Astin woke up early in the morning. And as soon as he opened his eyes, he sighed.
"Ha..."
It was because of the bomb that Elze had thrown yesterday. Astin slowly got up, washed up, and changed his clothes. Then he sat down at his desk, looked over the academic presentation materials for tomorrow, and slowly chewed over his name.
“Shan Cirxus Targayel...”
No matter how smart Astin was, he just couldn't keep up with what was going on.
He thought that since his sister had a political marriage with Shan Cirxus, she would naturally have a difficult life as a newlywed. He thought that he would graduate as soon as possible and save his sister from hell.
But there was something strange, from Shan's help to his brother-in-law to his sister's unhesitating request to Shan. Astin felt that asking Shan Cirxus for something was an impossible thing. Not only Astin, but most people would not dare to ask him for something.
But his older sister asked Shan Cirxus as if she was asking a favor from a neighborhood friend...
If I told this to someone else, they probably wouldn't believe me. Astin muttered to himself, clutching his head.
“I don’t know what’s going on.”
It was an academic presentation, but he couldn't see the words at all. Anyway, he had already completely mastered the content. However, he had no way to calm his confused mind, so he just looked at the presentation materials.
At that moment, a knock was heard on the door. Astin, who was holding onto the piece of paper that would not turn, flinched. There was only one person who could come to Astin’s room right now. Astin closed the book and carefully opened the door.
As soon as he opened the door, he saw a firm chest. Astin tilted his head back and looked up. He saw indifferent purple eyes. Not knowing what to do with the gaze looking down, he bowed first.
“Ta... Count Targayel.”
Shan's eyes furrowed slightly at Astin's greeting. He crossed his arms. Then he said bluntly.
"Brother."
"Yes...?"
Shan said again as Austin blinked.
“Call me brother.”
“Ah, uh, uh...”
Unable to resist Shan's urging gaze, Astin eventually followed his words.
"Older brother...?"
Only then did Shan look away in satisfaction. As Astin passed him and entered the room, he secretly stroked his chest behind him. It wasn’t a gaze that could be gazed at for very long.
Shan, standing in the middle of the room, glanced around. He made a short noise and frowned again.
“Hmm.”
Astin somehow felt like he had done something terribly wrong. Shan, who was looking around the room, turned to Astin and asked.
“Can I call you Austin?”
“Oh, yes! As you wish...”
“Yeah, Astin. While you’re out and about today, I’m going to give this room a complete makeover.”
"Yes?"
“If you have any valuables, it would be better to pack them separately.”
Since it was Shan Cirxus who ordered it, there was no way anyone would steal it, but it was inevitable that something would be lost while carrying the luggage. Astin decided to listen to him obediently.
There were no expensive items in Astin's room anyway. Instead, there was one thing he absolutely could not lose. Astin took a small box out of his desk drawer and held it in his hand. Shan didn't ask, but somehow he felt he had to answer, so he told him what the box was.
“That.. is a letter...”
It was a box containing letters exchanged with Elze. Shan, who confirmed the seal of Targayel on the letter sticking out of the corner of the box, said to Astin.
“You can call Erzenes ‘older sister’ in front of me.”
"Ah..."
He could feel that he was trying his best to make the atmosphere as comfortable as possible. Of course, no matter what, Shan Cirxus himself was a person who could not be made comfortable.
“And leave the box with my escort. Liv!”
Then, a man who might have been somewhere suddenly appeared from beyond the door.
“Yes... No, Count!”
The man with freckles all over his nose greeted Astin with a cheerful smile.
“I am Liv Cullens, my lord! As a vassal of Targayel, I am the commander of his knights, albeit insignificantly.”
The man who introduced himself as Liv showed great interest in Astin, but Shan coldly cut him off. In the end, Liv had to leave again with only a box in his hand.
Shan and Astin walked out of Aquis University. Astin followed Shan, not knowing where he would go.
The first place the two of them went was the costume shop. Perhaps because they had talked about it in advance, there wasn't a single customer in the spacious and fancy costume shop.
"Welcome!"
As soon as they entered, everyone from the designer of the costume shop to the staff below them lined up to greet them. While Astin was at a loss as to what to do in this awkward situation, Shan nodded silently.
Then they took Astin inside and started to diligently measure him. Meanwhile, on the other side, they brought out cool drinks and simple canapés and served them to Shan and Astin. Shan watched Astin being measured and said bluntly.
“First, let’s make five sets of casual clothes, one set of formal clothes, and one set of suits. If the clothes are good, I’ll order more.”
“Yes, I will make it the best in Britain.”
As the designer smiled brightly and gestured, the staff quickly brought in a few mannequins and set them up in front of Shan.
“I’ve also prepared a few ready-made clothes that you can wear right away.”
At her words, Shan decided to buy it without hesitation. When Astin came back dressed in ready-made clothes, he said with a displeased expression.
“Wear this for now, and then throw away all the clothes from the costume shop as soon as they arrive.”
The thought of how he could throw away new clothes rose to the tip of Astin's tongue. But he just let it go. There was no need to fuss about it here; he could just pack the clothes later.
As Astin listened to Shan's endless orders for hats, shirts, ties, vests, jackets, etc., he felt dizzy. The very concept of spending money seemed completely different.
Shan didn't even bother to check the prices when ordering everything from shoes to bags at the store connected to the costume shop. He just told her to charge Targayel and headed off somewhere else with Astin in tow.
The place they arrived at this time was a nice restaurant. Musicians were playing soft music in a corner, and people were eating elegantly in a calm atmosphere. Shan and Astin sat at the most secluded and spacious table.
Since they had made a reservation in advance, the staff immediately brought out the appetizers. Appetizers made with caviar and escargot were placed in front of the two.
But Astin couldn't readily reach out. He felt burdened by receiving favors for no apparent reason.
“...Count.”
Astin spoke to Shan stiffly and formally.
“You don’t have to do this to me.”
The purple eyes stared straight at Astin. They were scary. But Astin, even though he looked very scared, did not avoid his eyes. Shan, who had been looking at him indifferently, soon smiled and said.
“I’m not doing this for you, Astin.”
He continued speaking, leaning back leisurely in his chair.
“I’m doing this for your sister.”
“...”
When he said that, Astin was speechless. On the other hand, it was quite shocking. To hear such words coming out of that man's mouth. He wondered what on earth had happened between his sister and Shan Cirxus.
Astin picked up his fork without saying a word. It was ridiculous to hold out after saying all that. During the brief moment between the appetizers and the next course, Shan opened his mouth as if he were talking about the weather.
“I’m telling you this because I think it would be good for you to know.”
He hand-picked up a long knife from among the rows of shining silverware. The knife, swinging lightly in his hand, was identical to the one in front of Astin.
But Astin's was a knife for cutting steaks, and Shan's was a knife for slicing people's throats. Shan's soft voice continued.
“If you get into trouble, pick up something. A knife, or even a fork.”
Shan swung the knife slightly as he spoke. He only swung it a span, but Astin flinched involuntarily. The small knife seemed threatening as if it were a long sword.
“If you stay still, you’ll just become an easier prey. Fight back by any means necessary. If that doesn’t work, then at least bite them.”
Shan's eyes, as he spoke, were like those of a sharp wild beast. There was a faint scent of blood in his voice. Astin hesitated and then asked.
“But I wonder if it would be cowardly to use a weapon against an unarmed opponent...”
“Cowardly?”
Shan said with a small smile.
“Cowardly is what they mean by the things they did to you.”
The conversation was cut short by the arrival of the next dish just in time. Astin couldn't have been more grateful to the waiter who brought him his food.
The food neatly placed on the plate looked delicious, but Astin was half-hearted about eating it. He began to seriously worry about whether he could leave his sister in the care of such a ferocious man. He was wondering if he should at least give her a warning when he saw her tomorrow when Shan suddenly spoke.
“But Erzenes.”
When his sister's name was mentioned, Astin almost dropped his fork. And when the next question came up, he really did drop his fork.
“Do you know what she likes?”
"...Yes?"
Astin's mouth opened. Despite the surprised reaction, he acted as if nothing had happened, but Astin had already heard it clearly.
Asking what my sister likes! It's ridiculous, but Shan Cirxus seemed to have feelings for her... It wasn't a political marriage, but a marriage of true love. If that weren't the case, then his actions up until now, and the question just now, wouldn't have been explained.
“...”
A quick-witted employee quietly approached and replaced the dropped fork. After the employee disappeared, Astin hesitated for a while and asked Shan a question instead of answering.
“Um, by any chance...”
Astin swallowed hard and continued.
“Do you have feelings for my older sister?”
Astin's question caught Shan off guard.
“...”
Shan was silent for a moment. No wonder, because it was a question he had not expected at all.
The brother-in-law, who was as weak as a small rabbit, was a ferocious beast when it came to his sister. Astin was determined not to let Shan go until he heard the answer.
Shan had a feeling that maybe he could get a little... help from Astin. He ended up pouring out his heart.
“I don’t know either.”
Astin’s face hardened at the answer of “I don’t know.” He seemed to be wondering if he was talking about his sister. However, Shan wasn’t finished talking yet.
"Just..."
Shan pondered for a moment, choosing the right words. Then he said the words that best expressed his feelings.
“Because I want to make her happy.”
"...Yes?"
“That’s it. There’s no other reason.”
“...”
Astin's mouth fell open in surprise at Shan's words. But Shan had no idea what he meant. Astin realized this as he watched.
This couple still has a long way to go.
The nameless knight Vanes from Targayel trampled the swordsmen students so cruelly that it felt like he was being lenient when he sent ordinary people away in one go.
The students of the fencing club who faced him were covered in bruises all over their bodies. On top of that, the attacks were so fierce that it made their stomach ache, and most of the students, including Chesian, the star of the fencing club, were in tears. Of course, some cried out loud.
It was quite a sight to see students with large bodies and a strange appearance being beaten by a slender knight. He was so brutally beaten that some in Targayel even said that he had some kind of grudge against the swordsmen.
In any case, the sight of the noble young men who no one could touch being beaten up gave a sense of exhilaration that had never been felt before. The audience was so blatantly amused that they didn't know what to do. Every time Vanes appeared, the biggest cheers in the history of the Aquis Swordsmanship Tournament erupted.
“Vanes! Vanes!!”
The crowd went wild for Vanes. Unfortunately, Elze, who had entered the competition under the pseudonym Vanes, declared her withdrawal after defeating the last student of the fencing club. Everyone, from the host to the spectators who had come to watch the competition and even her opponents, tried to dissuade her from giving up.
However, Elze had already suddenly run away. She had achieved her goal and had no reason to remain in the swordsmanship competition.
Elze returned to her quarters secretly with the help of Elijah. Then she quickly removed her makeup and applied an antidote to her face. She washed her sweaty body clean, used a cool ice pack to reduce the swelling, and barely managed to make her look normal before Shan returned to her quarters.
"You came?"
Elze greeted him with a smile. Shan looked a little puzzled at Elze's slightly swollen face. Before he could ask, Elze quickly struck back.
“How was it with Austin?”
“Ah. I’ve prepared everything he needs right now.”
“Thank you. Did you talk a lot with Astin?”
Shan made a strange expression at Elze's question.
“He's smart. He's quick-witted too...”
It was an ambiguous answer. Strangely, Shan shut his mouth after saying only that much. Elze, curious about what the two men had done, tried to ask questions here and there, but it was no use.
Shan didn't open his mouth until the very end as if he had found a weakness in Astin.
The next day, they all went to see Austin's academic presentation.
The academic presentation was held in a large lecture hall with a staircase-like shape. The lecture hall, which resembled an opera house, was large enough to accommodate several hundred people, but it was already full.
Elze and Shan sat side by side in the front row, a few rows away from the stage. Normally, the escort would wait outside, but since Ivanna wanted to hear the academic presentation, Elijah and Elze sat quietly in the back row. The event itself was calm, so there were no major incidents. However, there were minor commotions, if small.
While Elze, who had worked out hard yesterday, dozed off, hugging the bouquet of flowers she was going to give to Astin, Ivanna fired off a barrage of questions to the presenters.
Of course, it was difficult for Ivanna to ask questions directly, so she poked the side of the smart-looking Rapine next to her and asked him to ask questions instead. And of course, her questions were not easy. Even the scholars in attendance were impressed by the procession of sharp questions that hit the core of the topic and pointed out its weak points. They even forgot to save face and glanced at Rapine.
Rapine, who suddenly became a public figure, did not seem to like it, but he still tried hard to ask Ivanna questions to satisfy her overflowing intellectual curiosity. Tarkun, who was next to her, grumbled while poking Ivanna in the ribs.
“Hey, why are you ordering Rapine to do it?”
“Are you crazy? If a little girl asks you a question, you’ll answer it so well?”
In Baluar and Britain, women tended to be regarded as accessories to men. If Ivanna had asked a question here, she would have been ignored and probably even quietly dragged out of the academic conference hall.
Anyway, Ivanna used Rapine to her advantage, asking questions diligently and harassing the presenters.
But she didn't ask any questions when it was Astin's turn. It was definitely not because he was Elze's younger brother. Ivanna kept exclaiming in admiration as she listened to Astin's presentation.
“Wow... There are no loopholes in the hypothesis testing and no logical leaps. The expressions are clean and easy to understand. There’s no room for attack on this.”
“What are you saying?”
Ivanna summed up Tarkun's grumbling in one word.
“Our Master Astin is smart.”
At those words, Tarkun and Rapine looked at Ivanna with their eyes wide open as if they were going to pop out. It was understandable because this was the first time in her life that Ivanna had ever called someone smart.
While Elijah and the others were making a fuss in the back row, Elze was fast asleep. When she woke up to the thunderous applause that seemed to shake the lecture hall, the presentation was already over, and Astin was walking down from the stage to cheer.
Elze, who had missed all of Astin's presentation because she was sleeping, looked frustrated and scolded Shan, who was standing next to her.
“Why didn’t you wake me up!”
Shan smiled faintly at the whispering. He tilted his head toward Elze and whispered back.
“You’re sleeping so soundly, leaning on my shoulder. How could I wake you up?”
“...!”
I fell asleep leaning on Shan's shoulder... Elze's cheeks burned as she realized that she had fallen into a deep sleep without realizing it.
Since Astin was the last presenter, the event ended with him. Astin, who was selected as the best presenter, received a plaque.
After the academic presentation, Elze quickly went to find Astin. Astin was surrounded by many scholars and professors. An excited voice was heard.
“It was a very impressive presentation. I never thought I would hear a presentation of this level in an academic presentation by students.”
“If you haven’t decided on anything after graduating from school, how about coming to my lab?”
“Hey, you. Don’t hit the player.”
Astin, standing among many people and smiling shyly, couldn't look so radiant. Elze's heart was filled with pride. She wanted to brag to the neighborhood that the child was her only sibling. After the conversation with the scholars was over, Astin looked around. His eyes seemed to be searching for Elze.
“Astin!”
Elze quickly approached Astin and handed him a bouquet of flowers. Astin smiled brightly while holding a large bouquet of flowers. Elze complimented Astin abundantly.
“Congratulations! You are the best presenter!”
After talking about the past and present, Elze decided to go to Astin's room. She was curious to see how things had changed, and she also wanted to ask Astin how things had been with Shan yesterday.
Shan left her far behind and headed to the dormitory with Astin. And the moment she opened the dormitory door, Elze let out an exclamation.
“Wow...”
It was not a dorm room, but a part of a luxurious mansion of a noble family. The room was neat and luxurious, and the large bookshelf was filled with books that Astin needed for his studies. Every other small item was replaced with an expensive one. Astin smiled shyly and said to Elze, who was admiring the closet full of new clothes.
“The Count changed everything for me.”
When Elze heard that he had even bought new clothes for Astin and bought him delicious food, she thought that Shan could do such things. While talking to Astin, Elze asked him the question that she had been wanting to ask the most.
“What... what do you think?”
"Yes?"
“That's what Shan said.”
"Ah."
Astin smiled. She thought he would hate it when Shan's story came up, but it was an unexpected laugh. Astin, who had been giggling to himself for a moment, spoke in a smiling voice.
“I just... I don’t think he’s a bad person.”
Then he quickly put on a serious face and said:
“I think he likes my older sister a lot.”
Elze froze at Astin's words. After remaining stiff for a while, she ended up hitting Astin on the shoulder with her hand.
“Ugh, sis!”
Astin rubbed his shoulder and cried at the strength beyond his imagination.
“You like it, huh? What, huh? What are you talking about!”
From her raised voice to her awkward behavior, anyone could tell that she was flustered. However, Elze didn’t realize that her face was getting hot. Astin giggled as he watched Elze like that. Only after hearing Astin’s laughter did Elze quickly straighten up.
“Anyway, it’s not okay to say something like that.”
But despite Elze's words of trying to set the mood and persuade him, Astin just laughed.
The academic festival is over. It was a festival full of talk and trouble, but it was still a fun time. Elze didn't get to see much because she was busy with the swordsmanship competition, but it was okay. Shan and Astin also got to know each other.
She didn't know that Astin, of all people, would say that Shan was a good person. He even added that Shan seemed to like his sister a lot. It was amazing what Shan had done to make Astin so angry.
And after the festival, Elze and Shan prepared to visit the Britain Palace.
This luncheon, invited by the Prince of Britain, was entire because the Prince was a fan of the Hundred Years' War hero, Shan Cirxus. They could not bring a separate escort, as the Royal Family of Britain would be sending everything from the carriage to the escort. The Count and Countess of Targayel only had to board the carriage.
Elze put on her dress with Ivanna's help. After wondering what to do with her hair, she just tied it up neatly.
She chose a dress that was slightly open at the shoulders and chest and wore a necklace and earrings with sapphire crystals. Sbe put on silk stockings and lace gloves, and she was already sweating.
Elze's eyes were darkening at the thought of having to wear this uncomfortable outfit all day. She was thinking that it would be nice to just hurry up and come back, but Ivanna was touching up her makeup and whispering to Elze.
“Captain. Are you aware that a carriage from the Royal Family of Britain is waiting in front of the residence?”
She delicately touched up her sweat-stained makeup. Then she lowered her voice a little and spoke.
“Rapine hid a bag containing a rapier and mangosh under the carriage seat.”
"What?"
Elze looked at her in surprise. Ivanna winked and said.
“Nothing will happen, but I thought it might be okay. When you return from the castle later, Rapine will take the bag out of the carriage again.”
“Well... Ivanna.”
Elze was about to say something more to her, but there was a sound of searching outside. There was no more time to waste. Ivanna checked Elze's makeup one last time, then smiled and said,
“Take care on your way!”
And then as if nothing had happened, she escorted Elze outside to the carriage.
The coachman pulling the carriage sent from Britain and the five knights escorting her greeted the Countess of Targayel politely.
Elze boarded the carriage escorted by Shan. The carriage sent by the Britain royal family was luxurious and the seats were soft. However, imagining that there was a rapier and a bag containing mangosh under the seat, she felt a tingling sensation under her buttocks.
“Are you uncomfortable?”
Elze shook her head at Shan's words sitting across from her. In fact, she can't say that she's worried about her twin swords that are under the chair.
The road from Aquis University to the Britain Palace was not very long. However, the road from the city to the palace was a bit of a quiet forest road. Of course, there was a well-paved road, so there was no problem in traveling by carriage.
The Britain Palace was a castle with history and tradition. It was smaller than the Baluar Palace, but it was a beautiful castle. Elze looked around intently from the carriage running inside the palace.
As the carriage stopped near the Prince's palace and Elze and Shan got out, the servant who had been waiting immediately helped guide them.
Following the servant's guidance, she entered the Prince's palace. Elze looked around discreetly, listening to the servant's words that lunch was prepared in the palace's backyard. Coming to a new place always piqued Elze's curiosity.
Come to think of it, Elze had never been to the Palace of Baluar. The first palace she had ever been to was the Royal Palace of Britain. It was certainly grand, as it was where the Prince and Princess lived. Every blade of grass seemed better than the one in the Targayel mansion.
The garden was connected to the other palaces in a large way, and among them was the entrance to the rear garden of the Prince's palace. Perhaps to protect privacy, the entrance was lined with tall trees like a barrier, blocking the view.
Elze followed Shan and the servant, but the servant stopped walking. He bowed his head politely and spoke.
“Your Excellency, please wait here for a moment.”
Elze sighed inwardly. It seemed like Shan would be guided in first, and then Elze would go. It was so hot that it was really a useless formality.
“...”
Shan looked at Elze for a moment. Elze gave him a small smile to show that it was okay. It seemed that he also didn't like the situation of having to be separated from Elze, even if it was only for a moment. But there was nothing he could do. Shan furrowed his brow faintly and followed the attendant.
So Elze and the maids who followed her remained behind, while the attendant and Shan who were ahead of them went inside the backyard first.
Perhaps Elze would be able to enter only after Shan's guidance was completely finished. The maids were holding up the parasol, but the early summer heat was unbearable. Elze was already feeling like going home.
Still, there might have been maids fanning her at the lunch table. Elze was spending her time fantasizing about being fanned.
“What a beautiful lady!”
Suddenly a man's voice was heard. And then a man suddenly barged in front of Elze. The maids who had been waiting looked at her in surprise.
“Lady, may I know your name? I am Count Parnon.”
“Count, Count...?”
The maids were visibly taken aback by the appearance of the man who called himself Count Parnon. They exchanged glances among themselves.
Elze didn't hear that any other guests were coming to the luncheon the Prince had prepared. Judging from the situation, it seemed that there was some confusion and he had come into the garden.
However, upon listening carefully, the surname Parnon sounded familiar. Elze, who was quietly wondering where she had heard it, remembered that the name of the swordsmanship student she had beaten up was Cessian Parnon.
No, but then you're a married man and you're acting like this? Elze was so dumbfounded that she didn't even want to respond, but she at least gave a minimal amount of politeness.
“I am Countess Erzenes of House Targayel, of the Empire of Baluar.”
Elze emphasized the word Countess, emphasizing that she had a husband. The maids who heard Elze's words quickly stepped forward and blocked Count Parnon’s path.
“Count Parnon!”
One of the maids spoke to Count Parnon.
“She is a guest invited by the Prince.”
Elze was not just any noble, but a foreign noble personally invited by the Prince. It was a signal that he should not be rude anymore. Fortunately, Count Parnon was not such an idiot who could not understand the meaning of words.
“No, this can’t be happening. I made a big mistake.”
Elze, who had been looking the other way until now, finally looked at Count Parnon properly after hearing those words. And then she immediately regretted it. She wished she had just not looked at him.
Count Parnon, whose eyes met Elze's, smiled faintly, revealing his white teeth. He had a stiff mustache, pomaded hair, and wrinkles that couldn't hide his age.
He spoke to Elze in a trembling voice.
“Lady, will you give me a chance to ask for forgiveness?”
...Shit.
From then on, Elze began to lose control of her expressions. What on earth is this married man thinking about, to make me do something? Do I look that easy? Or does he look like he has no money? She felt like her self-esteem was being completely shattered.
There was no such annoyance. Elze had a well-paid husband, had a good body, was handsome, and had a somewhat dirty personality, but was still quite decent. Elze had no reason to even look at a man like this.
Count Parnon was a very lucky man. If there had not been any maids watching him, she would have carefully selected the parts that were not visible and minced them evenly like pork.
“Countess, I...”
Elze didn't even realize that she was sharpening her sword inside, and Count Parnon was about to say something else.
She felt something behind her back. But before Elze could turn around, a forearm slid into her waist and pulled her tightly. The firm embrace on her back felt familiar. Elze tilted her head back and looked at the person wrapped around her waist.
“Shan?”
She thought he had gone into sponsorship first, but how did he get out? But Shan wasn't looking at Elze. A fierce aura dripped from his angry eyes that he couldn't hide.
“To my wife...”
Shan glared at Count Parnon and asked.
“Is there anything you need?”
"Ha..."
It was because of the bomb that Elze had thrown yesterday. Astin slowly got up, washed up, and changed his clothes. Then he sat down at his desk, looked over the academic presentation materials for tomorrow, and slowly chewed over his name.
“Shan Cirxus Targayel...”
No matter how smart Astin was, he just couldn't keep up with what was going on.
He thought that since his sister had a political marriage with Shan Cirxus, she would naturally have a difficult life as a newlywed. He thought that he would graduate as soon as possible and save his sister from hell.
But there was something strange, from Shan's help to his brother-in-law to his sister's unhesitating request to Shan. Astin felt that asking Shan Cirxus for something was an impossible thing. Not only Astin, but most people would not dare to ask him for something.
But his older sister asked Shan Cirxus as if she was asking a favor from a neighborhood friend...
If I told this to someone else, they probably wouldn't believe me. Astin muttered to himself, clutching his head.
“I don’t know what’s going on.”
It was an academic presentation, but he couldn't see the words at all. Anyway, he had already completely mastered the content. However, he had no way to calm his confused mind, so he just looked at the presentation materials.
At that moment, a knock was heard on the door. Astin, who was holding onto the piece of paper that would not turn, flinched. There was only one person who could come to Astin’s room right now. Astin closed the book and carefully opened the door.
As soon as he opened the door, he saw a firm chest. Astin tilted his head back and looked up. He saw indifferent purple eyes. Not knowing what to do with the gaze looking down, he bowed first.
“Ta... Count Targayel.”
Shan's eyes furrowed slightly at Astin's greeting. He crossed his arms. Then he said bluntly.
"Brother."
"Yes...?"
Shan said again as Austin blinked.
“Call me brother.”
“Ah, uh, uh...”
Unable to resist Shan's urging gaze, Astin eventually followed his words.
"Older brother...?"
Only then did Shan look away in satisfaction. As Astin passed him and entered the room, he secretly stroked his chest behind him. It wasn’t a gaze that could be gazed at for very long.
Shan, standing in the middle of the room, glanced around. He made a short noise and frowned again.
“Hmm.”
Astin somehow felt like he had done something terribly wrong. Shan, who was looking around the room, turned to Astin and asked.
“Can I call you Austin?”
“Oh, yes! As you wish...”
“Yeah, Astin. While you’re out and about today, I’m going to give this room a complete makeover.”
"Yes?"
“If you have any valuables, it would be better to pack them separately.”
Since it was Shan Cirxus who ordered it, there was no way anyone would steal it, but it was inevitable that something would be lost while carrying the luggage. Astin decided to listen to him obediently.
There were no expensive items in Astin's room anyway. Instead, there was one thing he absolutely could not lose. Astin took a small box out of his desk drawer and held it in his hand. Shan didn't ask, but somehow he felt he had to answer, so he told him what the box was.
“That.. is a letter...”
It was a box containing letters exchanged with Elze. Shan, who confirmed the seal of Targayel on the letter sticking out of the corner of the box, said to Astin.
“You can call Erzenes ‘older sister’ in front of me.”
"Ah..."
He could feel that he was trying his best to make the atmosphere as comfortable as possible. Of course, no matter what, Shan Cirxus himself was a person who could not be made comfortable.
“And leave the box with my escort. Liv!”
Then, a man who might have been somewhere suddenly appeared from beyond the door.
“Yes... No, Count!”
The man with freckles all over his nose greeted Astin with a cheerful smile.
“I am Liv Cullens, my lord! As a vassal of Targayel, I am the commander of his knights, albeit insignificantly.”
The man who introduced himself as Liv showed great interest in Astin, but Shan coldly cut him off. In the end, Liv had to leave again with only a box in his hand.
Shan and Astin walked out of Aquis University. Astin followed Shan, not knowing where he would go.
The first place the two of them went was the costume shop. Perhaps because they had talked about it in advance, there wasn't a single customer in the spacious and fancy costume shop.
"Welcome!"
As soon as they entered, everyone from the designer of the costume shop to the staff below them lined up to greet them. While Astin was at a loss as to what to do in this awkward situation, Shan nodded silently.
Then they took Astin inside and started to diligently measure him. Meanwhile, on the other side, they brought out cool drinks and simple canapés and served them to Shan and Astin. Shan watched Astin being measured and said bluntly.
“First, let’s make five sets of casual clothes, one set of formal clothes, and one set of suits. If the clothes are good, I’ll order more.”
“Yes, I will make it the best in Britain.”
As the designer smiled brightly and gestured, the staff quickly brought in a few mannequins and set them up in front of Shan.
“I’ve also prepared a few ready-made clothes that you can wear right away.”
At her words, Shan decided to buy it without hesitation. When Astin came back dressed in ready-made clothes, he said with a displeased expression.
“Wear this for now, and then throw away all the clothes from the costume shop as soon as they arrive.”
The thought of how he could throw away new clothes rose to the tip of Astin's tongue. But he just let it go. There was no need to fuss about it here; he could just pack the clothes later.
As Astin listened to Shan's endless orders for hats, shirts, ties, vests, jackets, etc., he felt dizzy. The very concept of spending money seemed completely different.
Shan didn't even bother to check the prices when ordering everything from shoes to bags at the store connected to the costume shop. He just told her to charge Targayel and headed off somewhere else with Astin in tow.
The place they arrived at this time was a nice restaurant. Musicians were playing soft music in a corner, and people were eating elegantly in a calm atmosphere. Shan and Astin sat at the most secluded and spacious table.
Since they had made a reservation in advance, the staff immediately brought out the appetizers. Appetizers made with caviar and escargot were placed in front of the two.
But Astin couldn't readily reach out. He felt burdened by receiving favors for no apparent reason.
“...Count.”
Astin spoke to Shan stiffly and formally.
“You don’t have to do this to me.”
The purple eyes stared straight at Astin. They were scary. But Astin, even though he looked very scared, did not avoid his eyes. Shan, who had been looking at him indifferently, soon smiled and said.
“I’m not doing this for you, Astin.”
He continued speaking, leaning back leisurely in his chair.
“I’m doing this for your sister.”
“...”
When he said that, Astin was speechless. On the other hand, it was quite shocking. To hear such words coming out of that man's mouth. He wondered what on earth had happened between his sister and Shan Cirxus.
Astin picked up his fork without saying a word. It was ridiculous to hold out after saying all that. During the brief moment between the appetizers and the next course, Shan opened his mouth as if he were talking about the weather.
“I’m telling you this because I think it would be good for you to know.”
He hand-picked up a long knife from among the rows of shining silverware. The knife, swinging lightly in his hand, was identical to the one in front of Astin.
But Astin's was a knife for cutting steaks, and Shan's was a knife for slicing people's throats. Shan's soft voice continued.
“If you get into trouble, pick up something. A knife, or even a fork.”
Shan swung the knife slightly as he spoke. He only swung it a span, but Astin flinched involuntarily. The small knife seemed threatening as if it were a long sword.
“If you stay still, you’ll just become an easier prey. Fight back by any means necessary. If that doesn’t work, then at least bite them.”
Shan's eyes, as he spoke, were like those of a sharp wild beast. There was a faint scent of blood in his voice. Astin hesitated and then asked.
“But I wonder if it would be cowardly to use a weapon against an unarmed opponent...”
“Cowardly?”
Shan said with a small smile.
“Cowardly is what they mean by the things they did to you.”
The conversation was cut short by the arrival of the next dish just in time. Astin couldn't have been more grateful to the waiter who brought him his food.
The food neatly placed on the plate looked delicious, but Astin was half-hearted about eating it. He began to seriously worry about whether he could leave his sister in the care of such a ferocious man. He was wondering if he should at least give her a warning when he saw her tomorrow when Shan suddenly spoke.
“But Erzenes.”
When his sister's name was mentioned, Astin almost dropped his fork. And when the next question came up, he really did drop his fork.
“Do you know what she likes?”
"...Yes?"
Astin's mouth opened. Despite the surprised reaction, he acted as if nothing had happened, but Astin had already heard it clearly.
Asking what my sister likes! It's ridiculous, but Shan Cirxus seemed to have feelings for her... It wasn't a political marriage, but a marriage of true love. If that weren't the case, then his actions up until now, and the question just now, wouldn't have been explained.
“...”
A quick-witted employee quietly approached and replaced the dropped fork. After the employee disappeared, Astin hesitated for a while and asked Shan a question instead of answering.
“Um, by any chance...”
Astin swallowed hard and continued.
“Do you have feelings for my older sister?”
Astin's question caught Shan off guard.
“...”
Shan was silent for a moment. No wonder, because it was a question he had not expected at all.
The brother-in-law, who was as weak as a small rabbit, was a ferocious beast when it came to his sister. Astin was determined not to let Shan go until he heard the answer.
Shan had a feeling that maybe he could get a little... help from Astin. He ended up pouring out his heart.
“I don’t know either.”
Astin’s face hardened at the answer of “I don’t know.” He seemed to be wondering if he was talking about his sister. However, Shan wasn’t finished talking yet.
"Just..."
Shan pondered for a moment, choosing the right words. Then he said the words that best expressed his feelings.
“Because I want to make her happy.”
"...Yes?"
“That’s it. There’s no other reason.”
“...”
Astin's mouth fell open in surprise at Shan's words. But Shan had no idea what he meant. Astin realized this as he watched.
This couple still has a long way to go.
***
The nameless knight Vanes from Targayel trampled the swordsmen students so cruelly that it felt like he was being lenient when he sent ordinary people away in one go.
The students of the fencing club who faced him were covered in bruises all over their bodies. On top of that, the attacks were so fierce that it made their stomach ache, and most of the students, including Chesian, the star of the fencing club, were in tears. Of course, some cried out loud.
It was quite a sight to see students with large bodies and a strange appearance being beaten by a slender knight. He was so brutally beaten that some in Targayel even said that he had some kind of grudge against the swordsmen.
In any case, the sight of the noble young men who no one could touch being beaten up gave a sense of exhilaration that had never been felt before. The audience was so blatantly amused that they didn't know what to do. Every time Vanes appeared, the biggest cheers in the history of the Aquis Swordsmanship Tournament erupted.
“Vanes! Vanes!!”
The crowd went wild for Vanes. Unfortunately, Elze, who had entered the competition under the pseudonym Vanes, declared her withdrawal after defeating the last student of the fencing club. Everyone, from the host to the spectators who had come to watch the competition and even her opponents, tried to dissuade her from giving up.
However, Elze had already suddenly run away. She had achieved her goal and had no reason to remain in the swordsmanship competition.
Elze returned to her quarters secretly with the help of Elijah. Then she quickly removed her makeup and applied an antidote to her face. She washed her sweaty body clean, used a cool ice pack to reduce the swelling, and barely managed to make her look normal before Shan returned to her quarters.
"You came?"
Elze greeted him with a smile. Shan looked a little puzzled at Elze's slightly swollen face. Before he could ask, Elze quickly struck back.
“How was it with Austin?”
“Ah. I’ve prepared everything he needs right now.”
“Thank you. Did you talk a lot with Astin?”
Shan made a strange expression at Elze's question.
“He's smart. He's quick-witted too...”
It was an ambiguous answer. Strangely, Shan shut his mouth after saying only that much. Elze, curious about what the two men had done, tried to ask questions here and there, but it was no use.
Shan didn't open his mouth until the very end as if he had found a weakness in Astin.
***
The next day, they all went to see Austin's academic presentation.
The academic presentation was held in a large lecture hall with a staircase-like shape. The lecture hall, which resembled an opera house, was large enough to accommodate several hundred people, but it was already full.
Elze and Shan sat side by side in the front row, a few rows away from the stage. Normally, the escort would wait outside, but since Ivanna wanted to hear the academic presentation, Elijah and Elze sat quietly in the back row. The event itself was calm, so there were no major incidents. However, there were minor commotions, if small.
While Elze, who had worked out hard yesterday, dozed off, hugging the bouquet of flowers she was going to give to Astin, Ivanna fired off a barrage of questions to the presenters.
Of course, it was difficult for Ivanna to ask questions directly, so she poked the side of the smart-looking Rapine next to her and asked him to ask questions instead. And of course, her questions were not easy. Even the scholars in attendance were impressed by the procession of sharp questions that hit the core of the topic and pointed out its weak points. They even forgot to save face and glanced at Rapine.
Rapine, who suddenly became a public figure, did not seem to like it, but he still tried hard to ask Ivanna questions to satisfy her overflowing intellectual curiosity. Tarkun, who was next to her, grumbled while poking Ivanna in the ribs.
“Hey, why are you ordering Rapine to do it?”
“Are you crazy? If a little girl asks you a question, you’ll answer it so well?”
In Baluar and Britain, women tended to be regarded as accessories to men. If Ivanna had asked a question here, she would have been ignored and probably even quietly dragged out of the academic conference hall.
Anyway, Ivanna used Rapine to her advantage, asking questions diligently and harassing the presenters.
But she didn't ask any questions when it was Astin's turn. It was definitely not because he was Elze's younger brother. Ivanna kept exclaiming in admiration as she listened to Astin's presentation.
“Wow... There are no loopholes in the hypothesis testing and no logical leaps. The expressions are clean and easy to understand. There’s no room for attack on this.”
“What are you saying?”
Ivanna summed up Tarkun's grumbling in one word.
“Our Master Astin is smart.”
At those words, Tarkun and Rapine looked at Ivanna with their eyes wide open as if they were going to pop out. It was understandable because this was the first time in her life that Ivanna had ever called someone smart.
While Elijah and the others were making a fuss in the back row, Elze was fast asleep. When she woke up to the thunderous applause that seemed to shake the lecture hall, the presentation was already over, and Astin was walking down from the stage to cheer.
Elze, who had missed all of Astin's presentation because she was sleeping, looked frustrated and scolded Shan, who was standing next to her.
“Why didn’t you wake me up!”
Shan smiled faintly at the whispering. He tilted his head toward Elze and whispered back.
“You’re sleeping so soundly, leaning on my shoulder. How could I wake you up?”
“...!”
I fell asleep leaning on Shan's shoulder... Elze's cheeks burned as she realized that she had fallen into a deep sleep without realizing it.
Since Astin was the last presenter, the event ended with him. Astin, who was selected as the best presenter, received a plaque.
After the academic presentation, Elze quickly went to find Astin. Astin was surrounded by many scholars and professors. An excited voice was heard.
“It was a very impressive presentation. I never thought I would hear a presentation of this level in an academic presentation by students.”
“If you haven’t decided on anything after graduating from school, how about coming to my lab?”
“Hey, you. Don’t hit the player.”
Astin, standing among many people and smiling shyly, couldn't look so radiant. Elze's heart was filled with pride. She wanted to brag to the neighborhood that the child was her only sibling. After the conversation with the scholars was over, Astin looked around. His eyes seemed to be searching for Elze.
“Astin!”
Elze quickly approached Astin and handed him a bouquet of flowers. Astin smiled brightly while holding a large bouquet of flowers. Elze complimented Astin abundantly.
“Congratulations! You are the best presenter!”
After talking about the past and present, Elze decided to go to Astin's room. She was curious to see how things had changed, and she also wanted to ask Astin how things had been with Shan yesterday.
Shan left her far behind and headed to the dormitory with Astin. And the moment she opened the dormitory door, Elze let out an exclamation.
“Wow...”
It was not a dorm room, but a part of a luxurious mansion of a noble family. The room was neat and luxurious, and the large bookshelf was filled with books that Astin needed for his studies. Every other small item was replaced with an expensive one. Astin smiled shyly and said to Elze, who was admiring the closet full of new clothes.
“The Count changed everything for me.”
When Elze heard that he had even bought new clothes for Astin and bought him delicious food, she thought that Shan could do such things. While talking to Astin, Elze asked him the question that she had been wanting to ask the most.
“What... what do you think?”
"Yes?"
“That's what Shan said.”
"Ah."
Astin smiled. She thought he would hate it when Shan's story came up, but it was an unexpected laugh. Astin, who had been giggling to himself for a moment, spoke in a smiling voice.
“I just... I don’t think he’s a bad person.”
Then he quickly put on a serious face and said:
“I think he likes my older sister a lot.”
Elze froze at Astin's words. After remaining stiff for a while, she ended up hitting Astin on the shoulder with her hand.
“Ugh, sis!”
Astin rubbed his shoulder and cried at the strength beyond his imagination.
“You like it, huh? What, huh? What are you talking about!”
From her raised voice to her awkward behavior, anyone could tell that she was flustered. However, Elze didn’t realize that her face was getting hot. Astin giggled as he watched Elze like that. Only after hearing Astin’s laughter did Elze quickly straighten up.
“Anyway, it’s not okay to say something like that.”
But despite Elze's words of trying to set the mood and persuade him, Astin just laughed.
***
The academic festival is over. It was a festival full of talk and trouble, but it was still a fun time. Elze didn't get to see much because she was busy with the swordsmanship competition, but it was okay. Shan and Astin also got to know each other.
She didn't know that Astin, of all people, would say that Shan was a good person. He even added that Shan seemed to like his sister a lot. It was amazing what Shan had done to make Astin so angry.
And after the festival, Elze and Shan prepared to visit the Britain Palace.
This luncheon, invited by the Prince of Britain, was entire because the Prince was a fan of the Hundred Years' War hero, Shan Cirxus. They could not bring a separate escort, as the Royal Family of Britain would be sending everything from the carriage to the escort. The Count and Countess of Targayel only had to board the carriage.
Elze put on her dress with Ivanna's help. After wondering what to do with her hair, she just tied it up neatly.
She chose a dress that was slightly open at the shoulders and chest and wore a necklace and earrings with sapphire crystals. Sbe put on silk stockings and lace gloves, and she was already sweating.
Elze's eyes were darkening at the thought of having to wear this uncomfortable outfit all day. She was thinking that it would be nice to just hurry up and come back, but Ivanna was touching up her makeup and whispering to Elze.
“Captain. Are you aware that a carriage from the Royal Family of Britain is waiting in front of the residence?”
She delicately touched up her sweat-stained makeup. Then she lowered her voice a little and spoke.
“Rapine hid a bag containing a rapier and mangosh under the carriage seat.”
"What?"
Elze looked at her in surprise. Ivanna winked and said.
“Nothing will happen, but I thought it might be okay. When you return from the castle later, Rapine will take the bag out of the carriage again.”
“Well... Ivanna.”
Elze was about to say something more to her, but there was a sound of searching outside. There was no more time to waste. Ivanna checked Elze's makeup one last time, then smiled and said,
“Take care on your way!”
And then as if nothing had happened, she escorted Elze outside to the carriage.
The coachman pulling the carriage sent from Britain and the five knights escorting her greeted the Countess of Targayel politely.
Elze boarded the carriage escorted by Shan. The carriage sent by the Britain royal family was luxurious and the seats were soft. However, imagining that there was a rapier and a bag containing mangosh under the seat, she felt a tingling sensation under her buttocks.
“Are you uncomfortable?”
Elze shook her head at Shan's words sitting across from her. In fact, she can't say that she's worried about her twin swords that are under the chair.
The road from Aquis University to the Britain Palace was not very long. However, the road from the city to the palace was a bit of a quiet forest road. Of course, there was a well-paved road, so there was no problem in traveling by carriage.
The Britain Palace was a castle with history and tradition. It was smaller than the Baluar Palace, but it was a beautiful castle. Elze looked around intently from the carriage running inside the palace.
As the carriage stopped near the Prince's palace and Elze and Shan got out, the servant who had been waiting immediately helped guide them.
Following the servant's guidance, she entered the Prince's palace. Elze looked around discreetly, listening to the servant's words that lunch was prepared in the palace's backyard. Coming to a new place always piqued Elze's curiosity.
Come to think of it, Elze had never been to the Palace of Baluar. The first palace she had ever been to was the Royal Palace of Britain. It was certainly grand, as it was where the Prince and Princess lived. Every blade of grass seemed better than the one in the Targayel mansion.
The garden was connected to the other palaces in a large way, and among them was the entrance to the rear garden of the Prince's palace. Perhaps to protect privacy, the entrance was lined with tall trees like a barrier, blocking the view.
Elze followed Shan and the servant, but the servant stopped walking. He bowed his head politely and spoke.
“Your Excellency, please wait here for a moment.”
Elze sighed inwardly. It seemed like Shan would be guided in first, and then Elze would go. It was so hot that it was really a useless formality.
“...”
Shan looked at Elze for a moment. Elze gave him a small smile to show that it was okay. It seemed that he also didn't like the situation of having to be separated from Elze, even if it was only for a moment. But there was nothing he could do. Shan furrowed his brow faintly and followed the attendant.
So Elze and the maids who followed her remained behind, while the attendant and Shan who were ahead of them went inside the backyard first.
Perhaps Elze would be able to enter only after Shan's guidance was completely finished. The maids were holding up the parasol, but the early summer heat was unbearable. Elze was already feeling like going home.
Still, there might have been maids fanning her at the lunch table. Elze was spending her time fantasizing about being fanned.
“What a beautiful lady!”
Suddenly a man's voice was heard. And then a man suddenly barged in front of Elze. The maids who had been waiting looked at her in surprise.
“Lady, may I know your name? I am Count Parnon.”
“Count, Count...?”
The maids were visibly taken aback by the appearance of the man who called himself Count Parnon. They exchanged glances among themselves.
Elze didn't hear that any other guests were coming to the luncheon the Prince had prepared. Judging from the situation, it seemed that there was some confusion and he had come into the garden.
However, upon listening carefully, the surname Parnon sounded familiar. Elze, who was quietly wondering where she had heard it, remembered that the name of the swordsmanship student she had beaten up was Cessian Parnon.
No, but then you're a married man and you're acting like this? Elze was so dumbfounded that she didn't even want to respond, but she at least gave a minimal amount of politeness.
“I am Countess Erzenes of House Targayel, of the Empire of Baluar.”
Elze emphasized the word Countess, emphasizing that she had a husband. The maids who heard Elze's words quickly stepped forward and blocked Count Parnon’s path.
“Count Parnon!”
One of the maids spoke to Count Parnon.
“She is a guest invited by the Prince.”
Elze was not just any noble, but a foreign noble personally invited by the Prince. It was a signal that he should not be rude anymore. Fortunately, Count Parnon was not such an idiot who could not understand the meaning of words.
“No, this can’t be happening. I made a big mistake.”
Elze, who had been looking the other way until now, finally looked at Count Parnon properly after hearing those words. And then she immediately regretted it. She wished she had just not looked at him.
Count Parnon, whose eyes met Elze's, smiled faintly, revealing his white teeth. He had a stiff mustache, pomaded hair, and wrinkles that couldn't hide his age.
He spoke to Elze in a trembling voice.
“Lady, will you give me a chance to ask for forgiveness?”
...Shit.
From then on, Elze began to lose control of her expressions. What on earth is this married man thinking about, to make me do something? Do I look that easy? Or does he look like he has no money? She felt like her self-esteem was being completely shattered.
There was no such annoyance. Elze had a well-paid husband, had a good body, was handsome, and had a somewhat dirty personality, but was still quite decent. Elze had no reason to even look at a man like this.
Count Parnon was a very lucky man. If there had not been any maids watching him, she would have carefully selected the parts that were not visible and minced them evenly like pork.
“Countess, I...”
Elze didn't even realize that she was sharpening her sword inside, and Count Parnon was about to say something else.
She felt something behind her back. But before Elze could turn around, a forearm slid into her waist and pulled her tightly. The firm embrace on her back felt familiar. Elze tilted her head back and looked at the person wrapped around her waist.
“Shan?”
She thought he had gone into sponsorship first, but how did he get out? But Shan wasn't looking at Elze. A fierce aura dripped from his angry eyes that he couldn't hide.
“To my wife...”
Shan glared at Count Parnon and asked.
“Is there anything you need?”
Support Novellate!
Comments
Post a Comment