Volume 3 Chapter 11 If You Have One Close Friend, Life Is Rich
"Did that really happen?"
"Yeah, it did."
"Hey, you! Luke. Don't just say whatever you want!"
Hearing Randy's annoyed voice, Luke winked at Cecilia and Liz, saying, "See? I told you!"
Right now, Randy and the others were on their way to the girls' dorm in Cecilia's carriage. They had originally planned to stop by the 'Beast Research Club,' but since Cecilia was moving, they decided to help her load her things instead.
The girls' dorm was off-limits to boys, so technically, there wasn't much Randy and the others could do. Still, they needed to pack some things into a few magic bags and carry them. With Liz joining in, the work would be a lot easier.
So, while they were in the carriage heading to the girls' dorm, Luke was sharing funny stories about Randy's childhood.
He talked about how he had spent a week in the Beast Forest, claiming it was training.
He mentioned swinging a huge log and breaking the back door of the mansion.
He even said he drop-kicked the son of a neighboring lord.
"Wow, so he was like this even back then?"
Cecilia was surprised, and Randy snorted, saying, "What do you mean, 'like this'?" Luke, with a mischievous grin, continued.
"Yep. Even back then. I'm 2 years older than him, and when we first met, he said, 'Alright, I'll make you my sidekick!'"
"Sir Alan and Lady Grace must have had a tough time with Randy."
Just as Liz sighed, the carriage stopped, and Randy jumped out, turning to Luke.
"Hey, Luke. Let me talk to you for a second!"
Even while glaring at Luke, Randy took Liz's hand, and Luke shrugged with a smile, saying, "You've grown a bit."
"Don't talk like an old man."
"I can't help it! I'm just worried if you can really act like a noble."
Randy frowned, and Luke smiled back confidently while taking Cecilia's hand.
"Well, I wanted to chat a bit more with these lovely ladies, but..."
"Luke!"
"My former master is calling, so I'll step away for a bit."
With a charming smile, Luke gave a polite bow and headed with Randy toward the gate leading to the girls' dorm.
"By the way, I can't believe you snagged a wife in the kingdom."
Luke grinned mischievously, and Randy leaned against the gatepost, glancing at the carriage that was parked on the other side, waiting for its owner who had just gone into the dorm.
"Don't say silly things. I could get dumped in the Rail River for that."
Randy frowned, and Luke just smiled widely, saying, "I'd love to see you drowning."
Luke was one of Randy's few friends, a bad friend. Randy knew about his background... but he thought, "So what?"
No matter the reasons or circumstances, Luke was a loyal servant of the Victor family and an irreplaceable friend. When they were kids, Randy and Luke grew up like brothers, often fighting, causing trouble, and getting scolded.
As time passed, Luke became a knight, and Randy became the heir to Victor. Even now that they had their own paths, their friendship remained unchanged. Normally, Randy should be using formal language with Luke, but Randy refused to do that.
But since they grew up like brothers...
"Randy. Just admit it. That girl is totally your type, right?"
...Luke knew exactly what Randy liked, making it hard for Randy to respond.
"And the other great magician is also a good match, right? So, who are you going to marry?"
With a smirk, Luke watched as Randy snorted and looked away, saying,
"You're such an idiot. Instead of worrying about me, you should find someone for yourself soon."
Randy pouted, and Luke shrugged, saying, "I haven't had any chances to meet anyone."
"Yeah, right. The guy who used to hit on every girl at Victor is saying that?"
Randy laughed mischievously, and Luke finally gave a wry smile, saying, "That was in the past."
"Well, I won't tell Cecilia."
"Can you keep this a secret for me?"
Luke, still wearing a wry smile, heard Randy shrug in response, "That's a tough request."
After a while of chatting and having fun, a sudden silence made Randy let out a small sigh.
"Still... is it really okay for a noble to be a bodyguard?"
"That's in the past. Right now, I'm a knight for Victor... no, Hartfield."
Looking into Luke's eyes, which were filled with certainty, Randy sighed heavily, "Well, that's true, but..."
"If you're aiming for the throne, both the old man and I will help you, you know?"
"I'm not interested in that anymore. My brothers can fight over it as they like... right?"
As Luke's voice trailed off, he widened his eyes and looked at Randy.
"You're not trying to shake things up with the nobles of the kingdom, are you? I mean, you've been dealing with them a lot lately."
Even though he was a noble from Dukedom, Luke was forming partnerships with nobles from the kingdom without using Dukedom's connections. This fact probably didn't sit well with the Dukedom government.
After all, profits that could have been kept within the country were flowing to others.
Thinking that Alan and Randy might be trying to use this situation to push him up, Luke had his suspicions...
"That's not it at all. It's just a coincidence. I just happened to have common interests with His Excellency the Marquis and His Excellency the Count."
Randy shook his head, pointing out that Victor Territory itself was already being pushed aside by Dukedom. He wanted to say, if they were already an outcast in Dukedom, where would they find reliable connections?
"You're the reason it's so out of place."
Luke, looking exasperated, reminded Randy of the time he drop-kicked the foolish son of a neighboring territory in his childhood, lectured a rude noble lady, and even sent her furious parents packing. Because of Randy's unusual behavior, Victor was completely out of place.
"Well, it was just youthful folly."
Randy smiled wryly, and Luke returned the smile, saying, "It was entertaining to watch you, so it's fine."
"Anyway, I don't have any grudge against the duke's family right now."
"That's good, but... just──."
"Just what?"
Randy looked away apologetically as Luke tilted his head.
"You became a knight for the old man, right? If you think I dragged you out here for my own convenience..."
Luke was momentarily surprised by Randy's words, then broke into a big smile and slapped Randy's shoulder hard.
"What's up? Are you finally understanding people's feelings? Is the world ending tomorrow?"
"Don't joke around. I'm being serious here."
Randy glared at Luke while shaking off his hand. Seeing Randy's serious expression, Luke also turned serious and spoke.
"There's no problem at all. I want to help you guys of my own free will. And──."
Suddenly looking up at the girls' dormitory, Randy followed Luke's gaze. There were Cecilia and Liz waving from the window.
"Lady Cecilia is a wonderful person. Truly, she has a kind heart and is amazing──."
Following Luke's lead, Randy waved at Liz in the same way.
"I heard about her from the townspeople, but meeting her in person is something else."
Luke's eyes narrowed happily, and Randy smiled back, "Wow."
"I've only spent a little over a day with her, but her kind heart for the people and her tireless efforts to improve herself are all truly admirable."
As Luke gazed up at Cecilia with bright eyes, Randy simply replied, "Is that so?" and said nothing more.
Luke's eyes, looking up at Cecilia, remained as clear as they were back then...
* * *
"Well then, we will head back to the mansion. Liza, thank you for your help."
Cecilia curtsied in front of the carriage, and Liz and Randy told her not to worry about it. In reality, Randy had only come this far with them, and Liz had enjoyed preparing for the move with her friends.
Luke took Cecilia's hand and led her to the carriage, then climbed in after her.
(Well, it does look nice)
A sweet-faced knight protecting a young lady with blonde curls. Even if it wasn't Randy, the sight of the two of them together was certainly a beautiful one.
(A wonderful person... right?)
If Luke's mother were alive, he would want to tell her this. Luke had a hard time separating from his mother, and despite being a ladies' man who worried her many times, here he was, showing off as a proper knight.
They were still a master and servant, but a young man and woman were together... it wasn't impossible that something more could happen in the future. If that time came, he would be sure to tell Luke's mother first. That would be the least he could do for her, considering how much she had worried about Luke.
As various thoughts swirled in Randy's head, the carriage door closed, and Cecilia peeked her head through the open window.
"Well then, see you tomorrow. Take care──."
As Cecilia greeted him as usual, Randy stepped closer and grinned.
"See you, Luke. Don't let the amazing Lady Cecilia be disappointed in you."
"Eh──."
"Hey, Randy──."
The inside of the carriage suddenly became noisy as Randy smirked and spoke up.
"What's with the panic? It's the truth, right? A knight who has fallen for a wonderful person he should serve... Or is there another meaning to it?"
Cecilia's face turned red at Randy's teasing, and Luke was left speechless. Satisfied with their reactions, Randy called out to the coachman, "Let us out."
The carriage began to move slowly.
Cecilia's face was bright red.
Luke, with a wry smile, said through the window, "You better remember this."
As Randy waved goodbye with a big smile, saying, "Well then, take care," Liz sighed with a slightly happy expression and said, "Randy..."
"Haha! Enjoy the awkward atmosphere in there, you foolish Luke."
Even Ellie, with a look of disbelief, said, "Now I understand why you have so few friends."
"You're an idiot. This is my way of showing affection. You and I argue all the time, right? That's how it is."
Randy laughed proudly, but when Ellie sensed the affection in his words, she pouted and said, "...I don't know."
"What's up? Are you embarrassed?"
"Randy, please don't tease Ellie."
Randy frowned at Liz, who was giving him a glare. "I'm not teasing her, am I?"
"Girls prefer more straightforward feelings."
Pouting, Liz started to walk away, and Randy scratched his head while following her. "That's true, but..."
(Don't worry, Ellie. No matter what happens, we will always be by your side.)
Liz's inner voice went unanswered by Ellie.
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