“I came to the estate to see you, but to think such a thing was happening again...”

The drawing room of the Marquis Friedrich estate. Daphne, looking utterly distressed, reached out toward Richard’s reddened cheek.

“Are you really okay, Richard?”

Her voice sank despondently. Her white hand reached across the table, cautiously stroking Richard’s cheek.

“Ye-Yes...!”

Both of Richard’s cheeks flushed pink. His water-colored eyes sparkled like stars as he looked at Daphne.

“...Truly?”

“Yes!”

“You’re really saying you’re fine?”

“Yes! Of course!”

A voice more excited than usual flowed from Richard’s lips.

Victory!

Richard felt so good he could fly. Not only had Lady Daphne saved him, but hadn't she just said she visited the estate specifically to "see" him?

The whole world seemed beautiful. The sky, which was thick with dark clouds today; the curtains and sofas embroidered with the cursed Friedrich family crest!

Why, even if he were to run into Caelus right now, he felt he could happily grab the man's hands and spin around in circles!

“Richard...”

But unlike the happy Richard, her face remained dark.

“...”

A brief silence passed. A heavy sigh escaped her.

“...?”

It was at the moment Richard blinked slowly.

“...What do you mean, ‘fine’!”

Grab!

Daphne, raising her voice, snatched both of his hands in hers.

“...! Da-Lady Daphne?”

Richard’s eyelashes quivered. He felt his face heating up as he looked at her.

“You shouldn't let this become normal! You have no reason to be treated like this.”

Her light green eyes, filled with anger, were firm.

“I’m angry...! That you’re so used to this. Richard, aren't you angry too? Why, why must you keep being subjected to this...”

Her voice began to tremble as if she were heartbroken. Soon, the corners of her eyes distorted.

“...Lady Daphne.”

Richard looked at her with eyes curved softly.

‘...Truly.’

How could she be like this? She always stepped forward as if it were her own business, always gracious and kind. Unlike those who would coldly turn away and pass by if it didn't involve them.

He wondered if there could even be two such people in this world. This perfect female lead...

How could he not love her?

“Richard, promise me. If something like this happens next time, you must tell me.”

Daphne tightened her grip on the hands she held. It was as if she wouldn't let go until he made the promise.

“...Haha.”

Richard let out a small laugh despite himself.

“...Richard?”

“I understand, Lady Daphne. I promise.”

He couldn't win against her. Moreover, he didn't even want to win. To Daphne Beatus, Richard Friedrich was always a loser. That was simply the lot of a second male lead.

“...Yes, Richard. It's a promise.”

Only then did her expression soften slightly.

“Yes, Lady Daphne.”

Answering like an obedient puppy, Richard grinned. Conversing with her face-to-face like this was something that happened in every regression, yet it made him immensely happy every single time.

“Ah, come to think of it, Lady Daphne.”

Suddenly, Richard let out a small exclamation as something occurred to him.

‘...She said she came to the estate to see me.’

“For what matter did you come to find me?”

Richard blinked slowly. Although the Friedrich estate and the Beatus estate were nearby, they weren't so close that she would visit just to see his face.

“...Ah.”

Daphne’s gaze froze for a moment.

“There was something I wanted to ask.”

...Something she wanted to ask?

Richard rolled his eyes. ...Ah. It must be that. Something immediately came to mind.

“The thing is...”

After hesitating with her lips for a long time, she cautiously opened her mouth.

“By any chance... why did you do that at the banquet hall last time?”

It was a question she practically had to ask. Caelus le Regnantia was her former fiancé, and Richard Friedrich was the man who had attended the banquet as her partner.

And yet, her partner suddenly makes a hidden confession of love to her ex-fiancé? How absurd must that have been? For a normal person, it would be surprising enough that she hadn't gotten angry on the spot.

At any rate, it was something he had to apologize for at least once. Since the opportunity had come...

“...Ah, Lady Daphne. That was...”

Just as Richard was about to open his mouth to explain.

“Could it be...”

With a mysterious expression, she rested her chin on her hand and asked.

“Do you truly like the Crown Prince?”

“...Ye—cough?!”

He nearly choked.

“Wa-Wait a moment, Lady Daphne...”

“Of—Of course, whether it's a man or a woman, I support your love, but...”

She spoke with a face that was genuinely worried.

“The Crown Prince... doesn't seem like a very good partner. You know. What happened to me in the past...”

She seemed to believe that Richard truly liked Caelus. She was even worrying that Richard might get his heart broken by liking him!

“N-No...”

“St—Still, if you like him that much, I suppose it can't be helped...”

No! That's not it!

That kind of bastard... no, why would I like a guy like that! I'd rather date a ball of dust rolling on the floor!

...And above all, I don't like men!

...Those words rose to the tip of his throat, but he could only gape his mouth; no sound came out.

‘...Lady Daphne...’

No, more than that, he felt like he was going to cry. Lady Daphne... I knew it, but you really don't see me that way at all...

Richard wept inwardly.

Bang!

Suddenly, with the sound of a door being thrown open roughly, a tall, middle-aged man stepped into the drawing room.

“Richard Friedrich! Come out this instant.”

It was his biological father, Albert Friedrich.

“I believe I’ve given you enough time to dally. I have work for you to do, so follow me immediately.”

Albert looked down at Richard with a face full of annoyance. He looked so displeased that he seemed ready to start shouting at any moment.

“...”

Sure enough. When Richard remained seated despite being called, he raised his voice.

“Now!”

At those words, Daphne abruptly stood up from her seat.

“Marquis, that is enough!”

Daphne raised her voice to confront him.

“What are you planning to do to Richard now? No matter if you are the Marquis, I cannot tolerate this!”

Her aura and gaze were firm, not yielding to Albert in the slightest.

“...”

As if it were a nuisance, Albert’s brow furrowed deeply.

“...I would appreciate it if Lady Beatus would return to her estate now.”

He spoke in a tone that was softer than before. Daphne Beatus was the Crown Prince’s former fiancée. Moreover, she was the woman the Crown Prince had recently been clinging to, kneeling and begging for forgiveness. He could not afford to treat such a woman carelessly.

“You’re going to do something to Richard.”

Daphne held her head high and glared at Albert.

“...”

Richard, who had been quietly observing the situation, stood up submissively.

“Lady Daphne, I am fine.”

He gave a slight smile and took Daphne’s left arm.

“Richard...”

Daphne’s eyebrows contorted in worry.

“I am truly fine.”

Richard spoke in a composed voice. In his view, it didn't seem like anything big would happen.

‘I believe I’ve given you enough time to dally. I have work for you to do, so follow me immediately.’

He clearly said he had "work" for him to do. Based on Richard’s long experience, it didn't look like a lie told simply to brush her off. Richard raised his head and looked up at Albert.

“Nothing will happen. You will promise Lady Beatus, won't you, Father?”

“...”

Albert bit his lip firmly with a dissatisfied face. After a brief moment, he reluctantly nodded.

“Yes, I promise.”

Daphne’s light green eyes wavered.

“Then, I shall see you next time, Lady Daphne. I will be going now.”

Richard bowed his head to her and left the room.

‘...This should be enough to reassure her.’

His father, Albert Friedrich, was the type who was strong before the weak but always cowered before the powerful. There was little chance such a man would break a promise made to the woman the Crown Prince was pursuing.

“...”

“...”

Albert walked down the long hallway in silence. Richard followed three steps behind him. Only the sound of their feet treading on the thick navy carpet echoed in the quiet silence.

How long had they walked? Albert stopped. An arched entrance with ornate relief decorations came into view.

‘...The banquet hall?’

This was the entrance to the banquet hall of the Marquis’s estate.

“...Richard Friedrich.”

“Yes.”

Albert spoke to Richard without even turning around.

“The moment you enter, offer your apologies immediately.”

“...Pardon?”

“Open the door.”

Creak.

Before Richard could ask anything, the guards standing on both sides of the entrance pulled the door handles. The interior of the spacious banquet hall revealed itself. A long, angular table and a row of windows. A carpet embroidered with the Friedrich family crest.

On the left side of the table sat Richard’s older brother, Derrick.

And at the head of the table...

“Oh, I greet His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince! Forgive my lateness.”

Blood-red eyes. Those eyes, of a sickening hue, passed over Albert and stared accurately at Richard.

Caelus le Regnantia.

“...”

The moment he faced him, the corners of Richard’s mouth drew a chilling arc.