Your Son's Girlfriend (3)
"...Impressive, as always."
Rachel brushed back her sweat-soaked red hair with effort, gazing at Ariel collapsed in exhaustion. Amid the sword scars littering the training ground, the duke's daughter stared blankly at her own blade, weariness etched on her face.
"...Still not quite there, huh."
"......"
At those words, Rachel bristled and shot the lady a glare. She was the captain of the Red Rose Knights, hailed as the empire's finest order, while Ariel was just a noble lady meant to be protected.
"Come on, that's too much. I'm the captain here, you know? Do you have to beat me every time to feel satisfied?"
It wasn't as if she'd hit her physical prime; she was barely sixteen. Yet her responses in the moment, the polish of her swordsmanship—they had already surpassed her peers.
This kid... she's even better than the duke.
The moment Ariel dusted herself off and stood, maids from the ducal house swarmed her. They draped a black cloth over her damp training clothes to cover her, and knights followed behind.
"Sparring right after you get back? Isn't that a bit harsh?"
Rachel twirled her red ponytail as she sheathed her sword and walked alongside her.
"Plenty of people have been waiting for you, my lady. Marquis Montiel is at the estate right now, and nobles from the Raymond family sent word they'll visit the moment you return."
"...Handle it yourself. I'll just show my face to the marquis and leave."
"Got it. Consider it done."
Ariel paused at the sight of her, then fixed Rachel with a serious look, as if she had something important to say.
"...I'm not staying here."
"Going out? Should I come with?"
Ariel slowly shook her head. Unfazed, Rachel grinned brightly and pressed on.
"You at least have to tell me where, my lady. It's dangerous out there."
"......"
A brief silence hung between them. Just as Rachel sensed something off in the odd atmosphere—Ariel leaned in and whispered in her ear.
"......"
"......."
"...My lady, I don't care who you choose as your fiancé... but you're not handing the ducal house over to a lover, right? My job's on the line here—mmph?!"
---
"...Hm? Already cooking?"
Himmel looked puzzled as he set down his armful of firewood by the door and pulled it open.
"Ahaha—oh my, oh dear. This reminds me of when I first came here as a bride. I'll show you step by step. First, crack the eggs into a bowl—"
"I'm home."
I followed my father inside without a second thought, only to come face-to-face with a black-haired woman in an apron. Caught off guard, I just stared at her blankly.
Her apron was splattered with stains, egg bits flecked her face... but without a doubt...
"....."
"......."
I nearly shouted, but Ariel gestured for silence, clumsily carrying the stained apron and bowl.
I watched in a daze. It was the duke's daughter. The top heir to the Saint Ducal House.
...If the world found out we'd treated her like this, our whole family would end up on the gallows for insulting nobility. At sixteen—not some ten-year-old kid anymore—I knew full well how grave a sin it was to slight an imperial grand noble.
I moved to stop her right away.
"...What are you—"
Unfortunately, I didn't finish. Lena's glare was so fierce it felt like killing intent, squeezing the words from me.
Father was already smiling mysteriously as he helped with the cooking... I shook my head, trying to explain, but had no choice but to approach Mother first for answers.
"...What in the world is going on...?"
"Oh, didn't you know she was coming? Anyway, she's your classmate at the academy, right? I heard she's a close friend."
"...Well, yeah, she is."
"See? Friends can turn into... lovers from battle comrades—pffthaha—?!?!"
Catherine flushed at her own giddy laugh and shot a look at Lena, who was poking her side.
"...Ahem. Anyway, we have to serve food to our guest, so we're making some, and she insisted on helping."
"...Ah."
So that's what it was. I had no idea how she'd even found our house in Laborre Village, but it made sense why the duke's daughter was whisking eggs.
Lena had been glaring at me suspiciously the whole time, so instead of explaining, I averted my eyes and sidled up to Ariel.
"...You can't do it like that. First time, right?"
"......"
She chopped vegetables with a dissatisfied frown for a while, then handed me the kitchen knife with a slight grimace.
I sliced them on the diagonal with practiced ease and helped out.
"My goodness~"
...Ignoring Mother's occasional coos, soon the roasted venison leg, steamed eggs, fresh veggies, and slime salad started filling the table.
"Come on, even our novice chef here, sit down...! And you too, our tomboy spirit mage princess~"
"Ah, yes..."
"......."
An awkward silence. We exchanged furtive glances, gauging each other—until Himmel picked up his utensils first.
"...Mm, delicious."
That broke the ice; we all started eating. As I chewed, a vague sense of déjà vu hit me.
...Huh?
Oh, right—the food in front of me... was all made by Ariel?
Her subtle gaze seemed to beg for a verdict.
...Should I try it?
The monster dishes were probably Mother's, but the simple veggie stir-fry and egg custard? Ariel's handiwork. *Nom.* I savored it.
For a first try, it was surprisingly decent. Ariel watched with a hint of pride (her face was blank as ever, but I'd started picking up on her subtle cues).
I met her eyes briefly over the food—
"...You two are dating, right?"
"......"
"...W-what?!"
It was Lena. She kept her eyes locked on me.
"Are you lovers? Coming all the way home isn't just 'friends,' is it?"
"...W-well."
Lena's expression was interrogator-sharp. Ariel hesitated, then bowed her head slightly and confessed in a small voice.
"...For now, it's one-sided. Just me liking him."
"......"
Catherine eyed Himmel steadily. He patted her shoulder with a resigned look and turned to me.
"Leon, what're you gonna do? She says she likes you."
"...Me?!"
Himmel regarded his son thoughtfully. Classmates, so both sixteen. Past the age of majority, and plenty formed families already. He'd even support a wedding if it came to that.
"...I-I..."
I stammered. I'd known I'd have to answer her confession someday, but not now.
Ariel stared down but had her ears tuned to me.
"...I don't really know."
'.......'
My flustered reply hung in the air. Ariel quietly reflected on herself.
Of course, the massive dungeon outbreak in this forest would claim Leon's parents in her previous life. She should've visited to avert it anyway... but truthfully, she couldn't bear even a day apart.
Three days without seeing him terrified her; it was an impulsive act.
Just looking at him brought joy, the sole color to her life.
...But.
'I must've been a burden.'
A subconscious thought, buried under impulse and love. Forcing feelings on someone oblivious— wasn't that a kind of violence?
*Grip.*
"...B-but if I have to pick between like and dislike... I'd say I like you."
"......"
Our eyes met the instant I finished.
"...Brother Leon?"
"...Oh my~"
Catherine called Himmel over, dragging Lena outside. She returned alone, sat, and eyed Ariel.
"...Hmm, what to do? We don't have enough rooms~"
"...Ah."
Ariel's gaze flickered. She'd assumed the guest room; spare rooms hadn't crossed her mind.
"It's fine, I brought some money, so nearby—"
"Oh, not what I meant?"
*Bang—!!*
Ariel stared blankly, clutching blankets and pillows... at me.
...She was in my room.
"...Wh-what—?!"
I lunged for the door, but it was barricaded from outside.
"Are you insane?! Put her in Lena's room or something!!"
"Leon, did I raise you wrong? Guests sleep in your room. And she's a friend, right? No problem~?"
"...No—"
"Oh, we'll take Lena and head to my folks' for three days. Don't worry!"