I changed the name Roberto Vincere to Roberto Vinkel

After the first match, the student council hosted a simple buffet party that served as a social gathering exchange. Only representatives from each school, teachers, and student council members were allowed to participate. The students who had come to watch the game returned to their dormitories for lunch.

So as not to draw attention to herself, Monica stood in a corner of the hall scanning her surroundings. She saw Barney chatting and eating with fellow Minerva students. Though he showed no signs of trying to approach Monica, she could not afford to let her guard down. It was better to keep as much distance as possible.

While Monica had these thoughts in mind, Elliot and Benjamin approached her with plates of a light meal.

"I've seen your game record, Miss Norton."

He sounded somewhat regretful.

After all, Monica was the only one who won the match against the House, while Elliot and Benjamin lost. I hope I didn't make things uncomfortable because I was the only one who won… as Monica thought while freaked out, Elliot looked into Monica's face at extremely close range and pressed his index finger between her forehead.

"Oh, looks like you've been holding back pretty much in the practice match we've done before."

"N-Noooo, not at all, absolutely not!"

"Really, anyone who looked at this game record would think this match was like practicing a handicap game. What kind of match was that… Using new moves that defy traditional strategies, and in the last moment, you managed to achieve a complete reversal, I think this game has already gone into the history books of the chess world."

"I-I don't think that would be…"

As she desperately tried to find an excuse while having her forehead pressed down, Benjamin gently reminded Elliot, "Don't be too hard on your junior," then continued with,

"A concerto can only be created when both performers are on par with each other, and only then can a beautiful composition be created. In this match, her opponent was extremely strong. That's why Miss Norton was able to show off her abilities to the fullest… In other words, the fact that she hasn't been able to show off her true abilities until now is due to our inability. Don't be too hard on yourself… Oh, if it were possible, I would have liked to see the moment this beautiful music was born with my own eyes, not on the board! I wish I could have seen it! Oh, God! Why was I chosen as a representative! I wish I could have been a spectator."

Although Benjamin's words were an exaggeration, he was spot on. Her opponent, Roberto Winkel, was the strongest opponent Monica had ever faced, which allowed her to explore new moves.

It was a fun match, Monica thought absentmindedly when she saw someone approaching her.

Despite being younger than her, he has a large, toned physique, short black hair, and a sharp, fearless face—It was exactly the person they've been talked about, Monica's opponent, Roberto Winkel.

"Miss Monica Norton."

When her name was called, Monica's shoulders jolted and she unconsciously hid behind Elliot and Benjamin.

Monica was extremely shy, especially when it came to large men like Roberto. Her uncle, who had once beaten her, had been a huge man, and that fear always haunted her.

To tell the truth, Nero in his humanoid form was also quite a tall man, which Monica found difficult to deal with. Monica was getting jittery, and Roberto took a standing position like a soldier and opened his mouth.

"I was very impressed with the match earlier."

"Th-Thanks…"

"Therefore…"

Roberto opened his eyes with a snap and looked at Monica, who was trembling with fear.

"I want to make an engagement with you based on chess!"

A voice that resonated deeply from the bottom of his stomach, echoed throughout the hall.

Cyril spurted out his drink, while Neil exclaimed, "An engagement?!" and Bridget gave him a cold look as if he were a fool who couldn't read the atmosphere.

Felix was still smiling with his usual calm smile—only, he was looking at Monica and the others with a certain amount of disquiet in his heart.

Elliot, who was closest to her, was speechless with his eyes and mouth open. Monica, like most people, was also flabbergasted.

In the midst of this delicate atmosphere, the first to open his mouth was Benjamin.

"How deplorable!"

Benjamin shook out his flaxen hair and gazed up at the ceiling.

"Love is supposed to be a more passionate and emotionally stirring affair! There is no beauty in it! That proposal is not musically beautiful! Not even close to being a bad piece of music!"

Benjamin expressed his sorrow with his whole body and started to talk about his own theory of how love was supposed to be. The situation was about to get out of hand when Elliot, the group leader, got the role of mediator, took over.

"Oh, you know what? Music and all that aside, now… what kind of proposal was that? I'd let it a slide if it was a normal engagement, but an engagement based on chess, this is my first time hearing of it."

"I apologize for my lack of words! Let me explain my thoughts now, and I hope that Miss Norton could give it positive consideration!"

Roberto continued to speak in an upright position and in a ridiculously serious manner.

"I was struck by Miss Norton's chess. She is the first person of her age who has been able to overwhelm me. If I could, I would love to play more chess with her…but we are from different schools and have nothing in common. However! Being engaged would give us a reason to meet on weekends and during long vacations! We can play chess there to the fullest! Therefore, I would like to ask you to propose you to become my fiancée, Miss Norton!"

Indeed, the meant of "an engagement based on chess" were true to its words, and the explanation was foolishly honest.

"Wow… he's so selfish, it's almost refreshing."

"…it's not so musical… not even beautiful…"

Even though Elliot and Benjamin's faces were scrunched up, Roberto continued to speak with no concern for them.

"I am the fifth son of a baron in the Randall Kingdom. Perhaps, I won't be able to inherit the title, but I plan to join the Randall Knights eventually. Those who excel in chess can become candidates for the commander of the knight order. I pride myself on the fact that my future is quite secure! And my family, the baronial family, is free of debts! Both of my parents are upstanding! I'm on good terms with my brothers! I also have three dogs! Please feel free to consider marrying into our family at ease!"

The situation has gone too far.

A-A-Anyway, I have to decline…

In the first place, Monica Norton was her temporary identity. Her true identity was that of one of the Seven Sages who was infiltrating school as the second prince's bodyguard. The engagement was not possible.

"I-I'm sorry! I… I-I can't…!"

"Why? Do you already have a fiancé?"

"I-I don't, but…"

What a stupidly honest answer, Elliot thought as he looked at Monica in amazement. However, Monica was not skilled enough to tell an appropriate lie in such a situation. When Monica fidgeted around, Roberto urged her further.

"If you are worried about marrying into another country, please rest assured. I will do my best to support you in every aspect of your life: lifestyle, language, and social circles. I want you to feel comfortable in your own life and let you focus on chess."

"No, I mean, I'm… I'm sorryyyyyyyyyyy!"

Unable to stand it any longer, Monica flew out from behind Elliot's back and ran towards the hallway. Despite her shabby and pathetic running style, it was Monica's way of running as fast as she could.

"Miss Norton! I haven't done talking…"

When Roberto tried to follow Monica, a pair of hands suddenly pressed on both of his shoulders. Felix had his hand on his right shoulder, and Cyril had his hand on his left.

It looked like a slight tap on the shoulder to the casual observer, but if one looked closely, the pressure was strong enough to cause wrinkles on the clothes.

"Excuse me, she's a member of our student council. Why don't you talk to me about it first?"

"You're behaving inappropriately in an exchange gathering. As a student council member, I can't overlook this."

Felix was smiling, but his eyes weren't. On the other hand, Cyril has a cold, indifferent expression on his face, spreading cold air. And Elliot, his face tightened at the sight of impending chaos.