Ikemen ni Tenseishita kedo, Cheat ha Dekimasenshita

97.1 Absurd Change

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After dancing with Muriel, we went to the Rose’s Maze. Although it was a place that brought about traumatizing memories for me, it was also a place that allowed me to enjoy a meal with just the two of us. So, that might be the reason I wasn’t reluctant to come to this place.

It had been quite a while since it was just the two of us after all. Even Richard and the others understood this. Hence they restrained themselves from disturbing us.

The roses here were almost in full bloom, engulfing the maze with their scent. Well, I suppose watching the roses in the evening wasn’t so bad.

“Thank you for today’s hard work, Theodore-sama. And… Did something happen? I’m all ears if you’re willing to share your problem with me.”

“Uhm, thanks, but… it’s okay.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, no problem.”

I didn’t want to tell Muriel about the demon race. I mean, they almost killed her a few years ago, so even Muriel might be unwilling to hear about them. Right?

“Theodore-sama!”

As I was thinking, Muriel suddenly caught my face in between her hands.

Eh?! What’s the matter?!

“Even though Theodore-sama always tells me that there’s no problem, I can’t help but to worry about you, you know? I know that Theodore-sama really cares about me, but still, please share your worries with me! I want you to depend on me too!”

Somehow, I felt really happy when I saw her glaring at me with such a teary gaze.

“Don’t laugh, please. I’m serious here.”

“Ah, my bad. I’m not laughing at you, promise. I’m just… really happy to see you worrying about me.”

Upon hearing his words, Muriel let go of her hands with a blush, making me feel somewhat lost. I wouldn’t mind if she kept touching me, really.

“Trying to convince me with such sweet words is unfair.” Muriel pouted, averting her face from mine.

Alas, such a sight only made me think that the sulking visage of Muriel was simply too adorable. As always. She was adorable no matter what.

“I’m really sorry about this. Please, forgive me already.”

“Do you really feel sorry?”

“Yeah.”

“Then, will you tell me about your worries? If there’s something that Theodore-sama hides from me, it must be a matter that’s related to the demon race, right?”

Eh? She has guessed it already?

“So I guessed it right. A glance at your face told me really. And I know that you’re worrying about me, but there’s really no need. I’m ready. Theodore-sama is well aware that I’ve been training to raise my spell accuracy, right? You must not forget that I’m also a shrine maiden, and as a shrine maiden who serves the Saint, we must not be afraid of the demon race,” Muriel said, looking straight into my eyes with determination painting her whole face.

How could I forget, this girl… this precious girl had also been doing her best to be able to fight by side. She had grown into a strong girl before I knew it, huh. Then, I couldn’t just dilly-dally either.

“You’re right. It’s different from back then when you need my protection. As someone who serves Saint-sama, we cannot be afraid of the demon race.”

“That’s right.”

Thus, we sat on the bench, and I began to tell her about my dream last night as well as the fact that everyone had also forgotten about me today.

“― And that’s what happens. If even Muriel forgot about me, I just might lose my will to live.”

“Such a thing… I- I won’t forget about you, Theodore-sama! I’ll definitely remember you!” She declared as she grabbed my hands in between hers.

Ma~n, there’s no greater happiness than hearing the woman you love make such a declaration to you.

“Thank you, Muriel.”

However, right at that moment when I expressed my gratitude, black smoke rose from the bracelet coiling around Muriel’s left wrist before it then fell to the ground.

The thread from a while ago seemed to have snapped. I supposed I had to make a new one now. I picked it up, but just as I was trying to ask Muriel for the bracelet for a while, a squall blew in the rose’s maze. That squall caused the rose petals to dance in the air around us, creating an otherworldly spectacle.

“― Are you okay, Muriel?”

However, when I questioned her, Muriel just looked at me with a puzzled look on her face.

“Excuse me, but… who are you?”

She was looking at me as if I was a mere stranger to her.

Seeing the look in her eyes, my heartbeat instantly sped up, and fear almost overwhelmed me.

Urgh, calm down. Calm down, and let’s talk to her. It may be temporary.

“D-did you… forget about me?”

Cra*p, I couldn’t calm myself at all. I couldn’t get a grip of myself and ended up saying something cliche. Da*mn it.

I approached her, but Muriel backed away. She had really raised her vigilance toward me.

Dammit. Okay, alright, let’s calm down first. Think. Think carefully. How do I make her remember me?

… Damn it all. I’m completely out of ideas!!!

“M-my name is… Theodore. Theodore Goldberg… have you… really forgotten me?”

“I-I did know that Marquis Goldberg has an eldest son, but he’s still in his early teens. D-definitely not an adult one like you.”

Muriel was slowly moving toward the entrance of the maze with a frightened expression on her face.

“I-I’m not lying. I think you shouldn’t be lying about your status too. And please stay away from me.”

Thus, our situation right now, where she regarded me as a complete stranger.

Dammit. Her reaction caused more damage to my heart than I expected.

At this time, when Muriel had just reached the branching path that led toward the entrance, that guy appeared. Dark brown skin and long ultramarine hair. Red eyes that shone with mocking light, clearly aimed at me.

I knew this guy. He was the one who made the woman in my dream cry last night. However, why did the guy from that dream appear here?

Suddenly, I saw Muriel’s face lighting up with obvious relief when she saw that guy, causing thunder to strike me. Figuratively. Muriel should have never met him before. Furthermore, he was supposed to be someone from my dream only. So, how?

“Duke-sama!”

“Ah, Muriel. There you are,” He said as he hugged Muriel’s shoulders.

And instead of disliking his touch, Muriel seemed to like it. Liked it. This spectacle made me feel dizzy. I couldn’t believe it at all. You must be kidding me, right?

“Who… are you?”

My voice was shaking and my leg trembled. Honestly, I had no idea what in the world was happening here, but I didn’t like it. Not one bit.

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“I’m Duke Plum, Muriel’s fiance.”

When I heard that, I felt something break within me, and without my conscious knowledge, I immediately closed in toward him and raised my fist. Muriel screamed when she saw what was about to happen.

Unfortunately, this man called Duke caught my fist before it could do anything, all with a sneer on his face. Dammit.

Still, I was undeterred and raised another one.

“S-stop!”

Muriel suddenly stood before me, making me stop my fist immediately.

“Sorry, but please step aside. I have to punch this guy’s face.”

“No, you must not. I won’t allow you to hurt my fiance.”

“Please step aside.”

“No, I won’t.”

“Step aside!”

“No!”

Meanwhile, Duke, who stood behind Muriel, only sneered at me jeeringly.

This bas*tard! I’m going to kill him for sure.