Chapter 32: Heroine Supplement Plan (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 32: Heroine Supplement Plan (1)
Three months.
About a hundred days had passed since she first met Leon. Miriam Bauer looked at herself in the mirror.
The dress that once strained against her body was now loose.
Her arms and legs, which had always felt heavy, were now as light as feathers.
As she looked down, she could see the tips of her toes—once hidden by her bulging belly.
"Ah...!"
The moment she truly felt the change in herself, tears welled up in Miriam’s eyes.
At some point, her body and mind had begun to crumble.
The person who hated her hideous transformation the most was none other than Miriam herself.
‘If it hadn't been for Lord Leon...’
After Natalia had closed the door to her heart, Leon was the only one who reached out to Miriam.
He was the only one who praised her for her courage, gave her the confidence that she could change, and ultimately made that change happen.
Because of this, Miriam naturally thought of Natalia.
She thought of the Sword Princess, who had been the first to offer her a hand of salvation.
And in contrast, she thought of the Natalia currently trapped in a cage, whom Miriam had been unable to help.
*
"Are you here alone?"
Long ago, those were the first words Natalia had ever spoken to Miriam.
That day, as usual, Miriam had been standing alone in a corner, staring blankly.
Being a noble herself, Miriam immediately recognized Natalia and hurriedly bowed her head.
"I-it is an honor to meet you, L-Lady Clausewitz. I am M-Miriam."
"It’s a pleasure, Lady Miriam. Um... it seems you find these gatherings a bit unfamiliar and difficult."
"That... that is..."
"To be honest, I feel the same way. There isn't a single person here who truly knows me."
"Pardon? But Lady Clausewitz, you are the wife of the man who will become the next Knight Commander..."
"...That isn't me."
Miriam was simple and timid, but she wasn't slow-witted.
She immediately noticed the dark shadow cast over Natalia’s beautiful face.
She saw the truth: the brighter the light, the darker the shadow.
Of course, she had no way of knowing what was casting that shadow over Natalia, so Miriam could only offer her silent empathy.
"I’ve said something unnecessary upon our first meeting. I apologize for causing you concern."
"P-please, do not apologize. It’s just... I didn't dare say anything... I felt that neither saying I understood nor telling you to stay strong... would be of any comfort..."
"...I see. If... if it isn't an imposition, would you like to talk for a while?"
"I... I am not someone suited for a lady like you..."
"I believe loners should stick together. What do you think?"
Miriam had no choice but to—and did so gladly—take the hand Natalia offered.
The two women became close in an instant.
They shared commonalities like unwanted marriages and dry marital relationships, but above all, their personalities clicked.
Miriam was far too timid for a noblewoman, and Natalia was someone who knew how to reach out to others.
They were nobles, yet they didn't act like nobles, which made their bond inevitable.
"Actually, I had a younger sister who was like my own flesh and blood. Her name is Helena. She used to follow me around everywhere since we were little. Every time she opened her mouth, she’d say, 'Sister, you’re going to be the next Sword Saint!'"
"Oh, I see. Did Miss Helena train with you as well, Lady Natalia?"
"Haha, yes. Not just training—we went everywhere together. Mountains, fields, rivers, the sea... Helena followed me like I was her real sister, and I swung my sword every day so I wouldn't be a disgrace to her. Back then... I believed..."
"Believed what...?"
"...That I could become the Sword Saint. That I could be recognized. I believed that even if I didn't receive the title of Sword Saint, I could live the life I chose until the very end."
Of course, Miriam knew.
She knew Natalia’s last name was Clausewitz.
She knew that before her marriage, she was a genius swordsman known as the Sword Princess.
And... she knew that Natalia had been forced into marriage with a husband who shared her surname.
It was an open secret among the nobility that the Clausewitz family would not hesitate to engage in consanguineous marriage to preserve their talent.
However, she didn't dare speak that secret aloud. Instead, in her own way, Miriam silently wrapped her hands around Natalia’s.
"...Thank you."
"I... this is all I can do for you. Even though you saved me, Lady Natalia..."
"Haha, saved you? The only person who can save you is yourself."
"That’s a stern remark, just like you. But... do you not have any contact with Miss Helena, whom you mentioned earlier?"
"...Actually, I get letters. She asks how I’m doing, tells me she’s decided to go to the Konstanz family, says she misses me... she sends news like that. I tried to reply, but... I just... I was too ashamed... too sorry..."
"Lady Natalia, I wouldn't dare say I understand your feelings... but I’m sure Miss Helena is waiting for your reply."
If I were Helena, I would never be ashamed of you.
Miriam even said those words, but Natalia only responded with a silent smile.
As time passed, the shadow on Natalia’s face grew darker and darker.
"I heard your son turned five. Congratulations, Lady Miriam."
"Thank you, Lady Natalia. I... I heard you also have a son, Lady Natalia..."
The moment she mindlessly brought up children and saw Natalia’s face sink heavily, Miriam cursed her own foolishness.
A child forcibly conceived with a man of the same bloodline.
The darkness looming over Natalia felt as if it were choking Miriam as well.
"I-I am so sorry, Lady Natalia. I overstepped my bounds..."
"...Don't be. It’s alright. Even if it was an unwanted marriage and an unwanted child... I still have the natural affection of a mother. But... I am getting a bit tired..."
"Lady Natalia..."
"My husband said it. Everyone said it, not just him. That this child, Armin, has no talent. It looks that way to me, too. But... he’s his son. How can he look at his own son with those eyes...?"
It was likely around this time.
Miriam thought so.
The time when Natalia’s heart, which had held out so well until then, began to slowly crumble.
"Lady Natalia..."
"Munch, munch... Yes?"
"Um... I don't know how this will sound, but has your appetite been particularly good lately...?"
"Ah... ah, that... I try to restrain myself, but before I know it, I’m putting something in my mouth. I suppose old habits die hard."
"Old habits?"
"Yes. Back when I held a sword, I ate a lot. It’s been a long time since I put down the sword, but it seems my eating habits are the one thing that won't change."
Natalia gave a pained, bitter smile.
Seeing that smile, Miriam did the best she could.
"If it’s alright with you, may I join you for your meal?"
"Oh, I would be grateful if you did. I was starting to feel self-conscious about eating alone..."
"Pardon? Do you always eat alone? What about His Excellency Loengram, or young Armin...?"
"Well... it’s been a long time since I’ve eaten with my husband, and I only see my son occasionally..."
Having such conversations, Miriam ate with Natalia.
She believed that was the only way to repay Natalia for reaching out to her.
She lamented that it was the only thing she could do.
"Lady Natalia...?"
"Ah... haha, I’m sorry. I’ve gained quite a bit of weight, haven't I...?"
"...N-no. You look the same. You are still as beautiful as the day we first met, Lady Natalia."
"Haha, is that so? You’re the same as ever too, Miriam. Then, will you eat with me again today?"
"Yes, gladly."
I should have said no back then.
I should have told you honestly that you were falling apart.
"I’ve come to see Lady Natalia..."
"I am sorry, My Lady. Lady Natalia said she does not wish to see anyone."
"...I see. Understood."
The image of the guard looking at her with contempt, and Natalia, who had closed the door to her heart.
Recalling those scenes, Miriam stepped out of the past reflected in the mirror.
"...I can do it. No, I must."
Dressing herself in a lavish gown she wouldn't have dared to touch before, Miriam whispered to her reflection.
She held Leon’s business card, which she had been clutching for who knows how long.
*
"My... my sister is... broken...? Young Master, is that the truth...?"
"...Yes, Teacher. Honestly, I wanted to tell you right away... but I didn't know how to say it, so it took me three months. I’m sorry."
As soon as I finished speaking, Helena collapsed to the floor.
I didn't even need to read her mind to know.
I knew just how much Helena respected and loved Natalia.
"Sob... hic..."
"Teacher..."
"Even today... I sent a letter today. To my sister. Telling her I’m back in Berlina, that I want to see her... Even though I knew a reply wouldn't come, I sent a letter today too..."
Helena sobbed in my arms for a long time.
Her tears only stopped after they had completely soaked the front of my shirt.
"...Are you feeling better now?"
"Hic... I’m sorry, Young Master..."
"There’s nothing to be sorry about."
My resentment toward aristocratic society deepened again today.
At this rate, I might end up like some terrorist-cum-rockerboy from a game, planting a nuke in the Sword Saint’s mansion.
While shouting, "We will never fade away!"
Of course, that’s not my style, and above all, violence changes nothing.
It’s not rage that changes the world; it’s power.
‘Well... it’s not like I particularly want to change the world anyway.’
Regrettably, it’s because the world is like this that I can live however I want.
The shadows hidden behind the glory of this "era of peace" possess a power more magical than Sitri’s charms or suggestions.
"...You have a somewhat wicked expression on your face, Young Master."
"Haha, did I? Then you must know what I’m thinking."
"Yes... since you and I have reached a point where we can share each other's thoughts."
Fortunately, Helena seemed to have calmed down.
Well... maybe it’s because she read what was in my head.
"...Did it really have to be Lady Miriam? Could I not have been the one to meet my sister?"
"I can't say it’s impossible, but Lady Natalia would likely never agree to see you, Teacher."
"Why do you think that...?"
"If she had even the slightest intention of doing so, she would have replied at least once to the letters you’ve sent over the last fifteen years."
"...I see."
"I understand your desire to see your sister, but please wait. If you force a meeting with Lady Natalia now, it truly will become irreversible."
"I understand..."
"I will make sure you and Lady Natalia are reunited."
Helena and Miriam both love Natalia, but there is a difference.
To use a chess analogy, Helena is a Knight or a Bishop.
Miriam is a Pawn.
Of course, a Pawn can make a move that completely flips the board, but Miriam is a Pawn that can only advance one square at a time.
I don't expect more than that from her.
She just needs to do what she’s told. If she shows a bit of wit in the process, I couldn't ask for more.
"In the end, isn't the Bishop the star of chess?"
"...Young Master, thinking of people as game pieces is not a good mindset."
"It’s just a figure of speech. How could I ever view such a beautiful and lovely teacher as a mere piece on a chessboard?"
I don't truly mean what I’m saying, but there are things people can do and things they cannot.
To put it more coldly, like my father would, every person has their specific use.
So... I plan to prepare the perfect place for Helena as well.
Not as a victim crushed by the wheels of time, but as the one to welcome back her sister, who has stood up proudly once again as the Sword Princess.
‘Of course, after that... hahaha.’
Mm... I’m looking forward to it.
The day Natalia and Helena are both held in my arms.
How sweet will Natalia’s tears taste on that day...?
‘Anyway, for now, I have no choice but to wait for Miriam to advance one square.’
The time to make the next move is when Natalia appears before me.
A broken sword can simply be melted down and reforged.