Chapter 34

The completion of the "post town" and "road" connecting Steizen and Baltsline, within the territory of the Viscount Milanchetta.

In Milanchetta, where these projects have reached a stage where they can be properly utilized, a festival is being held to celebrate their completion. It just so happens to coincide with the start of the second-year students' summer break, so the festival will be a "summer festival."

I am heading to Milanchetta with Misha. Lord Ash will be attending the festival with Aria and Elke.

"Since the road connects Steizen to Baltsline, it takes about a week, so it should take us around four or five days by simple calculation."

That's the number of days it will take for Lord Ash and me to meet. However, that's only if we both start moving.

"It's become much shorter. I'm glad we planned it early."

"You have keen insight, Lady Angelina."

A round trip of a month would be too much for students, but it wasn't that I didn't want to show my face in Baltsline. That's why I had the road improvement project planned. It might seem like a personal desire, but this road will eventually serve as a route for reinforcements from the royal palace or the duchy to Baltsline. Therefore, I made the road wider and more suitable for horseback travel. To prevent it from becoming just a theoretical plan, I also sought the opinions of Lord Ash and his companions. As a result, the Baltsline side also began to prepare barracks.

There's still a lot of adjustment needed, so it might not be fully operational until next year. By then, there are even talks of joint exercises between the Royal Knights and the Baltsline Knights.

Recently, Lord Fried, who has become a "sword friend," is someone I want to introduce to Lord Ash. The occasional, indescribable glances he gives me are a bit concerning, but I wish he would direct his gaze more towards Misha. However, it feels too early to say anything out loud, so I remain silent.

"I'm looking forward to it, Misha."

"Yes, Lady Angelina."

The meeting with Lord Ash and the others will be in the Milanchetta territory. Since we have the chance, we plan to meet there. We don't have any other plans to stay in Milanchetta, so the preparations are minimal, and we feel quite light.

"In just a year and a half, you'll be marrying into Baltsline."

"...Yes."

"Are you okay with that, Misha?"

"Yes, my feelings haven't changed."

"Good. Then, I look forward to working with you."

Misha has decided to come to Baltsline with me. Since she made that decision, I have been trying to understand her wishes and have been discussing them with her father, Viscount Trimmel. Unfortunately, since it's not a match with a man who serves in the capital or the royal palace, he was hesitant. But this is where I show my skills and the pride of a duchess's daughter. I worked hard to convince the viscount.

"...What a nice day."

Looking up at the sky from the carriage window, the weather is clear and promising. I hope the good weather continues for the festival. We talked about this in the carriage.

A few days later, we can see the Milanchetta territory. We traveled slowly, so we're not tired. We could start exploring the post town right away. I was thinking it would be better to do so with Lord Ash and the others.

"...Oh?"

"What is it?"

"That group over there, they're from Baltsline."

By the side of the road in Milanchetta, I could see a few familiar knights. The location is a bit off the road, in a wooded area.

"Why are they in such a place?"

"What should we do, Lady Angelina?"

"...Let's go and see. We'll approach them openly. I'll bring a guard. I can fight, but Misha needs to be properly protected."

"If there are Baltsline knights, there shouldn't be a problem, right?"

"...Yes."

It's not that there's a problem, but rather that we're dealing with a potential issue. It's hard to imagine Baltsline knights plotting something nefarious. There's no benefit in doing so in this area. Pursuing personal interests here would only lead to being attacked by monsters.

"Oh, Lord Ash."

"...Huh? Angelina!"

To my surprise, Lord Ash was there along with the Baltsline knights. It's been a while since we last met. My heart races. Even though I visit him during every long break.

Lord Ash ran over to us and took our hands. It's frustrating that we're not at the point where we can embrace each other yet.

"Lord Ash, what are you doing in such a place?"

"...Ah, that's the thing."

At that moment, Lord Ash's gaze shifted from me to Misha, who was standing beside me.

"Misha, Viscount Trimmel's daughter."

"Yes, Lord Baltsline."

"...A man came to see you. He's over there, but he doesn't seem to be a welcome guest."

"Me? Who?"

Someone came to see Misha? Who? In such a place?

"The third son of the Duke of Caldwell, Dennis Caldwell. He says he wants to see you..."

"Lord Dennis?"

Misha and I looked at each other. Lord Dennis? Here? To see Misha? What's going on?

"Why is he in such a place?"

"...We received a message in Baltsline to 'be cautious' about him."

"Cautious..."

"Angelina, he might try to harm you. That's why we were asked to protect you. We came to Milanchetta ahead of time to be on guard."

"Me? Lord Dennis? Why would he do that?"

I have no reason to be harmed by Lord Dennis. We've hardly even spoken.

"That's unclear. It seems the message was a misunderstanding. The target seems to be Miss Trimmel. However, he did appear to be in a dangerous state... so we restrained him."

"Dangerous state?"

"Yes. He looked exhausted and cornered. We don't know why yet. ...What do you want to do, Miss Trimmel? We have him restrained, and we'll protect you. If you don't want to see him, that's fine too."

I looked at Misha.

"...No. Since I don't understand the situation, I would like to meet and hear from him. Lord Baltsline, please protect Lady Angelina."

"Understood. I'll protect Angelina, and the Baltsline knights will protect you."

"Thank you, my lord."

We decided to meet the restrained Lord Dennis. I decided to stay back and observe from behind Lord Ash.

"...Misha!"

Lord Dennis was surrounded by several strong Baltsline knights. It seemed he had already had a confrontation, as his clothes were dirty. The knights and Lord Ash didn't seem to be injured, which was a relief.

"Lord Dennis, why did you come to such a place...?"

Lord Dennis had once requested that Misha not approach him. The viscount had no choice but to comply with the request from the prime minister's family. Misha had once harbored feelings for Lord Dennis, which had caused her pain for a while.

"I came to see you...!"

"You? Why?"

"Let's start over...!"

"...What?"

Start over? I tilted my head from behind Lord Ash. We never even started, did we?

"What are you talking about?"

"You liked me, didn't you!?"

"Um... well, that's... true, I guess?"

Misha was confused. It's understandable. What has happened to him?

"Then! Choose me again! If you like me, let's start over...!"

"Um...?"

Misha is confused. She might have liked him in the past, but to be approached now, and in such a manner?

"...To be honest, I don't understand why you're saying this, Lord Dennis."

"I'm better than that idiot, right!?"

"...!"

Ah. Those words made me realize something. He must have seen it too. In the training grounds of the academy, where I practice with 'him' and Misha stands by. The way Misha's gaze became passionate.

Seeing Misha start to like someone else must have made him regret it. But to cling to a relationship that never even started...

Misha's face turned red as she realized what he was talking about. The other knights and Lord Ash were confused. They are so dense and cute.

"...I can't speak for his feelings, Lord Dennis, but I can say this."

"What is it?"

Lord Dennis looked desperate. What has happened to him in the past one or two years? It's a complete surprise since we haven't had any contact.

"I, Misha Trimmel... will not like you again."

"Wh...?"

The expression on his face was not anger but confusion. Did he assume that Misha would naturally accept him?

"There was a time when I did admire you... but looking back, I was young. I don't think we are compatible, Lord Dennis. There is such a thing as compatibility between people and their environment. Seeing Lady Angelina now, I realize this deeply. I don't think I would be a good match for a civil servant in the royal palace. I am suited to serving a knight. ...The person I admire is not here, by the way."

Misha's words were a cold splash of water on the slightly excited Baltsline knights. They looked disappointed and dejected. It's a bit pitiful.

"Lord Dennis, I don't think we would work out, even if we started over from the past. I don't think I am a good match for you, and I don't think you are a good match for me."

"Ah..."

Then, as if all his strength had left him, Lord Dennis fell to his knees. The surrounding eyes were filled with sympathy. It seems a mysterious message was sent to Baltsline, but...

It turned out to be a request to court Misha. And now, he has been rejected.

"Lord Dennis Caldwell... goodbye."

"...Misha..."

Misha bid farewell. Lord Dennis was in a daze, both mentally and physically exhausted.

"Lord Ash, can Baltsline take care of him? ...And keep him away from Misha? The prime minister's family has instructed Misha not to approach him, and that order hasn't been formally rescinded."

"...I see. It's not like they were separated by family issues. Understood. We'll take him in. Fortunately, he didn't have any weapons. So, he just came all the way to Milanchetta to confess."

"That's good to hear."

If he had hidden a weapon, it could have become a traumatic experience for Misha. It's a relief that it's just a story of rejection.

"Angelina, see you later. Let's meet again properly."

"Yes, Lord Ash. Please take care of him."

"Understood. ...See you later."

"Yes."

I decided to take Misha's hand and move to the post town in Milanchetta. A problem arose, but it wasn't a major incident. In fact, it might be good that Misha has closure.

Once Lord Dennis's issue is resolved... we can enjoy the festival in Milanchetta.