“Michael.”

“Yes?”

Liese’s small heart pounded as if it would burst.

She swallowed dryly and, forgetting the pain on her ankle, grabbed Michael’s wrist and pulled him toward a dark spot beside the corridor.

“What……”

Michael firmly grabbed Liese’s hand that was trying to pull him further into the darkness and resisted. When he looked at her with a hardened face, she desperately cried out.

“I like you!”

“…Pardon?”

Looking into Michael’s blue eyes that stared at her as if asking what she meant, Liese poured out the feelings she had long harbored like a machine gun.

“I-I’ve liked you for a long time. Michael. For a long time! I know my behavior might seem rude to you, but still… I still really wanted to tell you! Please, won’t you accept my feelings? I’m not asking you to like me right away. But please give me a chance. I’ll be a lover who suits you well.”

The hand gripping his wrist trembled.

Michael looked at those trembling fingertips for a moment, then rubbed his forehead. Though he didn’t sigh, the moment Liese saw Michael’s blue eyes without the slightest wavering, she knew her confession would scatter into thin air.

“I’m sorry, Lady Apfzen.”

And sure enough, words of rejection came from his lips.

“I already have someone I love.”

“…Someone you love?”

Her confession of liking him was met with an answer that he had someone he loved. It was a response she couldn’t win against.

Michael looked at her ashen face, withdrew his supporting hand, and stepped back. Somehow his face was colder than when he had been supporting her earlier. As if he wouldn’t give her even the slightest opening…

“A woman who drives me crazy because she never leaves my mind for a moment. Someone who makes me feel like my head will explode with worry because she’s not by my side right now.”

Michael’s eyes, speaking of love, looked red rather than blue. He had seemed cold and cool, but at this moment, he resembled the color of flames.

A woman Michael Heimdall loved with such eyes. Who could it be… Someone flashed through her mind briefly, but Liese deliberately denied it and asked:

“What… what kind of person is she?”

Had he thought of her? A barely perceptible smile appeared on his face.

At that moment, Liese felt utterly defeated. No, she couldn’t even interfere. This man’s emotions were clearly focused solely on that woman.

“An honest and very lovable woman. Her body is weak but her heart is strong, always making me anxious… She loves plants, likes children… An ordinary yet special woman like that.”

“Ordinary yet special……”

“Despite having such a weak body, she has often protected me since childhood. Despite being even weaker than me, she’s a strong and wonderful woman who would shield me from rain and sorrow, promising to protect me. So… I couldn’t help but love her.”

He bit his lower lip as if unable to hide his feelings that were seeping out.

Could just thinking about that woman make him feel this good? Ah, what would it feel like to be loved with such feelings?

Pathetic jealousy and envy rose within her. In that moment, she had a petty thought to try to shake him once more, but on the other hand, she also thought she shouldn’t taint this moment when she had courageously confessed.

Though her heart ached, Liese was someone who knew how to accept results. She wanted to be a wonderful woman like the one this man loved.

“You really do love her a lot, don’t you? It shows all over your face.”

Michael smiled as if he knew. It was the first time. A genuine smile from Michael directed at her, not while thinking of someone else or stealing a glance.

Liese straightened her posture. The blush that had colored her cheeks subsided.

He was a splendid man, but once she became certain he wasn’t meant for her, her heart quickly calmed. Yes, so this was how much she had admired this man. It was somewhat regrettable, yet also fortunate in a way.

Liese limped into the corridor alone despite her painful leg. The pain wasn’t actually that severe. Claiming it hurt was just an excuse to borrow Michael’s hand.

“You’re the first person. Don’t men usually feel ashamed of being caught loving someone? Considering things like authority and dignity.”

Michael also walked alongside her without offering his hand. His eyes briefly glanced at the grass beside the banquet hall, but then he shook his head.

“Well, I don’t understand why loving someone should be shameful.”

“…You’re right. Real shame isn’t about that.”

Before opening the door to the banquet hall, Liese and Michael briefly made eye contact. Though he had returned to that indifferent and calm expressionless face, Michael spoke with a somewhat more familiar gaze.

“Lady Apfzen, I hope you also meet someone who is proud to love you.”

Michael, who bowed briefly, turned his back first.

Liese stared for a long time at his back as he strode into the banquet hall with his long legs, cutting through the space without hesitation.

“Well… He’s even more wonderful than I thought.”

What a shame…

Unlike her words as she clicked her tongue and muttered, the smile on her face as she turned her head to look for her brother seemed relieved.

Before returning to the capital, her lingering one-sided love had been completely resolved, just as she had wished.

⁕⁕⁕

“Wahaha! If there’s anyone who drinks less than me, I’ll pour alcohol not into their cup but into their open jaw! Come on, everyone drink! Hey, bring the Argenta wine from the cellar!”

Michael could only find the tipsy Count Notrisha after circling the large banquet hall once.

He seemed to be in a very good mood for some reason. According to Catherine, Argenta wine was Count Notrisha’s most treasured alcohol. The fact that he brought it out meant he was that much in high spirits.

The Count was holding an entire large wine barrel and pouring overflowing amounts into the cups of those seated around the table.

“Oh, who is this!”

His gaze fixed on Michael standing one step away. Count Notrisha’s red beard trembled as he laughed heartily with a “wahaha.”

“Michael Heimdall! Come here! I must pour you a full cup too!”

Count Notrisha approached Michael and handed him a cup filled to the brim with wine. Michael raised the cup without hesitation.

The Count, who had been watching with interest as the wine disappeared at once, confirmed the cleanly emptied cup and burst into laughter.

“Clean! Very!”

He took Michael’s cup, filled it with wine, and drank it himself. The gulping wine went down as refreshingly as water on a summer day.

“Oh my, Count. P-please stop drinking now, you’ll collapse again!”

The chief chamberlain, who had been anxiously hovering nearby, finally intervened to stop the Count. It had been a while since he had drunk this much.

About two years ago, he had been in such a good mood when rain finally fell on his territory that had been suffering from famine. And whenever the Count was this excited, he would drink until he lost his memory.

But why was he suddenly rushing out from the terrace today and drinking until his nose went crooked? Oh well…

The chief chamberlain’s heart burned with worry as he glanced at the wine, already on its third barrel.

“The Countess will scold me if she finds out. Please stop drinking now.”

“It’s fine! I will tell my wife myself! I’m going to the capital soon anyway! Hahaha! Here, Michael, have another d……”

It was when Count Notrisha was about to offer Michael another cup. Suddenly, the Count’s movements stopped. Count Notrisha’s fierce eyes remained fixed, glaring sharply at Michael.

What’s wrong with him?

Michael tensed up, his whole body stiffening as the Count suddenly glared at him with a rigid face. Abruptly, the Count moved. Sideways. His body was collapsing sideways.

“Oh. Ohh… Ohhhh!”

Along with the chief chamberlain’s urgent cry, Michael’s body moved quickly. He promptly opened his eyes wide and caught the fallen Count. The heavy old warrior’s body collapsed in Michael’s arms.

“Oh my! He’s finally collapsed! That’s why I told him to drink less…!”

A commotion broke out as the Count passed out like he had fainted. The butler skillfully managed the situation, encouraging people to enjoy the feast even without the Count, hoping they would continue to have a good time.

The chief chamberlain and Michael supported the Count toward his room.

Normally this would have been another servant’s job, but Count Notrisha’s grip on Michael’s shoulder was too strong to break free from.

“I’m sorry, Lord Michael. I’m sorry. The Count occasionally drinks excessively when he’s in a really good mood. He must have been in an extremely good mood today.”

The chief chamberlain said with an embarrassed face. Michael shook his head, saying it was fine. But with Count Notrisha having passed out, the situation had become awkward.

He wondered if he should leave a message saying urgent business had come up and depart, or wait until tomorrow morning when the Count woke up to say goodbye.

—How would I know whether your feelings for Catherine are friendship or love? If you’re that desperate, prove it to me. That’s the last thing I want from you.

That was what worried him most.

If he couldn’t properly prove it before leaving, would the Count think he had given up?

‘…No, I’ll go back to the capital, just meet Catherine, and then come right back to try again.’

But it was also awkward to drag this out any longer. Even though he was considered a nobleman who lived off others, he wasn’t without responsibilities.

He had already sent word to the royal palace, but as an administrative noble, he had duties to fulfill. Work would start piling up soon, so it was difficult to delay any longer.

“…Michael.”

It was when Michael and the chief chamberlain were carefully laying the Count down on the bed.

The Count, who they thought had fallen asleep, suddenly grabbed Michael’s wrist and opened his eyes.

The Count’s half-closed eyes looked more sober than expected. With eyes that showed sleepiness but no drunkenness, he said:

“…Go.”

“Pardon?”

“I said go. To Catherine… Tell her this father misses her very much. And that I’ll be coming up to the capital soon……”

“What do you—”

The Count, who had been holding onto Michael and quietly looking at him, grinned and said…