Those Who Bear the Stench (1)
In less than two days, more than half the suitors had already withdrawn. Then the Red Dragon descended upon the scene in a blazing fury. The villainous young lady, wielding her arrogant charisma, swept the suitors away in a single stroke. Her remarkable performance naturally reached the ears of Ludmila, who had been waiting with bated breath for the results.
“Liza!! How do you intend to handle the consequences of this catastrophe?!”
The thunderous roar filled the once-quiet drawing room. It sounded as though a fire-breathing evil dragon had let out a furious bellow. The maids flinched in shock, and even the soldiers standing guard broke into cold sweats at Ludmila’s shout. How could they not be tense? The empire’s Red Dragon was truly enraged.
“You are just as guilty! I placed you at her side precisely so she would not cause such nonsense!”
“…I am sorry.”
The crimson eyes, blazing like flames, turned from Elizaveta to me. In truth, I bore some fault as well. Every time Elizaveta drove the suitors away, I had felt a secret thrill. Watching those ambitious men, who dreamed of rising in status by becoming the Platinum Princess’s husband, turn pale and abandon the match had been oddly satisfying. Rue and I had even enjoyed the spectacle while munching on popcorn. Naturally, the elder sister who wished for her younger sister’s happiness was furious with me.
“And now, of all times, when I must leave the capital…!”
Ludmila was scheduled to depart the capital to protect the Fugh Kingdom from the wicked demons. She spoke with visible impatience, still unable to let go of her lingering attachment to her sister.
“Brother-in-law, isn’t Sister being far too unreasonable? She doesn’t even try to understand her wounded little sister’s feelings, yet she expects me to be a proper wife? She’s always been this stubborn.”
“B-Brother-in-law! Ahem! Don’t try to gloss over it like that!!”
Elizaveta whispered mischievously, loud enough for everyone to hear. Ludmila’s face flushed crimson as she raised her voice. I found myself caught in the middle of the sisters’ quarrel and immediately began plotting my escape.
“I beg you, from tomorrow onward, take the suitors seriously. Father has high expectations as well.”
“Fine, fine. I’ll do as I’m told.”
At her elder sister’s earnest plea, the younger sister finally relented. Though she pouted in displeasure, she promised to approach the matches with sincerity. Thank goodness it ended here. I had worried the argument might escalate.
“You, stay behind for a moment.”
“Pardon?”
As I moved to follow Elizaveta out of the drawing room, Ludmila stopped me. Surely she isn’t going to blame me for the broken engagements? If she accused me of slacking, I would have no defense. Was there any way to avoid responsibility? I seriously considered pinning everything on the tiny fairy who had watched the matches with me.
“While I am away… please protect Liza. Above all else, I worry for her. She behaves so recklessly every time—how could I not be concerned?”
“Of course. Leave it to me.”
The reason Ludmila had detained me was to entrust me once more with guarding her younger sister, Elizaveta. Her expression clouded with unease, and her shoulders trembled. It was the complete opposite of her usual dignified and gallant demeanor. She seemed almost like a fragile woman. Even though she had boldly declared she would head north, Elizaveta clearly remained on her mind. Perhaps her instincts had already sensed the deathly fate looming over her sister. That was why Ludmila showed her vulnerable side only to me, whom she trusted.
“On the honor of House Hohenberg, I will protect Her Highness Elizaveta without fail.”
“…Yes. Thank you.”
I raised my hand and gently stroked her pale cheek. It was soft and warm. Through her thin skin, I could almost feel the weight of her worries. The sudden touch was unexpected, yet Ludmila did not reject it. With a solemn smile, she clasped the hand that had caressed her cheek.
Where did this courage come from? To touch the empire’s princess without hesitation… I had simply wanted to comfort Ludmila, who was so deeply worried for her sister. That earnest desire had unconsciously manifested as physical contact.
“A-Anyway, I should go now. I’m counting on you with Elizaveta!”
“Yes.”
For a moment, time seemed to freeze as we gazed at each other. Then, as if suddenly regaining her senses, Ludmila hurriedly stepped back. Her face, flushed as though it might burst into flames at any moment, left a striking impression. The flawless composure she usually maintained had vanished, replaced by flustered movements. Watching her like that, I felt my heart begin to race.
* * *
In place of Ludmila, who was preparing to depart, the Seven Generals of Valtaria were deployed for defense. These seven knights represented the empire. With the end of the racial war, the dragon generals who had been scattered across the empire gathered once more. When it became known that the imperial guardian Ludmila would take the field, worry and anxiety spread. However, the arrival of Valtaria’s Seven Generals in the capital swiftly dispelled the creeping fear.
“Princess General Cecilia. By His Majesty’s sacred command, I have been assigned to guard Her Highness Elizaveta.”
The female knight with flowing blue hair, much like Robelia’s, saluted and took up her post beside Elizaveta. Is she planning to do this even during the matches? The suitors would probably flee in terror at the sight of a woman clad in full plate armor. True to being Ludmila’s direct subordinate, she showed not a shred of flexibility. While her gallant courage and loyalty were admirable, her rigid personality overshadowed those virtues.
“Understood, so just wait in the back.”
“I cannot! His Majesty ordered me to take every precaution.”
“I need to change into my dress soon! So stop following me!”
“Y-Your Highness…!”
To think there existed someone who could make even the villainous young lady Elizaveta recoil. I watched the commotion between the princess and the female knight for a while.
“The Valtaria Empire’s prestige is in shambles. To summon the Seven Generals from the front lines just because of rumors about demons appearing… They must be that terrified.”
The girl who had been leisurely sipping her Darjeeling set down her teacup and murmured. Fear was beginning to spread. Anxiety was slowly seeping outward. Yet the girl in her pure white robes remained as composed as ever. She enjoyed her elegant teatime as though she existed in a world apart from everyone else. Holding a tea party while the masses trembled in fear—she truly was a delinquent saintess. I felt an urge to report her improper conduct to the Holy Kingdom at once.
“Would you care for a cup as well, Lord Edanant?”
“I appreciate the offer, Saintess, but I’m fine.”
“Hmm. At times like this, one should enjoy culture all the more… As expected, imperial people lack sensibility.”
“……”
A bizarre saintess who had long since transcended the bounds of normalcy. Zeblinne’s expression, which had been steadily draining cup after cup of Darjeeling, suddenly changed. The signal must have come. She had drunk so many cups, after all. Darjeeling in particular stimulated the urge to urinate. I let out a soft chuckle and looked at her.
“The restroom is outside and to the right.”
“W-What are you saying? A saintess doesn’t use the restroom…!”
You’re the one saying strange things. Forget that pointless stubbornness and just go to the bathroom. If she kept holding it in, a disaster would occur—the First Saintess’s holy water would come pouring out.
“Go quickly.”
“Hnn…! Hnnng…! Not in front of Lord Edanant… I can’t go!”
I wrapped both arms around Zeblinne’s slender waist. I intended to forcibly drag the mischievous saintess to the restroom. I couldn’t understand it. Were all women like this? To think there existed a saintess more troublesome than Beatrice. Zeblinne hesitated until the very end, glancing around nervously even though she had clearly reached her limit.
“Rue…! Where did that little runt go?!”
As I hoisted the violently resisting saintess over my shoulder, I desperately called for Rue. She had been here just moments ago—where on earth had that tiny fairy flown off to? I wished she would appear with her bright eyes and persuade the mischievous saintess. The absence of the pint-sized fairy stung like the proverb about even dog droppings being useful in medicine.
* * *
Pop. Pop. Pop.
The fairy I had been searching for so anxiously was trotting toward the kitchen. Every time she peeked into the kitchen, the generous cooks would give her all sorts of snacks. Maybe she would get a big haul today, too. With hopes of sweet chocolate and cookies, she dashed down the corridor.
“Hehe, I’ll share them with Edan!”
Rue wanted Edanant to enjoy the desserts. So, suppressing her own gluttonous appetite with great effort, she carried the bundle of sweets she had received from the kitchen.
“Eek!”
As she rounded the corner at a brisk pace, Rue, both hands full of the snack bundle, collided with someone coming from the opposite direction.
“Sorry, I didn’t realize someone was coming from the other side… Are you all right?”
“My bottom hurts a little, but I’m fine!”
The person she had run into head-on was a handsome young man. Judging by his luxurious suit, he seemed to be the scion of some noble house. He would naturally feel displeased at being suddenly bumped into by a child. Yet the young man instead showed concern for Rue. Through that, one could tell he possessed a gentle nature.
“Hehe, I’m okay!”
She hurriedly checked the snack bundle. Fortunately, the packaged sweets were unharmed. Delighted, Rue shook her head vigorously and beamed with an innocent smile.
“I’m glad you’re safe. Then I’ll see you next time.”
“Okay!”
The young man extended his hand. Rue reached out with her small hand in return and accepted the handshake. She gripped his hand tightly. As she stepped closer for the handshake, Rue caught a whiff of an odor that assaulted her senses. The smell of rotting earth. There was also the scent of long-corroded metal. Because the Luinon race possessed extremely sensitive senses, she detected the faint stench in an instant.
He should wash more often… Though even Edan smells sometimes, no matter how thoroughly he washes every day. Everyone’s so dirty.
Rue tilted her head in puzzlement at the mysterious odor, then turned around with the snack bundle in her arms.