Why are they clashing? Baldur said Lieselotte was jealous of Fiene, who I recognized as a friend, but I don’t see how that would cause discord between cousins who were raised like brother and sister...
“Bal said she was jealous of Fiene, but she’s actually jealous of the kuudere Bal,” Lady Kobayashee said.
“Basically, at first she was thinking, ‘I’m really worried about Miss Fiene. I want to go with her,’ and now, it’s become, ‘I’m good at using a wand, so she should rely on me instead of Bal,’” Lord Endoh said.
“That’s what Lieselotte’s Memoir implied, yeah. She wrote something like, ‘I couldn’t help but envy everyone who got to do the extracurricular activities with their friends.’ Since she can’t be honest and say that, she’s jealous of Bal who’s super straightforward with his love, so her tsun side comes out in full force.”
I was proud of myself for not losing my cool upon hearing their words.
I see. So that’s how it is. My fiancée is truly too adorably clumsy.
“All right, calm down, both of you,” I said. “You’re scaring Miss Fiene.”
“Oh! I’m sorry, Your Highness,” Baldur said.
“Please forgive us for that shameful display,” Lieselotte said.
They hurriedly lowered their heads, putting their intense argument on hold. Fiene breathed a sigh of relief.
I continued, “The two of you sound like parents clashing over their child’s upbringing. You both share the same concern for Miss Fiene, so don’t get too heated, all right?” I couldn’t help but chuckle.
Lieselotte blushed, while Baldur froze as if he’d had a sudden realization. He glanced at his cousin and let out an exasperated sigh as he finally understood the meaning behind her words.
“Wh-What is it, Bal? I’m not worried about Miss Fiene!”
“No, it’s fine. I get it. I forgot that whenever you’re intentionally harsh, it’s because you’re embarrassed.”
Lieselotte was trying her best to keep snapping at him, but Baldur had fully grasped the situation after hearing my words.
I chuckled. “Well then, let’s invite Art and go together. The basilisk is a formidable foe, but there’s nothing to fear if we have multiple healers. Part of the purpose of the Big Cleanup is for the students to learn to work together and deepen their friendships, so let’s get along and have fun, all right?”
Earlier, Lady Kobayashee had revealed that Lieselotte was envious of the people who got to do the extracurricular activities with their friends. It reminded me of the Big Cleanup’s other purpose and, as expected, Lieselotte’s expression immediately brightened when I mentioned it.
“I-If Your Highness insists, then I suppose I—”
“I know Liese is a pain to deal with, but she is skilled with a wand. When we’re fighting in the mountains, Miss Fiene should stay by her side.”
Lieselotte glared at Baldur for interrupting her, but she didn’t reject his suggestion. She seemed to be sulking in a completely different way from earlier, without any hostility.
“She’s prickly on the outside, but there’s no hiding that happy look on her face!” Lord Endoh shouted.
“Fiene’s also relaxed now that she knows what was really going on, so it should be smooth sailing from here on out,” Lady Kobayashee said.
I agreed with their opinions. Lieselotte was extremely capable, and she was strict with herself as well as others. Her aura of isolation, when combined with her attempts to cover up her embarrassment, resulted in so many misunderstandings that it made one feel sorry for her.
Even Baldur, who knew her well, had thought she was bullying her classmate out of jealousy. It would normally be difficult for her to get along with a friend—namely, Miss Fiene—but that was exactly why she yearned for it, and why she was now happy it was becoming a possibility.
A heartwarming feeling washed over me as I looked at my fiancée. The others likely felt the same.
A beat passed this way.
“Ugh...! Miss Fiene, I challenge you!” Lieselotte shouted, as if unable to bear the awkwardness any longer.
“Huh? A-A challenge?!” Fiene stammered.
“What are you doing now, Liese?” Baldur gave his cousin a suspicious look.
Lieselotte glared at the two. “Miss Fiene, I will fight the basilisk with you, but let us compete on the number of other kills. If you win, I will invite you to my home for afternoon tea, and if you lose, you will have to have a practical lesson on tea party etiquette at my house!”
Wait...what? Aren’t those the same outcome? She phrased them differently out of embarrassment, but they’re both invitations to a tea party. Right?
“Tea at Lady Lieselotte’s house?! W-Will there be sweets?!” Fiene’s eyes sparkled. I wasn’t sure whether she realized how excited she sounded.
“But of course,” Lieselotte said. “I’d appreciate it if you didn’t underestimate House Riefenstahl.”
“Hey, Liese, you should prepare some things that’ll keep for a while, so she can bring them home if she likes them,” Baldur said.
“You don’t need to tell me that. Naturally, I will have a wide selection of desserts prepared.”
Their conversation lit a flame in Fiene’s eyes. “Sweets, confections, precious treats, luxury desserts! Delicious sweets from a noble’s house, and I can bring them home!” After muttering that, Fiene straightened her back and with a serious expression declared, “We can’t just stand here. Let’s find Sir Richter and defeat that basilisk! Then I can compete with Lady Lieselotte in exterminating the remaining pests!” She dashed off at lightning speed.
“Oh, wait, Miss Fiene!” Baldur shouted, running after her. “I’ll go with you!”
They...sure are fast. In Fiene’s case, she appears to have cast enhancements on herself.
As I was staring blankly at their quickly retreating figures, I heard an exasperated sigh coming from beside me.
“Good grief, that girl...” Lady Lieselotte muttered. Despite her words, she had a gentle smile on her face. Then, she tightened her expression and sharply lowered her head to me. “Thank you for your assistance, Your Highness. Also, please allow me to apologize for my own lack of ability in—”
“W-Wait, Lieselotte,” I said. “Raise your head, all right? You’ve made your gratitude clear, and there’s no need to apologize.”