“I see… I knew the queen had her sights set on you to become the prince’s fiancée.”
I went straight to Louis and told him everything. He listened quietly to me, and that was the first thing he said.
“Oh? Did you find something out too?” I leaned forward and asked him.
It was nice that I could be as loud as I wanted to here. We were in the former knights’ training building, which was now my personal training building, and only we had the key. This was the only place where we could be alone, and thus the only place where we could talk about things like this.
“No, I just had a hunch when we had our audience.”
“Oh?”
“Remember how the queen took an awfully long time with us at your debut?”
“Oh, right… I thought that was strange too. At the time, I wondered if she gave everyone that much attention.”
“Of course not. I’m not sure why you struck a chord with her so much, but I could tell right then that she was incredibly fond of you. So much so that she told the prince to ask you to dance.”
“Ahh, I see. So that’s what happened.”
I relaxed and leaned against his shoulder. Lately, we’d been coming here regularly together. I wondered if he was coming more because he didn’t want people to see us together. It might’ve been his way of protecting me after those older girls had called me out.
“Well, it’s for the best that the prince has his sights set on someone else anyway. He’ll get who he wants, no matter how difficult it is. He’ll work at it until he succeeds. That’s just the kind of person he is.”
“So that was his way of showing that he trusts me?”
“Yes, and also letting me know he has no intention of trying to steal you from me.”
“Were you worried about that, Louis?”
“I was. The Armelias may not be a military family, but I was preparing myself for battle against the royal family.”
“Oh? And you were determined not to lose?” I teased.
“I’m not sure if I would have, but…I just know that I don’t want to lose you.” He let out a sigh, and a sheepish grin came across his face.
“Ha ha ha. I have no intention of being stolen away from you. You’re my home. So never let go of my hand, okay?”
“All right.” He squeezed my hand. I looked down at it and smiled.
✦ ✦ ✦
Now that exams were over, it was time for a break from school. Thankfully, my tests went smoothly. Otherwise, I would’ve been too embarrassed to show my face in front of Lady Aurelia again.
I stood at the campus gate with my bag. Since everyone was leaving the dorms today, there were a lot of people waiting at the gate for their carriages.
“Anna! It’s so good to see you again.” A carriage with the Anderson family crest pulled up, and Anna got out of it.
“And it’s lovely to see you as well, Lady Merellis. Everyone’s been waiting for you.” she said as I climbed into the carriage.
“Ha ha ha. I can’t wait to see everyone too. I’m eager to see how strong everyone has gotten!”
“They’re all looking forward to showing you.” She gave me a reassuring smile, and I laughed.
“Goodness…” We chatted for a while and finally arrived back at the Anderson mansion. “I’m home, everyone!”
“Welcome home, my lady!” All the servants greeted me. Even though I’d only been gone a few months, it felt like I’d been gone for ages.
My brother was standing there waiting for me too. Since he had already graduated from the academy, he was gaining more experience to take over for my father as the head of household. When I asked him why he wasn’t going to join the army, he told me, “I want to protect those closer to me instead of the kingdom.” And since that was his decision, of course I had no objections.
“How’s life at the academy? I want to hear all about it.”
“Of course!” I skipped into the house, thrilled to be home.
✦ ✦ ✦
“I’d expect nothing less from you, Mer. Even though you’ve been away for so long, you’re just as sharp as ever,” Anna said as she sat on the ground, panting.
“I’ve been training every day on my own at the academy, but it seems like I haven’t been doing as well as I thought. It seems my stamina has dropped a bit…”
“Still, I can’t believe I couldn’t even take one point from you, Mer!” Enarene muttered, looking frustrated.
“Even so, I can tell how hard you girls have been training. You’re faster and sharper than before.”
That made Enarene’s face brighten considerably. “Mer, could we spar again?” She stepped in front of Anna and readied her sword, and I did the same.
“By the way, where’s Abel?” I asked, looking around after my match with Enarene was finished. Today was a day where the soldiers were training with us, but I didn’t see him anywhere.
“I suppose now that you mention it, I haven’t seen him lately.”
“Hm…” That was too bad, as I was looking forward to sparring with him.
“Abel’s busy with work so he hasn’t been here lately,” Kreuz answered.
“Oh. That reminds me, he wasn’t a permanent member of the first regiment, was he?”
“That’s right.”
“So where is he stationed now?”
“Where was it, again…? Strategy, I think?” Kreuz seemed unsure and asked the guy next to him.
“Nah, I think supplies?” But that man seemed equally unsure.
“Really? I feel like Verlys would know the answer. It’s something like that, anyway,” Kreuz said with a sheepish laugh.
I sighed. “I see… It’s okay, it’s not that important.”
“Sorry.”
“It’s fine. I was just curious.” I went ahead and left the training grounds and went back to my room. I wiped off my sweat and lost myself in a book. I was just thinking how I missed Sharia and hoped to see her soon when there was a knock at my door.
“Excuse me.” It was Enarene. “You’ve received an invitation. Shall I read it?”
“An invitation?”
“Yes. To the palace.”
“Huh. I don’t recall any events coming up soon. May I see it?”
Enarene handed me the invitation and I read it. “…They’re welcoming a number of people from the principality of Rimmel and holding a party for them.”
“Oh… A party for foreign guests? How exciting.”
“Yes. I’m sure Louis was invited as well, but I should meet with him to discuss it just in case. I’ll go visit him tomorrow.”
“Very well. I shall send a messenger to the Armelia mansion and let them know you’ll be going to see Lord Louis, my lady.”
“Thank you.”
“Of course. Excuse me.” Enarene left, and I lost myself in my thoughts.
The principality of Rimmel. It was the country next to Tweil and Tasmeria. Why would they be coming to Tasmeria now? Was this a good sign for our kingdom, or a bad sign? Either way, I had a feeling that something was going to happen. Warning bells were ringing loudly in my head…and if my hunch was right, Louis would be right in the center of it.
I clenched my fists with resolve.
“I’ll protect him, no matter what.”