Chapter 43

"Miss Asaria, Lord Lauro, thank you very much for today. Thanks to you, we were able to finish without causing many injuries."

After the rush of the monsters at the western fortress ended, we returned to the room where we first met, and Lord Orga thanked us again.

"No, it was just our duty as members of the Aegis Dukedom."

"I just did my job as a knight."

When we said this, Lord Orga nodded with a smile.

"Hmm, I thought you would say that. It was very good to see Miss Asaria and Lord Lauro in battle."

"Likewise, we were able to see the magic of the Aegis Dukedom and the battle of the knights of the western fortress, which was a valuable experience."

It was the first time I saw the wind magic of the Aegis Dukedom, and it was very impressive.

Among all the magic, wind magic is the only invisible attack.

Although I could sense the activation of the magic, it was difficult to understand its form and power, making it very hard to grasp.

Furthermore, the speed of the magic was quite fast, and it quickly defeated the monsters.

"I was also motivated not to lose to you, and so was Cecilio. I hope we can maintain a good relationship between our dukedoms in the future."

"I feel the same way. I look forward to working with you."

Lord Orga extended his hand again, and I shook it in response.

"To become friends with Miss Asaria, there is something I need to apologize for first."

"Yes? What is it?"

"I used to dislike you."

"…What?"

W-Why suddenly? Why did Lord Orga dislike me?

Moreover, he said he wanted to be friends, but then said he disliked me...

"I just had a misunderstanding and disliked you. Now, I don't dislike you at all; in fact, I think very highly of you."

"O-Oh, a misunderstanding?"

"Yes, I thought you were engaged to Prince Lewis and intended to become the Princess of the Crown."

"…Yes, that's correct."

Lord Orga said he thought I intended to become the Princess of the Crown, so he probably knows a little about my current relationship with Prince Lewis.

I didn't explicitly say I didn't intend to become the Princess of the Crown, so I don't need to affirm or deny it.

"That was the reason I disliked you. We were born as one of the Four Great Dukedoms and had to fulfill our duties. Yet, I thought you were escaping your duties by becoming the Princess of the Crown."

"…I see."

"I understand that being the Princess of the Crown is a difficult and important job, but it doesn't seem as life-threatening as standing on the battlefield. That's why I disliked you."

Indeed, it's understandable to think that way.

My father didn't want me to stand on the battlefield, so he arranged my engagement to the Crown Prince.

I never wanted to run away, but what Lord Orga said is mostly true.

"But at the recent award ceremony, the actions of Miss Asaria and Lord Lauro to protect other fortresses went beyond the duties of a dukedom. I truly admire that from the bottom of my heart."

"Thank you very much."

"It must have been very difficult to develop such skills. Additionally, Miss Asaria must have studied to become the Empress."

I didn't expect such high praise.

However, Lord Orga seems to think I balanced "Empress studies" and "magic practice," which isn't entirely accurate.

Before I returned, I was always studying to become the Empress until my engagement was broken.

After my engagement was broken by Prince Lewis, I spent two years practicing magic.

There was no period when I did both simultaneously, but if he didn't know I had returned, he would think I did both at the same time.

Since I don't intend to tell anyone I returned, I can't correct his misunderstanding.

"That's why I want to apologize for judging you and disliking you. I'm truly sorry."

"No, my engagement to the Crown Prince was arranged by my father to keep me off the battlefield. So, there's no need to apologize."

"I'm grateful for your forgiveness. Can I expect to see Miss Asaria's performance on the battlefield in the future?"

"Hehe... Yes, you can think of it that way."

"Haha, I see. I look forward to it."

Lord Orga's question probably included the meaning of "Will you continue to fight on the battlefield after your engagement to Prince Lewis was broken?"

I affirmed it, but it was just a play on words, so there's no need to delve deeper.

We both understood this and smiled.

"However, Miss Asaria, you are truly perfect. You've studied to become the Empress, and you can use magic so well."

"No, there's still much to learn."

"Hmm, I can't fall behind either."

We took a sip of tea during our conversation.

At that moment, there was a knock on the door, and Lord Cecilio entered.

"Sister... No, Lady, the monsters have been dealt with, and I've come to report."

"Thank you, Cecilio. You did a great job."

"Thanks... I appreciate it..."

When he calls Lord Orga "Lady," it seems he looks the most tired.

"Miss Asaria, thank you very much for today. It was great to see your magic up close."

"Likewise, Lord Cecilio. Your magic was very helpful."

"No, compared to you, I'm far behind. I will work harder."

Lord Cecilio smiled in a friendly manner.

He has a beautiful boyish charm, more cute than handsome.

"Lord Lauro, you were also amazing and very impressive!"

"It was just my duty as a knight, so it's not something to be praised."

"No, no, there's no need to be modest! As expected of the dedicated knight of the Spencer Dukedom's lady, you were strong and cool!"

"…Thank you."

Lauro, who is usually not easily flustered, seemed a bit taken aback.

Perhaps it's because Lord Cecilio's words were not exaggerated but genuinely praising him.

Lord Cecilio, born into the Aegis Dukedom, must have undergone strict education and training.

Yet, he gives the impression of a completely sincere young man.

As a member of a dukedom, he must have seen many people's true colors in social circles.

Yet, it's rare to find a man with such a pure aura.

"Lord Lauro, a knight like you is really cool. I admire you so much."

"Is that so?"

"Yes, you see, I'm short and look weak, right? I admire strong and tough knights like Lord Lauro."

Lord Cecilio smiled while looking up at Lauro slightly.

It's not something a regular noble would say, and if they did, it would sound like flattery.

But when he says it, it feels like he genuinely admires Lauro from the bottom of his heart.

It's a very good impression, but it's also a bit scary.

If Lord Cecilio used his appearance and the impression he gives to everyone to his advantage, he could quickly become a topic of conversation in social circles and rise to the top of noble society.

However, I've only heard rumors about him being a cute young man from the Aegis Dukedom, so he probably hasn't done that.

"Lord Lauro, would you like to train together sometime? I'm interested in how you train and strengthen yourself."

"I don't mind, but I don't think it's much different from other knights."

"That's fine. I want to know the secret of your strength and also spar with you!"

"…Miss Asaria, is it okay?"

Lauro asked me, looking a bit troubled.

Since he is my dedicated knight, he probably thought I should make the decision about his "secret of strength."

There's no real secret to Lauro's strength; he's just strong.

"Of course, it's fine. I also train with Lauro, so please join us then."

"Thank you, Miss Asaria! Lord Lauro, I'm looking forward to training with you!"

"…Yes, me too."

Seeing Lauro slightly smile, I was a bit surprised.

It seemed he also had a good impression of Lord Cecilio.

Lord Cecilio's sincere and good-natured personality is truly impressive.

I can understand why Lord Orga is so protective of him.

"Miss Asaria, can I join you then?"

"Of course, Lord Orga."

"That's great. And Miss Asaria, I have one warning for you."

"What is it?"

Lord Orga grabbed my shoulders with a very beautiful smile. It was a strong grip!

"I won't allow anyone to lay a hand on Cecilio. Absolutely not."

"U-Understood..."

Lord Orga's eyes were so serious...

I never intended to do anything, but if I did, I would need to be prepared to risk my life.

Moreover, "lay a hand" is usually used when a man does something to a woman, isn't it?

"Ha, Lady... I'm not a child anymore."

"That must be tough, Lord Cecilio."

"Can you understand, Lord Lauro?"

"…I'm sorry, I was just being polite. I don't have a sister, so I don't understand."

"Yes, I feel like I'm starting to understand Lord Lauro's personality."

"Is that so? I'm glad to hear that."

Lauro, that's just sarcasm.