DTRAF 09

Chapter 9

I Won’t Give the Male Lead Love Advice!

Even after dragging me to a deserted corner, Lysa looked around several more times before finally letting go of me.

I really should learn to keep my mouth shut.

If I’d known this was such a sensitive topic that she had to be this careful, I never would’ve brought it up.

“Lysa, you really don’t have to tell me. I’m not even sure I should be hearing this…”

“Most nobles in Biender already know about it. You just don’t because you were practically confined to your estate due to your health when it happened.”

“…Couldn’t I just go on living without knowing?”

“But you said you wanted to become friends with Rihardt, didn’t you, Amelie? Wouldn’t it be better if you knew what kinds of things he dislikes?”

“Hmm…”

I still didn’t know what incident Lysa was referring to, but it sounded like it was the reason Rihardt had become wary of women.

The original Amelie Garnet was a villainess who might very well have ended up being killed by the male lead, Rihardt.

If knowing what he hated could help me avoid making fatal mistakes…

Then it was definitely worth hearing.

Reluctantly, I nodded.

“Then… just tell me what everyone already knows. You don’t have to go into too much detail.”

“I will. First… you know that His Highness Prince Rihardt’s older sister, Princess Patricia, supposedly died after falling from a cliff, right?”

“Huh? O-Oh, right.”

I pretended I knew.

In reality, the only thing I’d learned from Amelie’s diary was that Rihardt had an older brother, the Crown Prince.

So the fact that he’d also had an older sister who died in an accident was completely new information to me.

“But… the truth is, Princess Patricia was murdered.”

“What?”

Murdered?

The princess?

Who in the world would dare?

The revelation was so unexpected that I blurted out the question before I could stop myself.

“At the time, Her Highness had both a lover and a fiancé. A noble lady secretly fell in love with him, and driven by obsession and jealousy… during a royal hunting competition…”

Lysa bit her lip, unable to continue.

I could only cover my mouth in shock.

“No… but how could anyone do something like that during an official event? There should’ve been guards and other nobles nearby.”

“The young lady was one of the princess’s closest friends. No one ever imagined she’d do something like that. And it all happened so quickly.”

“…Her closest friend…”

Princess Patricia and her closest friend.

Without meaning to, the relationship reminded me of Lysa and me.

Only then did I finally understand why Rihardt had looked at me with such suspicion and hatred ever since the day I’d arrived in this world.

“Rihardt adored his sister. After that incident, he completely changed. As you know, he used to be kind and warm toward everyone.”

“I… see.”

“He tries to avoid getting involved with women whenever possible because he never wants something so terrible to happen again. It left that deep of a scar.”

“I think I’d probably do the same. That must’ve been incredibly painful for him. And I… I didn’t even know any of this.”

From Rihardt’s perspective…

I must have looked no different from the noblewoman who murdered his sister.

I suddenly felt guilty for having dismissed him as nothing more than an obnoxious nuisance.

From now on, even if he remained cold toward me, I thought I could at least understand him a little better.

“The royal family tried to keep what happened to the princess quiet, so there was no way you could’ve known. Lord and Lady Garnet probably hid it from you because they worried your fragile health wouldn’t withstand the shock.”

“Thank you for telling me.”

“Don’t mention it. Anyway, that’s why Rihardt absolutely hates women who show romantic interest in him or cling to him persistently.”

“Ah…”

Lysa’s words struck me like arrows straight through the heart.

“And especially if they end up hurting someone because of those feelings.”

“Haha…”

There had once been hope.

Now there wasn’t.

Actually…

There never had been.

Every single thing Lysa listed was something the original Amelie had already done.

That meant Rihardt not hating me…

Was officially impossible.

“But you’re a good person now, Amelie! I’m sure you’ll become friends with Rihardt in no time!”

Lysa smiled as innocently as ever.

No, Lysa.

At this point, I’ll be grateful if Rihardt doesn’t kill me…

Imagining a possible bad ending route somewhere in this novel, I forced out a bitter smile.

* * *

“Did something happen?”

Eric asked curiously when he came to pick me up around sunset.

Something had happened, all right.

My dreams and hopes had just developed one enormous crack.

I’d tried to compose myself, but apparently my expression still gave me away.

Still, I couldn’t exactly explain everything to Eric.

“I’m just a little tired.”

“You certainly look it. Let’s head straight back to the estate.”

“Yeah.”

“Lady Amelie!”

Just as Eric escorted me toward the carriage, someone called out.

“Sir Claire?”

Turning around, I saw Sir Claire running toward us.

She was still quite far away, yet her voice carried perfectly.

That alone was impressive.

“So it’s happening again.”

Meanwhile, Eric sighed and rubbed his forehead.

Even so, he obediently helped me back down from the carriage without complaint.

For someone who nagged so much, he really did have excellent instincts.

“Lady Amelie, are you heading home already?”

Despite running over at incredible speed, Sir Claire wasn’t even slightly out of breath.

Lysa was the same.

Just what kind of training did the Knights Order put people through to create monsters with this kind of stamina?

It was both admirable…

and a little terrifying.

“Yes. I was just about to return to the estate.”

“I was disappointed we couldn’t talk earlier because I was busy with work. Then I happened to spot you, so I ran over.”

“Really?”

Along with a brief surge of happiness came a brand-new glimmer of hope.

After Lord Harbor, this was the second big fish to swim right into my net.

Just as Eric had said…

The opportunity had presented itself all on its own.

“Then shall we chat for a little while inside the carriage?”

“I’d love that!”

Sorry, Eric.

It couldn’t be helped.

I smiled apologetically at him before accepting Sir Claire’s escort into the carriage.

“Wow… Lady Amelie’s carriage is even nicer than the Marquis family’s.”

“Is it?”

To be honest, yesterday had been my first time riding it, so I had no idea how luxurious it actually was.

Until the day before yesterday, I’d been using the carriage that the original Amelie supposedly rode.

But Lord Garnet had apparently gotten rid of it without telling me, saying there was no way his daughter should be traveling around in something so shabby.

Maybe because I’ve been going out so much lately?

The Garnet family controlled a powerful trading company with exclusive overseas trade rights.

Perhaps it was simply a matter of maintaining appearances.

Either way, I certainly appreciated the smoother ride.

“So where were you headed, Sir Claire?”

“I was on my way to inspect the training grounds for tomorrow night’s sparring festival. I heard you’re coming too?”

“Yes. The commander of the Second Knights Order gave me permission to attend.”

“Of course you should come! You’re the one who’s done so much to raise everyone’s morale.”

Sir Claire nodded emphatically.

Her praise felt excessive, but it was also completely sincere.

“You’re embarrassing me. I only did it because I genuinely enjoy spending time with all of you.”

“And we truly enjoy having you there too.”

The constant compliments naturally brought a smile to my face.

They weren’t kidding when they said praise could make even a whale dance.

My gloomy mood instantly lifted.

“Oh! By the way… are you planning to participate in tomorrow’s cheering event?”

“Oh? There’s something like that too?”

“Yes. Each knight order selects five participants for the sparring tournament. You simply choose one knight and give them a decorative knot. The knight then ties it onto their sword sheath.”

I knew about this event.

It appeared in romance fantasy novels all the time.

Usually it was a handkerchief instead of a knot.

The heroine would give it to the male lead before he went off to war or a dangerous campaign as a token wishing him victory.

For a cheering event…

It was surprisingly elegant and romantic.

“Anyone who correctly predicts the overall champion receives a reward vacation. Since it’s you, Lady Amelie, they’ll probably prepare a different prize.”

“So the number of knots each knight receives also shows who’s considered the strongest?”

“Exactly. All of the participating knights are skilled, but I’m expecting to receive plenty of knots myself.”

Although she said it jokingly, Sir Claire’s confidence wasn’t unfounded.

I’d seen her spar briefly with Lysa before.

She had fought almost evenly with her.

“I think I’ll definitely participate. It sounds fun.”

“It makes the matches much more exciting when you’re cheering someone on. But…”

She hesitated.

“…Who are you planning to support, Lady Amelie?”

“Hmm…”

I should probably support Lysa.

Honestly, I wanted to cheer for everyone.

It was just unfortunate that I could only give one knot.

I deliberately paused, pretending to think it over.

“…I suppose you’ll be cheering for Lord Harbor?”

“Huh?”

Lord Harbor?

I had been thinking only about Lysa, so the question caught me completely off guard.

Then I noticed Sir Claire’s expression.

She looked strangely anxious.

Almost…

Nervous.

Wait…

I quickly blinked twice, activating my worry-emoji ability.

“Oh my…”

The heart I’d seen floating above Sir Claire’s head a few days earlier had grown dramatically larger, bobbing happily above her head.