Chapter 109
Chapter 109
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 109
Chapter Title: How About We Do It This Way? - 2
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"Alright. Let's give it a try."
I extended my hand to Lucille. She glanced at Raysi, took my hand, and was about to move when...
"Ah."
Raysi let out a small gasp, as if she had something to say. After a few steps and a turn, she kept gasping repeatedly, until Lucille finally spoke up.
"Why?!"
"Widen your stance a bit more, Your Highness."
"L-Like this?"
"And you're too close to the Sage."
"...No."
"When stepping, lead with your left foot and use the recoil from that. No need to force it—match your partner's rhythm..."
"...Yes."
After receiving Raysi's pointers several times while dancing, Raysi nodded by the end of the song.
"That's not bad at all, Your Highness. Remember it well. In dance, what matters is executing the ideal form with perfect posture."
"......"
"Think of it all as a single motion. It's much like swordsmanship."
Raysi glanced at me, and I switched Moonlight to its sheathed form and tossed it to her.
Catching Moonlight lightly out of the air, Raysi began swinging the sword.
"It's a circle. Drawing one perfect circle is key."
True to her nickname Sword Fairy, Raysi's sword dance was beautiful. The pattern it traced was the waltz we'd just been dancing.
After finishing her solo sword dance, Raysi tossed Moonlight back to me.
"Now, try again."
"Uh... But, Marquess Raysi, why did you just perform a sword dance?"
Raysi whipped her head around.
Why did she do it?
Old-timers are all like that.
She's the type who pretends not to care but jumps at the chance to show off when her favorite subject comes up.
"By the way, it kinda feels like you're my teacher now, Marquess."
"Oh dear. My apologies. I just couldn't help offering a few words of advice."
Classic old-timer trait.
They get antsy around newbies.
Just like Cecil's dead serious about her bikini armor, Raysi's dead serious about dance.
So, she probably just wanted to give some pointers to someone trying to learn—no deeper motive.
"Ah, no, I'm not criticizing or anything."
"Then may I watch over you some more?"
Her face was expressionless, but her eyes sparkled.
Ah, I get that feeling.
Is there anything more fun than coaching a newbie—pushing them and pulling them back?
Anyway, she's good enough at dancing that even I could learn from her.
Better take her advice.
The lesson continued until breakfast time. Lucille was drenched in sweat, and Lark was in despair.
"To think I'd play such trash!!"
"Why? You did great."
"This isn't music!!"
Sniffling, Lark fled inside, but I didn't pay it any mind.
I cast Heal on the exhausted Lucille, then said to Raysi,
"Come help out again at dinner tonight."
"Sure. But you—not attending the eve-of-the-event party?"
"I'll just make a quick appearance. Her Highness won't be joining."
The queen can handle the pre-party alone, no problem.
"I see. Then we have plenty of time. Heh heh. I can teach her thoroughly."
She's excited.
If no one was around, she'd probably dance by herself.
"Rest up, Your Highness. I'll let Lukel know, so take a break from magic training until the party."
"Y-Yes..."
Drained from Raysi and me, Lucille staggered out of the garden. As she left with the waiting Lily Knight Order member, Raysi looked toward the annex.
"Yaaawn~ Slept great~"
"Sage~ What's for breakfast today~?"
I scowled at the yawning lion beastkin couple, and Raysi chuckled.
"Lord Baltin. Long time no see."
"Oh, long time n—huh? Marquess Raysi? What brings you here?"
"As a noble of the kingdom, I can't miss such an important party. I'm more surprised to see you two here."
"Hahaha... Well, we got invited by Her Highness."
"I see... Then will you accept my invitation as well?"
"An invitation from the marquess? As long as it's not to become retainers, sure."
"If retainers are off the table, how about staying long-term in my marquisate?"
"If the pay's good, my wife and I will consider it."
As they chatted, maids arrived with breakfast.
The maids froze at the sight of Raysi, but she shook her head.
"I won't be dining here, so no worries. Until next time."
She left as swiftly as the wind, just like she'd arrived. Once she was gone, Baltin and Lukendi set out their spots.
"Gimme food!!"
And so, another ordinary day began.
***
A few days after teaching Lucille to dance with the Sage, the day of her birthday party drew near.
After helping with Lucille's lesson again today, Raysi returned to her guest quarters in the palace and reviewed documents while eating a sandwich.
She was in the capital for the princess's birthday party, but she couldn't slack on work.
The marquisate was vast, with plenty demanding her attention.
That meant piles of external tasks too—no time for sightseeing like other nobles.
At best, her brief sessions helping Lucille with dance at dawn and night were her only leisure.
"Hmm..."
Raysi groaned as she read the report.
She'd been family head for a decent while now, yet why were there still so many resisting?
Sure, they were gradually being absorbed, but the pace was slow.
At this rate, who knew when outsiders eyeing her lands might team up with them.
She wasn't afraid of fighting.
Her only worry was needless battles weakening House Tralman.
"Should I have just killed them?"
Even if it meant gaining little, as the Sage said—should she have prioritized stability?
But regrets always come too late.
She'd made her choice and had to bear the responsibility.
Still, the lingering doubt was unavoidable.
She needed something solid.
Something to make those holdouts bow their heads.
So, as Raysi read the report, she pondered.
To create something solid, she had to show it.
Her ability to handle marquis duties.
Proof she could fully manage the position.
In that regard, linking with the highly renowned Sage across the continent would surely help a great deal.
Viscount Willy, who owned a major revenue source—the chocolate factory—and held all the manufacturing know-how, owed the Sage big time. Others were in similar boats.
"And plenty more besides..."
But she couldn't rely on the Sage for everything.
The engagement was purely formal to begin with.
Even after the ceremony, he'd wander off on his own business.
So, she needed additional power beyond him.
With no internal allies left to support her, she needed external ones.
Ideally, ones with no interest in her lands.
But where to find such a perfect fit?
She agonized, and agonized some more.
Her expressionless face furrowed deeply in thought when...
*Knock knock.*
A knock at the door.
"Who is it?"
"Marquess, a guest wishes to see you."
A guest.
Raysi pressed her stinging eyes, sore from poring over reports.
"Who?"
It didn't matter who.
If they put on an act before her, she'd just use it to her advantage.
This guest might even be the solution to her dilemma.
Focus.
In a cool tone, she tried guessing who it might be.
Count Oswald, who'd recently sent private troops to the Tralman borders under the pretext of bandit suppression?
Count Galiden, secretly eyeing Tralman's footwear business and colluding with insiders to steal it?
The head of the Obaras Merchant Guild, trying to muscle in on chocolate sales?
Who could it be?
Who?
As her curiosity peaked, the maid spoke.
"It's Inquisitor Priest Heinz from the Church, delivering a letter from Cardinal Veronica."
That name was beyond Raysi's expectations.
The letter from Priest Heinz contained just one line.
*How about lunch together, if you're free?*
For Raysi, it was an offer with no reason to refuse.
Of course it was.
The Church influenced the entire continent, and many in Tralman lands were devout believers.
Even if Raysi herself wasn't one, the sender was a top Church figure—a cardinal.
Possibly the next pope, or the one after, following the previous one's fall.
And that was just the start.
He'd recently slain a demon and risen in priesthood—poised to become a saint within years, perhaps.
Among her lands' vassals who didn't follow her, there were no shortage of fervent faithful.
If she met him, built rapport, and received a holy relic blessed by Veronica, absorbing them into her fold might get easier.
Thus, Raysi politely greeted the silver-haired nun sitting demurely in the back VIP room of the upscale restaurant.
"Pleased to meet you, Cardinal Veronica. I am Marquess Raysi Tralman."
"Likewise. I'm Veronica of the Church. Thanks for accepting my sudden request. Please, have a seat?"
Raysi sat as invited and slowly took in Veronica. Lush silver hair, slightly sharp eyes.
Peach-tinted skin and voluptuous figure—a beautiful woman.
Yet, the infamous inquisitor who smashed the heads of heretics and demon worshippers.
Even innocents might tremble before her intimidating presence, but strangely, Raysi felt no fear.
Even as Veronica gazed steadily at her.
"I've heard much about you from the Sage, Cardinal."
The reason was simple.
In casual chats with the Sage, he mentioned Veronica more than anyone.
All his comments were glowing, so her demeanor sparked no fear—just familiarity.
"Hyunwoo...? Ahem. What did he say?"
"That you're his closest friend among his friends."
"Oh my."
"That you're kind."
"Oh dear."
"That you're beautiful."
"Oh my goodness~!"
"That you're wise."
"Oh come on~ Not quite that much..."
"That a man who marries someone like you, Cardinal Veronica, is truly blessed..."
"Really?!"
Her initial icy demeanor vanished in an instant.
What emerged was the face of a woman smitten.
Seeing it, Raysi realized.
Ah.
She likes the Sage.
That explained why Veronica wanted to meet her.
"Ahem. What would you like? The food here is excellent."
"Then the fish dish..."
"I'll order that."
The order arrived shortly after.
Famed even in the capital for its luxury, nothing fell short of what Raysi ate back home.
"Will you listen while we eat? Marquess Raysi, I hear you're planning to get engaged to the Sage?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"For my house's stability and glory."
"Could you elaborate? Of course, if it's confidential, no need..."
"The Sage said you're trustworthy, Cardinal. If so, I suppose it's fine to share."
"Hyunwoo said that?! Re~al~ly~ That boy says the wildest things! Right?!"
Her initial vibe was gone; Veronica was practically squirming.
Even without Truth Sight, it was clear.
Cardinal Veronica was genuinely thrilled.
Flustered under Raysi's gaze, Veronica cleared her throat lowly.
Then, with an innocent smile, she offered food.
"Here, try some? It's on me—order more if needed."
Her ears were beet red, but Raysi didn't point it out.
"Yes."
Over the meal, Raysi explained her situation.
After hearing it all, Veronica nodded, so Raysi swallowed her salad and delivered the clincher.
"So, Cardinal, none of what you might think will happen. More surprising, though—I expected you'd be angry."
"Me? Why? Over that superficial, purely political engagement?"
"Yes. You like the Sage, after all. I thought you'd misunderstand..."
"Wh-Who said I like any...!"
"....."
"...I do, though."
She mumbled, blushing under Raysi's gaze, admitting the truth.
"Some no-name rock trying to snag the Sage must've irked you plenty."
"A-Ahem... It'd be a lie to say it didn't."
"Honestly, I half-expected blackmail—accusing my house of heresy or demon pacts. Or at least a glass of water to the face right here."
"As if. I don't falsely accuse the innocent. And I'm neither idiot enough nor cruel enough to rage and harass without knowing the facts."
Raysi smiled wryly at the answer, then added one more line for the beaming Veronica.
"Good to hear. I'm just friends with the Sage. I feel zero attraction to him as a man, so rest easy."
"What?! What's wrong with Hyunwoo!!"
"..."
"Ah. N-No. Sorry. Anyway... So the reason for the engagement with Hyunwoo is... purely for your territory's stability?"
"Yes."
"You couldn't... not do it, right? Being engaged to Hyunwoo would certainly help you a lot, Marquess Raysi."
Veronica closed her eyes briefly, pondering.
Her decision came swiftly.
"Then..."
Veronica dropped her initial wariness and smiled.
To Raysi, it looked saintly enough to ascend to sainthood.
"How about we do it this way?"
Author's Note
Huge thanks to ORIPARK for the support!!!
Have a wonderful weekend! See you tomorrow at 2 PM! Bye~! Catch you tomorrow~!