‘Is he doing this because he feels sorry that I like him?’

Diana lowered her eyes with a sad expression. In her past life, she might have been happy even with that, but now it was different.

She didn’t want Raoul to offer his body and heart to her out of guilt in the slightest.

‘When I see him again, I’ll make sure to tell him there’s no need for that.’

She buried herself deep under the covers and squeezed her eyes shut.

She just wanted to shake off the ticklish sensation and the helpless expectations as soon as possible.

“You did well to listen to me, didn’t you?”

Vincent looked down at Raoul with a smug expression and said.

“Stop talking nonsense and just teach the lesson.”

“Hmm.”

Vincent nodded slowly with a sly smile.

Somehow his appearance looked amusing, but Raoul didn’t bother to point it out. He was originally a bit light-hearted and transparent.

Just as the two were about to focus on their usual sword training lesson.

Suddenly, boisterous laughter came from the corridor, and the training ground quickly filled with knights.

“Didn’t practice end this morning?”

Vincent scanned the surroundings and asked with a smile only in his eyes.

“Since when did we need your permission to use the training ground?”

It was Baihar, the joint captain of Arnel. He looked down at Raoul with an arrogant expression, tilting his head.

“Are you the wolf boy the young lady keeps around?”

The knights following him whistled mockingly.

“Face is decent. The young lady must adore you.”

Baihar raised his eyebrows with his arms crossed, and giggles were heard from behind. It was clearly provocative.

As Raoul’s expression hardened at the baseless mockery, Vincent blocked in front of him and replied with a smiling face.

“What’s wrong with you, Baihar? You’re being too harsh on a kid. That’s not like you.”

It was a polite indication that he didn’t want the sudden confrontation, but Baihar didn’t seem to want to stop.

He coldly replied, pushing away Vincent’s hand as he came over for a friendly shoulder hug.

“A kid? Don’t make me laugh. I heard he took down a high-level monster this time?”

He smiled slyly and pushed Vincent’s forehead with his finger.

“Why did the lord make this idiot a captain? Treating the wolf boy like some puppy. Is it fun? Something like that is at best our prey. It’s not even funny to give a human’s bowl to a dog.”

Even Vincent, who usually never lost his smile, roughly grabbed Baihar’s wrist at the insult that crossed the line.

“I’ll handle my own conduct. Captain Baihar. Instead of meddling unnecessarily, why don’t you properly educate your juniors? When I saw them sparring, they had no basics at all. With that skill, even if you bring ten men, it’s worse than going on an expedition with this one. Instead of tearing others down, how about taking care of yourself first?”

“…Getting a little of the duke’s favor, and now you think you’re untouchable? If that monster suddenly goes berserk and attacks, will you still take his side then?”

“Stop talking shit and do your job.”

This time, Vincent really gritted his teeth. It was a situation where a fistfight wouldn’t be strange.

As the two continued their tense confrontation, the subordinates who had been giggling behind them crossed the line, pretending to stop them without even grasping the situation.

“Oh come on, stop it. He might become the young lady’s lover later, shouldn’t we make a good impression?”

For some reason, more than a dozen men burst into laughter all at once.

It would have been better if it stopped there, but one with a nose as big as a fist went further and dragged Diana’s appearance into it.

“But isn’t the gap too big? Our young lady may not have the looks, but she’s loaded with money and honor, right?”

It was an insulting remark without knowing one’s place. Even Raoul, who had been holding back until now, finally bared his teeth.

As a low growl rumbled, the men’s voices diminished, and some moved their hands to their swords.

Vincent blocked Raoul to prevent unnecessary bloodshed and snapped back instead.

“Watch your mouth. As much as loyalty between comrades is important, we’re all knights who swore allegiance to the duke. Do you dare insult the young lady and expect your neck to be safe?”

Gulp.

The man who had been laughing and spewing vulgar remarks until just now turned his gaze away and rubbed his neck with his hand.

He seemed to be holding back, fearing he might be reported for insulting nobility. Baihar rolled his eyes as if tired, then crossed his arms and laughed silently.

“It’s just a joke between comrades, you’re overreacting. If you live so uptight, won’t you break someday?”

“Whether I break or bend, I told you I’ll handle it myself, didn’t I?”

Vincent smiled back, not backing down. Baihar shook his head and raised his hand, and his men started to find their places.

It was a signal that they were done for today. Just as Vincent turned his head, shaking off the meaningless conversation.

“Where did he go?”

As Vincent looked around for Raoul, he could already see Raoul organizing his sword at the far end.

He approached and patted his head to comfort him.

“…Being too talented is also a problem, a problem indeed.”

The young boy still couldn’t hide his anger.

“Cheer up. You’ll meet all sorts of petty people in life.”

“I don’t care what they say about me. But those bastards insulted Diana.”

Vincent looked down at his disciple with a slightly touched expression.

“…Have you finally developed a sense of loyalty…?”

“…Loyalty?”

Raoul looked up at him and asked back as if dumbfounded.

“Yes. Have you finally thought that you should become the young lady’s loyal servant?”

Vincent patted his shoulder as if proud, and as he was wetting his throat, Raoul gave a shocking answer with an indifferent face.

“I have no intention of becoming Diana’s loyal servant. A partner, maybe.”

“Pfffffft… Cough… What did you say?”

Raoul looked at Vincent, who was putting on a fountain show in the air, with a disapproving gaze and said.

“…Why are you surprised? You said it yourself. Diana likes me, and I feel the same. So someday I’ll become her mate.”

“…Do you marry everyone you like?”

It was an innocent thought only a child could have.

Raoul narrowed his eyes, seemingly unsatisfied with his reaction, and asked.

“Lycans usually imprint once they choose a mate. Isn’t it the same for humans?”

There was no hint of playfulness in his serious tone.

‘This guy is serious…’

Vincent pressed his temples with a troubled expression, pondering deeply.

‘Is there a way to explain reality without shattering his innocence?’

He hesitated as if reluctant to speak, then awkwardly answered.

“…Well, you can date and break up, things like that. Not everyone who likes each other gets married. And marriage isn’t something to decide so easily.”

“Lycans wouldn’t choose a mate lightly. I’m certain Diana is my destined partner. I’ve decided carefully after watching her closely for years.”

“That’s not… Sigh. How should I explain this? What I’m saying is there are reasons you can’t marry regardless of your choice…”

Raoul frowned and pressed for an answer.

“What is it? If you have something to say, say it quickly.”

Vincent finally opened his mouth, unable to avoid it any longer.

“I’m sorry to tell you this, but according to imperial law, nobles and slaves cannot marry. The moment it happens, the woman would also be demoted to a slave.”

“…What?”

Raoul’s face hardened as if shocked.

Vincent averted his eyes, feeling needlessly apologetic as he continued.

“I don’t want to crush your dreams, but… You’re 13 now, so you need to know the reality. The young lady will probably marry a noble of similar rank.”

“Are you saying Diana might choose a man other than me…?”

“No… It’s not Diana choosing, but families making contracts through marriage. You’re still young so it’s hard to understand, but nobles rarely marry for love alone.”

Raoul narrowed his eyes and burst out angrily.

“That’s… strange. It doesn’t make sense.”

“I support your puppy love, but… Marrying Diana is a futile dream.”

Vincent patted his shoulder comfortingly, but Raoul’s pupils shook as if they might crumble at any moment. It was an obstacle he had never imagined before.

She was on her way to the library after several days.

Cooped up in her room wasting time, she hadn’t even properly read the recent newsletters, let alone practiced dancing.

Today, I’ll learn it properly.

With that thought, she had just hastily opened the door. Under the bright sunlight, a silver crown of hair drooped lifelessly, shining.

“Raoul…?”

Sitting on the sofa with his head down, Raoul, unlike usual, didn’t quickly acknowledge her voice.

Diana carefully approached and took a seat beside him.

“…What’s wrong? Did something happen?”

She had clearly intended to say something as soon as they met, but seeing his dispirited appearance, worry rushed over her.

When Diana carefully called his name, only then did Raoul slowly raise his head to face her.

“Oh my, have you been crying?”

His beautiful eyes were reddened.

‘What on earth happened…’

As Diana reflexively raised her hand to his face, such a thought suddenly occurred to her.

‘Didn’t I plan to tell him I don’t need sympathy? Am I just letting it slide like this?’

Realizing her mistake, she couldn’t extend her hand further and froze awkwardly, but Raoul leaned his soft cheek against her palm first.

“Diana…”

As he rubbed his wet eyelashes against her palm like a puppy, his trembling movements were so pitiful that she wanted to hug him right away.

“What’s wrong? Did something happen? Did someone bully you?”

As Diana stroked his damp eyes with a worried face, Raoul suddenly buried his face in Diana’s shoulder.

“Raoul…?”

Raoul wrapped his hands around Diana’s back, embracing her.

“Diana… I’ll grow up quickly.”

“Huh?”

“When I grow up, I’ll change all the laws or whatever so you won’t suffer.”

‘What is he talking about?’

Though she didn’t know the reason, Raoul held Diana for a long time without moving.

Until his ticklish breath calmed down on her neck, Diana could only wait, patting his back and stroking his head.

‘What on earth happened…’

After that incomprehensible day passed, time flowed quickly again.

Since that day, the two spent peaceful days no different from usual.

However, if there was one thing that changed, it was the distance between them.

“…Raoul. Isn’t it cramped?”

“I’m fine.”

“Hmm, really? Then I should move over there.”

“Are you uncomfortable…?”

Raoul stared up at Diana’s face and held the tips of her fingers.

She tried to look away, but he looked like a puppy who had been waiting for its owner all day.

“…No, that’s not it. I just thought it might be cramped.”

“It’s not cramped. I prefer this.”

Raoul sat Diana back down and rested his head on her shoulder.

‘Why has he been like this lately?’

Momentarily flustered by his belated childish affection, as his soft hair tickled her neck, it felt as if someone was blowing a gentle breath near her heart.

‘This, this shouldn’t be happening…’

Every day was a continuous series of embarrassments.

“You’re here? Wait a moment… I’ll be right there.”

“Take your time.”

The ball was truly just around the corner now. While discussing hairstyles and choosing hair ornaments in advance, Raoul, whose training had ended early, visited Diana’s chambers.

As Raoul leaned against the doorway waiting for Diana, Angela burst into laughter while finishing her hair.

“Angela, what’s wrong?”

When Diana asked with round eyes, Angela smiled adoringly and said happily.

“Thinking that the young lady’s debut is not far off makes me laugh involuntarily.”

“Are you that happy?”

“Of course. You looked nothing short of an angel in that dress.”

“Oh come on, that’s impossible.”

Diana glanced at Raoul and blushed.

‘Angela, you doting fool… How much would Raoul laugh if he heard this.’

Unaware of Diana’s thoughts, Angela snorted.

“Heh. Let him hear, why not? Our beautiful young lady, on that day, young masters from notable families will likely line up. You must carefully choose the most splendid person for your first dance. Understood?”

It was then that Diana shook her head as if it was nonsense.

Raoul’s expression reflected in the mirror began to darken coldly.

‘Why, why is he like that?’