Chapter 72

When Erika heard that Itsuki had taken Francis—who was ostensibly Harold’s friend—sightseeing in Kablan, she couldn't help but suspect her brother was plotting something again.

By and large, Itsuki was a brother to be proud of, but he was far too passionate about playing matchmaker between her and Harold. The fact that he was so fond of Harold was something Erika genuinely appreciated, of course. Perhaps his actions stemmed from having realized the secret affection for Harold she kept locked away in her heart.

However, the problem lay with Harold himself.

He did not wish to marry Erika. It was painfully obvious that he would not take kindly to Itsuki’s relentless meddling.

She knew the reason Harold avoided the prospect of their marriage. To put it simply, Erika was currently inadequate.

Eight years ago, he had rebuked her harshly, telling her that her kindness was nothing more than self-satisfaction—a hollow act that merely coddled its recipient. That moment had been the catalyst that shifted Erika’s perspective, fueling her resolve to grow into someone capable of supporting him.

Since then, she had spent every day honing her mind, her skills, and her body to become a partner worthy of him. Yet, no matter how much she chased after him, his back remained distant, always just out of reach.

As much as Erika progressed, Harold moved forward just as quickly.

He never stood still. There were times when the sheer anxiety of whether she could ever truly catch up threatened to crush her.

Whenever that weakness reared its head, she would remember the tears Harold had shed in secret that day. Knowing that he, too, was desperately fighting his own anxieties and fears all alone allowed her to find her resolve again.

One day, she told herself, this effort would bear fruit.

"Erika-san, is something the matter?"

"Are you tired? Shall I bring you a drink?"

"Better yet, why don't we go get some fresh air?"

As Erika stood lost in thought, the men nearby vied for her attention, sensing her distraction and offering their concerned assistance.

It was the second day of the celebration. The setting was a guest lobby, a different location from the previous day's Great Hall. Since the main venue was still being prepared, many guests were waiting here.

There was still plenty of time before the start. Having arrived early, Erika had been surrounded by a swarm of men in an instant. She had expected them to be somewhat hesitant after the events of the previous day, but the moment they saw Harold was nowhere to be found, they had descended upon her in droves.

Looking at their faces, nearly half of them were the same men who had been paralyzed by Harold’s killing intent yesterday. In a way, they certainly possessed some degree of backbone.

However, because they were focused exclusively on Erika, the other female guests were clearly displeased. Erika could feel several envious glares directed her way.

She could have distanced herself from them by retreating to her room, but as a relative of the host, she felt such an act would be poor form.

She was still agonizing over how to handle the situation peacefully when a voice cut through the air.

"You're eyesores, you fools."

A sharp, frigid voice rang out, instantly draining the warmth from the lobby. The movements of the men surrounding Erika came to a halt.

Standing behind the crowd was Harold, his expression one of undisguised irritation.

"I’ll give you three seconds. Anyone who wants a repeat of yesterday, stay right where you are."

The men didn't even wait for the full three seconds before scattering like startled spiders. Clearly, yesterday’s display had left a deep impression on them.

For Erika, it was a profound relief.

"Thank you, Lord-sama."

"It's a job. Don't thank me."

Instead of saying he didn't need it, he used a command: "Don't do it." Erika found it to be very much like him.

Harold remained by her side, crossing his arms and leaning against the wall. Since he had declared it a job, he seemed determined to see his role as her guard through to the end. His serious nature, the polar opposite of his foul mouth, was transparent.

"Where have you been?"

"Itsuki dragged me along."

"I am sorry my brother has caused you trouble again."

"If you're so sorry, then manage that man properly."

"I do try to admonish him, but..."

It was likely impossible to stop the rampage of a man as devoted to Harold as Itsuki was. Erika nearly let out a sigh. Perhaps sensing her plight, Harold didn't press the matter.

"Speaking of which, are my brother and Lord Francis not with you?"

"I left them behind... Erika."

"Yes?"

Her heart skipped a beat at the sound of her name. Hiding her reaction, she replied as calmly as possible.

"You just called Francis by his given name, didn't you?"

"Yes, he asked me to call him that."

"I see. So you don't think poorly of him."

"I was certainly startled by his suddenness yesterday, but since I don't know Lord Francis well enough yet, I have no reason to loathe him."

She neither liked nor disliked him. To her, he was simply her brother's friend and a somewhat overly passionate individual.

Harold considered this for a moment before asking another question.

"Tell me... if it were decided that you were to marry Francis, would you accept it?"

"!"

Erika desperately fought to keep her voice and emotions under control. She had no idea what Harold was thinking with such a question, but it was more than enough to shake her to her core.

If she followed her heart, she could never accept it. To do so would mean giving up on ever being by Harold's side.

Erika was well aware that her goal of supporting Harold didn't strictly require them to be wed. If Harold were to choose another woman as his partner, she fully intended to offer them her blessings.

But as long as Harold had no one else, Erika couldn't imagine giving up on him to marry another. Not as long as there was even the slightest possibility that he might one day choose her.

That was why she couldn't accept it. Had she been in a position to prioritize only her own feelings, that would have been her answer.

"...I see. I am aware that you have no desire to marry me. While it would be difficult for me right now, if my father or brother made such an arrangement for the sake of the Sumeragi—"

I would likely accept the marriage. The words were on the tip of her tongue, but Harold cut her off.

"Are you an idiot? I don't care about your relatives or your house. I’m asking what you, Erika Sumeragi, want to do personally."

What Erika wanted to do personally. If she could strip away her status and her duty and decide based solely on her own feelings.

The answer was simple. It was a wish she had nurtured in the depths of her heart for eight long years.

"...If it were permitted, I would not accept it. If my wish could come true, I would... want to be with the one I truly love."

Erika looked Harold straight in the eye as she gave her answer.

Harold held her gaze for a few moments, then lowered his face slightly, averting his eyes.

"...I see."

It might have been a trick of the light.

But as Harold muttered those words in a monotone voice, he looked almost... satisfied.

(Did he just... smile?)

For a fleeting second, she thought she saw a gentle smile, nothing like his usual cynical sneers.

It was gone in an instant, and she had no way to confirm it. Even if she asked, he would only deny it.

"Hmph. They finally made it back."

Following Harold's gaze, she saw Itsuki and Francis walking toward them. Harold pushed himself off the wall.

"With those two around, no more pests should bother you. I’m going to rest in my room until the start."

Leaving her with only those words, Harold vanished from the lobby.

Itsuki and Francis arrived just as he left.

"Where did Lord go?"

"He said he was going to rest in his room until the celebration begins."

"Hmm, did I wear him out?"

"If Lord is tired, then I’m even more exhausted," Francis chimed in.

"Then do you want to go rest in your room as well, Fran?"

"I’d like to, but before that, Erika, could you give me a moment of your time?"

"I don't mind, but..."

She glanced at Itsuki. He had been so opposed to Francis approaching Erika earlier, but this time he remained silent. That meant he approved.

She wondered what could have caused such a change of heart.

"It’s a bit crowded here. Let's step into the garden."

Francis led her to the mansion's courtyard. There were a few people chatting on the terrace, but Francis kept walking until they were in a secluded spot where no one could overhear them.

Erika found herself on guard, especially after Harold’s pointed question.

"So, what did you want to discuss?"

"I wanted to apologize for yesterday. My behavior was quite sudden."

"Please, raise your head. I was surprised, certainly, but I wasn't so offended that you need to apologize."

"Thank you. But this isn't just an apology to you, Erika."

"What do you mean? Did my brother say something?"

"No. Think of this as a way for me to settle things with Lord... with Harold. Oh, I have no intention of telling anyone else, so you can relax."

"...You knew?"

"I didn't have proof, but when I asked Itsuki, he confessed quite readily."

"That man..."

Erika’s head throbbed.

Another "lecture" for her brother was definitely in order. Between this and how he treated Harold, a mere warning might not be enough this time.

But that aside, she didn't understand how an apology to her was a way to settle things with Harold.

"So, essentially, I received a lecture from Harold."

"A lecture?"

"To summarize: 'Someone of your caliber shouldn't lay a finger on Erika.' I realized he’s a much more terrifying opponent than Itsuki."

Francis gave a wry smile. According to him, it seemed Harold had effectively fended him off for approaching Erika.

But that was impossible. Harold didn't want to marry her, so it should have been convenient for him if she ended up with someone else.

If she didn't remind herself of that, she would end up misunderstanding. She would end up hoping.

"...Are you sure there hasn't been some mistake? I can't imagine Lord Harold speaking out on such a matter."

"Ah... wait. Has Harold not told you anything? That man really is a piece of work."

"What are you talking about?"

"You seem to believe you aren't precious to Harold, but that couldn't be further from the truth. He said this to me: 'Erika isn't some weak, fragile woman who can do nothing but be protected. She is a woman of iron will, with the strength to fight and the resolve to defy fate. As long as you think she is merely a pretty flower, you’ll never be able to handle her.'"

"L-Lord Harold... said that?"

"If you don't believe me, ask Itsuki. Honestly, I felt completely outmatched by the depth of his feelings for you."

There was no way something so convenient could be true. Her skepticism was a vast mountain compared to a tiny sliver of belief.

Yet, at the same time, she couldn't help but wonder... what if? What if the thing she wanted more than anything else was actually coming true? No matter how much she told herself to remain calm, the hope was impossible to suppress.

"Good grief... seeing that look on your face, I can't even feel jealous."

"Eh?"

"I don't know if you're trying to hide it or if you're just savoring the moment, but Erika, joy is radiating from your entire face. I don't think I could ever make you look like that."

Mortified, Erika reflexively covered her face with her hands.

Her cheeks were indeed flushed with delight. Realizing this, she was overcome with embarrassment.

"No, um, this is... I didn't mean it like that..."

"Ha... Hahahaha!"

Erika was so flustered she couldn't even form a proper sentence. Seeing her like this, Francis couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Her shame only intensified.

"P-Please, stop laughing..."

"My apologies. But I see it clearly now. Trying to come between you and Harold would be the height of boorishness."

"It isn't like that..."

"I have no idea what happened to make things this way, but to me, you both just seem unable to be honest with each other despite how deeply you feel. It doesn't look like there's any room for anyone else to get a word in edgewise."

Francis spoke with a look of genuine clarity.

For Erika, who had never received those kinds of words or feelings from Harold, it was a difficult story to accept at face value. But then, she remembered the smile she had seen on Harold’s face earlier.

Francis had been making intense advances toward her since yesterday. If Harold had felt even the slightest bit of anxiety or jealousy because of that...

If that smile had been an expression of relief because she said she didn't want to marry Francis...

"I couldn't be happier..."

Erika whispered the words so softly that even Francis couldn't hear her.