It seems there is a chance for VictorxChloe, guys~ enjoy the chapter!

TL: clover

ED: clover

"This is the first time I"ve been to the castle. As you already know, Lily, I usually just go to the orphanage……so the opportunity to meet him is……"

"You certainly don"t have the opportunity to do that."

I was convinced.

Chloe furrowed her eyebrows and said with a bitter expression.

"I thought that he was waiting for someone else and I was about to pa.s.s him by, but he began to talk to me for some reason. I had no idea what to do."

Even though she was already nervous for her society debut, the Second Prince addressed her suddenly, what a bad luck.

If it were my previous self, I would have rejected him arrogantly as a matter of course, but now I already knew that it would be a foolish act to do, and the obedient Chloe wouldn"t be able to do it. To start with, that idea is also not doable.

If it were my current self……so that it wouldn"t create bitter feelings between us, I think I would take a pa.s.sive method by saying that I am ill at an appropriate time and return back to the mansion.

I couldn"t be rude to the Second Prince, as my father"s reputation would also be affected. If I think about it, I wouldn"t be able to do anything.

"……it must be hard on you."

When I said so from the bottom of my heart, Chloe also nodded with a serious expression.

"Seriously. I didn"t feel like living anymore. So I was really happy to see you here, Lily."

She held my hands and smiled with all her heart.

I"m glad that I can become Chloe"s strength. As I think so, I also squeeze her hands back.

While we were talking together, Al, who was talking to Prince Wilfred, turned towards me and said.

"I still have more to say to my little brother, so you should greet Victor in the meantime. He also seems to be alone right now."

When I followed Al"s gaze, there was certainly my eldest brother nearby. There was no one on his side. My eldest brother seemed to be aware of my gaze, and when his eyes met mine, he smiled, though only for a short time.

I returned my line of sight towards Al. He glanced at Chloe and appealed to me implicitly that "You should take her along too."

I realized that it was a considerate gesture so that Chloe could distance herself from Prince Wilfred, even if just for a short time.

"Yes……that"s right. I"ll do that. Chloe, you should come along too. It is boring to be by yourself, right?"

"Eh, but……is that okay? I, I"m not acquainted with your brother."

She doesn"t want to be alone here. But she also can"t accompany me.

It was written on Chloe"s face in a very easy-to-understand manner. And then, I said with a smile.

"It"s fine. Victor-niisama knows that you are my friend. If I don"t introduce you to him, I will be scolded by him later."

"I, I see……alright then."

Hearing my words, Chloe nodded nervously.

Al smiled and said "Go on" but, as if it was the norm, Prince Wilfred said with a disagreeable face.

"I think Miss Liz can do whatever she likes as she"s Brother"s fiancée……but, Miss Chloe. Is your partner for today not me?"

"T-that"s……"

What an unpleasant way of speaking.

Seeing Chloe who couldn"t reply, Prince Wilfred was about to press her even more. But then Al reproached him.

"Will, how deplorable. You"re not qualified to blame Miss Carlisle, when you took the role of her escort by force. Lily, you should take her with you as well."

"Ah! Brother!"

"You"re going to study more about escorting a woman. You are forbidden to do anything else today. You"re disqualified as my brother. No matter how good your manners were, this kind of thing is unacceptable."

Al pointed out coldly and Prince Wilfred fell silent. Al turned his line of sight towards me as if telling me to go as soon as possible. I nodded and took hold of Chloe"s hand.

"Let"s go."

I took her along and headed towards my eldest brother.

Chloe, who was pulled by me in that manner, couldn"t hide her confusion.

"H-hey. Can I really come along?"

"Of course. Or, Chloe, did you want to stay there as is?"

"Well, no……but, to disregard His Highness Wilfred"s intentions, somehow……"

"Al said it"s fine. So everything will be alright."

It would be just for a short while, but this gave me a chance to pull her away from Prince Wilfred. I wanted to calm her down even just a little for now.

Thinking so, I comforted Chloe, then she looked at me with envy in her eyes.

"……thank you. That was my first time seeing both of you side by side, but you and His Highness Alan look great together, Lily. How nice. Even in that previous exchange just now, I could tell that His Highness Alan was thinking about you."

"Where did that come from?"

Why did she say that?

When I tilted my head in confusion, Chloe said.

"His Highness Alan took care of me because I"m your friend, right? He helped me even though he could have left me as is. I"m sure he wanted to show his good side to you, Lily. How nice, Lily. You"re really loved by His Highness Alan. It"s wonderful."

"E-eeh!?"

I didn"t think it would be said that way.

While feeling dumbfounded, I said to Chloe.

"Um, that"s……Al is……a very kind person, so……it wasn"t that special……"

Al is kind to everyone. I thought so and denied it, but Chloe was laughing.

"Well. That"s true, but I think there is a part of him that moves for you, Lily. After all His Highness only has his eyes on you from beginning to end. Fufu, Lily, you got engaged with a nice person. Honestly, today was a little bit difficult for me, but I"m glad that I was able to make sure that you have made a happy engagement."

"……thank you."

I"m glad that my friend praised my precious person. It warms my heart.

When I said my thanks to Chloe, she said.

"What are you saying? It is me who was helped by the two of you. I should be the one saying that. Thank you, Lily."

And then, she gave me a very cute smile.