Hale watched Letitia’s expression, slightly surprised.

He double-checked his memory—they’d never met.

Yet her reaction didn’t seem like a lie.

Considering the plot point where he’d likely be stabbed by Letitia after getting intimate…

He couldn’t help but suspect she, like her sister Lorin, was a hidden yandere.

At this game timeline, they theoretically shouldn’t know each other.

With his life on the line, staying cautious felt perfectly reasonable.

Even if Letitia wasn’t lying or just trying to chat him up—she was still a heroine. Getting close meant trouble.

Life first. Though Hale had kinda liked Letitia’s “little rich girl” vibe back when playing, he could only say:

“After thinking it over, Duchess Letitia… you might have mistaken me. I’ve never met you before.”

“But…”

*There’s no way I’m wrong.*

The rose-colored girl assured herself inwardly. Many had passed through her life—but only five remained etched in memory:

Her mother, who died in poverty.

The servant who risked everything to return her to House Childe.

Her father—bedridden upon their first meeting, yet roaring like a lion to clear her path before passing.

The old butler now managing House Childe’s affairs, shielding her from pesky relatives.

And the quiet boy in the garden depths, radiating maturity far beyond his years.

Letitia wouldn’t mistake him. Few were worth remembering.

*Was I… rejected?*

She recalled the butler’s casual remark days ago: *“You seem to pay special attention to House Faxius’s second son.”*

Blushing, she’d denied it. He’d simply added, “Rumors in the Curia say he has a fiancée.”

Lightning struck her heart. Hale and Siman had been close since childhood. Before his reputation crumbled, engagement rumors swirled.

Cousin marriages weren’t rare among nobles—but now Siman and Hale were at each other’s throats.

So she’d murmured, “But Miss Siman of House Von Braun doesn’t seem to like Hale…”

The butler replied calmly, “They say she’s a very beautiful woman from the East.”

“Huh?”

Letitia struggled to believe it. An Eastern fiancée?

In Saint Louis, Easterners were poorly regarded.

To Western Continent nations, the East symbolized ancient barbarism—with Xia Kingdom as its leader.

Their laws mirrored the era when the Demon God ruled the West. A century ago, after stabilizing the Demon Lord threat, the Church even formed a coalition under “liberate the Eastern Continent.”

It ended poorly: Western forces gained little, ambushed from behind by Demon Lords of the Western and Southern Demon Lord Realms.

Besides—how *could* an Eastern woman rival Western beauty?

Cosmetics and gowns here evolved for centuries. Saint Louis set global fashion trends; every noble lady had a personal designer.

At the year-end Demon-Slaying Holy Festival, dazzling gowns shimmered like constellations.

Every girl shone like a new star.

Eastern women? Considered rustic.

Saint Louis elites agreed.

Though Letitia dismissed such bias, she still wondered… *Is Hale’s mysterious fiancée… less beautiful than me?*

Hale noticed her expression growing sorrowful.

Before he could speak—a *whoosh!*

Instinctively, he drew his waist sword.

Clash. Gone in a flash.

“Hmph. Didn’t expect House Faxius’s young master to have skill.”

A long-legged beauty in black emerged from shadows. Veiled, face unreadable—but Hale knew.

This was Moyel, vice-captain of the knights secretly guarding Letitia.

Like Maria, a secondary heroine. Since Letitia’s skills leaned support (low DPS as main attacker), players usually recruited a main DPS early—Moyel being the go-to early-game pick in her route.

Starting at Lv.65, groomed to lead the female knights. Max level 89 without special items—nearly heroine-tier.

Veteran verdict: *“Must-train early in Letitia’s route. In other routes, if you lack DPS after recruiting her, consider training Moyel.”*

“Vice-Captain Moyel flatters me.”

“?”

Moyel’s blood ran cold. *Only House Childe’s inner circle knows my name.*

An orphan raised solely to protect the rose princess. A shadow sword needs no name.

*Is there a mole? How does this rogue know?*

She stayed silent. Asking might alert the traitor.

“Moyel, you didn’t need to step in,” Letitia said, raising her petite hand.

“But milady—he upset you…”

Moyel tolerated no slight against Letitia. Not Hale. Not even Saint Louis’s most praised gentleman.

Whoever made House Childe’s little princess cry deserved death.

House Childe’s wealth came through ruthless tactics. The late master’s final decree: *“Whoever makes Letitia shed a tear must be buried the next moment.”*

Poignantly, he’d waited on his deathbed until Letitia returned from tutoring. Seeing her tears for him—the first and last—he peacefully passed.

Hale puzzled it out but truly recalled no meeting. *And that book… does this character really read that much?*

“Alright. I understand.”

Before he spoke, the rose-colored girl bit her lip, whispered softly.

Hale stayed silent.

Letitia clenched her tiny fists as if steeling herself. “I’ll take my leave today. We’ll meet again.”

After escorting her away, Moyel turned back.

Veiled in black—but Hale read her eyes clearly: *“Keep your distance from my lady.”*

He agreed.

Truly—he wanted to live a few more days.

He stepped through the gate ahead, engraved with a black cross emblem.

Inside lay the headquarters of the Black Knights Order.