episode_0038

After finishing the sale of the elves, we helped Laurent with his aura training for a month.

Every Sunday, we went to meet Armand, who had finished his mass, but there wasn’t much to do, so we ended up just drinking and gambling, turning our attention to Laurent’s aura training.

Although Laurent complained about how difficult it was, he was soon ignored, and that’s how he ended up voluntarily doing the aura training.

Of course… during that month, we also diligently helped Laurent deal with his hangover…

Crash!

Clang!

Laurent’s aura, which had been soft and pliable, hardened like a steel plate, making a clanging sound every time I struck him with my sword.

“Ouch… my hand hurts.”

Rotose complained, shaking his hand and expressing his pain.

Realizing that the aura training was becoming too difficult, I decided to stop the training.

“Um… Laurent, take a break.”

“Alright.”

Although we were the ones being exhausted, for some reason, while we showed signs of fatigue, Laurent seemed relaxed and carefree, appearing completely unscathed.

The three of us distanced ourselves from Laurent and chatted with each other.

“Isn’t he getting too strong?”

Rotose expressed his concern after seeing Laurent’s increased strength.

“I don’t think I can keep up with him anymore.”

Aramis chuckled.

Both of them still seemed to be holding onto the fact that they had fought alongside Laurent.

“Looks like we’re all losers here.”

When I teased Rotose and Aramis, they blushed.

“But honestly, weren’t you curious?”

“How strong could he become?”

“Yeah, we trained him half as an experiment, and now he’s turned into a complete killing machine.”

Rotose pointed his tongue out and looked at Laurent, who was lying on the grass, resting.

“He’s probably on par with me, right?”

I pondered, rubbing my smooth chin.

“I think he might be even stronger.”

“Then it wouldn’t hurt to have a match with him. Laurent, come here.”

At my call, Laurent approached me with light steps.

“Laurent, your aura seems to be well trained.”

“Yes, I’ve been feeling it lately.”

Laurent held his aura in his hand and showed it to us.

“Um…”

We were speechless at the sight of Laurent holding his aura in his hand.

“Did we ever teach him that?”

“I can’t do that kind of thing…”

At my question, Rotose mumbled with a gloomy expression.

“There’s really no shortage of monsters here.”

“So, I was curious about how strong you are, Laurent. Would you like to have a match with me?”

“A match?”

“Don’t you want to do it?”

“Is there a need to do it when I’m clearly going to lose anyway?”

Smack!

“You’re lacking in courage, kid.”

I slapped Laurent on the back of his neck.

Laurent touched his sore neck and looked at me.

“Um… since you’re not enthusiastic, if you manage to beat me, I’ll grant you a wish.”

“I was also curious about my own abilities… so I’ll give it a try.”

Laurent changed his attitude, grasped my hand firmly, and looked serious.

“I must say…”

Rotose laughed incredulously at Laurent’s sudden change in attitude.

And so, we began the match in the spacious courtyard with Aramis as the judge.

“I’ll be the judge… you both know the rules, so let’s just get started.”

Aramis waved his hand as if he were annoyed.

Crash!

Laurent and I clashed with our swords filled with aura.

The shockwaves from the collision of auras shook the trees in the garden.

We started a fierce battle, clashing our swords against each other.

Clang! Clang!

The sound of our sabers and rapiers clashing filled the air.

Laurent pushed my sword with all his might.

But when I pushed back with force, Laurent began to step back.

“Uh… what?!”

Laurent tried his best to turn the tables on me, but he was pushed back without much effort and ended up dropping his sword.

“Hmm…”

After facing off with Laurent and his sword a few times, I had a feeling.

The use of aura had increased significantly compared to a month ago.

Now, I thought I could easily suppress both Rotos and Aramis if they were to come at me at the same time.

“Lost, huh?”

“Such a shame.”

Laurent picked up his dropped rapier and shrugged his shoulders.

“Someone has come to see you, milady.”

“Hmm? Where did they come from?”

“They said they came from the palace, so I brought them to the reception room.”

“From the palace?”

‘Is there someone coming to see me from the palace?’

I tilted my head in confusion.

“For now… let them freshen up and then meet.”

“Understood.”

“You guys… just do as you please.”

“We’ll wait.”

Rotos waved his hand at me.

#

“Are you the one sent from the royal palace?”

“Ah, nice to meet you. Marquis de Loire.”

The man who had been waiting for me on the sofa in the reception room stood up and greeted me.

“Nice to meet you.”

I returned the greeting.

“Have you heard that the Queen’s birthday celebration will be held in Ousterburg in a few days?”

“Uh… well… I think I remember receiving an invitation before.”

I definitely received an invitation, but I seemed to have forgotten it after drinking.

“Marquis de Loire, Her Majesty is concerned that you have not responded to the invitation, so King Ange XIV of Elance personally sent me to inquire about your attendance.”

“Oh… I seem to have caused concern for His Majesty.”

“No, His Majesty is simply curious about the new lady brought in by the Minister this time. He invited you out of great expectations. Please do not worry too much.”

“If he has such high expectations, I guess I should go…”

“Shall I prepare a reply?”

Lea approached me and asked.

“No, just tell them that I will come, and I will inform His Majesty.”

“Wow~ Marquis, you have been invited by His Majesty and have made a name for yourself.”

Rotos tousled my hair and grinned.

“Oh, can these friends come too?”

I pointed to Rotos, Aramis, and Laurent standing behind me with my finger.

“Uh… do all three of you have invitations?”

At his question, all three of them shook their heads simultaneously.

“Well, that’s a problem.”

“What can we do?”

“Uh… there is one way.”

He thought for a moment and seemed to come up with a solution.

“Right, did you think of something?”

“If you come as escorts, it should be fine.”

“Escorts?”

“Marquis de Loire, no matter how skilled you are in combat, you are still a lady, right? Ladies usually attend events with escorts.”

“Oh…”

“But, only one person can come, so you’ll have to choose one of the three.”

“Only one can come…”

I turned my head back and looked at the three of them.

“Who wants to go?”

“Me! Me! Me!!!!”

Rotos raised his hand eagerly and insisted.

“You’re just going to drink, aren’t you?”

“How did you know?”

“I already know what you’re thinking.”

Rotos made a sulky face at my words.

“I don’t really have any thoughts.”

Aramis shrugged.

“Then… should I go?”

Laurent looked around as if he couldn’t believe it.

“Rotos seems like he’s only going to drink, and Aramis says he has no thoughts, so Laurent, you can go with me.”

“Really, me?”

Laurent asked me with sparkling eyes.

“You seem very excited.”

“I’ve always wanted to go at least once in my life.”

Laurent replied with an excited expression.

“It’s better not to have high expectations.”

Rotos shook his head.

“Why is that?”

“You might suffocate and die. Aramis and I are fine, but you’re similar to me, so you might not be able to handle it and go crazy.”

Laurent showed signs of tension at Lotos’s words.

“That’s true… You should know court etiquette… I feel like time might be a bit tight for me to teach you…”

“I know.”

“Lea, you know court etiquette?”

“Yes, I have received education not only in general etiquette but also in court etiquette.”

“In that case, Lea will teach you court etiquette, and I will instruct you on how to behave in the palace when you go.”

“Ah, understood.”

“Then it seems that the decision has been made.”

“Yes.”

“Excuse me, but may I ask the gentleman’s name…?”

“I am Laurent de Bastogne.”

“Ah… Bastogne! I understand, a famous territory in the south. I will inform His Majesty that Lady Roanne and Lord Bastogne will be coming together.”

“Thank you.”

“Will there be a response?”

He bowed to me and left the mansion.

“Ugh…! Well then, should we start preparing for the Queen’s birthday celebration?”

“I have already finished the preparations for that.”

“Do we need to buy a dress or anything like that?”

“The dresses and gifts given by the Duke of La Roche and the Viscount are just gathering dust, so if you want to wear a new dress, it’s fine.”

“No, I’ll just wear what I have at home.”

“Understood.”

#

A few days later

“What is this…?”

I looked at the red dress and black coat in front of me.

The servant who brought the gift from the Viscount La Roche smiled and showed me the dress in detail.

The dress was beautifully designed with a red base and black accents, while the coat had a black base with red accents.

The maids who saw the Viscount La Roche’s gift exclaimed in awe, discussing how beautiful it was and which designer might have made it.

“The Viscount La Roche sent this dress as a gift upon hearing that Lady Roanne will be attending the Queen’s birthday celebration.”

“Please convey my thanks.”

“And this is a note from the Viscount La Roche.”

I unfolded the note handed to me.

[To the future daughter-in-law]

“Ha…”

It seemed like he was still trying to win me over as his daughter-in-law with a keen eye.

I sighed deeply and carefully folded the note.

“Please let him know that I received the gift well.”

“Understood.”

He bowed to me and withdrew.

“Lea, please take good care of the dress.”

“Of course.”

Not long after the Viscount La Roche’s gift arrived, another gift arrived.

This time, a dress with a blue base and white decorations arrived.

“This is a gift from Armand Jacques de Roanne, the Viscount, Lady Roanne’s stepfather.”

“Goodness…”

The fabric alone was already luxurious, but it was decorated with gold thread and sapphires.

The maids had an even stronger reaction to the extravagant dress than they did to the Viscount La Roche’s gift.

“What is this… what is going on…”

I looked at the dress in front of me while drying my hair.

I’m not some noblewoman in a novel who receives attention from numerous suitors, and why are people treating me like this when I’m getting older?

“Lea… what should I wear?”

“You should choose, my lady.”

“Sigh… for now, put this one away.”

I scratched my head and went inside.