This is a complete disaster.
But something feels off.
Why is Olivia not saying anything?
I turn my head.
I see Olivia staring blankly at the table.
[My sister is definitely acting weird. Partner. No way is this your doing? If my sister sheds a tear, I won’t forgive you, no matter how much of a partner you are!]
‘No, not at all.’
I speak while calming the raging Black Prince.
“Hey, Olivia. Don’t you care about that yukata battle or whatever?” “Huh? What?!”
Olivia jumps at my words.
Her eyes are shaking.
For a brief moment, a shadow passes over her.
“Of course, I have to… participate! But there’s no rule saying I have to wear a yukata, right?”
“Well… if the princess wants to wear something else, that’s fine. But at a summer festival, it has to be a yukata.”
Eri responds to Olivia’s question.
And she’s right.
You can’t have a Japanese summer festival without a yukata.
“Well, got it. Then this match. Naturally, it will return to my victory as the exclusive maid. Hehehe.”
Olivia smiles meaningfully.
Seeing her, Hoshino Kasumi quietly puts her hand on the poster and says,
“Then everyone is joining this festival, right? I’ll take that as a given.”
No one among the club members raised any objections to Kasumi’s words.
I didn’t feel the need to oppose, either.
It’s a summer festival.
I’ve only seen it in anime, but honestly, I want to see it in real life at least once.
It would be a lie if I said I didn’t have that feeling.
“Alright, then let’s end today here, and the remaining club time can be free time! Feel free to go to the dormitory.”
With a clap, Kasumi smiles as she wraps up that day’s club activities.
*
After the club activities ended.
I shake off the girls clinging to me and head towards the laundry room, where I promised to meet Bella.
Vroom, vroom.
The sound of the washing machine gently echoes in the laundry room.
Amidst the drum washing machines scattered around, there’s Bella, a brown-haired beauty in a maid outfit, wearing a blank expression.
“Long time no see, Master’s Master.”
She lifts the ends of her maid dress with her fingers and greets me politely.
“Cut to the chase, let’s get to the point.”
“Please go ahead. I’m all ears, Master’s Master.”
I look into Bella’s brown eyes as I speak.
“What on earth is going on with Olivia?”
Bella’s pupils widen at my question.
“How… how did you know…?”
Her typically calm voice is now trembling.
[Something’s definitely off. Partner.]
The serious voice of the Black Prince echoes in my head.
From Bella’s reaction, it seems this might be even bigger than I thought.
“Stop with the small talk. Just answer the question. What’s going on?”
“Answer me. What on earth is going on?”
“······.”
Bella bites her lip.
She places her hand over her chest and takes a deep breath.
“······Alright. I suppose I can tell you, given that you are the master of my lady’s master.”
Bella’s gaze turns toward me.
“My lady is currently… called back to her home country regarding her fiancé.”
The moment I hear Bella’s words, my face goes cold.
What?
Fiancé?
I’ll take responsibility.
[What the heck is this nonsense, partner? A fiancé!]
The Black Prince shouts loudly.
Olivia’s engagement was confirmed after the Black Prince’s death.
It’s no surprise that he reacts this way.
I’m just as shocked.
‘Called back to the home country.’
The storyline from the original work stirs automatically in my head.
Olivia’s fiancé appears in Volume 6 of the original.
The first half of Volume 6 is about summer joint training at the British St. George Academy in Okinawa.
That’s a must-have beach event in light novels, or rather, Japanese subculture.
The issue is that included in the St. George Academy is Olivia’s fiancé, British Prince William Stewart.
Ultimately, after the beach event ends, the mid-section of Volume 6 pivots on Olivia’s confession, sparking a fiancé battle between the protagonist Yuji and William for Olivia.
So, the setting of Volume 6 is Okinawa, not France.
Naturally, there’s no call from the home country of France.
[Partner. Do you have any idea who this fiancé guy is?]
‘I’ll ask. Just calm down.’
I need to calm the raging Black Prince first.
[Partner, aren’t you frustrated as a man? Suddenly a fiancé!]
Frustrated?
Hearing that, my blood inexplicably rushes up.
‘Yeah, it’s infuriating.’
I might not know about the call from the home country, but I had already anticipated a fiancé battle.
From the moment I took Olivia as my maid early in my reincarnation, her rescue became my responsibility.
I was already aware of that much.
Moreover, a fiancé battle is a common cliché event that shows up in battle-themed light novels at least 50% of the time.
The protagonist fights villains over the heroine, inadvertently getting recognized in their relationship.
In light novels that emphasize relationships with heroines, few things are more stimulating than a fiancé battle or wedding disruption.
It’s a well-trodden cliché for a reason.
But here, it isn’t a light novel; it’s reality.
Olivia isn’t a light novel heroine; she’s a living person in reality.
Olivia’s troubled expression flashes in my mind.
For reasons unknown, my hands tremble with rage.
I bite my lip.
[Partner. I knew you’d react like this.]
The Black Prince’s words no longer sound like nonsense.
With my trembling hands clenched into fists, I say, “Details about the engagement. Who the hell is this fiancé?”
A cold voice, surprisingly rising from my throat, escapes.
“He is the Second Prince of Britain, the owner of the transcendent weapon Excalibur, known as the ‘Prince of Dragon Slaying.’ William Stewart.”
[William, huh? He doesn’t seem particularly off, but I have a bad feeling he’s reeking of something. Anyway, the reason he could become Olivia’s fiancé is that he thoroughly hides his reckless side, maintains a good public reputation, and, most importantly, is the best knight in Britain.]
Without needing an explanation, the information embeds itself in my ears.
The Black Prince is right.
The reason William could be Olivia’s fiancé is that he masked his reckless temperament so well, coupled with his outstanding prestige as the best knight in Britain.
Thanks to hiding it well, the public reputation is good, and crucially, it’s because he’s the best asset in England.
Being the master of the transcendent weapon Ascalon proves that.
The title of the “Prince of Dragon Slaying,” which makes one’s hands and feet cringe just hearing it, has been given for that reason.
[I’m pretty sure I remember him not being talented enough to become the master of a transcendent weapon…]
The Black Prince trails off, seemingly unsure.
Once again, he’s right.
With William’s limited talent, he can’t possibly become the master of the transcendent weapon Ascalon.
In fact, it’s the sealed Durandal that is unusual for not being picky about its master.
The sealed Durandal is literally in a state where anyone can imprint themselves as its master.
It’s no wonder that a struggle for Durandal took place in volume 5.
Normally, transcendent weapons are selective about their masters.
If the individual isn’t deemed somewhat suitable, they can’t use it properly.
However, William covered that with the power of drugs.
Of course, since it’s drug-induced, he hasn’t been chosen as a proper master.
The one who provided him with the elixir is William’s personal attendant, Gares.
He is a spy sent by the New World League to infiltrate the British royal family and a member of the 13 Apostles.
In other words, he’s the true villain in volume 6.
“Master’s master.”
Bella’s brown eyes are directed at me.
“It’s an honor to inform you, but the reason Miss has been summoned by her home country is also related to your master.”
Hearing her words makes me feel uneasy.
I manage to force my lips to part as I speak.
“…So the news about Olivia associating with me has reached the ears of the French royal family.”
“Correct.”
It seems the rumor that the noble princess of France is mingling with a Korean loser has even reached the royal family.
I’ve read several volumes featuring engagement battles.
No matter how much it diverges from the original work, even this much could be guessed with closed eyes.
Exactly as expected.
“For this reason, your master’s master also bears part of the responsibility in this matter. So, Miss…”
“I’ll take responsibility.”
I cut Bella off.
Her eyes widen.
“Excuse me? What do you mean…?”
[Partner… I’ll praise you this time.]
Bella’s words and the Black Prince’s praise jumble in my mind.
I directly look at her and say.
“I’ll take responsibility. Olivia. So tell me, when is the deadline for the summons?”
“…It’s in two weeks.”
Two weeks.
It’s not long after the festival ends.
A time frame that can’t really be termed long or short.
I have to come up with a plan to deal with William and, furthermore, the New World League behind him within that time.
Whether it’s an engagement battle, interfering with the wedding, or both.
And unlike the original, it’s in France, not Okinawa.
“Got it. If there’s any information besides what you just mentioned, send it via message.”
“I don’t have more information than this yet, but if I acquire any additional info, I will notify you. But, Master’s master, may I ask you something?”
“What is it?”
“When did you… decide to take responsibility for the lady?”
Bella’s brown eyes gaze steadily at me.
She, too, seems to doubt William’s true nature.
The reason she’s cooperating with me is likely because of that.
Anyway, Bella is a relatively important character in this world.
I have to maintain a smooth relationship with her…
Actually, I don’t even need to attach a reason to that.
“From the very beginning.”
It was a development I was prepared for from the start.
When it came to Olivia’s engagement, I decided from the outset that I would take responsibility.
No need for complicated calculations; just saying it is enough.
Without needing calculations, just talking is enough.
“……Understood.”
A faint smile lingers at the corners of Bella’s lips.
“Then, I’ll be going. I have some things to prepare.”
“Take care. Your master’s master.”
As I receive Bella’s send-off, I leave the laundry room.
[Partner. Where are you going?]
‘You’ll find out once you see.’
I dismiss the Black Prince’s words and walk out of the dormitory.
Before I know it, the evening sun is setting.
My footsteps lead me to the Student Council Hall.
Clunk.
I open the Student Council Room door.
“Who… is it? Is it Mr. Kim Deok-Sung? What brings you here at this hour?”
Aris’s eyes widen slightly as she spots me.
There’s no one in the Student Council Room.
Only Aris, who is busy with paperwork, is there.
What perfect timing.
Thud.
I close the door and head to the desk.
“Mr. Kim Deok-Sung? What on earth…?”
Noticing the blush on Aris’s cheeks, I speak up.
“Saionji-senpai. I have a request.”
“What kind of request? Isn’t this a bit too close right now?”
Rattle.
Aris slightly moves her chair back and avoids my gaze.
I sigh internally while looking at her and say,
“……Please double the training time.”
“Finally, Mr. Kim Deok-Sung has realized the joy and value of training… No, where’s Ri? Is something going on?”
This time, Aris doesn’t avert her eyes.
Her transparent silver irises stare straight at me.
The reason.
There’s no need to bring up Olivia’s situation here.
“Well, you know. My mind just cleared up a bit.”
I say while looking at Aris.
“I felt like I can’t just keep being complacent as I have been… So I’m trying to change my approach. The request I just made is part of that.”
A second deviation.
The Kyoto Exchange Tournament had the stage set in Kyoto, but this fiancé battle is entirely different, with the stage being in Okinawa and France.
At this level, I can’t feel completely at ease, no matter what.
I need to train my own strength.
[Oh, partner. You’ve finally got a worthy look in your eyes. It’s the gaze of a passionate young man. Usually, you look like a rotten fish eye.]
The Black Prince keeps talking nonsense.
Rotten fish eyes? Please.
Thud.
Aris slams her paperwork on the desk and says,
“Very well. I will accept Mr. Kim Deok-Sung’s request…”
A faint smile appears on her lips.
“Doubling the training amount, I hope it’s a choice you won’t regret, Mr. Kim Deok-Sung. I certainly won’t go easy on you.”
Great.
Just hearing that makes me start to sweat.
*
At the moment Kim Deok-Sung and Aris were conversing in the Student Council Hall,
In the Shuou Academy dormitory.
Olivia’s room.
Left alone in a spacious room without Bella, Olivia sits in front of her vanity, fiddling with a festival poster.
“I wanted to ask if we could go together, just the two of us…”
A bittersweet smile spreads across Olivia’s face.
A call from her homeland.
The shock from hearing that from Bella still lingers vividly.
An engagement.
Yes, she had an engagement.
A truth Olivia had desperately tried to ignore and avoid remembering.
In her childhood.
That day when the engagement was decided, the first time she met him at the Versailles Palace flashes in Olivia’s mind.
“Ugh…”
A chill runs down Olivia’s arm.
His gaze, filled with desire, staring at her, William’s figure, flickers in her mind.
