MCFATTKM

69

Lelia's body was drooping on the bench when she answered Ruth at his urging, "I think Princess Juliana likes Sir Ruth too. She probably likes you a lot."

"Really...? But isn't it strange? Princess Julianna kept smiling at Sir Raymond... last time, it was Kalix and this time..."

Ruth glared at Lelia, as if she was to blame.

"Fair enough," replied Lelia, "it looks like she's doing it on purpose, maybe to arouse your jealousy."

"Jealousy...?" Ruth seemed excited.

Lelia was convinced.

While she was smiling at Lelia, Julianna seemed to constantly check Ruth's reaction.

Ruth was too insensitive to notice this.

"...What should I do?"

'What else was wrong?' Ruth grabbed his head.

"What's troubling you? You just have to confess."

'Yes, hurry up, confess and let me complete the quest.' Lelia urged inwardly.

But... even if Princess Julianna accepted the confession, what if His Majesty, Her Majesty, and the Crown Prince opposed it?

"......."

Lelia turned her head away.

She suddenly wanted to see her friends. She badly needed rest. There was a lot she had to tell Ruth, but she couldn't. All of it would be profanity, after all.

Ruth, who had been tense for a while, hesitated and scratched his cheek with his index finger, "So, Sir Raymond, I have one more request."

"... What is it?"

He appeared nervous. Ruth's lips twitched and he immediately requested, "Please be the object of comparison with me so that His Majesty, the Emperor, and Her Majesty can trust me."

"...What?"

"Act rude to Julianna and one of the princess' maidens, and then, I will ask you for a duel. You can surrender to me and apologize to the Princess. What do you think?"

"......?"

Lelia's mouth widened in surprise.

What was the point of that?

Ruth frowned at her reaction, wondering what Lelia was thinking.

"...Would it be difficult?"

Nevertheless, he did not give up and asked again.

Lelia blinked her eyes, a nagging feeling in her mind.

'Do you think I'm a pushover because I keep doing you favors?'

Of course, the quest was important, but she was being too easy on him. She didn't want to be treated as a pushover, forced to act as Ruth's servant.

"Of course it is difficult. My honor is at stake. It will also hurt the pride of Prince Romeo."

"...I see. My thoughts were short. I'm sorry."

She thought he would be insistent, but Ruth unexpectedly apologized instantly for his mistake.

He was silent for quite a while, but soon spoke up again, "So, what about this method?"

"......."

'I'm worried.'

Lelia's expression was indifferent and Ruth was in a good mood.

"This is a way not to hurt the honor of the princess or the honor of Prince Romeo.