Chapter 14

I will guide Lord Ash through the capital.

And I shared with him what I had talked about with Misha.

Misha's wish is to come to Baltsline with me.

Of course, that would require Lord Ash's permission as well.

"…Is that so?"

"Yes, Misha and I have been friends for a long time. I'm worried."

"Even so, you can't control people's feelings. Indeed, it seems there's no choice but to step back and say it was 'not meant to be.'"

"Yes, that's true. Fortunately, it seems she has come to terms with her feelings."

"I see. It might not be easy for her to forget, but it would be good for Angelina to keep an eye on her."

"Yes, I intend to do that. Misha has said she wants to come to Baltsline with me in the future."

"Of course, that's fine. However, I want you to prepare her for what it entails. I think you understand."

"Yes, Lord Ash. Of course, I will make sure to tell her."

Baltsline is a land where we fight against beasts. Misha doesn't seem to be suited for combat like I am.

Therefore, I need to think of some strategy.

Of course, I don't intend to overlook non-combatants, so there are things we can do.

"Still, Lord Ash…"

"Hmm? What is it, Angelina?"

Walking like this, Lord Ash stands out quite a bit.

His physique makes people around him a bit wary, I think.

…A well-built man isn't scary if you have good feelings for him.

But if you don't know him well, he can seem a bit intimidating.

I don't want Lord Ash to worry about such things. Thinking this, I looked up at his face.

I think I've grown a bit taller than before, but I still wish I could grow a little more.

Just tilting my head up a little would make our lips align perfectly. Or something like that.

"No, I was just admiring Lord Ash's face."

"I see."

"Yes."

Lord Ash cares for me, but he doesn't make any advances.

Our age difference is probably a concern for him.

I think this is very healthy and gentlemanly.

When I come of age, a five-year difference will be negligible.

But until then, will I be making him 'wait'?

And will I grow to be attractive to Lord Ash?

I do have some concerns about the future, but no one can predict the future.

Still, I think that with Lord Ash, we can overcome such worries.

I feel this way because I feel a sense of security when he is by my side.

Even though he is older, he is very different from my brother Carlos. It's not a comparison to a family member, though.

"By the way, Lord Ash. Before returning to the border, will you pay your respects to your father?"

Thinking of family, I asked about his father as well as his brother.

"When paying respects to the Duke, I would like to do it formally. However, this time, I came in a hurry. I certainly paid my respects to His Majesty, but when it comes to greeting the father of my fiancée, I wonder if it's appropriate to do so in such a rush."

"Oh, you were practically chased out of Baltsline by Aria and the others, weren't you?"

"No, I wasn't chased out! I just wanted to do it properly."

"Hehe. I understand, Lord Ash."

It seems Lord Ash thinks he isn't prepared to meet his father.

But since he has already paid his respects to the Emperor, I don't think it matters.

"I don't think there will be any problem with your father, Lord Ash."

"Is that so? Hmm? 'Father'?"

"Carlos has been a bit cold towards me. Our relationship has been strained for a few years now."

"Is that so? Is there a reason? When did it start?"

My brother started being particularly cold about two years ago, I think.

It was around the time the engagement talks between me and Prince Leonhardt began.

In the end, those talks didn't materialize, but it was certainly a lingering issue.

"About two or three years ago, I think. It seems he had some thoughts about the progress of the engagement talks between me and Prince Leonhardt."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. Truly. Reflecting on it, I realize that a prince's engagement can have a wide-ranging impact."

"Hmm. I think the engagement of a duke's daughter is also significant."

"Hehe! You're right!"

My engagement probably affected Misha.

While I feel apologetic, I want to do my best to make her think it was for the best.

"I am grateful to the royal family that those engagement talks didn't materialize. Angelina, because it led to you being with me like this."

"Lord Ash."

Lord Ash's words of affection are always straightforward.

He is a straightforward person, diving straight in and cutting to the chase.

I always end up flustered and easily overwhelmed by it.

I think if he ever cheated, I would find out right away.

But I really don't think he is the type to do such things.

He isn't suited to the deviousness of the central nobility. He isn't short-tempered either, and I don't think he would lose his temper even if provoked.

I've heard he can get as angry as a raging fire if his family is harmed, but I hope such an event never happens.

He is also a skilled warrior, and he is truly a blessing to the border.

I have truly… been blessed with a very good 'match.'

I hope Misha can also find a good match, just like me. I truly hope so.

"Angelina."

"Yes, Lord Ash."

"…Well, are you still training?"

"Training?"

"Yes! I am training both with the sword and magic!"

"I see. …You don't have to push yourself, you know?"

"Huh?"

"I will… protect you."

Well, for him to say such a thing while blushing.

It makes me feel embarrassed. But, you know.

"Hehe, Lord Ash. I will become strong."

"Angelina?"

"I have talent with the sword and magic. You said so, Lord Ash."

"Th-that's…! Before this, I mean."

Before this, before we became engaged.

In the early days of living in Baltsline, I trained with Lord Ash.

His sister Aria and many others tried to get us to get along.

The result was our sword training together.

Lord Ash mainly uses magic to enhance his physical abilities.

In battles against beasts, immediate responses are required, so it's inevitable.

Large magic techniques can't keep up with the enemy's attacks.

I am currently training and improving the physical enhancement magic that Lord Ash taught me.

In the process of training both sword and magic, he praised me for my talent.

Yes, I was very happy.

So I decided that I absolutely want to become as strong as he is in the future.

"Of course, I am not yet at Lord Ash's level. I want to learn support magic, but I won't stop training with the sword. I am a woman who spent half a year in the Baltsline territory."

"…That's right."

"Lord Ash, I want to be more than just protected. I want to be able to protect you… to stand by your side."

I held his hand and earnestly pleaded. I meant every word.

"Angelina. …I see. I will respect your feelings."

"Hehe. Thank you, Lord Ash. Yes."

"What is it?"

"Lord Ash, how about some sword training now?"

"Sword training?"

"Yes. I think that would be more fitting for us. Of course, I also enjoy walking through the capital like this."

Our relationship is not just about being in love.

There is certainly sword and magic, and battles against beasts.

I think that's fine. I am okay with that life.

Marrying into Baltsline was surely my destiny.

"…Yes. Let's do that."

"Yes, Lord Ash. Then, shall we head to the Duke Steizen's residence?"

"Yes. …The issue is the greeting to the Duke."

"That's one thing, this is another! There is also the training ground for the knights, so we can go there."

"Yes, that would be fine."

Thus, we returned to the residence after a brief rendezvous in the capital.

We faced each other with our weapons, of course, with wooden training weapons.

"Come on, Angelina. It's been a month, how much have you improved?"

"Yes, I'm coming, Lord Ash!"

I swung my sword, and Lord Ash, with his skilled spear, deflected it.

The satisfying sound of the wooden weapons clashing echoed.

A rather unromantic end to our first rendezvous.

But I think that's very much us. I truly believe so.