Didn't Plan to Become a Companion (Completed Main Story) - Side Story 4

Judith and the noblewomen seized the chance while Ricardo was summoned by the Emperor and practically surrounded Lienne, leading her toward the lakeside.

This lake, said to have been created centuries ago by an emperor for his empress, was famed for its scenic beauty.

It was also a grim place, rumored as the spot where countless individuals, having suffered despair within the imperial palace, had leapt to end their lives.

Walter fundamentally disliked water.

Yet, as if possessed by something, he followed Lienne to the lakeside and, before he knew it, found himself joining the ladies’ boating outing.

It had been a reflexive act, driven by the worry that they might harm Lienne in some way—but it was already too late to pretend it never happened.

When Walter appeared, declaring he would join their boating, the women present welcomed him with bright eyes. Only Judith and Lienne refrained from casting their gazes toward him.

Among those sending him heated glances were daughters of families who, thinking they’d lose nothing by asking, had already sent him marriage proposals—and even those who hadn’t sent proposals still dreamed of marrying him.

Unsurprisingly, a quiet battle erupted as all of them tried to board the very boat Walter intended to take. Among them were even the women rumored to be his potential brides.

He rubbed his throbbing temples and glanced subtly toward where Lienne sat. Judith, undeterred by Walter’s interference, kept subtly steering the atmosphere, using the surrounding women to push Lienne into a particular group.

Walter calmly assessed the situation and naturally slipped into that group.

He hadn’t truly believed they’d push her off the boat into the water, but the cold murderous glint in Judith’s eyes made it impossible to rule out entirely.

Judith bit her lower lip hard at his actions. Walter, oblivious to what he was even doing, remained solely focused on protecting Lienne amid the women.

He simply thought this way:

As a nobleman, he could not stand by and watch behavior that compromised dignity.

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