Episode 6

Morgan was also surprised—after all, I hadn’t backed down.

Just seeing that expression made taking this bold stance worthwhile.

“Hey, hey. Do you have any talents besides being a blacksmith?”

“Not really, does it matter?”

“If it’s discovered that you’re secretly practising smithing, we’ll send a knight after you right away, you know?”

After Morgan’s words, one of his cronies spoke up.

“Well, if you’re going to leave, go ahead. Incompetents like you probably won’t have anyone else to take care of you anyway.”

As the crony said that, Morgan nodded.

“Yeah, that’s right. Banish him, banish him! We don’t need someone like you here! Get out, you useless fool!”

“…Yes, thank you for everything.”

“Let me tell you, you didn’t quit, alright? We kicked you out!”

Morgan and the others seem to think I’ll come back here.

…No matter what happens, I have no intention of returning here.

I shook my head slightly and left the room.

It was then. Alicia was waiting in the hallway.

She was standing with her back against the wall, as beautiful as a painting by a genius artist, simply lingering there.

When our eyes met, she seemed to come to life like a painting infused with spirit, and walked up to me.

…We were supposed to meet up today, but I didn’t expect her to come this far.

There’s a chance she overheard the conversation in the room earlier. If so, she must have heard how they mocked me, and I started feeling embarrassed.

Alicia tilted her big eyes uneasily and peered at me.

“Finished talking?”

Alicia’s voice echoed down the corridor.

Her calm, clear voice like a bell apparently reached Morgan and the others too; they hurried out from the room into the hallway looking flustered.

…The people in the blacksmith division are all unmarried men.

That is why they were targeting Alicia, who had been looking for a blacksmith’s fiance.

Morgan bowed politely to Alicia with a courteous tone.

“I-it’s been a while. You’ve become even more beautiful, Lady Alicia.”

“Thank you. Now then, is it all right regarding his work?”

Alicia asked Morgan politely.

Morgan looked genuinely surprised. He glanced at me, then nodded.

“Huh? Y-yes. He originally didn’t have much talent… We did train him a lot, but it was difficult…”

Even though he’d been threatening me a moment ago, Morgan’s attitude had completely changed.

“I see. By the way, his next workplace will be my household.”

“What!?”

Surprised, Morgan and the blacksmiths raised their voices.

They looked back and forth between Alicia and me as if seeing something unbelievable.

Alicia continued to smile at Morgan.

Alicia’s smile was a little frightening. It had an intimidating air.

“Wh-what does this mean!?”

“He can’t even make decent weapons, and he has no talent for Enchantment!?”

The people of the blacksmith division raised their voices.

“To me he seemed to have talent. Since this blacksmith division considers him unnecessary, it doesn’t bother you if I take him in, does it?”

“Th-that’s… Th-then how about me? Someone superior to him like me…”

Morgan straightened his back sharply and then bowed politely.

Alicia, who rested her hand on her chin as if deep in thought, opened her mouth with a full smile.

“That’s not necessary. Now then, Faik. Let’s go.”

Alicia squeezed my hand tightly and started walking away.

Her soft hand overlapped mine. A faint warmth transmitted, and Alicia’s happily smiling face gripped my heart.

…Ah, damn.

Even though to Alicia I’m a fake fiance―

I feel like I’m only going to fall for her more.