Chapter 214 - 214: Successful Confession and The Maikenu Knight Baron Family

E-Class dropout girl Char was on a date with Rigel.

In a back alley, she had been given earrings as a present and had them put on her right away.

On top of that, they were holding hands in a lovers' grip.

(I'm so happy…)

Char walked as if in a dream.

She was at the absolute peak of happiness.

(Rigel-san's hand… It's so warm…)

While savoring the sensation of Rigel's hand, Char thought.

Then Rigel spoke.

"Char. Is there anything you want me to do for you?"

"Eh…?"

Char tilted her head at Rigel's words.

"Come on, today is a date with you, right? It's a rare day off."

(A date…!?)

That word made Char's body temperature rise.

She had been treating today's shopping as a date in her mind.

Knowing that Rigel felt the same way made her tremble with joy.

(B-but… Even if you say that…)

Char felt confused by Rigel's proposal.

There were countless things she wanted him to do for her right now.

(Just being with Rigel-san makes me happy… But if I keep hesitating, someone else might take him away…)

In Char's estimation, Rigel was the son of a knight baron or baronet family.

His ability to enter S-Class despite ranking at the bottom, plus the expensive gifts he casually gave, made it highly likely he was a noble.

At the same time, his gentle treatment of a commoner like her suggested he was not a high-ranking noble.

(But I'm just a commoner… Maybe Rigel-san is only going out with me out of pity because he's kind…)

Anxiety swirled in Char's chest.

As if seeing through her heart, Rigel smiled gently.

"Haha! Don't get so tense. You're so cute, Char…"

"Ah…"

Looking at Rigel's smile, Char made up her mind.

Standing in front of such a wonderful man, she could not remain passive forever.

(I've decided! Right now… I'll confess my feelings to Rigel-san!!)

Resolve was born in Char's heart.

As if timing it perfectly, Rigel spoke again.

"So? Is there anything? Something you want me to do…"

"Rigel-san!"

Char gathered her courage and called his name.

Then… she put her feelings into words.

"Will you marry me!?"

"Huh?"

Rigel froze at Char's words.

After a few seconds of silence… he opened his mouth.

"…Um? Is that a joke?"

"I'm serious!!"

Facing the confused Rigel, Char leaned forward and declared.

Strong determination shone in her eyes.

"We're still students, you know? No matter how you look at it…"

"Ah… You're right. What was I thinking…"

Hearing Rigel's words, Char calmed down.

(Suddenly asking for marriage… It's too heavy after all…)

She reflected.

She regretted confessing in the heat of the moment.

However, Rigel took Char's hand and said,

"I'm happy about your feelings. Getting married right away is impossible, but I'll gladly accept an engagement."

"Eh…?"

Char's eyes widened at the unexpected reply.

Looking at her, Rigel said with a smile,

"We're engaged! Let's do our best together from now on!!"

"Ah… Yes!!"

Seeing Rigel's smile, Char also beamed with a full smile.

A sweet atmosphere drifted between the two.

In this way, Rigel and Char's relationship began.

(Yay! Yay!!)

Char raised a cry of joy in her heart.

She felt as if she were floating up to the heavens.

(I finally… became Rigel-san's girlfriend!)

Char blushed happily.

Having surpassed the peak of happiness, she was smiling foolishly.

From the outside, she probably looked completely carried away.

However, only Rigel was reflected in her eyes.

(I'm… the happiest person in the world~)

She was floating.

It was as if she were dreaming.

And… her attention to her surroundings grew thin.

"Kya!?"

The floating Char bumped into someone.

(Oh no! What have I done…!!)

Char hurriedly straightened her posture.

Then… someone spoke to her.

"You bastard! You insolent fool!!"

"Eh…?"

(W-who is this person!?)

The one Char had bumped into appeared to be a well-dressed boy who looked like a noble.

He was sitting on his backside.

And a male soldier acting as his escort was glaring at Char with an angry expression.

"A mere commoner! Do you have any idea who this person is!? What were you thinking!!"

"Hii!? U-um…"

Being yelled at, Char shrank back.

She felt like she had seen that face somewhere before.

It was the soldier who had been escorting a carriage on the main street a little while ago.

She never expected him to come to this back alley. What bad luck.

"I-I'm so sorry!!"

Char hurriedly lowered her head.

(What have I done…!!)

She held her head in her heart.

(I was floating too much and wasn't looking around…!)

She had been too immersed in the happy mood with Rigel.

Char reflected on her blunder, but…

"An apology alone is not enough! You will properly take responsibility for the disrespect you showed to this noble!!"

The male soldier's anger showed no signs of calming.

He directed a harsh gaze at Char.

Then he glanced at the person next to her.

Receiving that gaze, Rigel—

—-

E-Class dropout girl Char had accidentally bumped into a noble-looking boy.

His escort soldier was furious and blamed Char.

Char apologized, but the other party's anger showed no signs of calming.

"The crime of showing disrespect to this noble is worthy of ten thousand deaths! You will take responsibility!!"

The male soldier's anger would not subside.

He directed a harsh gaze at Char.

Then… he glanced at Rigel standing next to her.

It was a gaze that seemed somehow to be seeking approval.

However, Char, whose head had gone blank from panic, did not notice it.

(W-what should I do!? Bumping into a noble… Why was he walking in a place like this…)

Tears welled up in Char's eyes.

The happy time with Rigel had ended, and she was in despair.

It was then that—

"Hey, wait a minute. I'll take responsibility in her place."

Rigel stepped in front of Char.

Then he spoke to the noble-looking boy.

"This young lady is my girlfriend. It's true that she was careless, but could you forgive her?"

Rigel was protecting her.

Seeing his back, Char felt a wave of relief.

(Waaah! Rigel-san!!)

She was deeply moved that he had called her his girlfriend.

She was already completely smitten with him.

"That is unnecessary."

Hearing Rigel's words, the noble-looking boy opened his mouth.

He looked full of confidence.

"The one who bumped into me was that commoner girl. She should take responsibility herself. Isn't that right?"

"That's why I'll take her place…"

"Don't joke around!"

The boy cut Rigel off.

Then he gave an order to his escort soldier.

"Hey! Seize this commoner girl!!"

"…!?"

(No way!?)

Char almost screamed.

At the noble boy's order, the soldier approached her.

"Stay quiet! Resistance will not be tolerated!!"

(W-what should I do!?)

Char was confused and looked at Rigel as if seeking help.

To her, Rigel had become a presence equal to a hero.

And he acted exactly as she expected.

"Wait! I won't let you lay a single finger on her!!"

Saying that, he stood in front of Char.

His demeanor was truly imposing.

(R-Rigel-san…!!)

Seeing his gallant figure, Char's heart pounded.

She was deeply attracted to him, who looked just like a prince.

(Rigel-san… So cool!!)

In contrast to Char, the noble boy's face was twisted in displeasure.

"You… What do you think you're doing?"

"What? I just prevented harm from coming to her."

"A mere commoner!! Do you intend to defy a noble!?"

The noble boy flew into a rage.

But Rigel remained completely unconcerned.

"Actually… I'm a noble too. Rigel von Maikenu. The third son of the Maikenu Knight Baron family."

"W-what!?"

The noble boy raised his voice in surprise at Rigel's words.

Char was also surprised by Rigel's statement.

(S-so Rigel-san really was a noble after all… I've never heard of the Maikenu Knight Baron family, though…)

Char searched her memory.

However, it was a name she had never heard before.

She attributed that to her own ignorance.

"Hmph… Come to think of it, there's nothing to fear! A low-ranking noble—and a third son at that—is no different from a commoner!"

"…Tch!!"

"Do it! Soldiers! Beat this man up and seize the commoner girl!!"

""Yes!!""

When the noble boy gave the order, his escort soldiers surrounded Rigel.

Then they attacked him all at once.

(W-what should I do!?)

Char was confused.

At this rate, Rigel would get hurt.

(I-I have to run…! Together with Rigel-san…!!)

Although Char thought that, her legs were trembling and would not move.

Frozen by fear, she could not take a single step.

To her, Rigel shouted.

"Char! You run away!!"

(Eh…?)

At those words, Char's eyes widened.

(T-that's…!?)

While shocked by his words, she also felt ashamed of her own uselessness.

She was always the one being saved.

This time she should be the one helping him, yet…

"I'm fine! Char, run— Guaah!?"

Rigel tried to urge Char to escape, but midway his scream rang out.

When she looked, Rigel was being pinned down by the soldiers.

"R-Rigel-san!?"

"Hurry and run! —Guh… Gah!!"

Rigel shouted with a desperate expression.

Even as he did, he was being beaten up by the escort soldiers.

"U-uuu…! N-nooo…!!"

(At this rate, Rigel-san will…)

Char tried to force her trembling legs to move.

However, her knees were shaking from fear.

She was easily captured.

Seeing her like that, the noble boy laughed.

"It seems the boyfriend's devotion was in vain. Load the commoner girl into the carriage. I'll thoroughly torment her at the mansion."

"Yes! …Come this way!!"

Following the soldier's instructions, Char was forced into the carriage.

(R-Rigel-san…!)

Leaving the thoroughly beaten and defeated Rigel behind, the carriage started moving.

And so, the carriage carrying Char began running through the city.