As Duke Alway finished his conversation with Olivier and it was time for him to depart, Hannelore and Yeny went to see him off.
Trane remained behind to tidy up, as did Pfeil.
“Doesn’t Lady Hanne intend to return to the mansion?”
“What is it, Pfeil? Why the sudden question?”
Trane, though maintaining a poker face, expressed her confusion at Pfeil’s unexpected query.
“No, I was just curious. While not captured, Cornelia Alway is finished. Shouldn’t Lady Hanne, as the main wife, return to her rightful place?”
“Both Lady Hannelore and Olivier have no intention of abandoning their current lives.”
“Why not?”
“Even if Cornelia Alway, who had been threatening Lady Hannelore, can no longer act, there are other consorts. Surely, there won’t be any fools who would try to harm Lady Hannelore, but they wouldn’t be pleased. Both of them understand this, so they have no intention of returning to the main family and stirring up unnecessary ripples.”
Trane, in turn, wished for Hannelore and Olivier to return to the main family. It was their rightful place.
However, the individuals themselves did not desire it.
Hannelore felt a sense of guilt for not fulfilling her duties as the main wife, even if it was due to unavoidable circumstances, and for living in a separate residence. Above all, she did not want to cause any further trouble by returning to the main family. More importantly, she disliked the idea of causing Olivier, who had already gone through so much hardship, further trouble.
Olivier felt the same. She, too, had abandoned her role as the eldest daughter of the Ducal Family to continuously protect her mother. While anyone who knew the circumstances might say it was unavoidable, Olivier herself felt responsible. She couldn’t bring herself to tell Olivier to return to the main family.
Most importantly, Olivier seemed happy now. She was engaged to Jared Murphy, an individual she had finally met and could trust, and was slowly but surely reclaiming her delayed youth.
Olivier, who fluctuated with her feelings with Jared daily, was, from Trane’s perspective, genuinely endearing and heartwarming.
“If Lady Hannelore returns to the main family and Olivier were to claim her position as the eldest daughter of the Ducal Family, her engagement to Jared might be nullified. I doubt either of them would wish for that.”
“Likely, Duke Alway wouldn’t wish for that either.”
Olivier fulfilled the minimum duties expected of a lady of the Ducal Family. However, if one were to truly consider the family’s interests, a marriage to Jared Murphy, the grandson of Baron Daum, however loyal a retainer he was, would be difficult.
Even with the reason of securing a magician who would be chosen as a Court Mage Candidate, Olivier wasn’t strictly necessary for that.
Although Olivier was considered past her prime age, the title of eldest daughter held significant weight in strengthening family ties.
Thanks to the bad rumors spread by Emilia, and Olivier’s own actions in riding the coattails of those rumors, there were currently no peculiar individuals seeking to marry her. However, there were those who would marry her merely for form’s sake and gain benefits.
To Olivier, Jared had become an indispensable existence. The Duke knew this and didn’t try to separate them, but one never knew what life would bring. Therefore, Olivier chose a life with her mother, Trane, and Jared, without returning to the main family.
“Yes, someone like Jared is rare. Though it might be rude to say he was in a difficult situation—as the eldest son, he couldn’t inherit the family estate, had a strained relationship with his father, and while his relationship with his newly married stepmother seems good, I’ve heard his relationship with his consorts is terrible. Despite all that, his willingness to be hurt for someone and to protect them is wonderful. If it’s Jared, Olivier can be entrusted to him with peace of mind.”
Although Trane was younger than Olivier, Pfeil felt as if an older sister were doting on her younger sibling.
Pfeil, for that matter, didn’t know the circumstances under which Trane came to be with Olivier and the others.
“There’s a slight age difference, but Jared doesn’t seem to mind, so there’s no problem.”
“…Slight?”
“Slight. Besides, if a younger person was preferred, Lady Yeny is here, so Olivier can grow as an older wife from now on.”
“I feel like that’s not quite right, but… well, that’s fine. More importantly, Trane Gresler, I have something to ask you.”
“Me?”
After confirming they were alone, he asked.
“Why is someone like you working as a maid in this mansion?”
“I don’t understand the intent of your question…”
“I heard that you defended this mansion alone until Jared appeared. Even if the enemy was a lower-ranked adventurer, I was curious where you learned your combat skills.”
Though her expression didn’t change, Trane exuded an aura of caution. However, Pfeil continued.
“The other day, I saw you fight and became certain. Trane Gresler, your fighting style is… that of Waalthe.”
“That’s impossible. It can’t be.”
“Is that so? I remember someone who fought with a similar style. A person who was reported dead on a mission a few years ago. Though the name may be different, you bear a resemblance to her.”
“Unfortunately, you are mistaken. I have never belonged to Waalthe. In fact, before that, I was never taught to fight by anyone. I learned to fight through self-study, wanting to protect Olivier and Hannelore.”
Trane’s words caused Pfeil to widen his eyes in slight surprise.
“Self-taught?”
“Yes. I learned the basics of combat from books in the mansion, and then I learned through practical experience as needed. Fortunately, I was blessed with magic power, so my fighting style is one of brute force. Until Jared arrived, I was able to protect Olivier and the others.”
“I see…”
Trane’s fighting style was one that skillfully applied acquired knowledge in practical situations. While it was true that her style had an aspect of brute force, the fact that she had survived facing multiple adventurers was undeniable.
And, from Pfeil’s perspective, she possessed both impressive magic power and skill.
“I’ve started learning the basics of magic from Jared, so I believe I can protect Olivier and the others even better in the future.”
“In that case, I will teach you combat techniques as well.”
“…Would that be alright?”
“It’s fine. I won’t teach you Waalthe’s techniques, only those essential for any combatant. Your fighting style is somewhat rough and dangerous. Though, Jared is also rough and dangerous, you appear more so.”
“Thank you.”
“If Jared teaches you magic and I teach you combat techniques, your skills will undoubtedly improve. Then, you will be able to protect those you wish to protect even more.”
Whether out of caprice or not, Trane gratefully bowed deeply to Pfeil’s offer.
The option of not having to fight because Jared was there simply did not exist in her mind.
Just as she had protected Olivier and the others until now, Trane was determined to continue protecting them.
And, if possible, she even wanted to protect Jared, who had said he would protect her.
The peaceful daily life in the mansion, where they once lived modestly, was gone.
With Jared’s arrival, the mansion became brighter. Olivier was experiencing her first love, and Hannelore watched her daughter with fondness. Yeny, Jared’s cousin, also came to live with them, adding even more light to the mansion. And now, even Pfeil, who was once an enemy, was living with them.
It wasn’t just Hannelore and Olivier who didn’t want to let go of their current lives; Trane felt the same.
“No need for thanks. We will conduct training when I find the time. I will discuss it with Jared as well.”
“I understand.”
When she looked up, Pfeil was already turning his back and heading towards the mansion.
“Um…”
“What is it?”
Trane, wondering why she was speaking out, voiced the question that was on her mind.
“What is your relationship with the person whose fighting style is similar to mine?”
She had no intention of prying into his private life, but Trane, who had become curious, saw a nostalgic smile on Pfeil’s face.
“—She’s my older sister.”
