“…Are you alright?”

I cautiously asked Alex.

For some reason, Alex’s eyes looked sad as he gazed at me.

“It’s all in the past.”

“……”

“I got a bit sentimental. You don’t need to worry about it, so forget our conversation just now.”

“…Alright, I will.”

While it was true that I wanted to know more about Alex, I felt sorry for making him talk about things he might not have wanted to share.

“I guess I asked something unnecessary.”

As I muttered with a bitter smile, Alex shook his head.

“No. I asked about you first, so it’s only natural for you to ask about me. That’s why I answered.”

“Still. I should have asked more slowly.”

Indeed, it was a sensitive topic to bring up when we hadn’t known each other for long.

“You’re kind, Claire.”

“Normally, I would deny it, but I’ll agree just this once.”

I tried to make a joke to lighten the mood.

But Alex didn’t particularly react. It felt awkward somehow.

As the conversation ended, an awkward silence settled in.

Alex stared straight ahead with a complex expression. He seemed to be deep in thought.

I spent the time looking around until he sorted out his thoughts.

Then, I saw someone familiar in the distance.

A man with dark brown hair tied in a loose ponytail and a faint impression.

It was Sir Kruger, the captain of the Rose Knights under the Berzel Duchy.

Sir Kruger was watching us from a distance.

I waved at him, and he noticed me. He smiled warmly and nodded in greeting.

I nodded slightly back to Sir Kruger.

Sir Kruger then started walking towards the other soldiers on guard duty.

“What are you looking at?”

After a long silence, Alex finally spoke.

“I saw Sir Kruger over there, so I greeted him.”

I pointed at the departing Sir Kruger, and Alex followed my gaze.

“I see.”

“By the way, Sir Kruger is the captain of the Rose Knights, right?”

“Yes.”

“Wow, it’s true.”

As I expressed my admiration, Alex nodded in understanding.

“Most people have a similar reaction. They usually think Kain or Tennant is the captain.”

That was true.

Of course, Sir Kruger was handsome. If you looked at each feature, he was indeed a handsome man. With a gentle face, distinct features, and beautiful amber eyes. But somehow, his impression was faint, making him seem ordinary.

Maybe that’s why.

I naturally assumed he was just a knight and that someone else was the captain.

It must have been my prejudice.

I guess it’s because the members of the Rose Knights have such strong images that Sir Kruger’s image feels faint in comparison.

Certainly. Zyle, with his bear-like physique, Faby, who looks like a boy despite being a knight, Tennant, a handsome man whose mere presence could melt hearts, and Kain, with his red hair and intense aura.

The Rose Knights were filled with individuals who left strong impressions with their unique personalities.

“Sir Kruger must be very strong, right?”

“Yes. Very.”

After a brief reply, Alex added.

“He has unparalleled skills among the Rose Knights.”

“I see…”

If Alex acknowledged his skills, Sir Kruger must be quite exceptional. It seemed his position as captain was well-deserved.

“I feel bad now.”

“Why?”

Alex asked, puzzled.

“When we first met, he introduced himself as the captain, and I was surprised… Although he said it was fine, I think he might have been offended.”

Alex finally understood my words and nodded.

“Shall I arrange a meeting?”

“Um, no. Officially apologizing might be more awkward. Sir Kruger might dislike it. I’ll just apologize personally.”

“Then do that.”

Sir Kruger, who had been moving with the soldiers, was no longer in sight.

“It’s cold.”

“It’s early winter, so it is. How about going inside? The carriage has a warming spell, so it should be warm.”

Alex suggested. I considered it and then looked at Alex.

“Then, aren’t the tents enchanted with a warming spell too?”

“They are.”

“Can I take a look inside? I’m curious.”

When traveling with Miss Veronica between the estate and the capital, we avoided camping as much as possible.

The Maynard estate and the capital, Sergal, were close enough that the distance between villages didn’t take more than a day by carriage.

So, if we needed to camp, we stayed overnight in a village.

We couldn’t let Miss Veronica sleep outdoors.

That’s why camping felt unfamiliar and intriguing to me.

Sitting by the campfire now felt romantic, so I was curious about the tents too.

“You’re quite curious.”

“If you don’t want to, it’s fine.”

“No. I’ll show you as much as you want.”

Alex extended his hand towards me. I placed my hand on his, and he gently held it.

Then he stood up from his chair. I also stood up.

I pondered what to do with the blanket but decided to keep it since it was cold.

I heard a small laugh from Alex.

“Why are you laughing?”

I blinked and asked, and Alex shook his head.

“Nothing.”

“Why? Tell me. It’s not fair to laugh alone.”

Curiosity got the better of me, so I persistently asked Alex.

“Just that, you’re cute.”

“……”

I gasped and looked up at him, not expecting his answer.

Alex soon pulled my hand, leading me forward. Maybe it was because of the cold, but my face felt hot.

The place Alex led me to was a tent larger and more luxurious than the others.

Alex lifted the tent flap and held it open for me to enter.

“Wow.”

As soon as I entered, the cold vanished.

As he said, the warming spell seemed to be working perfectly.

I took off the cloak I was wearing and draped it over my arm as I looked around the tent.

In the center of the tent was a cot big enough for two people.

Around it were a makeshift desk and chair, and the floor was covered with a carpet.

There were also a few decorations inside, making the atmosphere cozy.

“It’s quite impressive for a one-night stay.”

I slowly walked inside, looking around.

“Is it?”

Alex glanced around the tent at my words. But he quickly lost interest and looked at me, not finding anything special.

Being a Duke, Alex didn’t seem to think much of the tent’s interior.

I quickly agreed and carefully surveyed the room before approaching the bed. I pressed it with my hand, it was quite soft. It seemed to be made of the same material as the cushy carriage seats.

It felt like a pre-prepared camping facility, which was fascinating.

“It looks good enough to rent out.”

“Rent? Here?”

Alex tilted his head reflexively at my words.

“Well, I mean, it looks that good.”

“…I see.”

Alex replied slowly, as if he was seeing a new perspective.

“If we camp again, can I sleep in the tent? The carriage is comfortable, but I want to experience this too!”

I asked Alex while sitting on the bed.

“Tonight will be the last time we camp. As you know, the Maynard estate and Sergal aren’t that far. There are plenty of places to stay along the way. We camped this time because you fell asleep in the carriage, so we slowed down.”

“Oh… So there won’t be another chance.”

I wanted to sleep in such a place.

If not, there’s nothing I can do.

I sighed in disappointment.

Alex slowly approached me. He stared at my face intently.

“If you really want to sleep in the tent, you can sleep here.”

“Really?”

“Yes. As much as you want.”

I looked up at him with wide eyes, tempted by his words.

“Then what about you, Alex?”

“Well…”

Alex trailed off ambiguously and made a mischievous face.

“Since this is where I was supposed to stay, I should sleep here too. The bed is big enough for two… How about it?”

“What?”

Alex casually said something embarrassing.

He brought it up, but I was the one blushing.

Of course, I knew he meant just sharing the bed, but the implication made me react sensitively.

“What are you saying! Why would I sleep with you, Alex? No, thank you!”

“Why? You slept just fine in the warehouse before.”

“That was–!”

I stopped short, realizing I had indeed fallen asleep with Alex in the warehouse.

“It was raining heavily then!”

“It rained like that every day.”

“Well, that’s true.”

It was the rainy season, after all. It wasn’t a good excuse.

“And I was worried about you since you were injured.”

“……”

“Anyway, that was different from now.”

I finished speaking and jumped up from the bed.

“Then I’ll go back now. You sleep here alone, Alex!”

I bowed to Alex and quickly left the tent.

Outside, the cold made me shiver.

I looked at the tent once more before wrapping the blanket around me and walking quickly to the carriage.

After climbing into the carriage, I calmed my racing heart.

It’s really unfair for someone so handsome to say such things so casually.

I slowly lay down on the bed. Though it was late at night, I didn’t think I would fall asleep anytime soon.