Episode 110. The Greatest Crisis of Life
After Locard entered the training ground, the knights vacated the area. Looking at his momentum, it seemed that there would be no benefit in approaching him.
He swung his sword roughly, and when the sun was setting, he finally collapsed on the ground as if exhausted. A long shadow fell over him.
The swordsmanship instructor, Heinel, was his 'teacher' whom Lorisha despised so much.
"Your Excellency, everyone is dying of curiosity right now."
"Then let them die."
Heinel watched Locard's reaction as he tugged on one side of his goatee with his fingertips.
"Shall I deal with you?"
"Hmph."
They both knew that Heinel had waited until he was exhausted and passed out before speaking.
"Rumors are going around that a beautiful blonde lady has appeared at the mansion. Is it true?"
"It's not a lady, it's Madame Kydel."
“Oh. Our ascetic young master has been acting all hot lately, and it has paid off! Hahaha.”
“...”
Heinel was desperate to make this conversation sound like a joke, but Locard had the same expression on his face as if he had lost half his men after an all-night battle.
Heinel had seen countless men’s faces of despair after impregnating women, getting their noses pierced, and marrying them, but Locard’s face was just too much. That’s why he was quite embarrassed.
“Are you that dissatisfied?”
“No. It’s just that my mind is in a mess.”
“Well, it’s time to enjoy it a little more.”
Heinel roughly matched the rhythm, but Locard wasn’t listening. Heinel scratched his temples hard, unable to read his little master’s mind, and turned back.
Finally, the sky that Locard saw, left alone, was darkening and losing its light.
When he heard the word ‘marriage’ from his father today, he was shocked. He felt like his freedom was being restricted.
But at the same time, he felt joy. It was a conflicting feeling that he couldn’t explain at all.
Anyway, he didn’t hate the fact that he no longer had to chase after Lorisha.
But his father, Prince Grayon, and even the knights who came back to the mansion to talk to him. They all expressed only concern.
As if they were denying his joy.
The real problem was something else.
Lorisha.
Her words, her despair, her sadness...
She was the one who had crushed his heart. It hurt to see the tattered wounds in her heart that she had tightly wrapped.
It was overwhelming. It was a feeling he rarely experienced.
If he did what she wanted, she would be happy as she wanted, but he would be very unhappy.
When he thought about going around to catch her again later, something bubbled up in the depths of his heart.
It had been a long time since he had felt this crazy.
That was how my first night at the Kydel House went. Madame Olga brought me food and told me what the Duke had said. He said that I would need some time to adjust, so I didn’t need to visit her and that I could be free.
He must have hated me, but I was still grateful. I didn’t want to go greet him with my eyes swollen like this.
My mind was in shambles. Yesterday, Prince Kydel seemed to be furious to the core. His unfamiliar face wouldn’t leave my mind.
After finishing the meal, I sat there blankly when I heard a familiar voice outside the door.
“I’ll go in. I don’t need tea. Thank you.”
“If you need anything else, please call me anytime.”
Soon, Madame Olga knocked.
“Miss Misha Loire has arrived, my lady.”
“Yes! Come in.”
Misha glanced around the room and snorted as soon as she saw me. It was because she saw my swollen eyes.
“Ha!”
“...”
I sat in the window chair, and she sat on the sofa, turning away from each other.
I couldn’t open my mouth because I could vividly feel Misha’s betrayal.
However, I must be out of my mind right now, and inside, I was glad to see Misha. It was like meeting a friend.
Misha said coldly.
“Little Madame of the Kydel family? How are you, Lorisha?”
“...”
“Why aren’t you saying anything? Do you have a conscience, do you?”
“Yes. That’s why I can’t say anything, Misha.”
“Anyway, what I’m saying is!”
“...”
Normally, we would have continued to bicker and argue, but today, I just smiled.
Maybe that’s why Misha asked with a slightly frightened expression.
“Why, is Prince Kydel angry? Or is the Duke harassing you?”
“What are you talking about? No one is like that.”
Misha finally spoke coolly. It seemed that she also didn’t want to show that she was worried about me.
“My father sent me, so don’t misunderstand.”
“Yeah. Thank you. You’re suffering because of me, Misha.”
“...Are you really okay?”
“No, I’m not okay. Would you be okay?”
“No? You must have fainted ten times because you were happy. I thought you would be, too, but this is a bit unexpected.”
I said weakly.
“Does it make sense that I’m the little lady of the Kydel Duke’s house?”
“Well... I have nothing to say.”
“I know my place, right?”
“Yeah. That’s what I mean.”
We turned away from each other again and remained silent. However, I couldn’t stand the silence for long before I said,
“Hold on. It’s okay.”
“What?”
“Actually, do you want to grab my hair? I really did take Prince Kydel away. Hold on. It’s really okay.”
“Ha! If you can’t even talk.”
Misha snorted and slowly made a worried expression.
“You’re so shameless. Just accept it. Since you’ve been doing such things that the entire empire is making a fuss about it anyway, why don’t you start doing it for real now?”
“Thank you for your feelings, Misha.”
Our conversation about cheering on obscene acts and being grateful for them felt strange. Misha and I both realized that and kept quiet for a moment.
This time, I asked.
“What about you? Are you okay?”
“What do you listen to people? I already said I’ve made up my mind. Anyway, the marriage to the Kydel family is beneficial to the Loire family. I’ll try to think positively.”
“You’ve really grown up a lot, haven’t you?”
Maybe because I spoke so bluntly, Misha became serious.
“My father is preparing for the wedding and asked me to find out if you want anything. You're planning to have the wedding before the end of the academy vacation, so what kind of wedding are you planning in a week? Anyway, if there’s anything you want, tell me now or keep your mouth shut forever, Lorisha.”
I opened my mouth wide. Come to think of it, the academy vacation was almost over.
“...The Countess?”
When I stared at Misha, she averted her eyes.
I wondered if the Countess was sick because I stole her son-in-law. That’s why the Count is personally preparing the wedding.
“The Countess can’t sleep, right?”
Misha sighed.
“Mom took a sedative and fell asleep. She’s more upset about you doing well than the Prince.”
“Just so you know...”
“I know. Mom sent you to the palace instead of me. Who would say anything if Mom shot herself in the foot?”
I felt a strange sensation along with the thought that the Countess was really consistent.
For Misha to come to me and ask me what I needed when I was getting married, didn’t she seem like a real sister?
“Wow... Live long, Misha.”
“What, they say you die young when you grow up? Don’t make me laugh. Anyway, do you need anything?”
“Nothing. Nothing.”
“I knew you would do that... Yes. Then I’ll prepare as I please.”
I knew Misha’s extravagant and luxurious tastes. She would definitely spend more money than I could imagine on this wedding because she could decide as she pleased.
But I couldn’t let the Count’s fortune be squandered on this marriage that I didn’t know how long it would last.
I suddenly came to my senses and said,
“No? No! Simple, simple, I like it very simple and small. Since I’m the bride, don’t do as you please, prepare as I please. Everything should be cheap and frugal!”
“You’re a funny girl. I’ll take care of it, so you just diligently apply flower water to your face.”
Then she looked at me and asked,
“What does the Prince say?”
“Huh?”
“The Prince must have only received the notice...”
‘What would he say? He must want to die more than I do.’
I thought that and forced a smile.
Although Prince Kydel seemed easygoing at first glance, he was full of ambition and never rested.
Until he makes Prince Grayon the Emperor, he will probably run without rest like a racehorse. But now that he has a heavy sandbag attached to his ankle, how resentful he must be. He must feel like cutting off his own wrists that have saved me so many times.
“He's surprised, aren’t hr? Of course.”
“...”
Misha looked at me as if she felt pity for me and turned away.
I must have been in a really terrible situation, to the point where I was receiving Misha's sympathy.
I sighed as if the ground was about to collapse.
Marriage?
I've never been in such a crisis in my life.
After Locard entered the training ground, the knights vacated the area. Looking at his momentum, it seemed that there would be no benefit in approaching him.
He swung his sword roughly, and when the sun was setting, he finally collapsed on the ground as if exhausted. A long shadow fell over him.
The swordsmanship instructor, Heinel, was his 'teacher' whom Lorisha despised so much.
"Your Excellency, everyone is dying of curiosity right now."
"Then let them die."
Heinel watched Locard's reaction as he tugged on one side of his goatee with his fingertips.
"Shall I deal with you?"
"Hmph."
They both knew that Heinel had waited until he was exhausted and passed out before speaking.
"Rumors are going around that a beautiful blonde lady has appeared at the mansion. Is it true?"
"It's not a lady, it's Madame Kydel."
“Oh. Our ascetic young master has been acting all hot lately, and it has paid off! Hahaha.”
“...”
Heinel was desperate to make this conversation sound like a joke, but Locard had the same expression on his face as if he had lost half his men after an all-night battle.
Heinel had seen countless men’s faces of despair after impregnating women, getting their noses pierced, and marrying them, but Locard’s face was just too much. That’s why he was quite embarrassed.
“Are you that dissatisfied?”
“No. It’s just that my mind is in a mess.”
“Well, it’s time to enjoy it a little more.”
Heinel roughly matched the rhythm, but Locard wasn’t listening. Heinel scratched his temples hard, unable to read his little master’s mind, and turned back.
Finally, the sky that Locard saw, left alone, was darkening and losing its light.
When he heard the word ‘marriage’ from his father today, he was shocked. He felt like his freedom was being restricted.
But at the same time, he felt joy. It was a conflicting feeling that he couldn’t explain at all.
Anyway, he didn’t hate the fact that he no longer had to chase after Lorisha.
But his father, Prince Grayon, and even the knights who came back to the mansion to talk to him. They all expressed only concern.
As if they were denying his joy.
The real problem was something else.
Lorisha.
Her words, her despair, her sadness...
She was the one who had crushed his heart. It hurt to see the tattered wounds in her heart that she had tightly wrapped.
It was overwhelming. It was a feeling he rarely experienced.
If he did what she wanted, she would be happy as she wanted, but he would be very unhappy.
When he thought about going around to catch her again later, something bubbled up in the depths of his heart.
It had been a long time since he had felt this crazy.
***
That was how my first night at the Kydel House went. Madame Olga brought me food and told me what the Duke had said. He said that I would need some time to adjust, so I didn’t need to visit her and that I could be free.
He must have hated me, but I was still grateful. I didn’t want to go greet him with my eyes swollen like this.
My mind was in shambles. Yesterday, Prince Kydel seemed to be furious to the core. His unfamiliar face wouldn’t leave my mind.
After finishing the meal, I sat there blankly when I heard a familiar voice outside the door.
“I’ll go in. I don’t need tea. Thank you.”
“If you need anything else, please call me anytime.”
Soon, Madame Olga knocked.
“Miss Misha Loire has arrived, my lady.”
“Yes! Come in.”
Misha glanced around the room and snorted as soon as she saw me. It was because she saw my swollen eyes.
“Ha!”
“...”
I sat in the window chair, and she sat on the sofa, turning away from each other.
I couldn’t open my mouth because I could vividly feel Misha’s betrayal.
However, I must be out of my mind right now, and inside, I was glad to see Misha. It was like meeting a friend.
Misha said coldly.
“Little Madame of the Kydel family? How are you, Lorisha?”
“...”
“Why aren’t you saying anything? Do you have a conscience, do you?”
“Yes. That’s why I can’t say anything, Misha.”
“Anyway, what I’m saying is!”
“...”
Normally, we would have continued to bicker and argue, but today, I just smiled.
Maybe that’s why Misha asked with a slightly frightened expression.
“Why, is Prince Kydel angry? Or is the Duke harassing you?”
“What are you talking about? No one is like that.”
Misha finally spoke coolly. It seemed that she also didn’t want to show that she was worried about me.
“My father sent me, so don’t misunderstand.”
“Yeah. Thank you. You’re suffering because of me, Misha.”
“...Are you really okay?”
“No, I’m not okay. Would you be okay?”
“No? You must have fainted ten times because you were happy. I thought you would be, too, but this is a bit unexpected.”
I said weakly.
“Does it make sense that I’m the little lady of the Kydel Duke’s house?”
“Well... I have nothing to say.”
“I know my place, right?”
“Yeah. That’s what I mean.”
We turned away from each other again and remained silent. However, I couldn’t stand the silence for long before I said,
“Hold on. It’s okay.”
“What?”
“Actually, do you want to grab my hair? I really did take Prince Kydel away. Hold on. It’s really okay.”
“Ha! If you can’t even talk.”
Misha snorted and slowly made a worried expression.
“You’re so shameless. Just accept it. Since you’ve been doing such things that the entire empire is making a fuss about it anyway, why don’t you start doing it for real now?”
“Thank you for your feelings, Misha.”
Our conversation about cheering on obscene acts and being grateful for them felt strange. Misha and I both realized that and kept quiet for a moment.
This time, I asked.
“What about you? Are you okay?”
“What do you listen to people? I already said I’ve made up my mind. Anyway, the marriage to the Kydel family is beneficial to the Loire family. I’ll try to think positively.”
“You’ve really grown up a lot, haven’t you?”
Maybe because I spoke so bluntly, Misha became serious.
“My father is preparing for the wedding and asked me to find out if you want anything. You're planning to have the wedding before the end of the academy vacation, so what kind of wedding are you planning in a week? Anyway, if there’s anything you want, tell me now or keep your mouth shut forever, Lorisha.”
I opened my mouth wide. Come to think of it, the academy vacation was almost over.
“...The Countess?”
When I stared at Misha, she averted her eyes.
I wondered if the Countess was sick because I stole her son-in-law. That’s why the Count is personally preparing the wedding.
“The Countess can’t sleep, right?”
Misha sighed.
“Mom took a sedative and fell asleep. She’s more upset about you doing well than the Prince.”
“Just so you know...”
“I know. Mom sent you to the palace instead of me. Who would say anything if Mom shot herself in the foot?”
I felt a strange sensation along with the thought that the Countess was really consistent.
For Misha to come to me and ask me what I needed when I was getting married, didn’t she seem like a real sister?
“Wow... Live long, Misha.”
“What, they say you die young when you grow up? Don’t make me laugh. Anyway, do you need anything?”
“Nothing. Nothing.”
“I knew you would do that... Yes. Then I’ll prepare as I please.”
I knew Misha’s extravagant and luxurious tastes. She would definitely spend more money than I could imagine on this wedding because she could decide as she pleased.
But I couldn’t let the Count’s fortune be squandered on this marriage that I didn’t know how long it would last.
I suddenly came to my senses and said,
“No? No! Simple, simple, I like it very simple and small. Since I’m the bride, don’t do as you please, prepare as I please. Everything should be cheap and frugal!”
“You’re a funny girl. I’ll take care of it, so you just diligently apply flower water to your face.”
Then she looked at me and asked,
“What does the Prince say?”
“Huh?”
“The Prince must have only received the notice...”
‘What would he say? He must want to die more than I do.’
I thought that and forced a smile.
Although Prince Kydel seemed easygoing at first glance, he was full of ambition and never rested.
Until he makes Prince Grayon the Emperor, he will probably run without rest like a racehorse. But now that he has a heavy sandbag attached to his ankle, how resentful he must be. He must feel like cutting off his own wrists that have saved me so many times.
“He's surprised, aren’t hr? Of course.”
“...”
Misha looked at me as if she felt pity for me and turned away.
I must have been in a really terrible situation, to the point where I was receiving Misha's sympathy.
I sighed as if the ground was about to collapse.
Marriage?
I've never been in such a crisis in my life.
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