CHAPTER 32………………………………..
Knock, knock.
Fortunately, the standoff between the two didn’t last long.
As soon as he heard the servant announcing Rin’s arrival along with the knock, Theodore’s fierce energy immediately softened.
“……”
His expression didn’t change much, but the atmosphere in his eyes was worlds apart.
Kaidan, who saw the acting head of the house flip his demeanor in an instant, thought with a strangely blank face:
‘Some things never change.’
The boy’s cynical attitude didn’t last.
The moment he confirmed the girl who entered the office—her unique hair color and cute, sweet face—Kaidan’s red eyes widened in surprise.
***
Theodore was delighted that he could grant his niece what she wanted.
Watching Rin trot into the office as usual, Theodore looked at her with a pleased expression and introduced the boy seated inside.
“Rin. The guest we invited has arrived.”
“Invited guest?”
Rin turned her head with a puzzled look—then her eyes nearly popped out.
“You—you—you’re that kid from before…!”
That brat who spoke so rudely earlier!
Before Rin could finish her words, Kaidan—who had quickly wiped away all traces of embarrassment—extended his hand out smoothly.
“Kaidan Tigris. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lady Pegasus.”
Rin’s mouth fell open at the shamelessly polite greeting, as if they were meeting for the first time.
“Rin? Is something wrong?”
“No! Nothing at all!”
Rin snapped back at Theodore’s concerned voice.
She could feel her uncle watching her with worry.
‘I was a little surprised! But I’m fine. So this kid is really that Kaidan Tigris.’
Rin steadied her racing emotions and held out her hand.
Perhaps from the unexpected shock—or something else—her fingers trembled slightly.
“It’s… nice to meet you too, Young Master Tigris.”
“……”
Kaidan looked silently at her trembling hand, then clasped it without comment.
Rin felt that the palm gripping hers was rougher than one would expect from his age, and thought:
‘As expected.’
Her golden eyes filled with the boy before her.
A nameless emotion shimmered within her gaze as she stared at Kaidan—her lips moved unconsciously.
“Hero…”
The protagonist of the original story!
The hero from the tale she saw in her dreams had suddenly appeared right before her eyes.
It felt as if the future of the original novel had stepped straight into reality.
Caught in a strange feeling—half excitement, half bewilderment—Rin felt her heart jump in her chest.
“…Pardon?”
“Ah! No, no, nothing.”
Kaidan, hearing a random strange word, wondered if he misheard; Rin shook her head vigorously, insisting it was just a stray mutter.
‘Whew. Get it together. I invited my savior here for a reason.’
Rin tried her best to regain her composure.
But every time she looked at the boy, scenes of Kaidan from the original story flashed through her mind, making her eyes sparkle helplessly.
Perhaps he still remembered their unpleasant encounter earlier.
Even though the boy now maintained perfect politeness, there was suspicion in the eyes looking at her.
Wanting to clear the misunderstanding, Rin spoke again, putting sincerity into her voice.
“I really am glad to meet you!”
“…Likewise.”
Heh.
Rin couldn’t hide the smile creeping out, and as her joy showed plainly on her face, something subtle flickered in Kaidan’s red eyes.
It almost felt like she had only deepened his suspicion. Embarrassed, Rin scratched her cheek.
‘I wanted to give my savior a good first impression…’
But judging from the look on his face—like he was watching some odd creature—she clearly hadn’t succeeded.
Still, Rin wasn’t worried.
A ruined first impression could be fixed quickly.
And she’d already thought of another way to help her savior.
‘Heh heh. Good. Until Mom wakes up, I’ll raise—no, support my savior properly!’
Imagining a bright future, she puffed out her chest, wore a confident smile, and reached out again.
Just like their first handshake.
“Uncle Theo. At the party, I want to be Young Master Tigris’s partner!”
“!”
Theodore’s eyes widened at the shocking declaration of his niece, who had always stayed by his side at parties.
“Rin. This party is important, and many people you don’t know will be there. Will you be all right without me?”
“Yes! I’ll be fine.”
While Theodore’s eyes trembled—something rare—Rin’s voice was unwavering as she made her bold declaration.
‘Because that party will be full of the very guests I want to avoid. That’s why I want to go with my savior.’
Uncle still thinks she’s a shy, reserved child.
With a proud little hum, Rin lifted her chin, believing her expression to be very mature.
“I’m old enough to manifest my ability now. As a mature child, I can handle myself.”
Theodore’s sorrowful gaze practically said: Maturity and “child” don’t belong in the same sentence.
But Rin didn’t notice.
She turned toward the owner of the hand she still held tightly.
“Young Master Tigris. You’ll be my partner, right?”
For a lady of a lord’s family to offer a partnership—right in front of the household’s decision-maker—rejecting it would be nearly equal to declaring a feud.
Kaidan swallowed a sigh and opened his mouth to answer—
“When I think about it… Young Master Tigris must be tired from such a long journey. I seem to have kept you too long.”
“Ah.”
“I’ll assign a servant to guide you to your room. Please rest comfortably first.”
“Yes. Thank you for your consideration.”
Theodore’s words cut neatly across the answer Kaidan had been about to give.
After Kaidan accepted the gesture and left for his room with a dazed expression—
Theodore turned to Rin with a face that seemed to be suppressing many emotions.
“Rin. Shall we talk for a moment?”
Oh no.
“‘Let’s talk for a moment’” is never a good sign.
Am I in trouble?
Rin’s big eyes rolled nervously to the side, her face turning pale.
***
The next morning.
Walking quickly down the corridor of the lord’s castle, Rin recalled last night’s conversation.
“Wanting to partner with him… Did you talk it over with Young Master Tigris first? Mm. I see you didn’t. Rin, a partner stands together in front of everyone. Deciding something like that alone and announcing it would confuse the other person, don’t you think?”
Rin nodded sullenly as Theodore hugged her and continued gently but firmly.
“And if you partner with someone outside the family, people might misunderstand and think you two are going to get married. Of course, I absolutely would never let such a misunderstanding stand. I always support what you want, but if your choice affects someone else, you should think it over at least once more.”
“I didn’t know being partners had that meaning… I’ll go apologize for surprising him.”
“Good.”
“Then I’ll apologize—and properly ask him to be partners!”
“Hm. Uncle wanted to partner with Rin too… Too bad there’s no chance now.”
After making sure the guest had rested enough, Rin and Theodore agreed she would schedule a visit and apologize.
Recalling her uncle gently patting her back and encouraging her, Rin stepped forward with energy.
Knock, knock.
Because she had sent a servant ahead to announce her visit, the boy greeted her without surprise.
After exchanging greetings exactly as she’d been taught for meetings with other noble children—
Rin sat down, clenched her tiny fists, and spoke in a slightly tense voice.
