I Brought Her for Now

It was a beautiful day. On a day like this, anyone else would have gladly gone on a pleasant picnic, but Franche was consumed by anxiety. An inexplicable restlessness and irritation gnawed at her. It was all because of Jin.

'He said he'd be right back, so why isn't he here yet?' It had already been three days since he left to find that person—Cazar Uplain, or Yoplait, or whatever her name was.

'Did he plan to run away all along?' If the person Jin went to find really was a mage—and a high-ranking, exceptionally skilled one at that—it might even be possible to break the slave binding.

"Could it be...?" Franche hurriedly stood up and rummaged through the drawer next to her bed. She pulled out the slave controller and stared at it. Fortunately, the connection had not been severed.

"Whew..." A sigh of relief escaped her lips before she could stop it. Was it because Jin was her very first ally, the only person she could truly trust? She found herself opening her heart ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠to him, despite herself.

'I know wasting my emotions like this is pointless.' Franche caressed the slave controller and sat back down. Resting her chin in her hand, she tapped her fingers against the desk. Tap, tap.

Just then, the door opened, and Helena walked in carrying dessert and black tea. Noticing Franche's dark expression, Helena asked timidly,

"I-is something the matter...?"

"...No, not really."

Sensing the tense atmosphere, Helena swallowed hard and carefully placed the dessert and teacup on the table.

"P-please ring the bell if you need anything...?"

"I will."

Clutching the tray to her chest, Helena quickly shut the door behind her as she left. Franche didn't even spare her a glance. She simply stared quietly out the window.

"..." She glanced sideways at the dessert and warm tea sitting on the table. Ever since Eden had replaced her personal servants, treats like this had been appearing on her table quite frequently.

'I don't need things like this.' They didn't even suit her taste. Since Eden replaced her personal servants, the staff had stopped tormenting her. Rumor had it that the previous servant had been enslaved as an example for the crime of insulting a noble. That was undoubtedly the reason. Even so, the servants still refused to recognize her as a Lady of the Descartes family, let alone their superior.

Regardless, Eden's actions were unexpected. How could someone who had never shown a single shred of interest in her suddenly change like that?

'I suppose he did consider me a member of the Descartes family after all.' A hollow, mocking laugh slipped from Franche's lips. How absurd. After ignoring her and treating her like trash for all this time, now he did this?

'At least Line is consistent.' That bastard was always itching to tear her apart. If Eden had just kept treating her like Line did, she could have gone on hating him without conflict. Instead, he was making her harbor useless expectations. And she, of all people, knew best that expectations only ever led to betrayal.

'The only one I can trust is Jin.' Bound by the slave brand, he could never betray her or run away unless she released him. He was the only one who had ever promised to be on her side. Exhaling a deep breath, Franche toyed with the slave controller and gazed out the window. It was at that exact moment.

In a flash of motion, a blur slipped through the window. Thud! The distinct sound of boots hitting the floor echoed in the room.

'Jin?' Franche whipped her head around. There stood Jin Barenberg—holding ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠a woman she had never seen before in his arms.

I set Cazar down on the floor and stretched my neck, only to find Franche staring at me blankly. "My Lady? Is something the matter?"

Franche merely parted her lips, utterly lost for words. Looking at her, I called out once more. "My Lady?"

"...Who is that woman?"

"She is Cazar Uplain."

"...She was a woman?"

Franche was visibly taken aback. You're surprised too, aren't you? Well, it's only natural. Anyone would assume she was a man based on her name alone. I let out a soft chuckle.

"I also assumed she was a man, so I was quite surprised to find out she was a woman."

"Indeed... With a name like that, anyone would think she was a man..."

Cazar frowned, clearly displeased by our conversation. "I am most definitely a woman! Lady Uplain, if you please!"

Huffing and pouting, she eventually snapped her head away.

"I apologize for confusing your gender, but please, let us get to the favor I asked of you."

"You mean teaching magic to Her Ladyship?"

"Yes."

Sighing deeply, Cazar approached Franche. "I must warn you beforehand, if you have absolutely no talent, don't blame me."

"You need not worry about that."

Still wearing a thoroughly dissatisfied expression, Cazar took hold of Franche's wrist. "My Lady, excuse me for a moment."

"Go ahead."

Flash! A faint light flickered and began to flow along Franche's wrist.

"Oh..."

"Well? How is it?"

"Her talent is outstanding."

Of course it is. Even in the game, mages who could wield dark magic were exceedingly rare.

"Then, can I learn magic now?"

"Yes. The only thing left is whether you can comprehend magic formulas, but..."

Cazar glanced at me.

"That won't be an issue either. My Lady is highly proficient in mathematics."

"Is that so? I suppose a Lady of the Descartes Ducal family really can do anything."

Hmm, should I explain the reality of the Descartes family to her? I looked at Franche. She didn't seem to care much. Well, Cazar would find out on her own eventually.

"Do you have paper and a pen?"

"I do. Wait here."

I opened the door, stepped out, and spoke to Helena. "Bring me a pen and some paper."

"Pardon? So suddenly?"

"Quickly."

When I glared at her, Helena scurried off in a panic and returned with a pen and paper. "H-here you go."

"Right. Thank you."

I took the pen and paper and handed them over to the two of them. "Here."

Cazar immediately began drawing a magic formula on the paper. It was a complex spell diagram composed of various strokes and runic characters.

"Alright, let's start with this. It's extremely basic, so it shouldn't be too difficult."

I spoke to Franche. "You remember what I taught you, right? Just solve it the same way."

"I will."

Franche nodded and picked up the pen. After staring at the magic formula for a long moment, she began to solve it. A short while later,

"I'm finished."

"Let me see."

Cazar, who had been looking at the paper with a half-hearted expression, suddenly widened her eyes. "Oh, you actually solved it? I actually gave you a pretty difficult one."

This brat.

"Is that so? It was easier than I expected."

Cazar nodded repeatedly, drafting more problems one after another. As Franche solved them effortlessly, Cazar's eyes began to sparkle.

"You solved this one too? Let's go try casting magic right now!"

I asked, "Are we going outside?"

"Yes! We can't exactly cast magic indoors, can we?"

"I'm afraid that is out of the question."

"Huh? Why not?"

"My Lady is not permitted to leave her quarters freely."

Cazar tilted her head in confusion. "Uh... Is it because the Duke treasures her too much?"

"No, that is not the reason."

"Then...?"

I looked at Franche. She gave me a small nod, indicating that I could explain the situation.

"Listen carefully to what I am about to say."

I explained everything that had transpired to Cazar—how Franche was treated in this household, and why she was trying to learn magic.

Hearing the story, Cazar covered her mouth, her eyes wide with shock, utterly speechless.

"That is the reality of things."

"I-is that really true? But she's a Lady of a ducal house!"

"Yes."

Cazar tilted her head back and muttered, "Wow, this is heavy."

"But still, you're amazing, My Lady. To solve those magic formulas when you haven't even received basic education..."

Exactly. I was amazed too. She absorbed everything like a sponge; it was a tragedy that her talent had been wasted for so long.

"But wait. What about me?"

"What about you?"

"You said my living expenses and everything would be taken care of if I came to the Duke's estate!"

Franche spoke up. "You do not need to worry about that. Money is the one and only thing I am permitted in this estate."

"Phew, thank goodness. I was terrified I'd have to sleep in the stables."

To worry about such things even after hearing about Franche's tragic life... what a cold-blooded brat.

I spoke. "In any case, please focus on magic that can be cast indoors. For larger spells, limit her to just solving the formulas."

"Ah, yes!" Cazar replied, and she began instructing Franche on how to channel and manifest magic.

'With this, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Franche's magical training is secured, and Cazar has been successfully recruited.' All that remained was for Franche to blossom her magical talent and for the business I was planning to succeed.

I sat quietly and watched Franche learn magic. Seeing her, who usually wore nothing but a weary, listless expression, find genuine joy in doing something brought a warm, proud smile to my face.

'...Again?'

Throb! A searing pain surged through me, forcing my eyes shut. It felt as if my skull was being split open. I clutched my head.

At that exact moment, a voice echoed in my ears.

'What is this...?' A fragment of Jin Barenberg's memory seeped into my mind. If this kept up and my immersion level reached one hundred percent, wouldn't I be completely swallowed by Jin Barenberg? I really didn't want that.

'I need to be careful.' At least I now knew the trigger for the immersion level to rise. Whenever I looked at Franche and felt some sort of emotion, the synchronization deepened. To prevent this, I would have to leave her side eventually. If I didn't, I would lose my true self and become Jin Barenberg entirely.

As I stumbled, clutching my head, Franche asked in a worried tone, "Are you unwell...?"

"No, My Lady. It is just a headache I get from time to time."

"Didn't you have one at the banquet hall last time as well? Perhaps you should get an examination..."

I shook my head. "I am fine. As a Sword Master, I know my own body best."

"If you say so..."

Unlike the deeply concerned Franche, Cazar gasped at the mention of the term. "A Sword Master?!"

"Yes."

"One of the absolute few in the entire Empire?! Who on earth are you?"

Should I answer her? If I reveal that I'm a slave, I feel like I'll have to speak formally to her too. Well, she's bound to find out eventually, so I might as well tell her now.

"I am Jin Barenberg, the First Prince of the Barenberg Kingdom, which has now vanished into the annals of history. Though currently, I am bound to Her Ladyship as a slave."

Cazar's eyes went wide. "Gasp!" she squeaked, covering her mouth. I lost count of how many times I had seen that exact reaction today.

"Wait, you're a slave?! And royalty of Barenberg to boot?!"

"Yes. I apologize for misleading you."

"Then shouldn't you be speaking formally to me? You're a slave, after all."

Hmm. For some reason, I really don't want to use polite language with her.

"I only obey My Lady's commands and act solely for her sake. I see no reason why I should do so for you."

"Wow, talk about a loyal subject. Well, I'll let it slide. I'm not the type to sweat the small stuff anyway."

Right, thanks. Her easygoing personality was certainly a plus. The Cazar Uplain from ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the game hadn't been like this at all, which made it feel a bit strange.

Just then, there was a knock at the door.

It was Eden Descartes. Seriously, why does that bastard keep coming back?

Franche gestured urgently with wide eyes, signaling for us to hide. I grabbed Cazar and slipped under the bed. Then the door opened, and Eden walked in.

Cazar whispered frantically, "W-what are you doing?! Why are we suddenly under the—!"

I covered her mouth with my hand and whispered back, "Quiet."

Cazar swallowed hard and nodded. I parted the bed skirt slightly to watch Eden and Franche.

"Franche Descartes. Have you decided on a marriage partner?"

"Not yet."

"Did you not wish to escape the Descartes estate?"

Eden tilted his head, pressing for an answer. Franche merely lowered her head and remained silent.

"Make your decision now. Then, leave this estate. It will be for the best, both for you and for us. There is no need for people who despise each other to keep looking at one another's faces, is there?"

...It seemed his replacement of her personal servants had been nothing more than a passing whim.