CH 28

And so, with a languid atmosphere, Ryniel-sama and I left the Anemone Jewelry Store. Needless to say, contrary to Neil, who saw me off with a beaming smile, Gaspar’s expressionless face, combined with his poor health, was terribly creepy.

Ryniel-sama and I were on our way to my parents’ mansion in the aristocratic district. I would’ve been happy to have been dismissed to the site to report the matter, but Ryniel-sama was adamantly against it, so I had to ask him to take me back to my parents’ house.

I thought it would’ve been fine if I had used a riding carriage, but it seemed that in Ryniel-sama mind, his role was to see me through to the end of the journey.

「I wonder what really happened to him, Gaspar-dono.」

「His thoughts were solid, so I don’t think it was because of his physical condition… but there must have been something we shouldn’t have touched. I’m a little worried, so I’m thinking of going back to see him again soon to see how he’s doing.」

「I see. May I join you if you like?」

「Yes, of course.」

If after a moment of smiling, he turns into a corpse, even Ryniel-sama would be curious about it. Gaspar also seemed to like Ryniel-sama, so I don’t think there will be any problem, but I will send a letter just in case.

「But that one. I’m very sorry for Gaspar-dono in that way, but they are very interesting people. Very interesting.」

Certainly it must be a demographic that doesn’t exist around Ryniel-sama.

「I could see that both he and Marsha-dono trusted each other.」

「Is that what you think?」

「Yes, it is. I’m genuinely glad that you introduced them to me.」

I am glad you are satisfied, although I really wanted to introduce them in normal circumstances if possible.

「Besides, you seem to have relaxed a lot thanks to those two.」

「Eh…?」

Relaxed?

「Oh, you didn’t notice it yourself?」

「E–Eh…?」

No, I don’t deny it. I was indeed nervous, but that’s because Ryniel-sama shouldn’t treat me with a different atmosphere than usual, right?

「Please don’t look at me like that. I know that it was wrong that I misjudged the distance between you and me.」

「That’s not why I…」

I am not accusing you of anything. You were just escorting me. I was just puzzled by the unusual Ryniel-sama on my own….

What’s more, what kind of eyes are those? What kind of eyes did he just see of me?

「You often say things with your mouth, but what speaks more eloquently are your eyes.」

「Eh!?」

That’s the first time anyone’s ever said that to me!!

「Only in front of people you trust, though.」

「…Eh… what does imply…?」

「Their Majesties, the Commander-in-Chief, and Miss Marie Fran. And even in front of those two.」

Otherwise, you wear fine glasses, Ryniel-sama chuckles.

「It wasn’t until a little while after I was promoted to captain of the 2nd Unit that you started to look at me with those eyes, too.」

And Ryniel-sama with his eyebrows slightly lowered.

「Until then, I had always been left out of the group, so I felt very lonely.」

It’s unbearable because it’s the only thing that makes him look really lonely. Being left out, being lonely, isn’t that kind of character!?

「However, the more I miss you, the more happy I am to see your eyes changing like this, up close and personal.」

I tried my best to hold back a gulp as I heard Ryniel-sama wink at me with a snap and a small smile. I’m embarrassed to have something pointed out to me that I wasn’t even aware of, and I don’t know how to respond to this shame, which is added to by the sweet smile and sweet words of Ryniel-sama.

I couldn’t say anything, and I could clearly hear Ryniel-sama stifle a giggle as he looked at my face, which was probably turning me bright red.

「You made fun of me.」

It would be natural for my tone of voice to be low.

「No way.」

「It’s a lie. You’re trying to be funny.」

As proof of this, Ryniel-sama’s mouth is still slack.

「I’m sorry. I didn’t lie.」

「That’s an absolute lie! You made fun of me!!」

When I said this back, Ryniel-sama laughed without hiding this time.

「Oh, come on. Laughing is still…」

What was he going to do if I took him seriously and developed a liking for Ryniel-sama? What I have for Ryniel-sama isn’t love but respect. I don’t care how much it costs, just because Myra-sama asked him to be my escort, it’s too much!

Enough! Enough!! Enough!!! It’s not like Douglas-sama to make fun of people and laugh at them, but today Ryniel-sama is really out of his mind. What fun you are having with me as your laughingstock, damn it!

「I’m not really making fun of you. I just lost a little bit of the date-ness and had to change course.」

What a trajectory change. And you were still working on that setup. I had forgotten all about it. Isn’t it too good to date at this stage of life? Is it fun to make fun of a retard who has never even been on a date that much?

「I apologize for laughing at you.」

That isn’t an apology in the way you put it. The smile hasn’t left your face, and it only makes me angry that you feel like you’ve apologized on top of everything else.

「But we are on a date right now. I need you to be aware of this without being distracted. Otherwise, what’s the point of me being with you?」

「Does that mean I should be aware of Ryniel-sama?」

「If you want to do that, I don’t mind but…」

Yes, a lie. This is also an absolute lie.

I would never have such nasty feelings for a colleague I work with. I don’t want to get into trouble, nor do I want to do anything more tiring.

「Look at me like that again… What can I say to get through to you?」

「I fully understand?」

「No, you don’t understand a single bit of it.」

I was so stunned by Ryniel-sama.

For some reason, Ryniel-sama’s sermon time started after that.

I don’t get it!!!