Including a fork with the cake box may be a small effort on the seller's part, but for the buyer, it's a considerate gesture that brings peace of mind. During the expo, I remember how including forks, knives, and napkins was met with an explosive response.

Then again, if the sellers were of royal lineage, they could probably sell garbage and still get a huge response.

“It was delicious. Too good to eat all at once.”

Sera smiled as she delicately cut small pieces of the cake with her fork.

There’s nothing too precious about it. Making cakes is something I do regularly as part of the pastry club. If Sera enjoys it, I can make as many as she likes.

“I’ll keep making them for you as long as I’m here.”

“Hehe, really? That sounds lovely, but if I gain weight, that could be a problem.”

Still smiling, Sera gently pushed the cake to the side.

I could only offer a wry smile at that sight. Sera has always had a small appetite. It’s likely the toll her illness took on her that prevents her from eating much.

Even now, she barely took a few bites before setting the fork down, and when I promised to keep making them, she just smiled and avoided a direct answer.

It’s clear that there are lingering effects from her illness.

I bit my lip slightly. I thought she was doing much better compared to before, but there are still traces left by her long struggle with illness.

It’s unrealistic to expect no scars from a sickness that plagued her for most of her life. Still, being able to sit up in bed and hold a conversation comfortably is a step forward.

“I’m okay, Sir Knight. You don’t want to fatten up a lady, do you?”

Sera playfully took my hand, seeming to read my thoughts.

There’s something about Sera; she’s always been able to see right through me, almost as if she had magic powers to read minds.

And it’s embarrassing. She’s the one who should be receiving comfort, not me. It’s unbecoming to be comforted by a friend who’s been through so much pain. The name of Krasius would weep.

“You could use a little more weight.”

I forced a smile and said it, to which Sera’s eyes widened in mock horror.

“Is that your preference, Erich? Are you planning to fatten me up and devour me?”

Seeing her clutch her chest and shrink back dramatically made me laugh. So now I’m a cannibal?

“Guess I’ve been found out. I was planning on tripling your weight.”

“Turns out you’re no knight but a wicked demon.”

With that, both Sera and I burst into laughter.

The bitterness I felt earlier seemed to have faded, even if just a little.

---

Sera’s life has been defined by hardship.

She’s spent her entire life confined to the mansion. The only way she learns about the world outside is through others. But as a noble, she can’t open up to the servants in the mansion. From a young age, Sera has lived in conditions that isolated her from the world.

So when I visit, she clings to me, reluctant to let me go. Aside from her family, I’m the only person she can talk to freely.

“I heard the Academy is bigger than most cities. Is that true?”

“It’s not bigger than a city, but a city grew around the Academy.”

“Oh, I see.”

Of course, I don’t mind. I’m not the kind of person who’d ignore a friend’s loneliness, and honestly, talking with Sera brings me peace as well.

Besides, whenever I visit her, I come prepared to spend a while.

“The Academy itself is quite large, though. It’s the Empire’s top educational institution.”

Sera nodded eagerly at that.

It must be fascinating for her. She’s always been interested in the Academy since she was young. For Sera, who loves learning new things, the Academy must seem like a utopia.

It’s just unfortunate that a place nobles take for granted is a distant dream for her. It was a dream for my brother too, though for different reasons.

“Oh, right. I heard the new students are quite unique.”

Her words, blurted out abruptly, made me pause.

I hesitated as I thought about which of the “unique” students she could mean. It was obvious she meant them, though they’re around so often I sometimes forget their status.

“Unique, yes. There’s a foreign prince, and even a future saint. We may never see such students again.”

“That’s amazing. I’d heard there were foreign students, but even royalty?”

“They’re just reckless idiots.”

My response, spoken on impulse without much thought, made Sera blink in surprise.

Oops, I probably should have been more careful with my words. It wouldn’t do to startle her.

“We’re close. They’re in my club.”

It sounded like an excuse, but it was the truth. Spending time with them in the same club has made them seem less like dignitaries and more like people who make you wonder how they ended up so high up in the first place.

“So Erich has a royal friend now?”

“If you can call it that, yes.”

“Amazing, Sir Knight. How impressive.”

The “Sir Knight” comments keep coming, and I feel dizzy. Her teasing smile and little applause are enough to confirm she’s having fun with this.

I resent my younger self for saying those words that have now become a lifetime source of embarrassment. But honestly, could a nine-year-old really have known better?

“Then, if they’re your friends—I’d like to meet them.”

Sera twirled a strand of her hair around her finger as she said that, and the faces of my three foreign friends back home flashed through my mind.

They’re not particularly arrogant, so it wouldn’t be a problem for them to meet Sera, but there’s no way to arrange it now. It’s ridiculous; when they could’ve stayed in the Empire, they left, and now, when Sera wants to meet them, they’re across the border. Utterly useless.

“Maybe next summer break, if there’s an opportunity, I’ll bring them over. They’re interesting people; you’ll enjoy meeting them.”

I quickly came up with a response. Since they’ve already returned to their homeland, I’ll have to aim for next year.

“No need. The servants would be shocked if such distinguished guests suddenly showed up.”

Her grounded response made me feel a bit ashamed.

I must’ve been crazy. Spending so much time with them has clouded my judgment. I almost brought an unnecessary burden to Sera, who needs rest.

“You’ll see them in person soon anyway.”

...?

My mind stopped for a moment. “In person”? What does she mean by that?

“I’m going to enroll at the Academy.”

...What?

“The Academy?”

“Yes.”

Her cheerful reply left me speechless. Enrolling in the Academy all of a sudden? That’s more than just a short trip. Is her condition really that improved?

“The nanny wouldn’t send her without careful thought.”

For a moment, I considered trying to dissuade her, but the nanny cherishes Sera dearly. There’s no way she wouldn’t share my concerns, and if there was any danger, she’d have stopped this long ago.

Still, is it really safe? What if the stress of living in an unfamiliar place makes her condition worsen?

“I’ll be enrolling as a second-year. I’m sad to have missed out on my first year, but—”

Seeing my distress, Sera gently took my hand, smiling as if to reassure me.

“If I’m your junior, then we won’t have to be apart. I don’t want to be away from you, Erich.”

“Then I could just visit you every day on break...”

“No. I want to create memories with you, Erich.”

Right now, I almost feel annoyed with Sera. Why is she so resolute in moments like this?

“Don’t worry. Both the mage and priest said it would be fine. I’m not fully cured yet, but... they say I can do most things now.”

She cunningly brought up the professionals’ opinions, leaving me with no grounds to argue.

“And with you as my knight, what do I have to worry about?”

“Probably the last person you should trust.”

A chuckle slipped out despite myself. She blocked all objections with solid reasoning, yet left her conclusion oddly flimsy.

I am not as strong or steadfast as she seems to believe. It’s so overwhelming to have her trust me like this that it’s almost embarrassing.

“Why? Are you serving another lady?”

Hearing the hint of disappointment in her voice, I quickly shook my head. There was a time it almost happened, but not now. Embarrassingly, I’m currently a wandering knight with no one to serve.

Well, it’d be ridiculous for me to oppose this alone. After all, Sera, who’s lived in isolation, is finally going to see the world, and as her friend, I should celebrate her achievement, not stand in her way.

So, I held out my hand. If Sera wants a knight, this is a role I can play for her.

“My lady, be careful in choosing your knight; a poor choice may lead to a lifetime of regret.”

“Hehe, that doesn’t apply to me.”

Sometimes, it feels like she believes in me more than I do.

---

After Erich left, I stared at my right hand for a long time.

“Then, my lady, I swear to protect you with everything I have for the next two years.”

Erich, who kissed the back of my hand like a knight straight out of a fairy tale. If I’d allowed myself to relax, I

 might have squealed in joy.

“I’ll be Sera’s knight! If an angel comes to take her, I’ll chase it away!”

And then, I remembered the words Erich said to me eight years ago when I was at my worst. The image of young Erich kissing the back of my hand overlapped with the boy he had been.

It was childish talk, of course. But those childish words gave me the strength to keep going. Erich never regretted saying them, though as he grew older, he felt embarrassed by his innocent, heartfelt words.

“I’d let him protect me for a lifetime.”

I muttered absentmindedly, stroking the back of my hand.

What’s with this two-year limitation? Would it hurt to protect me for a lifetime? After all, the Krasius family line will pass to my brother Carl, so Erich could focus solely on me.

“Idiot.”

But I’m glad. That foolishness is just part of who Erich is.

...I’m relieved.

If Erich had someone in his heart, I might have fallen ill again.

He’s my knight, my lifelong companion. I’ve endured so much for that alone. If some other lady had taken him while I was bedridden, it would have been unbearable.

“Enen must be watching over me.”

Though Enen gave me my illness, in exchange, he gave me the most precious bond.

“There’s not much time left.”

I steadied my excited heart and counted the days. Just two months. In two months, I’ll start my life at the Academy.

Since Erich’s in the pastry club, I’ll join too. Even if we end up in different classes, the club will bring us together often.

We’ll go to school together, spend more time together, and grow closer...

Hehe...

I’m happy. These will surely be the best two years of my life.