he was going to say something else, but he mentioned the name of the young man from earlier.

"He likes older women. Be careful."

For a moment, I couldn't understand what he meant.

It took me a while to realize that Thomas had a preference for older women and that I fit that description, so he was warning me to be careful.

To be honest, it was a shock.

Even if I admit to being a late bloomer, it's painful to be treated as an older woman by someone I like.

Even accounting for the fact that I look older due to my glasses and plain hairstyle, it's still painful.

"So, Mr. Ian, you came in a hurry to prevent Mr. Thomas from falling into the clutches of an older woman, right?"

This was the conclusion I drew from Ian's words.

I had gathered the courage to come and ask about his behavior this morning, but I never expected to hear such a harsh comment.

"N-no, that's not it!"

Ian immediately turned around.

His face was as unreadable as ever, but he seemed flustered.

"I don't think of you as an older woman, but that's how he might see you."

His attempt to clarify was half-hearted, and Ian fell silent again.

At least, it seemed he didn't mean to be malicious.

But even knowing that, I couldn't feel happy.

"I see."

My voice turned cold, and I couldn't help it.

I had just thought he was finally going to speak, and this is what I got.

The excitement I felt while heading to the knights' quarters gradually faded.

He probably doesn't even remember the maid I saved over ten years ago.

"I'm going now. I can find my way back from here."

I felt that staying any longer might lead to more unpleasantness, so I impulsively tried to leave.

In fact, by the time we reached the courtyard, I knew the way back.

However, Ian stood in front of me, blocking my path.

Confused, I looked up at him.

"I have a question."

Though I couldn't read his expression, his tone was serious.

I couldn't just ignore him and run away, so I waited for him to continue.

"Earlier, you were with Julius. Why were you doing that...?"

To my surprise, Ian had recognized that the heavily made-up me and the current me were the same person.

He was the deputy commander of the Blue Star Knights.

He should know the family compositions of the knights.

From his perspective, it was natural to wonder why siblings would pretend to be lovers in front of everyone.

"P-please don't tell anyone!"

I blurted out.

I didn't want the rumor that my brother had a girlfriend to be ruined if it turned out to be his sister.

"I apologize for causing a disturbance around the knights' quarters. I won't go near them again. Please, don't blame Julius."

It might be presumptuous to say this to his superior, but Julius is my dear brother.

Even if using me as a deterrent to keep him away from women is a terrible idea, if it helps him focus on his swordsmanship, I want to support him.

Before joining the knights, my naive brother rarely left our territory.

I don't want to see him get hurt by the noble love games.

I heard Ian catch his breath.

"Do you care that much about Julius?"

"I do."

Of course.

He's my dear brother.

After I stated this, Ian fell silent, as if deep in thought.

"What do you like about Julius?"

I tilted my head at his next question.

Was he asking about my brother's strengths from a family member's perspective? Perhaps for a reference in his evaluation at the knights' quarters.

"Well... I suppose it's his honest character and his straightforward dedication to what he loves. Also, though I may be biased, he is clean and well-groomed, and he has a good appearance."

In the Blue Star Knights, some members are assigned to guard the royal family. I've heard that these positions are given to the most attractive knights.

When Julius decided to join the knights, my father repeatedly emphasized the importance of grooming.

For my father, who pledged loyalty to the royal family, it was an honor for his son to serve as a royal guard.

So, I subtly wanted to highlight these points. I wonder if it worked.

It was a strange situation to be promoting my brother to my crush, but I would be happy if it helped him in any way.

"Clean and well-groomed, huh..."

Ian stroked his long beard.

Personally, I don't think there's anything wrong with Ian's long beard.

At that moment, one of the maids called out to me.

"There you are! Sandra, Lady Elise is waiting for you."

"Sorry, I'm coming."

She seemed startled when she realized I was with Ian after calling out to me. Her feet stopped as if she was hesitant to come closer.

The Blue Star Knights are very popular among the women who work in the castle, but Ian, with his unusual appearance, seems to be an exception.

"Someone has come to fetch me, so I'll take my leave here."

With that, I parted ways with Ian.

"What were you talking about with that oddball from the Blue Star Knights?"

On the way back, she asked with great interest, but I couldn't say anything and could only smile wryly.

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