Chapter 37: 37
Hanette rested her chin on her hand, turning her head slowly. Strands of silver hair seemed to cascade down her slender face. Her violet eyes, slightly lightened by the sunlight, were striking. It was hard to call such a face unattractive.
‘If only he were unattractive…’
Maybe then, she wouldn’t even want to talk to him, let alone be around him. They were forced together, so why try to get close? Of course, even now, they weren’t exactly close.
‘He doesn’t look like a noble at all. Just like me…’
Hanette knew well that she was not typical by any standard. She had tried to appear as if she was consumed by gambling and drinking, while cleverly moderating that image. If she went too far, her parents wouldn’t stay quiet, but if she stayed too reserved, they’d think she had reformed.
‘Back then, neither of us had much except for our looks.’
The daughter of a Duke and the son of a Marquis, the Crazy Young Lady and the overly ordinary noble, a relationship formed through strategic marriage. On the whole, it was a precariously balanced relationship. Not perfect, but not entirely mismatched.
But at some point, that balance had begun to tip.
‘Now, he seems too good for me.’
Zion had quickly become a swordsman who could use sword energy. His name would frequently come up in social gatherings, with nobles lamenting not recognizing his talent sooner. Some would even say the Marquis Laird family lost out, while Duke Adelaira gained significantly.
‘Father wouldn’t allow a breakup.’
If it were up to Marquis Laird, perhaps, but her father would never permit it. Breaking off the engagement would disgrace the family name, and her father would want to keep a son-in-law who could wield sword energy close.
He might even give Zion whatever he wanted to keep him content.
‘I’ll often be compared now.’
The Crazy Young Lady, who enjoyed gambling and drinking daily, was lucky enough to be engaged to a swordsman with sword energy. At least her looks would spare her from too much dislike.
‘What could that kid be thinking?’
She thought Zion might be having similar thoughts. However, if he had hidden his abilities all this time, it was hard to understand his choices. Perhaps he had only recently acquired the ability to use sword energy.
“Hey.”
“Why?”
“Why did you agree to marry me?”
“I was ordered to. What other reason could there be?”
“Why would a guy who can use sword energy agree to marry me?”
“I couldn’t use sword energy back then.”
“So, you regret it now?”
“What?”
“Getting engaged to me.”
Zion turned his head, looking at Hanette. Her eyes held a forlorn expression, waiting for his answer.
“…I don’t regret it.”
“If I were you, I’d regret it.”
“We can’t be the same, can we?”
“How are we different?”
“I mean, my circumstances are different from yours.”
“What’s so different?”
“Well… it’s hard to explain.”
Even Zion couldn’t avoid the engagement to Hanette. At the time, he didn’t have Exceed Rain and couldn’t defy Freed’s orders. Plus, he needed to follow the predetermined storyline, so he accepted the engagement willingly.
“You’re ridiculous. What’s so hard about it?”
“It’s not hard. Once I accepted it, that was it.”
“You could break it off.”
“Do you think your side would allow that?”
“Then ask your side.”
“Freed has his pride… He wouldn’t go that far.”
“It’s a waste to send a precious son who can use sword energy to me, isn’t it?”
“…Why do you think your worth is less than mine?”
Zion muttered indifferently, looking out the window again. Hanette was called the Crazy Young Lady, but she had significant talent. If she properly learned magic, the Adelaira Dukedom’s reputation would soar even higher.
“Well… I do a lot of pointless things?”
“I don’t think they’re pointless. You have things you want to do.”
“They call me the Crazy Young Lady.”
“Should I be swayed by rumors? To me, you’re not a delinquent.”
“Hah! You speak well. Are you defending me because we’re engaged?”
“I think you’re just lost for a while. People can’t always keep moving forward.”
“…?”
Hanette’s face stiffened for a moment, and she closed her mouth. No one had ever told her she was just lost. They only pointed out her mistakes and scolded her.
“You probably didn’t want to marry me either. You accepted because Duke Adelaira forced you to.”
“Same for you.”
“Because we’ve both experienced it, we can understand each other. Maybe that’s why you help me with whatever I do.”
Zion had a rough understanding of Hanette’s psyche. Her feelings were often detailed in the original story. Knowing this, he was confident she had no ill intentions, and he intended to be considerate until she left.
“Sigh… You’re saying things that don’t sound like you.”
“What do I sound like?”
“Always showing off, talking back, saying unnecessary things, and…”
“Why are you making up flaws I don’t have?”
“Those are your flaws.”
“You seem desperate to find faults in me.”
“Because you keep saying weird things.”
“I’m thinking of you, and you call it weird? That’s disappointing.”
“When was I not disappointed?”
“Only when you’re acting unlike yourself.”
“What do you know about me?”
“You’re surprisingly scared? You’re a good person but not very honest? What else…”
“Back to your senses, I see.”
Hanette smiled briefly, then covered her mouth. She didn’t feel particularly amused or happy, but why was she suddenly smiling?
“Anyway… Stay inside until I get back. If you must go out, take the necklace with you.”
“How many times do I have to say it? I’ll wear it because of you.”
“…That’s a relief.”
Zion watched her for a moment before quietly getting up. Compared to when they first met, she was more receptive to his words. Perhaps seeing him use sword energy made her believe in him a little.
“Where are you going?”
“To learn swordsmanship.”
“Don’t you already know it?”
“Nope.”
“Then how did you use sword energy?”
“Um… luck?”
“Does that even make sense?”
“No, but I used it, so I can’t explain.”
“You promised to protect me without even knowing swordsmanship?”
“…That’s why I’m trying to learn. I can’t rely solely on sword energy.”
Hanette wanted to argue more but couldn’t. Zion had said he would increase his mana for her. Learning swordsmanship was likely for the same reason.
“Well, at least you’re trying.”
“I’m just having a conversation, so it won’t take long. Wait a bit.”
“… Be careful.”
Hanette watched Zion until he left. Only after the door closed did a sense of regret wash over her.
‘I should have asked to go with him.’
* * *
Near the main gate of Marquis Frandique’s mansion.
The Marquis Frandique family had long been allies with the Duke Adelaira family. This longstanding relationship created a strong bond, leading to unwavering support for the Duke Adelaira family. The Duke family, in turn, offered many conveniences to the Marquis family, avoiding discussions of strategic marriages due to their frequent interactions.
“Brother.”
Zion leaned in, speaking softly. Kaltz, listening carefully, responded cautiously.
“What?”
“Is this really okay?”
“What do you mean?”
“Our family isn’t exactly close to Marquis Frandique’s.”
“I thought you’d ask something serious. It’s fine. The Duke family is discussing a strategic marriage.”
“We’ve already skipped one family, haven’t we?”
“I’m close friends with their eldest. He knows about your engagement to Lady Hanette and readily agreed to my request.”
Kaltz, led by a maid, entered the mansion first. Zion followed, speaking again.
“Did the family head give permission?”
“He said to learn well and come back.”
“And Marquis Frandique agreed?”
“You worry too much. The eldest son agreed to teach you, so of course, he got permission.”
“How do you know him?”
“Hmm… drinking buddy?”
“You want me to learn swordsmanship from your drinking buddy?”
“Why not?”
“We’ve already skipped one family, and now you’re skipping yourself. What am I supposed to do?”
“Are you not going to learn?”
Zion hesitated, then pondered. Naturally, learning swordsmanship involved costs. Unlike magic, swordsmanship was typically self-taught or learned from retired knights. It was customary to verify if the teacher was genuinely skilled and trustworthy through various channels.
“I trust the family but am unsure about the person.”
“He’s well-known among young swordsmen. You can trust him.”
Zion knew one fact about the Frandique family. A noble lady destined to become the White Apostle had the surname Frandique. As the youngest daughter of Marquis Frandique, she was likely the sister of the person he was about to meet.
“He’s skilled?”
“…Does skill matter to someone who can use sword energy?”
“Brother, I told you I can only use sword energy.”
“Do you know what he said about you?”
“What?”
“He can’t understand why a master would seek guidance from an amateur.”
“…”
Zion, speechless, lifted his head. A young man descended the stairs quickly. Kaltz waved, greeting him warmly.
“You’re late.”
“You arrived early!”
“True. I wanted to see my busy drinking buddy rush.”
“You…”
The young man stopped before Kaltz, then turned to Zion. Recognizing him, he extended his hand first.
“Is this Kaltz’s brother?”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Zion Laird.”
“I’m Halfnon Frandique. I’ve heard many rumors about you.”
Halfnon shook Zion’s hand briefly. For a swordsman, Halfnon’s hands were surprisingly soft. Perhaps this had something to do with Zion seeking his instruction.
“Shall we proceed to the drawing room? It’s ready.”
Halfnon led them upstairs. Once in the drawing room, served refreshments, Halfnon spoke again.
“…I won’t ask why you want to learn swordsmanship. Everyone has their reasons.”
“Thank you for understanding.”
“Kaltz likely mentioned this. Can you do me a favor?”
“A favor?”
Zion remembered Kaltz’s words, sipping his tea. Kaltz said Halfnon would teach swordsmanship for free, with a condition. If the request wasn’t excessive, Zion agreed to comply.
“For you, it’s probably easy, but for me, it’s difficult.”
“What’s the request?”
“I want to learn to use sword energy.”