Chapter 26
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 26
Chapter Title: The Grand Duchess's Husband Candidates (1)
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The clubroom was utterly silent, without a single sound. The late afternoon sunlight, tinged reddish like black tea, streamed through the window and illuminated Elena.
Tap-tap-tap.
She gazed out the window, drumming her fingers on the table in a steady rhythm.
I approached her and bowed my head.
"Sorry I'm late."
"Is there any reason to apologize? I told you to go. Sit down here first."
I bowed once more and took a seat across from her.
The teacup on the table was already empty. She must have drunk it while waiting for me.
"If you'd like more tea, I'll prepare some."
"I'm fine. More importantly, don't you have something to tell me?"
Something to tell her...
"Just as it said in the letter, Evi Douglas was waiting at the training grounds. I crossed swords with her, and..."
I reported everything that had happened at the training grounds to Elena.
No, it would be more accurate to say I told her. After all, it had been a request from her as my secret friend.
Eventually, her gaze, which had been fixed outside the window, slowly turned toward me.
"She wants to give up the sword...?"
"It seems she's having some doubts. Becoming a knight as a woman isn't easy, after all."
"What did you say to her?"
"I told her she'd be happier not giving up on her dream."
"Luke, do you know that words come with responsibility? What you said sounds pretty irresponsible to me."
"I understand."
That single sentence I'd uttered could change her choice—and by extension, her entire life.
Of course, the choice would ultimately be hers, but I couldn't claim to bear no responsibility at all.
Could I really take responsibility if she ended up unhappy?
I had no answer to that question.
"Well, you must have had your reasons. And there are people who've actually been saved by those irresponsible words of yours."
"I'll reflect on it."
"Forget it. It's your problem in the end. I'm not going to meddle."
With that, Elena naturally picked up her teacup and set it back down. It was empty inside.
At her gesture, I rose to my feet.
"I'll prepare some."
"Thanks."
Pouring tea was something I could handle easily. I'd done it countless times while serving Elena.
'Where did the princess go, anyway?'
It was odd that the Gardening Club's star member was nowhere to be seen.
"Oh, right. Luke, I filled out and submitted your club application for you."
"Thank you."
She'd acted on her own without asking me, but I had no complaints. There'd never been an option not to join in the first place.
I wondered if channeling aura into a shovel would make digging easier...
Time passed, and it was the next day.
The moment I entered the classroom, Yubel came rushing over with wide eyes.
"Luke, where'd you disappear to right after class yesterday? I was going to ask you to introduce me to the Gardening Club."
"I had some urgent business and had to step out."
"I see. So we'll go together today, right?"
"I won't stop you from following."
It might sound like I was introducing him if we went together. I had no intention of going that far for a guy with impure motives aimed at Elena.
Clubs weren't for dating.
'Come to think of it, what about Cain...?'
The future Magic Tower Lord had been the same as Yubel. He'd come to the club chasing Elena.
If he decided to join the Gardening Club, then all three of Elena's husband candidates—the prince included—would be gathered in one place.
I was curious about what would happen next, but also a bit worried.
Because I wasn't just a reader of the novel—I was Elena's attendant.
'Well, it'll work out somehow.'
I was just brushing it off like that when...
"Is the seat next to you free?"
A voice came from the opposite side of Yubel.
I turned to look, and there stood Evi. She held a thick swordsmanship textbook in her hands.
Her expression looked a bit more relieved than yesterday. Maybe it was just my imagination.
"Yes, it is, but..."
"Then, if you don't mind."
Evi set her book down on the desk and took the chair.
Even Yubel, who had been chattering excitedly beside me, fell silent.
Naturally, I was flustered too.
Suddenly? On purpose? Why?
"Al-, alright, everyone take your seats."
Unfortunately, class began before my questions could be answered.
Who could have known? Sitting next to me wasn't the end of it.
At least, I didn't know at the time.
Time flowed on until afternoon. I was running laps around the outer edge of the training grounds for physical conditioning.
"What time do you wake up?"
"Around 5 a.m."
"What do you do right after waking?"
"I wash up simply and start physical training... But before that, explain yourself. What's this all about?"
Starting with sitting next to me, then lunch, breaks, and even physical training now. She was following me around all day.
I could understand it once or twice, but this was too much. At the very least, I needed to hear her reason.
"I thought following the top student of the department might make me even a little stronger."
"So you've given up on quitting the sword?"
"Yes, thanks to you."
It was a relief that she'd made a satisfying choice.
But separately from that, it was quite annoying. She was the only woman in the Swordsmanship Department, after all. Being with her inevitably drew attention, whether I liked it or not.
And yet, I couldn't just hate it outright...
'If this is responsibility, then it's responsibility.'
Hadn't Elena said as much yesterday? That I'd been irresponsible.
There was definitely my share in why Evi had made that decision, so I couldn't ignore her or treat her coldly.
What choice did I have? If I had to take responsibility, I'd do my best.
"I'll answer if you can keep up."
I gradually picked up my pace.
Of course, I wasn't going full speed. I kept a precarious distance—just close enough to catch but not quite.
If the goal got too far ahead, she'd naturally lose motivation.
About two hours later, the afternoon training ended with Professor Shavel's words.
Evi hadn't managed to ask me a single question.
This might actually be a pretty good method...
"Lu-, Luke..."
Evi lay sprawled on the ground, gasping for breath as she called my name. Her whole body was drenched in sweat.
Since I'd run faster than usual, it was only natural. What was impressive was that she'd kept up until the end.
She really was too talented to give up.
"After waking in the morning, I run for an hour, then do push-ups and sit-ups. I try to eat breakfast if possible."
"Wa-, wait, I didn't hear that prope—"
"Ask again tomorrow then."
It wouldn't mean much even if she heard it. She wouldn't suddenly get stronger just by mimicking my routine.
Still, she might pick up something in the process. Like today's conditioning.
Anyway, classes were over, so now I could finally be free of her...
Or so I thought...
As I left the Swordsmanship Department building, I glanced back.
There was a bright-smiling redhead and a serious-faced brunette.
The brunette was none other than Evi Douglas, who'd followed me all day.
'Why...?'
I could understand Yubel tagging along. He'd been singing praises about joining the Gardening Club since morning.
But why was Evi following?
I voiced my doubt.
"Why are you following me?"
"I answered that earlier. I'm analyzing your every move."
"After classes, I rest appropriately, swing my sword a thousand times in the late evening, and go to sleep. No need to hide it—that's everything. You can go home now."
"Is me following you a bother?"
I couldn't flatly say it was. She wasn't invading my privacy or anything. It just made me self-conscious.
What should I say...?
After some thought, I let out a short sigh and explained calmly.
"I'm heading to the Gardening Club now. It won't help with swordsmanship at all, so there's no point in you coming."
"That's fine. If it's not a bother, I want to come along."
"...Do as you please."
This is driving me crazy...
The sole flower of the Swordsmanship Department and the ultra-handsome Yubel. It was the perfect combination to attract stares.
What sin had I committed to end up in this situation? I felt utterly wronged.
I let out a long internal sigh and stepped forward, soon encountering Elena at a fork in the path.
She held a small bag in one hand and idly rolled a pebble along the roadside with an indifferent expression.
It was oddly fascinating how the stone rolled without her even touching it.
"My Lady, sorry I'm late."
"I just got here my..."
Elena's gaze, directed at me, slowly shifted behind. More precisely, to Yubel and Evi.
"Lady, good to see you. I'm Yubel Lutwalt. We greeted each other at the entrance ceremony."
"We did. Good to see you."
Yubel greeted her first, and Elena responded politely.
Next up was Evi Douglas. She stepped forward a pace.
"Good to see you. I'm Evi Douglas."
"You're the one who sent the letter..."
Elena's eyes narrowed slightly.