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Chapter 05
Amelie and Kristan were now standing face to face in outfits with very similar colors.
Unaware of the situation, the people around them assumed the two had started dating and had shown up in matching couple clothes.
However, judging from both of their awkward expressions, that clearly was not the case.
“Lady Winteful, that outfit…”
Kristan finally spoke after struggling to find the right words.
“Is that the outfit you brought when you came here?”
“Y-yes…”
“…It suits you well.”
Amelie approached the table with an awkward expression. A waiting servant quickly pulled out her chair for her.
Kristan, who had been watching her closely, added another remark.
“And your earrings suit you very well too.”
“Oh, thank you.”
It sounded like polite courtesy, but she still felt happy to be complimented. Amelie spoke brightly.
“I actually like the color red a lot. How about you, Your Highness?”
“I like red.”
He answered simply. To Amelie, it sounded almost like he was saying he liked her eye color.
How can he say things so sweetly like that…
Thinking she had made the right choice wearing this outfit, Amelie felt a warm sense of happiness.
Meanwhile, the table was soon filled with dishes brought in by servants, and the relaxed atmosphere marked the start of the meal.
The food prepared by the ducal castle’s chef suited Amelie’s taste perfectly.
She skillfully cut her meat and placed it into her mouth as if she had been trained in etiquette since childhood.
While enjoying the melt-in-your-mouth texture, Kristan spoke first.
“Tomorrow you will meet the Pegasus Knights.”
“Pegasus…?”
“They are my knight order.”
Amelie had only heard bits and pieces about the Pegasus Knights. They were an elite group personally recruited by Kristan after he became duke.
I’m not a knight, but… it would be nice if His Highness recruited me too.
It was a dangerous thought that would have made her parents grab their heads in despair, but Amelie did not mind.
Instead, she began forming a plan in her mind.
If I perform well in this expedition, I can improve His Highness’s favorability… and maybe even improve attitudes toward witches…
No witch had ever served a specific noble house before, but there were witches who sold potions to earn a living. So it was not entirely impossible.
Her thoughts continued further into a dreamy scenario.
Right, now that he’s been broken off from his engagement… someone like me wouldn’t be a bad match for the Duke…
“-Winteful.”
“My… my lord!”
Snapped out of her fantasy, Amelie quickly responded.
Kristan looked at her with concern.
“You haven’t been listening. Are you feeling unwell?”
“Oh! No, I just got a little distracted. I’m sorry.”
“There’s no need to apologize. However…”
He paused briefly and met her eyes.
“The knights may be rude to you. If anything like that happens, tell me immediately. I will deal with it.”
“Huh?”
Amelie blinked in confusion.
The Duke’s knights being rude? They seemed like they would be just as admirable as him.
Kristan continued calmly.
“Now eat before the food gets cold.”
“Yes…”
And so their first dinner together ended.
The next day was clear and perfect for outdoor activity.
It was not yet time for the broken rift expedition; today was simply a meeting for Amelie to get acquainted with the knights.
Amelie, however, struggled again with what to wear.
Should I wear a dress or battle uniform?
For most people, the answer would be obvious, but dresses were useful in their own way for her.
People who hated witches were often influenced by appearances. Seeing a properly dressed noble witch sometimes caused cognitive dissonance, giving her an advantage.
Still, there might be witch-haters among the Pegasus Knights.
In the end, she chose the battle uniform.
After getting ready, she also grabbed her broom and headed out.
Kristan and the Pegasus Knights stood in formation at the training ground.
The knights were loosely lined up, chatting among themselves rather than standing strictly at attention.
Kristan skimmed through reports handed by Gerard while ignoring their relaxed behavior.
Suddenly, he heard a voice from behind.
“Is it true? They say a witch is coming as support this time.”
At the mention of Amelie, Kristan raised his head.
The knights were whispering.
“What? The Empire sent a witch?”
“That doesn’t make sense.”
“Shh, be careful what you say.”
Kristan spoke calmly.
“Quiet. Lady Winteful will arrive shortly.”
Then one knight asked.
“Captain, I have a question.”
“Ask.”
“Is it true that only one witch was sent for this mission?”
Everyone turned to Kristan.
Before he could answer, a girl’s voice rang out.
“Your Highness.”
All heads turned.
There stood Amelie in a white uniform, looking around nervously.
“…Ah.”
“Aah…”
The knights suddenly let out small gasps.
Amelie blinked in confusion.
Why are they reacting like this…
