Chapter 6

Amidst the flowers blooming wildly in the duke's garden, Dia walked slowly. Once she moved away from the party venue, there was no sign of anyone. From behind, she could hear Ralph's relaxed and heartfelt voice.

--- Wow, Lady Claudia standing in the flower field looks like a princess in a flower kingdom. It's just like a fairy tale. Ellie would be delighted if she saw this.

(So, his sister's name is Ellie?)

--- Next time, when I go home, I'll tell Ellie... No, that guy has been cold to me lately... Is it his rebellious phase?

Dia felt a sense of admiration for Ralph, who maintained an appropriate distance from his sister.

(I wish Brother Bael would learn from him...)

Pretending to stroll gracefully through the garden, Dia was actually heading to a specific place. The west side of the garden, a spot rarely visited by anyone.

(I'm sure I met the boy with red hair around here.)

Suddenly, she heard someone's voice. As Dia was about to head in that direction, Ralph stepped forward quickly, walking ahead as if to protect her.

(Ralph is not only kind-hearted but also an excellent bodyguard.)

Following Ralph, they approached the source of the voice, where a few men were shouting.

"This is not a place for you to be!"

"Get lost!"

"Ugly heretic!"

One of the men spat out insults while kicking something.

(What's this, bullying?)

The moment Dia thought this, Ralph touched the sword at his waist.

--- This is infuriating. Which noble brats are these?

Ralph was right; the men were well-dressed. Seeing the one who had been kicked and fallen, Dia gasped. There, crouching, was a boy with bright red hair. Ralph looked at Dia, as if asking what to do.

--- I want to help, but I'll follow Lady Claudia's instructions.

Not knowing the men's status, it was a wise decision. Dia took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and exhaled slowly. Then, she approached the men and spoke in the sweetest voice she could manage.

"Hello."

The men shuddered. Dia pinched the hem of her dress and bowed cutely.

"Thank you for coming to the Payford residence today."

Pretending to be innocent, she conveyed this, and the men exchanged awkward glances.

"Oh, an emergency patient!?"

Pretending to have just noticed the red-haired boy, Dia gasped and clasped her hands to her chest. She ran to him and offered her hand, saying, "Please, come this way." Dia smiled and told the men, "We will take care of the emergency patient here. The party venue is that way," and they left awkwardly.

Ralph released his hand from his sword.

--- Lady Claudia, impressive! Or is she naturally like this?

Ralph, who had come closer, said to the red-haired boy, "Excuse me," and touched the spot where he had been kicked.

"It doesn't look like there's any bleeding, and no bones are broken."

"That's good..."

The red-haired boy stood up silently and brushed the dirt off his clothes.

--- Red hair, you're from the south. Are you related to Prince Arnold?

(Arnold, the third prince, my fiancé?)

While surprised by Ralph's thoughts, Dia tried not to show it on her face. The red-haired boy was looking at the ground, as if searching for something.

"What are you looking for?"

When Dia asked, he replied in a matter-of-fact tone, "A book." It was indeed the same boy from before.

"I'll help you look."

As they searched together, Ralph picked up a green-covered book and said, "Is this it?" The boy took the book and bowed slightly. Then, he sat at the base of a tree and quietly opened the book.

(Oh, because I'm not locked up like my brother, you won't ask me to read it with you, huh?)

With no other choice, Dia sat next to the boy. Surprised, he asked, "Can I read with you?" and received a hesitant response, "Well, sure, if you want..."

"What kind of books do you like?"

"Um..."

The boy mentioned a few book titles and fell silent again. Dia, without being asked, started talking about her favorite books. The boy smiled a little.

"All the books you like have princes and princesses in them."

This line resonated with Dia's past memories.

(Ah, right. This is what he said back then.)

In the past, Dia had replied, "Yes, that's right. Princes are cool, popular, and wonderful." When the boy asked if she liked princes, past Dia had answered, "Yes, I like princes who are loved by everyone," but the current Dia felt differently.

Arnold, who looked like the ideal prince, was a womanizer and a terrible person. Before she knew it, Dia had answered, "I hate princes."

"…Why?"

Dia looked at the confused boy.

"I don't like princes who are loved by everyone. I want someone who will look at and love only me."

The boy's yellow eyes stared at her intently.

"Also, I like someone who can have a proper conversation, like you."

Her father and brother were both quiet, and she had no memory of having a proper conversation with Arnold.

--- Like me?

Dia heard the red-haired boy's voice in her head.

(Ah, I made it sound like I was confessing. I just want to be friends...)

The boy looked down, still holding the book.

--- This kid is different. She wants to talk to a monster like me.

His words, filled with resignation, reminded her of her past self, and for some reason, she felt angry. Dia looked straight at the boy.

"Your red hair and those eyes are very beautiful! Would you like to be my friend?"

The boy's vacant eyes slowly regained their light. It was as if he was noticing Dia for the first time, and his eyes focused.

--- I found what I want.

(Huh?)

The red-haired boy looked incredibly serious.

"What's your name?"

"Claudia Payford. You can call me Dia."

The boy repeated her name, "Dia," as if savoring it.

"And you?"

When Dia asked, the boy smiled slightly.

"I'm Arnold. Arnold Wylsternholm."