episode_0037

After a storm of greetings, the Viscount and his wife treated the group to a grand meal prepared in advance.

Naturally, it was not my place as the child of a servant, so I naturally tried to leave, but the Viscountess and Mary stopped me.

Still, I tried to make an excuse to escape, but the gazes of my companions were also showing silent agreement, so I had no choice but to sit down on the chair.

After the meal, which was not at all comfortable, the group was led to their respective rooms.

And I am.

“The joke went too far.”

I went to Estelle’s room and was questioning her.

I somehow managed to explain it away, but you don’t know how much I broke into a cold sweat.

Estelle may have said it as a light-hearted joke, but it doesn’t end lightly for me.

She may never come here again, but I have to live here.

No matter how we get through this time, I thought it was necessary to nail this down in advance, so I came to see her like this.

However, after hearing what I said, Estelle put her signature smile on her lips and said this.

“If it’s not a joke, what should you do?”

“… … .”

I looked at Estelle with wide eyes.

This person. I’m speaking quite seriously here.

“Anyway, please.”

After saying that for the last time, I quietly left Estelle’s room.

***

“… Haha.”

Estelle let out a small sigh as she watched Wade closing the door and leaving.

“You’re such a tactless guy.”

The words I said when we exchanged greetings a little while ago.

That wasn’t a lie.

She’s definitely someone who cracks jokes a lot, but there’s a limit to that too.

She does not think lightly of herself, to the point where she jokes about marriage.

Therefore, the greeting from a moment ago was not a lie.

Although she used a pseudonym, Estelle approached it with the mindset of offering greetings to her father-in-law.

“Do you think that the person who will rule the empire is that light-headed?”

She will soon rise to the top of Empire Reinberg.

Even though he is hiding his identity, he cannot easily bow his head to others.

Therefore, she only gave minimal courtesy when greeting the Viscount and his wife.

She greeted me politely and with courtesy.

Does that tactless man know what that means?

‘There’s no way I would know.’

I’m quite smart about other things, but when it comes to things like this, I’m completely clueless.

He also knew it from the beginning, but recently he realized it even more keenly.

Recently, it occurred to me that at this level, unless she really confessed to her face, the man would never notice her feelings.

“Confession… Authorization.”

I never thought the day would come when I would be able to say those sweet and refreshing words that I had never known before.

Estelle smiled faintly as an unimaginable situation became a reality.

She was aware of her own mind.

She said she had fallen in love with a man named Wade Heblon.

A feeling that an ordinary girl would have, which she thought would not suit her, had taken root in her heart, and it was growing bigger and bigger as time passed.

Conveying those feelings to him wasn’t difficult.

If I want, I have the confidence to run to him right away and tell him my feelings.

If she does that, even that tactless man will know her feelings.

However.

Whether he would accept it was another matter.

Estelle herself has never once felt inadequate.

In appearance, background, and ability, she was confident that she would be second to none.

And I thought that the public’s perception would not be much different.

But she wasn’t sure if that would work for Wade Heblon either.

… No, honestly, I even felt a little anxious.

He, Wade Heblon, is a little… No, he is quite an unusual man.

Even though I am at an age where I can easily be swayed by all kinds of desires, I am never swayed.

Sometimes, I feel like a monk, and there are times when I feel like I am seeing the world from a step away.

Would such a man immediately change his attitude and give his heart to her even if she first conveyed his feelings to her and recognized her feelings?

Estelle looked a little skeptical about this.

I thought it was possible to become conscious, but I couldn’t guarantee whether it would go in a positive direction.

I thought there was a possibility that he might feel burdened and distance himself from me.

“He’s a difficult guy.”

When it comes to this matter, Wade Heblon was a very difficult person.

It is difficult to predict and difficult to predict.

How can I make him my own?

Should I just force it to be tied to the side instead?

She has reached the peak of power.

This is possible if you use all the means at your disposal.

It may be a bit forceful, but if you can keep him by your side.

If you can do that and make him yours.

Estelle was willing to try.

However, she immediately shook her head.

“He is not someone who can be caught easily.”

Estelle evaluated Wade’s skills as being on par with the Ten Swords.

If someone of that size decides to run away and hide, it is not an easy task to catch and imprison him, no matter how much the power of the empire is mobilized.

And even if you can somehow catch it, it is a problem.

If you forcibly tie him up, bind him, and keep him by your side.

If you take away his freedom and force your feelings on him.

He’ll probably end up hating himself.

“… … .”

Her eyes rarely wavered.

Just imagining that future, that scene.

How did you get the hope and how did you get it?

It almost collapsed… No, her life, once broken, was revitalized again because of it.

He was the driving force behind her life.

What if you get hated by someone like that?

Will he be able to endure it?

Estelle knew the answer to that question well.

Therefore, she had no intention of using coercive methods.

I only intended to steal his heart fairly and proudly.

The statement a moment ago was a kind of declaration.

A declaration that you will win his heart.

And at the same time, it was also a declaration of war.

To the two women who have the same feelings as her.

“Now, what should we do?”

Are you going to turn your tail and run away?

Or will you fight back?

Estelle looked forward to the reaction of her rivals, and turned her gaze to the unfamiliar scenery outside the window.

***

Tak─

Rachel entered the room, put down her luggage, and immediately sat down on the bed.

“… … .”

Her expression was not bright the whole time.

─ “Nice to meet you, father.”

Because of what Estelle said a little while ago.

Estelle knew that the princess of Reinberg was interested in him not long after she began appearing at the historical research club.

That’s why I was wary.

However, I didn’t really think of Estelle as a competitor at that time.

I thought it was just a tyrant’s whim.

I thought that was just the level of interest I had in the toy that appeared before my eyes.

However, that perception soon changed completely.

The last day of the festival. After Wade got injured, the princess’s eyes on him completely changed.

Although she didn’t know the details of what happened, Rachel had a rough guess.

Something happened, and he risked his life to protect the princess.

And in the process, Estelle’s interest changed into other emotions.

That feeling is the same as the one she has for him.

Rachel thought that what Estelle had said a moment ago was some kind of declaration.

A declaration that he would have him, Wade Heblon, for himself.

“… … .”

Rachel quietly closed her eyes.

difficult.

Those words were the first thing that came to mind.

A woman named Estelle von Reinberg was a difficult enemy.

Perhaps, as a romantic partner, it would be difficult to find someone more powerful than her.

The power to stand above all people and the financial power to literally build mountains of gold.

And he looks like he was loved by God.

On the other hand, I have something.

The family’s power is strong, but now it’s like leaving the family halfway, and even that family’s power is nothing compared to what Estelle has.

What about magic?

She originally had excellent skills, and has shown great improvement in recent years. Although some say she has talent, it is not enough to present her in front of the emperor of the empire.

There is nothing to win.

Having to compete with someone like that?

It would be a shame to say that the possibility is slim.

then.

Is it right to just give up like this?

“… No.”

For the first time since entering the room, Rachel’s mouth opened.

There is no chance of winning.

She knew that too.

Probably more than anyone else.

but.

Even if there is no chance of winning.

Even if

“… I hate it.”

I don’t want to give up.

Him, the one who saved his life.

I don’t want to give up and back down just because I don’t have a chance to win.

I don’t want to regret it, I don’t.

If so, then what should I do?

How can I get him?

The answer was simple.

The odds of winning are slim?

Then all you have to do is raise your odds.

Do everything you can, put in all the effort you can.

With everything I have.

First, borrow the power of your family.

Of course, she knows very well that her father and the head of the family would not do that.

Even now, he is thinking about selling her to increase his family’s fortune, but there is no way he will lend his strength.

So, take possession of the family name.

Steal the family name from the head of the family and make it your own.

In this way, he will use the huge family called Eldrid as his background.

But even that is not enough.

Eldrid is certainly a great family, but its shine is bound to fade in front of the emperor of the empire.

If that’s the case, you can just get your hands on other things as well.

For example… Yes, wouldn’t it be okay to be the lord of the magic tower?

If you lead Eldrid and take the position of tower lord.

Then, wouldn’t it be worth fighting against Estelle?

“… … .”

Eventually, Rachel opened her eyes.

The eyes that were like rose petals shaking in the strong wind were everywhere, replaced by fiercely burning flames.

***

Aira’s face remained stiff the whole time.

Because finally, what I was worried about happened.

In the end, the princess revealed her ambition.

Ambition towards her benefactor.

I was paying attention.

At least the princess Estelle was looking at him with very sinister eyes.

However, I never thought he would reveal his greed so quickly and proudly.

“… No way.”

Those words unexpectedly came out of Aira’s mouth.

Can not be done.

If things continue like this, he will become dangerous.

The opponent is Estelle.

Estelle von Reinberg, famous as a tyrant.

If he were to be caught in her clutches, his life, Wade’s, would definitely be ruined.

Ira couldn’t bear to watch something like that happen.

But what should I do?

Personality aside, Estelle is definitely an attractive woman.

Not to mention his background and status, his appearance is enough to charm even his enemies.

What if he is drawn to them and falls for Estelle?

“… No, no, no.”

do not do that.

Then, there will definitely be nothing but destruction in the path of his life.

If that’s going to happen, I’d rather.

“… I.”

Wouldn’t it be better for you to be his opponent?

… No, it’s definitely better.

Because I am confident that I will cherish him more than anyone else and treat him with respect.

Because I am confident that I can make him happy.

okay.

Let’s steal his heart. And with that, let’s protect him from the princess.

By making it so that only you can see it.

By making it impossible for me to have even the slightest interest in other women.

Let’s protect him.

Ira decided to do so.

but.

That conclusion was not without problems.

Estelle von Reinberg is the woman who will become the next emperor of the empire.

What if such a person cannot obtain his heart and acts evilly?

Aira’s strength cannot resist it.

Her background and powers are all nothing in front of Estelle.

So it is necessary.

The strength to protect him.

Even if someone appears, even if someone targets him, he has the strength to protect himself.

But how do you obtain that power?

The answer to that question was not difficult to find.

“… Ten swords.”

Superhumans who rise to the peak of nothingness and can single-handedly change the landscape of war.

Monsters that neither the leader of a huge group nor the king of a country can easily deal with.

If you get to that position, and if you get that level of fame.

Wouldn’t it be possible to protect him?

Even if it’s not enough, it doesn’t matter.

If that’s the case, then it’s okay to go further.

Ira’s eyes shone sharply.

***

“… Wow.”

Wade, who was unpacking his belongings in the room he was entering for the first time in half a year, suddenly shivered due to a sudden chill.

“Is it cold?”

He spit it out reflexively, but Wade knew very well that it couldn’t happen.

Well, it’s midsummer now.

Let alone the cold, the weather is so hot that just standing still makes you sweat.

But then, what was the chill I felt just now?

Wade looked around with a puzzled expression.

“… I guess it’s my mood.”

I soon shook off my doubts and went back to packing my bags.

What happened today ignited a dormant talent, without knowing that it would greatly change the future of the continent.