Cynthia's Sudden Visit
Thud— Thud— Click— Click—
"......"
"......"
Damn. This is so awkward.
Harts and Cynthia walked toward Rian's room. The atmosphere was painfully stiff, and Harts's expression grew just as serious. How was he supposed to break this tension?
But those two really are getting along, huh? Honestly, I didn't believe it at first...
He glanced sideways, taking in Cynthia's appearance. No matter how many times he looked, the sight of her was breathtaking—like a goddess. At the party she had seemed untouchable, but seeing her this close made the reality of her as his brother's fiancée sink in.
Whoa, her face is insane. No wonder Brother's completely smitten.
A twinge of jealousy toward his brother flickered through him, but if the two of them truly cared for each other, it was worth celebrating. As the younger sibling, he should support their love as much as possible...
"Harts."
"...Yes!?"
That startled me! I'm still not used to her speaking casually to me...
Cynthia wore her usual blunt expression as she watched him jump. "What do you think of Brother?"
"Huh...? Brother?"
"Yes. How do you usually feel about Rian?"
"He's just... my brother?"
"Is that all?"
"Hmm~ Well, he's a good brother? Compared to my friends' older brothers, mine's at least a little better."
"...I see."
"But why are you asking something like that?"
"I was curious how you see him."
"Why would that interest you?"
"Why not? Can't I be curious?"
"W-well, it's not that..."
I already knew, but she's a weird lady.
Feeling increasingly uncomfortable around Cynthia, Harts quickened his pace, but she wasn't finished.
"Harts."
"Yes?"
"Keep that attitude."
"...Pardon?"
"Listen to Brother well."
What does she mean?
Harts looked puzzled, but Cynthia offered no explanation. She simply continued saying what she wanted to say.
"If you don't defy him and just follow his words, I'll treat you like a real little brother and support your future as well."
"Ah, yes......? Thank you?"
"No need to thank me. It's only natural as your sister-in-law."
"Ahaha... S-sister-in-law?"
"Yes. Call me 'sister' from now on. Don't use any strange titles."
"What? Really?"
"Would I say it if I didn't mean it? Don't make me repeat myself."
"Ah, understood..."
What is this conversation? Are we getting closer, or is it getting more awkward?
Cynthia seemed to be trying to get along, but her tone was strange. Was she taking him as a brother, or as a subordinate? He had no intention of rebelling since she would become his brother's wife, but this domineering atmosphere was hard to get used to.
She's pretty, but her personality is way too difficult. How does Brother even date someone like this?
Her superior tone was understandable given their statuses, but as a romantic partner she didn't seem very appealing. She crushed a man's pride without mercy.
I'll cheer you on, Brother. You'll probably be trapped for most of your life, but if it's you, you can handle it.
While praying for his brother's remaining lifespan, Rian's door finally came into view.
"Is that Rian's room?"
"Yes."
Cynthia's eyes sparkled the moment she spotted the door. She had visited Veilburg County before, but this was her first time coming directly to Rian's room.
Wow, her expression completely changed. She really does like Brother.
Just as Harts was marveling at her reaction—
Creak—
"Ah, someone's coming out."
"!"
"Hmm?"
A blue-haired man and a brown-ponytailed woman who looked like a maid emerged from the room. The man looked surprised to see Harts and Cynthia approaching from down the hall.
"C-Cynthia?"
"Rian."
Click— Click—
Spotting Rian, Cynthia quickened her steps. Her pace almost made it seem like she was angry. Flustered, Harts hurried after her—only to freeze in shock at what happened next.
Thud—
"Hah!?"
"Oh my!?"
Without the slightest hesitation, Cynthia threw herself straight into Rian's arms.
"I'm here."
"Whoa... It really is Cynthia."
"Of course it's me. Why? Should I not have come?"
"No, I'm glad you did..."
Rian's face softened as he held his fiancée. It was an expression of happiness his family had never seen before.
Huh. What exactly am I witnessing right now?
Oh my oh my oh my oh my!
Completely ignoring the people around them, the two began acting lovey-dovey, lost in their own world. Harts and Anna couldn't control their expressions. Harts looked embarrassed at his brother's romantic scene, while Anna wore a dreamy, excited look at the romance unfolding before her eyes.
"By the way."
Did something displease her? Cynthia, still in Rian's arms, suddenly turned her head and fixed Anna with a sharp gaze—like the edge of a blade.
"Who are you?"
"Ah!? I-I'm Anna, Young Master Rian's personal maid. It's an honor to meet you..."
"Personal maid?"
Anna's words didn't register. Cynthia's expression twisted in displeasure at the words "personal maid." While Anna stood frozen in panic, Rian read Cynthia's reaction and understood exactly what she was thinking.
Another misunderstanding.
Just yesterday, Lawrence the knight commander had harbored the same ridiculous suspicion—that Anna was Rian's nightly companion. Most noble sons ended their first experiences with maids, so such assumptions weren't uncommon. But—
I absolutely refuse to let my fiancée misunderstand like that.
"Cynthia, you're not misunderstanding anything, are you?" he whispered so only she could hear. "You're my first."
"!"
The moment she heard his whisper, Cynthia's expression melted like snow. Her sharp eyes softened, and a foolish smile spread across her lips. Blushing furiously, she buried her face in his chest.
Thud—
"Haa..."
"Uh, Cynthia? The family is watching..."
"I don't care. I can't let go right now."
Cute.
Seeing her adorable sulking, Rian looked at the other two. Since Cynthia wouldn't move, he intended to send Harts and Anna away. Only then did he notice their bizarre expressions.
What are you looking at?
Whoa, damn, whoa~ damn!
Excellent, Young Master! Just drag her straight into the room!
......
He had silently ordered them to leave, but they didn't seem to understand. Harts stared at his brother with envy, while Anna cheered him on with a lovestruck expression, as if experiencing vicarious satisfaction. Rian found neither reaction welcome.
"All of you, go."
***
Thud—
"Hmm... So this is Rian's room?"
"Yeah. Well, it is, but..."
After driving Harts and Anna away, Rian and Cynthia entered the room alone. Watching Cynthia begin to look around, Rian felt his nerves tighten. Yesterday's events still lingered in his mind, and her sudden appearance had doubled his tension.
Thump— Thump—
Ah, just seeing her face makes me nervous now...
The tension felt pleasant, but getting excited first thing in the morning wasn't an option, so he changed the subject.
"By the way, Cynthia, what brings you here so early?"
"...... You broke your promise first, Rian. And now you're asking why I'm here?"
Cynthia glared at him with a sulky expression. Since he'd expected this, Rian quickly apologized.
"Sorry for postponing our plans so suddenly, Cynthia."
"If you're sorry, then don't postpone them."
"W-well... Our knight commander has a pretty strict personality. Since I'm the one asking for a favor, I can't just change the training schedule on a whim."
"Why did you even agree to train in the first place? You never used to do anything like that."
"...Because I'm trying to become a man worthy of you?"
"A man worthy of me?"
Cynthia looked puzzled for a moment, then nodded in understanding. She had been there when Rian suffered that humiliating experience recently.
"You were worried about something like that?"
"...Of course I was. You're the daughter of a grand duke. To protect you, I need to get stronger. I can't stay weak forever."
"It doesn't matter if you're weak. I mean, I... well..."
She had been about to say "I'm going to marry you anyway," but embarrassment welled up and she couldn't finish. Rian smiled wryly at her flustered face.
"It's just my own sense of responsibility. It might be frustrating, but could you wait and see for a little while? Later... I'll protect you for the rest of your life."
Thump— Thump—
Damn it... I came here planning to be angry, but I can't stay mad.
Cynthia looked at Rian with a sulky expression. She had come all this way to complain, but seeing his face made her anger dissolve. And the way he spoke—how could she possibly stay upset?
"Still, I'm disappointed... Is training more important to you than spending time with me?"
"O-of course spending time with you is more important. But if I don't get stronger, Duke Cassion will..."
"Don't worry about what other people think."
She slipped back into his arms, peeking up at him with the cutest expression she could manage.
"I want more time with my fiancé. Don't you?"
Wow, I've really gone crazy.
Aegyo naturally slipped into her voice, and she initiated skinship without hesitation. The old her would have found it childish and never even tried, but now she couldn't control her desire to be close to him. Even she couldn't believe the change in herself.
"I'm disappointed..."
"S-sorry. I made you feel bad."
Smack—
A soft touch on her lips. Rian kissed her as an apology and looked at her with a remorseful expression. Cynthia felt a fresh wave of happiness and continued acting cute.
"Then play with me today. Ignore that knight commander or whatever."
"...All right. Since you came all the way here, of course I should."
"And don't spend time training—play with me more. It's lonely if I don't see you even for a day."
"Ah... I'll try my best, but I still want to train..."
"Ah! I just had a great idea! We can do it like this!"
"Huh?"
"You can just train with me! Why didn't I think of that sooner?"
"With you?"
Rian stared blankly, as if the thought had never occurred to him. But Cynthia had already made up her mind and spoke with renewed energy.
"You said you'd be entering the training grounds for three days, right? That means you'll have free time during those three days?"
"Huh...? I guess so?"
"Then let's train together for those three days. Training here would be awkward, so... we can go to my villa."
"...Huh?"
"We're leaving right away, so get ready. You'll be staying for three days, so... g-get ready!"
"......?"