Rubystone Schemes and Jealous Flames
The Rubystone family, the most prestigious house in the empire. Red carpets and curtains evoking blooming roses. Gilded accents and sparkling ornaments adding to the splendor. In an office that could rival the imperial palace itself, only the sound of a tongue clicking in disapproval echoed.
"Tch. So Amelia failed, did she?"
"The letter doesn't say that exactly..."
The middle-aged man in fine black attire tapped irritably at the paper in his hand.
"You must think I'm a fool. This is their way of trying to eliminate both Ludia and Amelia at once. They'll slot in a replacement soon enough."
"I understood it as giving Lady Amelia one last chance."
"No. With the saintess candidates' midterm evaluation coming up, why would they deploy her on something so unclear in merit?"
The man let out a short sigh. Then he gazed out the window at the sky, lost in thought.
"Father must be disappointed in me over this."
"How could Lady Amelia's failure affect you, Lord Kairon? The head of the Rubystone family, with his broad perspective, won't think that way."
"A son's failure is always counted as the father's failure."
He smacked his lips, adding curtly that all his efforts so far had been for naught. But he was more concerned about his own position being threatened than Amelia's shortcomings.
"...Summon Medel."
"Understood."
"We need to make it look like we're cleaning house first."
"It shouldn't have been about ability alone."
Regret seeped through as the man reviewed his past decisions. If she were here, he'd want to slap her cheeks and yell that everything had gone wrong because of her—but he held back.
"Any last words for Lady Amelia?"
The elderly butler bowed his head, awaiting final instructions. The man stroked his chin thoughtfully before replying.
"None. Better to focus on getting one of our own in as the replacement."
Instead of wasting emotion, he'd scout the next option. There were always more candidates anyway.
"That won't be easy."
"If we pull it off, my standing in the family will solidify even more."
"...Understood, Lord Kairon."
Once the butler withdrew, Kairon turned his gaze back outside.
"...Tch."
I should've just sold her off as a concubine to the imperial court using her decent looks.
He vowed never to repeat the same mistake.
They say before battle, you swallow dry saliva, every nerve on edge. A tension that crushes reason. I wouldn't know, but according to Mari, that's how it is.
But right now, there's no battle. So why am I feeling it?
""...""
I was gauging the mood between the two on the verge of explosion.
Ludia, barely holding back tears, eyes wide. Amelia, eyes closed like in meditation.
Ha... what the hell is wrong with these two? Weren't they getting along? And why did Amelia follow Ludia all the way to her room? Just leave already...
"Master Huu... are you... talking right now??"
In the heavy silence, Ludia cautiously rolled her eyes and asked.
"Of course not. I would never do something so rude."
"Liar! Then why did you use that ring earlier, Lady Amelia?!"
"Because you were interfering, Ludia!"
Amelia's eyes snapped open at Ludia's retort. The earlier spat reignited in a flash.
"(Shut up, you bitches!!! Why do you growl every time you get close?!)"
""...!""
They flinched, startled, and clamped their mouths shut. But it was just a temporary fix.
Bicker—yell—quiet—bicker again. How many rounds was this?
I had to separate one of them. Since this was Ludia's room, Amelia should go.
"(Yellow bitch! Go home now!)"
"No. I can't leave until I've finished my business."
But she boldly refused the eviction.
"(Why!)"
"Aren't you preparing for the trial? Charging in blindly would be foolish. Time is already short."
Amelia sharply scanned the room before fixing her gaze on Ludia, her expression displeased. She'd dropped the mask since the earlier incident.
"We don't prepare. I just need Master Huu! He's so strong!"
"You don't care about those around you. Treating Master Huu so carelessly—what's wrong with that?"
"Wrong?? I've never..."
"Foolishness is a flaw too, Lady Ludia. Putting others in a bind isn't right..."
"?!?!"
Bam! Ludia's face flushed crimson at the grating words. She slammed the desk and shot to her feet, eyes spinning, hot breaths heaving out.
"E-even so! I at least don't secretly meet other women's men!!"
"??!!!!"
"Grur? (What???)"
The sudden bombshell rounded our eyes. What the hell? Was Amelia sneaking around with a married guy???
"I saw you! Going into the hot springs with Master Huu!"
Amelia's usually icy face trembled. More importantly, when did she see that?? Was I too focused on her to notice Ludia approaching?
"(Bitch! Misunderstanding!! The yellow bitch couldn't find her spot and just came in!)"
"As if! Out of all the pits, why that one?! And Master Huu! Why did you look at her so fondly?!"
"Grur??? (Me? When???)"
Ludia's words left me speechless. No matter how pretty Amelia was, I'd never looked at her fondly. If she'd heard what the girl was saying with a smile, she wouldn't say that.
"Ridiculous. I know you two aren't lovers. What 'other woman's man'..."
"E-even so..!"
"And weren't you the only one with feelings?"
Pffft. That summed up Ludia's state perfectly. Steam seemed to billow from her body. Her steadfast gaze shook wildly, mouth flapping soundlessly.
"You...! Then tell me! What did you say?!"
But Ludia wasn't one to just take it. Her face already beet-red, she bellowed.
"Why should I?"
"Why?! You must've confessed or something!"
Whoosh. Now it was Amelia's turn. Caught off guard, her cheeks flushed deep pink. Her tongue frozen, she just mouthed silently.
"..."
Ah... my head throbbed. Thinking back, Ludia must've seen me using the ring in the hot springs. That was the only time Amelia's eyes widened.
But explaining context meant revealing the persuasion attempt. With the trial looming, team harmony was crumbling beautifully.
"Huu..."
No good. First, defuse this mess, then worry later. Hit them with the strongest shock to blank their minds...
—Sorry, Master Huu. I'll handle this.
"...?"
As I pondered the crudest line to end it all, Amelia's clear voice rang in my head. She glared at Ludia but addressed me. Her cheeks' pink was already fading.
"I made a proposal to Master Huu."
"A proposal?"
Amelia opened her mouth in her usual calm tone.
"To join me."
"Th-that can't be..."
"Of course, he refused."
Ludia blinked in disbelief, looking between me and Amelia.
"...Talking more today seems impossible. I'll visit again tomorrow."
Frozen atmosphere. Eerie silence. Only Amelia kept her wits, turning toward the door.
"Why... why would you do that?"
As she opened the door to leave, Ludia asked, still incredulous.
"...I don't know either."
Thud.
Amelia hesitated briefly before stepping out.
Silence flowed again. Ludia stared rigidly at the door, body stiff. I watched her, gauging.
"(...You okay, bitch?)"
"......"
My rough but sincere voice echoed through the ring. Perfect if not for 'bitch.' But enough to soothe her? I'd put heart into it.
—Sorry for the trouble, Master Huu. I'll be more careful next time.
And soon, Amelia's voice echoed in my head again.
"S-sorry..."
A bit later, recovered Ludia mumbled weakly, head bowed.
"(Kuhahaha! Feel better, bitch?!)"
"No, I... didn't realize it was like that..."
After hearing the full story, she deflated even more.
"(It's fine! Easy to misunderstand! Hell, I didn't know you'd think that either! Uhahaha!!!)"
"......."
I patted her shoulder saying it was okay, but with her shame maxed out, she wasn't hearing it. Eyes downcast, muttering about dying.
"(Anyway! I'm worried! Can't read that yellow bitch's mind!)"
"Huuu..."
Ludia's shoulders kept slumping, so I changed topics. But her focus was elsewhere.
She slammed her head on the desk, sprawling with a long sigh.
"Sorry... I keep making trouble for you, Master Huu..."
"....."
"Honestly... I'm so lacking compared to Lady Amelia..."
"Grur.. (What're you saying...)"
Amelia's words still gnawed at her. Self-deprecation hurt to watch.
"(Bitch.)"
"Y-yes..?"
But leaving it like this went against my will. I promised to protect her smiles. Can't let her cry.
"(It's fine! I'm insanely strong!)"
"...."
"(Just smile like always! That's your job!)"
"...."
"(Enemy a hundred or thousand, I end 'em in one shot! That's this body! You saw it, bitch! Kuhahaha!!!)"
Good. The ring's working great today. Not the exact words, but close enough. Couldn't see Ludia's face buried on the desk, but no more complaints—mission accomplished?
Time to head to my room...
Grab.
"Grur? (Huh?)"
As I lifted my butt to leave, sprawled Ludia reached out and clutched my hand.
"(What's up?!)"
"Just... let me stay like this a bit..."
Her voice trembled faintly. Hot heat poured from her body, palpable beside me.
I'd only said a few words to comfort her.
"(No way. Heat again?!)"
"Hauu..."
...I'd stoked the wrong fire, it seemed.
"(Yeah! Grope away! Today's reward!)"
"Hnn... I don't like thisss..."
Sorry, Ludia... I'll make it up to you for real. This wasn't on purpose..!
I gripped her hands tightly in mine.