CHAPTER 6: ELDEST LOVE INTEREST

I looked at the display windows of the souvenir shop with interest, thinking about what was currently popular among young people. Come to think of it, this was the first time I had ever bought a gift for a child.

I wondered what Ruby would like. She probably had the typical interests of children her age. I should buy her something cuddly or cute. So I decided, thinking that there was nothing complicated about this task.

With a smile on my face, I spotted a cute teddy bear with button eyes. I think that’s what I need! Behind me, I heard the discontented grumbling of the count’s servant, who was tired of waiting for us to leave. I waved him away.

After all, it was his job. So was it worth complaining? According to the accepted rules of etiquette, he brought me here, so he had to take me back.

Meanwhile, my gaze was again fixed on the bear. Ruby would definitely like this toy! Since this was my first gift to her as her aunt, I was determined not to mess it up. Besides, the toy would help ease her anxiety about moving to a new place.

In short, having decided to buy it, I was about to go into the store to check the price. But at the very entrance, someone unexpectedly beat me to it. The bell rang and the door swung open. We almost collided — I was so surprised that I almost lost my balance. But luckily, someone grabbed my hand in time and I was left hanging in the air.

"Agh!"

A sigh of relief escaped my lips. It was good that I didn’t have to meet the ground with that part of my body... The stranger helped me up, and we finally passed each other. But when I saw his face, I was speechless.

It was definitely an unexpected encounter.

My knees trembled like a teenage girl who had seen her idol with her own eyes. Standing in front of me was a young man with short red hair and an impassive expression. His blue eyes were like two blocks of ice. He was unshakable, like a rock.

Roger Dickens.

The future captain of the Royal Guard, and also one of the main character’s love interests.

Reading his biography in the game, I knew in advance that he was the son of a ducal family who had run away from home at the age of sixteen. Since then, he had studied hard to fulfill his main dream — to lead the army and defend the empire.

Roger was the most mature of the love interests, and by the time he met the heroine, he was already twenty-six years old. Perhaps that is why I chose him as my partner.

I can’t say that I fell in love with Roger at first sight. Rather, it was a choice based on sober logic. Neither the emperor’s cloying nephew, nor the teacher, nor the mage seemed as worthy to me as he did. Roger was the embodiment of nobility and courage. Plus, he was almost my age! That couldn’t help but add to his appeal.

However, I never expected to meet him in real life.

Since Grace Weinstein was a minor character and had no part in the plot, meeting the other characters seemed simply impossible to me. But in the end, we bumped into each other almost nose to nose in the middle of the street.

I stood in front of him, frozen in place, not knowing what to do next.

Roger spoke to me first.

"Lady, are you all right?" he asked in that same cold voice I had heard so often in the game.

I finally ’thawed’ a little.

"Ah... Y-yes!"

Come to think of it, even though Roger was the oldest of my love interests, I was still five years older than him. Although we were the same height, he was a teenager and I was a grown woman. I felt a little awkward talking to him.

Besides, if my memory serves me correctly, this is the year Roger is supposed to leave his father’s house and join the imperial army. I witnessed a key moment in the biography of one of the main characters! In a way, it’s a reason to be proud.

"Did I bump into you?"

"N-no, what are you...!" I stammered.

"I’m sorry, it’s all my fault. I should have been more careful."

I couldn’t help but admire him: so young, yet already filled with justice. Any other teenager in his place would have run away long ago and not apologized. But Roger really felt guilty for this mistake. That’s what it means to be a natural knight!

In the future, Roger would have to go through many difficult events that would temper his character and make him as hard as stone. To start a romantic storyline with him, you have to work hard and spend a lot of money on paid choices. Otherwise, this rock, known as the "captain of the guard," simply cannot be moved! Even in scenes with the heroine, the man rarely shows real emotions and smiles.

But all that will come later. The current sixteen-year-old teenager simply couldn’t be so harsh. The guy was genuinely embarrassed in front of me.

We fidgeted, and I kept waiting for him to suggest we part ways. For some reason, I couldn’t bring myself to do it first. But instead, the heroine’s love interest suddenly looked at me intently.

"I think I touched your dress."

"Oh...?"

I noticed it too. It turned out that the fabric on my sleeve was slightly torn. It must have happened when Roger grabbed me. I was outraged: damn it, that dress cost tens of thousands! Grace’s wardrobe basically didn’t contain any cheap outfits. So why did the designers use such unreliable fabrics?

I sighed, but realized there was nothing I could do about it. It was impossible to repair a dress made of such material. I would have to wear it as it was or sell it for fabric. In any case, unlike the real Grace, I didn’t care that much about my appearance. I could just as easily sell her entire wardrobe if I needed to.

Meanwhile, Roger noticed the look on my face and hastened to reassure me:

"Don’t worry. I’ll make it up to you!"

I smiled and shook my head.

"No need."

"Hm?"

"It’s just a dress. I don’t need money for it."

For the first time, the cold expression on the guy’s face faltered.

"Are you serious...?" he asked again, just in case.

"Yes. Thank you for your concern."

I was about to end the conversation and go back to my business, but he suddenly stopped me.

"Wait. It was my mistake, and I want to make it up to you."

"But I said..."

"It’s okay. If you don’t need the money, I can at least buy you a cup of coffee."

I was stunned by the surprise. What a twist: my love interest had asked me out himself! Was I dreaming? If I hadn’t been afraid of looking silly, I would have pinched myself right then and there. But it all seemed very real.

"What do you think?"

"Um... I..."

The offer confused me.

At first, I tried to refuse, but it didn’t work. Roger Dickens was surprisingly persistent. Did he really want to repay me that much? Still, I felt awkward about going out for coffee with him. I hadn’t planned on getting involved with any of the main characters.

But it seemed I had no choice. In the end, I gave in to his persuasion.

"Okay... Let’s do this."

Roger’s lips curved into a semblance of a smile.

"Great. When would be a good time to meet?"

"Um..." I thought for a moment. "How about this Wednesday?"

"That works for me," he nodded. "Then let’s meet at three o’clock at the cafe across the street."

I looked in the direction Roger was pointing. There was indeed a cozy, unremarkable coffee shop there. Now that we had agreed to meet, I didn’t know how I felt. Joy or excitement?

At the same time, I remembered one important thing. If I went to the cafe, who would stay with Ruby? I couldn’t leave the child with the maid forever. After all, she was my niece, and I had to take care of her myself.

So I decided to add one more condition to our meeting.

"I’m sorry," I said, embarrassed, "do you mind if my niece joins us?"