Chapter 7: It wasn’t Perfect, but it was a fun vacation.

I will challenge the knight exam in two months and pass.

With that, I will prove that even if I start a relationship with Elaine, I won’t become complacent and will continue to strive for success.

After making that promise, the meal proceeded in a calm atmosphere.

Grace accepted the conditions without asking or questioning anything about our relationship.

She threw in a remark because she was upset, but she didn’t show much interest in our romance, which was typical of her.

Yet, from time to time, she would cast a quick glance toward us—more specifically, at me.

Since Grace was in front of us, neither Elaine nor I acted affectionately toward each other, but I couldn’t understand why she kept looking at me.

Perhaps it was because the knight challenge was too big of a gamble, and she was wondering, “Is that guy crazy?”

Well, I may have made a hasty declaration, but it wasn’t an empty boast.

Through the novel, I knew how difficult the knight exam was. The reason I gave myself a two-month deadline to take on this challenge was because I had a method in mind.

I had the special ability of the possessed person, the knowledge of the future. I knew what would happen next.

While Elaine chatted away when it was just the two of us, she maintained her usual solemn attitude in the presence of superiors.

Not knowing what to say in front of these two giants, I naturally followed their lead.

Fortunately, neither Grace nor Elaine enjoyed small talk, so I didn’t have to worry about trying to lighten the mood. I just had to respond when someone spoke to me.

Since we arrived early, Grace, who finished her meal first, stood up, saying she had something to attend to.

Elaine and I stayed seated for a little longer before leaving the shop.

“It was really delicious. I would love to come back next time.”

Her words were not just out of politeness; they were sincere.

The restaurant, a favorite of Elaine’s, was excellent, and the food was satisfying.

I was especially impressed by the method of preserving bananas from the North, something unique to the fantasy world.

However, the reason I wanted to come back wasn’t just because of the food.

“Phew, I was nervous.”

After declaring my challenge, Grace had eased the tension, but still, my counterpart was the Duke of the North—the fantasy president, the fantasy CEO.

CEO, manager, new recruit.

How could a new recruit feel at ease sitting with those two?

Despite the food’s taste, it was hard to digest.

“Just the thought of being the new recruit dating the manager makes me seem crazy.”

While imagining Elaine in her office look, I was interrupted.

“…”

“Elaine?”

I realized that after Grace left, Elaine hadn’t said a word.

She maintained her composure while Grace was there, but as soon as Grace left, her expression darkened.

Just as I was about to check on her, Elaine suddenly grabbed my hand and pulled me toward a nearby alley.

Her expression concerned me, and since I couldn’t resist, I followed her quietly.

Once we entered the alley, where no one could see us, Elaine apologized.

“I’m sorry.”

She said, her voice tinged with guilt.

“I didn’t mean to make things difficult for you. I didn’t expect Grace to react so coldly toward you.”

“….”

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything. I never intended to cause you trouble.”

Elaine’s shoulders trembled slightly.

She seemed to feel guilty, thinking that the uncomfortable situation I was in was her fault.

“I was the one who made it escalate this far.”

Although it was Elaine who triggered Grace’s reaction, it wasn’t worth dwelling on who was at fault.

If Elaine hadn’t declared our relationship, Grace wouldn’t have interfered with us.

“There’s no point in assigning blame.”

If we start blaming each other, we end up tracing it all the way back to the beginning of humanity.

If Elaine’s declaration of our relationship was the cause, then my drinking with her, our involvement, joining the

escort unit to get closer to Grace, reading Brave Road, and being reincarnated into this world—all of it was a

problem.

Ugh, it’s so dizzying.

I gently held both of Elaine’s hands and reassured her.

“I’m fine. I know you didn’t mean it.”

“…Really?”

“Yes. Of course, I’ll be busier, but that won’t change anything. I won’t blame or hold anything against you.”

To show that I meant it, I smiled, and Elaine, trembling, buried her face in my chest.

Earlier, she had shown strong anxiety about my knight challenge.

As someone who had passed the knight exam herself, she knew the difficulty better than anyone, so it was only natural for her to worry.

But since Grace was there, she couldn’t show her worry, so she held it in, only for it to spill out now.

I patted Elaine gently and decided to offer a bit of reassurance.

“I’ve wanted to challenge the knight exam for a while. That’s why I set the condition.”

“…Really?”

“When Grace extended the deadline for me, I refused, right? That wasn’t out of stubbornness. I had a real reason for it.”

“…Really?”

“So don’t worry. I won’t leave the escort unit, and I won’t be disadvantaged because of our relationship. I promised you, remember? I won’t betray your trust.”

“…Really?”

The conversation isn’t going anywhere.

Still, as I feel the trembling slowly subside, I think it might be working.

Elaine perceives me as a methodical person in everything.

When my mind becomes clear, she might think that I took the reckless step with Grace because I had a reason to believe in it.

“Would you mind telling me something, if you’re truly sorry?”

“Ask anything. I’ll even answer about my weaknesses.”

Ah, I already learned that yesterday, so that’s fine. It was definitely around her neck and collarbone.

……………Not that.

It might help alleviate Elaine’s guilt, and I’ve been dying to ask, so I decided to bring it up now.

“Why did you suddenly reveal we’re dating? It’s not like you, Elaine.”

“That’s…”

Elaine hesitated after promising to answer anything, and then, with her forehead against my chest, she spoke.

“…Because you’re amazing.”

“Pardon?”

“You’re really amazing. I was worried that Grace might develop feelings for you.”

“7”

“So, when the opportunity came, I made it clear. I know… I don’t even know why I did such a thing. But I felt like I had to do it.”

Wait, is she saying that she suddenly rushed things because of me?

Because she thought Grace might be interested in me?

“1”

The sudden escalation put me in an awkward situation.

Though it’s been resolved, a difficult task was added.

But still,

I couldn’t help but smile at the corners of my lips.

A beautiful woman wanting me so badly that she was unaware of her own desires…

What man wouldn’t be pleased by that?

‘So cute.’

This is a secluded alley, far from Grace or anyone else.

Elaine is resting her head on my chest, her hands also touching me.

Without hesitation, I embraced Elaine, just as she had done to me earlier when we left the weapons shop.

“…!”

Elaine flinched when I held her, but soon spoke from within my embrace.

“You heard it too. I take responsibility for my mistakes.”

“I heard.”

“I will take responsibility. I will do everything to help you pass the knight’s exam, except for any dishonesty.”

Though her expression was hidden by our embrace, Elaine’s voice was resolute.

Her insistence on not allowing dishonesty made me chuckle.

This is good.

In terms of skill, Elaine is the best knight in the North after Grace, and she’s the current commander of the guard.

With Elaine, a successful exam-taker, helping, the chances of my plan succeeding will increase greatly.

“I’ll make sure I succeed.”

“And if you succeed…”

“???”

“I will grant one of your wishes that night. That will be my responsibility to you.”

“!!”

I had a brief burnout after abruptly abandoning the Grace strategy, but now I have a new goal, and the fire is back.

Indeed, having a good motivation is always crucial for keeping a person driven.

“Then let’s continue our date. We still have the rest of the day off.”

“Elaine?”

“About that… I have a good idea. Would you like to hear it?”

“???”

Thud.

Grace threw her coat onto the table carelessly and sat down in a chair.

“Miss, would you like me to prepare some herbal tea for you? It’ll warm your insides and help reduce stress.”

“Please.”

After answering the maid, who asked as she packed up Grace’s coat, I exhaled as she left the room.

“Ha.”

I ran a hand through my hair with a sigh.

Life in the northern dukedom is always busy.

Even when others rest, time in the North keeps moving, so Grace Northlain is always without leisure, whether at home or in her office.

However, no matter how much of an iron woman she is, even a person’s body needs time to catch its breath and recover.

That’s why Grace always spent her short breaks perfectly.

Today was no different.

For the first time in a long while, she had slept for a full eight hours.

Her clothes were light and comfortable, in casual attire.

She wore a necklace that interfered with recognition, so she wasn’t surrounded by people, making the atmosphere peaceful.

For lunch, she went to a restaurant recommended by a close subordinate, which turned out to be interesting.

Just as her subordinates were serious about food, the furniture, sounds, and scent of the restaurant were all

excellent.

There were no customers, so she took off the cumbersome necklace, and even though the staff must have recognized

her as the ruler of the North, they didn’t treat her any differently, which she appreciated.

Then, she encountered unexpected faces.

One was Elaine, the captain of the royal guard whom she trusted the most, and next to her was a man.

‘Luke.’

A young recruit who had recently joined the guard.

His actions had been outstanding even back when he was just a soldier.

He had shown exceptional skill in monster hunting and had a good reputation due to his swift movements, despite

being a new recruit.

His weapon skills were a bit lacking, but his stamina was impressive, and he remained calm, always finding ways to

resolve situations.

Above all, he was diligent.

It seemed that, despite already performing well, he was determined to keep improving, pushing himself further and progressing steadily.

Because of this, she had also viewed Luke positively and agreed to the proposal of having him join the royal guard.

It had been a long time since she had taken an interest in a soldier, and she wanted to watch him closely.
Since joining the guard, Luke had exceeded expectations.

He rose quickly through the ranks, never acting arrogantly or slacking off. On the contrary, he worked even harder.

She could see his growth day by day, and his solid performance during missions spoke for itself.

Watching Luke train through the window had become one of Grace’s daily routines.

Though he was still clumsy, there was something delightful about watching him progress step by step, doing his best.

“That’s enough.”

Grace cut off her thoughts, which were starting to deepen.

If he were alone, it might not be so bad.

But thinking too deeply about someone else’s lover wasn’t the best course of action.

‘Now that I think about it, when we entered Milky Way earlier, Luke called Elaine by name.’

She had noticed that.

Elaine and Luke were very close.

Elaine, who had never shown any private affection toward a man while staying by her side, had no hesitation in

smiling at, waving, or patting Luke on the shoulder.

She had thought it was just because Elaine was happy to have a recruit she liked.

But perhaps it had been a sign from then.

Elaine was not the type of woman who could easily be wooed.

Many men had approached her, drawn by her beauty and status, only to be coldly rejected each time.

Grace had even worried about Elaine’s future.

‘Yeah, I knew it. Why did I react so sharply earlier, though? I know they’re both valuable subordinates, and that they

wouldn’t behave irresponsibly if they were dating.’

Grace pressed her forehead, reflecting on her words.

Why had she said such unnecessary things in that moment? Looking back now, she couldn’t understand why she had reacted so sensitively.

It seemed like her own overreaction had caused them to take on difficult tasks.

It was too late to take back her words now.

However, since it was her own fault, she decided to take responsibility to some extent.

‘By the way, how did he confidently say he could prepare for the knight exam in two months? That look in his eyes

was definitely not from stubbornness or exaggeration. There was a clear belief that he could do it.’

Suddenly, someone from her past came to mind.

A clumsy and inexperienced man, but one whose eyes burned with passion and determination.

She had taken the time, even in her busy schedule, to mentor him, and his perseverance in following her teachings had left a lasting impression.

“Aaran…”

When she had heard the news of his death, Grace felt a piece of her heart break.

He had been such a good man.

She was deeply saddened to learn that he had succumbed to the demon’s corruption during his last expedition, to the

point that she even drank alcohol, something she had never liked.

Perhaps it was because of that.

Maybe that was why she had found herself drawn to Luke, who carried a similar aura.

“An imperfect break.”

What was meant to be a break, a chance to rest, had instead brought back painful memories.

Grace chuckled bitterly and pushed those thoughts aside, drawing her sword once more in her mind.

‘But.’

Her expectations for Luke remained.

How long had it been since she had smiled so widely?

Though it hadn’t been a perfect break, it was more enjoyable than any vacation she had ever had.

The conversation they had back then was still vivid in her memory.

How would he surprise her in two months’ time?

Grace honestly… wanted him to succeed in the bet and remain in the royal guard.

‘Wait. In that case, should I accept Luke and Elaine’s relationship?’

Since it was a condition of the bet, she probably should.

‘But wasn’t the bet about accepting Luke’s dedication to continue progressing if he passed the knight exam, not about

accepting his relationship with Elaine?’

The condition had been that if Luke passed the exam, she would acknowledge him as someone who would not

become complacent and would keep striving.

…But isn’t that a different matter?

‘Why am I even thinking about this?’

Such random thoughts had no shape and kept resurfacing, no matter how much she tried to ignore them.

Grace once again swung her sword in her mind and closed her eyes.

Well, if Luke passed the knight exam, there was no harm in it for her.

After all, it would mean the birth of a new, exceptional force, strengthening the northern military.

Moreover, she would personally be pleased to see a subordinate she liked growing stronger.

Yeah. No problem at all. Everything’s fine.