Chapter 9

"Milady, you are a wise and graceful lady. There's no need to rush with your reply. Please allow me to create a place where you can remain as you are."

"B-Balrie-sama..."

"Please, Lucian and... Bernadetta-sama."

With sincere eyes, Lucian called out her name and kissed the back of her hand.

(I-I've been proposed to!?)

After that, Bernadetta, who was unsure how she made it back to the mansion, collapsed onto her bed in her uniform, which she never usually did.

(Proposed... I've been proposed to...!?)

Moreover, the proposer was Lucian, the prince of the neighboring country.

He was tall, calm, kind, and most importantly, a rare person who could speak to Bernadetta as an equal.

If the proposer was from a neighboring ducal family, her father, who wanted to strengthen relations with the neighboring country, would undoubtedly welcome it with open arms.

There was no problem. Rather, he was the ideal partner.

Yet, why was her heart not at ease?

Lucian was kind and intellectual, and he wouldn't tell her to stop studying and support her husband.

She was interested in the culture of the neighboring country, and the language was no issue.

Most importantly, he showed affection and pursued her.

Without an answer, Bernadetta slowly got up from the bed and changed into her nightgown.

As she stepped into the hallway, she ran into her father, who had just returned home.

"Welcome back, Father."

"Ah."

Her father gave a short reply and passed by her.

Sauli ran up as if following his father.

"Father! Are you going to tell us about the Pinaldi region tonight?"

"Ah, come to my study after dinner."

(Pinaldi region...)

While eavesdropping on their conversation, Sauli finally seemed to notice Bernadetta and turned around, saying, "You're here?"

"Sister, you're graduating this year. You should catch a fiancé soon. It's a nuisance to have an old maid like you living at home."

Sauli was right. As a daughter of a marquis family, it was a disgrace to be 18 and have no fiancé.

All of this could be resolved by taking Lucian's hand. Yet...

⁂⁂⁂⁂⁂

A few days later, the school was abuzz with rumors about Aini and Prince Eirik being too close. While such rumors were common, they had been fueled by Serafina, Eirik's fiancée, not taking any action.

While Sandra was frustrated by this, Bernadetta wasn't bothered.

The role of a saint is to spend one's life praying to God in the cathedral.

While marriage is allowed due to the possibility of producing a successor to the light magic, it is only for the purpose of producing a successor, and the husband does not live with the saint or enter the husband's family. There was no way she would be married to Prince Eirik.

(And besides...)

She didn't think Aini was a match for Eirik.

Serafina was of a different class altogether.

(To object to a royal marriage... how disrespectful...)

She thought, but perhaps it was human nature to be curious about such rumors, especially among the nobility. It was also related to the future power dynamics.

And her own sudden marriage talk, which she hadn't told anyone, would surely become a rumor if it became known.

"Miss Bernadetta, is this seat okay?"

"!"

The face she had just been thinking about appeared before her, and Bernadetta almost fell off her chair.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you."

Lucian's attitude, with a wry smile, seemed relaxed.

"That day, Lucian started speaking more casually to Bernadetta.

"N-no, I was just spacing out. I'm sorry."

"I came here because I wanted to see you, Miss Bernadetta. Don't apologize."

This was the first time they had faced each other on the library terrace since that day.

Lucian, in his position, could have proposed to the Mericant family directly, and the engagement would have been settled, but he was waiting for Bernadetta's answer.

Each time she felt this, Bernadetta became anxious, thinking she needed to give an answer soon.

"Oh, it's Prince Balrie. Good day."

A savior appeared in the awkward space where only Bernadetta felt uncomfortable.

"This is Miss Percivalta. Good day."

"Oh, are you discussing matters related to the neighboring country? May I join you?"

Bernadetta, who had been standing up hurriedly, bowed.

"Of course, in the school after hours. Please, sit down?"

"...Sure?"

Lucian pulled out a chair, and Serafina sat down gracefully.

"Your country is known for its technological prowess, and there is much we can learn. I'm delighted to have this conversation."

"No, our country's climate is not as mild as yours, so it's a matter of necessity."

For about an hour, it was a pleasant time for Bernadetta as well.

When Serafina's escort arrived, she stood up first.

"I've had a very productive time today. Let's invite the Prince and have another conversation next time."

"Thank you. I look forward to it."

"Yes, it would be an honor."

Serafina's mysterious purple eyes looked down at Bernadetta.

"I look forward to it.

To when you will stand up, Bernadetta."

"Eh..."

Bernadetta, who was about to stand up and bow, was momentarily flustered, but Serafina was not scolding her. With a gentle and charming smile, she bowed beautifully and left.

As Bernadetta watched her leave, mesmerized by her graceful movements, Lucian gently touched her shoulder.

"Let's go back."

"A... Yes."

Nobles living in the capital returned home, while others stayed in dormitories or rented houses in the capital. Lucian, being an exchange student, lived in a rented house in the capital, so they both headed towards where their carriages would pick them up.

Unfortunately, they ran into someone there.

"Ah, Prince Lucian!"

With her fluffy pink blonde hair flowing, Aini ran up.

By the way, Aini and Bernadetta lived in the same house, but their school and dismissal times were different, so they took different carriages.

"Oh, it's been a while! Prince Lucian is a senior, so we don't see each other often."

"Of course, we're in different buildings. We wouldn't see each other unless we really tried."

"Ah, that's sad. Oh, I know! Why don't we have lunch together next time? Prince, Sauli, and Orva will be there too!"

"Wait, Aini. Did you get the Prince's permission for this invitation?"

Unable to stay silent, Bernadetta spoke up, and Aini looked surprised as if she had just noticed her.

"Huh? Why is Bern here? Is it a coincidence?"

"We were just talking on the library terrace. Right?"

Lucian winked at her, and Bernadetta nodded, confused.

"That's not fair! Invite me too, Bern!"

To the two classmates, Aini seemed like an outsider. Not knowing how to respond, Bernadetta was at a loss.

"I want to hear about your country too. How about it? I'm very interested."

"Interested...?"

Aini, leaning in with wide eyes, made Lucian put on an indescribable smile.

"Then what about the specialties of my country?"

"Eh?"

"The capital's name? The current king's name? The region where the largest river flows? What does the summer festival celebrate?"

"Eh? Eh? Eh?"

Aini's big eyes blinked at the sudden questions.

"How can you ask me anything when you don't even know these basics?"

Lucian smiled at Bernadetta, a smile she had never seen before.

"But... if Prince Lucian tells me..."

"Haha, I'm not that idle."

Lucian laughed at Aini's whining.

"I'm here to study this country. Why would I waste my time on such trivial matters?"

"But... what about Bern? You talked to her, didn't you!?"

Pointing at her, Aini couldn't be stopped, and Bernadetta was racking her brain about how to apologize to Lucian.

Lucian looked at Bernadetta, smiled as usual, and then turned to Aini.

"Miss Bernadetta is fluent in the local language and well-versed in the history and culture of my country. Unlike you, she can have meaningful and cultural conversations. She is an intelligent person."

"But... Bern isn't that good at academics, and she's mean! Talking to her would make you feel bad, so..."

"I feel bad talking to you. I'd be happy if you didn't talk to me."

Leaving Aini speechless, Lucian turned to Bernadetta, took her hand, and asked,

"Can I escort you to your carriage? Miss Bernadetta."

"A... Yes. Thank you."

Leaving Aini behind, Bernadetta returned home.

She thought Aini would be scolded by Sauli again, but Sauli was busy accompanying her father on work the next day, and Aini had plans, so it all went well.

When school resumed, rumors spread that Aini had gone out with Prince Eirik and Viscount Orva.

Sandra was furious, especially since she had an important date with Eirik that day, which he had skipped. Other young ladies criticized Orva for being so unreliable.

However, the story didn't end there. The next day, Aini suddenly barged into Serafina's salon.

Without any proper greeting, Aini was scolded by Bernadetta, who stood up. But Aini ignored her, saying there should be no class distinctions in school.

Bernadetta, who had taught her the school rules before her transfer, was bewildered by her childish behavior.

The numerous insults to the future queen, Serafina, and by extension, the Mericant family, left them in a position where they couldn't complain to the royal family. But Serafina handled it gracefully.

She then showed Aini the difference in class.

From the first time they met, Serafina had the perfect dignity of a queen.

She always stood tall, faced forward, and strove to be a queen who would benefit the country.

She had pride in herself, was not swayed by others, and remained steadfast.

--- I look forward to it. To when you will stand up, Bernadetta. ---

And another, Sandra.

"I will serve this country and Serafina-sama for the rest of my life! Serving her is my duty as a noble born in this country!"

(Ah, how dazzling...)

Unwavering feelings. Conviction.

(I... I... I...)

"Miss Sandra."

Turning to Sandra, Bernadetta asked, looking away shyly.

"Um... I want a hair accessory to tie my hair. Do you have any recommendations?"

"! There are many!!"

Sandra's eyes, usually intense, sparkled like real emeralds.

⁂⁂⁂⁂⁂

"Eh... my sister is top of the class...?"

At dinner, Sauli, who had just learned the results of the midterm exams, looked at her in disbelief.

"Eh? She's usually in the middle. How can she suddenly jump so high?"

"It can't be, my sister must have cheated..."

"Stop it, Sauli."

It was their father, the Marquis Mericant, who stopped her.

He knew how excellent his daughter was.

"......Bernadetta, come to my study later."

"Yes, Father."

After dinner, she entered the study for the first time in years.

She felt a sense of nostalgia, but not as much as she had expected.

She glanced at the documents prepared for her study session with Sauli later.

"What do you mean by this?"

Even when asked in a low voice, Bernadetta no longer had the usual apologetic words.

"I've made my decision."

"What decision?"

As a prime minister, her father's intimidating presence was felt, but Bernadetta did not flinch.

"To achieve everything with my own hands and dedicate myself to this country."

"Are you, a woman, planning to inherit the Marquis family?"

Father, who had sighed at the absurdity, saw Bernadetta straighten her back and smile.

The purple ribbon she had received from Sandra, tied in her hair, tightened her resolve.

"Looking back at history, there have been many female heads of families, such as the 12th Lord Pierandtoni, the 8th Lord Kieza, the 9th Lord Clerici, and the 16th Lord Travalli. Even the 4th Lord Mericant was a woman."

"There are none in this era. The next generation of successors are all male. Besides, you haven't received the necessary education."

When he said this, Bernadetta smiled even more, and the Marquis Mericant flinched.

He remembered the conversations he had with his daughter when she was young and used to come in and out of this room.

"I was also concerned about that, but I feel relieved after looking at the materials.

That level of knowledge can be acquired through my self-study."

"I... will not recognize it."

"Father is in good health, so it's still early to designate a successor. There is plenty of time."

The Marquis Mericant, who had been unable to respond to his daughter, who had always been looking down and apologizing, now looked at him with a straight face and a dignified smile.

When she left the room, her brother was there.

"Were you eavesdropping?"

"No, I was called by Father to receive his teachings."

His tone implied that she was the one in the way, but she wasn't angry.

"Sauli, how was the Pinaldi region?"

"Eh?"

"You went, didn't you? With Father, after learning from him beforehand."

Sauli, who had been trying to recall the memory, answered.

"It... It was a lush place. The wheat, the region's specialty, was growing well..."

"Cold protection measures?"

"Cold protection?"

Sauli, who didn't know that the wheat harvest had decreased, was confused.

Bernadetta narrowed her eyes and tilted her head.

"You don't even know that?"

⁂⁂⁂⁂⁂

On the day of the graduation party, Bernadetta accepted Lucian's escort.

"You look beautiful, Miss Bernadetta."

"To receive so much... I'm very grateful."

"That's a given."

Bernadetta did not accept Lucian's proposal.

Still, Lucian sent her a dress and asked to attend the graduation party with her.

With one side of her silver hair down, Bernadetta's dress was a deep blue with a lustrous finish, and the brooch on her chest was a hazel brown diamond, the same color as Lucian's eyes.

"I kind of had a feeling this would happen."

Lucian, with a wry smile, glanced at Eirik and Serafina, who were the main stars of the evening.

He felt Serafina smile at him.

Today, Serafina was as beautiful and noble as ever.

She loved this country, and Bernadetta would protect it for life.

"I heard you will work as a civil servant at the palace after graduation."

"Yes, I'm interested in diplomacy, so I might visit your country in the future."

She had turned down the proposal, but Lucian remained a valuable friend to Bernadetta.

She hoped they could meet again, but it was up to him. She couldn't just say they were friends after rejecting him.

"Then, I would love to show you around my country."

His positive response surprised her.

"Is that okay?"

When she asked if she was making him uncomfortable, Lucian answered with his usual calm smile.

"Yes, I'm not one to give up easily."

When a new king and queen were born, a talented diplomat who had concluded numerous treaties became a rare female marquise and eventually the first female prime minister.

Her husband, who had married into her family from a neighboring ducal family, supported her, and they worked together to support the country.

It's a long story, but this is the final chapter!

This concludes the main story of "The Villainous Young Ladies Are Unwavering"!

Serafina would never let her excellent talent go to another country, right? 😄

I'll write a little bit from another character's perspective as an extra, so I hope you'll stick around a