Chapter 31
Sue didn’t bother asking about Noel’s evaluation results. It was obvious that he would be ranked high, as always. On the day the rankings were announced, she would probably find his name on the left side of the bulletin board.
“Noel, what are your plans for summer vacation?”
Putting aside her inferiority complex towards the promising young knight, Sue casually changed the subject. Noel tapped the training sword at his waist and replied,
“Training, of course. I have some catching up to do. And there’s also some Knights business.”
“Knights business?”
“I’m going on a barrier inspection in a few days. I’m busy preparing for that.”
Ah, right. Come to think of it, she had a vague memory of her classmates who were in the Knights talking about barriers and inspections. So that’s what it was.
The barrier line referred to the boundary of the multi-layered barrier set up by the Imperial Magic Division to block monsters and their miasma. And the land that wasn’t protected by the barrier was called the Wastelands. The place where Sue might end up in a few years.
“So squires go on those inspections too?”
The other students in the Knights didn’t seem particularly busy, though.
“Yes, only a few from each division. I was chosen, so I haven’t been able to come to the academy.”
Noel replied casually. But for a squire, who wasn’t even a full-fledged knight yet, to be included in the barrier inspection team meant that his skills were recognized by the Knights Order.
*He was chosen so soon after returning?*
Even Sue, who knew nothing about the Knights Order, could figure that out.
*‘The more I learn about him, the more amazing he seems.’*
He had everything: family background, talent, knowledge, personality, looks. Except for his love for Enzhe. The more she got to know Noel, the more she understood why ‘Sue’ had disliked him so much.
*Should I really be acting all chummy with such a flawless person, calling him my ‘friend’?*
Just as that thought crossed her mind…
“Byron, what about you? What are your plans?” Noel asked her.
“Me?”
Sue pondered his question for a moment before answering.
“Mostly relax at home. Study. I’ll go out if Lady Enzhe summons me… Oh, and I might meet Sir Leo occasionally.”
She listed the things that came to mind, without any concrete plans. Sue’s social life wasn’t busy enough to warrant a detailed schedule.
Enzhe received countless invitations to social gatherings, even if she wasn’t the one hosting them. And Melaine had her group of followers, so she could just hang out with them.
*‘I wonder if Sir Leo is busy…’*
Leo hadn’t come to the capital just for leisure. He had told her that he had come to the Noel count family with a goal in mind. She hadn’t heard the details, but since he had trained as a knight, Sue vaguely assumed it was related to that.
“…Hmm… I see.”
Noel, who had been watching Sue as she contemplated her limited social circle, opened his mouth to speak.
“…Byron, do you often go out with Lopetrefer?”
“Huh?”
Sue flinched and turned to look up at Noel, her body slightly stiff. His blue eyes, staring back at her, were flickering with uncertainty.
*Why did the conversation suddenly take this turn?*
Sue took a deep breath and answered casually, trying to act nonchalant.
“Not often. She summons me occasionally.”
“…Really?”
Noel averted his gaze. Sue desperately suppressed the smile that threatened to spread across her face.
It was both baffling and amusing to watch him struggle with his unrequited love, worrying about whether Enzhe would even talk to him. She couldn’t help but find it entertaining to observe someone else’s romantic endeavors, despite the fact that she felt sorry for him. She was baffled by her own conflicting emotions.
But she quickly sensed the resignation and anxiety hidden beneath Noel’s indifferent voice and expression. The moment she realized that, her smile vanished.
“…Don’t be so discouraged, Noel.”
Sue sighed and spoke.
“Huh?”
Noel looked at her, startled by her subdued tone. He instinctively sensed the sympathy and encouragement in her red eyes.
“Um… You too…”
Sue trailed off.
*What should I say?*
*You can do it too? Do what?*
He would be thrown into the basement of the glass garden the moment he tried anything. Besides, Enzhe’s malicious personality aside, she was still engaged. To tell him to try and win her over, as a form of consolation, would be cruel.
*‘…Why Enzhe, of all people? Why?’*
If it had been anyone else, she might have tried to help him.
In the end, all Sue could offer was the advice to “give up”. But she didn’t want to say those words.
“…Haha. Are you trying to cheer me up?”
Noel chuckled wryly, seemingly sensing her thoughts.
“You don’t have to. I’m really fine. I know my place. I don’t want to get involved with Lopetrefer either. Really.”
Knowing his place and acting accordingly.
It was the kind of personality Melaine would approve of.
“….”
Sue realized that she was feeling a tiny bit irritated by Noel’s sensible resignation. But she quickly pushed the feeling aside.
Then, she smiled brightly and offered the best encouragement she could. It was sincere, not an act.
“You’re right. But you can do more than that, Noel.”
He was a promising young knight with a bright future, unlike her. Noel didn’t answer. They walked in silence for a while.
“…Oh, right, I met Sir Leo last week.”
She wasn’t trying to break the silence. She had actually meant to tell him before the topic of Enzhe came up, but she had forgotten.
“Leo? Ah, you mean Leo.”
Sue gave Noel a brief report of her conversation with Leo. She felt obligated to tell him, since he was Leo’s employer.
She had met with Leo three times so far. All at the salon on the outskirts of the capital. They had chatted about trivial things during those three meetings. Events held in the capital, their favorite shops, and occasionally, they even talked about Full Bloom.
Noel listened attentively to her story, then smiled pleasantly and replied,
“Sounds like you’re having fun.”
“Is that so…?”
“But you don’t have to report everything to me. We’re not that close.”
His voice was cheerful as always, but his tone was slightly curt.
*‘So they really are on bad terms.’*
After meeting Sue at Lake Libra, Noel had started attending the academy and the Knights’ training without fail. But as Leo had said, he still wasn’t going home very often.
*‘Maybe he has a reason for not wanting to go home, aside from his unrequited love.’*
But this time, she didn’t ask.
*‘Don’t pry.’*
After hearing Noel’s confession about his crush on Enzhe, she had come to the conclusion that prying into other people’s personal affairs was a bad idea. She even felt like there wouldn’t be many more shocking revelations in her future.
Not only was he in love with Enzhe, but he had also chosen Sue Byron, of all people, as his stepping stone to get closer to her. It was a plan that required an incredible amount of audacity.
*‘And now he’s saying he knows his place.’*
She couldn’t tell if he was brave or cowardly. Maybe he was similar to Leo in that regard.
…*Anyway, stop thinking about it.*
She would think about it when Noel told her. That’s what friends were supposed to do.
Maybe he had simply had a fight with Leo or the Count and Countess. Or maybe it was a typical noble problem, like an arranged marriage. Even Sue had run away from home for a trivial reason and hadn’t returned for years.
They exchanged a few more trivial questions and answers as they reached the gate.
“Well then, I’ll be going.”
“Okay.”
Noel turned his back to Sue at the gate. Then, with a refreshing smile, he gently stroked her hair.
“…You’re messing up my hair.”
Sue stepped back slightly and grumbled.
“Haha, sorry. Well then, goodbye.”
Noel bid her farewell casually and walked out of the gate without hesitation. The guards on either side saluted him.
Noel’s figure gradually disappeared beyond the gate. Sue watched him go, then…
“Noel.” She called out his name clearly.
Noel heard her voice, which was neither too loud nor too soft. He turned around and saw Sue, still standing there.
Sue seemed to hesitate for a moment before smiling.
“Have a good vacation. Train hard. Don’t get hurt. And… I’ll write to you if I have time.”
She spoke casually, making it seem like it was nothing special. That was Sue Byron’s only talent.
She couldn’t see Noel’s face clearly anymore. He was already beyond the gate.
But he replied casually, looking back at her.
“Yeah, Byron, you too. Take care.”
I feel so bad for her…