“My second brother will be the commander of the order, and I had no talent for other studies…….”

Larisa thought to herself.

‘Why is Alex so nervous?’

Even though the food arrived, the two of them didn’t touch it and continued chatting. Larisa, feeling sorry for Alexander, interjected.

“Alex, try this. It’s delicious!”

Upon hearing that, Alexander began to sweat. Larisa giggled and then looked at William.
William, meeting eyes with Larisa as always, formed a warm smile and said, “Lara, you should eat too.”

“Yeah. But Alex seems to be in pain somewhere.”

“Yeah, he seems a bit fragile.”

Larisa, not knowing English, worried.

“Are you okay? Is it too painful to eat?”

“No, no. I’m fine. Let’s eat. Senior, please go ahead.”

Alexander showed courtesy. Then, as soon as William picked up his spoon, he hastily started eating.

Watching Alexander eat, Larisa grinned and said, “Isn’t it delicious? It’s my favorite restaurant.”

“Yeah, it is. Tastes good.”

“Will you come again tomorrow?”

“Cough, tomorrow? I might be busy tomorrow.”

Alexander said with discomfort while glancing at William. Larisa was quick to notice. She couldn’t ignore Alexander’s uneasy attitude toward William.

“It’s not that difficult. William looks intimidating, but he’s actually a sweetheart.”

“Pfft.”

Alexander, who spewed out the food he was eating, reflected and apologized.

“I’m sorry, senior.”

“No, it’s okay.”

William murmured while patting his own face.

“Do I look scary?”
“Oh dear, I told you to smile more. William looks emotionless, like he has no blood or tears.”

“…Is that so?”

“Yes, it is. Look at Alex, scared out of his wits, all because of William.”

Larisa scolded a bit, and William’s face turned sullen. Larisa sighed inwardly.

‘Why don’t people recognize he’s such a sweet guy?’

Larisa turned her head back to Alex. Alex, who had been absent-minded, stammered again.

“Why, why?”

“No, Alex, you’re more timid than I thought?”

“Huh?”

“Even though the Lontes family has a fierce reputation, they’re actually all kind and delicate people.”

Alex rubbed his ears and asked, puzzled.

“Delicate?”

“Yeah. They easily get hurt, and they cry a lot.”

Alexander blinked back tears and replied.

“I see.”

He couldn’t meet William’s eyes.

As soon as the meal was finished, Larisa said, “I’ll leave now.”

“Why? Let’s have dessert before you go.”

William said regretfully.

“We have our next class.”

“I can give you a ride.”

“It’s okay, I’ll walk to aid digestion. William is busy, right? You go ahead.”

After quickly sending off William, Larisa asked Alexander.

“Are you okay?”

“I feel a bit stuffy.”

“Maybe because you ate too quickly.”

He was devouring his food as if he couldn’t taste it.

Alexander couldn’t understand why he had to endure this. The ones with ill intentions were the others, not William!
He sighed and said, “I called you a friend, but if this is how it is, I’ll be in trouble if you get married later.”

“Me? Why?”

Alexander looked bewildered.

“Didn’t you just see? How sternly your brother looked at me?”

“He’s not my brother.”

“…Then who is he?”

“Just… a friend?”

Alexander looked at Larisa with a perplexed expression.

“So, we’re all friends, including that senior?”

“Yeah.”

Alexander decided to ask the question that had been on his mind. Confirming that there were no academy uniforms around, he asked Larisa.

“But why does Rodante sponsor you? At first, I thought he wanted to adopt you, but that wasn’t the case. I’m curious why he’s still sponsoring you without adopting. It seems like you’re close with him too.”

Larisa briefly pondered what to say. Still, honesty seemed like the best policy.

“I refused.”

“Why?”

“Just… didn’t want to become a noble.”

Alexander was taken aback by the unexpected answer.

“Why wouldn’t you want to become a noble?”

“There would be too many obligations and inconveniences.”

“But then why did you come to the Knight Academy?”

Becoming a knight squire would lead to nobility. It seemed like common knowledge.

“I won’t be receiving the knighthood.”

“Why?”

Alexander was greatly surprised. After scrutinizing the surroundings a bit more, he cautiously asked,

“Do you realize the consequences if you say that somewhere else?”
Entering the academy without any intention of receiving the knighthood could have sparked resentment. Others might perceive that other knight aspirants were deprived of opportunities because of Larisa.

Larisa nodded slowly, as if acknowledging her awareness, and said, “You know. I’m telling you because it’s you, Alex.”