Mage Marygold (10)
21.
"Oh, they're fighting!"
The 7th Prince's eyes sparkled at the sight outside the train window. Mages and knights tussling with one another. It certainly wasn't an everyday spectacle.
-Aagh!
"The mage threw the first punch!"
-Get out of the way, you bastards!
"What a commotion!"
-Knights, picking on weaklings!
"It's fierce! So fierce!"
-Kyeng!
"The girl took a hit!"
The 7th Prince seemed genuinely thrilled, watching the brawl unfold right from the train. "Do mages and knights always fight like that?"
"It's not something you see often."
"Really?"
Perched on Lancel's shoulder, the prince kept clenching his fists in excitement, letting out gasps of awe. Beside them, Laura was the only one fidgeting anxiously, gnawing at her nails. Maybe because the fight was intensifying.
"Should we break it up soon?"
"Aw, but it was just getting good."
"We do need to get going, though."
"Guess there's no helping it. But how're you gonna stop 'em?"
"Like this."
With the 7th Prince looking glum but resigned on his shoulder, Lancel boarded the train. Shouts and yells erupted nonstop amid the cramped space, where countless people collided with one another. Luggage scattered everywhere, tripping feet left and right.
"Your Highness, if we go inside, could you repeat after me?"
"That much is easy. But what're you gonna say?"
"You'll know when you hear it."
Lancel kicked the door open with all his might.
Bam!
"Everyone, headplant."
"Hahaha! Everyone, headplant!"
The 7th Prince's innocent laughter echoed as he parroted Lancel's words. The chaotic interior of the train froze in an instant.
"Didn't hear that? Say it once more, Your Highness."
"Everyone, headplant! Hahaha!"
...
"Academy students brawling like common thugs. Where's their knightly honor? Where'd their mage pride go?"
Lancel trudged through the spots groaning in agony. The 7th Prince trailed behind him, grinning ear to ear.
No nobles or commoners remained in this train anymore. Few could defy a prince ordering them to bow their heads. Royalty, maybe. Even that royal, Aldebar, had been made to stand quietly in the corner, facing the wall—thanks to Lancel.
"Mary."
"Y-yes, Professor... eep, hiiik!"
Lancel plopped down onto Mary's waist as she bowed. "Urghhh!"
Her legs trembled violently, a pained groan escaping her lips.
"Who started it? Be honest."
"Th-the kn-knights... kuhhh..."
"Wh-what bullshit! When did we—!"
"Have a seat on that one, Your Highness."
"Can I?"
"Heup!"
Right and wrong didn't matter. Lancel's only goal was to lounge atop Mary and watch the suffering academy students' reactions.
"Hyaak!"
He pinned Marygold back down with his hand as she tried to rise. Lancel spoke from atop her prone back.
"You can hold out like this till we arrive, right?"
Despair rippled through the car. Toying with Marygold's braided hair, Lancel spent a leisurely time with the 7th Prince.
"Nice weather, huh, Your Highness."
"Sure is."
Pained groans continued unabated.
"Ahh, killer weather."
"That good?"
22.
Shwaaa!
Torrential rain poured over the entire forest. Step outside for a moment, and you'd be drenched to the bone. Where had the fine weather gone?
"Guess night training's off the table."
It hadn't been like this during the day. Up until then, the knight and mage departments had been locked in a 'hunting contest' under the blazing sun. Red-collared rabbits released everywhere, points awarded to the department catching the most. Medieval-style games or whatever.
For the record, mages: 330 rabbits. Knights: 150. That explained the knights' sour faces lately.
Hunting, surprisingly, favored magic over chasing on foot—far more efficient.
Shwaaaa!
And then, while returning to their tents for a break, this mess. Clouds like monsoon season unleashed endless rain. All academy students holed up in their pre-pitched tents, avoiding the downpour.
"Actually, this might be for the best."
Laura peered at the deluge. "They say bandits were spotted nearby."
"Bandits?"
"Yeah. The guards watching the area reported suspicious folks earlier. With all these nobles around, they're probably after kidnappings for ransom."
"Gutsy bastards."
Snatching academy nobles for a big payout. Normally impossible, but things were different now. A couple might've been nabbed if luck ran sour. This camping training had way more people than expected.
'Why'd they drag the whole academy along?'
Managing that many with just Lancel and Laura was a nightmare. Laura's relief at the rain made sense—staying put in tents was safest.
'My camping training's ruined.'
Of course, he didn't voice it. The 7th Prince lay snoring on his lap right then—the very reason everyone was here.
"Then, Sir Lancel, I'll leave His Highness in your care till the rain stops. I'm off."
"Running away?"
"Who knows. Hehe."
As Laura slipped out, only the patter of rain remained.
Shwaaa!
Soon after, a familiar shadow appeared outside the tent.
"Professor Lancel. May I come in?"
"What is it."
"This."
The shadow held up something rectangular.
"Sandwiches. I brought some. You haven't eaten anything today..."
"...Come in."
"Yes."
With a bright reply, rain-soaked Marygold entered the spacious prince-exclusive tent, complete with fireplace and chimney. She glanced around.
"I had no idea you had such a nice setup... Ah!"
Spotting the sleeping 7th Prince, she quickly hushed her voice.
"It's fine. They say once he's out, he doesn't wake easily."
"R-really?"
Marygold crept over and sat beside Lancel. Raindrops glistened in her hair, reflecting the firelight.
"Here."
She pulled out carefully wrapped sandwiches from her bosom. Twelve pieces, filling a wooden box—clearly prepared with intent for today.
"You made these for me?"
"..."
Marygold fidgeted with her lips, hesitating, then nodded.
"Last time... they seemed to suit your taste..."
This made him feel bad for tormenting her that morning. A red mark from the train scolding still lingered vividly on her forehead.
"...Yeah. Thanks, I'll eat."
Lancel took one from the bundle. Vegetables and meat layered meticulously between bread. Made since dawn, no doubt.
"Lancel."
"Professor."
"Ah, Professor Lancel."
"What."
He replied, chewing steadily.
For some reason, Marygold wrung her hands, hesitating long before speaking.
"What is it."
"Well... I, um... Aldebar..."
"...?"
Aldebar. Heir to the Lukia Kingdom. His name suddenly tumbled from Marygold's lips. Lancel doubted his ears at what followed.
"After camping ends, he invited me to dinner at his mansion."
"...!"
Suddenly? 'Aldebar?'
Invited to dine with Aldebar, the notoriously tough conquest target, heir to a foreign power. What on earth had happened?
"You two close?"
"No, not really. Just... sometimes in the same class group, sometimes teaming up for magic research, sometimes he'd walk me back to the girls' dorm... that's it. Nothing else."
That wasn't "just." It was plenty. By game standards, she'd all but conquered him. If she wanted, marriage was a heartbeat away. Enough for him to initiate a dinner invite.
'Easier guy than I thought, Aldebar. Or did Marygold luck into it?'
Lancel stroked his chin, mouth agape.
"...I turned him down."
Marygold glanced sidelong at Lancel, head slightly bowed. "Said I wouldn't go."
Was it the crackling fireplace's warmth? A flush crept up her profile.
"... "