A Slave's Shallow Thoughts
What was wrong with him now?
“...Are you speaking of a new marriage prospect?”
“Indeed. Now that your engagement with the House of Persia has been dissolved, we must secure a new match for you.”
Franche turned her head to look at me, standing behind her.
What? Why are you looking at me? What do you want me to do? I have no idea this time. It's a marriage proposal; you have to handle it yourself.
When I showed no reaction, Franche's eyebrows, usually as unyielding as an iron fortress, knitted together. What kind of response was she even expecting?
Franche spoke. Her voice was cold.
“I have no intention of accepting a new fiancé.”
“And why is that? You once wept and begged for a match to be found. Have you had a change of heart now?”
“Yes. While my thoughts have indeed changed, I also require time to compose myself.”
“I see. The revelation that the Young Duke of Persia was a homosexual must have been quite a shock. I understand.”
What's this? He seems a bit softer than before. Is it just my imagination?
Eden Descartes unfolded a letter and slid it toward Franche.
“Even so, it would be wise to look it over. I have personally selected only those who will not tarnish the prestige of the House of Descartes, so they should be decent candidates this time.”
Franche's brow furrowed. She seemed utterly repulsed by the idea of taking another fiancé.
“I am sorry, but I—”
“I am merely telling you to look at the list first. It is not too late to make a decision later. I shall look forward to a favorable reply.”
Having finished what he had to say, Eden Descartes stood up and adjusted his attire.
“Franche. I am well aware that you have long wished to leave this duchy. That is why I am presenting this to you, so think on it carefully.”
Thud. The door closed.
Leaving after only saying what he wanted... how cold-blooded. But he actually knew Franche wanted to leave the Descartes estate. Sharp of him.
I looked down to gauge Franche's reaction. Her hands were trembling faintly.
“My Lady? Are you alright?”
“...”
Franche did not answer. A heavy silence descended, wrapping the room in stillness.
“My Lady?”
“Yes.”
“Is something the matter?”
Whish. Franche whipped around, rising from her seat to face me.
“Indeed, there is. Why did you stand there in absolute silence, merely watching, when the topic of my marriage prospects arose earlier?”
“I judged that it was not my place to interfere. Would it not be strange for me to offer an opinion on choosing your husband, My Lady?”
Franche narrowed her eyes. Why is she glaring at me? I don't get it.
“Do you truly wish for me to get engaged?”
“Pardon?”
“What of our plan to make the House of Descartes regret how they treated me?”
“That is entirely possible even if you get engaged. It remains possible even after marriage.”
“That is not what I meant...!”
She cut herself off. Franche bit her lip and swept her bangs back. Judging by her furrowed brow, she was angry for some inexplicable reason.
“Jin.”
“Yes, My Lady.”
“I will never enter another engagement.”
“And why is that?”
Franche narrowed her eyes and glared at me.
“Because the one I desire is someone else entirely. Now, leave.”
“Pardon?”
“I said, leave.”
I was suddenly kicked out of the room. What on earth made her so angry? I was planning to review some math with her once I got back...
Was it because Eden Descartes brought all those marriage proposals?
Well, Franche was probably offended. It made it seem like she would take just any man. More than anything, she said she had someone else she wanted.
Helena, who had been waiting outside the door, asked tentatively.
“Um, did something happen...?”
“I don't know either. I was just kicked out.”
“Oh... perhaps you displeased Her Ladyship?”
“Me? What did I even do?”
“Well, I wouldn't know. I didn't hear your conversation.”
Hmm. What was the problem? What had made her so angry?
Could she have been expecting me to tell her not to get engaged?
The question 'Why?' popped into my head.
It might alter the plan slightly, but it wouldn't pose a major obstacle to our progress. It would take time to go from engagement to formal marriage anyway, and even after marriage, Franche could still achieve plenty with her magic and business.
So why was she angry with me?
It's not like the person she wants is me.
After all, how could she like me when we had barely known each other? Given my attitude so far, she might feel some goodwill toward me, but not enough time had passed for that to blossom into romantic affection.
I still couldn't understand.
Well, she'll probably cool off on her own by tomorrow.
A woman's heart was truly an enigma.
I spoke to Helena.
“Take good care of Her Ladyship.”
“Pardon?”
“If you don't want to go missing, take good care of her.”
“Hick! Y-yes!”
Helena stiffened, shrinking back in fear. How does she expect to survive in this bleak Descartes estate with such a naive personality? Tsk, tsk.
Not that it's any of my business.
I returned to my storehouse. Today, too, two steamed potatoes and a bottle of milk sat in front of my door. Can't they give me something else for a change? How am I supposed to live on this? Seriously, a slave's life is miserable.
How long has it been since I last ate meat...?
Still, once Franche's status rises, I'll be able to eat meat.
To achieve that, I needed to nurture Franche's abilities even further. I immediately began preparing what was necessary for her growth.
First, I had to come up with math problems for Franche to solve. Problems that weren't too boring, yet cultivated her critical thinking.
How did I study back in the day?
I had studied through rote memorization, over and over. I solved endless workbooks and took expensive lectures. Because I practically crammed it all into my brain, I ended up hating math.
Therefore, I must never use that method. It would make her lose interest in math. No, losing interest would be a mercy; she might grow to detest it.
“Mmm.”
Creating the problems was indeed the hardest part. I had a grasp on how to teach her, but I didn't know how to start.
I suppose I have no choice but to just make them blindly first.
It would be much easier to adjust them gradually after seeing Franche's reaction. For the rest of the time after being kicked out, I focused entirely on drafting math problems.
Franche shoved the list into her drawer and buried her face in her bed. She was in a thoroughly foul mood.
She didn't care about the new marriage prospects. She could simply stall for time and then reject them.
The reason for Franche's irritation lay elsewhere.
Deep down, she had wanted to hear Jin tell her not to get engaged.
After all, Franche harbored feelings of goodwill toward Jin, who moved solely for her sake.
I will take your side. The words she had heard back then still echoed in her ears.
The words spoken by her first and only ally. She would likely never forget them for the rest of her life.
“...”
Is it truly destined to end as nothing more than master and slave? What on earth is this feeling? It was a sensation she had never experienced before, entirely different from the simple goodwill she usually felt.
Franche sighed at the unfamiliar emotion.
“Haa...”
As she exhaled, a wave of belated regret washed over her. There had been no need to lose her temper and kick him out like that.
“...I acted too sensitive.”
Franche resented her past self as she stared out the window, trying to concoct an excuse for tomorrow.
The next day.
As soon as I woke up, I dressed and headed into the mansion. Then, I knocked on Franche's door.
“It is Jin.”
—...
No answer. Has she not woken up yet?
Just then, Helena returned carrying a basin of water. I asked her:
“Has Her Ladyship awakened?”
“Yes. She has been awake for quite some time.”
“But there is no answer?”
“Oh? That shouldn't be the case.”
Knock, knock. Helena tapped on the door while balancing the basin in one hand.
“My Lady, it is Helena. I have brought the water for your morning wash.”
—“Come in.”
What? Why does she only answer Helena and ignore me? Is she still angry about yesterday? This is getting a bit troublesome.
Click. Helena opened the door and stepped inside. I attempted to follow her, but...
“...Jin, do not enter yet.”
“Pardon?”
“I must change my clothes first, must I not?”
“Ah.”
I hurriedly closed the door and stepped back. If that was the case, she should have told me beforehand. She made me look foolish for nothing.
A moment later, her voice drifted through the door.
—“You may enter now.”
I opened the door and stepped inside to find Franche sitting in a chair, wearing a flowing dress.
“My Lady. I shall brief you on today's schedule.”
“Must you speak of schedules the very moment you arrive?”
“Ah, forgive me for failing to greet you properly. Did you sleep well?”
“...That is not what I meant. Well, no matter. Come and sit.”
Following her instruction, I sat across the table from her. I met her gaze, but Franche immediately averted her eyes.
What is with her?
We had been getting along perfectly fine until now, so why the sudden cold shoulder? Was it related to yesterday?
I asked her.
“My Lady?”
“...What is it?”
“May I ask why you were angry yesterday?”
Franche narrowed her eyes and glared at me. Seriously, what did I do?
She let out a sigh and answered.
“Haa. Listen closely. If I find a marriage prospect and wed, I will be parted from you.”
“Pardon...? Was I not to accompany you?”
“Of course not. Suppose you married a woman, and she brought a male slave along with her. What would you think?”
“Ah... I see. Now that I think about it, you are correct. My thinking was shallow. I apologize.”
So that was why she asked what would happen to our plan of making them regret. If Franche found a match and married, we would be separated. Then I would become a slave again and be put back on the auction block.
Franche spoke.
“Well, it is fine as long as you understand now. I am also sorry about yesterday...”
Franche trailed off. There was really no need for her to apologize. Considering how she had stood up to the Crown Prince just to protect me, Franche Descartes was indeed a good person—unlike her depiction in the game.
Though I have no idea how she behaves in high society.
When I offered her a gentle smile, Franche quickly turned her head away. Staring out the window, she spoke.
“So, what shall we do today?”
“I have prepared some problems for you. Once you master these, you will be able to cast most spells.”
“Really? I can finally use magic?”
“Though you must master mana manipulation first.”
“Ah...”
Her mood soared instantly, only to plummet just as fast. It's quite cute when she shows that side of herself.
“Still, once you grasp the concepts presented here, the end is in sight.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. Though you will still need to review them consistently.”
With a soft smile, Franche let out a gentle laugh.
“That does not matter. I have spent so long doing nothing but staring out the window. To finally have something to study is a joy in itself.”
An excellent attitude. Eventually, she would be able to use most magic. Although magic in this world was structured around mathematics, it didn't require an exceptionally high level of calculation. If I had been born with a constitution capable of handling mana, I would have easily reached the level of an Archmage. Franche would surely grasp it with ease.
“Then, let us begin today's lesson.”
I taught Franche high school-level mathematical concepts. She absorbed everything I explained like a sponge.
If she had been born in modern times, she would have sailed into a prestigious university without breaking a sweat.
It was truly a pity that someone with such focus and intellect had been denied even a basic education until now.
In the middle of our lesson:
Tap, tap. Tap, tap. A small bird was pecking at the window.
“A carrier pigeon.”
“It seems the investigation is complete.”
I stood up from my seat.
“Let us go at once.”
It was time to retrieve the information on Cazar Uplain, the key figure in my master plan.