kscans

Chapter 53 - The Exam Results Are, of course...

"I wonder when the results will get here…"

The exam results were said to be delivered by mail. I was confident about the Knight Order's written test, but that was just my own opinion. It was entirely possible that others had scored far above me. Incidentally, my practical exam was a perfect score. When I asked the instructor to point out any flaws, he just said, 'Your form is so perfectly by-the-book that your sword movements might be easy to read. But for a noble lady, adding some originality shouldn't be a problem.' The practical exam included mock battles, basic sword forms, and destroying multiple targets in the shortest amount of time, among other things. The Knight Order needed to be able to respond to a variety of situations. As members, they were reliable figures who protected the country and its people. If selected, you might be assigned to guard the royal family, or your superiors might decide your aptitude lies in teaching and have you continue your service training new recruits.

As it happened, I had been looked down upon by the other participants who didn't know about that whole incident, so I took the opportunity to thoroughly trounce them in the mock battles. Whether that was a good thing or a bad thing, I don't know. By the end of the exam, some were even calling me 'Master.'

"I think it will be fine, but… by the way, Jif, Richel, and Alf."

"Yes, milady!"

"Is something the matter?"

"…?"

They turned to me, each with a different reaction. I had thought they looked rather busy, but for some reason, Richel was carrying a cake. Jif was giving orders to the other servants to make the mansion sparkle. And to top it all off, Alfred was holding a ridiculously large bouquet of roses.

"Richel, what's that cake for?"

"The master instructed me to prepare it."

"…May I ask why, just in case?"

"It's for your celebration, of course! Oh, you silly girl, milady!"

Richel said with a carefree smile, and both Jif and Alfred nodded in agreement. The results hadn't even arrived yet, so why were they already celebrating?

"It is per the master's word, who is certain you have passed."

"Jif, what if I failed?"

"Pardon?"

All three of them looked as if that were an impossibility, and a passing servant who overheard exclaimed, "There's no way you wouldn't pass, milady! Goodness me!" before walking away. I had certainly given it my all. Without reservation. But the possibility of 'what if' still existed, and I wanted to clutch my head in frustration. But if they were preparing a celebration, perhaps Father already knew the results. He was supposed to be home early today. Just as I resolved to catch him the moment he returned, he arrived.

"I'm home. What's this? Are the preparations not yet finished?"

"Welcome home, Father!"

"Ah, I'm back. What is it, Lupia?"

"Um, Father, do you happen to know the results of my Knight Order exam?"

Seeing my chance, I asked, only to be answered by a voice that wasn't my father's. "Of course she passed."

"Eh?"

Peeking out from behind my father was the final arbiter of the Knight Order and the highest authority in this country.

"U-Uncle?!"

"Hey there, Lupia, my dear, sweet niece!"

"…Why is His Majesty the King here…?"

"Right now, I'm just your relative, Uncle Rod!"

"Oh, I'm well aware. Thank you ever so much for having me so graciously monitored on that occasion."

"Huh?"

"Ah."

Rod might be king, but what was this about monitoring his own beloved daughter? Aristerios turned toward Rod, a demonic expression on his face that clearly read, Is that how little you trust her?

"Your Majesty, my wife and I would like to hear more about this later."

"I meant no harm!"

"I should hope not. …Honestly… you were probably pressured by some of the old guard nobles…"

"We've shown them Lupia's skill and your strength, but there are still fools who won't be convinced. Only a few, mind you."

"Even so…"

"It's alright, Father. I had those monitors deliver a message to His Majesty for me."

Monitors? Aristerios muttered, while Rod grumbled that he never expected his own elite unit to be discovered so easily. As for me, the only reason I'd been able to do it was thanks to Vernella being nearby, which prompted me to master presence detection magic. It wasn't something people usually bothered to research and practice. The number of people who did was overwhelmingly small.

"Let's set that aside for now. Uncle, the results…!"

"You passed, with flying colors. And thanks to you beating down every single person who gave you trouble, the noisy ones have finally shut up."

"You did well," Rod said, his large hand ruffling my hair. "Ah," I let out a small gasp, my blank expression slowly melting into one of pure joy.

"Your hard work paid off. Your studies, your practical skills, your simulations… you really, truly did well. It's only because you left that country that I finally get to see you with such a lively expression again. …My dear Lupia."

"Father…"

Rod, who had been stroking my head, nodded deeply.

"Is there anything else you want to do? If there's something you want to challenge besides your title as a member of the Knight Order, just tell Aristerios or me. We'll give you every opportunity."

"Uncle…"

"It might be favoritism, but it's only natural to want to give a future to someone who tries so hard."

My future as the Crown Princess was gone. But now, I could do other things I wanted to do.

"U-um."

"What is it?"

"Well, there's a qualification exam I'd like to try for! And also, um…"

"Lupia, wait. One thing at a time. But…"

"Ah, yes."

"First, let us celebrate your passing the Knight Order exam."

"…Ah."

Savoring the joy of having choices, I knew that no field of study would be wasted in my pursuit of following the strong, gentle back of my father. As a noble, I should learn everything I can. But I must not forget my duties. Seeing me look embarrassed for getting ahead of myself, Aristerios, Rod, Richel, Jif, and Alfred all let out sighs of relief. The Lupia from just a short while ago was gone. This was the real 'Lupia-Calmond.'

Those past days, when she had strictly disciplined herself as a ducal daughter and suppressed her own desires to serve her family, had undoubtedly been a good experience. As a result, in her former country, shameless rumors had spread everywhere—that her family was discordant, that Aristerios saw Lupia as nothing more than a tool. That was only in the capital; back in their domain, they were the 'close-knit and gentle Calmond Ducal Family.' Of course they were formal in public, but they knew when to relax. This was precisely why they were so warmly welcomed when they went to their territory.

In a safe place, surrounded by trustworthy people, she would smile like this. For the servants, seeing that was more precious than anything right now. Snapping back to reality, they hurried to prepare for the celebration.

"By the way, Rupert isn't here. Where did he go?"

Rod suddenly began looking around. He doted on the twins so much that he seemed unsettled unless they were together as a set.

"If it's Rupert, he went out shopping today."

"I see."

"He should be back soon. How about some tea in the meantime, Uncle?"

"Yes. And Millière?"

"Mother is with Rupert as well."

"Oh? You didn't go?"

"…I was too anxious waiting for the results."

I coughed, looking embarrassed. He ruffled my hair again, and just as we were about to head to the courtyard, Rupert and the others returned.

"We're home—oh, hey,…………… uhm."

"Rupert, our dear uncle is here today in his capacity as a 'relative.'"

"So it's okay to just say, 'Welcome, Uncle'?"

"Exactly."

Rod's face lit up at the sight of Rupert, while opposite him, my mother calmly analyzed the situation and explained it. It was a rather amusing scene, but it seemed there were more people with them.

"…Oh?"

"Lupia-san~!"

"Vernella?!"

"Hello, Lupia-san."

"Eh, Cassandra-sensei…?!"

Two figures had been partially hidden behind Rupert. One rushed over to me without hesitation, while the other shifted her position and gave me a warm smile.

"Lupia-san, our family has completed the procedures to move here, so we came to pay our respects! Mrs. Nieholm is with us, too!"

"It has been some time, Lady Calmond."

Startled, I hurried to return the curtsy to the cheerful Vernella and the gracefully bowing Cassandra.

"I must apologize for my delayed greetings, Mrs. Nieholm. It has been a long time."

"It is a relief to see you looking so well. I heard you underwent Memory Erasing Magic… honestly, you do such reckless things."

"Ah…"

"However, I believe it was a good choice."

I had tensed up, thinking I was about to be scolded, but the gaze directed at me was endlessly warm. A gentle warmth spread deep in my chest, a pleasant, ticklish feeling.

"And congratulations. May your future be filled with happiness."

"Sensei…"

While I had received education to be the Crown Princess, Cassandra had always interacted with me beyond that. To Cassandra, I was like a daughter in some ways, a very precious student.

"Thank you… very much…!"

As I bowed deeply from the waist, Vernella and Rupert stood by my side. And watching over them were the adults who protected them.

"Now, it's time for tea until the preparations are ready. Isn't that right, Lupia?"

"…Y-yes!"

"Lupia-san, could you tell me all about what's happened?"

"Yes, Sensei!"

"Lupia-san, please let me join in too!"

"Of course, Vernella."

As we spoke, we began to walk together. Alfred handed the bouquet to a maid and quickly followed after me. The celebration was sure to be a grand one. Until then, let's enjoy this quiet time. Surrounded by people I can trust, a truly pleasant time…