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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 52
Chapter Title: Harrison's Chivalry
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I froze in the unfamiliar situation.
*Is that really Harrison?*
That oblivious bear of a man.
That crybaby who wept buckets.
Is that really the shrinking violet?
I swallowed the words rising to the tip of my tongue.
But when that Harrison turned to me, his expression changed completely.
"You're late, my lady."
As if I were truly his lady.
He was polite and kind.
This was a little different from the Harrison I knew.
But I wasn't so oblivious as to say something like, "What brings you here?" or "Why are you acting so strangely today?"
"Have you been waiting?"
I treated him naturally, as if this were all part of the plan.
"Your pretty shoes got dirty."
Harrison looked down at my shoes and murmured regretfully.
"Yeah, well... it just happened."
Harrison wasn't quick on the uptake, so he wouldn't be much help.
*I wish he'd just help me get out of here.*
I was pondering how to signal him to get me out when Harrison said something unexpected.
"I'll clean them for you."
And at his following actions, I froze solid.
He knelt before me, one knee on the ground in a reverent pose, the other bent.
Then he took my foot and placed it on his knee.
*What, what is this?*
Using his own knee as a footrest, he pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped my shoe.
He remained utterly calm even though everyone was watching him kneel.
Because of the cake cream's nature, some residue remained despite his wiping, but Harrison meticulously cleaned and cleaned again.
I stood there dumbfounded, extending my foot in an arrogant lady's pose.
I was so shocked that I didn't even notice the stunned gazes of the others watching us.
"They're clean now."
Only then did I snap back to reality.
Looking up at Harrison's face, he seemed proud.
*After doing something like that, does he have to look so innocently bright?*
Suppressing the urge to jump in frustration, I casually withdrew my foot.
"Thanks for cleaning them."
Despite my inner turmoil, I acted as if this were routine.
Only then did Harrison straighten his knee and stand, adjusting his clothes.
He bowed at the waist to meet my eyes.
"Taking care of you is my joy, my lady."
Even a faint, composed smile hung on his lips.
He truly looked like a knight serving his lady.
*Whoa. My heart just skipped a beat!*
Was this the charm of the romance fantasy world?
My heart pounded at Harrison's unexpected side.
"What are you doing!"
Betty's sharp voice rang out.
Harrison's gentle expression hardened in an instant.
The fluffy atmosphere shattered immediately.
"What is it?"
With his massive build and stern face, his presence was intimidating.
Betty flinched and shrank back.
But as if hating her own reaction, she yelled.
"Why is an adult butting into kids' business!"
Noble pride battles were intense.
When adults interfered in children's fights, things often escalated uncontrollably.
That was why adults not getting involved in such situations was an unspoken rule in noble society.
Harrison's expression twisted oddly, and I nearly burst out laughing.
*His size could certainly cause that misunderstanding.*
"I'm older than everyone here, but hardly old enough to be called an adult."
Harrison's enunciated syllables sounded eerie.
As he spoke, he took a step forward, closing the distance to Betty.
Betty startled and retreated the same amount.
"Make some sense! Do you know who that is? How can someone that big not be an adult?"
As Betty shrieked, the surrounding children murmured.
"He's bigger than most adults."
"I've never seen a build like that. Bigger than knights, isn't he?"
"What is it? An adult nosing into kids' business without a clue?"
I heard the whispers doubting Harrison's age.
Just as Betty was regaining her momentum amid the agreement—
"Huh? Isn't that guy who I think it is?"
"Who?"
"The son of Count Orlando."
Someone spoke up as if recognizing Harrison.
"Oh... that guy? Yeah, it is. I heard he came back. They said he was huge, and he is."
"So he's not an adult."
"Right. I heard he's only two years older than me."
Conversations revealing Harrison's identity drifted from somewhere.
Betty shuddered and glanced wildly at Harrison.
Her expression grew unnatural, as if she'd heard the rumors too.
"Y-you're really him?"
Harrison didn't answer.
"Are you really Harrison Orlando!"
Betty shouted as if the silence was too burdensome.
"Yes. Does it matter who I am?"
As Harrison replied, Betty's face drained of color.
It meant the unspoken rule didn't apply to him.
"W-what does it matter to you? Why are you meddling in our business!"
Betty yelled as if telling an outsider to back off.
She had a point.
Even I hadn't expected Harrison to step in like this.
*He wouldn't shrink back, admit fault, and leave, would he?*
An uneasy feeling crept in, knowing the Harrison I knew might do just that.
But that anxiety turned to shock at Harrison's next words.
"What does it matter when I'm protecting my lady?"
*Whoa!*
It was so embarrassing even for me to hear.
Yet Harrison's stance declared it as truth, utterly unwavering.
His overwhelming physique.
His confident posture.
He truly looked like a knight.
No child dared challenge such a Harrison.
Betty just chewed her lip.
Harrison slowly scanned the surroundings.
"Does anyone object to me protecting my lady? Speak now if you do."
His massive frame exuded intimidation with just his gaze.
As he spoke firmly, everyone shut their mouths and averted their eyes.
"I'll assume there are no objections. If I see this again, I won't hold back."
At Harrison's warning, most of the children looked terrified.
They seemed full of regret for getting involved in pointless mischief.
Betty trembled but showed no sign of pushing further.
Harrison returned to my side and offered his hand.
"My lady, shall we move? The air here is too stale."
"Shall we? Let's get some fresh air."
I lightly placed my hand on his large palm and accepted his escort.
"Whoa, what was that?"
"What a sight."
"Amazing."
"Betty's the only embarrassed one now."
Leaving the whispering children behind, we gracefully exited the banquet hall.
As we left, I glanced at my parents—thankfully, they hadn't noticed the commotion.
"Phew!"
Arriving in the garden, I let out a deep breath.
"You must have felt quite stifled."
"I guess so. Places like that don't suit me."
"You handled it so maturely."
Harrison smiled generously.
His adult-like demeanor suddenly reminded me of Betty's terrified face, making me laugh.
She never imagined things turning out like this.
"Seriously, thank you. I was in a real bind, and you showed up right on time."
"I got lucky."
His calm demeanor felt reliable.
It was truly refreshing.
How could a person change so much?
"Why do you look at me like that?"
Harrison asked, perhaps uncomfortable under my blatant stare.
"Because you're cool."
"Pardon?"
"You were really cool back there."
I gave him a thumbs-up, and Harrison's cheeks flushed slightly.
He replied awkwardly.
"Thank you. Helping a lady in distress is a knight's duty. As an aspiring knight, I need to learn the proper demeanor. I've decided to work hard at it."
He maintained that composed smile throughout.
Seeing that refreshing smile, I understood why Harrison had changed so much.
The reason I hadn't recognized him at first glance was that he was so different from his original image.
He was originally a mature character with a heavy, adult atmosphere.
He was the reliable support for the wobbling heroine.
But the Harrison I'd encountered was a crybaby full of gloom.
Like a mole burrowing into the ground.
Because he'd been constantly berated by Luciano, he'd become timid.
Already burdened with guilt, hearing negativity every day had made him depressed.
I'd been seeing Harrison at his darkest low.
But once his mindset changed, his true personality emerged.
The sub-male lead Harrison I knew.
*But what on earth happened to change Harrison's mindset?*
There hadn't been any progress with Luciano.
It was the same just yesterday.
Did something happen this morning?
Whatever it was, I was glad he'd shaken off his gloom.
Even this slight uplift was exciting—what if things improved with Luciano?
He'd radiate true sub-male lead charm then, right?
Huh?
*Come to think of it, he's my male lead candidate right now!*
I'd seen his cowering side daily, so I hadn't thought much of it.
But if he had this charm hidden away, I needed to change my attitude.
*I should subtly flirt a bit.*
The best way to charm someone is with praise!
"You're already thinking of a knight's duty—that's even cooler. You'll be the best knight."
I thumbs-upped again, and Harrison responded energetically.
"Yes. I will become the greatest knight."
He looked full of hope.
*Aw, does praising child Harrison give him strength?*
Should I heap on more fluff while I'm at it?
"You'll protect people well once you're a knight."
Become a knight with all your might.
And become Luciano's escort knight.
Sending him an affectionate gaze, Harrison stared straight at me.
His eyes felt oddly burdensome for some reason.
"Why?"
"I'll protect you too, my lady."
