CH 132

[Result Announcement]

The dress contest ended successfully.

Because of the matter with Madeline, I had to keep a watchful eye on the surroundings while admiring Tayte—but I didn’t see anyone suspicious around.

Now it was time for the anticipated voting time.

“Huh? One vote per person? But I was planning to put in 1,000 votes for Tayte.”

While persuading Lady Lilia, who didn’t quite understand the rules, I of course cast my vote for Tayte. After that, Tayte’s (self-proclaimed) older sisters, Marina, Priim, and Rebecca, shrewdly took some voting papers and voted for her as well.

The entrants were also eligible to cast vote, and once everyone did, the votes were immediately counted.

And then, the time had finally come for the results to be announced.

“Well then, let’s start with the third place!”

The student acting as the moderator announced excitedly.

“The third place is—Cornel Aldeen!”

At that moment, the venue instantly burst into cheers and applause. Cornell herself was sent into a daze “I was chosen?”, but the congratulations from those around her snapped her back to her senses, and she couldn’t help but burst into tears.

“The second place is—Kleine Foslord!”

Another round of cheers and applause filled the venue.

Among them, Melia gave a storm of applause while weeping.

“I-I’m second…?”

She was also stunned, finding it unbelievable.

Since she was unfamiliar with events like this, she probably didn’t know how to react. But when Melia and our other classmates congratulated her, she bashfully thanked them with a smile, “T-thank you.”

Now then, Tayte’s name hadn’t been called yet.

—Lady Lilia and I were convinced.

“Barrett.”

“Yes.”

“Shall we take out the bouquet?”

I felt like we were getting ahead of ourselves here… but then again, it surely wouldn’t come to waste.

“And the first place is—Tayte Ehrenberg!”

See?

“Barrett! I won first place!”

“You were amazing Tayte!”

I took Tayte, who had run over, into my arms and hugged her as tight as I could.

The excitement—or should I say the atmosphere?—made me forget about the surrounding eyes and just hug Tayte without a care in the world.

“Ooh! our winner’s fiancé, Barrett Albers, is very excited about her winning, it seems! He’s giving her a hot hug right in front of her mother!”

The moderator’s live-coverage-like comment made Tayte realize the situation we were in.

Seeing that everyone’s eyes were focused on us, her face turned bright red and she looked down.

“At the closing party later in the evening, the principal will award you along with the winner of the martial arts tournament, so please don’t miss it, Miss Tayte!” The moderator said and closed the dress contest.

“Alongside the winner of the martial arts tournament…”

Now I had to win by all means.

By the way, although it was called the martial arts tournament, it didn’t use a tournament format. The knights who were selected as judges would give points to the fighting students based on their speed and skills. The student with the highest number of points would be declared the winner.

“Alright!”

Tayte had worked hard.

Next, it was my turn.

“The martial arts tournament will start in the afternoon, are you ready, Barrett?”

“Of course. I’ll win so that you and I can receive the award together at the evening’s party.”

But for that, I must fight Jarvis and win.

And got high points as well.

“…I wonder if I’ll be able to.”

Not good.

I was starting to get a little nervous…