"Is that really what happened?"
"Yes, it's true," Luke replied.
"Hey, Luke! Quit making up random stories!" Randy snapped, furrowing his brow.
Luke responded with a wink at Cecilia and Liz. "See what I mean?"
Currently, Randy and the others were on their way to the girls' dormitory in Cecilia's carriage.
Initially, they had planned to visit the Magical Beast Research Club, but due to Cecilia's sudden need to move out, they decided to help her pack and load her luggage instead.
Since men aren't allowed in the girls' dorms, there's not really anything Randy and Luke can di ri help out. Still, they need to pack some things into magic bags and carrying them out. With Liz's help, the workload will be significantly reduced.
As they rode toward the dormitory, the mood in the carriage was lively, with Luke recounting embarrassing stories about Randy's childhood.
• The time Randy spent an entire week training in the Demon Forest without returning home.
• The time he swung a massive log around and accidentally destroyed the mansion's backdoor entrance.
• The time he delivered a drop-kick to the son of a neighboring lord.
"So, he's been like this since he was young?" Cecilia asked, surprised.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Randy snorted in protest.
Luke, grinning mischievously, took the opportunity to continue. "Oh, absolutely. I'm two years older than him, but when we first met, he declared, 'Alright, you'll be my underling.' Just like that."
"I imagine Lord Alan and Lady Grace must have constant headaches," Liz said with a sigh, perfectly timed with the moment the carriage came to a stop.
Taking advantage of the pause, Randy leaped off the carriage and glared back at Luke. "Hey, Luke! Don't embarrass me!"
Luke shrugged with an amused smile, watching as Randy helped Liz down from the carriage. "You've grown up a little, haven't you?" he teased.
"Don't go acting like my old man," Randy grumbled.
"I can't help it. Someone has to make sure you're actually behaving like a noble," Luke quipped, his tone light and teasing.
Still smiling, Luke turned to Cecilia and took her hand gently. "I would have loved to enjoy a bit more conversation with the lovely ladies…"
"Luke!" Randy barked
"But alas, my former boss is calling me. Please excuse me for a moment," Luke said with a playful smile and a graceful bow.
With that, he and Randy walked toward the gates leading to the girls' dormitory.
"Even so, you getting a fiancée here in the capital? That's a surprise," Luke teased, grinning mischievously as they leaned against the dormitory gate.
"Listen," Randy muttered, glancing toward the carriage where Cecilia and Liz had just disappeared into the dorm.
A second carriage stood parked on the other side of the gate, waiting for its occupant to return.
"Don't go saying random stuff like that. You'll get me thrown into the Rail River."
Luke laughed at Randy's grimace, his grin widening. "I'd love to see you flailing around in the water."
Luke was one of Randy's few close friends—a troublemaker. Randy knew all about Luke's origins. He knew, yet doesn't care
No matter the reasons or circumstances, Luke was a vassal of the Victor family and an irreplaceable friend. Randy and Luke had grown up like brothers—fighting, causing trouble, and getting scolded together countless times.
As time passed, Luke became a knight, and Randy became the heir to the Victor family. Even as they have their respective roles, their relationship remained unchanged. Though Luke was technically supposed to speak to Randy with formal respect, Randy blatantly refused to allow it.
Because they had grown up as close as brothers…
"Randy, just admit it. That young lady is exactly your type, isn't she?"
Luke's teasing smile revealed his thorough knowledge of Randy's tastes and preferences, making him a particularly tricky opponent for Randy to deal with.
"And don't forget the other one, the witch. She's got quite a chance too, doesn't she? So, which one are you going to marry?"
Randy scoffed while averting his gaze. "Are you stupid?"
Instead of answering, he turned the conversation back on Luke.
"You're one to talk. Shouldn't you be looking for a partner by now?"
Luke shrugged playfully. "Well, I just haven't had any luck meeting anyone."
"Yeah, right," Randy shot back with a sly grin. "This is unbelievable coming from the guy who flirted with every girl in Victor territory back in the day."
Luke chuckled awkwardly for once. "That was long time ago."
"Fine. I'll keep quiet about it from Cecilia," Randy teased.
"It would be better if you didn't tell anyone," Luke replied with a wry smile.
"That's an impossible request," Randy retorted.
After some banter, a brief silence fell over the two, during which Randy exhaled softly.
"By the way, are you sure it's fine for someone like you to take on a bodyguard role?"
"It's not a bodyguard role anymore," Luke said firmly. "I'm now a knight of Victor—or rather, of Hartfield."
Luke's clear, unwavering gaze prompted Randy to let out a long sigh.
"Fair enough, but… If you ever wanted to aim for the throne, both my father and I would spare no effort to help you."
Luke's expression briefly turned serious before he laughed.
"Not interested. Let my brothers fight it out by themselves, I don't care."
"Wait a second…" Luke trailed off, his eyes widening as he stared at Randy.
"You're not telling me… The reason you've been working so closely with kingdom nobles lately—is that to shake up the duchy's government?"
Despite being a noble of the duchy, Randy had avoided relying on connections within it, instead collaborating with kingdom nobles to launch various business.
This approach, while practical for Randy, wasn't likely to sit well with the duchy's government. After all, profits that could've stayed within the duchy were flowing out to another nation.
Luke couldn't help but wonder if this was a deliberate move by Randy and his father to give Luke a chance to rise higher.
"Of course not," Randy retorted, shaking his head. "It's pure coincidence. My interests just happened to align with the Marquis and the Earl, that's all."
Randy frowned and added, "Besides, Victor has always been treated as an outsider in the duchy. Who do you think we'd even rely on there?"
Luke smirked knowingly. "You being an outsider is mostly your fault, you know."
Luke's point wasn't baseless.
From the time Randy had drop-kicked the neighboring lord's son to lecturing an arrogant noble young lady—and subsequently driving off her furious parents—Randy's antics had earned Victor a reputation as a complete outlier.
"Just a kid mistakes," Randy said with a sheepish grin.
Luke chuckled. "Well, I found it pretty entertaining, so no complaints here."
"Anyway, I don't have any grudge against the Grand Duke right now…."
After a while, Randy's expression grew uncharacteristically serious.
"Still… You became a knight for my father's sake, didn't you? Thinking about how I dragged you into this mess for my own convenience, it kind of bothers me."
Luke stared at Randy, momentarily surprised, then laughed heartily and clapped Randy's shoulder.
"What's this? Have you started caring about other people's feelings? Is the world ending tomorrow?"
"Quit joking around! I'm being serious here," Randy grumbled, brushing Luke's hand away with a glare.
Seeing the sincerity in Randy's eyes, Luke's expression softened, and he spoke plainly.
"Don't worry about it. I made my choice to serve you all of my own will. Besides—"
Luke's gaze shifted toward the girls' dormitory, prompting Randy to do the same. From the window, Cecilia and Liz waved down at them.
"Cecilia is an extraordinary person. Truly kind-hearted and wonderful."
Following Luke's lead, Randy also raised his hand toward Liz.
"I had heard from the people inside the Hartfield's territory, but it's different when meeting her directly."
"Her compassion for the people and her tireless dedication to improving herself—she's an inspiration," Luke said with admiration in his voice.
Randy flashed a small smile. "Is that so?"
He said no more, quietly observing Luke's gaze as it lingered on Cecilia. Luke's clear eyes were just as they had been in the old days.
☆☆☆
"We'll Be returning to the mansion Now. Thank you for helping, Liza."
Cecilia offered a graceful curtsy in front of the carriage, and both Liz and Randy responded by telling her not to worry about it.
In truth, Randy had only tagged along for the trip, and Liz genuinely enjoyed helping her friend with the move—it had been a lively and fun experience.
Luke took Cecilia's hand, guiding her inside the carriage. Once she was seated, he followed her inside.
(Well, it does make for a good picture.)
A handsome knight escorting a young lady with golden ringlets—it was the kind of scene that even Randy had to admit looked like a movie.
"A wonderful lady," huh?
Randy thought that if Luke's late mother were alive, she would've loved to hear such words.
For a man who had once been so attached to his mother, yet constantly worried her with his womanizing trait, Luke was now standing tall as a proper knight.
Although they were still just a master and her knight, young men and women spending time together inevitably opened the door to possibilities.
If that day ever came, Randy decided he would be the first to share the news with Luke's mother. It would be the least he could do to honor her memory after dragging her son into his affairs.
As these thoughts swirled in Randy's mind, the carriage door closed. A moment later, the window opened, and Cecilia peeked out.
"Well then, until tomorrow. Farewell—"
As always, Cecilia gave her usual polite farewell. Randy approached her with a mischievous grin.
"Later, Luke. Make sure you don't disappoint the wonderful Lady Cecilia you're so smitten with."
"Huh—"
"Randy, you—!"
The sudden uproar inside the carriage was met with Randy's wicked smile.
"What's got you so flustered? It's the truth, isn't it? A knight deeply admiring the noble young lady he serves. Or… is there something more to it?"
Randy's mischievous remark left Cecilia blushing and Luke completely speechless. Satisfied with their reactions, Randy signaled the coachman to set off.
The carriage began to move slowly, carrying:
Cecilia's face was bright red
Luke, glaring out the window with a smile and muttering, "You'll pay for this."
"Farewell!" Randy waved them off with a wide grin, looking thoroughly pleased with himself.
Beside him, Liz let out a small sigh, though there was a trace of amusement on her face. "Randy…"
"Hahaha! Let them suffering in that awkward atmosphere in the carriage. Stupid Luke."
Even Ellie, who had been quietly watching, looked exasperated. "Now I understand why you have so few friends."
"Are you kidding? This is my way of showing affection! I'm like this with you too, right? That's how it works," Randy declared proudly.
Ellie pouted and turned away with a quiet "…I wouldn't know."
"What's that? Are you blushing now?" Randy teased.
"Randy, stop bullying Ellie," Liz said, her eyes narrowed in disapproval.
"I'm not bullying her!" Randy protested, frowning.
"Girls appreciate sincerity more than anything else," Liz replied, puffing out her cheeks as she started walking ahead.
"Yeah, I guess you're right," Randy muttered, scratching his head as he hurried after her.
(Don't worry, Ellie. No matter what happens, we'll always be here for you.)
Liz's inner voice lingered in her heart, but Ellie didn't respond.