The Brother's Test
A week after Cynthia spent her final date with her fiancé's older brother, Rian, she lay in bed, living a meaningless life. She hadn't left her room once during that entire week. ...... She wasn't thinking about anything. It was the first time in her life she had ever felt this kind of lethargy. She didn't want to do anything; even going to the bathroom felt like too much trouble. She had once thought it unbelievable that some commoners lived as unemployed layabouts, but if they felt the same way she did now, she could almost understand their lifestyle.
...... Knock, knock—
"Lady Cynthia."
"...... Haah."
A sudden knock. A wave of irritation rose from deep inside her, but she knew that staying silent would only bring more knocking, so she had no choice but to answer.
"What is it?"
"Well, Lord Casion has..."
Bang!
"Cynthia."
"Haah."
Casion flung the door open before the maid could finish speaking. Cynthia realized her moment of peace had ended and sat up.
"Why do you barge in like that, Brother?"
"Are you sick?"
"What?"
"I heard you haven't left your room for a week. Is something wrong?"
"Hah... I've seen everything now."
It really was something new. Her brother, who normally cared only for swordsmanship, was worrying about his sister's health for the first time in his life. Her reaction must have been unusual enough to make even him concerned.
"I'm fine."
"You've got dark circles under your eyes. Why would you get those if you've just been holed up in your room?"
"What does that have to do with you?"
"You look ugly."
"Shut up. If you're done worrying, go practice your swordsmanship or something."
"Want to do it together?"
"Just get out. Can't you understand plain words?"
"...Is this because of the Poland Marquis family?"
"...What are you talking about all of a sudden?"
A week ago, Cynthia had gone to the Poland Marquis family and fought a real duel with Bihar. She had left him on the brink of death with a single strike—the worst possible outcome. It had caused an uproar in the Poland Marquis household. They were shocked by Cynthia's unexpected level of skill, but her cold attitude had also become a problem. Bihar had been subtly trying to present his relationship with Cynthia to his family, but her actions made his words seem like lies.
"The Poland Marquis keeps contacting us, saying he wants to meet you in person."
"I know. Ignore it."
"If it's annoying, should I get rid of them for you?"
"Forget it. You're just looking for an excuse to go wild, aren't you?"
The siblings casually discussed the destruction of a marquis family. Yet, given their status, it wasn't entirely impossible. In other kingdoms, a marquis might seem like an absolute power, but this was the Empire. There were many ranks above marquis, and the siblings belonged to the Rebellion Grand Duchy, which stood shoulder to shoulder with the imperial family. If Casion, the heir to the Grand Duchy, wished for the Poland family's annihilation, it could very well happen.
"Just get out. You're annoying."
"...Something's off."
"What is?"
"I've never seen you like this before. It's bothering me. I don't know what's wrong, but if you have something on your mind, tell me. I'll do whatever I can to help."
"...Why are you acting so out of character? I told you, it's nothing."
Seeing her usually brusque brother genuinely worried, Cynthia couldn't keep responding coldly.
Still, he's my brother after all. I thought he didn't care about me at all.
"Fine. If it really gets too hard, I'll tell you..."
Knock, knock—
"Lady Cynthia."
Once again, the maid's voice came with a knock.
"May I come in?"
"Come in."
Bang— The maid opened the door the moment the words left Cynthia's lips and bowed to the siblings. Then she turned to Cynthia and spoke carefully.
"Lord Rian Veilburg has arrived at the estate."
"...What? Rian Veilburg?"
"Yes. What should we do?"
"...... Ha."
Huh? Casion's gaze fixed on his sister at her sudden change in demeanor. Life returned to her previously dead-fish eyes, and though her expression twisted in displeasure, it was far better than the near-corpse look from moments ago.
Rian Veilburg... Wasn't he her fiancé?
"Tell him to go back."
"Understood."
The maid left the room immediately after receiving the clean order. But after a short while...
"L-Lady Cynthia."
"What now?"
"He says he won't leave until he sees you."
"...What?"
"He says he'll wait for days if he has to, so please meet him just once..."
"Ha."
So he wants to break off the engagement that badly?
A natural sneer escaped her lips. But despite the smile, Cynthia tasted bitterness inside. She knew what kind of man Rian was, and she understood that his actions were for the sake of his family, which pained her. To him, she must only appear as an enemy.
So I'm an enemy to the Veilburg family... I suppose he could misunderstand it that way.
From Rian's perspective, it was only natural to see it that way. She had never once taken their engagement seriously. Rian had always been the one to initiate meetings, and he had been the one to try to improve their relationship. But she had rejected his approaches, and he had even been subjected to insulting remarks from her subordinates and friends.
If he hears that my goal isn't marriage, he'll naturally assume I'm after the family's wealth.
Though Rian often appeared clumsy, he was still a noble son raised in a count's household. If an incomprehensible situation continued, it was only natural for him to think of his family's safety. In other words, she had become someone he needed to be wary of.
"What should we do, my lady? If you command it, we can force him out."
"...Then tell him to wait."
"Yes. Until when should I say?"
"Indefinitely."
"Pardon?"
"Tell him to keep waiting."
"Ah, understood."
After the maid left again, Cynthia sighed tiredly and collapsed back onto her bed. She showed no intention of going to meet Rian. Casion stared quietly at his sister.
"...Damn it."
"...?"
"Why aren't you leaving, Brother?"
"Me?"
"Yeah, you. Just get out already. I'm about to lose my mind from irritation."
At his sister's genuine outburst, Casion fell silent and walked out. He quietly followed after the maid who was already heading down the hallway.
"I guess showing up so suddenly was a bad idea after all."
Rian sat in the reception room of the Rebellion Grand Duchy. He had come to meet Cynthia, with whom he hadn't had any contact for a week. Of course, she had told him before not to come to the Grand Duchy, so she wouldn't be pleased, but he couldn't keep avoiding her forever, so he had come in person.
"She might not see me today. But if I show sincerity for a few days, maybe she'll..."
Bang!
"...?"
The reception room door swung open without any warning. Startled, Rian looked toward it and saw a powerfully built man standing there with a blunt expression. He had the same rich golden hair as Cynthia and crimson eyes that burned like flames. Though Rian had never met him before, he instinctively knew who the strikingly handsome man was.
"Lord Casion?"
"You're Rian Veilburg?"
"Ah, yes!"
So it really is Lord Casion! Why is he here...?
Rian knew plenty about Casion. If one were to name the most famous person among the younger generation, Casion's name would definitely come up.
"It's an honor to meet you, Lord Casion. I'm the eldest son of the Veilburg family..."
"Did something happen between you and Cynthia?"
"Pardon?"
"Cynthia, my sister. She's been listless lately. Do you know anything about it?"
"That's......"
Could it be because of me?
There was a high chance of that. He still didn't know what had hurt her, but if she had lost her energy right after their meeting, that was the only thing that came to mind.
"It might... be because of me."
"...? Did you make Cynthia suffer?"
"Well, I'm not entirely sure, but..."
"Is that so? Then how about we have a match?"
"Excuse me?"
"There's a training ground nearby. Follow me."
"...Eh?"
What is this all of a sudden...
"I can call you Rian, right?"
"Ah, of course. But Lord Casion."
"Just call me Casion."
"That's a bit... I'll call you Lord Casion."
"Do what you want."
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Urgh... That sound...
Casion was clearly swinging a wooden sword, yet the sound it made was no different from a real blade. Taking even one solid hit would probably send someone straight to their grave. It was a terrifying sight.
"Um, Lord Casion."
"What?"
"I don't usually train with swords."
"I can tell just by looking."
"Then why did you ask for a spar in the first place?"
"Because you're Cynthia's fiancé."
"...Are you going to test whether I'm worthy as her fiancé through swordsmanship?"
"Yeah."
This guy's the type that's hard to talk to...
Whether Rian trained with swords or not, Casion's tone made it clear he just wanted to fight. Since running away wasn't an option, Rian had no choice but to pick up a wooden sword. Though he didn't train with swords now, he had learned the basics as a noble's education when he was young.
"I-I'm probably going to be really bad at this."
"Fight to win. If you go in thinking you'll lose from the start, you'll never win."
"Do I really have to win?"
"No. That's impossible."
...Then why are we doing this?
Complaints rose to the back of his throat, but he couldn't voice them. With a resigned expression, Rian took his stance, and Casion spoke.
"Come at me first."
"Then... I'll begin."
Seeing that Casion was giving him the first move, Rian swung his sword without hesitation. He already knew from the rumors spreading across the country that Casion was an Aura Master. There was no way his beginner's sword would hurt Casion, so he had no reservations about swinging it.
Thwack! Thud!
"Hup! Hah!"
"......?"
Rian swung the wooden sword with all his might, trying to show at least some decent form. Vertical slash, horizontal slash, diagonal slash.
And what else was there?
"That's not how you do it."
"Pardon?"
"Stop messing around and do it properly, will you?"
"I... I am doing it properly, though..."
"Huh? That can't be right. Even a ten-year-old kid would be better than you."
It wasn't meant as an insult; he genuinely thought so. For a moment, Rian felt embarrassed and stopped swinging, his face turning red. He didn't want to swing the sword anymore, knowing it would only make him look pathetic. But Casion must have seen that as an opening.
"What are you stopping for?"
Thwack!!
"Ow!?"
Casion's wooden sword struck him squarely on the crown of his head. The pain was sharper than expected, and Rian reflexively dropped his sword and clutched his head.
"Aaaagh~"
"You okay?"
"It hurts... I'm fine."
"Then get up again. Pick up your sword."
"What!?"
Is this guy trying to kill me?
Feeling his life was in danger, Rian tried to refuse, but Casion didn't stop. He picked up the dropped wooden sword himself and approached Rian, forcing it back into his hands. With no other choice, Rian had to continue the spar with tears in his eyes. Even if he wanted to run, there was nothing he could do against an Aura Master right in front of him.
"Here I come again."
"Wait a second..."
Thwack!
"That's enough now."
Thwack!
"Just a moment, please!"
"No talking during a spar."
Thwack!
"Ughhh... It hurts..."
"...This is bad. You have no talent."
Why am I being treated like this...
Casion wore a disappointed, troubled expression. Because of his unreasonable behavior, tears welled up in Rian's eyes. He wanted nothing more than to escape, but the strange man showed no signs of giving up on the spar and picked up the wooden sword again.
"It's going to take some time to train you."
"T-Train me?"
"Yeah. You need to get strong enough to protect Cynthia."
"!!!"
He's insane. I have to run!
The moment Rian's mind went blank as Casion approached, a voice rang out.
"What do you think you're doing right now?"
"Cynthia?"
"Ah!"
Cynthia stood in the training ground with a dumbfounded expression, having entered at some point. Rian looked at her with a face full of relief.
"We were training."
"What?"
Casion spoke.
"I'm thinking of taking him as my disciple. He doesn't seem to have any talent, but since he's your fiancé, I have to train him even if I have to force it."
"What!? I never heard anything about that!"
"Yeah. I'm telling you now."
"???"
"...... Haah."
Cynthia let out a tired sigh. Casion tilted his head in confusion at his sister's strange reaction, but she ignored him. She turned her gaze to Rian, who was sitting on the floor.
"What are you doing over there? Come here."
"!"
I-I'm saved!