TL/Editor: raei
Status: 5/week mon-fri
Illustrations: none
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After Lucy parted with Ian, she imdiately summoned Kira.
"I'd like to speak with just the two of us, so Ian, please leave."
"Um..."
Ian hesitated before speaking.
"Just rember one thing. Kira is... soone I want to be with."
"I know."
Lucy smiled as if reassuring Ian.
With that, Ian had nothing more to say.
He could only trust Lucy.
After Ian left, Kira entered.
"Ah."
Lucy carefully observed the female wizard she hadn't seen in a while.
A commoner like Ian.
But after studying at university, she was now a capable fire wizard holding her own.
'She's beautiful...'
Lucy marveled anew.
She'd known about Kira's beauty before. Kira had been there when they fought the black dragon.
Lucy had only been vaguely aware that she was a beautiful wizard who needed to be watched as Ian's companion.
...Of course, Lucy had forgotten about it after sleeping and waking up.
When Kira left for university, Lucy forgot she was supposed to be wary of her.
Lucy had her own excuses, to be fair.
Helping her vassals, taking care of her subjects.
And incidentally, she was (sort of) busy buying pretty clothes from rchants.
'As a fellow wizard... Ian probably needs soone like her.'
Couples sharing the sa profession was very common in this dieval fantasy world.
With large-scale industry underdeveloped, dostic crafts made up a huge portion of work.
Since goods were produced at the household level, it was common for entire families to be devoted to a single profession.
If the father was a blacksmith, the whole family would help with the smithy work.
Since Ian was a wizard, having a wizard wife would be good.
Being family, they could share important secrets.
And when seeking magical advice, she'd be the first to ask, serving well as Ian's assistant.
'Sothing I can't do.'
Of course, Lucy, Ian's wife-to-be, could learn magic.
But...
Lucy hated studying...
She avoided even learning letters because it was annoying, let alone magic!
'If that woman helps Ian...'
Lucy thought seriously.
'Isn't that the sa as helping Ian?'
This was the kind of thinking that would've made Ian spawn question marks above his head if he knew.
What? How does Kira helping Ian count as Lucy's contribution?
But Lucy had a typical noble's mindset.
Since Lucy outranked Kira...
A subordinate's achievents naturally beco the superior's accomplishnts!
Kira helping Ian = Lucy being a good supporting wife(?) - a miraculous equation was ford!
'As long as she's not a bad woman...'
For reference, bad woman = soone trying to separate Lucy from Ian.
Since Ian vouched for her, she probably wasn't a bad person, but...
If she tried to monopolize Ian and push Lucy away, then Ian or not, it wouldn't matter.
She'd show her the wrath of Lady Lucy, Countess of Talian!
"It's nice to et you aga-"
Just as Lucy was about to speak.
As soon as their eyes t, Kira bit her lip slightly-
Then dropped to her knees on the floor.
"...?"
Though Lucy was startled.
Kira bowed her head so deeply her forehead touched the ground.
In that deeply prostrated position, Kira spoke:
"I won't make excuses..."
"W-what?!"
"I'll accept any punishnt."
Kira cast aside her usual act and faced Lucy with her true personality.
She felt this was the ti to show sincerity.
'W-why is she acting like this?!'
But Lucy couldn't adjust to Kira's sudden change in deanor.
Kira usually put on wizard-like airs in front of Lucy.
Her specialty was pretending to be an accomplished wizard!
So Lucy rembered Kira as a confident and beautiful wizard...
'What punishnt is she talking about...'
With Kira taking such a submissive posture, Lucy was actually scared.
Did she do sothing terribly wrong?!
'No way?!'
"W-wait a minute!"
"...Yes, Countess?"
"You..."
Lucy grabbed Kira's hands with trembling fingers.
With a 100% pure expression, Lucy cried out:
"A-are you pregnant?!"
"???"
"Oh my, I haven't even done that yet..."
Kira's face turned bright red as she waved her hands.
"No! Absolutely not!!!"
"Then... why suddenly bow down?"
"..."
Lucy thought Kira had done sothing terrible and was asking for forgiveness.
But that wasn't it.
Then... what was she apologizing for?
Kira was too shocked by Lucy's innocent question to speak properly.
"I... um..."
"It's okay, just tell ."
"With Ian..."
Kira squeezed her eyes shut.
She was a wizard. aning she had an unnecessarily rich vocabulary.
What word should she add here?
We connected emotionally? Our fates intertwined? Fell in love?
...Had an affair?
Any words she chose seed like they would hurt Lucy.
Whatever the process, Kira was the one who stole Ian from Lucy.
If Kira hadn't interfered, Lucy would have had Ian all to herself.
Kira would understand if Lucy hated her.
"Wow...!"
But Lucy covered her mouth with slightly flushed cheeks.
Kira stared at her blankly.
...That didn't look like the expression of a hurt woman?
"Ian is so an! He only kissed !"
"???"
"So... how was it? The atmosphere, the feeling..."
"I-I don't know what you an..."
Belatedly.
Kira rembered she had stopped at "With Ian..."
What inappropriate word had Lucy imagined would follow?
Oh my! How naughty!
...Kira's face turned even redder.
"No! I-I've only kissed too...!"
"Oh. Really..."
Lucy flopped down on the bed with a deflated expression.
Kira... almost laughed at how carefree she seed.
Kira had never properly talked one-on-one with Lucy before.
Lucy hadn't been interested in Kira, and Kira had been sowhat uncomfortable with Lucy.
But after their brief exchange, both realized almost simultaneously.
Lucy was.
And Kira was.
Not as bad a person as they'd thought... maybe.
"To you, Countess..."
Kira continued.
Though frightening, these were words she had to say.
"I presumptuously got too close to Ian... I sincerely apologize many tis over for crossing lines I shouldn't have."
"..."
"I'm truly sorry for having to tell you this way."
Lucy looked down at Kira before letting out a small laugh.
She'd wondered what Kira was building up to say.
It was an understandable thought but... not one Lucy liked hearing.
"I get what you an."
"Yes, Countess."
"You have quite the self-awareness for a commoner? Ah, I an that in a good way."
"...What?"
Lucy poked Kira in the side.
Then pulled the startled Kira to her feet.
"You get told you're pretty a lot, right?"
"...Yes."
"And you notice how n's gazes change when they look at you?"
"That's true...?"
These questions made no sense to Kira.
Lucy said with a giggle:
"So basically, you're apologizing because Ian fell for your beautiful~ looks?"
"...Whaaaat?!"
Kira stamred in shock.
She swore to the heavens! She'd never once thought that!
"Or did you deliberately seduce Ian? Trying to get involved with a promising young wizard?"
"I never did that! Ian and I were purely travel companions...!"
"Right. I'm sure that's true. You know what kind of man Ian is, don't you? He's not the type to mindlessly follow a beautiful woman's seduction."
Kira nodded glumly.
Though she couldn't be completely certain...
The Ian that Kira knew was the type who would yell "HAH!" and smack a stunning beauty over the head with his staff if she tried to seductively trap him.
Kira realized belatedly.
Ian wasn't soone who approached won because he was captivated by their looks.
"You know, Ian. He ca to like you not just for your looks, but for who you are as a person."
"..."
"If he fell for you just because you were close to him, shouldn't he have shown interest from when you first t?"
If Ian had been there, he would have been amazed at such logical reasoning.
You...! You're not Lucy!
How are you thinking so intelligently!
But like all won, Lucy too could think remarkably coolly and objectively when it ca to love and marriage.
There's a reason won are always reading romance fantasy.
Everyone's an expert when it cos to romance.
"But Ian dated before you?"
"T-that's true..."
"Right. Ian and I had ti to get to know each other. We beca a couple because we were sure about each other."
Lucy said with a smile.
"Just like you now."
"..."
"So have confidence. You're soone Ian chose too, right? Let's not talk about who stole whom. Unless you want to fight ?"
"N-no, not at all...!"
Kira almost dropped to her knees again.
Her legs had gone weak.
'...She accepted .'
Though she didn't collapse, she couldn't hold back her tears.
Kira wiped her tears while sniffling.
Lucy scratched her cheek, feeling awkward.
"Don't cry. It makes it look like I made you cry."
"T-that's not it...! hic!"
Once the tears started flowing, they wouldn't stop easily.
Lucy waited with a small smile until Kira cald down.
'She's an innocent one.'
It wasn't a bad feeling.
If she couldn't monopolize Ian anyway, she'd rather share him with soone compatible.
And Kira was a rare good woman who kept her pure heart.
"I want to talk more with you. Want to co with ?"
"Y-yes... yes!"
Kira said while wiping her tears.
"I like you too, Countess!"
"Yes, yes~"
Lucy looked at Kira with fresh eyes.
How did soone like this manage to act like a cool wizard in front of others?
It really was impressive acting ability.
In the end, Lucy didn't let Kira go until the banquet was ready.
The evening banquet was lively.
Though lunch had been excellent too, dinner was a proper welcoming feast that Lucy had personally prepared.
The table was piled high with fragrant, hearty dishes including a whole roasted pig.
'Hmm... country cooking.'
Though Ian kept being reminded of the overflowing tables at his grandmother's house...
That was just by his standards.
"Oh ho. This is impressive."
"What a feast."
By dieval standards, it was indeed a hiiiigh class banquet worth rolling your eyes at.
While modern people could eat roast pig at any local festival,
For dieval people, it was a rare feast they might have once a year if they were lucky.
"Listen as you eat."
Lucy stood and spoke.
"I have sothing to tell everyone."
Lucy suddenly made eye contact with Kira.
Ian watched while pausing his al.
Though Lucy probably wouldn't do anything bad to Kira...
You never know, right?
No, those novel sites are full of fierce cat-fight stories...
A noble and wizard's fiery battle over Ian! might break out.
Then Ian would have to risk his life breaking up the two.
When Kira stood up, all eyes focused on her.
Lucy declared:
"From today, I've decided to make Kira, daughter of Laventa, my lady-in-waiting."
"?"
Ian was slightly taken aback.
Lady-in-waiting? Kira?!
"Therefore, I'm putting Kira in charge of managing my wardrobe from now on."
No. What is this-!
I object!
Ian almost raised his voice.
Wardrobe managent?! Is this so new form of harassnt?! Is that what this is?!
But the burst of applause that followed made Ian tilt his head.
"An excellent decision, Countess!"
"Indeed. Talian Hall needs a maid too."
"?"
Sir Salvador casually called Kira a maid.
Being called a maid... sothing about the tone felt strange?!
"Hey, Belenka. What's going on here?"
"Ah. You wouldn't know this, Ian. This is noblewoman culture."
Belenka explained on behalf of commoner-born Ian.
"Noble ladies usually make won they trust their ladies-in-waiting. It's like making them vassals."
"Vassals?"
"Wardrobe keeper is an incredibly important position. For n, it's equivalent to treasurer."
"...?"
Naturally, noblewon's clothes were incredibly expensive.
Not only that, they also stored all their necklaces, earrings, and other precious jewels together.
Appointing Kira as Lucy's wardrobe keeper ant...
In other words, Lucy was entrusting all her valuables to Kira.
"Since Kira's a wizard, she probably won't actually do the work."
Belenka said while clapping.
"But the fact that she's been appointed the Countess of Talian's closest aide doesn't change!"
"Oh..."
Indeed. That was a good thing.
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