I Have to Try Something

Visiting the practice room was a newly adopted life plan for Elizabeth Scrania.

Originally, Elizabeth had no intention of taking sword training that seriously. Although she entered the swordsmanship department, it was only for future connections, and she had no genuine desire to learn swordsmanship or become a knight.

Despite her lack of enthusiasm, through family support and good teachers from a young age, she was able to develop sword skills sufficient to be accepted into Milano Academy. But that was it. Her goal was simply to live comfortably without hardship until she closed her eyes for the last time.

“For a noble young lady, there’s no life more comfortable than latching onto a good man and living off him for a lifetime.”

Elizabeth’s usual thoughts clearly showed her state of mind. She had no desire for self-improvement, attended classes halfheartedly, and was so uninterested in the practice room that she could barely remember its existence.

[I hope to see you in a better state next time.]

But after that day, her life changed. An encounter that completely altered her complacent thoughts. That was her meeting with Ariel.

The image of Ariel Walpurgis needs no further explanation. A violent, uncultured duke’s daughter who only chased after the crown prince. Therefore, Elizabeth had secretly looked down on her.

There were rumors that she had changed after collapsing for some reason and regaining consciousness, but people don’t change so easily. It must be just a temporary smoke screen, an act to gain attention. That’s what she thought.

However, the Ariel she met in person was completely different from what she had imagined. Dignified, elegant, and more diligent than anyone. With the knowledge to enter Milano Academy as a joint top student, showing consideration even to commoners, setting an example for others, and magic skills so excellent that all the magic department professors praised her.

What were all the rumors she had heard until now? Had she really changed as a person? Elizabeth, who had directly faced Ariel, was so shocked that she couldn’t think straight for a while.

“Why?”

At first, she couldn’t understand. Why would she go to such lengths for mere commoners? It was obvious who between that girl and herself would be more useful. But she stepped forward without hesitation.

It’s a bit embarrassing to say herself, but Elizabeth was somewhat aware of her own value. The daughter of the Scrania family. A family with plenty of wealth and a gradually rising reputation. There would be few as valuable to have by one’s side. Many had approached her for this reason.

However, Ariel, who despite having much, was in a position that needed the support of nobles more than anyone in some sense, chose to oppose her to protect a mere worthless commoner girl. She couldn’t understand it at all.

But soon after, Elizabeth realized anew how pathetic a person she was. Ariel is a duke’s daughter and the crown prince’s fiancée. Even if she doesn’t try hard and just stays still, all sorts of wealth and glory will follow her. It’s as good as having the rest of her life guaranteed.

The support of nobles? Not wrong, but Ariel is from ‘that’ Walpurgis ducal family. She’s not the daughter of a weak family that would be affected by being at odds with a Scrania child. Rather, if she fully exerts her family’s power, she has enough strength to make Scrania greatly stagger.

Such a person chose to oppose her to protect a commoner. In fact, it was something that could be understood with just a little thought. That there was no calculation in Ariel’s demeanor at that time. That she simply couldn’t stand by and watch the injustice happening before her eyes.

‘Why would a person go to such lengths…’

Elizabeth couldn’t understand. For her, who wanted a comfortable life without any hardship, Ariel’s life was beyond comprehension. Why would she go to such lengths when she could live without any problems just by not causing trouble? She couldn’t help but wonder.

Therefore, Elizabeth decided to observe Ariel’s daily life in detail. There was no need to stalk her in a creepy way. She just had to pay an appropriate price to a commoner in the magic department who attended the same classes as Ariel and ask. Conveniently, she lived near Ariel’s room, so it was even easier to know.

The results were surprising. Ariel always listened attentively in class, received praise from professors, and never refused to help others with a smiling face when asked. After classes, she would head to the practice room after dinner, and the light in her room would be on for a long time, presumably studying until just before it was considered too late.

Honestly, Elizabeth, reading the report, wondered if she was reading the record of some saint. Ariel’s daily life was so packed that there seemed to be no room for leisure. She thought it was unbelievable as she looked at it.

But at the same time, she became curious. What on earth had changed her like that? Would there be meaning in such a life?

‘Shall I try it?’

Out of small curiosity, Elizabeth made a new life plan. She started paying attention to the common subjects and sword training she had been ignoring, began frequenting the practice room, refrained from speaking harshly to others, and started treating those around her more kindly.

The results were surprising. When she had looked from afar, she had scoffed at such a lifestyle, but once she actually tried it, she began to feel enjoyment.

[Hello. Do you have a moment?]

And she also met a friend named Amy Jernia.

Elizabeth came to feel even admiration towards Ariel. The person who had completely changed her life. The person who should be an example to all. One day, countless people will bow their heads before her. Because she was a woman greater than anyone else in the empire, fully qualified to become the empress.

“Lady Scrania.”

Elizabeth, who had been shamelessly thinking thoughts that would horrify the subject if she knew, hastily collected herself when that very idol spoke to her.

“Yes, what is it?”

“Could you perhaps spare some time tomorrow?”

“Do you have a task for me…”

Elizabeth became suspicious when she saw Ariel’s expression momentarily contort at her words. Why is she suddenly acting like that?

“Uh, task… That doesn’t seem fitting.”

“Why not? Aren’t you the one who will become the empress?”

It was a genuinely innocent question. She’ll ascend to the position of empress just by waiting anyway. Wouldn’t it be fine to pledge loyalty in advance?

In fact, Elizabeth was harboring a desire to subtly position herself as the first under Ariel by doing this now. It’s not that she wanted to eat crumbs or anything, but isn’t becoming the right-hand woman of someone she could call her idol a dream one could have even if not a man?

“Um, since I’m not yet even the crown princess, let alone the empress, it would be better to refrain from such words.”

“Is that so?”

Somehow it feels like she’s rambling, but Ariel’s words have a point. If things continue like this and she actually treats Ariel as the empress, she would be committing an unforgivable act of disrespect towards the currently living emperor and empress.

‘That was close!’

Elizabeth smoothed her chest, realizing that she had almost committed the crime of insulting the imperial family. And she looked at Ariel with even stronger emotions than before.

‘She’s really such a considerate person.’

To forgive so generously and even warn her when she was about to commit the crime of insulting the imperial family. If someone with such excellent character doesn’t become the empress, who could? Elizabeth sincerely thought so.

“Anyway, I was planning to go out tomorrow and needed someone to go with…”

“I will accompany you anywhere.”

“You, you don’t need to be so subservient, you know?”

For some reason, she looked very flustered, but Elizabeth didn’t mind. Ah, yes. Perhaps now is the time to speak.

She had been thinking about it all along. The days of imitating Ariel’s diligence, albeit clumsily, and looking up to her. At some point, a small dream had formed in Elizabeth’s heart. A dream too embarrassing to tell anyone yet.

But for some reason, right now, she felt the courage to speak it.

“Lady Ariel Walpurgis.”

“Yes?”

Kneeling on one knee, placing a hand on her chest, and bowing her head. Ariel was speechless at Elizabeth’s sudden display of respect.

Although her appearance wasn’t very neat, having just finished training, she couldn’t help but commit this rudeness, seeing Ariel listen to her without showing any signs of displeasure.

Having done it, before she could regret it, Elizabeth decided to quickly put it into action.

“From this moment on, I will strive to become your knight, however inadequate I may be.”

“W-What?”

“Although you are still engaged now, when you rise higher in the future, I will become the knight who guards your side.”

“No, that’s…”

“I apologize for my rudeness. I will visit you tomorrow morning.”

Elizabeth bowed respectfully and quickly left the place.

“…This is really driving me crazy.”

She thought she heard a strange sound from behind, but she wasn’t in a state of mind to pay attention to that right now.

Afterwards, Elizabeth ran through the corridor at full speed and ended up getting penalty points from the dorm supervisor, but that was a trivial matter.