The Weight of Misunderstanding
Rian Veilburg returned to the Veilburg County estate. "Welcome back, young master~ Did you have a pleasant date?" Anna, Rian's personal maid, greeted him with an utterly delighted expression. Her cheeks were faintly flushed with excitement, as if she had been dying to hear every detail about his time with Cynthia. It was a lively sight that would lift anyone's spirits just by looking at her, yet Rian couldn't utter a single word in response to her warm welcome.
"Hmm? What's wrong, young master Rian?"
"......"
"D-don't tell me something went wrong? Did a problem come up?"
"Well..."
"Yes! What is it?"
"......"
"......?"
For some reason, Rian couldn't say anything. He simply shook his head. Anna, growing more puzzled, asked again, but instead of answering, Rian spoke something else entirely.
"Anna, I'm hungry."
"What? You didn't eat while you were out?"
"Just prepare something simple. Please."
"Ah, yes... I'll get it ready right away."
Deciding his reaction was far from normal, Anna refrained from asking any more questions and headed into the kitchen. Rian stared blankly at her retreating figure for a moment before letting out a weary sigh and collapsing onto the sofa.
Thud!
"Haa~~~"
Why did she make that face?
The image of Cynthia Rebellion's expression just before he returned to the county flashed through his mind. After hearing his request not to touch the Veilburg family, she had worn a look of hurt for some inexplicable reason.
"...... Was I misunderstanding something?"
Why had she worn that expression? The one who should have been hurt was him, not her. Had he somehow misunderstood and ended up wounding her instead?
"I don't know... Cynthia Rebellion."
The Poland Marquisate, the family of Vihar Poland, Cynthia's friend.
Clang!
Thud!
"Ugh... Damn it!"
"That's enough! Young master Vihar wins!"
Ooooh—!
Dozens of people gathered in the marquisate's public training grounds, along with the two heirs of the Poland family who had just finished their spar. How boring.
Standing at the center of the training ground and drawing every knight's gaze, Vihar looked down at the man before him. His incompetent older brother, who claimed the position of heir to the Poland Marquisate simply because he had been born first.
"Stand up, brother Vince."
"You—!"
Vince Poland's face twisted with rage at the contempt in Vihar's voice. But he didn't lunge forward. After suffering such an overwhelming defeat in swordsmanship just moments ago, charging in now would only lead to another beating.
"Are you all right, young master Vince?"
"Let me help you up."
A few knights loyal to Vince tried to support him, but his pride had already been shattered beyond repair. He violently shook off their hands, rose roughly to his feet, brushed off his clothes, and glared at his arrogantly standing younger brother.
"You got lucky."
"Yes, well. The opponent was lucky, I suppose."
"Don't get cocky just because you won once, Vihar. I might actually kill you."
"Oh? How exactly?"
"What?"
"You, in your current state? How would you kill me?"
Vihar asked with genuine curiosity, not as if he were joking.
"Your swordsmanship has already been surpassed, you can't handle administrative duties, and the only thing you have over me is being born first..."
"You crazy bastard! How dare you insult your older brother? Have you lost your mind!?"
"Insult? I was merely stating facts. Haven't you lost Father's favor by spending every day drinking and chasing women? At this point, all you have left are your maternal relatives... Why don't you look around you?"
"...!"
The knights of the Poland family gathered in the training ground. Even as Vince screamed at the top of his lungs, they showed no reaction whatsoever. They simply watched his behavior with cold, detached eyes, as if observing an animal behind iron bars.
Damn it... those bastards...!
"You'd better start preparing yourself mentally, brother."
"You... son of a concubine..."
"Son of a concubine, you say... Yet you're the one who lost to this son of a concubine, aren't you?"
"Just wait. You insane bastard. You think I'll back down over something like this? I'll wipe out not only you, but every single one of those bastards who chose to follow you."
So even a man of this caliber can become the heir simply because he's the eldest son...
Vihar carefully examined his half-brother's appearance. His body had grown increasingly obese, ruining any sense of balance, and his muscles had turned soft. Lately, he had a bottle in his mouth day and night, and the only sounds coming from around his room at dawn were the moans of prostitutes.
This man, who could easily be called the epitome of a corrupt noble, had once been considered a candidate to be Cynthia's fiancé.
To think that even this piece of trash could discuss an engagement with Cynthia just because of good bloodline... As expected, this world is insane.
Vihar found that fact extremely displeasing. To have position and honor guaranteed purely by bloodline, despite lacking ability, skill, or even willpower. For such garbage to have had the chance to pluck the most beautiful flower in the world.
"...I want to kill him."
"W-what?"
"Oh dear."
It was a sincere voice completely devoid of any pretense. Vince instinctively sensed real danger and stepped back from his brother. The younger sibling who had always hidden his emotions behind a mask was now openly revealing his murderous intent without restraint.
"You... you son of a bitch..."
"Young master Vihar."
"What is it?"
At that moment, a man who appeared to be a servant of the Poland family approached the two young masters. He deliberately raised his voice so that everyone around could hear.
"Lady Cynthia Rebellion has come to visit the family."
"...What? Cynthia?"
"C-Cynthia Rebellion!?"
"Yes. She is heading this way right now."
Upon hearing the man's words, joy spread across Vihar's face while Vince's twisted with humiliation. Just from those words alone, Cynthia's purpose for coming here was painfully obvious. She had come to the Poland Marquisate to see Vihar, not him.
"Ugh..."
"It seems Cynthia is on her way. Shall we greet her together, brother Vince?"
"Grit..."
"Well, meeting her would probably only sour her mood, so I'd appreciate it if you could read the room and disappear."
Grinding his teeth fiercely, Vince stormed out of the training ground. In truth, Vince had feelings for Cynthia, but as Vihar had said, they were not particularly close. Whenever he tried to approach her, Cynthia would always maintain a cold attitude and simply ignore him.
Filthy bloodline...
Staying any longer would only deepen his humiliation, so Vince shot Vihar one last glare before heading toward the exit. Of course, Vihar had no intention of letting him leave so easily.
"Finally understanding your place, huh? You stupid bastard."
"...Grit..."
Though spoken quietly, Vihar's voice reached Vince clearly. Naturally, since there was nothing to gain by staying any longer, Vince fled the training ground. Vihar watched him go with a mocking laugh and remained in place, waiting for Cynthia.
But... what could this be about all of a sudden?
Cynthia was undoubtedly a welcome guest. Had it been anyone else, he might have pondered for a moment before allowing them in, but Cynthia had free access without question. Still, considering her usual personality, this situation was quite unexpected.
As the eldest daughter of a grand duchy, Cynthia possessed immense pride and maintained a conservative demeanor. It would be one thing if she came with others, but this was the first time she had visited another family alone.
...Is she finally preparing to break off the engagement? Well, there's no way Cynthia would be satisfied with a man like that.
Rian Veilburg. The eldest son of a count family who had been chosen as Cynthia's fiancé by sheer luck. At first glance, the man was utterly ordinary. His family was ordinary, he hadn't trained in mana, and while his character seemed decent enough, every other ability was painfully average.
If Cynthia takes the initiative, I'd be more than grateful. My preparations are already complete anyway.
To officially become the heir to the Poland Marquisate and marry Cynthia. To others, it might seem like an enormous goal, but to Vihar, it was never anything particularly grand. It was simply removing his pathetic older brother, finding a wife who matched his station, and claiming everything for himself.
Marriage, huh... It's driving me crazy.
Thump! Thump!
Just thinking about Cynthia, whom he would soon meet, made his heartbeat grow louder. Her perfect appearance that could make anyone lose their mind, her beautiful figure. She was on a completely different level from the women who were everywhere.
People often mentioned two or three names as the greatest beauties of the empire, but Vihar could say with absolute certainty: the most beautiful woman in the Yumariel Empire—no, on this entire continent—was Cynthia Rebellion.
As soon as possible... I want to hold you in my arms.
Click— click— click— click—
"You've come, Cynthia."
"...Vihar."
When Cynthia finally revealed herself, Vihar's eyes sparkled. Her rich golden hair that brightened the entire training ground and her dazzling appearance like a blooming flower. Not only Vihar, but every knight present lost themselves in her beauty.
She's beautiful as always... But why does her expression...?
"...There are a lot of people here."
"Welcome, Cynthia. I never imagined you'd come to see me first. Did something happen?"
"Am I not allowed to come here?"
"No, of course not. I'm always happy to see you whenever you come... But."
Vihar felt a strong sense of unease as he looked at Cynthia. It was difficult to put into words, but something about her seemed different from her usual self.
"What brings you here today?"
"I came to see you."
"Huh? Ah, well, that makes sense."
"Perfect timing. I was planning to see you at the training ground anyway."
"What?"
Vihar asked as if he didn't understand what she meant, but Cynthia didn't answer right away. She simply glanced at the weapons displayed around the training ground and picked out a suitable sword.
"I'll use this one."
"Cynthia?"
"Draw your sword. This is a real combat spar."
"What are you talking about all of a sudden?"
A real combat spar. Just as the name suggested, it was a duel conducted as if it were actual battle. Vihar frequently sparred with knights to improve his skills, but if the opponent was Cynthia, the story changed completely. What if she got hurt? The entire family would be thrown into chaos.
"What's going on, Cynthia? A real combat spar out of nowhere?"
"I already told you. Let's fight. Or do you not want to?"
"What if you get injured..."
"So you're refusing. In the end, you're just a man of that caliber."
Flinch!
The remark seemed to carry some hidden meaning, causing Vihar's body to tremble violently. Cynthia's words just now sounded as if she were testing him.
"What do you mean by that?"
"I wanted to see what kind of man you really are. If you refuse, I'll consider this the end of it."
"Cynthia, speak clearly."
Having come this far, Vihar could no longer back down. He received a sword from a nearby knight and spoke with a serious expression.
"If I win this spar..."
"Then I'll grant you anything you wish."
"...What did you say?"
"Didn't you hear? I'll grant your wish—anything."
"!!!"
Thump!!
Anything...?
Ooooh—!!
From the perspective of the Poland Marquisate, this was an enormous event. If Vihar won this spar, it would be no different from the daughter of the Rebellion Grand Duchy falling into the hands of the Poland family. Since the Rebellion Grand Duchy was considered one of the strongest families on the continent, if the two were to marry, the future of the Poland Marquisate would undoubtedly be one of endless prosperity.
The knights, aware of this, looked at Vihar with expectant eyes. Soon after, Vihar formed a relaxed smile and organized his thoughts.
She's made up her mind, Cynthia.
Cynthia Rebellion had chosen him. Vihar could only interpret it that way. Her statement that she would grant him anything literally meant that even Cynthia Rebellion herself could be his.
"All right. Let's begin."
There was no reason to hesitate. As Vihar drew his sword first and prepared for the duel, Cynthia also drew hers and lightly loosened her body. Soon, the two stood facing each other.
I'm grateful you chose me, but you don't intend to lose easily, do you?
Having observed Cynthia Rebellion until now, he knew her personality better than anyone. She possessed the most beautiful light in the world, but precisely because of that, she hid sharper thorns than anyone else.
I'll clash with her head-on and make her submit!
Kwaaaaaaaaang!!!
The signature technique of all warriors across the world. Aura Blade. As Vihar stood with a resolute expression, blue aura radiating from his sword, Cynthia moved.
Swaaaaaaaa—!
Claaaaang~!!
"......?"
An invisible strike, like a ray of light. Slash—
"Y-young master?"
"B-blood...!"
What... what is this?
Vihar looked down at his own body with a dazed expression. The sword that had been radiating aura was now snapped in half, and a long gash had been carved across his chest.
"What the... Cough!"
Clatter!
"Young master Vihar!!"
"L-Lady Cynthia! Isn't this too much!!"
The knights shouted upon seeing Vihar, who had become a bloody mess in the blink of an eye. But Cynthia simply said,
"What are you talking about?"
She ignored the shouting knights and walked toward Vihar.
"It's not over yet."
"M-My lady!?"
"Stop, my lady!"
"Cough... C-Cynthia?"
Vihar looked at her while urgently covering his wound. His expression was filled with disbelief, as if he couldn't comprehend what was happening. But Cynthia ignored his gaze and raised her sword.
"We have to continue, don't we? It's a real combat spar."
"C-Cynthia!"
Shwaaaaaaaaack!!!!
A golden slash descended like lightning. Sensing death in that instant, Vihar screamed without realizing it.
"Uwaaaaaaaaaaah—!!!"
Halt!
"......So this was all you amounted to."
Cynthia stopped her sword upon hearing Vihar's scream. Vihar clearly saw it—the way her face, as she looked at him, twisted with contempt.
"Because of someone like you... I had to feel this way."
"C-Cynthia! What the hell is wrong with you!!"
"Don't appear before me again, Vihar. You're not qualified."
"W-what!?"
Cynthia's words struck like a bolt from the blue. Vihar called out to her several times, trying to talk, but she didn't wait for him. She simply let out a quiet, disappointed sigh and left the Poland Marquisate.
"C-Cynthia! Cynthiiiiiiiiiiia!!!"