IAEOG~

Chapter 7

“The view here is beautiful.”

“I’m glad you like it.”

“And the food’s delicious, too.”

“I was worried you might not enjoy it.”

I’d barely taken a few spoonfuls of soup, yet somehow I already felt full. Maybe it was because the man sitting across from me was so easy on the eyes.

So this is what happiness feels like.

After Cedric’s welcome party, I’d received several letters from him asking to meet. I turned down every single one.

Meeting him alone? No, thank you.

His constant flirting was exhausting. Even Louise said I’d looked pitiful that day at the party. But maybe that’s what spurred her on—

“I finally tracked him down through Gerard!”

“Who?”

“Your new man! He’s Gerard’s classmate from the swordsmanship academy, and they’re both joining the Imperial Knights soon. He’s really skilled!”

I was touched by her thoughtfulness. She hadn’t forgotten her promise to find me a man.

Sweet girl. Though between skill and looks, I’ll always choose the latter.

“I even checked his face myself. The rumors were true—he’s very handsome. You can relax.”

“Well then, that’s all I needed to hear.”

I really do love Louise. True to her fiery personality, she set up the meeting just two days later.

“It’s an honor to meet you, my lady. I’m Eric from House Duveroux.”

He kissed the back of my hand.

Now that’s more like it.

No wonder Louise sounded so confident.

Tall, broad-shouldered, striking features—the man was a pleasure to look at. Not quite as handsome as Raphael, maybe, but his height more than made up for it.

And that chest… goodness. The kind of body you could tell had seen years of training.

Yes. This would do nicely.

Eric offered his arm, and I let him escort me to the restaurant.

“I heard you’re joining the Imperial Knights soon?”

“Yes. In two days.”

“Congratulations! You must be very talented with the sword.”

“Not at all. It’s just the result of hard work.”

“…”

“…”

Somebody save me.

The silence was suffocating. Eric wasn’t just quiet—he was painfully quiet. I’d been the only one trying to keep the conversation alive since we sat down.

Did he not like me or something?

“I’m sorry,” I said finally. “You were forced into this, weren’t you?”

“Absolutely not. It’s just… I’m not used to dates like this. I apologize if I’ve made you uncomfortable.”

“Then I’m glad to hear that.”

His face flushed bright red. A handsome man blushing—now that was satisfying.

Honestly, his shy silence was a breath of fresh air compared to Raphael’s sharp tongue.

I smiled and turned back to my food.

That’s when the door opened, and—speak of the devil—Raphael walked in.

The moment our eyes met, he smirked and sat down at the table right behind Eric.

Out of all the empty seats in the place… seriously?

Louise had said this was a popular dating spot, so what was he doing here alone?

It hit me a second later—he must be waiting for Chloe.

And just like that, I lost my appetite.

“Does the food not suit your taste?” Eric asked, concern written all over his face.

He’d nearly cleared his plate, while I hadn’t even finished half of mine.

“Oh, no—it’s fine. I think my breakfast just hasn’t settled yet. Please, don’t worry about me.”

I smiled politely and snuck a glance at Raphael, who was frowning down at the menu like it held the secrets of the universe.

Wow. He even looks serious when ordering food. People really are the same everywhere.

“I’m done eating,” Eric said. “Shall we go?”

“Sure.”

We hurried out of the restaurant. Raphael might’ve laughed at how quickly I left, but whatever. I had no intention of watching him enjoy a date with someone else. Not yet, anyway.

“If you’d like,” Eric offered, “there’s a nice café nearby.”

A café sounded… dangerous. The conversation had already been awkward enough; I didn’t think I could survive another hour of forced small talk.

“How about a walk instead? To help with digestion?”

“That sounds great.”

We walked side by side down the quiet street. The silence returned, heavy and uncomfortable. I pretended to admire the buildings and trees just to have something to do.

“Are you all right?” he asked.

“Thank you, I’m fine.”

“…”

“…”

At least he was polite. He’d gently pull me aside whenever someone passed too close, and his manners were impeccable.

Still, he was… bland. Gorgeous, yes, but dull. Proof that looks really do carry a man.

This is so awkward…

I remembered reading somewhere that you should bring up your partner’s interests during a date.

Right then, I noticed a shop selling swords, shields, and armor.

“How about we stop in there?”

“It might not be very entertaining. Are you interested in those things, my lady?”

“Not really, but I’d like to learn more.”

Total lie.

If he weren’t handsome, I wouldn’t go within ten feet of the place.

“Then let’s go.”

His eyes actually sparkled a little. Maybe he really loved this kind of thing.

“Wow…”

The moment we stepped inside, I couldn’t help but gasp.

From the outside, the shop looked old and narrow. Inside, it was deep and packed with weapons and armor of every kind.

There were swords like something straight out of a movie, rows of gleaming shields, and heavy suits of armor.

Eric’s gaze immediately locked onto the weapons.

“I’ve never seen this many swords before.”

“Each one’s made differently for a reason,” he said, his eyes alight with genuine excitement. “They’re fascinating.”

A handsome man smiling about swords—strangely charming.

“What do you think of this one?”

He picked up a small dagger engraved with butterfly patterns on the handle. It was beautiful, though tiny—barely the length of two of my hands.

“It’s lovely,” I said. “But it’s too small for someone like you. You seem more suited for a greatsword.”

“You’re right. I prefer longswords,” he said with a faint smile. “But this would suit you, my lady.”

Did he just suggest I carry a dagger? To stab Raphael with, perhaps?

“It would be useful for self-defense,” he added, gently placing it in my hand. “It’s light enough that it wouldn’t burden you.”

Our fingers brushed. I barely suppressed a grin. Maybe this date wasn’t so bad after all.

“I don’t think I’d use it much,” I teased. “Wouldn’t it be better if you protected me instead?”

“It would be an honor.”

His face flushed again. Jackpot.

Louise really outdid herself this time.

The date had gone surprisingly well.
Up to that point, anyway.

Episode 47

Louise had been acting strange all day—grinning every time her eyes met Raphael’s.

“Something going on?” he asked.

“Not with me,” she said slyly. “But you might be in for a surprise.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Do you know Eric from House Duveroux? He studied with Gerard at the academy.”

Raphael frowned. “No.”

“He’s tall, handsome, and was top of his class. He’s joining the Imperial Knights soon.”

Raphael, a mage with no interest in swordsmanship, merely shrugged.

Was Louise… into her fiancé’s friend?

He narrowed his eyes, uneasy.

“He really likes my sister Yvonne,” Louise went on cheerfully. “And I don’t think she dislikes him, either.”

Raphael felt a sudden, sharp sting in his chest.

Yvonne—the same woman who’d once chased him endlessly with her affection.

If she liked someone else now, that meant she’d finally stop bothering him. That should have made him happy.

It didn’t.

Louise, on the other hand, looked delighted by his grim expression.

“So, when are they meeting?” he asked.

“Soon, I think.”

“Where?”

“Oh, you think I’m going to tell you?”

Her smug smile only irritated him more.

She’s lying, he thought. There’s no way Yvonne’s meeting another man.

But the thought bothered him enough that he decided to check for himself.

“Raphael, a new restaurant opened on Main Street. Want to go? Louise says it’s lovely—very romantic, apparently.”

“I’m busy. Besides, we’re engaged, not lovers.”

He saw the disappointment flash across Yvonne’s face and ignored it. He’d been doing that a lot lately.

But when he later heard about that same restaurant again—he couldn’t shake the feeling.

Something told him he needed to go.

(…scene skipped…)

Through the window, Raphael spotted Yvonne sitting with a man he didn’t recognize.

Without hesitation, he walked in and sat at the table directly behind her.

How long has it even been since our engagement ended? She’s already trying to move on?

When their eyes met, he gave a thin smile.

(…scene skipped…)

When Yvonne eventually left the restaurant with the man, Raphael stayed behind, an unfamiliar heaviness settling in his chest.

He’d expected her to at least offer some excuse—to say it wasn’t what it looked like. But she didn’t.

Why would she? He was just her ex.

Still, something twisted inside him.

He realized he’d always hated seeing Yvonne with other men—even back when Cedric was around.

Why was that?

Tapping the table absentmindedly, he thought it through.

By the time his food arrived, the answer hit him.

No one truly hates affection.

Yvonne had always looked at him like he was her whole world. The thought of her looking at someone else like that—it scared him.

He didn’t want her love, but he didn’t want anyone else to have it either.

And so, Raphael completely missed the truth:

That the woman he’d cast aside was finally learning to live her own life—
and finding someone new to share it with.

[Comments]
→ Is he seriously just realizing that now?? 😭
→ Louise and Yvonne are saints for putting up with this man.
→ When is the regret arc actually starting?!
→ Bro just sits there watching. Do something! 😂