“Lady Scarlet, please slow down!”

I ignored my attendant, continuing to briskly stride forward. Commoners were honestly such nuisances. If they wished to stand by my side, then they should match my steps at the very least.

To make matters worse, I’d been forced to come to Avalyne Academy of all places. While it was once a respectable academy, its current ruined state was nothing more than a stain on our glorious empire, and even while it still stood proudly, the amount of unsavory individuals in attendance was simply far too high.

Firstly, there was Isabella Rosenhall. While she may be a fellow ducal heiress, her attitude and bearing was just so ignoble that I simply couldn’t stand it. Had she not been a member of House Rosenhall, I never would’ve invited her to any of my tea parties or galas.

Then, there was Bastiche Revelo, a misguided fool who only ever knew how to obsess over his knight. I’ll give him points for his loyalty toward Dame Ritya, but to refuse an invitation to the Imperial Academy merely for the sake of staying by his knight’s side? How utterly foolish. If he were a worthy ducal heir, he would have simply leveraged the proper connections to grant Dame Ritya admission as well.

Lastly, there was Viviane Castellia. I honestly don’t understand how the daughter of a highly accomplished knight and a famous general turned out so weak and pathetic. I’d only met her once during her social debut, but she wouldn’t even look me in the eyes. At first, I thought she was attempting to disrespect me by withholding her attention, but I later realized that she was just woefully inept when it came to social interaction.

How the hell am I the only ducal heiress that has any measure of competence? I shook my head in disappointment as I rounded the corner, eager to reach the infirmary so I could grab my idiotic knight and get out of this dismal place.

“Ugh!”

“Uwaah!”

It felt like I’d ran into a brick wall. I stumbled instantly upon colliding with the blonde-haired noblewoman who had turned the corner at the same time as I did, crashing onto my derriere in a rather inelegant manner. Embarrassing as it was, I had no one to blame but myself for rushing ahead without heed to my surroundings.

I looked across from me, expecting to see the other noblewoman similarly collapsed. Surprisingly, she hadn’t even budged and was now leaning down, graciously extending a helping hand toward me. I took it gratefully and she pulled me up as if I were no lighter than a feather.

“My apologies,” the noblewoman said as she curtsied almost perfectly. There were only a few minor nitpicks I could see in her form from a cursory glance, but it was clear to me that she had otherwise been taught by an expert in etiquette. “I was in a hurry and lost track of my surroundings. I hope you’ll forgive me.”

“Of course,” I replied, returning her curtsy and making sure to emphasize my perfect form. It wasn’t as if I were declaring that I was better than her. Rather, she seemed like the type of noblewoman worth befriending, so I hoped she could pick up some of my better habits. “The fault lies with my own negligence to begin with.”

“N-No, of course not! I was the one who was rushing!”

I quickly realized that she wouldn’t be willing to accept that the incident was entirely my fault, and I was sure that she knew I wouldn’t allow her to blame herself. It left us at an impasse, but just as I was about to suggest a compromise, the other noblewoman burst out in laughter.

“Perhaps both of us should watch our steps more attentively in the future,” she smiled warmly. “I am Viviane Aspera di Castellia. May I have the pleasure of knowing your name?”

Viviane...? This is Viviane...!? My eyes widened, and though I parted my lips to respond, my voice faltered. I simply couldn’t believe it. Sure, people could change, but it had only been four years since I last saw her. During her social debut, she had been shy, silent, and unassuming, yet right before me was a beautiful and poised noblewoman whose hair shone like the sun.

She fixed me with her iridescent golden eyes as she waited for my answer, the light streaming through the cracked window behind her diffusing into an empyreal aura. Her back was straight, and she met my gaze with absolutely no trouble at all, leaving me wondering just what happened during the course of those four years to turn her into such a model noblewoman.

“I am Scarlet Elyon di Avimorne. Pleased to meet you on this auspicious day blessed by the sun, Lady Viviane.” I held my head high as I defeated the initial shock that had overcome me for a moment. Charismatic as she may now be, there was no need to act deferential. After all, we were both ducal heiresses and while Lady Viviane might bear the appearance of an exemplary noblewoman, she was still nothing compared to me.

“Ah, Lady Scarlet. I recall that we have met before. I believe it was four years ago?” Lady Viviane placed a finger on her chin as she sifted through her memories. It was a rather charming gesture, and though I thought it cute, I could hardly make such a callous remark. “Ah, yes. I remember now. You greeted me during our social debut, but I rudely avoided your gaze and failed to even return your curtsy. You have my deepest apologies.”

Had it not been for the countless hours I’d put into perfecting my noble visage, I would have flinched. Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought she’d remember such a thing. I plastered a smile on my lips and gave her a refined giggle as I snapped my hand fan open, hiding the lower portion of my face with it.

It was a defensive technique that I’d cultivated during my tenure at the Imperial Academy and in the social events that I’d attended prior to my enrolment there. Not only did it serve to hide my true emotions, but it also allowed me to give off a sense of detachment while still appearing graceful.

“You need not apologize for things from so long ago, Lady Viviane. They are no more than grains of sand on the shore of life, and the waves of time wash them away in the blink of an eye.”

“But that is all the more reason why I must make amends, Lady Scarlet,” Lady Viviane said as her golden eyes sparkled in a way that was so mesmerizing, I simply couldn’t tear my eyes away from them. “Before those grains of sand become lost in the ocean of time, must I not wash away the grime that coats them lest they pollute the waters?”

I blinked, her elegant response catching me off guard. “...Perhaps you are right, Lady Viviane.” I snapped my hand fan shut. “Then could I be so bold as to ask if you could guide me to my destination as we cement our newfound friendship?”

Though I was still cautious, her reply had been straightforward enough. She hadn’t brought the topic up in an attempt to slight me or elevate her newfound confidence, but rather to offer me a genuine apology. There was simply no other choice than to respect her nobility.

“Of course,” Lady Viviane said. “Truth be told, my appointment is not too urgent despite my eager rushing earlier, so I would be more than happy to lend you a hand. Where is it that you wish to go, Lady Scarlet?”

Honestly, the reason why I had been walking through the hallways in such an uncouth manner earlier was not because I was truly that rushed. Rather, it was because I was unfathomably frustrated. Thanks to the attack on the building, its interior became horrifically disfigured and the entire structure was nothing short of labyrinthine.

The utter lack of any signage was also quite an annoyance, but I couldn’t expect too much of the administration here. After all, there were very few competent instructors left following the draft and I’d heard that they’ve even begun requisitioning students to help with the reconstruction efforts. It was disgusting to say the least. I never thought there would be a day where I witnessed how woefully short-staffed our empire became.

Truly, we had become complacent, foisting everything onto House Castellia and ignoring our own internal security as we deluded ourselves into thinking that so long as the northern border was secure, we would never face a threat of this magnitude.

It was just strange, honestly. Even the imperial order has been degenerating ever since Sir Padraig was demoted to Captain ten years ago. Back then, the empire was booming and flush with knights. We had just slain what we thought was the last remaining witch, and the empire had been prosperous.

But ever since that damned Commander Keith replaced Sir Padraig as commander of the Imperial Knights, the knight order began suffering a steep decline with many of the knights leaving to find other jobs or even defecting to different countries. Worse yet, the Round Table even began showing strange signs of favoritism, using their power to elevate those who were connected to a member of the Table despite needing to remain impartial.

However, now was not the time for me to bemoan the empire’s circumstances. A beautiful noblewoman who I’d once thought incompetent was waiting for my answer, and honestly... she wasn’t the only one who had something to apologize for in regards to the past four years.

“I would appreciate it if you would help me find the way to the infirmary, Lady Viviane.”

Lady Viviane flashed me a glowing smile. “Of course!”

“And... one more thing before we go.”

“Hm?”

“I’m sorry. I never even thought to invite you to any of my tea parties or gatherings over the past four years because I... I thought you were incompetent when we first met, but now I see that it is clearly not the case.”

Lady Viviane shook her head as she laughed. “Please, Lady Scarlet. My incompetence is still plain to see. Even now, I’m worrying if I’ve somehow offended you.”

“Of course not, Lady Viviane. You’ve been very courteous.”

I exchanged a gentle smile with Lady Viviane, and though I’d only just met her mere moments ago, I felt like for the first time in my life, I’d found someone who I didn’t need to wear a mask around.

This feeling only surged as we walked through the hallways of the academy, some crumbled and some not. Surprisingly, we had many interests in common, and I learned that she was a rather experienced crocheter just like me. It wasn’t exactly a popular hobby amongst noblewomen due to the risk it posed to our delicate fingers, but it was calming to me, and I was glad to see that Lady Viviane thought the same.

“We’re here!” Lady Viviane announced as we stopped in front of the infirmary doors.

I stifled a sigh and the urge to state how I wished the infirmary was further so that I could’ve spoken with her for longer. “Thank you very much, Lady Viviane. Ah, out of curiosity, why was it that you chose to attend Avalyne Academy instead of the much more prestigious Imperial Academy?”

Lady Viviane tilted her head in confusion. “Why Lady Scarlet... It was simply because I never received an invitation.”

My hands flew over my mouth as I realized how careless I’d been. I’d simply assumed that she received an invitation like all the other children of the ducal families! Well... Not all of them. While most of them did, I had leveraged my influence and connections to specifically exclude Isabella from the mailing list. I did not need her despicable presence staining my precious academy.

“M-My apologies, Lady Viviane! It was rude of me to simply assume that you’d been invited...!”

Lady Viviane shook her head, and her eyes seemed to stare off into the distance as she responded. “It’s quite alright, Lady Scarlet. Rather, I am glad that I was not given the choice to attend the Imperial Academy, for if I had gone there instead... I would not be who I am today.”

“...I see.” That was about as much as I could manage. It would be presumptuous of me to question the details of her life when we had met so recently, and this was not a friendship I intended to ruin before it even began to bud.

“Now it is my turn to ask you a question, Lady Scarlet, and I hope I am not prying too much. Who is it that you are visiting? I’ve been working a little here at the infirmary, so I may be able to help you locate them.”

“Ah, you need not worry, Lady Viviane.” I replied. “‘Tis not a private matter. I am merely here to retrieve my knight and his younger sister whom he attended the festival with. I was given notice that they had been treated here after sustaining injuries during the attack.”

“Lady Scarlet’s knight...” Lady Viviane frowned. “No knights in treatment have claimed such a title, but I can take you to see the knights who are currently bedridden.”

I nodded in response. “That would be much appreciated.”

However, when we visited the rows of beds occupied by injured knights, I could not find mine among them. Though there were few children who remained in the infirmary since they were given priority for treatment, we looked them over as well in an attempt to find my knight’s younger sister but she was not among them.

“Perhaps we should check the discharge logs...” Lady Viviane suggested. “Unfortunately, I don’t have access to them and it appears that the nurses are busy.”

I shrugged. “If he is not here, then he must have recovered. Perhaps he is elsewhere on the academy grounds.”

“That could be possible,” Lady Viviane agreed. “Then let’s—”

“Viviane! So this is where you were! Didn’t we agree to meet at the training grounds!?”

I turned to look at the person who had so brazenly shouted at Lady Viviane without even appending the proper form of address to her name. It was a silver-haired woman who wore a plain set of clothes along with a breastplate that looked haphazardly strapped on top. Based on her rude manner and the idiotic way she was grinning at Lady Viviane, I surmised that she was nothing more than a common soldier.

“Silence, commoner,” I glared at her, speaking in an imperious tone that was sure to put the fear of Aluvsha in any idiot soldier. “How dare you address Lady Viviane in such a boorish manner? Do you wish to be whipped like the dog you are?”

The silver-haired soldier stared at me for a second and then turned to Lady Viviane. “Who the hell is this sassy bitch?”

“W-What did you just call me!? How dare you!”

“L-Lady Scarlet, please calm down!” Lady Viviane said, stepping between the two of us. “This is my knight Medrauta.”

“...Huh?” I couldn’t help but make such an uncultured sound. “W-What do you mean she’s your knight, Lady Viviane!? She’s a woman!”

The moment those words left my lips, I was immediately treated to an even more confusing sight. The knight called Medrauta wrapped an arm against Lady Viviane’s waist, pulled her close, and kissed her on the cheek! J-Just what kind of indecency was this stupid knight trying to corrupt me with!?

“Oh come on, Vivi. I’m more than just your knight, aren’t I?”

“M-Medrauta! I told you not to do that in front of people!”

“But you have to introduce me properly, otherwise she might try to whip me...”

Lady Viviane reached up and flicked Medrauta on the forehead. “I’ll whip you myself if you keep doing stuff like this,” she said before turning her attention back to me. “You heard correctly, Lady Scarlet. Dame Medrauta is my knight and also my lover. I would appreciate it if you treat her with as much respect as you treat me.”

I was stunned speechless. While same-sex relationships and marriages weren’t prohibited by law, they were rare since the church refused to officiate them and perform the necessary ritual of vows needed to properly unite a couple. If a same-sex couple managed to wed in another country, their status would be recognized due to the binding vows given under Aluvsha’s witness, but that was just one of the many reasons why travel outside of the empire required imperial permission.

Personally, the idea of romance had never even crossed my mind. As current heiress to House Avimorne and second eldest amongst five siblings, I was constantly besieged by the machinations of my older brother and my younger siblings who sought to take my coveted seat from under me. Not only that, but I had to deal with the plethora of work and socializing that was pushed my way.

There had been no time for romance at all, but if I were to give it some consideration...

...Maybe someone like Lady Viviane wouldn’t be so bad to have at my side.

My eyes flickered to Dame Medrauta, and as her blue met my burgundy, a moment of understanding passed between us.

“My deepest apologies for my earlier rudeness, Dame Medrauta,” I curtsied.

“It’s fine,” Dame Medrauta grinned. “You were just looking out for Viviane, right?”

I nodded.

“By the way... You are Lady Scarlet, yes? There was a knight who came down to the training grounds just a couple minutes ago who kept screaming about how much better he was than everyone because he was from the Imperial Academy... Might you know anything about that?”

Ah... He’s doing it again, isn’t he? I couldn’t help it as my left eye twitched in anger. “My apologies, I will deal with him immediately if you would be so kind as to show me to the training grounds.”

“Right this way,” Dame Medrauta gestured to the infirmary’s exit. “We’d better get there quick before he gets too hurt.”

Though the three of us walked briskly, when we arrived, I could barely recognize my knight.

“...Lucas. What the hell were you thinking?” I glared furiously at my knight’s prone form from above. I had no idea what happened to him, but standing across from him was a lavender-haired knight with the goofiest grin I’d ever seen. In fact, her expression looked so stupid that I could feel myself losing brain cells just by looking at her.

“Ahm sobwy...” Lucas managed to reply. He had been beaten so badly, he could barely speak.

“D-Don’t be mad at big bro!” A high-pitched voice came from beside me as a small girl tugged on the hem of my dress. “I-It was all my fault! I said the knights looked so cool when they were fighting and he just wanted to show me how much cooler he was!”

...What the hell? I couldn’t help but feel a little bit of my anger begin to abate as I looked at the girl’s tearful eyes. “Very well, but next time this happens, you need to make sure your big brother doesn’t start charging in and fighting other knights, okay?”

“O-Okay...!”

While I spoke with Lucas’ little sister, Deborah, it seemed that Dame Medrauta had taken the liberty of helping my knight up and giving him a quick medical checkup while Lady Viviane told the knights to disperse.

It seemed like quite a few of them had formed a circle and had been staring at Lucas with quite some animosity as they had obviously been waiting their turn to pound him into oblivion. He wasn’t exactly a terrible knight and we were capable of winning matches thanks to my powerful Crest, but I did wish he would be more responsible.

“How long do you plan on staying here, Lady Scarlet?” Medrauta asked me as she allowed my idiotic knight to lean on her shoulder.

“I was hoping to leave immediately,” I replied with a frown. “Does he require further medical treatment?”

“Pretty much. I don’t know what happened since I decided to go find Viviane while the other knights dealt with him, but I think Melindra there forgot to hold back. Other than his visible injuries, he’s got a few broken ribs and a pretty bad concussion. Might be better to let him rest here.”

“No. I will not change my plans because my knight decided to act foolishly. He will now reap what he has sown as we return to the Imperial Academy,” I said firmly as I eyed Lucas. “However, I thank both you and Lady Viviane for your assistance and I hope we can keep in touch.”

“...Y’know, given how he managed to provoke everyone here, I can’t say I disagree with you, Lady Scarlet. May I escort you to the gates?”

“Please do,” I said. Though I didn’t exactly need an escort, I had a feeling that Lady Viviane would come along, and I was pleased to see that I was right.

While I understood that Lady Viviane was a taken woman, I couldn’t help but think that there wasn’t anyone who was a better match for me. Yes, it was uncharacteristically impulsive for me to make such a concrete decision, but... Even though the time we spent together was brief, I felt comfortable and free next to her.

I didn’t have to put on airs or be the perfect noblewoman. Of course, I still wanted to appear perfect in front of her, but I could speak to her about so many things that I couldn’t with others. My hobbies, my dreams, and perhaps even my troubles in the future. Whatever we spoke about, she responded warmly and without judgment unlike the two-faced nobles I’d conversed with since birth.

I sighed for what was probably the hundredth time as I stared out the window of my carriage. 

Our parting had been regrettably quick, and though I attempted to strike up more conversation with Lady Viviane before my departure, the presence of my knight managed to hamper those attempts quite significantly.

In the end, all I could do was make negligible small talk until we reached my carriage and said our farewells. She had promised to write to me, but I still felt slightly vexed for some reason.

Is it because Lady Viviane is taken...? I shook my head. That wasn’t it. She was happy in her relationship with Dame Medrauta, and even a fool could see that from first glance. I had no desire to wish ill on her happiness nor did I desire to make her my possession merely because she had caught my fancy.

Then it has to be... My eyes widened in realization. Yes, there was no other reason. My annoyance came not from their relationship, but from my lack of a relationship. All my life, I’d eschewed love in favor of becoming a noblewoman fit to inherit House Avimorne. Even now, I didn’t know if what I felt for Lady Viviane was truly love, but even so, I just couldn’t help thinking...

...Wouldn’t it be nice if I had a knight with a personality like Lady Viviane’s?