by Funa
Unfortunately, Mavis was by no means “a normal girl.”
As it stood, she valued self-improvement over romance. She wanted not a jeweled palanquin, but knighthood. When it came to marriage, she pictured a grand epic of being bound by deep and inseparable love to a fellow knight, alongside whom she rode in defense of the kingdom…
Mavis was a maiden of vast and wild dreams.
In fact, the first time Mavis had told the others about this dream of hers, the other three members of the Crimson Vow had felt their souls fly out of their mouths.
Mavis had no intention of purposely conducting herself in such a way as to make the young man hate her. She was fine with telling lies to deceive evildoers, but telling a lie in a situation such as this would be in violation of her own personal code. Furthermore, to behave in any obviously boorish manner would only cause trouble for her family. It would mean trouble not only for her father’s station but for that of her brothers, who would take up the family line after him.
Plus, Pauline had informed her that, “None of that will be necessary.”
And so, Mavis greeted the newcomers like normal. Jusphen, who desired her mainly because of her status as the daughter of the house of Austien, was apparently also somewhat aware of her martial skill. It seemed he had met her once before, when she was around fifteen, and had become smitten with her, a girl who appeared at the time to be a slight and sheltered maiden, with long, golden locks. He had heard rumors that she had run away from home, registered as a hunter, and done all sorts of outrageous things, from the fights at the prep school graduation exam to the “red mark” jobs she had taken on. The more he learned, the more smitten he became…
He knew that she had fled from home, and that she was an egregious tomboy, and yet he still desired her as a wife… Lord Jusphen appeared to be skilled in many areas himself also. Truly, she could not hope for a better match…
The more he heard about the young man, the more enthused Count Austien became at the prospect of their pairing. As the conversation blossomed without a hitch, both sets of parents looked on, grins wide upon their faces.
Then, after a fair bit of time had passed…
“Well then, why don’t we call it a day? You will join us for luncheon tomorrow, won’t you?” said Count Austien, drawing the day’s proceedings to a close.
Naturally, the Woitdein family had already approved this next meeting, which had been on the schedule from the start. Because first meetings usually involved a lot of awkwardness between both parties, the true event would begin with meeting for lunch the following day. And then, Mavis and Jusphen would have some time alone, just the two of them, before coming back together with everyone again for dinner. After that, they would all have some mild drinks and enjoy the easy atmosphere together. Because of this, today’s meeting was to be short—just introductions, to take place around the second midday bell (about 3PM), and broken up before evening fell.
Mavis herself could not recall the party where the pair had met once before, a few years prior, but both Count Austien and Marquis Woitdein busied themselves with so many social events in the capital and gatherings at the palace that the fathers had become fairly well known to one another. They had even exchanged words now and then.
Then, just as the Marquis moved to stand from his seat…
“Um, if everyone would be so inclined, why don’t we all dine together for supper tonight?”
“Hm?”
Both the Count and the Marquis found Mavis’s sudden proposal suspicious. The Marquis and his family had already planned on taking dinner at a restaurant in town, thinking that too long a first meeting would put too much stress on the young couple, causing them to grow tired of one another. The evening meal for tonight was supposed to consist of both families eating separately, no doubt comparing notes on their own. The Marquis found himself thrown for a loop at this sudden change to the agreed-upon plan.
The Count, meanwhile, completely lost his cool at this new proposal.
“N-now, now, Mavis, suggesting such a thing out of the blue would be an enormous inconvenience to the Marquis’ family, I’m sure. Besides, we haven’t made any preparations…”
Indeed, extending an invitation to normal folk was one matter, but making preparations to entertain someone of a higher status than oneself, such as a marquis, took time. There was no way that they would have the suitable ingredients on hand nor the means to prepare them on such short notice. He was, of course, thrilled to hear Mavis making such a proactive suggestion of her own accord, but on a practical level, the notion might be a bit more trouble than it was worth.
“Well,” Mavis continued, “we wouldn’t have to entertain them here. The hunting party that I travel with accompanied me here to see me off, and I was thinking how desperately I wished for everyone to meet them… It would be at a low-class establishment, a restaurant frequented by commoners, but if you wouldn’t mind that, then…”
Hearing this, the Woitdeins suddenly understood. Ah, they thought, it makes sense for a young girl to want to introduce our son to her friends to reassure them, no matter who that son might be.
They had heard that the other party members were all young ladies, and speaking with them would give the family a good idea of the sort of person that Lady Mavis was. Imagining this, the Marquis was happy to accept the proposal.
“Yes, of course! We accept!”
“Well, if the Lord Marquis agrees to it, then we shall as well…”
“Ah, actually… I was only inviting the Lord Marquis and his family. Father, Mother, you won’t be attending.”
“Wh…?”
Count Austien and his wife were lost for words.
“Well, you’re already acquainted with my companions, aren’t you, Father? Plus, I recall that you were rather displeased with the fact that I am a hunter, yes? That is why I’m only inviting the Lord Marquis and his family to this meal.”
“B-but that’s…”
The Count appeared distraught, but Mavis ignored him. Though she had returned to the mode of speech she used to use with him before running away from home, the Mavis she had become now was not the Mavis that she was back then, and she would not be moved by the tears glinting in his eyes.
“Now then, I shall lead the way. If you would come with me…”
After a short ride in the Woitdeins’ awaiting carriage, Mavis arrived at what was one of the top three restaurants in the capital town of the Austien territory. Of course, even if it was a top-three restaurant in an important town, this was still the country fiefdom of a count. It could not compare to the sorts of restaurants that nobles would visit in the capital. Nevertheless, it was at least sufficient to entertain the nobility who might pass through now and then.
Mavis gave the receptionist her name, and they were led to a private room… Though giving her name was a bit redundant, as there was no way that anyone running a shop in the capital would not know the face of their lord’s only daughter.
In the room they had been led to, they found three young ladies awaiting them. Naturally, all three of them rose from their seats to greet the nobles.
“My, my…”
Because nobles only chose beautiful women for their wives and lovers, all noble women, from children to the elderly, were typically lovely creatures. However, to see such well-formed young women among a party of commoners surprised the Marquis enough that he unconsciously let a comment slip. It was not that they were impressively attractive as a set; though among the group was a girl with imposing, impish looks, a young and well-developed maiden who seemed gentle and kind, and a young girl who gave off a calming atmosphere—the sort of girl you’d want to protect. There was something about them each that one rarely saw among the daughters of nobles. Quite the fascinating bunch…
As the Marquis evaluated the trio, they each gave their greetings.
“I am Reina, a C-rank hunter,” said Reina, bowing her head politely.
“I am Pauline, likewise a C-rank
hunter, and eldest daughter of the Beckett Company,” said Pauline, bowing her head.
“Likewise, I am the—never mind. I am Mile, a C-rank hunter and the only daughter of a viscount.” Mile greeted them with a curtsy.
The Marquis and his family were speechless, mouths half-ajar.
Pauline was not especially worthy of note. Her family must be fairly successful as merchants to have their own company, but as far as the Marquis could observe, she was a commoner who had little money to her name. However, the sole daughter of a viscount was a different matter.
If she was the only daughter, and one were to take her for a bride, then one’s child would inherit the viscount’s title. In other words, the ranking members of each family line would be able to join forces, strengthening both factions. Plus, one could not underestimate the value of being connected to a noble from another country when it came to international negotiations or the off chance that one or the other might someday end up in exile. Furthermore, this girl had charming looks, seemed well mannered, and had a smile that put one at ease.
“Now, why don’t we all rest our feet?”
“O-of course…”
At Mile’s urging, the Marquis’ party took their seats. As the food and drinks were carried in, the evening began.
“…And then, Mile blew the enemies away with an attack spell…”
“Hm? But I thought that Mile was a sword wielder?” Jusphen interrupted Reina’s story.
Mile replied, “Yes, well, I’m actually a magic knight?”
“A magic knight?” the nobles echoed.
“Yes, I can use both magic and swords equally!”
“What???”
The nobles’ eyes were wide. They had never heard of such a job title. However, hearing the explanation of Mile’s position forced their eyes even wider.
As in the case of the Austiens, magic ability manifested only rarely within the Woitdein line. Even the ones who did happen to be born with the gift were not particularly skilled, able to use it only for practical conveniences. Furthermore, the rare few who did have more skill were still only good enough to become mages of a rather middling level.
Therefore, the idea of there being anyone reckless enough to try and master both the paths of magic and the sword was unthinkable. Mastering even one of these required a Herculean effort. Even this world had proverbs along the lines of, “He who chases both rabbits, catches neither.” There were plenty of swordsmen who could use a little bit of magic and mages who could use a sword well enough to defend themselves, but no one had ever heard of a warrior who could use both magic and a blade capably in battle.
“I-I’d love to see that sometime…” Jusphen muttered.
“Oh, certainly. I’m free tomorrow morning, so why don’t we meet somewhere where I can give you a demonstration?”
“W-would you?!”
Mile had him hook, line, and sinker. The Marquis looked to be brimming with curiosity as well.
The conversation continued on, but for some reason, the bulk of the Marquis’ questions seemed to be directed toward Mile. Excluding the name of her family and the name of the country from which she came, Mile more or less answered his questions truthfully and directly. Indeed, she was quite frank about herself, and the fact that there were no civic issues within her lands, that they were currently being looked after by the king and queen, that she herself was the successor of her line, and that she had no fiancé…
Not one bit of this was a lie. She was in fact the successor—though she omitted the part where she technically had already succeeded her parents. She could of course, never tell a lie when it came to matters of peerage, as such a thing was considered to be a grave taboo.
Furthermore, while Mile was a bit lacking when it came to matters of common sense in this world, she excelled at matters that were “outside of common sense.” Thus, she was able to speak eloquently on matters of agriculture, taxes, and commerce, topics about which she had a wealth of secondhand knowledge, thanks to all the books she had read in her previous life. Whether or not such ideas suited this world, and whether they could actually be implemented here, was a totally separate matter. But the Marquis was thoroughly impressed by her ability to even consider such matters.
Jusphen raised many topics with Mile as well, and Mile replied to each thread of conversation with a smile. All the while, the other members of the Crimson Vow continued to sing Mile’s praises whenever they had the chance…
***
The next morning, in the forest a little ways out of the capital, the Woitdeins and the Crimson Vow were assembled.
The Woitdeins had explained to the Count that they wished to take a morning stroll, with Mavis as their guide. The Count, thrilled to see Mavis getting along so swimmingly with the Marquis’ family, agreed without a second thought.
“First off, I would like to show you my famous ‘Copper-Cutting Trick,’” said Mile. “Could I ask you to throw a copper piece up in the air for me?”
“Ah, of course,” the Marquis replied, drawing a copper piece from his purse and tossing it.
“Hup!”
As usual, Mile swiftly swung her blade in a cross-slash, and four equal pieces of the copper coin fell down into her palm, which she held out for all to see.
The Woitdeins were speechless.
Next up, she made light work of Mavis and her True Godspeed Blade in a sparring match. After that, she faced off against Jusphen and then the Marquis, at their insistence. Though she held back on them so that the matches would not be entirely one-sided, it was clear that the Marquis was holding back on her as well.
After that, she demonstrated how she could block an attack spell from Reina and how she could launch a powerful attack of her own without even an incantation, stunning the Marquis and his family all over again.
“M-Mile, a-are you certain that you don’t have a fiancé right now?” asked Jusphen.
“Indeed, I have neither fiancé nor lover. My parents won’t be pushing me into any engagements, so it’s up to me to find a spouse on my own!”
Again, this was true. Both her parents had already left this world for the next, so they could not possibly force her to do anything.
Overhearing the exchange between Mile and their son, Sir and Lady Woitdein’s eyes began to glimmer.
***
After returning from their long walk, the Woitdeins declined Count Austien’s invitation to tea, instead shutting themselves away in their guest room to continue a hushed conversation.
Finally, lunchtime arrived.
“We would like to shelve the matter of the proposal.”
“What…?”
The Marquis’ sudden declaration left Count Austien too stunned for words.
“I’m sorry! I’m so truly sorry, but we must ask you to humbly accept our withdrawal. Please excuse us!”
All three Woitdeins stood, bowing their heads.
For a brief while, the Count was frozen in place, until he finally stood up, red in the face, and shouted, “Don’t toy with me! D-do you intend to make a fool of my daughter? Of the Austien family?!”
To speak to a person of superior rank in such an impertinent way was a rudeness of the highest order, but there was no one who would persecute him for it in this case. The one who had truly been rude here was the Marquis. His actions were an unforgivable slight against a fellow noble household.
However, the insult did not seem to be intentional, nor did the Marquis appear to bear the Austien family any ill will. Seeing how apologetic he was, the Count began to calm down—just a little.
“At least allow me to ask the reason!” said the Count, still red-faced and trembling.
However, the Marquis only bowed his head, again and again.
“I’m sorry, please forgive us! The blame here is all ours. You can scorn us as much as you like or disparage us as you see fit! But please…”
The Count’s anger still had not subsided, but if the other party was no longer interested, then th
ere was no point in continuing with the engagement. Even if he were to force the matter, it would not contribute to his daughter’s happiness, and so, he had no intention of continuing the conversation.
“Please do not think that I will accept this insult to my daughter so easily.”
“I’m sorry…”
The Woitdeins bowed their heads deeply again and then swiftly left the Austien residence behind. Mavis hung her head and returned to her room, shutting herself away.
“Mavis…”
Count Austien was in deep despair. Had Mavis’s three elder brothers been present, the exchange would have ended in a far more heated manner. Truly, they would have had no choice but to slaughter the Marquis and his whole party. It was truly fortunate that they were all away, busy with their own
careers.
Meanwhile, in Mavis’s room, behind closed doors…
“I can’t believe it! It’s just like Pauline said! They broke off the engagement all on their own! I got off scot-free, and now the Marquis owes us! It’s just like magic!!! All right, now to continue as planned…”
***
“Father, you really did it!”
While riding in a carriage bound for the inn where Mile and the others were staying, the Woitdeins talked among themselves.
“Yes. What we’ve done to Count Austien and Lady Mavis is truly unforgiveable, but we shall think of some way to make it up to them soon. But more importantly, Lady Mile! We must absolutely welcome her into the Woitdein family!”
“Hear, hear!” replied his lady and his son in tandem.
She was the successor to a viscount from another kingdom. Besides the Marquis, who was the head of the family, the house of Woitdein also had a viscount of their own. Jusphen, as the second son, was already in line to inherit this title, but it didn’t hurt for his wife to have her own noble rank as well. Even if it was a courtly rank from another country, if his wife had a title, that meant that there was something for their second child to inherit. Moreover, this meant that the pedigree of the Woitdein line would now include both the title and territory of another kingdom.