Duke Argenthoz clicked his tongue, feeling a deep sense of regret.
Moreover, he wanted to take revenge directly on Countess Gratti, who had badmouthed Yvonne, but the Gratti family had already gone bankrupt because of Duke Iels, and they had sold their townhouse in the capital and moved down to their fiefdom.
‘He even takes care of revenge... He must be quite resourceful.’
The more he knew, the more regretful he felt.
'I wish Barden had been my daughter, tsk.'
He was a doting father who couldn't even think of connecting his daughter, Yvonne, with Rudnine.
Duke Argenthoz personally installed a defensive magic circle in the Palace of the Deep Sea to prepare for any possible invasion by the Black Magician.
As he was quietly leaving the palace of the deep sea, his vassal, Count Olit, approached Duke Argenthoz and whispered in a quiet voice.
“Duke.”
“Why is that?”
"I, I saw him at the banquet hall.... His Highness the Third Prince and Princess Argenthoz were talking very affectionately. They seemed to get along very well."
“Hmm? Was that so? I came late, so I didn’t see it.”
Count Olit was furious at the puzzled Duke of Argenthoz.
“Yes, yes! It’s true!”
“Oh, really?”
“So, what I’m saying is, why don’t you just abandon the old carriage and get a new one?”
'Old carriage?'
Duke Argenthoz's eyes lit up as he immediately understood that the old carriage that Count Ollit was talking about was Crown Prince Adrian.
Count Ollit was even more excited by his reaction and chattered.
"And that too in a gleaming golden carriage pulled forward by Father! The Princess and Prince Felix, you two look so perfectly together!"
“Prince Felix?”
The Duke of Argenthoz was perplexed.
He had no intention of connecting his daughter with Prince Felix.
He continued, stuttering.
“You two... get along well?”
Duke Argenthoz's brow furrowed as he imagined his daughter and Prince Felix standing side by side.
Prince Felix was so delicate that he looked like he would faint if he got hit by his daughter, so the idea that the two of them would be a good match didn't really resonate with him.
'Hmm.'
However, since Yvonne wanted to become the Crown Princess, wouldn't she like it if Prince Felix were the Crown Prince and made Yvonne the Crown Princess?
But no matter how he arranged the two of them here and there, he still didn't like it.
'It doesn't suit me! This isn't right!'
The Lord of the Tower, who believed that magic was an art and that aesthetics were very important, was so distressed that he tore his hair out.
But...
But, if he wants his daughter to become the Crown Princess...
If that happens, it will be thorough revenge on those damned people who have been gossiping about Yvonne behind her back.
And to atone for the sins of his incompetent father, who had neglected Yvonne for so long.
'Ha.'
In this way, Duke Argenthoz's worries have increased by one more.
He nodded reluctantly and said.
“First of all... I need to discuss it with Duke Iels.”
“Yes, yes, that’s fine. Of course, Duke Iels will be happy to welcome you too!”
The cheerful Count Olit smiled brightly.
He was proud of himself, praising himself for standing in line well and giving very good advice.
"Yvonne, are you really not going to the meeting today? I told you it's really important."
“I’m not going, brother.”
"Are you serious? I really don't need to be the successor. You can be the Duke of Argenthoz. You can go and build up your reputation. You can go hunting monsters and beat them to your heart's content!"
“Ah... Really.”
I glared at Barden, who was chattering away.
Barden would come to my room early in the morning and pester me while I was eating.
He was again urging me to attend the secret meeting to exterminate demons that he had told me about on the way to Adrian's birthday banquet the other day.
No, it looked like he was going to drag me away by force.
You're like a fucking brother!
Since I was little, I've never been interested in things like being a Duke or a successor, and now I can't even use magic.
And why would I get involved in such a bothersome thing...
I've lived a hard life, so now I want to live a very comfortable and leisurely life.
I took a big bite of the lamb steak for breakfast and chewed it while yelling at Barden.
“Don’t go, woman. Don’t go!!!”
Although it wasn't intentional, the blood of the rare lamb that had been cooked just then flowed out of the grill.
Then, Barden ran away screaming, "Mom!" with a face as pale as a stone.
Tsk tsk.
How on earth did you survive the war with such a weak personality?
Oh, my brother! You don't want to go kill monsters, and you're trying to pass the burden on to me because you're afraid of it?
'Suspicious?'
Somehow, my hypothesis felt convincing, so I glared at the door where Barden had disappeared. I wiped my mouth with the napkin Eudela had handed me and finished my meal, asking,
“What time is it now?”
“It’s ten o’clock, Princess.”
“I need to get ready quickly.”
“Yes! I’ll prepare some clothes to go out.”
Watching Eudela run to the dressing room with a bright smile, I asked Liana this time.
“Have you heard from Carol yet?”
“Yes. Not yet... I’m worried that something might be wrong.”
"That's probably not it. Hmm. I'll see if I can find out when I'm out later."
“Are you okay?”
"It's okay."
I nodded and hurriedly finished getting ready to go out with Eudela, who had returned.
Today is the day we are finally supposed to meet Cordelia at the Dailing Cafe.
I've been racking my brain with Liana, trying to figure out what Cordelia might want from me, but nothing has come of it.
I decided to just accept the offer since it was a safe place anyway, come home, and discuss it with Liana again.
“The weather is nice.”
The hot summer has passed, and it is a nice day with a cool breeze blowing.
I looked up at the sky and expressed my admiration.
After I was dressed by Eudela, who had chosen a pretty outfit for me to wear outside, I whispered quietly to Pembe, who had followed me.
“Get some rest.”
"Are you okay? Why aren't you taking me? What if something happens?"
"I brought the defensive artifacts. Cordelia's a warlock too. What if she recognizes you? And you've been using up a lot of energy recently healing me, so you need to recover, so just rest here."
"Yes. Come back safely."
I stroked Pembe's head, who nodded with wide eyes, as if he was genuinely worried, and then got into the carriage and set off for the Nasiel district for the first time in a long while.
I have plans to meet Cordelia today, but I also have plans to go on a date with Rudnine this evening!
'Hehe. I'm so busy.'
An uneasy promise and an exciting promise were made at the same time.
Although I had a lot of work to do today, I didn't bother to spread it out because I had more work to do tomorrow.
'I have to go buy Thiels tomorrow.'
Finally, I was able to find out from Baron Gardner, whom I contacted yesterday, where the largest deposit of Thiels Magic Stones is located.
Baron Gardner said that his wife was pregnant with their second child, and that the due date was suddenly approaching, so he had to take maternity leave immediately.
Still, I found out the location of the Thiels Magic Stone mine and said I would send it to the Argenthoz Mansion by today.
'So you've been busy.'
Well, at least maternity leave should be recognized.
By the way, before I meet Rudnine later, I have to stop by the salon to get my hair done and get some new clothes.
"I hope Eudela made the salon appointment. I want to look pretty."
My heart raced in many ways.
I was afraid of what Cordelia might say, and I was nervous about meeting Rudnine today.
While I was thinking about all sorts of things, I arrived at the Nasiel district.
I parked the carriage at the carriage house, got out, and muttered while looking out at the Plaza Naciel from a corner.
“Long time no see.”
“Yes. It’s been a while since I’ve been out.”
I looked at the man speaking calmly next to me, and the corners of my mouth turned up.
“When did you come with me again?”
“I’m your escort, Princess! I should always be with you.”
"Haha..."
I laughed in vain at the sight of Lord Luden, who now shamelessly followed me around even though I told him not to.
Even though he is weaker than me.
Well, it's better than not having an escort at all.
I glanced at the sword hanging from Lord Luden's waist and reached out my hand.
“Can I have your sword for a second?”
“...Are you asking me to hand over my sword now? This is my life, my lover!”
I hesitated for a moment before handing over the gold coin to Sir Luden, who was startled and whose face turned pale.
“Here. To commemorate becoming my bodyguard, go to that weapon shop and buy a new one.”
“Yes. Oh, yes. Thank you, Princess.”
Sir Luden quickly handed me the sword, bowed, and received the gold coin.
This is ridiculous, really.
“You said it was life and a lover?”
"The new sword you've bestowed upon me, Princess, is now my life and my lover. And I've just happened to bring a spare sword with me."
Sir Luden, who had only a mouth, pointed to the carriage and smiled broadly.
Oh, me.
Well, it seems like a good opportunity to reflect on the past when I relied solely on my magic and to gift a sword to my escort knight.
As it happens, I have some money now.
As I was looking around with the sword Lord Luden had given me, he approached me and asked me a cautious question.
“Princess... isn’t it heavy?”
"Not really."
“As expected...! Women who haven’t trained find the sword too heavy to lift at first.”
'What? Just, what?'
Is my strength normal?
Ignoring the gaze of Lord Luden, who was now looking at me with perfect admiration, I grabbed the scabbard and drew my sword.
The pure white sky sparkled in the sunlight.
Rudnine would be someone who fights with a sword like this.
'That would be cool... I want to see it.'
What should I do with this crazy love that all my thoughts lead to Rudnine?
“...You’re already quite different. You’re so brave, Princess!”
As Lord Luden started to fuss, I glanced at him and asked.
“Is that a curse?”
“Of course it’s a compliment.”
Lord Luden approached me, slightly shifted the position of his sword grip, and then stepped back.
"But why do you want to use a sword? Princess, you're strong enough with magic alone."
“...Just in case.”
As a wizard, I know I'm strong.
I haven't found the magic yet, because I killed the highest-ranking warlock's familiar.
'I think I'll feel safer if I even take up a weapon.'
“There is something like that...”
Lord Luden, who had been looking at me in bewilderment as I avoided eye contact and mumbled, scratched his head and then began to explain briefly.
There are only three ways to stab, cut, and swing.
But my sharper senses than those of animals allowed me to master the swordsmanship taught by Lord Luden, and I was able to quickly imitate them.
And the strength follows.
"What? Easy, isn't it? Maybe being a knight was a better calling than being a wizard. Maybe it's because I take after my mother?"
“Amazing... So this is what a genius does. I... feel a little empty, well, that’s it...”
Sir Luden clapped his hands feebly and grumbled, 'What a dirty world that sucks up talent.'
Moreover, he wanted to take revenge directly on Countess Gratti, who had badmouthed Yvonne, but the Gratti family had already gone bankrupt because of Duke Iels, and they had sold their townhouse in the capital and moved down to their fiefdom.
‘He even takes care of revenge... He must be quite resourceful.’
The more he knew, the more regretful he felt.
'I wish Barden had been my daughter, tsk.'
He was a doting father who couldn't even think of connecting his daughter, Yvonne, with Rudnine.
Duke Argenthoz personally installed a defensive magic circle in the Palace of the Deep Sea to prepare for any possible invasion by the Black Magician.
As he was quietly leaving the palace of the deep sea, his vassal, Count Olit, approached Duke Argenthoz and whispered in a quiet voice.
“Duke.”
“Why is that?”
"I, I saw him at the banquet hall.... His Highness the Third Prince and Princess Argenthoz were talking very affectionately. They seemed to get along very well."
“Hmm? Was that so? I came late, so I didn’t see it.”
Count Olit was furious at the puzzled Duke of Argenthoz.
“Yes, yes! It’s true!”
“Oh, really?”
“So, what I’m saying is, why don’t you just abandon the old carriage and get a new one?”
'Old carriage?'
Duke Argenthoz's eyes lit up as he immediately understood that the old carriage that Count Ollit was talking about was Crown Prince Adrian.
Count Ollit was even more excited by his reaction and chattered.
"And that too in a gleaming golden carriage pulled forward by Father! The Princess and Prince Felix, you two look so perfectly together!"
“Prince Felix?”
The Duke of Argenthoz was perplexed.
He had no intention of connecting his daughter with Prince Felix.
He continued, stuttering.
“You two... get along well?”
Duke Argenthoz's brow furrowed as he imagined his daughter and Prince Felix standing side by side.
Prince Felix was so delicate that he looked like he would faint if he got hit by his daughter, so the idea that the two of them would be a good match didn't really resonate with him.
'Hmm.'
However, since Yvonne wanted to become the Crown Princess, wouldn't she like it if Prince Felix were the Crown Prince and made Yvonne the Crown Princess?
But no matter how he arranged the two of them here and there, he still didn't like it.
'It doesn't suit me! This isn't right!'
The Lord of the Tower, who believed that magic was an art and that aesthetics were very important, was so distressed that he tore his hair out.
But...
But, if he wants his daughter to become the Crown Princess...
If that happens, it will be thorough revenge on those damned people who have been gossiping about Yvonne behind her back.
And to atone for the sins of his incompetent father, who had neglected Yvonne for so long.
'Ha.'
In this way, Duke Argenthoz's worries have increased by one more.
He nodded reluctantly and said.
“First of all... I need to discuss it with Duke Iels.”
“Yes, yes, that’s fine. Of course, Duke Iels will be happy to welcome you too!”
The cheerful Count Olit smiled brightly.
He was proud of himself, praising himself for standing in line well and giving very good advice.
***
"Yvonne, are you really not going to the meeting today? I told you it's really important."
“I’m not going, brother.”
"Are you serious? I really don't need to be the successor. You can be the Duke of Argenthoz. You can go and build up your reputation. You can go hunting monsters and beat them to your heart's content!"
“Ah... Really.”
I glared at Barden, who was chattering away.
Barden would come to my room early in the morning and pester me while I was eating.
He was again urging me to attend the secret meeting to exterminate demons that he had told me about on the way to Adrian's birthday banquet the other day.
No, it looked like he was going to drag me away by force.
You're like a fucking brother!
Since I was little, I've never been interested in things like being a Duke or a successor, and now I can't even use magic.
And why would I get involved in such a bothersome thing...
I've lived a hard life, so now I want to live a very comfortable and leisurely life.
I took a big bite of the lamb steak for breakfast and chewed it while yelling at Barden.
“Don’t go, woman. Don’t go!!!”
Although it wasn't intentional, the blood of the rare lamb that had been cooked just then flowed out of the grill.
Then, Barden ran away screaming, "Mom!" with a face as pale as a stone.
Tsk tsk.
How on earth did you survive the war with such a weak personality?
Oh, my brother! You don't want to go kill monsters, and you're trying to pass the burden on to me because you're afraid of it?
'Suspicious?'
Somehow, my hypothesis felt convincing, so I glared at the door where Barden had disappeared. I wiped my mouth with the napkin Eudela had handed me and finished my meal, asking,
“What time is it now?”
“It’s ten o’clock, Princess.”
“I need to get ready quickly.”
“Yes! I’ll prepare some clothes to go out.”
Watching Eudela run to the dressing room with a bright smile, I asked Liana this time.
“Have you heard from Carol yet?”
“Yes. Not yet... I’m worried that something might be wrong.”
"That's probably not it. Hmm. I'll see if I can find out when I'm out later."
“Are you okay?”
"It's okay."
I nodded and hurriedly finished getting ready to go out with Eudela, who had returned.
Today is the day we are finally supposed to meet Cordelia at the Dailing Cafe.
I've been racking my brain with Liana, trying to figure out what Cordelia might want from me, but nothing has come of it.
I decided to just accept the offer since it was a safe place anyway, come home, and discuss it with Liana again.
“The weather is nice.”
The hot summer has passed, and it is a nice day with a cool breeze blowing.
I looked up at the sky and expressed my admiration.
After I was dressed by Eudela, who had chosen a pretty outfit for me to wear outside, I whispered quietly to Pembe, who had followed me.
“Get some rest.”
"Are you okay? Why aren't you taking me? What if something happens?"
"I brought the defensive artifacts. Cordelia's a warlock too. What if she recognizes you? And you've been using up a lot of energy recently healing me, so you need to recover, so just rest here."
"Yes. Come back safely."
I stroked Pembe's head, who nodded with wide eyes, as if he was genuinely worried, and then got into the carriage and set off for the Nasiel district for the first time in a long while.
I have plans to meet Cordelia today, but I also have plans to go on a date with Rudnine this evening!
'Hehe. I'm so busy.'
An uneasy promise and an exciting promise were made at the same time.
Although I had a lot of work to do today, I didn't bother to spread it out because I had more work to do tomorrow.
'I have to go buy Thiels tomorrow.'
Finally, I was able to find out from Baron Gardner, whom I contacted yesterday, where the largest deposit of Thiels Magic Stones is located.
Baron Gardner said that his wife was pregnant with their second child, and that the due date was suddenly approaching, so he had to take maternity leave immediately.
Still, I found out the location of the Thiels Magic Stone mine and said I would send it to the Argenthoz Mansion by today.
'So you've been busy.'
Well, at least maternity leave should be recognized.
By the way, before I meet Rudnine later, I have to stop by the salon to get my hair done and get some new clothes.
"I hope Eudela made the salon appointment. I want to look pretty."
My heart raced in many ways.
I was afraid of what Cordelia might say, and I was nervous about meeting Rudnine today.
While I was thinking about all sorts of things, I arrived at the Nasiel district.
I parked the carriage at the carriage house, got out, and muttered while looking out at the Plaza Naciel from a corner.
“Long time no see.”
“Yes. It’s been a while since I’ve been out.”
I looked at the man speaking calmly next to me, and the corners of my mouth turned up.
“When did you come with me again?”
“I’m your escort, Princess! I should always be with you.”
"Haha..."
I laughed in vain at the sight of Lord Luden, who now shamelessly followed me around even though I told him not to.
Even though he is weaker than me.
Well, it's better than not having an escort at all.
I glanced at the sword hanging from Lord Luden's waist and reached out my hand.
“Can I have your sword for a second?”
“...Are you asking me to hand over my sword now? This is my life, my lover!”
I hesitated for a moment before handing over the gold coin to Sir Luden, who was startled and whose face turned pale.
“Here. To commemorate becoming my bodyguard, go to that weapon shop and buy a new one.”
“Yes. Oh, yes. Thank you, Princess.”
Sir Luden quickly handed me the sword, bowed, and received the gold coin.
This is ridiculous, really.
“You said it was life and a lover?”
"The new sword you've bestowed upon me, Princess, is now my life and my lover. And I've just happened to bring a spare sword with me."
Sir Luden, who had only a mouth, pointed to the carriage and smiled broadly.
Oh, me.
Well, it seems like a good opportunity to reflect on the past when I relied solely on my magic and to gift a sword to my escort knight.
As it happens, I have some money now.
As I was looking around with the sword Lord Luden had given me, he approached me and asked me a cautious question.
“Princess... isn’t it heavy?”
"Not really."
“As expected...! Women who haven’t trained find the sword too heavy to lift at first.”
'What? Just, what?'
Is my strength normal?
Ignoring the gaze of Lord Luden, who was now looking at me with perfect admiration, I grabbed the scabbard and drew my sword.
The pure white sky sparkled in the sunlight.
Rudnine would be someone who fights with a sword like this.
'That would be cool... I want to see it.'
What should I do with this crazy love that all my thoughts lead to Rudnine?
“...You’re already quite different. You’re so brave, Princess!”
As Lord Luden started to fuss, I glanced at him and asked.
“Is that a curse?”
“Of course it’s a compliment.”
Lord Luden approached me, slightly shifted the position of his sword grip, and then stepped back.
"But why do you want to use a sword? Princess, you're strong enough with magic alone."
“...Just in case.”
As a wizard, I know I'm strong.
I haven't found the magic yet, because I killed the highest-ranking warlock's familiar.
'I think I'll feel safer if I even take up a weapon.'
“There is something like that...”
Lord Luden, who had been looking at me in bewilderment as I avoided eye contact and mumbled, scratched his head and then began to explain briefly.
There are only three ways to stab, cut, and swing.
But my sharper senses than those of animals allowed me to master the swordsmanship taught by Lord Luden, and I was able to quickly imitate them.
And the strength follows.
"What? Easy, isn't it? Maybe being a knight was a better calling than being a wizard. Maybe it's because I take after my mother?"
“Amazing... So this is what a genius does. I... feel a little empty, well, that’s it...”
Sir Luden clapped his hands feebly and grumbled, 'What a dirty world that sucks up talent.'
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