Your Son's Girlfriend (1)
Laura de Emilia. The saintess who could receive oracles directly from Gaia, and in her past life, the mastermind who shattered the engagement between the crown prince and Duchess Ariel, driving Ariel to utter ruin.
The owner of La Maria Cathedral—the grandest building in the capital aside from the sprawling Imperial Academy and imperial palace—and a student at the academy to boot. Born the lady of a devout Gaia Church family, she was a figure called the very symbol of the faith... but right now, here in the academy, she was living while suitably concealing her status.
"....."
Her pink hair fluttered lightly as she gazed at Ariel, who had her man wrapped in her arms. Nothing in the world held her interest... except Ariel. She found that one person intriguing. Humans were animals swayed by emotions, repeating idiotic, foolish acts. Emilia despised such humans—and precisely because of that, she paradoxically felt a great affinity for Ariel.
The audacity and indifference that ignored others' feelings. The cold ruthlessness that would do anything to achieve her goals. That was why Emilia had considered Duchess Ariel her one true rival, the only one she acknowledged.
"....In the end, they're all the same."
No matter how much of a genius one was born as in any era, they needed at least one person who understood them. Emilia harbored grand ambitions. Chosen by Gaia herself, she had a duty as the saintess to save the people. A world that purged filthy rabble and preserved the superior genes of nobles and priests. She had begun by gaslighting Crown Prince Cedric, steadily infiltrating noble society.
If she simply amplified the misanthropy already ingrained in the nobles using her holy power... fragile humans would assimilate and crumble in no time.
The pink-haired girl in glasses slipped slowly out of the plaza.
---
"....Du, Duchess."
No matter how much support she had from the students, the moment she touched the Saint Ducal House, all her allies would vanish. It was the prestige of the Saint family that kept neighboring countries from invading the empire's vast territories.
The empire's sword. And Duchess Ariel, called the master of that sword. She brushed back her slightly falling bangs and stared impassively at Olivia with her usual expression.
"....I don't like speaking logically. That's the way of the weak to survive."
".....Um, wait."
Olivia frantically shifted her gaze. A dispute with Duchess Ariel was no small matter, so she looked flustered toward where Emilia had been standing.
'....E, Emilia's... gone?'
"Don't bother my partner anymore. Or pester her."
"....."
Duchess Ariel's words began to crush her one by one. How many families had been wiped out by the Saint Ducal House? Duke Reinhardt had retired due to injuries from the War of the Roses, but the Saint family's knights held key positions throughout the empire. Moreover, the duke had delegated full authority of the ducal house to Ariel.
In truth, facing her was tantamount to facing the entire Saint Ducal House.
"....I, I understand..."
Olivia squeezed her eyes shut and slowly bowed her head deeply.
In that silence, Ariel quietly grasped the hem of my clothes.
[....Wait, hold on. I'll grab it.]
She whispered softly to me. All eyes were already fixed on this spot, so walking awkwardly would ruin Ariel's dignity.
'.....'
Honestly, it was mortifying. I'd never had a woman like this in my life, and I still couldn't fathom why this overly gracious duchess liked me.
But....
Snap— We slowly interlaced our fingers.
Led by her, we descended from the platform and passed through the crowd one by one. I could feel her pulse transmitting to me. Matching that urgent, thrilling beat, we stiffly moved our steps.
"......You're holding too tight."
".....Eep."
Such murmurs leaked from the small space between us. We managed to slip out of the crowd's sight without letting go for quite a while.
Once away from the seats, we gently released our clasped hands and slowly stepped apart.
"....Then, g, go on in. Leon."
"......"
I'd never felt or received affection from anyone, so everything was a first. But having someone who liked me meant I had a solid ally.
"Thanks for today."
"....."
Ariel's blue eyes flickered slightly, her face lighting up with elation. She fidgeted, glancing at me, then tentatively raised her arms a bit.
.....I stared blankly at her, then suddenly realized something, widening my eyes as I looked back.
....For real?
"....Th, that is...."
".....If you're thankful."
"......"
Her expression was bold. Naturally, I wanted to bolt from the spot, but at the same time, a desire to hug her welled up. I was clearly the one being courted, yet my heart felt so tangled and ticklish...
'....Maybe I should just act as I please.'
....For now, I decided to follow my desires.
Ariel's face and body began to squeeze my heart. I lightly held her waist and slowly met her gaze.
"Thank you."
"......"
Just a brief pull, something even friends might do. But that lingering warmth etched deeply into my mind, unforgettable.
.
.
.
I exchanged awkward goodbyes with Ariel and parted without looking at each other's faces till the end.
...I'd dreaded my friends' reactions when we met soon, but fortunately, a group confinement order had come down from the academy due to the collective commotion.
After we left the platform, students dissatisfied with the point redistribution gathered, escalating into faction brawls. In the end, to cool the overheated students, the professors mediated with a mass dismissal order.
"...I'm home."
"Oh, already? I heard via letter and was prepping dinner, but I didn't expect you so soon..."
Thanks to that, I got an unexpected three-day break.
Opening the door to the familiar cabin, who else but my mother, Catherine, greeted me.
"Where's Lena?"
"Mm... Probably playing in the forest? She said she's listening to stories from the spirits or whatever."
....Oh.
It hadn't even been three weeks, but Lena seemed already accustomed to spirit magic.
Lena had eaten dinner already, so I savored the bacon on the table, popping it into my mouth.
"By the way, made lots of friends?"
"Ah, yeah. So-so."
Catherine hummed happily, her silver hair swaying as she peppered me with academy questions.
"....Hmm. Any girl you like, by chance?"
".....Pfft—"
"Oh? Really?"
"....Kuh— Cough...."
I hurriedly grabbed a tissue, sneezing nonstop from the choke. But Catherine's face had long shifted to one brimming with curiosity.
"....Hmm... My boy does take after his mom's looks. But already stealing girls' hearts?"
"....What? Grown-ups said I was handsome as a kid, but I wasn't popular."
Catherine just smiled silently. Leon still had no idea Lena had thrown out all the love letters from neighborhood girls.
"Anyway, Leon. Who's the girl? Nice? Pretty?"
"....Th, that's not—"
"When do I get grandkids? Mom wants them ASAP—"
Leon frantically shoveled food into his mouth, then bolted from his seat to escape.
".....I, I'll head out...!! It's late, and I'll let Lena know I'm back...!!"
Bang—!!
"....Tch."
As the door slammed shut violently, Catherine sighed wistfully before refocusing on cooking.
---
"Gnome. That tickles.... Stay still."
It was fascinating. Lena sat on a rock with eyes closed, bright lights floating around her.
Spirit mages contracted with nature spirits, but low-grade ones like these could be communicated with directly without contracts.
Sensing my presence—or hearing from the spirits—Lena startled and stared blankly at me. Her face brightened, and she lunged into a hug.
"....Wha, what—!! When'd you get here?!"
"Something came up at the academy. I'll be home for about three days."
"Oh, okay—"
That was when it happened. Lena, buried in my arms like a puppy, suddenly wore a strange expression. Then, with slightly unfocused eyes, she stared at me and asked slowly.
".....But, big bro Leon."
"Yeah?"
"....Who's that?"