Chapter 13 – Isn’t This… Leo-san’s Cup!?
“Mind if I sit next to you?”
“Of course not!”
After asking politely, Leo-san pulled out the chair beside me and sat down. He had rolled his shirt sleeves up to his elbows and brought his cup to his lips.
Gulp, gulp—his Adam’s apple moved up and down as he drank.
…Ahh, how manly he looked…!
A perfect little reward at the end of a long day.
“What is it?”
“N-No, nothing, I’m sorry…!”
I’d been watching him so openly that our eyes met just as he set down his cup.
Oh no… staring like that is rude, Sibel! Pull yourself together!
I straightened up and continued eating as gracefully as a noble lady should.
I’m a lady. I’m a lady. I’m a lady…
*
“Is it good?”
“Yes, very!”
“Well, of course—it’s your cooking, after all. I had some earlier, and it was truly delicious.”
“I’m glad you liked it.”
“But still, you really do look happy when you eat, don’t you?”
“It’s just… having such soft, fluffy bread makes me so happy!”
He spoke to me right as I was nibbling on a piece of bread dipped in stew.
I quickly covered my mouth with my hand as I replied, smiling sheepishly even though I knew it wasn’t proper table manners.
Was that too improper?
But this isn’t a formal dinner, and I’m no longer a prince’s fiancée—I’m just a dorm mother now.
It should be fine… right?
Besides, Leo-san isn’t the type to get angry over something like that.
And he was the one who started talking, after all!
*
“…You’re happy just to have soft bread? You say the strangest things.”
“Eh?”
“Aren’t you used to meals like this? You’re a count’s daughter—and the former fiancée of a prince.”
“—!”
The bread almost went down the wrong way.
“Cough, cough!”
“Whoa, are you okay? Don’t rush. Take it slow.”
“Th-thank you… I’m fine.”
Leo-san immediately handed me a cup of milk.
I drank it gratefully, letting the cool milk wash down the bread before exhaling in relief.
…Wait a second.
Isn’t this Leo-san’s cup?
*
“But truly,” he continued casually, “everyone’s been so happy since you arrived. When we eat your food, our fatigue disappears—it’s like it fills us with energy.”
“That makes me so happy to hear! But really, compared to everyone else, I’m still learning.”
I tried to respond normally, pretending not to notice what I’d just realized.
But yes—this was definitely the same cup Leo-san had been drinking from earlier!
“You’re really humble, Sibel,” he said with a warm smile.
“No, it’s true. The knights are incredible. Especially the First Order—you all take on such dangerous missions, yet you’re always calm and kind. Just having you all here gives me strength.”
That was from my heart.
In this dormitory, there wasn’t a single arrogant person.
In the capital, I often saw high nobles acting superior—but not here.
Those people lived off the hard work of commoners and never showed gratitude.
But the knights of the First Order risk their lives every day and never boast about it.
And I know the truth—
Knights aren’t just strong in body; they’re strong in spirit too.
To be useful to such noble people, to bring them joy, and to speak face-to-face with them like this—
there’s no greater reward for me.
As long as I have that reward… and delicious food… I can keep living happily tomorrow too.
“Haha, that’s quite an exaggeration, Sibel.”
“No! It’s not an exaggeration at all!”
I turned toward him passionately as I said that, surprising even myself.
Leo-san blinked, then suddenly laughed out loud.
“Hahaha! You’re really something, Sibel. Honestly, just having you here cheers me up. Talking with you always gives me energy.”
“R-Really…?”
Another reward from heaven…!
He was probably just teasing me by repeating my words—but still, to hear that from him… I’d never forget it.
It was so fun talking to him.
I’d spent time with Prince Marx before—drinking tea, attending formal events—but I couldn’t recall a single time we’d laughed together like this.
Royals and high nobles aren’t supposed to laugh openly, apparently.
But here, everyone was so free, so genuine.
Even though they were all sons of noble families, they smiled with pure, unrestrained joy.
It made my heart feel warm.
Really… thank you, Prince Marx and Annika, for breaking off the engagement and sending me here.
I wonder how those two are doing now…
***
“Sibel, talking with you is really enjoyable.”
“Oh my, I was just thinking the same thing—”
I turned toward him, smiling, just as he poured himself some milk.
“Really? That makes me happy.”
“…”
Then he took a sip—from the same cup I’d just used.
My brain stopped working.
Steam practically poured out of my head.
“Sibel!? What’s wrong!?”
“Ah… n-no, it’s just a little dizziness…”
Yes.
That was definitely Leo-san’s cup.
*
Bonus Scene – Leo, afterward
“Ah… she must be tired.
Feeling dizzy during dinner—poor thing.
Maybe I should find a way to help her relax a bit…”
