An hour later, after the last bites of the meal had been devoured and the conversations had wound down, Leo led us down the long, dimly lit corridors of the manor. Her footsteps were steady and measured, the soft swish of her tail occasionally brushing against the floor as we walked in relative silence. The warmth of the meal had settled in, and I felt both full and strangely relaxed, but my mind was still buzzing from everything I’d learned.

“So, how was the meal?” Leo asked, her voice breaking the quiet as she glanced back at us over her shoulder. There was an edge of teasing in her tone, but it was softer than earlier.

Zia smiled, clearly in a good mood after the dinner. “It was delicious,” she said, her voice warm and content. “I don’t think I’ve had a meal like that in a while. Master Yohei’s chef really knows his craft.”

“Yeah, definitely,” I added quickly, still full from everything they’d laid out. “The food was incredible.”

Leo made a noise that sounded almost like a snicker. “I’m glad you liked it. Though, I’m sure you’re too busy gawking at everything to really appreciate it, right?”

I shot her a look. “Hey, I was just taking it all in,” I said, feeling a little defensive. “It’s not every day you find yourself in a manor like this.”

Leo just shrugged with a smirk, her amber eyes gleaming. “Sure, sure. Whatever you say, lost boy.”

I wasn’t sure if I should be offended or amused, but I chose to ignore her for now. Zia chuckled softly at the exchange, her eyes twinkling with mirth.

“I think Leo’s just jealous that you liked the food more than her company,” Zia teased, her smile playful.

Leo rolled her eyes, but the small flush of color on her cheeks betrayed her. “Don’t get too comfortable, Zia,” she muttered, “or I’ll make sure you regret it.”

Zia only laughed, clearly unbothered by the playful jabs. “I think I’ll take my chances,” she said lightly.

Leo didn’t respond, but she turned her attention to the doors at the end of the hall. “You’re almost there,” she said, gesturing toward two rooms on opposite sides of the hall. “Zia, your room is on the right, with the balcony. You’ll have a good view of the gardens.”

Zia’s eyes lit up. “A balcony!” she exclaimed. “I’ve always loved balconies. There’s something so peaceful about sitting out and looking over the grounds.”

“Yeah, I’ve always wanted a balcony,” I said, unable to stop myself from joining in. I was definitely more used to cramped city apartments back home—this manor was like nothing I’d ever seen before.

Leo glanced at me with a sly smile. “Sorry, no balcony for you, Souta. You’ll be lucky if your room has a window that doesn’t face the wall.”

I shot Leo an exaggerated glare, feeling a bit embarrassed at the teasing. “Great, I get the fancy room without the view,” I muttered under my breath.

Zia, however, seemed to sense my discomfort and quickly came to my defense. “Well, if you ever feel like looking out over the garden,” she said, her voice soft, “you can always come to my room and use my balcony. I’ll give you permission, of course.”

The offer caught me off guard. “I can’t just walk into a princess’s room,” I stammered, suddenly realizing just how kind Zia was being, offering such a thing so casually.

Zia smiled gently, her eyes sincere. “I don’t mind,” she said, her tone almost shy now. “If you ever want to take a break or get some fresh air, you’re welcome to come up. Just knock first, okay?”

I nodded quickly, feeling my cheeks warm. “I won’t… I won’t just barge in,” I said, still processing how thoughtful she was.

Leo seemed to sense the shift in the air and shook her head with an exaggerated sigh. “You two are a real pair of softies, aren’t you? Fine, I’ll leave you to your rooms. Remember, though, the doors don’t open on their own.”

With a final smirk, Leo turned on her heel and started to head down the hall, no doubt eager to return to her own duties. I watched her go for a moment before turning to Zia, still feeling a little awkward about everything.

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As Zia and I stood outside our rooms, the quiet of the manor wrapped around us. After the laughter and conversation of dinner, everything felt oddly still. The weight of the day hung in the air, but Zia, sensing my lingering unease, broke the silence.

“So, Souta,” she began gently, “what do you remember from your life before all this?”

I paused, feeling the lump in my throat tighten. The truth was, there wasn’t much to remember. My past had been nothing extraordinary, just ordinary life, but I didn’t feel like talking about it now. “Nothing worth thinking about,” I replied, trying to sound casual.

She seemed to understand immediately, her gaze softening. “I see,” she murmured, her voice gentle. “You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to.”

I gave her a small, grateful smile. “I’m just excited to be here,” I said, trying to push past the heaviness of my past. “Feels like I’ve got a new chance at life.”

Her smile widened at my words, and I could see a flicker of something in her eyes, something wistful. “I wish I could say the same,” she replied, her voice quieter now. “I’m glad for you, Souta. Really.”

I looked at her curiously. “Why? You’re a princess. You have everything.”

Zia’s expression faltered slightly, and she lowered her eyes, her voice dropping even more. “It’s a secret, so keep it to yourself, okay?” she said, glancing back up at me with a serious, almost vulnerable look.

I nodded quickly, intrigued but respecting her privacy. “Of course,” I said, not wanting to press her.

Zia took a deep breath, her smile returning, though it seemed strained. “I’m getting married soon,” she said softly, the words coming out more like a confession than a statement.

My heart dropped in my chest. I didn’t say anything, but the news hit harder than I expected. I forced a smile, trying to act happy for her. “That’s… great,” I said, though my voice felt hollow. “I’m sure whoever he is, he’s a lucky man.”

Zia hesitated for a moment, then nodded slowly. “He is a great man, someone I respect. But... it feels like I’m being rushed into it for the Kingdom’s sake. My father insists on it, and I’m expected to fulfill my duty.” She sighed softly. “I’ve always wanted to explore, to see the world more. I’ve always dreamed of adventures, but my father is very strict. This was the last trip I was allowed to take by myself before I get married.”

I couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy for her. Here she was, a princess, with so much responsibility on her shoulders, and yet she longed for the freedom I had. I wanted to cheer her up, to help ease the burden she carried. “At least you’re marrying someone you respect, right?” I said, my voice coming out a little more strained than I intended. “And, you can see these next couple of days as a vacation, right? An adventure before the real duty begins.”

Zia’s smile softened, her eyes brightening a little at my words. “You’re right,” she agreed, her tone lighter. “I’ll have to make the most of it. Thank you, Souta. I really appreciate that.”

I smiled at her, feeling a little relieved to see her so much happier. Then, she added, “You’re a true gentleman, Souta. Any woman would be lucky to have you.”

I felt my face flush at the compliment. “Th-thank you,” I stammered, not knowing what to say. My heart skipped a beat, but I tried not to let it show.

Zia stood, smoothing her dress down, clearly ready to end our conversation for the night. “I’m going to get changed,” she said, a teasing glint in her eye. “I can’t spend any more time in these sweaty clothes, being a lady and all.”

“Of course,” I replied, feeling a little awkward as she turned toward her room. “Goodnight, Zia.”

“Goodnight, Souta,” she said, her voice warm. “Don’t make yourself a stranger, okay? You’re a future Arknight after all.”

Her words left me a little stunned as she closed the door behind her. I stood there for a moment, my chest tight, trying to collect my thoughts. She was kind, funny, and beautiful in a way I couldn’t quite explain. My heart fluttered in my chest, but I pushed the feeling aside. I couldn’t let myself get too caught up in it.

But then, as I stood there alone in the hall, a sudden chill ran down my spine, an eerie, unsettling feeling that had nothing to do with the cool air of the manor. It was as if something had shifted, like the weight of the world had gotten heavier. I shook it off, dismissing it as nothing more than my nerves.

With a final deep breath, I turned toward my room, stepping inside and closing the door behind me. The feeling lingered, but I ignored it as I began to unpack my thoughts for the night. Something told me the next few days were going to be far from ordinary.

I glanced around my room, taking in the simple yet comfortable aesthetic. The soft golden light spilling through the window gave the space a warm, inviting feel. It wasn’t extravagant, but it was more than I had ever expected to have in a place like this. There was a large bed in the center, a wooden desk covered with a few books and papers, and a wardrobe beside the wall. Everything was in its place, neat and tidy.

The eerie feeling that had been following me all day still lingered in the air. I couldn't shake it, but I pushed it aside as best as I could. I wasn’t going to let it get to me. I pulled off my shirt, tossing it onto the chair and slipping into my vest and pants. I caught my reflection in the mirror briefly, trying to ignore the fact that I still felt... out of place. After all, here I was in a foreign world with a mission I didn’t fully understand. But that didn’t matter—I was going to get strong. I was the main character, right?

I was going to become an Arknight. I was going to prove that I was worthy of Zia’s attention, worthy of her love. She seemed like someone who respected her fiancé, but not necessarily loved him, and that was where I came in. I was chosen by The Origin—God, or whatever the being was. If she didn’t love me yet, well, maybe she would. Or maybe she already did. After all, I was going to be strong, and strong men in nearly all Isekai's could do anything.