Translator: Elisia
Editor/Proofreader: TempWane
━━━━━━♡♥♡━━━━━━
“Milady, have you returned?”
“Yes, I’m back.”
“You haven’t dirtied your clothes today, I see.”
“…Yes, I brought a spare set with me.”
“How did the duel with Lady Carlins go?”
“We didn’t duel directly. However, I was the one who achieved the objective first.”
At Diane’s words, the maid silently looked at her, as if urging her to continue.
“Lady Carlins and I cooperated to attack Lady Delkis simultaneously. In the end, I was the one who managed to touch her with my sword.”
“Then, it seems it’s still too soon to declare it a victory.”
“…”
“Even so, the fact that you managed to touch the Delkis lady with your sword is remarkable. I’ll be sure to report this matter properly to the Count.”
“…Please do.”
“Also, the Count wanted me to convey this: it’s fine to enjoy life, but you must not lose to those below you. He also added that you must never roll on the ground like commoners.”
“…”
“While I may not know exactly what you were doing out there, someone did see your appearance on your way back. Please do not degrade your own value. Sharpen your skills diligently, but do not seek to become like them. Not just Lady Carlins, but the other two are also not far removed from central power.”
“…I’ll keep that in mind. May I go upstairs to rest now?”
“Yes, I’ve prepared the bath.”
“Thank you.”
After thanking the maid, Diane climbed to the second floor of the mansion, where her room was located.
…Do not lose.
It was something she had heard from her father since childhood.
More specifically, it was something her father said after hearing that Diane was being compared unfavorably to her mentor.
For the Count of Hoover, it was disgraceful for his daughter to lose to a mere common noble who didn’t even hold a proper title.
That was why Diane had hated Adele even before meeting her.
No matter how hard she tried, she could never change her instructor’s evaluation.
Of course, her instructor was a good person. He had never directly compared Diane to anyone in front of her, and if he had continued teaching her, he likely wouldn’t have mentioned it in the future either.
That comment had only come about in private, but it had reached the Count’s ears through the network of “ears” he had planted across the royal capital.
You must always be the best.
Become flawless, so one day you may marry into those who rule this kingdom.
Her father and brother said those words to her every time they looked at her.
“…”
Without saying a word, Diane went to her room, undressed, and headed to the prepared bathroom.
Although she had already washed lightly at Adele’s house, once she entered the mansion, she had to follow its “routine.”
As she slowly immersed her body in the warm water, starting from her toes, the water in the bathtub rippled and overflowed.
“Haa…”
Relaxing her weary body in the tub, Diane blankly stared at the ceiling.
She hated her.
She had hated her.
But that was before she had a proper conversation with Adele.
Adele had remarked that she thought Diane was all talk.
Was that how others saw Diane too?
It was something she had never considered before.
In front of her brother and father, Diane always restrained her words, so there was no reason for such remarks. Among acquaintances… there was no reason either. The nobles who naturally gathered around Diane were all trying to curry favor with the Count’s family.
Such people always looked up to Diane. They tried to win her over, saying what she wanted to hear and giving her what she desired even before she asked.
But did they secretly think so too? That she was a useless woman with a high nose and no real skills?
But…
“Yes. Contrary to my initial thoughts, Lady Hoover’s swordsmanship is superior to mine at present.”
Diane quietly reminisce Adele’s words.
“…”
A compliment.
It was, in truth, something she could have dismissed as trivial.
After all, Adele wasn’t at the level of a Swordmaster, nor was she someone who could objectively evaluate Diane’s swordsmanship skills.
Splash.
The sound of water rippling could be heard.
It was because Diane had lifted her hand and placed it on her chest.
Her heart was pounding hard.
Yes, it was just a simple compliment. Like the usual compliments she received from those around her…
…Not entirely the same, though…
A compliment not from someone unfamiliar with Diane, but from someone who had crossed swords with her directly.
That compliment, though modest, brought a bit of joy to Diane.
It was probably because Diane, too, recognized Adele's remarkable swordsmanship.
*
“Oh-hoho!”
She’s completely back to her usual self.
The moment I entered the classroom with Adele, Diane’s signature high-pitched laugh filled the air, and I almost felt deflated.
She looked like she had something on her mind when we parted ways yesterday.
But now, as soon as the next day came, she was acting just as she usually did.
Come to think of it, maybe her serious expression back then was just irritation at being complimented on something obvious.
Maybe I should’ve let Adele take the hit instead of Diane?
“Did you sleep well last night? I hope you managed to rest comfortably even after losing to me. Well, I suppose if you’re a common noble with no pride, you could fall asleep without a care.”
Ugh.
Ack.
I quickly turned my head in the direction of the sound.
In comics, when someone gets angry, they often show exaggerated veins bulging. While it wasn’t that dramatic, a single vein had appeared on Adele’s temple.
Her jaw trembled slightly from how hard she was gritting her teeth.
Whether that was fortunate or not, I wasn’t sure. At least the atmosphere wasn’t one where she looked ready to kill Diane out of sheer rage—it was more like she desperately wanted to punch her but was barely restraining herself.
“That spar yesterday,” Adele said, glaring at Diane, “the victory in yesterday’s duel was thanks to my assistance.”
“But in the end, I was the one who won.”
This from someone who was jumping around giving high-fives at the time.
Of course, I had no intention of stepping into their argument.
“...Fine.”
Adele continued to glare at Diane as she spoke.
“In that case, I’ll come at you with all my strength next time.”
The ladies surrounding Diane covered their mouths in surprise at Adele’s words.
None of them were common nobles. While they weren’t on the level of the Count of Hoover’s family, they were influential enough in the capital to walk with their heads held high without anyone daring to criticize them.
Even they couldn’t openly speak out against Diane, so seeing Adele—a mere common noble—stand up to her must have shocked them.
“Humph.”
Swish.
Ack.
Diane suddenly produced a fan from somewhere, snapping it open to cover her mouth.
Her eyes narrowed above the fan, as if mocking Adele.
“Fine, then. I’ll be waiting. Though, of course, the winner will still be me.”
“...Just don’t change your tune after losing later.”
Hmm…
I really couldn’t tell if they were friendly or not.
Still, this fiery rivalry was better than an icy, cutthroat atmosphere where they seemed ready to stab each other.
“Hm.”
Ack.
The Crown Prince had somehow crept up beside me, and his sudden voice almost made me jump out of my seat.
Seriously, why does he insist on hiding his presence with his aura when approaching people?
It’s fine in a private setting, but in a crowded place like this, it’s almost impossible to notice him.
“When did those two get so close?”
“...”
At that moment, Amelia, who had been standing silently beside me, subtly grabbed my arm.
Just as I was stepping aside under her gentle tug, Adele and Diane simultaneously glared at the Crown Prince.
I almost felt like saluting Amelia for her perceptiveness.
...Still, for them to go as far as to glare at the Crown Prince—those girls certainly had a lot of nerve.
*
When class ended, I went to teach Adele horseback riding as usual, only to find Diane in front of Adele’s house again.
I didn’t expect her to give up on horseback riding, even if it wasn’t about swordsmanship.
When Adele saw Diane, she went back inside and returned with an outfit, handing it to Diane, who was on horseback.
“...What’s this?”
“It’s a substitute for riding clothes… from what I own.”
Perhaps unable to fully call it riding attire, Adele explained it to Diane in that way.
Since Adele had never needed to ride a horse, it made sense that she wouldn’t have proper “riding clothes.”
More than that, the outfit wasn’t much different from what Adele usually wore for swordsmanship training.
“What’s the reason for handing this to me? Someone like me has no reason to wear something like this.”
“Well, didn’t you get all dispirited last time when your clothes got dirty?”
“...”
“If you don’t want to get your clothes dirty again, I suggest you just wear this.”
“...”
Diane gave Adele a look that seemed to be of disbelief. In response, Adele scoffed and added:
“Lady Hoover doesn’t have clothes like these, does she?”
“...”
Diane seemed both incredulous and dumbfounded by Adele’s remark. Still, she snatched the outfit from Adele’s hands.
"... I think the Crown Prince was right."
“Shh.”
When I spoke softly, Amelia quickly cut me off with a hushed gesture.