“I’m sorry for the trouble I caused you yesterday.”

Ryan bowed deeply.

Ryan has recovered completely after a night since his accident, and came to see us to apologise before going home. His sprained ankle seems to have been healed by Sandrion-san’s white magic.

“Don’t do anything reckless from now on. It’s important to assess your own abilities.”

Dylan-san tapped young Ryan on the shoulder.

“Yes! I’ll train myself more and become a fine knight! Then I’ll propose marriage to Sapphiras-sama once again, so please wait!”

“No, that’s……”

“No.”

Before I could refuse, Percival cut in.

When I turned my gaze to Percival, he was looking at Ryan with an unusually stern gaze.

“You’ll be a fine knight, but Sapphiras is my fiancée.”

“Bu-But!”

“I don’t think anyone would be happy to be when their fiancée is being courted.”

Percival said this to Ryan, and he looked down with a hurt expression. I felt a little sorry for Ryan, but he was being strict with him for his own good. Anyone with common sense wouldn’t approach someone who has a fiancé. Even though Ryan is younger than us, he should know that it’s not a compliment.

“Ryan.”

“Ye-Yes!”

When I called out to him, Ryan looked up vigorously. There was a hint of expectation on his face. Come on, Percival just scolded him. But I don’t know why he liked me so much. We met for the first time at the party the day before yesterday, and I was just enjoying the delicious food. Maybe he fell in love with the way I ate?”

“I’m going to be an adventurer in the future.”

“An adventurer? Then I’ll be an adventurer too, not a knight!”

“O-okay……”

Well, anyone can be an adventurer if they want to. All you have to do is register as an adventurer with the guild. It’s much easier than becoming a knight. But it’s not so easy to survive and make money.

“I’ll work hard to hone my sword skills, so can you wait until I’m old enough to register with the guild……”

I can sense a chilly presence from Percival, who is standing next to me. Percival doesn’t say anything more, but I guess he’s wondering if he still doesn’t understand.

“Umm, this might sound cheesy, but trust and faith can’t be built in a day or two. I’ve overcome many hardships together with Percival. That’s why Percival is the only one I can trust unconditionally, and that will never change.”

No matter what the situation, I can trust my life to Percival. Of course, Percival must feel the same way. I’m proud of the relationship we’ve built together.

“So even if you become an adventurer, you won’t take my hand.”

I’ve been through so much trouble that I can’t help but wonder if it was the goddess’s doing. There were times when it was too much for a mere student to handle. But every time that happened, Percival went along with me without the slightest hesitation.

Looking him firmly in the eye, I tell him that there is no room for young Ryan get between us.

“But that’s because Percival-dono met Sapphiras before me. If only I’d met you first……”

“That’s what you call fate, isn’t it?”

“……!”

He finally understood that there was no hope at all. Tears welled up in Ryan’s eyes. I feel a little sorry for him, but Percival is the only companion I have.”

“I don’t dislike a guy with guts like Ryan. If we meet again, I hope we can talk as friends.”

“Ye-s…….”

As he replied in a small voice, tears rolled down Ryan’s cheeks. Hastily wiping his face with his sleeve, Ryan turned around and ran into the carriage. Countess Foster, who had been watching us with concern, bowed deeply, and the carriage slowly left the castle.

Just because they were close in age, I had somehow superimposed Ryan on Aquila, but now that I think about it, his personality was similar to the red-haired one. He was very opinionated and rushed head-on, and he also had a sense of rivalry with Percival.

“Somehow, he was like a whirlwind of a boy.”

“Haha, that was a disaster for you two. Even so, I didn’t think Percy would say it so bluntly.”

Dylan-san laughed and put his arm around Percival’s shoulder, but Percival looked very annoyed.

“Can’t I?”

“No. I just thought that no matter how much Ryan made a fuss, there was no way the engagement would be broken, so I thought we should just leave it alone……I see, I see.”

“It’s none of Dylan’s business.”

“Wow, I can’t believe that expressionless third son is getting angry.”

Percival frowns and roughly brushes off Dylan-san’s arm.

“Let’s go, Sapphiras.”

“Eh? Eh?”

Percival quickly grabs my hand and quickly leaves the place, leaving Dylan-san smiling. I turn around hastily and Dylan-san waves his hand.

Percival walks in silence, and doesn’t seem particularly angry, but it seems best not to ask anything. I let him lead me by the hand.

Percival quickly comes to the stables, stops in his tracks, and finally looks back at me. This time, he looks a little troubled.

“I’m sorry, Sapphiras……I’ve shown you my disgraceful side.”

“Eh?”

Disgraceful? Percival always looks cool. If anything, it’s me who’s showing my disgraceful side.

There must have been something in that exchange with Dylan-san earlier. To me it just looked like a casual exchange between friends, so I tilted my head, wondering what it was, and Percival’s troubled expression suddenly relaxed.

In front of Percival’s gaze, Matteo was craning his neck from the stable, peering at us intently. It seemed like he wanted to join us. I couldn’t help but laugh at the funny look.

“Since we’re here, shall we go for a little ride?”

“Sounds good!”

Percival pulled Matteo from the stable and quickly saddled him, preparing for the long ride. I had no idea what the disgraceful side of Percival was talking about was, but I guess there is more to Percival than I knew.

After returning from the ride, Percival joined the afternoon training and had a heated exchange of blows with Dylan-san. Dylan-san, who was being overwhelmed by Kingsleigh-san’s earthy sword training, made a fuss for some reason, saying that it was just Kingsleigh-san taking out his anger on him.

Even so, the two of them get along really well. Just watching, I couldn’t help but feel a little jealous.

melon: a relatively short chapter. Next chapter will be updated before the end of next week.

As previously mentioned, the author posted a character list which you can now see here.