Emily was feeling melancholic.
──In the end, I didn’t get my chance after all…
As she gazed absentmindedly out of the carriage window at the scenery of the Royal Capital, such thoughts crossed her mind.
When she heard the news of the Undead Beast appearing in the northeastern part of the Royal Capital, she had been excited, thinking it would be a perfect opportunity to earn praise. But now, her spirits were sinking. Without even the time to change into a beautiful dress, she found herself riding in the most luxurious carriage in the country. Yet, her mood remained gloomy.
──The King praised me, but we didn’t get to talk much…
The royal carriage they were using was large enough to seat eight people, divided into front and back sections by a partition. Emily was seated on the side with the attendants. She had not spent as much time with the King as she had hoped, receiving only a few compliments before the conversation dwindled.
──It’s not as fun as I thought it would be. Ah, I wish I could go back to the battlefield.
She looked far into the sky.
Even the Royal Capital, for Emily, was a place of longing. Born in a dull, uneventful rural territory and having spent her days as a Cleric Apprentice, she found herself in a place she could never have imagined. At first, living in the palace, dressed in a beautiful gown she had never seen before, made her heart race with excitement.
However, within just three days, she began to feel that it was far more boring than she had anticipated.
──Wearing a beautiful dress means nothing if there’s no one to praise me.
Elliott and the knights were all busy with reports, meetings, preparations, and training, leaving little time to spend with her. No matter how beautifully she adorned herself, the lack of anyone to admire her in that environment made it far less enjoyable.
Back when she was on the battlefield, every time they defeated an Undead Beast, the more effort she put in, the more praise she received from everyone. There were always people around her, and each day was fulfilling; Emily felt truly happy.
In the quiet carriage, Emily found herself daydreaming.
What if, right now, this carriage were to be attacked by an Undead Beast? What if the King were to get injured? In that moment, if she were to help the King, heal his wounds, and purify him, surely everyone would praise and thank her. She immersed herself in such fantasies.
“Welcome back, Lady Emily.”
Upon arriving at the palace, a beautifully dressed young noblewoman greeted her. She was a year older than Emily and was the future Duchess, responsible for teaching Emily the ways of a lady every day.
“Ah, Marianne, um, we have lady training today… right?”
“Yes, let’s do our best.”
Marianne smiled, kind and gentle even towards Emily, who came from a commoner background. Emily had expected to be looked down upon or mocked, but she found that surprising. Yet, at the same time, she felt a bit intimidated by her.
If Emily were to marry Elliott, she would become a Countess, making her lady training essential. She understood that, and it was fortunate that Marianne, who primarily handled her education, was so warm and gentle.
──But this person never praises me.
Due to her commoner origins, Emily struggled with everything, yet Marianne never scolded or belittled her, always wearing a soft smile and encouraging her warmly. Initially, Emily felt relieved by this, but soon, it began to weigh heavily on her.
For Emily, the etiquette and manners of the nobility were filled with challenges she didn’t understand. The fact that she couldn’t do or remember things no matter how many times she tried only fueled her feelings of inferiority, making it far from enjoyable. The content of the lessons was dreadfully boring.
“It’s alright, you can do it.”
“Let’s do our best.”
“Now, don’t give up, let’s try again.”
Such gentle words continued to flow from Marianne to Emily, who was constantly failing. Marianne’s kindness never allowed her to escape from the endless, unenjoyable hours.
──If only this woman would say something sarcastic or get angry. Then Elliott could comfort me.
Though she never voiced it, such thoughts crossed her mind.
On their way to the room for lady training, Marianne suddenly stopped. In one of the many corridors of the palace, she spotted a young man still holding onto a hint of boyishness, walking with a few attendants.
“Lady Emily, please feel free to imitate me.”
In a hushed voice, Marianne straightened her posture and tilted her head slightly, lowering her gaze towards the corridor where the young man was walking. Though Emily was inexperienced, she followed suit. The servants and nobles around them all did the same, and even without seeing his face, she could tell who it was.
──Ah, it’s the Crown Prince. That person seems… wait…?
As the young man walked away and the silence ended, Emily was taken aback by the expression Marianne showed. She had turned her smile into a cold, harsh gaze directed at the departing Crown Prince, one that seemed to hold contempt.
Once they reached their destination and were alone, Emily mustered the courage to ask Marianne.
“Um, you know… could it be that you dislike him too?”
Marianne widened her eyes in surprise, glancing around as if to check for eavesdroppers, before breaking into a smile.
“Lady Emily, it would be disrespectful if someone overheard us. Please be careful. However…”
After saying that, even though they were in a room with no one else, Marianne leaned closer to Emily, covering her mouth with a fan, and whispered conspiratorially.
“I won’t deny it. You know he’s called a disgrace, don’t you? But this must remain a secret.”
Emily nodded repeatedly at Marianne’s admonition. In response, Marianne wore a cold smile that Emily had never seen before, one that seemed to hold a hint of amusement. So, Emily returned her smile.
──I’m glad. This person has a side like that too.
For the first time, Emily felt a little fondness for Marianne.