DSFL | Chapter 93

~Chapter 93~

On the way back home…

“I told you not to get involved with him, didn’t I?”

Cedric finally let out what he’d been holding back.

“Do you even listen to me?”

“I’m innocent! I was just walking alone, and he came and walked with me without asking…”

Cedric’s eyes narrowed at my response, but I didn’t back down.

“What was I supposed to do? Run away and rush to the gathering like I’d seen a monster?”

“Yes.”

“Yes?”

“Oh, really? As if you would’ve done that, Brother!”

He’s the one who can always act like nothing’s wrong in awkward situations.

Cedric didn’t have a comeback this time. He just opened and closed his mouth, then let out a deep sigh and glared at Leon, who was confidently sitting beside me.

“…More importantly, why are you coming with us?”

“It’s been a while since I greeted Lord Bluea. Why, is that a problem?”

“Why today, of all days?”

“Because Lord Bluea is fond of me. Do I need your permission to say hello now?”

Today is just not my day.

Cedric, unusually speechless, rubbed his face in frustration. Then, as if finally finding words, he turned his attention back to me.

“So, what did you and that guy talk about?”

Apparently, Leon was curious too—he looked at me right away.

“I guess I have to be honest, right…?”

“Of course.”

“Obviously.”

Their replies came at the same time.

Is it okay to say this in front of both of them?

“Don’t regret it later.”

“I won’t.”

I wasn’t completely sure if it was the right decision, but I had to answer their question.

“He talked about something that happened at the academy.”

“…!”

I didn’t have the courage to go into detail, so I just played with my fingers and kept my head down.

Luckily—or maybe not—they seemed to have some idea what it was and didn’t press for more.

The silence between us was heavy. I tried to lighten the mood, but gave up quickly.

Yeah, staying quiet is probably the best choice for now…

***

When Cedric and Leon showed up together at the Roygin residence, Grandfather looked surprised.

<You didn’t fight on the way, did you?>

Even though we said no, he clearly didn’t believe us.

It was understandable.

The silence in the carriage was so heavy it felt dangerous.

Even I could feel it, so Grandfather must’ve noticed immediately.

As soon as we got home, Cedric didn’t say a word to Leon and went straight to his office.

So I was left to take care of our guest.

Well… all I did was stare at Leon while he stayed quiet.

Time passed slowly and awkwardly. Eventually, Leon spoke up, carefully.

“Bianca.”

But he hesitated for a while. I took the hint and said it first.

“You want to ask if I believe what Sir Glaster said, right? I don’t.”

“That’s part of it… but actually…”

Leon looked down and finally spoke, though it seemed hard for him.

“…I’m sorry.”

“Huh?”

His unexpected apology left me stunned.

“It’s never pleasant hearing stories about someone you care about from someone else.”

“…”

“I should’ve told you myself earlier.”

Leon gave a bitter smile.

“I wasted so much time trying to seem like a good person to you.”

“Th-That wasn’t a waste.”

“But what you truly wanted was a family. If I had cleared things up with Cedric sooner, you wouldn’t have had to feel awkward between us.”

Guilt showed clearly on his face.

I stared at him, then asked without thinking:

“But you do know it was all a misunderstanding, right?”

Wait, wasn’t it just Grandpa and me who knew that?

“I swear to the gods, I didn’t do it.”

Leon shrugged.

“But even so, he still treats me like a thief. If that’s not a misunderstanding, what is it?”

“Then… why haven’t you said anything?”

Leon replied casually, as if it was obvious.

“Because to him, I already am a thief. There’s no going back to the old days where we just joked around.”

“But that’s not fair!”

I didn’t know who was being accused of what anymore, but it felt so unfair.

While I was getting flustered, Leon stayed calm.

“You should at least try to explain.”

“You think I can win against that guy with words? I’d rather fight him.”

“Then what about Sir Glaster? If he could say those things to me so casually, he must be saying even worse things behind your back!”

“Oh no, guess I’m never getting married in this lifetime.”

Why is it that everyone around me just accepts things so easily?

When someone wrongly accuses you, you should do something about it!

“It’s not too late! Let’s find proof that you’re innocent.”

I stood up from my seat.

“Where are you going?”

“Anywhere that might have the evidence!”

“Want me to come?”

That was unexpected. Leon stood up too and smiled.

“I know you won’t stop even if I tell you to, so it’s better if you come along as well.”

“You know me well.”

Then I leaned closer and whispered.

“Honestly… I kind of want to see Cedric’s other expressions too.”

Like a surprised face…

Or a guilty face.

Not that he’d react that strongly, but still.

Thankfully, Leon let out a small laugh.

“That might actually be worth seeing.”

Perfect. Now all we needed was the evidence—and everything would be set.

***

“You seem to be in a good mood lately.”

Elliot glanced at Ricardo, who looked more lively than usual.

“…Nonsense.”

Elliot’s eyes moved to the papers spread out on Ricardo’s desk.

They were full of lists—cafés and restaurants in the capital.

This was the kind of thing Ricardo wouldn’t have cared about unless the capital was under attack.

But lately, he’d been taking interest—asking for recommendations, even writing them down.

Elliot had thought Ricardo was just making casual conversation, so he gave random answers.

Ricardo seemed like he wasn’t listening, so Elliot thought it was no big deal.

But I didn’t expect him to actually write down the names of the places!

Elliot broke into a nervous sweat and quickly removed any inappropriate suggestions.

He couldn’t exactly recommend the small bars where knights gathered for drinks.

Clearly, this was all because of Miss Bianca.

Now that he thought about it, Ricardo only ever acted like this when it involved her.

Elliot, who was always by his side, could tell—even when things didn’t seem like a big deal, Ricardo would react strongly.

But… is Miss Bianca okay?

There was something that still bothered Elliot.

Back when he last saw her, he had said:

“Ever since he met you, he’s been much brighter.”

He wasn’t sure why he said it. He didn’t even remember the situation clearly.

But he remembered her face—

…She looked miserable.

That expression had stuck with him.

He knew her situation wasn’t easy, and he’d said something so careless.

I wonder if things between them worked out.

With Ricardo’s awkward way with words, it didn’t seem likely.

But then again, his current mood wouldn’t make sense if they hadn’t.

Well… I’m sure he figured it out somehow!

Elliot shook off his thoughts and cleared his throat awkwardly.

“Ahem, there’s an art museum in the capital, too. Lots of great places if you want to enjoy your view.”

Ricardo didn’t look like he was listening, but Elliot knew better now.

He knew Ricardo was paying attention.

And sure enough—later, that museum name would definitely show up on Ricardo’s list.

Because Ricardo was already filling his thoughts with a bright future for the first time.