Knight's Qualifications (8)
After finishing our meal at the restaurant, Camilla and I began wandering aimlessly. We weren't heading anywhere specific—just letting our feet carry us wherever they might. Through bustling streets filled with people, past fountains spraying water into the air, even into beautifully manicured gardens. The city built around the academy was impressively well-developed, which made every sight more delightful the longer we explored.
"Shall we try this alley this time?"
Camilla pointed to a narrow path squeezed between two buildings.
"Sure, let's go."
What lay beyond that alley was anyone's guess. But honestly, it didn't matter what was there. I took in the sight of Camilla smiling brightly. With one hand gripping mine tightly and her finger pointing down the alley, just watching her filled me with a smile of my own. She seemed to be genuinely enjoying this moment, and that was enough for me.
We'd made it about halfway down the alley when something crashed down from the sky with a loud thud.
"...Finally found you."
A thick cloud of dust from the impact blocked our view. Moments later, a familiar witch's hat emerged piercing through the haze.
"Erin?"
"Yeah, it's me, oppa."
The ground had cracked from the force of her landing, but Erin strolled out looking completely unfazed. She'd probably absorbed the shock with magic. One glance at her expression told me she was furious—no words needed. The fact that she'd come out with spells already primed in both hands set the tense mood.
Erin's eyes, fixed on me, slowly shifted sideways. They locked onto Camilla standing beside me.
"Sorry to interrupt so suddenly, but our date ends here."
Camilla's brow furrowed at Erin's words. The grip on my hand tightened gradually.
"...Says who?"
"Who else? Me, obviously."
With that, Erin strode forward on her short legs. As I instinctively stepped back from the imminent threat of magic, Camilla wrapped her arms around my arm.
...She's stacked.
Smaller than Alessia, maybe, but still impressively firm.
"You really think you can just do whatever?"
Erin's forehead vein bulged at the sight.
"Let go."
"No."
Camilla's response was short and firm.
Erin didn't stop, repeating herself to Camilla.
"I said, let go."
"You're not even involved, yet you're trying to split up an engaged couple? Isn't that a bit much?"
Neither Camilla nor I carried any weapons. Her refusal to back down in this situation left even me flustered. Erin seemed to share my surprise, sneering as she replied.
"What makes you think you can act so bold? It's like you're channeling some other desperate nobody."
Erin's gaze flicked briefly toward me.
She said something similar to me back then.
It reminded me of what Erin had told me during that kidnapping. Was she overlaying Camilla and me right now? Maybe that's why seeing us together pissed her off even more. It felt like a wild leap, but I couldn't outright dismiss it.
"Oppa, get away from that woman."
"Erin."
"Yeah, your Erin's right here. So why not peel off now? We've got lots to talk about."
Had she decided Camilla wouldn't listen anymore? Erin's eyes shifted to her, signaling a change in target.
"Sorry, Erin."
"...Even you, oppa?"
The sins I'd racked up against Erin today were heavy. I'd derailed my own plans, smashed the magic tool she'd poured her heart into. But right now, I chose to focus on Camilla. I couldn't just abandon her for Erin.
Camilla pressed even closer, speaking up.
"Let me say it again. Rion is on a date with me right now. So, third wheel, mind stepping aside?"
Camilla's lips curved into a smile. But it wasn't the bright one she'd shown me earlier—this was sharper, more obsessive, dripping with superiority.
In that instant, the mana in Erin's magic circles stirred. A clear sign she was about to cast.
I couldn't just stand there and let her unleash a spell, so I moved toward Erin and grabbed her wrist. She looked up at me.
"You haven't forgotten where we are, right?"
"..."
Had she momentarily blanked on the location? Erin winced, quickly dispelling her circles.
"Calm down for today. We'll talk tomorrow."
"...Okay."
Erin's shoulders slumped dejectedly. I felt bad for her, but using magic here could hurt someone. To prevent any accidents, I had to separate them first.
"..?"
Then Erin grabbed my chin. In a headbutt-like blur, she thrust her face forward.
Mwah—
It happened so fast I couldn't react. Gone was her defeated look—it had all been an act. Erin grinned at Camilla.
Camilla, who'd witnessed it, gaped in stunned disbelief.
"Oppa, you have to come tomorrow."
With those final words, Erin leaped into the air and vanished from sight.
Camilla and I watched her fly off into the distance. Slowly, Camilla spoke.
"Rion... why aren't you surprised?"
"Huh?"
"This isn't the first time, is it?"
Her voice chilled me to the core. I froze, staring only in the direction Erin had gone, saying nothing.
My instincts screamed: Stay still if you want to live. Don't even turn your head.
I obeyed, turning to stone. But Camilla pressed on.
"...Doesn't matter how many times."
"..."
"As long as I'm the last one... that's fine."
Her words sounded so off that I turned involuntarily. In that moment, Camilla seized my face with both hands.
"..!"
Jealousy from Erin's display? Competitive fire? The reason didn't matter.
Camilla kissed me.
Unlike Erin's quick peck, hers was firmer, longer. What felt like ten minutes was probably just one. She staggered back, gasping for the breath she'd held.
Panting as she caught her breath, Camilla said,
"Rion... as long as I'm the one by your side at the end, I don't care about anything else."
Her ears burned red; she couldn't lift her head in embarrassment. Curiosity got the better of me—what expression was she making?
I gently helped her stand. Her face was the reddest I'd ever seen, whether from shame or the sunset glow, I couldn't tell.
Camilla shoved me away lightly with both hands.
"We're only engaged... nothing more than that for now..."
"...So after we're married?"
She didn't answer. But her face flushed impossibly deeper, giving away her thoughts.
※ A week had passed since my date with Camilla.
After that day, I didn't ask her to check my spearwork or pry into old events. We went where she wanted, ate what she craved, saw what caught her eye. Day by day, her condition improved. The haggard look faded, replaced by her true self.
"This position really that good?"
"Yeah, just comfy."
A new routine formed: sitting side by side, her head on my shoulder. She claimed our heights matched perfectly. I had no idea, but if she was happy, that sufficed.
Camilla tentatively placed a hand on my thigh.
"Rion, heard about the upcoming ball?"
"Yeah, I know."
It was an event from the game, so I remembered. If you built enough affection with a heroine before it triggered, you could attend as her partner.
Camilla stood, extending her hand to me as I sat.
"For this ball... be my partner?"
I took her hand and rose.
"Gladly."