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nThen Noel looked between the chessboard and Hugh alternately and smiled leisurely.

nBecause the ‘perfect gentleman’ would never be obsessed with winning.

n“Yes, of course you win. It was me who threw the game in the middle.”

nHe did not forget to bow to Hugh and politely ask for forgiveness.

n“I’m sorry I had to go all of a sudden. Next time I’ll invite you to the Duchy.”

n“Re, really?”

n“Sure.”

nNoel fixed Hugh’s slightly crooked ribbon and tied it.

n“We are friends.”

nHugh looked at him with a moved eye, Noel nodded his head slightly and hurried home.

nOn the way back to the Duke’s house in the carriage, various thoughts filled his head.

nI knew that Rieta wrote to sister every day. I knew it . . .!

nHe never dreamed that the content would be a compliment to Noel.

nNo, in a way, it’s natural.

nNoel has been very concerned about Rieta.

nAlthough there were times when the results were not good . . .

nIn any case, it was just an action out of the hope that Rieta would get along well as a member of the Duke’s family.

nOur pretty Princess knows all that!

nNoel was so happy that he rolled his feet.

nIt feels so good to hear compliments!

nPerfect gentleman.

nHe pondered on the wonderful title the Princess had given him.

nEven thinking about it again, his heart was pounding and he was happy.

nIf I act like a nicer and better gentleman . . .

nRieta will be more than happy.

nSo when the day comes when Rieta looks at him the best, he might be able to tell the truth about the puzzle.

nNoel clenched his fists.

nAfter all, I have to become a perfect gentleman like the one in the textbook!

nJust when he decided to do so, the carriage arrived in front of the duke’s house.

nAnd the moment he looked out the window, Noel was so shocked that he thought his heart would stop.

nRieta was standing on the porch.

nShe may not have been waiting for Noel, still, it was strange and good that the time had come at the right time.

nWhat was he supposed to tell Rieta first?

nI heard everything! I heard you were praising me!

nWell, that sounds a little too frivolous.

nA gentleman is a title that is not taken lightly.

nI’m back. What were you doing here?

nIt’s nice to sound friendly, but the perfect gentleman would be polite to a foreign Princess.

nNo matter how young the Princess was.

nFinally, the carriage stopped.

nThe butler opened the door, and he checked his clothing one last time.

nAs he got out of the carriage, Rieta came right up and handed him her greetings.

n“Noel, you’re back?”

nNoel looked like he was about to burst out laughing.

nStrangely enough, Rieta looked cute too.

nNo, he needed to calm down.

nHe managed to make up his mind and lowered his upper body deeply, as he had been taught by the etiquette teacher for a long time.

n“I’m back. Princess.”

nLet’s say a polite greeting and make eye contact.

nRieta was looking at him with wide eyes.

nHumph, she was moved by the appearance of a perfect gentleman.

nHe was really proud of his wonderful body like a member of the Duke family.

n“. . . Noel?”

n“Yes, Princess.”

n“This . . . what happened?”

n“Nothing great happened. All I did was visit County McLean.”

n“Ah, yes. I heard about it. By the way, did anything happen there?”

nAt Rieta’s question, he stopped himself from almost answering, ‘I heard everything! Did the Princess compliment me?’

nBut he quickly captured his heart again.

nJust a mere ‘gentleman’ can brag a little, but the ‘perfect gentleman’ is different.

nHe’s already perfect just by existing, so he wouldn’t dare say anything to brag about.

nNoel quickly put on a humble expression.

n“I was just playing chess.”

n“Aha.”

nRieta smiled as she held her hands together slightly as if she understood now.

n“Did Noel win by a landslide? Is that why you feel better?”

n“No, I lost the chess game, Princess.”

n“You lost?”

nRieta’s voice trembled slightly.

nShe was perplexed because she couldn’t grasp Noel’s attitude.

nBecause Noel hates losing to Hugh McLean.

n“Yes, I have come to admit my defeat. Princess.”

nNoel even laughed leisurely, saying, “I must have lacked the skills.”

n“. . .?!”

nRieta couldn’t say anything more.

nTo be exact, she was afraid of what Noel would say so she couldn’t say it.

n“Then would you like to come in? The sun is hot.”

nIt seemed like it would be better.

nIf she talked more with Noel here, Rieta thought it would get weird.

n“Yes. Then I will walk you to the front of the room.”

nYou will?!

nRieta thought so, but it was after Noel reached out his arm.

nAs a Princess, it was impossible for her to turn down the favor of the Imperial nobles.

n“Th, thank you . . .”

nSo Rieta carefully grabbed Noel’s arm.

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