A Bit Lacking as a Friend
"A bit lacking as a friend though."
"Uh…."
Chloe let out a troubled sigh. Something about it felt like Marian had gone seriously off the rails. Sure, she'd used shock therapy by not showing her face for the past few days, but she never imagined such a dramatic change in less than ten days.
What keeps going wrong, why….
It was enough to drive her mad. Every time she tried to fix one thing with a desperate measure, another problem popped up elsewhere. Marian wasn't some simple magic theory or math formula—she was a person. Resorting to stopgaps with people meant ignoring solid upper and middle strategies for the worst possible one.
What can I do….
Chloe wrinkled her brow in bewilderment, unable to find words, when Marian—watching her face closely—spoke up.
"Why the silence?"
"You thinking of just brushing it off with a wish ticket or something?"
"No, I wouldn't…."
"Fine, I'll let it slide. But the wish ticket you're giving me this time? No sulking or running away, no matter how I use it."
She drove the point home like a wedge.
"Uh…."
Of course, from Marian's perspective, this was her finishing blow: a "no-refusal wish ticket," a "no-sulking-allowed wish ticket." For Chloe, who'd been on high alert, it was utterly disorienting….
Ah…!
But soon enough, Chloe grasped the heart of the matter. Marian was angry, but she still valued her relationship with Chloe. And for Marian, who'd boldly achieved a kiss, this was practically a "free-use Chloe pass"—which doubled as permission to use Chloe's lips. Perfect excuse to wring it out under the guise of anger.
Kissing the lady again does feel a bit iffy….
Still, sacrificing one wish ticket would calm Marian's fury and naturally steer her toward the Arundel Viscount's birthday party and social gathering, shifting her focus. A worthwhile gamble.
If she set a usage deadline—like after the social event….
She won't ask for another kiss like last time. Probably something like 'Let me stay in touch with a friend I make at the party,' right?
At that thought, a glint lit Chloe's eyes. With a subtle smile of assured victory, she made her proposal.
"Alright. I'll give you the wish ticket. And I won't show a hint of sulking."
"For real?"
Look at her. Even in puberty, a fifteen-year-old girl's innocent, pure heart shone through so transparently. Her desires were plain as day—almost embarrassing.
"But in exchange."
"In exchange…?"
"Make it usable after this schedule wraps up."
"What schedule was that again?"
"Lady, you didn't hear a word I said…."
"Honestly, I was so mad…. I let it go in one ear and out the other."
Chloe sighed softly behind the sheepish, grinning Marian and explained the itinerary once more.
"The neighboring Arundel Viscount's birthday is coming up. We're attending the celebratory party."
"Viscount…? Why do I have to go to his birthday?"
"It's a networking event of sorts. Lots of nobles your age will be there, so it's a great chance to make friends."
"Friends…? Do I really need those…?"
"Um…."
It was like some black-magic-corrupted wretch snarling, "I don't need friends!" But….
"You do. Especially since you've gone without them until now…."
"Gone without?"
She couldn't exactly call it strange.
"It's unusual. Yes."
"Why?"
"Social debuts usually happen around thirteen. But you, at that age…."
"I was with Chloe!"
"Exactly."
"So, Chloe and I are friends?"
"Isn't the age gap a bit much for friends?"
"True…."
Marian seemed a touch downcast at the implication they weren't friends, but soon flashed a bright smile.
"A bit lacking as a friend though."
"…?"
Chloe tilted her head, puzzled by the meaning, when Marian continued.
"Got it. I'll accept your condition, Chloe. Go to that Arundel Viscount's birthday party, clap a bit, and come back? Then I can use the wish ticket after?"
"Something like that."
"Great, let's do it. I'll get ready now."
"Yes. I'll go get final approval from the Grand Duke and Madam."
"Approval? What approval?"
"I mentioned it beforehand, but we're borrowing some knights, so there are formalities. Arona and Perona are prepping—if you're ready with them, I'll come back."
"Okay!"
Leaving the spirited Marian behind, Chloe clenched her fist tightly and headed for the Grand Duke's office. That put out the immediate fire.
Having gathered the various approval documents, Chloe knocked on the door of the Grand Duke's office. A deep voice from within bid her enter. She opened the door and stepped in.
"Your Grace."
"Right, you're leaving today, as mentioned?"
Haksen, whom she hadn't seen in quite a while, scribbled signatures on papers without so much as glancing up at her.
"Yes. This is the requisition form for the 2nd Knight Order I mentioned last time."
"2nd Knight Order…. The captain is… right, Brumen. One of Rosetta's people."
"Yes, that's right."
Haksen had only heard they were borrowing knights from the 2nd Order, yet he muttered their details. His lukewarm attitude left Chloe feeling awkward in her response.
"Attaching them fully to Rosetta?"
"Pardon?"
"Not scolding you or anything. Even rotten tuna is still tuna—I'm her father, after all; I can't do much harm. In fact, it was me who decided not to chase her out and let her live like a ghost in the Grand Duke's castle."
Haksen rambled on about himself unprompted. Chloe had no choice but to listen—she was just an employee, after all.
"Rosetta, on the other hand…. She's been milder lately, but who knows when she'll snap again. You've tamed her temperament with your gentle ways, haven't you?"
"Madam set aside her inner demons herself."
"And you helped with that. Not an easy feat, but glad it's working out. Even when you retire in two years, Rosetta won't go mad and harm Marian because of you."
"Yes, it's a relief to see no more quarrels between you two. I'll redouble my efforts going forward."
Chloe responded earnestly to Haksen's grumbling words, keeping the conversation going. Soon, he signed the documents she'd handed over, stamped the Grand Duke's seal, and returned them.
"With the Grand Duke's seal, you can requisition the 2nd Knight Order's personnel immediately, no further procedures needed. Seems settled with Rosetta already, but stop by her side too. The round trip to Arundel Viscountcy will take time."
"Yes, Your Grace. I'll follow your orders."
"Alright, you're dismissed. I've got this pile of documents to finish."
Haksen grimaced at the stacks covering his vast desk and waved her off. Chloe bowed and headed to the 2nd Knight Order's barracks.
And there.
"You've arrived."
"Lady Chloe."
She met Rosetta and Brumen.
"The documents?"
"Here."
"Sealed and all—no need for complications. Brumen, mount up."
"Yes, ma'am. I'll be off."
"Uh…."
Why was Brumen mounting up? The original plan was one 10th captain, five knights, and five squires from the 2nd Order.
"I'm just idling away in the castle with nothing to do—no need for a Sword Expert escort. You, on the other hand… some assassin who got zapped by lightning and knocked out by her own charge? Can't exactly trust that…."
"Th-that was…."
"Sure, thanks to your training. But she's still unreliable."
"Ah…."
It felt like Chloe's credibility had cracked after that hide-and-seek lesson a week ago, when she'd casually suggested joining.
Fair enough….
If the tutor you hired loses a close-quarters fight to her student after three years, you can't complain about the dent in trust.
Anyway….
"Thank you for your kindness, Madam. Sir Brumen, I appreciate your help."
"That's my line, Lady Chloe. That thing from a week ago was quite entertaining, but things were hectic, so I didn't get to say."
"Ahaha…. I've been in hiding since then."
"Hiding? Why?"
"Reasons."
Chloe smiled awkwardly, shook Brumen's hand, then led Brumen's handpicked five knights and six squires toward the Grand Duke's castle gates. Now to rendezvous with Marian.