Finding the Attachment Lady (2)
“How rude.”
Sisilia stepped in front of Edward and spoke. “Even as vice-captain, you've gone too far. And I'm not a toy.”
The one and only sincere Sword Princess mode! A perfectionist Sword Princess needed to project a rigid, knightly image by default.
“Even if you beat the captain, I won't let you play with me however you please.”
Satisfied with her cool line, Sisilia inwardly smirked with a hah.
In contrast, the banquet hall grew icy cold. All eyes turned to the unexpected conflict.
A knights' staredown! And between members of the strongest order, the Windsor Knights? Nothing could be more entertaining.
Edward flashed a charming smile. “Come on, it was just a joke, but your reaction's too sharp, Sisilia. But you know...”
Without batting an eye, Edward spun Sisilia around. “They say strong denial means strong affirmation.”
“...If you insult me further, I'll draw my sword.”
No knight brought a sword to a banquet, but Sisilia looked ready to grip one anyway.
Edward was pleased. So noble to the end. That's what makes taming her so fun.
Standing her ground even knowing she'd lose—that kind of spirit meant she wouldn't get snatched by some brute.
Only what others couldn't have was truly valuable.
Edward smirked. “Enough, Sisilia.”
Chiron slowly removed his glove. “Today, my fist will be faster than your sword.”
Time to back off. I've already stirred up the chaos I wanted.
Of course, Edward wouldn't charge at Chiron without an escape route.
“The order's about to get busy. You sure you're okay without me?”
In other words: Knock me out here, and can you handle everything alone?
Chiron narrowed his eyes. Retreat over something so trivial?
Which father could stand seeing his daughter insulted right in front of him?
Edward's budget proposal would be a hassle, but that was a problem for later.
...Just as Chiron was about to toss his glove.
Sisilia's eyes sparkled. “I'll handle the vice-captain's duties in his place.”
“......”
“......”
Edward, who had dared him to try. And Chiron, ready to finally give Edward a proper lesson.
Both turned to Sisilia at once.
“I'm confident.”
The one person you should never entrust with money-related tasks was Sisilia.
Chiron envisioned her bawling after blowing the order's budget in a week.
Edward shuddered, imagining his office buried in strawberry cakes and chocolates.
Edward immediately extended a hand to Chiron. “I was rude, Captain. The joke went too far.”
“...I overreacted as well.”
“Let's call it even.”
“...Agreed.”
Edward and Chiron dramatically reconciled. It was as heartwarming as the truce with the demonkin.
Huh? Sisilia tilted her head.
The banquet hall instantly buzzed with talk of the duel between Chiron and Edward.
“Did you see? Edward fighting to claim Lady Sisilia!”
“Lord Chiron protecting her was dashing too...”
Edward definitely liked Sisilia! The rumor was already spreading among the noble ladies.
A royal vice-captain and the famous Sword Princess. Perfect fodder for their imaginations.
“Is it true?”
“No way...”
The news quickly reached the late arrivals, fattened with embellishments.
The result?
“That Vice-Captain Edward got shot down?”
“A love rivalry over the Sword Princess!”
“They say Lord Chiron told him to come back stronger!”
“Heavens... Rejecting that Edward. The Sword Princess really is different.”
“How could she?”
The story had twisted wildly.
“Well, if she got distracted by that, she wouldn't be called Sword Princess.”
“Ugh, jealous. She doesn't even glance at us. Look, he's gazing at Lady Sisilia so wistfully.”
Edward was incredibly popular. Handsome looks, impeccable manners, noble blood. The perfect prince.
But surprisingly, no jealousy. As a royal and Windsor vice-captain, he was too lofty a tree to climb.
And Sisilia was the same. The genius knight who became the youngest high knight in a woman's body.
With them living in another world, everyone could cheer purely.
Of course, not everyone thought alike.
“Hmph, what's so great about him?”
Bianca Eisenberg, the duke's daughter here, grumbled.
She hated Sisilia.
Understandably. Fine, she had a crush on Edward—but this was her debutante ball!
Some outsider(?) stealing all the attention? Infuriating.
“That dress lacks dignity too.”
Bianca was fuming. The surrounding ladies flinched at her fierce glare.
Bianca Eisenberg. Infamously known in the capital as...
Prickly Eisen!
One of the capital's top brats.
“You there, apple-head.”
“M-my name is Lily...”
“Ah, yes, something like that. Anyway, fetch that barbaric wench who dared cause a scene at my debutante.”
Watching from afar, Edward smirked darkly.
This was all his scheme.
Stir chaos to make Sisilia hated by the infamous villainess Bianca.
Let's see how she handles it.
Snapping back at a duke's daughter would ruin her reputation.
Ignoring it would tarnish her knightly honor.
A dead end either way. Even Sisilia, who hadn't debuted in high society, couldn't handle a noble lady.
Edward swirled his wine. All he had to do was feign comfort to the dejected Sisilia.
Sisilia, munching on fluffy desserts, was surrounded by ladies grooming her as desired.
“Heavens, how are you so perfect, Lady Sisilia?”
“P-please, tell us about Lord Edward...!”
I'm, like, super popular.
This was the proper Sword Princess life. Sisilia was thrilled.
“But Lady Sisilia, you really have no feelings for Lord Edward?”
A sweet pink-cheeked lady spoke up. Charlotte, was it?
If this were a romance fantasy novel, she'd be the protagonist.
“None at all. He's just a colleague and superior in the order.”
Sisilia blinked. Beyond lacking romantic interest in men, she'd never like that lecherous prince.
Like being told to crush on a pervy boss. Not happening.
“As expected! Let's be friends, Lady Sisilia!”
“Great, Charlotte!”
“Yeah, I was worried you'd be interested.”
Her loyal adjutant Beatrice whispered the social scoop to puzzled Sisilia.
—Seems Lady Charlotte likes Vice-Captain Edward.
Hm, got it.
Looking again, Charlotte seemed a bit shy.
...Sadly.
Sisilia wasn't drawn to her. Too many shortcomings for an attachment lady candidate.
I already have Pinky.
Matching hair color with Fern was reason enough.
“...Um, excuse me.”
Sisilia snapped out of it and eyed the approaching lady.
“Ah, hello.”
A cute apple-haired girl stammered.
To stay in character, Sisilia replied curtly. “Yes. What is it?”
“Um... The lady is calling for you...”
She pointed. A black-haired, red-eyed lady glared imperiously, fan unfurled.
“Lady Sisilia, better not go.”
“Yeah, Lady Bianca is kinda...”
The others tried to stop her.
“Y-you'll suffer!”
“She's infamous for bad rumors.”
“Honestly, a total villain!”
...Could it be?
Terrible reputation. And a protagonist vibe right in front.
Bianca Eisenberg was worth a taste. High potential for a great attachment lady.
Sisilia shook her head with a benevolent smile. “No. It's a knight's duty to answer a lady's call. I'll be right back. We can't judge based on rumors.”
Beatrice flinched suspiciously. Why does she look... normal?
Cognitive dissonance from Sisilia's sincere Sword Princess mode.
“I heard you called for me.”
“Hmph. Doesn't a knight introduce affiliation and name first? Does the Windsor Knights' name ring so hollowly?”
“!”
Sisilia trembled. That archaic speech no debutante from 150 years ago would use. That haughty expression.
This was...!
A genuine villainess lady!
The legendary Pokémon from tales! A live villainess had appeared!
Sisilia's eyes sparkled. “My apologies, milady. Sisilia Windsor of the Windsor Knights.”
“...Bianca Eisenberg.”
Bianca inwardly panicked. She'd meant to seize control, but Sisilia seemed pleased.
Regaining composure, she gripped her fan arrogantly. “That dress.”
“Yes.”
“The Windsor Knights' pay must be pitiful. Where's it from? Some nameless salon, no doubt...”
“Madame Andre's design.”
“Wh-what?!”
The capital's top designer. Dresses cost a mansion—ultra-luxury only.
Even Bianca needed resolve to commission her.
“B-better than it looks. Not as fine as mine, of course. Though I doubt you could tell.”
“Velua Rose. Bespoke brand for royals and grand nobles only.”
“!”
Bianca jumped. How did a knight know that?
“Gasp, Lady Sisilia knows even that...?”
“I can't memorize all those luxury brands myself.”
“So refined! No wonder Lord Edward fell for her!”
She really grates!
Tears welled in Bianca's eyes. Without venting, this joyful day would sour forever.
Unacceptable.
“...Ah, my foot slipped.”
Bianca grabbed a huge plate of steaming gratin and pretended to trip.
Embarrass yourself.
The scalding gratin flew toward Sisilia.
Sisilia closed her eyes briefly. Capital plot incoming.
She smiled, opening them. Not bad.
A toe flick redirected the plate. She caught every scattering bit midair.
Finally, she scooped the nearly-falling Bianca into her arms and placed the plate back in her right hand.
The floating gratin landed perfectly with a clear clink.
“Gratin isn't good for high blood pressure, milady.”
Bianca flushed crimson in Sisilia's embrace.
“Wow.”
Beatrice clapped. As expected—Sisilia's reflexes were unmatched.