kscans

Chapter 64 - Episode 50: Returning Home, Part 2

She would make the most of her time off. Should she dive into reading, ask her father to train with her, or ask her mother to go shopping with her and Vernella? All sorts of plans and ideas floated through Lupia’s mind, appearing and disappearing in turn.

However, even though she was on break, those around her were still incredibly worried about her recent injury. Although healing magic had been applied, she had to have a doctor look at the wound on her neck. It wasn’t that they didn’t trust Vernella’s healing magic, but it was better to be safe than sorry. When her father and mother put it that way, even Lupia couldn't stubbornly refuse.

Furthermore, Cassandra was also informed, and as soon as the call connected through the magical communication device, she was scolded at an incredible volume: "What do you think you’re doing, you great fool!" As Lupia was leisurely thinking, This is just like back when I was being educated to be the Crown Princess candidate, Cassandra’s voice, now tearful, followed up with, "Do you have any idea how many people would grieve if you were gone?" That left her with nothing to say. A dejected Lupia was then scolded by Rupert with, "Of course they would, you idiot sister," and once again by Vernella with, "You big idiot, Sister-in-law."

"...You all say the same thing, you know."

At Lupia’s mutter, Tilmina, who was having tea with her, nearly sprayed her mouthful of tea all over her. The only reason she managed to hold it back was, without a doubt, because she was royalty. With a will of steel, she swallowed and then shot a sharp glare at the Lupia in front of her. Lupia instinctively tensed up, but Tilmina had no intention of paying it any mind. Does this girl even realize what she’s done…?! Tilmina’s gut was twisting in knots, but she couldn’t act on impulse. Taking a slow, deep breath, she rose from her seat and brought a sharp karate chop down on the head of the bewildered Lupia.

A satisfying thwack sound rang out. Yes, success! Tilmina thought, clenching her fist as a yelp escaped from Lupia.

"Ow!"

"Of course we’d say the same thing! You great fool!!"

Lupia, never imagining Tilmina would do such a thing, rubbed her head. And she had even called her a great fool. The chop itself hadn’t been that powerful, but the shock of ‘She would do something like this?’ was immense. As she rubbed her head, Lupia shot a glare at Tilmina, but the other girl was completely unfazed.

"Would you please not use your own life as a bargaining chip?! The Countess of Nyholm was right!"

"...Y-you don’t have to get that angry."

"Lupia, if you say that again, I’ll sew your mouth shut."

Was she always this hot-headed…? As Lupia stared blankly, Tilmina sat back down properly and let out another heavy sigh.

"...You really, truly! Your self-worth is so low at the worst possible moments, or rather, why do you always do things like this?! Will you let me punch you just once?!"

"What was that just now?"

"That doesn’t count, you idiot!"

She called me an idiot again… Lupia grumbled under her breath. The reason she was letting her guard down like this was because she was with her relatives. And that, in itself, made Tilmina genuinely happy. But she really wished she wouldn’t use herself as a bargaining chip. Tilmina had been shocked when she heard the details; depending on how things had gone, Lupia’s very existence could have been erased. If that had happened, not only Tilmina and the rest of their relatives, but many others, led by Vernella, would have been overcome with grief.

"You need to be more aware of how much you are loved and cherished by so many people! For crying out loud, everyone has been praising your work since you came to our country!"

"...Huh?"

"You passed the Knight Order exam in one go and got a perfect score on the written part."

"Well, that’s because I studied."

"Noblewomen from all over have been begging me to have you be their children’s tutor because of your beautiful etiquette!"

"Uh, well…"

"And after people saw the Twin's Martial Arts Performance you did with Rupert, His Majesty has been inundated with requests for them to spar with us, and the Commander of the Knight Order, who is trying to schedule monster subjugations, has been screaming in frustration!"

"I didn’t know about that. Hey, Tilmina. Hello?"

"And on top of that, you’re so fast and precise with administrative work that some officials are even saying you should quit the Knight Order and work indoors! And we’re the ones being begged!"

One after another, positive evaluations of herself that she knew nothing about came pouring out. Tilmina pointed a finger at the stunned Lupia and opened her mouth wide again.

"And thanks to you using yourself as a bargaining chip, we’re getting complaints from all over, like, ‘What does the royal family think that girl’s existence is?!’"

"Ehh…"

When Lupia let out an involuntary, ‘What a pain,’ Tilmina stated flatly:

"Lupia… you’re that highly valued all over the place, so be a little more greedy and value ‘yourself’ more, you hear…? And stop bothering with the homeland that abandoned you!"

Lupia’s eyes widened at her words. But it was true that many people had told her this. Ah, maybe it’s okay to be more ambitious, she thought. It wasn't that she didn't have things she wanted to do; she had a mountain of them, she just hadn't known where to start.

"Hey, Tilmina."

"What is it!"

"I love you dearly."

"W-what’s this all of a sudden?"

"And that’s why…"

With a bright, beautiful, and cheerful smile, Lupia made her request to Tilmina.

"Right now, moving my body is so much fun that I want to prioritize the Knight Order, but eventually, I’d like to work in administration too, so would you mind pulling some strings for me?"

Tilmina couldn’t help but give a wry smile at Lupia’s opportunism, smiling sweetly as she implicitly asked her to handle all the arrangements.

Originally, Lupia had always been a curious child. So, she must have had all sorts of things she wanted to do, but because of the massive goal of being the ‘heir to the ducal house,’ she had probably exercised terrifying self-control to avoid getting sidetracked. Now that that was off the table—no, now that she could see a path to achieving her goal of becoming like her father by being in the Knight Order—she was sure to pursue all sorts of things to satisfy her original desires.

"...You really have some personality…"

"I am honored by your praise."

"That wasn’t a compliment!" Tilmina’s shout was in vain as Lupia summoned a waiting maid and had her prepare a pen and parchment, on which she began to write furiously. Not only the work matters they had just discussed, but under the title ‘To-Do List,’ she started filling the page with her beautiful script.

"Hey, Tilmina."

"What is it?"

"I’m having fun."

"...I can see that."

With that reply, Tilmina took a sip of her tea. It had gone a little cold, so she would have to ask for a new cup. Placing her cup on its saucer, Tilmina watched her cheerful cousin.

I’m so glad. You can finally, truly laugh, can’t you?

She couldn’t care less what happened to Lupia’s homeland, so she would do as much as she could to support her in her endeavors. Renewing that vow in her heart, Tilmina raised her hand and called for a maid.