by Terasu Senoo
“As your little sister, I will be overjoyed if Erika becomes my sister-in-law.”
“Uh-huh...”
“So how about you work a bit harder, Claus? You haven’t gotten serious about this yet, have you?”
“Right...”
“I guess I’ll permit your spinelessness for now.”
“Well, good thing I have your permission.”
Not that I need it! he screamed in his head, trembling at the unfairness of the world.
“Yes, your being a scaredy-cat is still okay for now. You still have the advantage of time.”
“What are we fighting against?”
“What do you mean, ‘we’?! You’re the one who should be taking the initiative in this battle!”
“Right...”
Claus cowered just a bit in the face of Anne’s threatening aura. Looks like I’m just generally bad with women.
“So, uh, can you tell me what you mean?”
“Our dear Erika is extremely beautiful.”
“Mgh... Well, you’re not wrong. She’s... decently pretty, I guess.”
“Huh?! Look me in the eye, and say that again.”
“Why do I have to?”
Losing his nerve, Claus finally averted his eyes from his sister. Anne gave a mischievous smirk the moment her bothersome brother wasn’t looking.
“Give her a few years, and Erika will be gorgeous and downright bewitching, like a large rose in bloom. By then, you’ll be too late with your half-baked attitude. Do you really understand, Claus?”
“What will be too late?”
“When Erika reaches adulthood, she will inherit the vast tracts of land left by her late mother. She’ll inherit a number of Aurelia’s plentiful silver veins. Add that to her extraordinary beauty, and what do you think will happen?”
“Please, do tell.”
He would do anything in his power to marry her, even if she were an illiterate peasant. What did her status matter? At least, those were the intentions Claus wanted to get across, but Anne’s reaction betrayed his expectations.
“The girl’s prime real estate! She’ll be in great demand! You’ll have rivals all over the continent!”
“Say what?”
“For example, Margrave Harlan of Urs will definitely be after her.”
“For real?! He’s twenty-six years older than she is!”
Going on thirty-five, Lucanlandt’s Margrave of Urs was the topic of numerous bloody, unsavory rumors. Allegedly, he abducted women of his fief, even wives with husbands, and slaughtered them. To top it all off, he deliberately surrounded himself with the young daughters of the subordinates and citizens he had murdered. One live-in maid had been tormented so mercilessly that she’d cast her body into the sea in less than two months.
This thorny gossip was all that was said of him.
In desolate regions that lay in the gray area between rule of law and rule of man, barbarous acts like the abduction of women by nobles weren’t all that rare. That being said, Harlan had simply killed too many, too often.
“Apart from him, there’s also His Highness, Crown Prince August of Ignitia. He’s ten, same as you. He might be your biggest rival.”
“What?! That blasted August?! I won’t allow it!”
Ignitia’s Prince August was yet another source of terrible rumors.
He was born of the queen’s infidelity and raised without love. Without pure royal blood running through his veins, he could neither ride nor receive the blessings of Ignitia’s guardian dragons. Prince August was so selfish and foolish that even his closest attendants had completely given up on him. The bishops all foretold that should he ever take a throne, an era of darkness would descend upon the world.
However, Anne had never heard of any clear, distinct victims of August’s tyranny. It was her personal philosophy not to be too negative toward him on rumor alone.
Her views on this matter were largely influenced by her experience with Erika. Rumor had it that Erika would grow up to be an arrogant, vile woman like the late duchess, but after meeting her in person, Anne thought she seemed perfectly harmless.
Not that any of this mattered, as she was simply using August as tinder to kindle her brother’s flames.
I know they’re uncertain, but I’ll just use the rumors to the fullest, she smirked.
There were many nobles out there she personally didn’t want to marry, but few that Claus would know of.
“With Prince August, even if she becomes queen, she won’t find any happiness.”
“Right. I would reluctantly give my blessing as long as she would be happy, but... if he only brings her sorrow, that’s another story.”
“That being the case, Prince August may one day become the ruler of our united kingdoms. On the off chance he is engaged to Erika, and you try to steal her back, there’s no telling what will happen to us.”
Claus scowled. That would make for civil war. It was something he had to avoid. Otherwise, for what reason had their old monarchy endured the disgrace of submitting to Ignitia and becoming its retainers?
“But why are you so knowledgeable about nobles outside of Hafan?”
“Because it directly concerns me.”
“Oh? What do you mean?”
“If Hafan’s political standing gets worse, I might be forced to marry the margrave or the prince.”
“I won’t allow it.”
“Your will has nothing to do with it.”
“No matter what happens, I won’t allow it. In the first place, you’re always prattling on about your ideal man or—”
“Enough about me!”
Incidentally, while Anne was so harsh on him, her ideal man was none other than her unsociable brother. He had no courtesy, was a poor speaker, and could never be honest with himself, but Anne knew his awkward kindness better than anyone. She understood that he grew so indignant when she brought up these unsavory marriage candidates because he sincerely wished for his sister’s happiness.
Truth be told, the one with the greatest antipathy toward Claus’ engagement had been Anne herself—though she was also the first one Erika Aurelia had managed to win over. The clincher was when she was first being shown around the garden. Erika’s face hadn’t betrayed the slightest bit of reluctance at Anne’s intentionally childish act. On top of that, Erika never forgot to display modest consideration. By that point, Anne had already appraised Erika to be a tolerant, virtuous woman and thought she might be able to leave her brother Claus to someone like her.
Her conjecture turned to conviction during the events in the depths of the Seafarer’s Ruins, which hardly required explanation.
“If the relationship between Hafan and Aurelia strengthens, I will have some more freedom with my own marriage.”
“You’re right. It does directly concern you.”
“So you need to establish normal communication! Not too clingy, not too shallow; just the right level! Get your goodwill across!”
“Y-Yeah...”
Claus averted his eyes from Anne’s sharp glare. He had always been dull to his own feelings, and he was naturally unsociable. How much would he have to mold and dress up his heart before he could write moderately natural sentences? He hadn’t the slightest idea.
“You’re making a face that says ‘it’s embarrassing, and I don’t want to do it.’”
“Urp.”
“Now you’re making a face that says ‘this is hard, and it’s a pain.’”
“I’m not. I’m definitely not. Rest at ease.”
“Then rewrite it to be a little softer and lighter, but make sure your love gets across without fail!”
“Hold on, now! L-Love?!”
Dense as he was, he didn’t even fully understand his feelings toward Erika. He had essentially fallen in love at first sight, and the emotions fluttering around in his chest were what had caused him to bark at her in irritation when he’d met her for the first time.
Now that a definitive word had finally been
given to his hazy emotions, Claus became even more deeply conscious of Erika. Additionally, the fact that it just had to be his sister who’d figured it out caused him to turn defiant.
“Are you saying it isn’t?”
“It’s not! Definitely, definitely not!”
“Ah, for crying out loud! You just don’t know when to give up!”
For some time, the beautiful Silverbough Palace resounded with Anne’s scolds and Claus’ screams.
☆
About a month and a half after the incident, a single letter was delivered to Erika.
It was written on high-quality vellum and addressed from Claus Hafan.
“A letter from the black-haired child?” the voice came from the black dragon Zaratan—now named Tirnanog—who had grown quite accustomed to living with Erika.
Ultimately, even after slipping out of the armor that bound him, Tirnanog did not show any particular aggression. At the moment, he was in the middle of bathing, carefree, in a basin of hot water.
“Yes, that’s right. We got a gift from Anne, too.”
“Oh, an offering. I expect no less from the woman who managed to wound me. She shows promise.”
“Offering...? Is this an offering? Hmm, well, maybe it is.”
“May I open it?”
“Yes, go ahead.”
With Erika’s permission, Tirnanog brought his bathtime to an end and gleefully began ripping away at the packaging.
“A pig’s thigh! Splendid!”
“Wow... it’s a top-quality dry-aged ham. How considerate.”
The ankle of the leg was wrapped with a label bearing the crest of Duke Hafan. It was a rare gem that had been given ample time to cure.
I see, no wonder it was so big and heavy.
Erika vaguely recalled that Hafan was famous for its pigs, which engorged themselves on the plentiful acorns of its forests, and its calves, which were raised on soft white clover.
“May I eat it?”
“Yes, of course. But do leave some for me.”
“Trust in me. I have never left a friend to starve.”
Was it okay for a lady like herself to be so excited about meat? Erika hesitated for a moment, but she quickly chose to ignore her misgivings. Whatever the case, anyone who gave meat as a gift couldn’t be a bad person.
Oblivious to Erika’s inner conflict, Tirnanog took a large, hearty bite of the ham.
“Now let’s look at the letter,” said Erika as she undid the seal.
While she initially lowered her eyes to the page with a laid-back smile, her expression gradually clouded over. Once she was done reading, her gaze wandered through the open air, a meek look on her face.
Tirnanog lifted his head from the haunch once he noticed something was wrong.
“What is the matter?”
After holding her forehead a while as if she were plagued by a headache, she showed the vellum to the dragon.
“‘You are strong. I will become a man who won’t lose to you. Please, wait for me...’”
“What do you think?”
“He is challenging you to combat.”
“I see, so I wasn’t just imagining it.”
“The boy’s a tough one, but I’m sure you can win. I can tell.”
“No, that’s not what I meant...”
The genius magician of the east saw her as a rival. That much Erika could understand. She had absolutely no idea what she had done wrong. Maybe, just maybe, this was a new death flag.
And here I thought we’d become friends.
All this time, Erika had thought Claus was the first real friend of the opposite sex she’d ever made, past life included.
Erika nibbled on her bottom lip. Her distrust of humanity went up by yet another level that day.
Reflections of Eduard Aurelia
It was the Lake Palace where the household of Duke Aurelia would spend their summers and winters. Eduard had come home for winter break, and as per usual, he had holed himself up in his study.
He flipped through page after page, slumped down on the plush armchair in front of the fireplace. His research pertained to the tales surrounding the Seafaring Tribe.
Just as he lifted his head upon finishing his second volume, he heard a knock at the door. He opened it to find his little sister, Erika, twelve years younger than himself.
“Oh, Erika. Did you come to play?”
“Might I borrow a book, Eduard?”
“Yes, of course. You can read whatever you want, whenever you want.”
She was still only five years old, but lately she would often come to Eduard’s study to play. While there were many rare and valuable books in the study, Eduard needn’t worry; Erika was not the sort of girl who would ever dog-ear the books or treat them roughly.
“Then, can I borrow this one?”
“Sure, go ahead.”
Erika had taken out an illustrated reference book about phantasmic beasts. It was quite a thick and heavy tome, but Erika hoisted it up and teetered her way to the loveseat across from Eduard’s preferred reading spot.
She always selected books far too difficult for her reading level, laying them open and staring at them intently. Eduard was ever open to field any questions she had, but perhaps she didn’t want to take up his time; instead, she gazed at her books alone and in silence. And after squinting at the pages awhile, she would fall asleep.
About an hour after Erika came in, Eduard heard the snap of the wood splitting in the fireplace. He saw that Erika was once again snoring away peacefully, leaned against the backrest.
Soft, squishy cheeks. Full, golden eyelashes. A half-open mouth.
As he observed his young sister, Eduard could feel his expression soften at her sheer adorableness.
I thought Erika took after Mother, but maybe she takes after Father after all.
Indeed, while her features closely resembled their mother’s, her reserved personality more closely resembled their father’s. For some bizarre reason, Erika seemed to fancy herself a selfish, spoiled girl, but Eduard simply couldn’t see her like that.
She was a quiet girl who liked happy endings and being immersed in her own thoughts. Perhaps she really did take after Ernst, their calm and even-tempered father.
At least, Eduard hoped that was the case. Their mother had been a truly selfish woman. Lively, wild, and reckless, she’d lived her life to the fullest, completely unhinged until the day her past caught up to her and she perished.
While Eduard looked identical to their father in his younger years, he was sure he had inherited her nature.
It had been two years since she died, and with each passing day, he grew increasingly certain he would one day be just like her. Lately, he had learned to hide his true feelings behind a smile, but he was far from calm. He was egotistical and curious, and he must have gotten that from her.
If this keeps up, I may be enticed by death, just like Mother.
His father had forbidden any investigation into their mother’s cause of death, yet the desire would never disappear from the deepest corners of his soul. Investigating in secret had led Eduard to the mysterious death of his uncle. Then the bizarre deaths and disappearances of his mother’s closest friends. And finally, to his mother herself.
He had grasped at a number of threads, but they were all so dubious, he didn’t know what could be trusted.
“Eduard...?” the girl’s voice returned him to his senses before he could be taken by such dark thoughts. Erika had woken up when he wasn’t looking, and she was peering at him closely with worry all over her face.
For a moment, Eduard closed his eyes and softened his expression. Right, he had to be smiling and at ease. Always.
“Oh, hello, Erika. Did you have a nice nap?”
“Yes. I’m sorry for always being like this.”
“No need. Whether it’s reading or sleeping, you can do what you wish.”
“I’m sorry, Eduard. You lent me such a wonderful book, and I fell asleep.”
>
“I can’t blame you for feeling sleepy when you’re always reading such difficult books.”
And my heart feels lighter when you’re around, Eduard added to himself with a smile. If possible, I’d love to take a load off of your heart as well.
For two years now, ever since their mother’s death, Erika had been experiencing nightmares. She would daydream from time to time, and she frequently muttered peculiar words. She took care not to show it, but she was still so young.
She must be unstable, Eduard thought.
It was also around that time that she began to prefer difficult books.
Their father suggested that perhaps the memories of her past life had failed to wash away in the river of oblivion. The Seafaring Tribe had a peculiar view of life and death, and past-life memories were seen as a good omen.
If he was right, Erika’s state was to be lauded, not shunned. But no matter the reason, Eduard was sure this was a burden too great for his little sister. A human life was wrought with both weal and woe, and surely it wasn’t just good times to be remembered.
For now, I’ll talk about whatever interests her to help her forget, Eduard thought as he took a peek at the page Erika had open.
“You’re reading The Illustrated Book of Monsters today. That’s a tough one. Can you understand it?”
“Yes, it’s very interesting.”
Eduard smiled wider as he sensed the shimmers of intrigue in the depths of her eyes. Come to think of it, I couldn’t get enough of phantasmic beasts when I was a kid, he recalled.
“I’m glad you like it. I happen to love those sorts of books too! So, what phantasmic beast do you like the most, Erika? The unicorn, perhaps? Or maybe the dragon?”
Apparently, small girls generally took a liking to the more horse-like beasts, but thanks to Ignitia’s influence, dragons were very popular in this country.
Erika had to think for quite a while before she could answer Eduard’s question.
“Mmnn. Unicorns are wonderful, but I think I like dragons more.”
“They’re pretty neat, after all. Next time I return, do you want me to borrow The Complete Guide to Known Dragon Subspecies?”
“I’d love that, thank you!”