344 - Side Story: Leonardo's Perspective - Little Lady 7
Tina, coming out of the queen's bedroom, had a beaming smile on her face. Lately she had gotten good at putting on a composed front, but right now she could not hide her emotions at all. She had entered the bedroom with the quiet grace of a young lady, but when she came out, she wore a childlike smile befitting her age. Her face said she wanted to shake off Alf's escorting hand and come running over to me, but she managed to stop herself.
...No, to be precise, Alf held her back.
To Tina, who seemed to have completely forgotten proper young lady conduct like a scone gone from her head, escorting should have been merely a light touch on the hand, but Alf's hand was clasped firmly around her as if catching her. He could not let Tina's reputation fall by having a child running through the queen's detached palace, so Alf's action was correct.
As I followed behind as her guard, watching Tina glance back at me as if holding back the urge to run over, I recalled my surprise from a little while ago. This year, thanks to the Saenard Kingdom, I had been stationed at Lugmilama Fortress for an especially long period. Last year it was only through autumn, but this year I had been living apart from Tina for over eight months, from the end of winter to the middle of autumn. Eight months is a significant time for a child. When I saw Tina after eight months apart, she did not demand a hug upon meeting me like she used to with her "Hold me." Instead, she greeted me with a graceful young lady's curtsey. She had even grown a bit taller, which truly surprised me. I had thought Tina was still a child, but it seemed she had suddenly begun to grow.
Seeing Tina had acquired such graceful, lady-like manners, I felt proud that Saromon would be reassured. But on the other hand, watching Tina begin to climb the stairs to adulthood, I felt a sense of crisis. How many more years would she stay by my side? Tina says she will stay with me as my sister until she turns twenty, but will she really stay with me that long? Even though she is still at a girlish age, she is a girl nonetheless. I never know when she might change her mind and say, "I have met someone I like more than Big Brother" or "I am going to marry this person."
...Tina, who can marry in just two more years, and I have been apart from her for over eight months.
And after those eight months apart, we spent what little remained of autumn together, and then in winter I had to leave again to visit the four fortresses. This year, I simply had too little time with Tina.
...When I already have so little time with her, the age at which she can marry keeps drawing closer.
Tina says she has no plans to marry anywhere, but she has not even had her first love yet. Girls are simply a different species from boys, so I could not predict when her mind might change. Among women, some run off on terribly reckless actions once they fall in love. I have even met a woman who chased after a man saying she had fallen for him, and then when the man she chased started to take her seriously, she announced she was pregnant with another man's child. If anything like that happened to Tina before she married, I have confidence I could beat the man to death. But the real problem is Tina herself. Even Tina, who now says she knows nothing of love and has no interest, might someday fall for someone. When that time comes, I did not feel I could send her off without losing my composure.
...Speaking of girls growing up, Mirshe has gotten big too.
When I first saw her standing next to Tina at the Menhishumi Church, she was clearly shorter than Tina, but now she is the same height or a bit taller. Since Tina is shorter than even Elke and the others close to her age, I suppose Tina is petite while Mirshe is larger-built.
...I wonder how my sister (Mirshe) is doing now.
When I decided to purchase Mirshe, I remembered that my blood-related sister was also named Mirshe. I had tried not to think about family matters, and since those were childhood memories, they had grown vague lately. But I became a bit curious, so I had documents prepared to check, and indeed, my sister's name was Mirshe, no mistake. Until Tina pointed it out, I had thought I also had a younger brother, but that could have been either a younger brother or sister. And for that matter, if my mother had a stillbirth after I left home, it was possible neither of them existed at all.
...If it is a boy who takes after me, would he be big too? There is a chance he is a Black Knight.
I shook my head gently, rejecting the possibility that my younger siblings were never born. Stillbirths and miscarriages were not uncommon, but since I had thought of it, I wanted to believe they were alive somewhere.
...Should I search for Black Knights from my hometown? No, if they were the right age, would they be at Vilupe Fortress?
Vilupe Fortress was where those judged to have knightly aptitude were sent. It was essentially a knight training facility. In my case, I was sent to the fortress because of my large build. If I had a younger brother, he might have grown similarly large and found a path to knighthood.
...If he is alive, he would be about eight years younger than me... so seventeen or eighteen? Though the age I became a knight is hardly a reliable reference.
I responded to a soldier recruitment call because of my large build, was judged to have knightly aptitude, and was sent to Vilupe Fortress. I absorbed what was taught at the fortress smoothly, swordsmanship, horsemanship, and such, and for a commoner, the time I spent at Vilupe Fortress was unusually close to that of a White Knight. As a result, the youngest Silver-White Knight in history was born. If my younger brother is aiming to become a Black Knight and is at Vilupe Fortress, it should be about time for him to start showing promise. If someone like that existed, word might have spread at Vilupe Fortress.
...Should I make an appearance at Vilupe Fortress and see?
Being able to see the knight trainees being raised at Vilupe Fortress was a good opportunity. I could spot promising knights before they were assigned to a fortress, and Vilupe Fortress also trained Silver-White Knights. If I were to increase Tina's Silver-White Knight guard, it might be better to take knights who had not yet been assigned to anyone, rather than taking knights currently guarding the royalty. That way, I would not need to consider reassignments among the Silver-White Knights in the capital.
"Ow!?"
A pat on my thigh forcefully interrupted my thoughts. Wondering what had happened, I looked down at the spot where the pain had come from, and there was Tina's white hand resting on my thigh. Perhaps because she no longer sat on my lap lately, the impact that used to be delivered to my shins had changed to slapping my thigh. And if I did not notice her slapping my thigh, next she would tug at the unshaven stubble under my chin.
"What is it, Tina?"
"It seemed like you were making a face as if you were going to leave me behind again."
"It is your turn, Big Brother," she prompted, and I lowered my gaze to the Saik board. When she had first started playing, Tina complained she did not understand how to play and disliked it, but lately she seemed to favor Saik over Reversi. Before, I had handicapped myself by reducing my pieces to half or fewer, but now there was no need for any such adjustment. If anything, she made moves that caught me off guard, making her a formidable opponent I could not afford to underestimate. If she was this skilled at a war (Saik) disguised as a board game, I was a bit curious what kind of strategies she might devise if she were a military commander.
...Well, I would never send Tina to war anyway.
Prompted that it was my turn, I moved a knight piece. I had thought Tina would move a shield piece to counter my knight, but instead she moved a soldier piece from the edge of the board without moving her shield. Perhaps she intended to circle around and attack the knight from behind. I should watch my rear.
"...So, Leonardo Big Brother, what were you thinking about in the middle of our Saik game?"
"Hm? Oh, ...I was thinking I might make an appearance at Vilupe Fortress."
As a condition for Tina's return to the city of Grenore, I had been told to increase the number of her guards. I wanted to scout Silver-White Knights at Vilupe Fortress, and I also felt like checking on Jean-Jacques.
"Can I accompany you on this outing?"
"We are heading to Vilupe Fortress. I do not think it is a place you would enjoy..."
It would not be an interesting place for Tina, but the knights and knight trainees at Vilupe Fortress would likely welcome her. There were some female knights, but the fortress was almost entirely men. Even an ordinary woman showing her face would make them rejoice, so bringing a beautiful girl like Tina would probably have them shouting and going wild with joy. For Tina, who did not get along well with rough boys, it would not be a comfortable place.
"...What do you mean? I thought my long stint of being left home alone was over, but now I am being left home alone again?"
Tina furrowed her brows and glared at me. Frankly, it was not scary at all. If anything, it was adorable. A cute little sister like this was better off not brought to Vilupe Fortress. It was clearer than fire that bad bugs would swarm.
"If you come along, Tina, the travel time will be longer."
If Tina came along, we would need a carriage for travel. Additionally, two guards would have to accompany us, and a maid to take care of Tina would also need to come. In terms of expense, it was nothing like "just one more person." I set aside the matter of bad bugs and presented a reason that might convince Tina. If she judged it reasonable, she had always withdrawn most of her selfish demands.
"Like when we stopped by Waiyakku Valley on the way to the capital, let us just go quickly on horseback and come back quickly."
"Tina, you always collapse after a long trip. If you go to Vilupe Fortress and collapse after returning, going back to the city of Grenore might be delayed until next year."
"...I do not like that prospect, I must admit."
Tina pursed her lips in a pout and pretended to think. Unusually, she had not backed down when I mentioned the expense, but she seemed ready to yield when I said the return to Grenore would be delayed. Normally, I would think a child would want to stay in the capital, but Tina seemed to prefer life in Grenore over the detached palace. I felt I had not been able to spend much time with her in Grenore, but when I threatened that the return would be delayed, Tina readily showed signs of backing off. Still, she could not completely give up, occasionally stealing glances at me.
...Do not give in. No matter how cutely Tina begs, do not lose, me. To keep bad bugs away from Tina, the best thing is to not let her anywhere near Vilupe Fortress.
Vilupe Fortress had many young knights and youths undergoing training to become knights, besides the knights stationed there as instructors. It was a fortress almost entirely occupied by unmarried men, and the bad part was that there were plenty of knight trainees whose ages matched Tina's, who would be of marriageable age in just two years. It was absolutely not a place I wanted to bring Tina.
"...When you have finally come back, Leonardo Big Brother, being left home alone again is so lonely..."
Tina looked up at me, her blue eyes welling with tears. The impact of her cuteness was like being bludgeoned with a blunt object, but it seemed my little sister had learned the technique of crying to get her way.
Who!? Who taught Tina something like crying to get her way!?
There was no way Ms. Hartmann, who taught her lady-like conduct, would teach such a thing, so it must be from Tina's social circle. I tried to think of who might have put such unnecessary ideas into Tina's head, but I had no suspect in mind. The women close enough to influence Tina would be Felicia and Ms. Hartmann, but neither of them was the type to use tears. Felicia could rob someone of their will with just a glance, and Ms. Hartmann would carry out a logically reasoned persuasion. So where did she learn crying to get her way... as I thought about it, one person came to mind, even if it was not intentional.
Solana, Alfred's maid.
She was generally run ragged being dragged around by Alfred, but when she truly disliked something, she opposed him. Since she was defying a prince, after all, Solana's eyes would well with tears of fear, and yet her expression of determination, grinding her back teeth as she refused to yield an inch, could be seen as crying to get her way. Alfred had never been able to push his will past Solana when she made that face.
"The war is over, is it not? It should be safer than going to Lugmilama Fortress near the border."
To Tina, who was looking at me as if to say, "Please, Big Brother!" I searched for a suggestion she would dislike. No big brother could develop resistance to his little sister's pleas. At this rate, I would give in to Tina's demands and end up with bad bugs swarming her.
"...Vilupe Fortress is in the desert, you know? It will be tough."
It was almost a confession of defeat, the words I forced out. If Tina did not give up after this, I would have no choice but to take her. Since I had left her home alone for about a year including winter, perhaps Tina did not want to be separated from her big brother either.
"If you absolutely do not want to take me, Leonardo Big Brother, then fine."
"Oh?" I blinked at Tina's sudden change of stance. Perhaps I had made a particularly foolish face, because Tina let out a small laugh and then gave a beautiful young lady's smile.
"Instead, I will just assume you went to a brothel instead of Vilupe Fortress."
If you are going somewhere you cannot take your little sister, it must be a place too unsavory to mention aloud. Perhaps out of loneliness from being apart from her big brother, she might host a tea party, or attend invited tea parties. And if someone at those parties asked what her brother was doing, she would answer honestly but with veiled words, Tina said.
...First crying to get her way, and now threats!
This time I tried to think of who might have influenced her, but there were far too many candidates in the capital. Alf, Alfred, Felicia, Christoph, and even Ethelbert would all push their way through with smiles.
...I have stayed in the capital too long. Tina has become too much of a lady, and in a bad way.
To get my honest and cute Tina back, I might need to return to the city of Grenore as soon as possible.
In the end, it was decided that the outcome of our Saik game would determine whether Tina could accompany me to Vilupe Fortress. With a game deciding it, Tina's pleading and threats would be nullified. I thought this would let me keep Tina in the capital without bad bugs getting near her, but my thinking was naive. Kalisa was the strongest Saik player at Mandez Residence. Ms. Hartmann had used game records to spark Tina's interest in Saik, and as a social skill among nobles, had even drilled into Tina the ability to freely manipulate the board. Since Tina was not fixated on winning or losing, she normally won some and lost some, but once she decided to win, she carefully planned a strategy, thoroughly exploited my habits, and snatched victory.
"Good night, Leonardo Big Brother."
Having thoroughly beaten me at Saik, Tina was in high spirits as she kissed my cheek and entered her bedroom. She must be happy about having won the trip to Vilupe Fortress. Whether she was happy about going out, or happy about being with her big brother... if it was the latter, then that made me happy.
...My little sister is adorable. But she is steadily growing up.
I had not expected that when she came at me determined to win, I would lose to Tina. Adding crying to get her way and pushing through with smiles to her usual pleading was an unforeseen development, to say the least.
...When Tina gets married, what will I do?
It was not a joke. I had a feeling Tina would get married sooner rather than later. She said now she would stay with me until she turned twenty, but who knew what she would say if she found someone she wanted to marry.
...When Tina marries and settles down... should I look for a wife too?
I thought about what kind of woman I would want as a wife, and what came to mind was the memory of my first love. A cute girl with black hair.
...No, even if I found that girl, she would be old enough to be someone's wife by now.
That girl I first loved was surely the same age as me. Even if she married late, she would be old enough to have a couple of children by now.
...Huh? I cannot remember. What did she look like again?
She was a cute girl who caught my eye at first sight, but the more I tried to remember, the more her face became Tina's, perhaps because of the black hair impression. The image of my first love had been thoroughly overwritten by my current little sister's adorable face.
...This is seriously bad. I love my sister (Tina) too much, do I not.
If even my memories of first love had been painted over by my sister, I felt like I truly could not hope for my own marriage. I loved my sister too much. Unless I found a woman with a heart as broad as a saint, no one would want to marry me.
...I need to become a little less attached to my sister.
I feel like "Futile Effort" would also work as a subtitle. As I was writing, it occurred to me that Leonardo's younger siblings might have become Black Knights whose personalities exploded at Lugmilama Fortress.
Typos and errors to be corrected later. Fixed the typos and errors I found.