6 - Not Your Son, But Your Father
Episode 6
"I think so too? Raven is so smart! He understands my heart so well!"
Sera was so moved that her eyes welled up with tears.
What should I do? If I marry the Grand Duke, Sera will come up to the North with me, and then she'll realize that Raven is my Familiar...
It's the salary. I need to raise her salary.
The salary increase plan I tried last time unfortunately failed. Sera was adamant that even getting a health checkup from my doctor was too much for her.
But this time, I can't back down.
I made a firm decision in my heart and looked at Raven.
"Does something good happen if I go to the party?"
"Caw? Caw?"
Raven tilted his head as if he didn't know.
Hmm.
I adjusted my posture. I rested my chin on my hand and made a troubled expression.
"But I don't have a partner to go with."
"Caw!"
"Huh? You're going to be my partner?"
"Caw! Caw!"
"But think about the height difference. We can't dance together."
Sera, who had been listening quietly to my firm refusal, was dumbfounded.
"Is height the problem? Not the species?"
"Caw! Caw! Caw!"
Raven ran around the table, squawking as if frustrated. But I already realized what Raven was trying to say.
Edith Calakis would also be attending this imperial ball.
* * *
Sera tilted her head as she made the final adjustments to my dress the day before the imperial ball.
"The Young Master has been quiet lately. Do you think he's repented?"
It was true that Gilbert had been quiet for several days since Charles reprimanded him.
His attendants, who used to follow him, had also disappeared somewhere, and I hadn't seen them in a while.
But there was no way Gilbert had repented.
This was just like the short calm before a storm.
"I'm glad Sera is so positive."
Sera made a sullen expression.
"...Did I dream too big?"
I muttered as I went into the partition to take off my dress.
"It's about time for him to explode."
"Explode?! No, you mean he's been acting up all this time, and it's just the beginning?"
Sera was genuinely shocked.
Even as she neatly hung up the dress I had taken off, Sera shook her head.
When I came out after changing into a light indoor dress, Raven flew over.
He landed on my shoulder as if it were his designated seat, and squawked that my hair was in the way.
I had no choice but to tuck my hair behind my ears.
Gilbert Calakis is strong.
Most knights would only get beaten up if they attacked him.
Just because I didn't like Gilbert didn't mean I would deny the achievements he had made throughout his life.
But I didn't want to give in easily either.
I sat down on a chair and crossed my legs.
The imperial ball was a very important event for Gilbert, who dreamed of rising in status.
He wanted to become a Grand Duke, but he also wanted to establish himself in the capital.
He was more frustrated than anyone else with his adoptive father, who held power and wealth but was stuck in his room.
But Gilbert didn't have a partner yet.
And he hadn't withdrawn his position that he would marry me.
He would try to settle things today. Even if it meant using some force.
He would deliberately scare me a lot right before the ball, and then try to control me as he pleased.
Just like in the novel.
I could see what Gilbert was aiming for, so I let out a faint chuckle and said.
"Sera, bring the key. We need to open 'that' jewelry box."
Sera's eyes widened when she understood what I meant.
"Ah, Miss? Are you really going to use that?"
"Of course. It's something I've prepared for this day."
"Will it be okay?"
It was only natural that Sera was anxious because it was unprecedented.
I smiled softly at Sera.
"I don't make reckless gambles."
"Well, that's true, but..."
"Huh? Please."
When I sweetly asked with an eye attack, Sera hesitated.
"Ugh... That's cheating... Okay. I'll get it."
"Caw? Caw?"
Raven jumped up and down on my shoulder. He seemed to be asking what it was.
He'll find out soon anyway.
* * *
I spent most of the afternoon preparing for the ball, but it was still an ordinary day.
After dinner, I changed into riding clothes to get some light exercise.
Maybia Morgana was a rare beauty, but she was also prone to gaining weight.
But I couldn't give up eating, so I had to work hard to move around. I needed to sweat a little and get a full body massage.
"Alisa, are you ready?"
The golden-haired mare made a pleasant sound at my touch.
I climbed on in one go and grabbed the reins, and Alisa neighed to hurry up and leave.
At first, I made her walk slowly, but gradually increased the speed.
Alisa seemed a little dissatisfied because we had only been riding on a fixed course lately.
She made a cute fuss by deliberately making loud hoof sounds, so I let her run as much as she wanted.
My hair fluttered in the wind. Alisa was sprinting at full speed when suddenly a man jumped out from around the corner.
"Stop!"
Thanks to the bond we had formed since she was young, Alisa immediately obeyed my command even in her excited state.
Not only that, but she also lowered her breathing, wary of the silver-haired man blocking the road.
Gilbert Calakis was shamelessly evaluating Alisa.
"A well-trained horse."
Are you talking down to me right now?
This was the first time I'd seen a nobleman stalking a noble lady and still being so confident.
Well, I deliberately created the opportunity.
I practiced riding Alisa at the same time and place every day.
Gilbert must have thought it was a good opportunity to threaten me without being disturbed by anyone.
Alisa tensed up, feeling the subtle murderous intent that Gilbert was emitting.
I could feel her anxiety, even though she didn't drastically change her posture because of me.
"Because she has an excellent owner."
I gave him a reply for now. But his response was still ridiculous.
"I've heard that Marquess Morgana has a knack for horsemanship."
He was convinced that my father was the one who trained Alisa.
"Did you block my path just to praise my father?"
A sneer appeared on my lips.
Gilbert was wearing a sword at his waist.
Clearly intending to scare me, he flicked his fingers and repeatedly pulled the sword out of its scabbard.
"You don't know anything about my father."
"Thanks for the advice."
"Do you think he would be interested in a woman like you?"
Do you think I would be interested in a guy like you?
"Do you know why I chose the Grand Duke? It's a really simple reason. Because he's not Gilbert Calakis."
The life of Maybia Morgana in the novel was full of misfortune.
She married Gilbert at the age of nineteen, and thought he was too good for her.
Maybia stuttered and blushed every time she met Gilbert.
But Gilbert only found Maybia's appearance amusing.
As soon as they got married, Gilbert changed and abused Maybia, and had an affair with Monica.
He made the excuse that Maybia was weak and confined her to her room.
She withered away alone in a small space, and became very weak both physically and mentally.
That man did all of that.
Later, the Grand Duke found her and Rigen rescued her, but by then she was already...
"You'd better not speak carelessly."
Whatever.
I ignored him and soothed Alisa.
"A dog is barking somewhere. Let's go, Alisa."
"How dare you ignore me!"
Gilbert finally drew his sword. And immediately threw it at Alisa.
The sword flying in a straight line seemed to move slowly.
There was more than enough time to counterattack.
I pulled on the reins to make Alisa turn her body, and kicked away the rushing sword. The sword, hit by my boot, spun like a waterwheel in the air before plunging into the ground.
Gilbert was shocked.
"H-How?"
After briefly soothing Alisa, I jumped off her back.
"Hey."
"...What?"
"I've been using polite language with you, and you actually think you're worthy of being treated with respect."
I put my hand on my fitted vest.
Tuk, tuk, the buttons came undone.
I took off the vest and threw it at him.
I tore off the ribbon around my neck, tearing off one of the top buttons of my blouse as well, but I didn't even look at it and threw it away.
"I'll play along for the sake of your efforts to come all the way here. Let's have a good fight."
Gilbert couldn't even think about picking up his sword again, and just stared at me blankly.
He had no idea how I had blocked the sword he had thrown.
That was inevitable. Because this method had never been used anywhere at this point.
Go ahead and rack your brains.
Just as I was about to give him the most arrogant smile I could muster.
Someone was riding a horse at a frantic pace, looking for the dazed Gilbert.
