A Sharp Tongue Can Get You Expelled (3)
White-black hair like fur mixed into snow-white strands, crimson eyes that could be red or yellow, bushy ears covered in fur. From the Baiken Grand Duke's family, the mightiest among the northern beastkin clans—their pampered young lady. Our lady, who rightfully deserves the title of "Your Highness," was a free spirit who hated any such formal address in private.
I first met her around the time of our enrollment at the academy. When I heard she was engaged to our margrave, I couldn't help but think—throwing caution to the wind—'She'll definitely call off the engagement within a year.'
It was a rude thought, sure, but I had my reasons. How could our kind, gentle margrave—who never speaks ill of others yet bears such responsibility—pair with that gangster of a girl? She was two years older, too, and with her personality, he'd be henpecked for life.
Yet every time I saw him, even as he suffered, he never broke off the engagement. Why? If I said I never wondered if that was just his taste, I'd be lying.
Well, a marriage between those two houses is political, so maybe he's just enduring it... Fair enough.
'But he seems awfully eager to impress her, for someone putting up with it...'
"Hey."
"Yes?"
"You said you were taking history—why're you here?"
"The professor roped me in."
"Hah."
If all this was just a butterfly effect from our margrave wanting to look good to you, you probably wouldn't believe it. I know, so I won't say it. Though, he did get roped in, so it's not entirely wrong.
"Anyway, one favor. Could you run an errand for me, Baron?"
"You only add the honorific when you want something?"
Of course, I grumbled, but I knew I couldn't refuse her. Not when she'd become the lady of our sturdy backing—as long as our margrave didn't call off the engagement. Messing that up would be disastrous.
It was just playful banter, anyway, and she liked that sort of thing... I'd play along. Fighting her head-on would get me killed.
She had that kind of strength, and provoking her was easy. Beastkin's defining trait was their ferocity—like Viking berserkers from my past life's history.
"So, what is it?"
"Nothing big. Take this."
She handed me a small wooden box wrapped in cloth.
"What's this?"
"None of your business. Just deliver it to Albert quietly. And don't say it was from me."
"Come on, what is it...? I need to know to act natural!"
"Hm. Fair point."
She pondered briefly, then tossed her head with an "Eh, whatever!"
"It's a quill."
"Why a quill?"
"His was worn out earlier—he could barely use it. You were right there; didn't you notice?"
"He probably still has some..."
"Better to have a fresh one. Now take it—no backtalk."
In the end, she forced it on me. Though, pretending otherwise, she had her kind side now and then...
I pocketed it as told, but she was still staring me down. More business, apparently.
"So, I saw you whispering with the princess next to you earlier. What were you two chatting about so cozily?"
"To be clear, I'm an innocent victim. She just started some small talk, and I went along."
"Oh? And you won't suddenly get hooked, ditch your seat, and run off with her? Right, Baron? Aaang~?"
Flames flickered in her eyes. At this sudden acceleration, I waved my hands frantically in defense.
"N-no, what kind of joke is that?! I'd never! After all the grace Your Highness has shown me! Do I look that disloyal?!"
"But it's suspicious! The princess barely talks usually, but she sits next to you and suddenly chatters away! Secret whispers during lecture!"
"......Pardon?"
"Don't 'pardon' me... Hmph."
She grumbled, but no fist flew. She knew a real hit from her could kill me.
Seizing the pause, I voiced my curiosity.
"Wait, isn't she a chatterbox? From my experience, she'd talk solo for 20 hours if left alone."
"Does she have a twin or something? She chased Albert around harassing him after losing to him once..."
So she knew... Clearly, the princess I knew and hers had different personalities.
"Why didn't you stop her?"
"If he can't handle that much, how's he gonna be my husband?"
Our Erna crossed her arms with that answer. Lions don't really roll cubs off cliffs, but beastkin girls apparently toss future husbands over them.
I silently offered condolences for our margrave's future again.
"Anyway, as long as it's nothing, fine. I just checked—just in case. Blab about this to anyone, and you're dead."
"Won't say a word."
"Yeah, figured. I'm out."
And with business done, our future marchioness vanished like a storm.
'Hate it or like it? Who knows.'
Her attitude was hard to read—that's partly why she scared me.
With those mixed feelings, I secured the neatly wrapped box.
*
A moment later. Afternoon.
I presented the prepared gift to our margrave, who returned sweaty and in high spirits from training.
"What's this?"
"Well, your quill seemed faulty earlier. Thought you'd use a new one."
Playing the devoted retainer who notices even his lord's smallest habits—as scripted with Erna(?).
He looked surprised.
"A quill?"
I delivered my line with maximum shamelessness.
"It's also a belated congratulatory gift for my lord's academy enrollment. Please accept it."
The quill that emerged was surprisingly stylish—not the usual drab white, but black with silver accents. Ornate enough not to use normally; I was a bit flustered myself, not expecting that level.
Our margrave gazed at it, stroked it, and gave a satisfied nod.
"Must've cost a pretty penny for something this fine. Fits my hand perfectly. Thanks—I'll use it well."
"Haha..."
He'd fallen for the script, but my conscience stung. Next time, I'd get a real one myself.
"So, how's it feel? First lecture and all."
"Just one lecture, so it hasn't sunk in yet... Most of it was stuff I'd read in books."
"Yeah, you looked pretty distracted."
Caught already. I rubbed my face sheepishly.
He clasped his hands and chuckled.
"Glad you're settling in fine, though. Won't have much time to slack. Professor Bisbaden's lenient, luckily..."
"Lenient? He assigned a ton."
Three personal research topics just from today's lecture. Fail to answer next time, and he'd flay you with his tongue.
But our margrave shook his head firmly.
"Tomorrow's Mock Battle Practice—that's the real deal. The prof there is brutal."
"Uh... Professor Claudio Montecuccoli, right?"
Claudio Montecuccoli. Like Gerhard von Bisbaden, who was becoming familiar, he was a retired soldier turned professor. But unlike Bisbaden, who'd retired in mid-old age as a legendary general, Montecuccoli had stepped down early to train successors.
'Images don't match—one's softer after longer service, the early retiree's harsher.'
"What about other lectures?"
"Military magic's pure theory—no need to stress. As you prepped, it's about properties and counters, not practical use. Others are similar."
"Meaning piles of self-study, huh."
"Exactly. Now you get why I'm holed up in dorms and libraries."
"And now I am too."
Outdoor reading till spring's end? Forget it. Next year would be busier anyway. Yep.
"Everyone in other departments is the same—wax tablets or papyrus worn to nubs from memorizing."
"We're better off. Can study together."
Study groups don't guarantee smarts, but mutual surveillance forces pretending.
Come to think of it, pre-enrollment mock battles...
"Speaking of, Mock Battle Practice—everyone's doing mocks. You okay?"
"Haha. Lost last week too—to that Dennis fellow."
"The one who presented today?"
"Yep."
"How's his skill?"
"Hard for me to judge, but rumors say he's solid. Top tier among practice attendees, I'd say."
"Bad matchup luck."
I commented briefly; he gave a wry smile.
"Can we blame luck for what we learn? Lose once, and lives or territories burn. Appealing to fortune without skill? That's the real failure."
"Can't argue there."
I shrugged. If he was right, it only made me want to help more as his vassal. Gifting on others' behalf already felt iffy.
'Results matter in practice...'
He laughed it off, but constant losses couldn't please him. Especially with his fiancée watching.
"In that case, Your Highness, it's not just books you need help with?"
"Hm?"
"Shall we do a mock battle now? Got some real tips to share—no tricks this time."
Resolved, I refined my mental plan and flashed a confident grin.