“How was she, father?” Filiel anxiously asked Bernard after Yui was gone. One of the reasons Bernard had come to observe the training camp was to ask Yui about making the magic item, but the biggest reason was to see whether Yui was worthy of becoming a princess.
Filiel was second in line for the throne. If anything happened to Alexis, or if he was never blessed with children, Filiel might become king. In addition, if Alexis and his wife only had girls, and Filiel and his wife had a boy, Filiel’s wife might eventually become queen mother—only men could inherit the throne under Garlant’s laws. Bernard couldn’t approve of Filiel’s partner just because Filiel loved her.
“Few could stand in front of so many powerful people and speak so confidently,” Bernard said. “Her ability to stick to her own beliefs without being overwhelmed by the grandmaster is especially worthy of praise. She’s smart and pretty. And, because she was raised in a count’s family, she comports herself well. There are some points that could use some work, but she has all the fundamentals down, so I’m sure she’ll improve with further instruction.” Filiel held his breath as he waited for Bernard’s final answer. “Very well. If she gives you a positive reply, I’ll approve your engagement.”
“Thank you very much,” Filiel said, relief dawning on his face.
“If there’s one issue, it’s that perpetually blank expression of hers... Not that Alicia won’t find a way to deal with it. She’s always said that she wanted a daughter.”
A brief silence fell as everyone imagined, in the backs of their minds, a joyful Alicia turning an exhausted Yui into her toy.
Filiel collected himself and looked at his father with a serious expression. “As such, please officially decline the talks of engagement with Eliza and Marquess Chamberly’s daughter.”
“You haven’t gotten a positive reply from Yui yet, have you?”
“I’ll definitely get her to say yes, so it won’t be necessary.”
After hearing such a clear declaration, Bernard said nothing more. “I see. All right. And regarding Eliza, both Alicia and Elise were against her, so it was unlikely that she was ever going to be your fiancée.”
Elise was Eliza’s mother and the wife of Duke Favis. She was also related to Alicia, Filiel’s mother. She and Alicia had always been as close as sisters, and they understood each other very well. They had both been fiercely opposed to talks of engagement between Filiel and Eliza.
“Is that so? But why?” Alexis asked. “I think Eliza would be a fine choice as princess.”
Bernard seemed to have remembered something, and he looked tired somehow. “Who knows? Even if I ask, those two just get angry at me and say, ‘I can’t stand you men sometimes; you’re so insensitive to women’s matters.’ They won’t give me any specific reasons. Do you two know anything?”
“I’m drawing a blank.” Alexis looked to Filiel. “Do you know why, Filiel?”
Filiel shook his head. “No.”
“When everything’s settled, I’ll ask them again. By the way, Filiel...” Bernard suddenly took on a serious tone. “I have one last thing I need to ask you.”
Filiel straightened his posture, expecting something important.
“What does she like?” Bernard asked.
Filiel paused. “Huh?” He had been prepared for the worst, but Bernard’s question had been so unexpected that he momentarily couldn’t parse what had been asked.
“Right, well, there’s a high chance Yui will become my daughter, yes?”
“Haaah...” Filiel sighed. “Yes, that’s right.”
“I’ve wanted a daughter just as much as Alicia! And I’d love it if she could call me ‘father!’” Bernard was speaking with more energy and enthusiasm than he usually ever did. “She seemed nervous the entire time she was in front of me, but she smiled cutely at you and father. She has to get used to me first! And presents are the best if I want her to like me, right? Layce might know more about her preferences, but there’s no way he’ll answer me if I ask, ‘What’s the best present to give to my future daughter to get her to like me?’ If I did, he’d abandon his duties, and you’d be in danger.”
Filiel and Gaius looked thoroughly fed up, but Alexis muttered, “A little sister...” He looked happy, somehow.
✦ ✦ ✦
The next morning, the two victorious groups attended the special class taught by the grandmaster and General Kieran. Many students unable to take the class had asked to at least be allowed to observe, but the grandmaster and the general had refused, saying that it’d interrupt the students’ concentration. So, the only other people there were Filiel’s and Yui’s groups, plus Bernard, Alexis, Gaius, the cardinal, and Berg, who was there representing the rest of the teachers.
The first-years were each taking turns receiving instruction from the grandmaster.
“Too slow! Focus and carefully stabilize your magic energy, right up to the end!”
“Yes, sir!” Ivo exclaimed.
The grandmaster frequently shouted at and berated his students, but for some reason, they looked to be extremely happy to be yelled at. It seemed to throw him off-balance.
A short distance away from them, Cecil was receiving instruction from the general. Cecil was a brilliant, outstanding student at the academy, but the general was more experienced than him by far. From his perspective, Cecil was still an immature kid. However, Cecil quickly picked up what he was being taught, and the general seemed to find joy in teaching him. He was zealously giving Cecil strict coaching, almost like he was leading army drills. Cecil was normally showered with praise at the academy, and he had probably never been so disparagingly scolded before. Carlo—the one who normally got lectured for his misbehavior—watched this novelty with great interest. Filiel, who was standing next to Carlo, also observed the scene.
“Seeing Cecil being so ruthlessly criticized is a precious sight,” said Filiel. “After all, he’s the honors student at the academy, and the teachers never have a bad word to say about him.”
“Right? Well, he does look like he’s enjoying it. Are you not going to participate, Filiel?”
“No, I usually train directly under the captain of the royal guard and the commander in chief anyway.”
“You lucky— No, never mind. Now that I look at you guys, I’m not so sure...” As Filiel spoke, and as Luca and Zeke listened to him, they all looked depressed. Any jealousy Carlo had felt disappeared.
“You’ll know what it’s like when you join the army,” Filiel said. “The commander in chief sometimes comes for training, and when it’s all over, it’s like a scene out of a nightmare. He’s almost as old as grandfather, but he’s still actively serving... If anything, he’s got more energy than everyone younger than him. You’d better brace yourself for when you join.”
“I didn’t really want to know that...”
“By the way, where’s Yui?” Filiel asked.
“Over there—look.” Carlo pointed to a grumpy-looking Yui, who was standing in the corner. “The grandmaster went in person to get her this morning, so she wasn’t able to escape. She’s been in a bad mood ever since.”
Filiel smiled awkwardly. “She definitely doesn’t look happy.” He chuckled.
Luca squinted at her. “She doesn’t?” Yui’s emotions were hard to detect. She looked expressionless to him and Zeke, but Filiel could read her like a book.
“The grandmaster seems like he’s willing to do anything to recruit her for the guild,” Filiel said.
Carlo shook his head. “She’s still insistent on taking over the bakery and living an ordinary life, though.”
“Like I’ll let that happen!”
“It’s nice that you’re motivated, but you should really be careful. According to information from our dad, many people have apparently already asked Yui out.”
“What?!” Filiel was greatly shaken by the news that he had rivals.
“Don’t worry, she’s turned them all down.” Carlo had been trying to lightly prod Filiel, but his joke had made much more of an impact than he’d expected. For a while afterward, Filiel just stood there in a daze.