~Chapter 5~
The iced drinks were gone in no time, leaving only a few glasses.
I proudly looked around at the knights, happily quenching their thirst.
“Amelie!”
‘Ow. My head’s going to split.’
While I was distracted watching the knights, Lysa rushed over and hugged me tightly.
My heart pounded so hard I thought I’d fall backward.
“Thank you so much! Now I have the strength to train this afternoon.”
“It’s nothing. I only handed out some drinks.”
“Only drinks? This is the best aide I’ve ever had!”
Well, she wasn’t wrong.
I didn’t deny the praise. Even in my rush, I had thought up the perfect combination of papaberries and blueberries.
“Amelie, can I have another one of these?”
Finally letting go of me, Lysa pointed at the remaining drinks on the table.
Take them all, queen!
For my favorite person, I’d even create aide out of thin air.
“Of course. You can drink them all if you want.”
“Really? But since you’ll make more next time, I’ll just have one more and leave the rest for others.”
As she spoke with a bright smile, she glanced at me nervously.
“…You’ll come again, right?”
“Ah.”
So that was why she was looking at me like that. She was afraid I wouldn’t come anymore.
‘She must’ve thought I only came to see Richard.’
Then, whenever Richard and Lysa seemed even a little close, Amelie would’ve avoided visiting, making Lysa anxious.
I felt guilty, even if it wasn’t me who did that.
“Of course I’ll come. I’m even thinking of coming every day.”
“Every day would be amazing! Ah… no. What if you overwork yourself?”
“I told you, I’m perfectly healthy now. And it’s good to get some exercise like this.”
“You’re right! Then come often, Amelie.”
Her pure joy shone across her face.
‘Why does she look so happy? I was the one who tormented her without mercy.’
From the diary, I knew Amelie had never treated her kindly.
And yet, Lysa still treated her as a precious friend. Probably because Lysa was simply a good person.
‘That’s why I’ll treat you well from now on. Next time, I’ll bring cookies too.’
Watching Lysa drink with a delighted expression, I made a vow: I’ll take full responsibility for offering tribute to Lysa.
“Ha—! This is so delicious. Why won’t Harbor drink something this good?”
“Someone refused? Who?”
I paused my fangirl excitement.
Who dared reject my masterpiece drink?
“That guy, still tidying up the boxes. He doesn’t like sweet things.”
I turned my head where she pointed.
‘Ah. Him?’
There stood one of the knights I suspected liked Lysa.
“That knight is Sir Harbor?”
“Yes. Did you forget his name? My direct subordinate, Rowen Harbor. Always dragging others’ work onto himself.”
“He sounds reliable. Since he’s your direct subordinate, I’ll offer him one personally.”
I picked up a glass of aide and walked toward Sir Harbor.
A big heart emoji still floated above his head.
“Sir Harbor?”
“Yes, do you need my help?”
“This isn’t very sweet. Please try it. You must be hot.”
“…Ah.”
For a moment he hesitated, looking troubled. But soon he accepted the cup I held out.
“Thank you. I’ll drink it.”
And unlike his hesitation, he downed it boldly.
“How is it?”
“…Cool and refreshing. And not too sweet, like you said.”
“Right?”
Good. Now that he’s tasted it, time to get to the real point.
“I heard you’re Lysa’s direct subordinate.”
“Yes, I am.”
“Lysa always seems so busy with training and missions. You must work hard too.”
“Our vice-captain puts her knights before herself. Thanks to that, we don’t really suffer.”
Perfect start.
Just mentioning Lysa brought out praise from him. His feelings for her were practically showing.
“Lysa really takes care of her knights, doesn’t she?”
“Yes. She encourages us during training, helps when missions get tough, and even listens seriously to our worries.”
“She seems to treasure you especially, since you’re her direct junior.”
“Ah…”
At my words, Sir Harbor’s neck flushed red.
‘Just as I thought.’
With that reaction, it was obvious—he liked Lysa.
Time to probe a little deeper…
“Sir Harbor, do you perhaps—”
“What are you doing here?”
“Ahh!”
Before I could ask, a voice suddenly came from behind.
Startled, I whipped around.
“…Richard?”
Why are you here again?!
I had a hard time keeping my face straight at the unwelcome sight.
Of course, his face didn’t look any happier. Covering one ear and scowling, he seemed annoyed by the scream I’d just let out.
‘Serves you right. Don’t sneak up like a thief then.’
“Captain!”
“Harbor, leave us. I have something to say to Lady Garnet.”
“…Tch.”
Now he was interfering with my plans?
I quickly grabbed Harbor’s arm.
“I need to finish speaking with Sir Harbor, so don’t go.”
“Ah, but…”
“That’s an order, Rowen Harbor. Leave, now.”
“No!”
My desperate cry was useless. Harbor vanished like the wind.
Coward. Hiding behind rank—how cheap.
“What are you doing here, Amelie Garnet?”
Richard’s tone toward me was just as commanding as when he ordered Harbor.
Normally, I would’ve snapped back. But my life was practically in his hands, so I forced a smile.
“What am I doing? Lysa and the knights looked tired, so I made some drinks.”
“You came just to give drinks?”
“Yes indeeeeed.”
My lips trembled as I forced the smile, grinding my teeth behind it.
If it weren’t for him, I’d avoid him entirely.
In novels, the more you try not to get involved, the deeper you get entangled.
So I decided: keep a proper distance. Not too close, not too far.
“You didn’t put anything strange in the drinks, did you?”
“What a thing to say.”
So much for my resolve. Richard still rubbed me the wrong way.
As if a future café owner would ever tamper with food.
But he only suspected me because of Amelie’s past.
“I would never. I already told you—I’ll support and help Lysa as her friend.”
“And you think I’ll believe that?”
“Believe it or not, I’ll show you with actions.”
“If you really mean that, then stay far away from Lysa.”
“Why? I like her, and she likes me sooo much too.”
I deliberately dragged out the “so much” and smiled.
Sure enough, Richard’s expression twisted. He shut his mouth, swept his hair back, and turned away.
“If anything happens to Lysa or the Knight Order, you’ll pay the price.”
He muttered coldly, then left as if sick of me.
“Yeeees, your highness, whatever you say.”
Once I was sure he was gone, I raised my middle finger at his back.
