“Still, I’ve improved a lot. Before coming down here, it was hard even to go outside.”

“Hm?”

“Something bad happened at the ducal house. I was scared to go outside, so Mother abandoned our life in the capital where she’d worked hard to build a foundation, and we came all the way to this territory that people say is nice.”

Fazel calmly began his story.

“But I never thought I’d end up getting engaged.”

“So does it feel burdensome?”

I asked him.

You’ve been swept along this far—are you okay?

“It’s burdensome, but I don’t dislike it.”

Fazel stated his feelings plainly. Hearing those words, I smiled gently.

“Thank you for saying that.”

I tilted my head.

Then I leaned back and looked up at the sky. I reached out my hand, wanting to possess the beautiful stars. But the stars didn’t reach my hand.

“Originally, beautiful things should only be looked at.”

“I’m going to have them.”

Fazel is a beautiful existence.

That’s why I wanted to keep him by my side.

“But will this match be okay?”

Then Fazel stared at me intently.

“Do you think I’ll ruin it?”

“No.”

“Then don’t worry.”

Fazel was confident. I also laughed quietly, knowing there weren’t many peers who could match his skill.

I guess I worried needlessly.

“The aide won’t be the only person who views me unfavorably. If I change their perception, my reputation will change too.”

Fazel said that and smiled brightly.

“The engagement ceremony has its rewards too, right?”

“Of course.”

I won’t let you waste your time. That’s why I specially wrote a letter first for the first time, to ask the godfathers to come.

“Fazel, actually.”

I opened up about my childhood story.

“Mother was born healthy.”

It wasn’t something I experienced. It was thoroughly what Louelle experienced. But I shared Louelle’s memories and emotions, so I couldn’t dismiss this memory as someone else’s business.

That’s why I was telling Fazel about it like it was my own.

“Well, Mother was first in line for the imperial succession. But since she was a concubine’s child, there were many attacks.”

“Was that so?”

“Yeah, she often ate poisoned food. So even her healthy body became frail.”

Then, sensing she would die without accomplishing anything at this rate, Louelle’s mother made a deal with the current former emperor—the emperor at that time.

“There’s a poison that doesn’t affect the body and lets you live healthily, in exchange for a short life, and she said she’d drink it.”

“How could that be?”

“Mother was originally fated not to live long. So she entered the Academy with her status concealed as she wished, and there she met Father.”

And I explained one secret Father didn’t know.

“Mother regretted it after giving birth to me. She could have become free through other methods too, but because of herself for not thinking about that and only thinking about the short future.”

I quietly closed my eyes.

“His Majesty the Emperor made me an heir to the throne, so I’m in trouble too. The Empress’s aides are watching me.”

“I suppose so.”

“So it’s a bit annoying, but whatever they say, I’ll live my own way.”

I liked this place.

I would rule the Count’s territory like this and live happily and abundantly.

“You won’t be free from their gaze either though.”

“I know.”

“Anyway, let’s do well together.”

Fazel made a complicated expression.

“Did you mark me from the start as a fiancé to protect you?”

“Should I say yes?”

“My lady!”

“That’s a secret.”

If I said I wanted him from the start and approached him, Fazel would never trust me going forward. I drank my beverage and didn’t tell him the truth.

* * *

Esran took out a bottle of wine. Then Louelle’s three godfathers shouted at him.

“The husband who claimed our princess, hurry up and bring the wine.”

Garen lightly hit the table.

“We’re only now receiving congratulatory wine.”

Solestin sat at the table with his fingers interlaced.

“It’ll be delicious.”

Taras sat in proper posture and waited for Esran. When delicious fruit was placed as snacks around the long table, Garen was the first to pick up a fork and eat.

“You should wait until the wine comes.”

At Solestin’s scolding, Garen glanced at him.

“How can I wait when there’s delicious food?”

“Well, that’s true. That’s so like you, Garen, the gourmet.”

“You’re pretending you’re not.”

Garen glared sideways at Solestin and put fruit in his mouth, chewing quietly. Slowly savoring the taste, he pointed at the fruit and asked Esran seriously.

“This is a new product, right?”

“Correct.”

Esran focused on food research like breeding improvements. After becoming Count, he was interested in creating new high-sugar fruits based on his wealthy territory.

“Good heavens, fruit like this.”

Garen clicked his tongue looking at the fruit.

Esran quickly poured wine for them. Solestin firmly suppressed his desire to eat and waited, then drank the wine first when Esran gave it to him. 

Then he picked up a fork and ate one of what Garen had eaten. Fresh grape fragrance swirled in his mouth, then strong sweetness stimulated his tongue.

“Oh my, this really is amazing.”

It was top-grade even among the fruits Solestin had eaten. It was good enough to present directly to the Emperor without shame.

“How much?”

“It’s expensive.”

“Development costs must have been high—want to do business with us?”

Their eyes sparkled. Taras also tasted it, then silently took one more. Watching their reactions, Esran smiled contentedly.

“That won’t happen.”

“Tch, what will you do becoming so rich?”

At Garen’s words, Esran spoke matter-of-factly.

“I want to leave many things to Louelle.”

Esran smiled brightly and sat down. After taking a sip of wine himself, he proposed a toast to them.

“A toast for Louelle.”

A cheerful sound of clinking glasses rang out. Even if their purposes and intentions differed, they were all the same in being for Louelle.

Friends who truly cherished his wife and mourned their separation from her.

“By the way, how will you handle Saila’s matter?”

“I actually met Trean about that.”

Esran glanced at Garen.

“You know Trean’s skill, right?”

“Of course. He’s the man who stands equal with me.”

“He says to proceed as is. If necessary, expand the scale even more to make Fazel known.”

At Esran’s words, Garen frowned.

“For him to say that much. Can I look forward to it?”

“Is that so?”

“Of course. That meticulous person saying that means he’s confident in Fazel’s ability.”

Saying that, Garen moistened his throat with wine.

“I’m looking forward to the match.”

Garen’s eyes sparkled.

* * *

Fazel and I looked at Trean. He stared at Fazel and me with a bright expression, seemingly in a good mood.

“A match with the Commander-in-Chief.”

He heard the rumor from the ballroom and laughed quietly.

“I should have attended that party.”

“Why?”

When I was curious, Trean spoke matter-of-factly.

“Because I would have snapped at Marquis Turecien.”

Trean didn’t seem to like Saila.

“Are you on bad terms?”

“Yeah, bad terms. She’s too stiff and inflexible.”

“Mother’s expression was continuously dark too.”

At Fazel’s words, Trean nodded.

“Now that I understand the situation well, we should train first. Until now I taught basics, but now I think I need to teach some techniques. I don’t know how well they’ll work though.”

Saying that, Trean patted Fazel’s head.

“You’ll do well.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re my student, so you should do well.”

Then he looked back at me.

“I’ll teach Louelle a bit later. You still need to build more foundation.”

“Alright.”

I’m not particularly greedy about swordsmanship. I was only interested in what Fazel was good at.

Trean nodded.

“Let’s go slowly with Louelle. You have talent too. Fazel was just born with terrifying talent.”

He praised me too.

‘I have talent in swordsmanship?’

Well, I wasn’t the type without athletic ability. Seeing how I followed dances well on the spot.

I did think I was better than my peers. It just didn’t show because Fazel was so good.

I nodded and approached beside Fazel, whispering to him.

“You’ll do well. Fighting.”

“Thank you.”

Fazel was grateful and concentrated on training.

Like that, even after my lessons ended, Fazel spent the day in special training. Finally, the day of the match with Godfather Garen approached.

* * *

Trean said to rest fully for a day, so I adjusted my condition while resting from studying too. Beside me, Suran was making tea.

“It’s tea that’s good for relieving tension.”

“Amillak tea.”

“That’s right.”

“Did my lady give it?”

At Fazel’s words, Suran smiled brightly.

“You know well.”

“I think I’m starting to know my lady a bit now.”

She was kind to people close to her. And he seemed to be within that range too.

Fazel shook off his thoughts and waited for the carriage to come. Today they said they’d hold the competition at the training grounds inside the castle. They’d invite townspeople and Asnel family knights would watch together too.

“Phew.”

Having to compete among so many people, nervousness was unavoidable.

“It seems like it’ll be hard. Still, it’s better than not stepping forward.”

Fazel spoke in a much lighter voice. Then Suran hugged her son tightly and spoke affectionately.

“Even if it’s a contract engagement, an engagement is an engagement. So you must protect Lady Louelle.”

Fazel nodded.

Mother’s embrace was very warm. The tea Louelle gave was also more delicious than anything, and after drinking it, his mind settled somewhat.

The carriage arrived. Fazel rode it with Suran and went to the castle.

* * *

“I’m looking forward to how amazing that kid will be.”

Godfather Garen held a wooden sword and smiled at me. I recalled Trean and Fazel’s match and whispered to him.

“You can look forward to it.”

Fazel struck back at Trean’s sword many times. Facing the empire’s greatest knight to this degree—isn’t that amazing for his age?

I waited for Fazel to come with a pounding heart.

The training grounds were also used for annual swordsmanship competitions, so seats surrounded the training grounds in a circle. Godfather Garen, Godfather Solestin, and Godfather Taras sat together with me.

Father went up to the platform to judge victory and defeat.

In the distance, Fazel wearing light armor walked over. Though they’d duel with wooden swords, they decided to wear light armor in case of accidents.

Suran, who came with Fazel, held his hand tightly and kissed the back of his hand. Then she hugged him tightly and sat in the training ground seats.

Since everyone had come, the match would start soon. Saila stood beside Father.

What was she thinking?

“Then I’ll go out.”

Godfather Garen held his wooden sword and went down to the training grounds. I clenched both fists tightly. I seemed to be sweating from tension already.

“Louelle, relax your shoulders.”

Godfather Solestin pressed my shoulders firmly and lowered them. I obediently sighed at his touch.

“I know Fazel will do well, but I’m worried.”

“Why?”

“Fazel gets nervous easily.”

“Then he might not be able to demonstrate his ability properly.”

But Godfather Taras said something different.

“That’s also ability.”

“I know.”

I watched the training grounds while listening to the two.

With Father’s signal sound, Godfather Garen and Fazel stood facing each other.

Neither spoke. When the match started, Fazel entered the attack first. He held his wooden sword and struck Godfather Garen’s sword. Then Godfather Garen lightly struck down Fazel’s sword. Normally, the body should bounce backward from Godfather Garen’s strength. But Fazel only stepped back slightly with swords crossed.

“Amazing.”

Godfather Taras admired.

“He’s withstanding that strength.”

Godfather Solestin also watched the match with wonder.

“Fazel.”

I clasped my hands tightly.

My heart trembled. Unlike when dueling with Trean, my lips were parched.

Fazel might get hurt.

Godfather Garen attacked Fazel, moving his sword quickly. Fazel bent his waist in orthodox posture, then dodged or blocked all the swords.

After a moment, Godfather Garen dodged Fazel’s thr*st. And he dug into the gap that briefly appeared in Fazel and struck him hard with his sword.

“Oh no.”

Godfather Solestin closed his eyes then opened them.

“Garen got excited. That’s what he does to subordinates. When there’s a subordinate that kid doesn’t like, he makes them spar and does that.”

I stood up abruptly.