Chap 22

The water remained silent after they left.

Diana put on her dirty clothes again and returned to the group.

She needed to ask Noel if there was magic to clean clothes. Even after bathing, wearing dirty clothes felt uncomfortable.

"Huuhuuu. I missed everyone! I thought I was going to die!"

"Hahaha. As disgusting as ever, our young master."

"Young master, why did you enter such a dangerous forest? You trying to kill us all, huh?!"

"Hey, hey, the young master is about to cry."

The atmosphere shifted dramatically with one more person.

Gathered around the fire, the men were chatting loudly.

It seemed their spirits were high, thinking the mission was over, and they could return home.

The central figure of the mission was pouting and acting spoiled among the knights.

Was this his character? I remember the sub-male lead being serious and taciturn. My image of him just shattered.

Roderick, not mingling with the group, leaned against a tree, watching his brother with a skewed expression.

"Aren't you happy?"

"He's a headache."

His words were harsh, but his expression seemed lighter. Diana smiled, finding his look pleasant.

"You still care a lot about him."

"He's the future head of the family. Of course, I should."

Did his fist just make a sound? Is this what brotherhood is like?

"Are we heading north now?"

"Yes."

"I can go to the north too, right?"

"Yes."

She expected Roderick to refuse outright. Surprised by his ready consent, she thought Roderick was acting strangely. This was her chance to make a move.

"Roderick, I…"

"Future sister-in-law!"

Diana clammed up, turning her head as Felice cheerfully waved at her. Reluctantly, she sat next to him.

His features were striking, with a sharp nose and jawline befitting the sub-male lead.

If Roderick had dark hair with blue hues, Felice's was a clear sky blue.

The fire's shadows deepened his face, making it seem like it could swallow one whole.

If Roderick exuded masculinity, Felice boasted a soft, puppy-like charm.

Thinking about it, Felice was the younger, decadent character. It's hard to reconcile that with his current demeanor.

"Noel, why are you out here?"

"Haha, probably because it's too noisy."

Roderick's magnetic charm was undeniable. Unbeknownst to Diana, Noel had snuggled onto Felice's lap, sound asleep.

"Noel, I'm disappointed. Lying down on a stranger's lap?"

"Future sister-in-law. Future sister-in-law."

Felice's blue eyes, brighter than Roderick's, twinkled with light.

"Um, excuse me, Your Highness."

"Yes! Future sister-in-law!"

"When did I become Your Highness' sister-in-law?"

They were supposed to be the same age, but why did he seem so much younger? She almost wanted to pat his head.

If Roderick was like a sleek black panther, Felice resembled a wagging puppy. How could brothers be so different?

Felice tilted his head, his eyes corners drooping.

"Aren't you? You were always close to my brother."

That was a complicated situation. She was pretending to be in a relationship with his brother. With so many eyes on her, she couldn't confess the truth.

"Well, let's go along with it. Anyway, I have to propose to Roderick and become the sub-male lead's sister-in-law."

"Yes! You got it right."

"Right? Wow, to have such a beautiful woman as a wife, my brother must have been as picky as a beast. I thought you were a fairy."

Such a lively and cheerful youth would turn 180 degrees and become desolate.

His family's death must have been a huge shock, especially his brother's, changing his life.

Diana planned to prevent that fate. She would save herself and his brother, so no more dark paths for him.

"Oh, our young master speaks as prettily as he looks."

Roderick approached to silence Felice, his face crumpling.

"Our young master?"

As Roderick sat beside Diana, she found herself sandwiched between the brothers. She smiled even more brightly to hide her true feelings.

The knights couldn't help but admire her.

"Hehe, right. Future sister-in-law?"

"Of course. Young master, please speak well of me to your father."

"Ah, um, I'm too scared to do that."

Watching Diana converse easily with the two brothers, the knights were filled with awe.

"Don't be fooled by that face. Even if Felice is laughing and playing around, he's still a Schwartz."

Felice Schwartz.

In the North, he was known as the 'Mad Dog' who, despite his friendly face, once he bites, never lets go.

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