Chapter 7: The Best Morsel Should Be Saved for Last (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 7: The Best Morsel Should Be Saved for Last (1)
As she always did, Helena returned to her private quarters after finishing her sparring session with Leon.
Even now, with Leon having reached the age of twenty and becoming an adult, she still crossed swords with him every single day.
“Sigh…”
Helena let out a soft sigh as she closed the door.
Normally, she would have unfastened the ties of her clothes without delay, but today, her hands moved toward her neck instead of her waist.
‘Before I knew it…’
Her fingers traced her nape and collarbone, areas where Leon’s warmth and scent still seemed to linger vividly.
Gently stroking the spots his hands had caressed, Helena fell into deep thought.
‘At first, he was such a cute young master… but when did he…?’
The first time she felt Leon’s hands, they had been almost daintily small. The sight of him kneading her shoulders with those tiny hands had been nothing but adorable.
However, at some point, the hands Leon placed on her shoulders had become those of a full-grown man. They were large and long enough to wrap around her shoulder in a single grip—the hands of a male, overflowing with strength in every knuckle.
‘Come to think of it, it wasn’t just his hands…’
The Leon who used to look up at her from far below with sparkling eyes had vanished.
Before she realized it, Leon was standing before her, meeting her gaze with a refreshing smile. Then, the Leon who stood at her eye level disappeared as well, and now, he was looking down at her.
As she recalled the shift in their perspectives, Leon’s image rose in her mind again—the scent and warmth that had enveloped her neck, and his arms, which had become remarkably thick and solid.
Slide…
Helena’s hand began to retrace the path Leon’s hands had taken, as if trying to reawaken the lingering echoes of his touch.
“…”
A strange sensation subtly mingled with the simple relief of her fatigue. The fine hairs all over her body stood on end, and a small fire began to kindle deep within her.
“Ngh…”
Helena had never so much as held a man’s hand, let alone shared a private conversation with one. Though she belonged to a collateral lineage, she was still a member of the nobility; her sense of chastity, forged through rigorous education, was like an impregnable fortress.
Yet, without her noticing, countless small cracks had formed in the walls of that fortress.
The scent of a male exuded by Leon—the boy she had believed was merely a cute young master. That scent was igniting the primal instincts and longings she had spent her life ignoring.
“…No.”
No, it wasn’t right.
This shouldn't be happening.
She had to forget. It was impossible.
The Young Master was a scion of the prestigious Konstanz family and the one who had called her "Teacher" since he was a child.
So, no. The Young Master was simply trying to relieve her fatigue and make her happy.
Therefore… she had to forget.
…While repeating these thoughts, Helena glared at her reflection in the mirror.
“I can do it… I have to…”
Unlike the main house, Helena’s collateral branch was not well-off, possessing neither proper lands nor significant titles. This was especially true given that a noble’s expenses were inevitably vast, whether they liked it or not.
If the income Helena earned by serving the Konstanz family disappeared, her already weak branch of the family would face certain extinction.
Because of that, Helena had killed all her emotions and desires.
She had even killed her heart.
Lest she ever fall out of favor with the Konstanz family.
To ensure that such a thing would never, ever happen.
‘…This is the life I chose. It was the only option left for me after I gave up the sword.’
So, no matter what happened, she would not abandon the life she had decided upon.
Even if she’d had no freedom in that choice.
Even if that life meant remaining alone in a dark room for the rest of her days.
“Whew.”
After murmuring to her reflection, Helena finally unfastened the ties of her clothes.
Her life was defined by restraint and abstinence, but Helena’s body was entirely at odds with those words. Thus, the moment she shed her corset and maid’s formal attire, a sigh of liberation always escaped her lips.
‘Is it that time already…? I should get some sleep.’
Surrendering her body to the bed, Helena closed her eyes immediately.
‘If… no, let’s forget it…’
What should she do if she were given another choice?
The doubts and questions that followed one after another were buried by the encroaching fatigue and sleep.
Yet, Helena’s hand was already stroking her shoulder and neck again.
Like a small spark fluttering onto a parched mountain.
*
Time is a truly mysterious thing.
In the moment, it flows so slowly, yet when you look back, it has leaped forward enough to make you say, “Has it really been this long?”
The reason such a cliché thought occurred to me was simple.
It had already been two years since my brother reached adulthood, and I had finally turned twenty.
‘I’ve made plenty of progress with Helena… though I can’t recall the details clearly due to certain circumstances.’
The achievement I could speak of with confidence, however, was the change in my brother.
The Luan I knew was, to put it nicely, an immature brat. But after my… yes, after the Heroine Supplement Plan, he became a completely different person.
He began to attend the classes he used to sleep through with total sincerity.
Not only that! He stayed up every night to self-study the parts he had slacked off on, and he even started asking questions about things he didn’t know or understand.
He peppered them with questions until he was satisfied, to the point where the instructors—who had initially wept tears of joy—eventually clung to me with exhausted faces.
‘And he even started following Father around on his own…’
Luan even began showing his face to Father without me having to nudge him. Wherever Father went to handle administrative affairs as the Lord, or to lead the military as the commander, or anywhere else he went as the Margrave, Luan followed of his own volition.
Thanks to that, the current Luan had established himself as the undisputed next Margrave.
“Leon, I’ve heard the stories. I heard you’re the one who made Luan like that?”
Accompanied by the scent of heavy perfume, my mother’s voice reached my ears.
Before my eyes, my brother was clad in custom-made armor, kneeling on one knee before Father. This was taking place in front of all the vassals and military officials who swore fealty to the Margrave.
Yes, right now was my coming-of-age ceremony.
It was also the occasion where my brother was being officially recognized as the successor and the next Margrave.
“Haha, well. I simply told him that Father wasn’t wrong. The choice was my brother’s to make.”
Mother skillfully covered her mouth with her fan and spoke again.
“Hoho, would Luan be standing here now if it weren't for you?”
“Who knows? As you know, Mother, my brother is intelligent and has a good nature. Well… if I hadn’t done anything, this moment might have been delayed a little.”
“Fufufu… You pretend to be humble while making sure to take credit where it’s due. You truly are my son.”
They say like father, like son, but my father and mother were truly two peas in a pod.
To put it nicely, they were a Count and Countess who sincerely loved their territory and family.
To put it bluntly… they were aristocrats who had given up on being human, interested in nothing else.
The only reason they ruled the territory and its people well without exploiting them was simple: it was the most efficient and sustainable way to strengthen their control over the land.
‘Well, as a result, the majority of people are happy, so…’
My brother had been revolted by our parents’ inhumanity, but he just hadn't known how to rebel. I simply showed him a way to stand up to parents like that.
By telling him a story full of dreams and hope—to become a better father and lord than our own father.
While I was lost in those old thoughts… Father’s voice rang out like thunder.
“With this, I declare to all that my eldest son, Luan von Konstanz, is the one who shall follow in my footsteps and bear the name of the Margrave!”
“Woooah! Long live the Margrave!”
“Long live the Konstanz family!”
Now, the only remaining procedure was for my brother to accept Father’s declaration. At this point, it was a mere formality, but we had to go through the motions. Legitimacy is born from proper procedure, after all.
Soon, while still kneeling, my brother answered Father.
“So as not to shame my ancestors resting below, I shall devote my life to protecting the family name and the people of this territory.”
“Woooah!!”
I didn’t know if he was being sincere, but Father and Mother wore proud smiles as they looked at him. My brother stood before them, looking gallant in his armor with his precious sword at his hip. The civil and military officials and the commoners cheered and applauded the sight.
The Milfgard I knew didn’t have a scene like this, but it was quite a sight to behold in its own way.
‘Is it because it’s my handiwork? Hahaha.’
With this, the possibility of my brother entering the Academy in the royal capital had converged to zero. I hadn't said it out loud yet, but I would be going to the royal capital in his stead.
There, my full-scale milf hunt… no, my true Milfgard would begin.
“Hahaha~”
It was nice to be able to laugh honestly at a time like this.
…As I was laughing naively with that sentiment, my mother’s voice, which wasn't particularly welcome, reached me.
“You seem to be in a good mood. Even though, technically, you should be the protagonist of this occasion.”
“What does it matter who the protagonist is? The fact that His Majesty the Emperor has recognized my brother as the next Lord is what’s important.”
“Hohoho, you truly are brothers with a wonderful bond. And so loyal. To be honest, your father and I doubted you quite a bit, but now we feel nothing but gratitude. You did what we could not.”
“Your words are too kind, Mother.”
“Nonsense. So… I have prepared a gift for you. I’m sure you’ll like it.”
“Pardon?”
As if to say seeing is believing, Mother turned her head forward. My head followed suit, and there I saw Father’s face looking at me.
…Dammit, it’s always trouble when that man smiles.
“Leon, come forward.”
“…Yes, Father.”
I looked at my brother just in case, but he shook his head as if he had no idea what was going on.
What on earth is this? Luan is someone I can consider completely on my side.
But as if he wouldn't give me a moment’s respite, Father stood me before everyone.
“As you all know, this child is my son, Leon. He has been exceptionally bright and clever since he was young, and his brilliance only shines brighter with each passing day.”
“Long live the Young Master!”
“Leon has now reached the age of twenty and has become a man. As you can see, Leon is a son I am just as proud of as Luan, a great pillar who protects the Konstanz family and our borders.”
Why is he building me up like this? What is he planning?
It’s as if he’s saying this for someone specific to hear.
…Wait, for someone to hear?
“Therefore, on this joyous occasion celebrating Leon’s adulthood, I wish to add one more blessing.”
“A-Abbe… Father. Surely…!”
“You may rejoice, Leon. Your marriage has been decided.”
Son of a bitch.
*
Leon’s marriage announcement sent the crowd into a literal frenzy.
The Young Master had shown extraordinary talent since childhood. Moreover, the story that Leon was the one who had brought about Luan’s transformation was well-known among those in the loop, so the cheers grew even more heated.
The Konstanz family would surely prosper even more, bolstered by these outstanding sons and their deep brotherly bond.
Everyone shared that thought as they clapped and cheered… but except for the person involved, there was one other person who was forcing a smile.
‘…Congratulations, Young Master.’
That person was Helena, who was watching from behind Leon’s mother.
From the time Leon was a child, Helena was the one who had spent more time with him than even his own mother. For Helena, too, Leon was the person she had spent the most time with.
At first, he was a brat who caused her nothing but trouble and embarrassment.
Later, he was a commendable and cute disciple who lived with the words “I want to make you happy, Teacher!” on his lips.
And recently…
‘…No, it is not. That… is impossible.’
Even now, Leon’s voice, the whispers she had heard just yesterday, remained vivid in Helena’s ears. She could clearly feel Leon’s warmth on the shoulders she had offered him yesterday. The scent of Leon, who had subtly approached her from behind yesterday, lingered in her nose.
Yesterday, and even now, Leon’s touch still seemed to be stroking Helena’s skin.
Perhaps that was why.
Without realizing it, Helena let a single tear fall.
“Sniff…”
Why?
Was it because she was overwhelmed by the fact that her once-cute disciple had grown up and was now starting a family?
Or was it because she felt regret at the thought that she would no longer cross swords with Leon?
Or…
‘No! I said no!’
At the end of that silent scream, Helena found herself alone.
She was in the corner of the garden where she had always clashed wooden swords and sweated alongside Leon.
As she stood there, stroking a wooden sword worn smooth by use, someone walked toward her with heavy steps.
“Teacher.”
The person who approached Helena was Leon.
He wore the same refreshing smile as always, but to Helena, it felt as though a shadow was hidden behind that smile.
If it had been before—if nothing had changed—Helena would have immediately sat Leon down beside her, but…
‘Now… I must not.’
Gripping her wooden sword tightly as if to steady herself, and hiding it behind her back, Helena bowed her head to Leon.
“Young Master.”
However, Helena’s feet would not move away from him. Her reason screamed that she must, but her body resisted, refusing to leave.
Toward Helena, Leon spoke with difficulty.
“Could I… ask for a spar?”
“…Young Master.”
“Please, Teacher.”
Ah, in the end, I can never win against the Young Master.
Reproaching herself for being so soft-hearted, Helena held out the wooden sword to Leon.
“Thank you. Teacher…”
As soon as he received the wooden sword from Helena, Leon immediately took a stance. To Helena, Leon looked incredibly lonely and burdened.
“…Young Master, I am beginning.”
“Yes, Teacher.”
In a manner no different from any other day, yet with so much having changed, Leon and Helena clashed their wooden swords together.