Chapter 61

Happy New Year.

Please continue to support this work this year as well.

After a few minutes of traveling by carriage, they arrived at their destination, but Alvis had already moved on with the royal guards. During this time, Elina was left to wait in the carriage with Sara and the two female knights.

They were not part of the royal guards but were members of the knight corps. Indeed, their attire was different. Elina knew that it was rare for the knight corps to guard the royal family. She didn't know why they were acting together, but it was all at Alvis's instruction.

"Um... It's been a while, Filareta-sama."

Elina called out to one of the knight corps members, a woman with deep green hair. The woman turned to Elina, placed her hand on her chest, and bowed her head. It was a knight's salute.

"Filareta is fine, Your Highness. I am here as a member of the knight corps."

"Yes."

Elina and the woman, who smiled as if troubled, were acquainted. They had spoken a few times at social events and were on relatively friendly terms. She was the daughter of the Amour Marquis. The Amour Marquis family had no male heirs, so she had said that they needed to take in a son-in-law to continue the family. Elina had heard the rumors, but she couldn't believe that Filareta was actually working as a knight until she saw it with her own eyes.

"You said you are a knight, but did the Marquis-sama... approve?"

"We are both stubborn, but we have talked it through, so it's fine."

"I see."

Elina had never heard of a noble lady choosing the path of a knight. Even if it were a lower noble, Filareta was one of the high nobles. The role of a noble lady was to enter into a political marriage for the sake of the family. Just like Elina had married Alvis. Filareta, too, was well aware of this. The idea that she would run away from it was something Elina couldn't imagine.

However, she couldn't ask for the reason here. Filareta must have things she didn't want to talk about. By stating that she was a knight corps member, she was indicating that she didn't want to be treated as a lady. If Elina probed further, it would make her uncomfortable.

As Elina fell silent, Filareta smiled as if troubled.

"There's nothing to be done. Muse... please keep watch around us."

"Huh? That's fine, but Fila?"

"I want to have a personal conversation."

"...Alright."

Muse, who was asked by Filareta, got out of the carriage. When Sara hesitated about what to do, Filareta stopped her.

"It's fine for the maid to stay. Your Highness, may I have a personal conversation with you?"

"Yes, please."

"Thank you."

If Filareta was willing to talk, there was no reason for Elina to refuse. She straightened her posture.

"...This will be a story from the past, so if it makes you uncomfortable, please let me know."

"? What do you mean?"

"The Crown Prince is not uninvolved."

"Alvis-sama...?"

Hearing that Alvis was involved, Elina involuntarily tensed. But it was a story from the past. She didn't know what would come up, but it would likely be about Alvis's past. Elina was also somewhat interested in the content.

"Please tell me. If it involves Alvis-sama, I would like to hear it even more."

"Understood."

Elina knew that Filareta was originally supposed to inherit the Amour Marquis family. Of course, Filareta had intended to inherit it. The Amour Marquis family was a military lineage. Even though she was not a male heir, if she was to inherit the family, she had to be able to fight. Therefore, she had honed her sword skills from a young age. This did not change even after she entered the academy.

In Rubelia, there is no inheritance right for women, even among nobles. Perhaps because of this, the male students at the academy often looked at Filareta with disdain. Even though they couldn't match her in sword skills, they could inherit the title simply because they were male. For Filareta, who could not inherit the title simply because she was female, males had become objects of hatred.

"Still, I had to find a husband for the Amour Marquis family at the academy. One of the candidates was the Crown Prince."

"I see."

It made sense. Alvis himself had said that he was sought after as a potential husband. He had also said that he had avoided it. Filareta was included among those candidates.

"Skilled in swordsmanship and excellent in academics. Unlike those who looked down on me just because I was a woman, he was an impeccable match. He was the best swordsman among our year. I planned to confirm this and then propose to the Belfias Duke family. But, he..."

"Filareta-sama?"

"...On the day of the duel, he deliberately lost to me."

"Huh?"

Filareta bit her lip in frustration. It was clear that this was an unforgettable event for her.

The Alvis that Elina knew was always gentlemanly. It was hard for Elina to believe that he had acted unjustly toward Filareta, even in a class at the academy. However, she couldn't say for sure that Filareta was lying. When Elina remained silent, Filareta suddenly bowed her head.

"I apologize. In front of Your Highness..."

"No, it's fine, but... really, Alvis-sama did?"

"There is no mistake. He is much stronger than I am. It's impossible for him to lose to me."

"I see..."

Filareta stated this with certainty. Elina couldn't judge the strength of sword skills. Since she was not good at combat, if Filareta said so, it must be true. Still, Elina was confused.

"I'm sorry. I can't imagine Alvis-sama doing such a thing. I'm not doubting you, Filareta-sama, but..."

"I understand. You must not doubt the Crown Prince. Besides... I understand that he had his reasons at the time."

At the time, it was well-known at the academy that Filareta was looking for a husband. She also wanted a husband who was stronger than her. As a marquis family, some students even challenged her directly. For second or third sons who could not inherit a title, there was no better match than the Amour Marquis family. Filareta thought so too.

"But, it seems that was not the case for the Crown Prince. Rather, it was the opposite."

Marriage. It was something Alvis had avoided. If he showed that he was stronger than Filareta, it could be interpreted that he wanted it. That's why Alvis did not defeat Filareta.

"I couldn't believe it. I confronted him many times, asking what was wrong with our family. We crossed swords many times, but he never won."

During her time at the academy, Filareta never lost. But even so, it was clear who was superior when they fought. This was a source of frustration for her. This was the reason she decided to become a knight.

"After hearing that he joined the knight corps after graduation, I convinced my father and joined the knight corps a year later. Of course, it was to challenge him. But, he had already transferred to the royal guards."

Alvis was no longer in the knight corps. But, being a knight and wielding a sword was Filareta's calling. She continued to serve in the knight corps until now. Her younger sister would take in a son-in-law to continue the Amour Marquis family. There was no problem with Filareta being in the knight corps.

"...So, Filareta-sama, you came to chase after Alvis-sama?"

The more she heard, the more it seemed that way. Filareta must have come to the knight corps to chase after Alvis. What this meant was...

Elina realized that her voice was stiff. Still, she had to ask. She was the Crown Princess and Alvis's wife. If Filareta had feelings for Alvis, she needed to know. Even if Filareta was in the knight corps, she was still a marquis's daughter.

Whether she knew it or not, Filareta shook her head.

"It's not something for Your Highness to worry about. I don't have any feelings for him. ...If anything, it's the opposite..."

"? Is that so?"

The last words were too soft to hear, but she said she didn't have feelings for him. However, Elina suspected that this wasn't Filareta's true feelings. But since Filareta denied it, Elina couldn't say anything.

Noticing Elina's expression, Filareta smiled gently.

"You really do admire the Crown Prince, don't you... I think he doesn't deserve you."

"No, I strive to be worthy of Alvis-sama."

"You don't need to. You are more than enough as you are. He usually forgives most things and handles them with a cool demeanor, so it might be better to challenge him a bit."

"Um, Filareta-sama?"

Filareta was praising Alvis, but her smile didn't reach her eyes. There was a clear sense of dissatisfaction.

"I apologize. I got carried away thinking about the past. I must have shown my true feelings."

"That's fine, but... are those your true feelings?"

"For a knight, being looked down upon in sword skills is the most detestable thing."

Elina could only smile awkwardly in response to Filareta's gentle smile.

If the first chapter of the new year turned out to be a casual conversation, I apologize.