EX-SOLDIER: In Another World
Status and Issues - Part 3

One hour.

During that Vincent put on an amused expression as well as disbelief. Seeing a middle-aged man whine like a spoiled brat desiring a new toy, was a rare thing to discover.

An entertaining sight to be honest.

Edgar has whined to ask Vincent for a re-duel in the past hour after three defeats in spectacular fashion that led to this incident. His wife tried to appease Edgar who was helped by several servants. The reason for his attitude was caused by Edgar's dissatisfaction about their duel. Edgar said that: 'This fight is unfair!' or 'You cheated! Come fight me like a real man!', and those kinds of things that Vincent thinks are irrelevant.

Vincent sees all of that from the park bench with Lisa, who strangely has not spoken at all since the last duel. Vincent occasionally glances at Lisa from time to time as she enjoys the spectacle of husband and wife comedy taking place on the sidelines.

"Hey Vincent?" Lisa said that broke their silence.

"Hmm?" Vincent just hummed to acknowledge the call. The thing Vincent didn't expect was Lisa kissing his cheek, making Vincent's eyes widen and he could hear Edgar's tantrums about 'how dare you do that to my daughter!' from the field side. Fortunately Edgar had been restrained by his wife and servants, preventing him from attacking Vincent like an angry cat.

"What's that for?" Vincent asked as their eyes met.

"My thanks." Lisa said with a smile.

"Let me guess. You said I was your lover, right? That's why your father exploded like that." Vincent said that he pointed to Edgar being held by his wife. "And it took you an hour without speaking to gather that intention? Funny actually by your nature who would never hesitate to do that."

"Hey! That's a shame you know?! I have to gather all my courage and the right moment for it!" Lisa protesting.

"And you succeeded." Vincent said flatly as he pointed at Edgar who was raging about someone seizing his daughter's innocence. "Am I going to be okay when I get back to the manor? I feel insecure now." Vincent added in a joking tone.

"No. You won't be anything I guarantee." Lisa said with a smile. "By the way, how did you know about me calling you my lover to my parents?" Lisa asked curiously.

"Everything is clearly on your face. Not to mention the story you told me earlier and the little unclear chat between you and your parents, from which I got an answer. And don't forget I saw that face, 'I don't want to be paired again!' which is clearly in your expression." Vincent said as he pinched Lisa's little nose.

"Ow! Oi! Release." Said Lisa trying to get rid of Vincent's hand pinched her nose.

"It's your punishment that has dragged me into your little problem." Vincent said with a smile.

"Umc ... What if I say I love you?" Ask Lisa while blushing a little.

"Of course I'll answer that I love you too. Then I'll find a room to spend the night with you." Vincent said while grinning mischievously and getting a punch on the shoulder from Lisa's little fist.

The two laughed with Lisa who was just giggling happily. It continued for a while before both calm and comfortable silence took over again.

"You looking for a room to spend the night?" Vincent answered with a question and Lisa hit him once again on the shoulder.

"I'm serious, Vincent." He said it was soft but there was firmness there. Vincent looks at Lisa right in the eye, looking for the mischievous glint that is always there when they tease each other. Strange, it was not in his eyes.

"I don't know." Vincent said after a moment of silence.

"Why?" Lisa asked, obviously not expecting that answer from Vincent.

"Say I don't know you better. The time I spend with you is quite short and I cannot say that I love you as well easily. No, it's not that easy. Especially I'm older than I look." Vincent said, his tone had a mild melancholy.

"If I knew you more?" Lisa asked, obviously wanting a definite and not vague answer like before.

"I'd probably say 'Yes'. Maybe I'll tell you my feelings first." Vincent said.

"Then I'll look forward to it." Lisa said with a smile, yet somehow Vincent felt the disappointment behind that sweet smile.

"About my parents?" Ask Lisa.

"I'll play for now." Vincent said, smiling as he rubbed Lisa's head comfortably.

...Xxvx...

A hint of disappointment was painted on Lisa's face as she watched Vincent return home from his family manor. The plan can be called a success with the cooperation of Vincent and finally his father gave up to match him again, especially after the defeat of his father in a duel against Vincent.

But for some reason, his heart aches when he hears Vincent's honest answer to his feelings. Honestly, he was disappointed, not expecting to reject Vincent as he did. Especially because Lisa is confident that Vincent loves her, but it turns out that it is not what she thinks. Fortunately Vincent gives him another chance to express his feelings with the process to 'More know each other first' before trying it again.

It's a consolation, but I don't know. It was very painful to think about it. Wondering to herself if she wasn't attractive enough to get his attention? Why is Vincent so different from the royals who want his hand for marriage? The question haunted his mind until the statement he feared the most.

What if in the future he fails and Vincent rejects his feelings?

It was the thing he was most afraid of, especially with Vincent's personality being quite friendly with anyone even to servants as he saw them. Not to mention Lisa has to admit, Vincent is quite handsome and charming beyond the few men he has met so far, then Vincent's black hair that makes him exotic because it's rare, it was even rare for there to be a black-haired person in the Iwreneian Kingdom.

Concerns grew as she recalled Sofia Mandoze. The woman has publicly expressed interest in Vincent through their 'Girl talk. Saying that Vincent will be a capable and powerful warrior, in addition to his new status that leaves him with an honorary title, Vincent will be a proper Knight of the Iwreneian Kingdom. Something the Duke Mandoze family values, which has a warrior bloodline, is what scares Lisa that Sofia will steal Vincent from him.

A tired sigh escaped his lips as he looked at the sun on the balcony of his family manor. Sitting at the table provided, Lisa relaxes herself with a cup of herbal tea while hoping that everything will suit her wishes, hopefully.