kscans

Chapter 9 - The Storm Arrives Without Warning

Lupia had her memories of the Crown Princess training erased without delay. For about three days after the procedure, she was in a daze. But as the empty spaces in her memory began to fill in, her body and mind finally started to feel like her own again, and she gradually returned to her old self. One of the main symptoms had been a tendency to zone out, as if her consciousness were drifting far away, but she had also been anemic from vomiting so much blood. The Calmond family's proud chefs had put all their skill into preparing nutritious meals specifically to combat anemia, and thanks to their efforts, Lupia's physical condition steadily improved. Even when she protested that they didn't need to be so overprotective, everyone would unite against her, insisting, "Absolutely not! You've worked far too hard, milady. Now it's time for us to spoil you!"

Although her memories of the Crown Princess training were gone, her memories of the academy remained vivid. And, of course, she remembered the words of that incomprehensible 'System' she had heard the other day. She had no idea what it all meant, but one thing was clear: she had been well and truly freed from some kind of curse. The first proof of this was that she could no longer think of that woman—Falty—as a friend. They had never been friends to begin with, yet for some reason, they had spent a great deal of time together during their final year. It had been utterly unpleasant, but for some reason she hadn't been able to get away from her, and in the end, Falty had even stolen her fiancé—though that had been decided by the King. Well, that part didn't matter. The problem was that she had been made to think of Falty as a friend.

"Perhaps I should talk to Rupert about this..."

Several days had passed since she began her convalescence. She couldn't remember the last time she'd spent her days in such a relaxed manner, but she still had no clue what that 'System' was. She wanted her twin brother to know about the strange things that had been happening to her. That's what she decided.

"No time like the present, I suppose. Right then..."

She had been sitting on a comfortable sofa, reading a book, but once she started thinking, she couldn't concentrate. And since she couldn't concentrate, she wasn't turning any pages. She rose from the sofa, draped a soft shawl over her shoulders, and headed for Rupert's room. He had said he had the entire day off, so he should be there—or so she reasoned. Lupia's twin brother, Rupert, had a habit of always telling her first whenever he had to go out. The fact that he hadn't come to report anything meant he was home for the day. As she approached his room, she noticed it was rather noisy. Perhaps he has an unexpected visitor? she wondered. As she drew closer, she heard a very familiar, lovely voice coming from inside.

"How could you not tell me something like that happened to my dear sister-in-law, Rupert?! You idiot!!"

"And what would you have done if I had told you?"

"W-Well, I..."

"You have no idea what she looked like then. It was unbearable to watch. You would've fainted on the spot."

"Huh...?"

"That's right, Vernella."

"Eh?"

"Ah."

She had knocked, but there was no answer. A little perplexed, she opened the door to find Rupert arguing with his fiancée, Vernella. Vernella-Alcioni. She was the third daughter of the Alcioni Count Family, currently sixteen years old. Yet, at the tender age of sixteen, she was a woman of rare talent, entrusted with several of the family's businesses. Her black, straight hair, which reached her waist, was usually worn in a half-up style. Her eyes were a deep, captivating shade of blue. To those she trusted, she was cheerful and friendly, but to others, she never let her polite, public face crack. To those who couldn't reach her heart, Vernella was like a majestic, thorny rose. For that reason, she was apparently known in high society as the Lady of the Blue Rose. The official reason she had been chosen as Rupert's fiancée was the business alliance between the Calmond and Alcioni families. But that was just a pretense.

The real reason was something else entirely.

"It has been too long, my dearest Lupia-sama! I, Vernella-Alcioni, have rushed here to wish you well!"

Upon seeing Lupia, Vernella's face lit up, and with tears of emotion welling in her eyes, she sprang to her feet, ready to throw her arms around Lupia in a fierce hug. But at the last second, Rupert caught Vernella and held her tight.

"I told you, think about her health!"

"My, what a petty man you are."

With a scoff, Vernella slipped out of Rupert's arms. Same as always, Lupia thought with a wry smile as Vernella cheerfully approached her. Then, after performing a perfect curtsy, Vernella looked up at Lupia with adoring eyes and asked a question.

"Dearest sister-in-law, how are you feeling?"

"I'm much better now, thank you."

"I am so glad to hear it! ...I was told you underwent the Memory Erasing Magic on yourself..."

"It's true. Thanks to that, all my memories of the Crown Princess training are completely gone. I imagine there's little chance His Highness the Crown Prince or his consort will be summoning me now."

"I see..."

Vernella murmured thoughtfully before straightening her posture. The smile she had worn moments ago vanished, replaced by a serious expression.

"...In that case, please allow me to continue this conversation not as Vernella, but as a member of the Alcioni family."

Her voice, her entire demeanor, was the very picture of seriousness. She was no longer just Rupert's fiancée, but a count's daughter making a report to the 'daughter of a ducal house'.

"Oh? And what might that be, Lady Alcioni?"

Upon hearing her words, both Lupia and Rupert resolved to respond as members of the Calmond Ducal Family.

"His Majesty the King and His Highness the Crown Prince are attempting to make contact with you both."

"Is that so..."

"His Grace the Duke is, of course, preventing them, but there is a risk they may do something unpredictable. Therefore..."

Her serious expression suddenly shifted to a radiant smile as she extended a hand to Lupia and Rupert.

"Please, come to my family's territory. Rest and recover there. If you travel by way of the ducal lands, it will appear as though you simply made a stop in your own domain, wouldn't you agree?"

Without a word, the twins looked at each other. It was an offer they couldn't refuse. It was a roundabout route, but if they passed through their own duchy first, as she suggested, no one could claim they hadn't been to their own lands. And the Duke of Calmond had told the royal family that he was 'sending his daughter away to recuperate.'

He never said she would be recuperating in the duchy. Ah, I see, the twins thought, nodding to each other with a smile. They were confident there would be no problems with this plan. Lupia smiled.

"Yes, we would be delighted. In that case, Lady Vernella... no, Vernella. You must stay with us as well. I want to get to know my future sister-in-law much better."

An incredibly strange, unladylike sound escaped Vernella, but the twins pretended not to hear it, simply continuing to smile sweetly.

"Besides," Lupia continued.

"I'd like you to tell me all about the rumors that have been spreading through high society while I've been cooped up at home. So, why don't you stay the night?"

"I WOULD BE ABSOLUTELY DELIGHTED, SISTER-IN-LAW!!!!!!!!"

Watching Vernella accept without a moment's hesitation, Rupert couldn't help but think to himself, Maybe I shouldn't have gotten engaged to her. Still, there was no denying that she was an incredibly powerful ally.

The number one reason Vernella had become engaged to Rupert was 'to become Lupia's sister-in-law, and to be her shield and spear from the closest possible position.' While she was indeed a talented woman entrusted with several of her family's businesses, she was also the head of the Alcioni Count Family's 'underground' operations, selected after passing an aptitude test. There was, of course, a reason a mere count's daughter had been chosen as the fiancée for a member of the Calmond family, renowned for their martial prowess. Needless to say, it was an engagement that had turned out to be mutually beneficial for both sides.