Rumors Spread Like Wildfire
Ashytara flashed a faint smile amid the countless stares piercing her from all sides. She was immensely pleased with the chaos she had unleashed. Look at them—the jealous glares from all those female students who had been eyeing Ludenberg Lavante like hawks. It didn't matter if they were from Solenute or Ortara. Seeing every girl who admired him or harbored secret feelings for him shoot her those looks filled Ashytara with utter delight.
How dare they covet him.
The gap in time they'd spent together was insurmountable. They could never know the sides of him that she did. And yet they thought they could just waltz up to him without even understanding who he was?
With those thoughts swirling, Ashytara glanced around. The lingering, regretful gazes of girls who still hadn't given up on Ludenberg flicked toward her, but every one of them dropped their eyes the moment they met hers. They had realized it too. Things had progressed far beyond what they could touch. Ludenberg had fallen squarely into her grasp.
The sight made Ashytara's triumphant expression swell even further. But it didn't last.
Thud. Thud.
Someone was approaching with heavy footsteps.
Ashytara turned to see who it was and froze solid. Her sister, Sione Solenute, was glaring at her with veins bulging on her forehead.
"Tara?"
Ashytara flinched at the chilling tone, her body trembling.
"S-Sis?"
"Come on. Too many eyes on us."
Sione grabbed Ashytara's arm without another word and dragged her off somewhere.
Sione pressed her throbbing temples with her index finger and turned to Ashytara.
"Tara, what the hell were you thinking?"
"...What'd I do?"
"Don't play dumb—you know exactly what. You spent the night in Ludenberg's room yesterday? Don't tell me you actually slept with him."
"N-No. Lud was sick, so I just nursed him."
"...What? Ludenberg was sick?"
"Yeah. He had a fever but was still swinging his sword in the training grounds, so I barged into his dorm and took care of him. Nothing naughty happened."
"...Still too reckless. You should've just sent him back to his dorm and asked another student to check on him. What're you gonna do about these rumors now? They'll blow up with all sorts of filthy stories. And it's not just the dirty rumors— it'll hit the imperial prestige too. 'Promiscuous princess' and all that crap."
"I knew that and did it anyway."
"...What?"
"The rumors will scare off the girls eyeing Lud. Gotta mark my territory. I'm not sweet enough to let anyone poach what's mine, Sis."
"...Haa."
Sione couldn't help but sigh. Any more lecturing would just come off as annoying meddling to Ashytara.
Sione got it, though—why her sister had acted so boldly. From childhood, Ludenberg had been Ashytara's very reason for living. Someone indispensable. Someone who had to stay by her side. That's what he was to her.
So of course she'd stake her claim openly, binding him to her. Sione couldn't ignore that desperate wish. She'd watched their childhood unfold, after all.
In the end, Sione let out one more sigh.
"Haa."
She gathered her thoughts.
The issue is Tara spending the night in an unmarried man's room. So make that 'unmarried man'—Ludenberg—her fiancé. Problem solved.
Decision made, Sione nodded firmly. The rumors would fizzle out harmlessly.
Then she balled her fist and slammed it down on Ashytara's head.
Crack!
"Ow!"
A heavy thud echoed, followed by Ashytara's sharp yelp.
"That's for dumping extra work on your sister."
"...Yeah."
"And about what I just figured out, Tara."
"Yeah?"
"You wanna get engaged to Ludenberg?"
Ashytara nodded furiously.
"Yeah. What about Ludenberg's side?"
"He'd probably... like it."
"Probably?"
"Haven't gotten his answer to my confession yet."
"Hold on—you confessed?"
"Yeah. Day before yesterday."
"What'd he say?"
"Looked happy, but kinda hesitant too. Those curse rumors without divine power are everywhere in the empire. So..."
"So?"
"Said he'd prove himself at the Glory Festival and give me an answer then."
"Ah. Then I'll talk to Duke Leonard as soon as we get back to Solenute."
"R-Really?"
"Yeah. And I'll spread a rumor."
"What rumor?"
"That the imperial family and Lavante have been pushing your engagement for ages, and things are finally moving."
"...Hold on, ages?"
"Yep. Truth is, if Ludenberg hadn't gone hermit after turning twelve, you'd probably be engaged by now. Political match, sure, but your bond's so tight it's barely politics. The imperial elders and Lavante folks were all on board."
"Oh."
"So now that it's back on the table... the slutty rumors'll die quick. Anyway, Tara."
"Yeah?"
"Next time you pull shit like this, tell me first."
"...Got it. And thanks, Sis."
Sione wordlessly patted her shoulder.
Meanwhile, Ludenberg—swinging his sword in the training grounds—was dealing with his own awkward stares. Negative vibes poured in from everywhere. Girls looked sad; boys envious and hostile.
He hadn't clocked it before, but now he got why. Ashytara was a hit with the guys. Stunning looks, princess pedigree, yet humble and hardworking—no arrogance despite her status. She was frosty to other students (except him), but that only boosted her appeal.
So rumors of bunking with her? Instant envy. Hostility bred from that.
Ludenberg had no urge to clarify: I was sick; she just nursed me. Back then, he'd have set the record straight, denied the hookup outright. But now? He had real feelings for her.
Better they misunderstand. The wilder the rumors, the fewer creeps leering at her.
Lovers start to resemble each other, they say. Ludenberg was picking up traces of Ashytara's possessive streak.
As awkwardness peaked, a gleaming bald head popped up before him. Nadan Tes.
But off—face twisted in fury that'd make anyone quake, steel gauntlets on clenched fists. Pure intent to pulverize a skull.
"...What?"
"Here to punish you, ash pile."
Ludenberg's head throbbed. Obvious why. Nadan was already pissed about Eve's interest. Now this—night with a gorgeous princess? He'd snapped.
Rubbing his forehead:
"What bullshit? Out-of-nowhere punishment?"
"Pretty boys like you all deserve to die."
Genuine venom.
"...Haa."
One choice: beat the crazy out of him.
"Cool your head."
Fist clenched, he locked eyes with Nadan. Training grounds—perfect. Lightly armored. Go time.
Nadan hit the dirt quick. Strong in the friendly match, sure—but Ludenberg was leagues ahead.
Flat on his back, Nadan stared skyward with hollow eyes.
"Head cooled?"
"World's unfair."
"Ain't it."
"Damn. Wanna be born with looks that make girls swoon."
"..."
Silence. That meant girls swooned over him. Praise from this creep? Dizzying. Unpleasant.
Quiet dragged. Sudden fight drew watchers, but the anticlimax cleared them out fast.
Then footsteps. Silver hair whipping, face more twisted than Nadan's.
"Nadan. What're you doing here?"
Professor Nah Tes.
Ludenberg shot up, bowed. Nadan trembled.
"H-Hi, Professor."
"S-Sis?"
Nah looked apologetic to Ludenberg.
"Sorry. He's my brother."
"No worries."
"..."
Nadan blanched.
"Nadan."
"Y-Yes!"
"Asked what you're doing here."
"Uh, w-well..."
"No time for dumbass beef and flopping around. Begged me and Denetim for conference help 'cause you're short on time—now this?"
"...S-Sorry..."
Nah snatched his ear like lightning.
"Sorry? Then come finish your research."
"Ack, ow! S-Sis! Coming! Let go..."
"Quiet. And Ludenberg—sorry again. I'll whip him into shape."
"...Got it."
Ludenberg gawked at the farce.