Chapter 21

Emily was feeling melancholic.

──In the end, I didn’t get to do anything at all……

She thought this while absentmindedly gazing out the carriage window at the capital’s scenery.

When she heard the news that an undead beast had appeared in the northeastern part of the capital, she had been excited, thinking it was a perfect opportunity to work hard and receive praise. However, her enthusiasm began to wane. She had been so eager to change into a beautiful dress, but ended up boarding the most luxurious carriage in the country without even having the chance to do so. Despite this, her mood remained gloomy.

──The king did praise me, but we didn’t get to talk much……

The royal carriage used this time was a large one that could seat eight people, divided into front and back sections by a partition. Emily was seated on the side where the attendants rode. The time she spent with the king was not as much as she had hoped, and she only received a few words of praise.

──It’s not as fun as I thought it would be. Oh, I wish I could go back to the battlefield.

She looked up at the distant sky.

Even the capital, which seemed like a place of dreams to Emily, was a far cry from the boring and uneventful provincial territory where she was born and had been a novice priestess. At first, she was thrilled to be living in the royal palace and wearing beautiful dresses she had never seen before.

However, within three days, she began to find it less exciting than she had imagined.

──Wearing a beautiful dress means nothing if no one praises you.

Eliott and the knights were each busy with reports, meetings, preparations, and training, leaving little time to spend with her. No matter how beautifully she dressed, the lack of people to appreciate it made the environment less enjoyable.

When she was on the battlefield, everyone would praise her efforts after each battle against the undead beasts, and she always felt surrounded by people, making every day fulfilling and happy.

In the quiet carriage, Emily imagined:

If this carriage were attacked by an undead beast right now, and the king were injured, and if she were to save him, heal his wounds, and purify him, everyone would surely praise and thank her. She indulged in this fantasy.

"Welcome back, Lady Emily."

When they arrived at the palace, a beautifully dressed young noblewoman greeted her. This woman, who was a year older than Emily, was the next duchess and was responsible for teaching Emily the manners of a lady.

"Ah, Lady Marianne, um, we have the lady education lesson today, right?"

"Yes, let’s do our best."

Marianne always smiled kindly, even to Emily, who was of common birth. Emily had expected to be looked down upon or mocked, but this was surprising. On the other hand, she found Marianne difficult to deal with.

If Emily were to marry Eliott, she would become a countess, and lady education was essential. She understood this, and Marianne, who was gentle and kind, was a blessing.

──But this woman never praises me.

Marianne always encouraged Emily with a soft smile, never scolding or being sarcastic, even when Emily struggled with everything due to her common background. At first, Emily was relieved by this, but as time passed, it became increasingly depressing.

For Emily, the manners and etiquette of the nobility were difficult and unfamiliar. Her repeated failures and inability to remember only fueled her inferiority complex, making it anything but enjoyable. The content of the lessons was also extremely boring.

"It’s okay, you can do it."

"Let’s do our best."

"Come on, don’t give up, let’s try again."

These gentle words continued endlessly, and Marianne’s kindness never allowed Emily to escape from the unending, unenjoyable time.

──If this woman would say something mean or get angry, then maybe Eliott would comfort me.

She even thought such things, though she never said them aloud.

On the way to the room for her lady education, Marianne stopped. In one of the many corridors of the palace, a young man, still slightly boyish, was walking with a few attendants.

"Lady Emily, you may follow my example."

Whispering this, Marianne straightened her back, adjusted her posture, and slightly bowed her head, lowering her gaze. Emily, though unaccustomed, followed suit. The servants and nobles around them did the same, and even without seeing their faces, it was clear who it was.

──Ah, it’s the prince. He seems… different…?

When the young man passed by and the silence ended, Emily was surprised by the expression Marianne showed as she watched him leave. Marianne’s smile had disappeared, and her eyes were cold, almost contemptuous.

When they were alone in the room, Emily mustered the courage to ask Marianne.

"Hey, um… do you, by any chance, dislike him too?"

Marianne’s eyes widened in surprise, and she glanced around as if to check if anyone was listening. Then she smiled.

"Lady Emily, it would be disrespectful if someone heard you. Please be careful. But…"

Then, even though no one else was in the room, she leaned in close to Emily, hiding her mouth with a fan, and whispered as if sharing a secret.

"I won’t deny it. You know he’s called a disgrace, right? Please keep this to yourself."

Emily nodded repeatedly. Seeing this, Marianne’s smile became cold, almost cruel, and she seemed to be enjoying it. Emily returned her smile.

──That’s good. She has this side too.

For the first time, Emily felt a bit of affection for Marianne.

※This story is told from Emily’s perspective, so the narrative reflects her knowledge (including the lack of honorifics and referring to the crown prince as the prince). These are intentional and not errors, so please do not report them as typos.

Additionally, I would like to thank those who have consistently reported typos.