Side Story - Chapter 2

It was a joke, but it wasn’t a lie. Ver had been bothering him from the moment he saw Prillance and Ver attached to each other like leeches.

“The Lady is getting ready and will come down as soon as she’s done. Before that, I came to converse with you about something.”

“If it’s nothing long, let’s chat here.”

Roman got back on the carriage, followed by Ver.

“It’s by my own will.”

As soon as he sat opposite Roman, Ver announced this.

“What do you mean?”

“I became a knight by my own choice.”

Only then did Roman realise it was an answer to his question a few days ago when he had come to talk to Prillance. Roman beckoned Ver to keep talking.

“I think you’re misunderstanding. Because the Lady actually tried to stop me.”

The remark came as a slight surprise to Roman. Her act of stopping him from becoming a Knight for them was unexpected. Roman could guess that Ver came by his will. But the question was whether Prillance had something to do with him becoming a knight for Marquis Weiand.

“The Lady still opposes me being her family knight.”

Of course, it was Ver’s choice, but Roman was curious about Ver’s reason for becoming a knight. Considering it would be helpful enough for Roman when he became the Weiand’s family Knight.

“And I also asked to be the Lady’s dance partner and escort.”

“Everything was your choice, huh? Even the oath I heard.”

Roman commented wondering if Ver was being sarcastic when he said everything was by his own will. He also asked if there was an intention to cover up Prillance.

“Yes, it’s all by my own will. And I have no intention of going back on it.”

Ver’s eyes were as serious as ever. His look was telling Roman that it wasn’t like that at all.

“One regret is enough.” Ver’s eyes, as always, were the eyes of a man in love. He always had those eyes when he talked about Prillance.

“That sounds like a confession.”

“So if the Duke has to be angry, it should be at me.” Ver replied, cleverly evading Roman’s words. He didn’t want Roman to read his mind.

Roman had a crooked smile on his face. “Even if she gets engaged to me, you’re ready to be her Knight?”

“Yes.” Ver’s answer remained unchanged. Roman knew well that he was a man who would not have made this choice if he had these concerns. He thought he made it obvious that he wouldn’t choose Prillance, but instead, he only showed his affection for Prillance. “The Duke is talking about the Weiand’s and Royne’s. I’m not involved in their personal matters.”

Roman’s eyes looked straight at Ver. “Then, there’s no reason for me to be angry at you.”

Ver’s words didn’t cease even at the sight of Roman’s who was laughing at him. “But what I’m telling you is from the Lady’s behalf.”

Ver had no reason to explain this to Roman. However, it was because of Prillance’s feelings towards Roman that made him decide to do something this meaningless. He didn’t want to make him misunderstand because he knew how much she liked Roman. She’d always cared about him.

“Looks like you’re just her Knight.”

His actions revealed his feelings for Prillance. Otherwise, Ver didn’t have to come to him and talk about this. Not unless he wanted Roman to misunderstand and think that there was something between him and Prillance. Strangely enough, Roman didn’t like Ver’s behavior, his sincere heart towards Prillance, and the situation so far. The weak expectations he had before he entered the Marquis’ mansion had turned into an unknown emotion. And having no right to express this emotion, was something that angered him at the moment.

“Then I’ll be on my way. I’ll see you later.” Ver bowed his head lightly to Roman and got out of the carriage.

That was when he ran into Prillance who was just coming out of the mansion.

“You two were together,” Prillance’s beautiful eyes grew wide on seeing that he had come out of Roman’s carriage.

“I was engaged in a conversation with the Duke for a while.”

Ver was going to finish talking before she came down, but she seemed to have finished dressing up earlier than he had expected.

Prillance replied calmly, pretending not to be embarrassed. “I guess I’m too late.”

“I don’t think so. Even so, the Duke will understand when he sees how beautiful the Lady looks today.” Prillance’s soft cheeks turned a light red, avoiding his gaze when he smiled softly.

It was because she didn’t want to be too obvious about how she felt. Ver bit back the disappointment he felt on seeing her avoid him.

He stood beside her naturally, wanting to escort her. But he couldn’t do so. It was because of Roman who had come out from the carriage. Prillance lightly lifted the hem of her dress and greeted him.

“I’ll do it.” Roman spoke out.

Ver stepped back. His eyes fell on Roman and Prillance’s backs, who stood side by side. Their clothes weren’t completely the same color. But they subtly compliment each other, with similar base colors. The matching tones clearly showed that the two were each other’s partners, especially when they were together.

“I’m glad I chose you,” Roman said while escorting her. By all accounts, Prillance was his partner. Roman was very satisfied with that fact.