DTRAF 10

Chapter 10

I Won’t Give the Male Lead Love Advice!

“Lord Harbor, today’s the day.”

“Yes, Lady Amelie.”

Lord Harbor answered solemnly, matching my serious expression.

“You brought everything you need, right?”

“I’ve hidden it somewhere safe.”

“Good.”

If someone happened to walk by, they might mistake this for some kind of secret smuggling operation.

But our mission was just as important.

Today, the day of the Night of Sparring, was also the day we would finally bring Lord Harbor’s unrequited love to an end.

“Everything is perfect.”

After what happened yesterday, I could finally say that with confidence.

Sir Claire had practically made it obvious herself.

“Lady Amelie… don’t you like Lord Harbor?”

“Do you mean… romantically?”

“Y-Yes… romantically…”

As I replayed yesterday’s conversation with Sir Claire, I couldn’t stop smiling.

She must have seen me spending so much time around Lord Harbor lately and mistaken my intentions.

I firmly denied it.

The instant I did, Sir Claire’s tense expression melted away, replaced by a relieved smile.

What else could that mean?

No matter how I thought about it, that had been jealousy.

And jealousy meant love.

Now that I’d confirmed the feelings were mutual, all that remained was finding the right moment for the confession.

“Later, during the fireworks at the after-party festival—that’s our chance. Quietly call Sir Claire over and give her the gift. After that… you know what comes next, right?”

There were even going to be fireworks that night.

If fate wasn’t practically pushing these two together, I didn’t know what was.

Fireworks always looked more beautiful after a little alcohol.

And with shadows dancing across someone’s face…

Everyone looked even more attractive.

People always said history could be made in broad daylight.

But emotionally speaking, evening confessions were simply the best.

“I don’t think giving her the gift will be a problem… but honestly… I don’t have the confidence to confess.”

Unlike me—who had already simulated the entire confession scene in my head—Lord Harbor still lacked courage.

I wasn’t worried because I already knew Sir Claire’s feelings.

From his perspective, however, he had absolutely no idea how she felt.

His hesitation was completely understandable.

“Lord Harbor.”

“They say that love has its timing.”

“An opportunity like today may never come again.”

“And if you let it slip away…”

“…someone else might seize that chance instead—and Sir Claire could end up with him.”

I deliberately lowered my voice, trying to put just enough pressure on him.

Apparently it worked.

Lord Harbor’s shoulders visibly flinched.

“You could keep hiding your feelings and remain good colleagues forever. That’s not necessarily a bad thing.”

“But are you really willing to let someone as wonderful as Sir Claire slip away?”

“…I think I’d regret it.”

“Then don’t hesitate.”

“…Whew.”

“Yes.”

“I’ll do it.”

After taking one deep breath, something changed in Lord Harbor’s eyes.

Determination.

He looked like someone who would never waver again.

“Thank you for giving me the courage.”

“I’ve made up my mind.”

“Now that’s the Lord Harbor I know.”

What a dependable man.

Satisfied, I gave him a big thumbs-up.

“Rowen Harbor! One last practice match before it starts!”

Right then, someone called out to him from beyond the nearby wall.

“I should get going.”

“All right.”

“You remember when I told you I was Cupid, don’t you?”

“Well…”

“Since Cupid herself is helping you, everything will work out.”

With the God of Love on your side, what is there to worry about?

Just confess!

I sent him one last burst of telepathic encouragement.

Whether it reached him or not, Lord Harbor nodded earnestly before heading toward the training grounds.

“I guess I’d better get ready too.”

Busy, busy.

I’d prepared another surprise for the Night of Sparring.

There wasn’t even a moment to rest.

The matches would begin soon.

* * *

Once noon passed, the seven banners of the Imperial Knight Orders fluttered proudly around the circular arena.

The tournament officially began after each commander gave a brief speech of encouragement.

According to the rules of the Night of Sparring, the commanders themselves weren’t allowed to participate in the ordinary matches.

So Rihardt simply watched quietly from the sidelines.

“As expected of Lysa Medianael.”

“The difference in skill is remarkable.”

The commander of the Fifth Knight Order spoke with genuine admiration.

Rihardt briefly glanced at him before turning his attention back to the arena.

The man wasn’t wrong.

Lysa completely overwhelmed every opponent she faced without ever looking endangered.

And…

“Lysaaaa! You’re amazing!”

Amelie Garnet was overwhelming the entire arena with her cheering voice.

Somehow she’d gotten hold of a giant cone-shaped megaphone nearly as large as her own face.

Even surrounded by burly knights, her presence was impossible to ignore.

“By the way…”

“Which noble family does that young lady belong to?”

“How did she end up attending the Night of Sparring?”

“I invited her.”

The commander of the Second Knight Order answered proudly.

“She’s Lady Amelie of House Garnet.”

“Recently she’s done wonders for our knights’ morale.”

“An extremely precious guest.”

“Oh!”

“So she’s the famous young lady everyone’s been talking about?”

“The one who visits every day to support the knights during training?”

“Ah, I’ve heard those rumors too.”

“They say she even listens to the knights’ personal worries.”

“Don’t remind me.”

“My men are dying of jealousy.”

The other commanders enthusiastically joined the conversation.

Only Rihardt remained silent, clearly unimpressed.

“Hahaha!”

“It’s only natural.”

“She’s so kind that our entire order has started calling her…”

“…the Angel Without Wings.”

An angel without wings?

Rihardt almost laughed at the absurdity.

Did the commander of the Second Knight Order really say that after knowing how much Lysa had suffered because of Amelie Garnet?

Shaking his head, Rihardt stood.

Listening to everyone praise Amelie Garnet any longer was unbearable.

He’d rather watch the matches from among the noisy spectators.

“Where are you going, Your Highness?”

“I’ll watch from below with the knights.”

“Besides…”

“Lysa will win again this year.”

“And then she’ll end up sparring with me, won’t she?”

“Unless there’s a major upset…”

“That’s almost certain.”

The commanders exchanged awkward glances.

Although they all held the same rank, Rihardt was still an imperial prince.

Practically their superior.

Once he stood up, they couldn’t exactly remain comfortably seated.

“You don’t need to follow me.”

“Please continue watching.”

Leaving the commanders standing halfway between sitting and rising, Rihardt quietly departed.

He walked directly toward the First Knight Order’s section.

“WAAAAAH!”

Just then, Lysa won yet another match.

Cheers erupted throughout the arena.

“You’re the best, sis!”

Immediately afterward came Amelie’s enthusiastic shout, somehow even louder than the crowd.

She’s certainly putting on quite a performance.

Apparently pretending to be weak hadn’t worked.

Now Amelie Garnet had decided to play the role of Lysa’s overly devoted admirer instead.

Watching Amelie clap enthusiastically, Rihardt settled into a seat behind her.

The arena seating was built on a slope, providing an excellent view.

In other words…

It was the perfect place to keep an eye on Amelie.

“H-Huh?! Commander!”

“Why aren’t you watching from the VIP seats?”

One of his subordinates jumped in surprise upon noticing Rihardt sitting beside him.

He really could’ve made some noise when he arrived.

If they’d accidentally thrown an arm around his shoulder in the excitement…

The mere thought made the knight shudder.

“Who’s Lysa facing next?”

Rihardt casually asked while acknowledging the surrounding knights’ greetings.

“Gilbert Momen of the Seventh Knight Order.”

“That match might last a while.”

“Maybe.”

“But Vice Commander Lysa’s in incredible form today.”

“It could end surprisingly quickly.”

As Rihardt turned toward Lysa…

Amelie Garnet naturally entered his field of vision as well.

An excited Lysa.

And Amelie bouncing happily in Lysa’s embrace.

Anyone who saw them would think they were precious friends.

If Lysa is this happy…

It’s probably because of Amelie Garnet.

He didn’t like it.

But the reason was obvious.

“It’s all fake anyway.”

Lysa looked genuinely happy in that moment.

Even if the voice echoing across the arena…

The warmth she freely shared…

Were all lies.

And even that smile shining beneath the sunlight…

Shining?

Whose smile?

As his gaze unconsciously lingered below, confusion flashed across Rihardt’s face.

“…I’ve been watching her far too often.”

He muttered to himself with a frown.

Amelie Garnet had been acting so strangely today that she was clearly starting to interfere with his own train of thought.