Chapter 178: It Might Not Be Entirely a Good Thing

Valdrova Castle, Underground.

"How about trying to get to know the young lady?"

"The young lady?"

Valdrova looked up from the handwriting practice she'd been doing.

The golden glow in her eyes made Luri uncomfortable.

"W-What's she... like?"

Trying to suppress the excitement building inside her, Valdrova asked cautiously.

Seeing someone so utterly unlike a Monarch, Luri inwardly sighed at how hopeless she looked before answering calmly.

"I've heard she's quite similar to Master."

"Someone like me... Then... do you think we'd get along?"

That's exactly the problem.

The words rose to Luri's throat but never came out.

"You don't need to worry. They say she's cheerful and very good at conversation, so I'm sure you'll have plenty to talk about."

"Then... doesn't that mean she's not like me at all?"

"...That's true."

Who would ever approach a dragon first just to chat idly?

Dragons ruled over all living things, beings whose wisdom and experience had accumulated over centuries.

To them, human politics was childish play, and matters humans considered grave were little more than casual small talk.

At least, that was what humans believed.

Valdrova, however, preferred the trivial conversations shared between young ladies.

Chatting with a human noble lady...

Why am I so nervous over something like this?

Fear welled up inside her, making her want to refuse.

But if not now...

Who knew when she'd get another chance?

"I-I'll do it."

She pressed a hand against her pounding heart.

"When should we...?"

"She'll be arriving shortly, so we only need to prepare."

"R-Right now?"

"If it feels burdensome, we can reschedule."

"N-No! Let's do it! They say you should eat steamed buns while they're still hot!"

"Very well. I'll make the preparations."

Luri bowed and quietly left the room.

Watching her leave, Valdrova suddenly realized something.

Come to think of it... Luri was the one who suggested this.

Luri had never liked seeing Valdrova mingle with humans.

If a dragon became close to humans, only humans benefited.

Worse, they might try to exploit the dragon.

Especially innocent Valdrova, who had been taken advantage of more than once.

From Luri's perspective, encouraging direct interaction between Valdrova and humans was the last thing she wanted.

Even Ferda, her fiancé, had taken an incredibly long time before proposing their very first tea party.

Has Luri... started trusting humans a little more?

The doll-like girl who always remained serious and expressionless becoming a little more human...

The thought alone made Valdrova smile.

***

But Luri had not changed.

A tea party with humans...

She still disliked the idea.

However, she had no choice.

When Ferda had suddenly contacted her, saying he intended to bring Lyudmila Purity, Luri's immediate response had been—

"Have you lost your mind?"

She had spoken with complete seriousness.

"Lady Valdrova is a dragon. That young lady is nothing but an insignificant human. Do you truly believe Her Grace would permit such a casual audience?"

"I understand."

"If you understand, then why are you saying something so absurd?"

"Of course I know proper etiquette must be observed. Even so... this has to be done."

Pain seeped through Ferda's voice.

After swallowing his frustration several times, he finally spoke.

"Penelope."

"..."

"That damned demon woman... is Her Grace the Grand Duchess's first friend."

Penelope.

A pink-haired demon whose behavior was unbearably frivolous.

Had Ferda not repeatedly emphasized that she was someone important, Luri would have twisted her neck off long ago.

'She's... my friend…'

When Valdrova had shyly introduced Penelope that way...

Luri had felt as though she'd been struck head-on.

It was like raising a daughter to be beautiful and proper, only for her to announce she intended to marry some delinquent she picked up off the streets.

She had bitten her lip so hard that blood trickled down.

"And now you're telling me to sit back and watch that woman, who isn't even interested in men, cling to Her Grace?"

"..."

"If you remember the tears of blood we shed that day, then we need to find Her Grace a new friend as soon as possible."

Only then had Luri realized.

This wasn't the time to complain.

"I'll make the arrangements."

That demon had to be separated from Valdrova.

No matter what.

***

"Master, Lord Ferda has arrived. He should be coming with the young lady."

"O-Okay!"

Dressed in an elegant gown, Valdrova sat before a table piled high with sweets.

Since this wasn't a tea party with her fiancé, it was held in the blooming spring garden rather than the arcade.

The rich fragrance of flowers filled the air.

This really is... girls' time.

"Master. The young lady of House Purity is entering."

The gate opened.

A young woman stepped inside.

She wore a warm, adorable smile.

"It is an honor to meet Your Grace the Grand Duchess. I am Lyudmila Purity."

Valdrova couldn't even answer properly.

She simply nodded.

Lyudmila carefully approached and sat across from her.

For the first time...

Someone other than Ferda occupied the seat opposite her.

"It's nice to finally greet you properly. I should have introduced myself the first time we met."

Valdrova tilted her head.

"You've... seen me... before?"

"At the Festival of the Beginning of Spring. You danced with the Regent, remember?"

"Ah..."

Valdrova's cheeks turned bright red.

To everyone else it may have been nothing.

To her...

It was a mortifying memory born from jealousy.

Thank goodness she'd been wearing a mask.

This time, Valdrova tried starting the conversation herself.

"I... heard you're engaged."

"Yes. I'll soon become the lady of House Consilus."

"Congratulations..."

"It is an honor to receive Your Grace's blessing. But please, speak comfortably."

"Comfortably...?"

"Yes! Just call me Lyudmila, like we're friends!"

"F-Friends..."

Lyudmila's bright energy pushed her forward.

If she continued speaking formally, it would feel like she was putting distance between them.

So she reluctantly dropped the honorifics.

"L-Lyudmila...?"

"Yes, Your Grace!"

Lyudmila clapped happily.

Seeing that radiant smile made Valdrova relax as well.

Now she understood why Luri had unusually given her permission.

"May I ask you something?"

"Mm."

"Why do you wear a mask?"

Such a bold question.

"Does it... look strange?"

"No, not strange. I just wondered if there was a story behind it. If it's a sensitive question, I'm sorry."

"No... it's not."

She had been surprised.

But she didn't find the question rude.

If anything...

Wasn't she the rude one?

Lyudmila was showing her face openly...

While she herself remained hidden.

"Do... you want to see my face?"

"Huh? I can?"

"If it makes you uncomfortable, you don't have to."

"No! No! No! I definitely want to!"

She refused so enthusiastically that Valdrova couldn't back out.

Slowly, she removed her mask.

Lyudmila, who had been clutching her chest in anticipation, froze with her mouth hanging open.

"...Forgive the rude question, but... are you wearing makeup?"

"Hm? No."

"My goodness... You're this beautiful without any makeup..."

Valdrova became embarrassed.

She immediately wanted to put the mask back on.

"I'm not exaggerating—you are even more beautiful than Princess Olivia."

"I don't think that's true..."

"It absolutely is! With just a little more styling—some accessories and a light touch of makeup—you'd be faaaar more beautiful than Princess Olivia!"

Luri had always handled Valdrova's appearance.

But Luri had been raised as a warrior.

There was no reason for her to know feminine styling.

Besides...

Adding anything to a perfect dragon seemed almost sacrilegious.

Unlike Luri, however...

Valdrova was interested in those things.

"Are you... good at that?"

"Of course! I was always the one who braided my sisters' hair! They're incredibly picky, but after I did it once, they kept making me do it for them!"

"Hm... That must have been tiring."

"Not at all! I love things like that! I also enjoy making lunchboxes for my older brothers!"

"You can cook too?"

Valdrova's eyes suddenly lit up.

Lyudmila caught the change instantly.

"Are you interested in cooking?"

"Well..."

After hesitating...

She shyly answered.

"A little."

Valdrova had often wondered what she could do for Ferda.

Something that would show how deeply she loved him without needing to reveal her face.

Cooking had been one of those ideas.

"I once thought... I'd like Mr. Ferda to eat something I made..."

"I know exactly how that feels!"

Lyudmila pressed both hands against her chest.

Moments later...

Tears began rolling down her cheeks.

Valdrova panicked.

"W-Why are you crying?"

"It's just... I'm so glad I insisted on talking with Lady Valdrova. There's really no one else I can have conversations like this with."

"What are the other young ladies like?"

"They're completely different! Whenever I say I enjoy cooking, they look down on me and say that's work for commoner maids! They tell me I should prepare to marry into some insignificant family that can't even afford cooks!"

"That's awful."

"Exactly! I'm cooking for the people I love! Why are they so bothered by that? People who only know how to receive and never appreciate anything are no different from beasts, aren't they?"

"Yeah... they are."

"And wealth or family status isn't everything. Even if two people are pushed into marriage by their families, if they're willing to understand each other... that can become love too, can't it?"

Valdrova felt the words resonate deep inside her heart.

They perfectly described how she felt toward Ferda.

Maybe...

Maybe this girl is someone I can truly share these feelings with.

"Lyudmila..."

"Yes, Your Grace."

"I-I know this may sound strange..."

"It won't! You can tell me anything!"

"Then..."

"...Would you be my friend?"

Valdrova feared she'd stunned her speechless.

Instead...

Lyudmila's eyes sparkled like the sun itself.

"Of course! I was going to ask you the same thing! I kept thinking how wonderful it would be if we became friends!"

Lyudmila stood up and tightly clasped Valdrova's hands.

"I'm so happy I could become your friend."

Valdrova was startled by the sudden gesture.

But only for a moment.

Unlike other noble ladies...

Lyudmila's hands were slightly rough.

"I'm really happy... to become your friend too, Lyudmila."

She loved those rough hands so much...

She kept gently stroking them as though they were silk.

***

While the girls enjoyed their time in the garden...

Ferda was in his office with Arwen and Zed.

"HAHAHAHA!! That's absolutely priceless!"

Zed laughed so loudly the castle shook.

Arwen frowned.

"What exactly is so funny?"

"Come on, how could it not be? Your future brothers-in-law spent the entire spar trying to hit you in the crotch! That's hilarious!" 1

Life was a tragedy up close...

A comedy from afar.

To Zed, it was comedy.

To Arwen, it had nearly become a horrific tragedy.

To Ferda...

It made little difference.

"You look surprisingly fine considering how brutal it sounds."

"I may look fine, but I passed out three times. They deliberately avoided my face and relentlessly targeted my crotch, so guarding against it was... awkward..."

"Hah! The young master of House Purity doesn't just create qualifications when they don't exist—he creates disqualifications too."

Zed burst into laughter again.

"Getting completely wrapped around a woman's finger... What kind of man does that?"

He continued mercilessly teasing Arwen.

Ferda looked at Zed with exasperation.

"I don't think you're in any position to say that."

"...Me?"

"Aren't you completely under the thumb of the Merchant Guild Master?"

Zed visibly flinched.

"What are you talking about? Since when? I'm still charming women everywhere. Just like always..."

"When I saw you last time... weren't you asking for permission?"

"Oh dear! I just remembered something important! I'd better get going! It's been fun!"

"Right. Your wife is calling."

Realizing he was losing the argument, Zed fled immediately.

Ferda watched him leave with a disappointed sigh.

"...Regent."

Arwen lowered his head.

"Yes?"

"Could you... keep something confidential? You seem trustworthy, and... I really don't have anyone else I can tell."

"Go ahead."

"This is only between us..."

The knight stumbled over his words.

"That incident..."

"...Wasn't... mutually agreed upon."

"...What are you saying? You actually forced yourself on her?"

"...No."

He painfully continued.

"I'm just saying..."

"...I wasn't the one who did the forcing."

"..."

Ferda understood immediately.

His eyes drifted over Arwen's physique.

Even ten seasoned soldiers charging together would struggle to subdue him.

Yet this mountain of a man claimed he'd been overpowered by a woman.

"Was she really that strong?"

"No... She was quite delicate. That's why..."

"So you couldn't use your strength. But you still could've restrained her."

"Lyudmila said..."

'Forget chivalry. If you don't hold me right now, I'll assume you don't love me and go get engaged to someone else.'

"...That sounds like blackmail."

"...Yes."

"..."

Now Ferda could finally picture it.

Wait...

What if that innocent personality of Lyudmila's also hid the careful calculations of a noble lady?

A duke's daughter.

A frontier knight.

If Lyudmila had already understood that the gap between them was impossible to bridge...

Had she simply introduced Arwen as the man she loved...

Not only they themselves, but even Valeri Purity, the head of the house, would have opposed it.

Another noble lady might have staged some childish rebellion against her family.

Lyudmila had chosen a different route.

She had caused an irreversible incident instead.

She already knew...

It was easier to ask forgiveness than permission.

Ferda thought to himself.

If this entire engagement had unfolded so smoothly because she'd planned it from the very beginning...

Just then...

The garden doors opened.

Valdrova and Lyudmila walked out side by side, chatting endlessly.

Only after spotting Ferda did they finally stop talking.

Valdrova awkwardly brushed back her hair.

Lyudmila smiled at her bashful reaction before clearing her throat.

"I had a wonderful time today. I hope we can have another gathering like this with Your Grace the Grand Duchess."

"Any... anytime... would be... fine..."

Valdrova replied in an awkward royal tone.

With other people present, she couldn't help becoming self-conscious.

"When should we meet? Oh, no, it would be rude for me to decide, wouldn't it? Whenever Your Grace wishes! Just send me a letter without any hesitation, and I'll come running like an arrow!"

"O-Okay..."

Valdrova smiled at her energetic enthusiasm.

Even after boarding her carriage, Lyudmila continued waving until the very end.

Valdrova waved back until the carriage disappeared.

"Did you enjoy yourself?"

Valdrova nodded.

"Yes... Very much. Lyudmila seems to be good at everything I'm interested in."

"I'm glad to hear that."

The feeling was much like when she'd first spoken about Penelope.

Ferda sighed inwardly in relief.

At last... she's made a friend who truly feels like a friend.

"Lyudmila is getting married later this year."

"She's of marriageable age... and, well... a lot has happened."

"I see."

A trace of envy escaped with Valdrova's sigh.

"Lyudmila said..."

"Yes?"

"If I want to get married sooner..."

"...I should try forcing myself on you, Mr. Ferda."

"..."

"What do you think she meant by that?"

"...I... honestly have no idea."

Perhaps...

Having a friend wasn't something to celebrate unconditionally after all.