-……So, I think that’s enough chit-chat to show off our friendship without Oliver finding out. Did you find anything?

“No.”

Nigel replied while tying his school uniform necktie, looking towards the communication stone glowing bright green.

“I haven’t gotten any information yet. What about Rifne’s side?”

-Same here.

Rifne’s blunt voice carried a strange frustration.

-A boy your age, with a nickname or real name of Nix. Appearance is the most common brown hair and blue eyes in Arenius. And his status is estimated to be nobility or a wealthy merchant.

Nigel quietly closed his mouth like a student scolded by a professor at the voice that seemed to be sighing.

-The range is quite narrow, isn’t it?

“…I’m sorry, you must be busy with work.”

Nigel’s voice lost strength at the prickly sarcasm.

-It’s fine. I didn’t say that to hear your apology. Just……

“Thank you. That’s what you wanted to hear, right?”

-I can’t deny it.

As Rifne’s faint laughter was heard through the communication stone, Nigel also raised the corners of his mouth, following his friend.

Taking advantage of the good mood after a long time, Nigel decided to bring up the question he had been putting off.

“Rifne, the hard feelings from the engagement ceremony are all resolved now, right?”

-No, that’s that and this is this.

A firm answer came back immediately.

“It’s still not resolved?”

-That’s right.

Nigel let out a faint sigh at the stubborn tone without gaps.

Rifne had been displeased all this time that Nigel had silently gotten engaged to Beselion.

-I know your character and background, but most people who don’t know you will think you’re a… commoner who seduced the Beselion heir to improve your lot in life.

“It’s okay. As I said then, it’s a temporary engagement for a purpose.”

-That may be so for you, but from what I saw then, the Beselion heir doesn’t seem to have any intention of letting you go… ugh, never mind. I’ll stop talking about that guy.

In an instant, Noah’s status dropped from Beselion heir to “that guy”.

Nigel opened his mouth, swallowing his laughter.

“Why, tell me more, I’m curious.”

-No, I’m just worried about your reputation. Later when you reveal your identity, you’ll need to find a suitable match, but this engagement might be a disadvantage, directly or indirectly.

“…Rifne, you don’t seem like the type, but you’re surprisingly meddlesome. Is this because you’re Oliver’s younger sister after all?”

-Refrain from disrespectful words, Nigel Ars? And if I must correct you, it’s not meddling but historical knowledge. Do you know how many nobles have ruined their lives because of former fiancés?

“Alright, alright. Thanks for your concern, friend.”

Nigel replied, shaking his head.

-Ah, speaking of which. Nigel, you asked the Evans heir to search for Nix too, right?

“Yes.”

Nigel answered casually while opening his empty schoolbag, having finished putting on his uniform. Nigel’s gaze looking at the desk was sensitive and sharp, unlike when he was putting on his uniform.

-Then, make sure to keep his mouth shut. Absolutely.

“What on earth does that……?”

Bang!

At that moment, the door opened roughly and a mass of pink hair approached Nigel.

“Ni, gel!”

Yenika jumped into Nigel’s arms.

“I missed you. Did you have fun spending the vacation with Allen and Lord Noah without me?”

“Of course, I missed you not being there.”

Nigel patted Yenika while glancing to the side. The communication stone was quiet, its green light turned off.

“Next time, come visit our kingdom! With Kal!”

“That sounds good.”

“Oh, how about joining us on our honeymoon too?”

“That sounds goo… No. That doesn’t seem right.”

Nigel took his hand off Yenika’s back and came to his senses.

Looking at Yenika, her face was full of a mischievous smile.

“This is why I like you, Nigel.”

“Alright, alright. Let’s go eat now.”

Not sure exactly why she liked him, Nigel smiled back at Yenika snuggling into his arms.

-Mmm… Bap!

Just then, Lus, who had been tossing and turning on the soft bed, opened his eyes wide and jumped onto Nigel’s shoulder.

“Oh my, Lus! It’s been a while! You’ve become even more gallant since I last saw you!”

-Pink human, long time no see!

Watching the two who strangely got along well, Nigel used the privilege of being top student.

“Teleport, dining hall.”

In an instant, Nigel and his companions disappeared with a flash of light.

“Ah, Nigel. About what you asked me, I’m still looking for a man who meets the conditions.”

The question behind Rifne’s words to keep Allen’s mouth shut was quickly resolved.

At Allen’s careless words, spoken as if talking about assignments or cafeteria menus, all the students’ gazes were fixed on Allen and Nigel.

A flustered Allen covered his mouth with an “oops”, but once words are spoken, they can’t be taken back.

Among them, the person with the most intense gaze was undoubtedly Noah Beselion, sitting across from Nigel.

“…Were you looking for a man behind my back?”

The voice that flowed out carefully was tinged with wetness.

Noah Beselion was already eye-catching due to his height and appearance, but Noah Beselion with a tearful expression was even more noticeable.

“Uh, that’s not it, there are circumstances…”

Why am I making excuses as if I’ve committed a crime?

Even Nigel himself didn’t understand, but looking at Noah’s moist blue eyes, he felt he had to comfort him somehow.

“Anyway, it’s true that Nigel is looking for a man.”

“That’s… right?”

Nigel confessed, trying hard to ignore his pricking conscience.

“…I’m disappointed.”

Noah left with his tray, looking hurt like someone who had been dumped.

“Wait…!”

Nigel urgently reached out his hand, but the top student of the Swordsmanship Department had already quickly walked out of the dining hall with his long legs.

Nigel blinked, slowly grasping the situation.

“Well done.”

Just then, someone’s reproach was heard from behind.

“Ah, Sid.”

Sid Cromwell looked at the dazed Nigel with his arms crossed annoyingly.

“Even a four-legged horse stumbles sometimes, and you’re in that state.”

“What… did I do wrong?”

The uncomfortable ache in his heart might be due to the beauty’s tearful face, but objectively thinking, he hadn’t done much wrong. After all, they both knew the engagement was temporary.

If anything, perhaps not telling Noah that he was looking for Nix?

“Sigh, from the looks of it, Beselion must have suffered a lot because of your insensitivity. And will continue to do so.”

As Nigel tilted his head, unable to find a suitable answer, Sid chuckled openly.

“You’re saying I’m insensitive?”

“Yeah, terrible when it comes to love. You lack subtlety.”

“Sid, have you forgotten the power of my magic?”

Nigel held out his tightly clenched fist to the boasting Sid. Magical flames blazed over the solid fist. Sid’s face turned pale in an instant.

“Alright, Sid. Why don’t you go now instead of making a fuss? You’re on duty for Professor Cledian’s class today.”

As the situation seemed about to develop into a different phase beyond just being serious, Allen, who had been fidgeting anxiously, quickly intervened.

Nigel was still unable to come to his senses at being called insensitive for the first time in his life, while Yenika and Lus were clapping their hands together and smiling broadly, wondering if Nigel and Noah were breaking up.

And Allen looked at them and heaved a deep sigh.

The first day of the second semester of the second year was eventful from the start.

It should pass safely without any big incidents, but there was a problem from the beginning.

“…This happened. What do you think?”

That evening, Nigel contacted two people via communication stone and explained what had happened today.

-Well done.

-You did well.

The former was Rifne’s answer, and the latter was Zeronin’s.

Rifne answered boringly, as if he had already guessed the situation to some extent, while Zeronin, who had been maintaining the opinion that engagement shouldn’t be done carelessly even to hide one’s identity, seemed satisfied to hear the news of the fight with Noah.

Nigel then added that he had been called insensitive, hoping the two would refute it.

But the two either pretended not to hear or quickly changed the subject.

Towards the end of the communication, Rifne and Zeronin’s opinions coincidentally matched. The light of the communication stone went out with the advice that it would be better for Nigel to act faithfully to his fiancé while maintaining the engagement.

“…Be faithful to my fiancé?”

Nigel lay on the bed, carefully considering their advice.

Wasn’t it enough to openly wear a ring with a large diamond and occasionally hold Noah’s hand in front of people?

At times like this, the person who always came to mind was, unfortunately, Ashton.

Nigel quickly shook his head to erase the thought, then put on his coat.

Walking aimlessly was the best when one’s mind was cluttered.

“I’ll be back.”

Nigel gently stroked Lus, who was sleeping soundly, and left the room.

“Allen, why did I do that?”

Noah said glumly, wrapped up in his blanket.

“I don’t know. Figure it out yourself.”

At first, Allen comforted and advised with all his heart, but as Noah’s words continued like an endless loop, he boredly twisted his hair and fiddled with his fingers.

“I must have lost my mind for a moment. Seeing Nigel wearing the engagement ring, it felt so real that I showed my obsession without knowing my place… Nigel must be disappointed.”

Noah buried his face in the pillow with a world-ending expression.

“Well, you’re not out of place since you’re the fiancé.”

“Really? Then Nigel won’t break off our engagement and get engaged to another man, right?”

“That depends on your actions.”

“Then, I’ll be able to safely marry Nigel, right?”

“…That depends on you too.”

“Yes, I shouldn’t be intimidated by such trivial things, right? I’ll apologize as soon as I see him tomorrow.”

Allen’s face gradually darkened as he repeated the same words like a parrot.

“Uh, since you’ve made up your mind, why don’t you go out for some fresh air? It’s noisy in here.”

Allen kicked Noah out of the room along with his coat.

Finally, some peace and quiet, Allen thought as he rubbed his sleepy eyes and immediately fell asleep.

Meanwhile, Noah, who had been kicked out of the room, was making apology plans when he quickly moved his feet at the sound of Nigel’s voice in the distance.

“Nig……”

The voice that was calling out happily was cut off.

Nigel was there under the moonlight. And beside him was Ashton.