I’m Looking for the Male Lead for the Ending - Chapter 12

Chapter 7.1

Contrary to Heron’s statement that he was going to inspect the arena where the competition would take place, the caretaker informed me that he wasn’t there today. I couldn’t hide my disappointment, as I had hoped to meet him and give him some green grape tart in hopes of raising his favorability even a little.

Marie, who is quick-witted, suggested that I try to change my mood by trying the signature menu at the cafe at the square to lift my spirits.

Since I had been thinking about conquering him as soon as possible and reaching the ending, I had considered just returning to the mansion with a heavy heart, but I reluctantly nodded my head in the end at her anxious face as she tried to make me feel better.

“Young Lady, you can see the fountain over there! We should be arriving at the cafe soon.”

“….”

“As expected, should we have crème brûlée at the square cafe? It’s their signature dish!”

“Yeah, I guess so…”

I was about to nod my head nonchalantly when, in an instant, I was startled by a familiar silhouette visible outside the carriage window, and I instinctively hunched down under the window. My sudden reaction seemed to startle Marie, and her voice rose in embarrassment as she spoke.

“Young, Young Lady?”

‘…Why is that man here?’

I was taken aback by the sight of the man I had never expected to encounter in a place like this, as I peeked out the window while my eyes darted towards him.

Marie, noticing my odd behavior, asked.

“Who are you looking for?”

“Oh, it’s nothing. I must have been mistaken.”

I shook my head in response to her question.

It couldn’t be him. In the first place, brown hair and green eyes weren’t exactly rare in this country. Just within our mansion, there were at least three people with such features.

I bit my lip, trying to deny the face of the man who could capture people’s attention with just a casual stroll down the street.

‘Yes, no matter how I think about it, I must have seen it wrong. Honestly, the episode where he appears hasn’t even started yet, hasn’t it?’

Marie, who had been tilting her head at the sight of me trying to control my bubbling anxiety, smiled broadly.

“Oh, Young Lady. It looks like we’ve arrived!”

I smiled at her as I smelled the delicious buttery smell that permeated even inside the carriage.

“I see. Let’s go and eat quickly, Marie.”

“Yes, Young Lady!”

˚ ･: * ✧ * :･ ˚

[〈SYSTEM〉

Gold has been spent.

Ardi’s current balance: seven gold ]

“This is really delicious, Young Lady! You should try it right away!”

While checking the dwindling gold balance, I raised my head at Marie’s voice before I picked up a small teaspoon and replied with a chuckling voice.

“Yes, you’re right. It looks very delicious.”

A sweet yet slightly bitter taste of smooth custard cream and caramelized sugar lingered in my mouth. It was only after she saw that I had taken a bite that Marie picked up her spoon again.

It was a sweetness that made my teeth ache, but her eyes sparkled like stars.

At the sight, I momentarily set down the spoon and turned my gaze outside to the terrace while sipping my tea, taking in the panoramic view of the square. While I watched the passersby, the face of the man I had encountered a little while ago came to mind. As the chilly breeze brushed against my face and fluttered my fair hair, my bewildered mind seemed to finally regain its function.

‘Now that I’ve unlocked Heron’s route, all the sequences I memorized while progressing through previous episodes are utterly useless.’

Furthermore, despite the fact that I had even heard that supplies had arrived from the ducal domain of Efren while eating the green grape tart that Marie had given me, I was surprised to see him in the square even though I knew that.

With a shallow sigh, I placed the emptied teacup neatly on the table and noticed a familiar face passing through the square.

“Bro, brother?”

“Yes?”

Marie, who had been quietly eating her crème brûlée, turned her head in surprise at my words towards the terrace. I looked across the square and confirmed the man walking away through the square before speaking to her.

“It’s brother, Marie.”

“Young Master?”

“Yes, I’m certain. There’s no doubt that the man with the silver hair in the attire of the knights of Aidelis is my brother.”

Saying so, I quickly got up from my seat while checking the alley where Heron had disappeared. Marie, who had been holding the crème brûlée and had been alternating her gaze between it and me, hurriedly followed behind me.

“Are we going after him?”

“Yeah!”

I wasn’t chasing him with the goal of just delivering tarts and earning his favorability. It was because of the system window that appeared before my eyes after I spotted him.

[〈SYSTEM〉MISSION!

While enjoying tea time at the cafe, you coincidentally spotted Heron Aidelis, who should be at the arena. Would you like to follow him and see what was going on?

[ YES / NO ]

*Accepting will increase your understanding of Heron Aidelis. ]

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