“Risel-sama?”

Alberto deliberately called him that despite his disguise.

At that moment, Risel cast a sharp gaze in his direction. The expression he occasionally reveals in moments of surprise from time to time ironically resembles his father, Gray.

Alberto finds that expression unsettling, but since he’s the one who caused it, he can’t voice any complaints.

 

“Are you in the middle of training? I’m on a break too, so if you’re interested, how about training together?”

Alberto knows that Risel has asked for some time alone with his beloved at the training grounds, but he still dares to bring it up intentionally. In response, Risel, who had previously shown a different expression, offered a forced smile.

“It’s truly an honor to receive a personal invitation from the Commander, but I’d like to decline for today as I wish to continue our conversation a bit longer.”

 

Impressive, it was quite a dazzling smile.

He smiled the biggest smile Alberto had ever seen.

It’s almost unsettling.

 

The young lady also looks surprised by Risel’s smile and words.

 

Oh, he looks quite angry.

It seemed that it was much too late for Alberto to regret.

 

After exchanging words with the young lady, Marie, for a while, Alberto bid her farewell as she left when break time was over.

 

With his gaze fixed on her back, Risel spoke.

“I’ve told her my name is Risel.”

“I see. But she doesn’t know who you really are?”

“I’m not sure. She doesn’t probe for anything, so even if she’s caught on, she probably won’t mention it.”

Alberto knew he truly liked her when he saw Risel quietly waving at Marie, who turned around from time to time until she was out of sight.

 

He only knew Marie by name. She’s a delicate girl occasionally spotted at the training ground. There had been conflicts among members who openly declared their intention to approach her romantically within the Knights’ Corps, prompting Assistant Captain Phil to issue a ban on any contact with her.

She was actually very popular, although people thought she was completely unaware of it. To begin with, there are very few women in the predominantly male Knights’ Corps. In an all-male environment, men are simple enough to fall in love with a woman if she gazes at them quietly.

 

Strangely, Alberto felt a flutter in his chest upon learning that she was Risel’s romantic interest.

Seeing her brought about a sense of familiarity, as if he were about to recall something he had felt long ago.

 

“Alberto?”

“Yes.”

Risel, who had spoken respectfully in front of Marie, now looked up at Alberto with a changed attitude.

“I hope you’re not going to say you’ve developed feelings for her.”

“…..”

Alberto gazed at Risel with widened eyes, different from his usual squint.

The frustration was evident in his sapphire eyes as he looked up. Risel usually seemed mature and wise, but now he seemed like nothing more than a young man in love.

“You’re quite desperate, aren’t you?”

“I am. She likes knights, you know. You might become my biggest rival. So, I have to make clear my intention now.”

“Knights, huh?”

 

‘Just like Rosemary,’ he thought.

 

“That’s right. It seems she admired them since she was a child. That’s why she came to the training grounds to watch the knights practice.”

“So, you pretended to be a knight rather than revealing yourself as a prince?”

“….”

Alberto couldn’t help but ask, even though he thought it was a bit malicious of him.

He wanted to convey that this is an unavoidable fact.

 

“Even if it’s just for now, I want to be by her side as a knight.”

Risel understands this.

It’s not a good thing to keep it hidden forever.

Even so, he can’t muster the courage to take that one step.

The time he spends with Marie is so comforting and precious.

If possible, he would like to continue to lie and become her only knight. He likes her so much that it drives him crazy.

How much easier would it be if he could do that?

 

“… You’re really desperate.”

Alberto couldn’t help but say that again.

And once again, he gazes at the path Marie took after she left.

He makes a mental note that any feelings of nostalgia should be erased from his heart by the end of the day.

 

But while looking at her,

For some reason, the calm feelings, similar to when he was with Rosemary, returned.

Unless he considers it as just his imagination.

 

Deep inside, Alberto felt that he might betray Risel’s request.

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Hi, I’m Tori, the translator of this novel! If you like the novel and would like to support me, feel free to click the button below to go to my ko-fi! (ﾉ∀`♥) Or you can consider sending some love by adding it to your reading list or leaving a rating/review on Novel Updates! Have a good day ❤