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Chapter 13
Redford Umberto
“If you don’t have anyone to go with, I’d like that. Honestly, I only came because Her Majesty the Queen recommended me, and His Majesty extended me an invitation, but I didn’t have a partner to go with. Still, I’ve been to a few social gatherings, so I could be of help to you, Louwenhardt.”
As expected—Marcia was asking Louwenhardt to be her partner. The madam standing nearby looked at the two with eyes full of intrigue. She seemed to be thoroughly enjoying the situation. After all, a love spat among young men and women on the eve of a ball was always delightful entertainment! Louwenhardt parted his lips, intending to reveal his partner’s identity.
“I appreciate both your concerns and your offers, but I’ve already found a partner.”
“Oh my.”
“What?”
Louwenhardt smiled faintly.
“Her Highness Princess Tessia has agreed to accompany me. So I’m sorry, Marcia. I’ll have to decline your offer.”
“Wait a moment.”
“Princess Tessia?”
Marcia’s face twisted in disbelief. The madam, too, looked shocked, dropping the measuring tape she had been holding. The name Tessia was practically taboo in the Estonian Isles, but the man before them was still a prince of Tiranavan. How could they tell him—without offending him—that going as Tessia’s partner was impossible? Before she could find the words, Marcia jumped in, rattling off words like a rapid-fire gun.
“You mean that Princess Tessia? The one beloved by His Majesty the Emperor, the ducal house, and that bloodthirsty order of knights? The Blood Fairy of the battlefield? The Pink Diamond of the imperial family?”
Exactly the sort of reaction he expected.
“Why so long-winded? Yes, that Princess Tessia.”
“Oh… but His Majesty the Emperor will be furious. You may not know since this is your first time in Estonia, but Emperor Helios treasures her like a jewel.”
Indeed, Louwenhardt had even heard the Emperor tell him to take good care of Tessia. He smiled lightly.
“I know.”
“But are you really going with her? Louwenhardt, your whole life could be forfeit in an instant.”
“Forfeit?”
“As in… you could end up in the dungeons.”
“Impossible. It was Princess Tessia who asked me first to accompany her.”
There was nothing to worry about. They had already spent a night together, Tessia was burning with a sense of responsibility toward him, and most importantly, they had agreed to enter the ballroom together as partners. Louwenhardt already knew the Emperor had chosen other fiancé candidates, and that they would attend the ball. But the fact that the Emperor himself had told him to enter as Tessia’s partner could only mean one thing: he was already being designated as Princess Tessia’s match.
“My goodness…”
The madam’s expression said impossible, though she didn’t dare voice it for fear of insulting Louwenhardt. He could already guess what Tessia’s reputation was in society—like a youngest sister with a pack of overprotective older brothers, and a bit of a tomboy herself. Strange, really. Tessia was certainly an extraordinary person, but not so outrageous a partner choice. What stung Louwenhardt’s pride was that everyone seemed to assume he had asked Tessia and been rejected, when in truth she had asked him—and he had already agreed.
Unbelievable.
Ever since meeting Tessia here, he had been treated in ways he had never experienced before. Louwenhardt gave a short laugh and shook his head.
“But I’m worried… Louwenhardt, wouldn’t it be easier to decline her offer and go with me instead? We’d have plenty to talk about…”
“It’s fine, Marcia.”
He smiled gently—a masterful smile that rejected her without causing offense. Marcia stared blankly, then blushed.
“Really, it’s fine. Thank you for worrying.”
Louwenhardt turned gracefully. When his eyes met the madam’s, she flinched. He gave her a picture-perfect smile.
“So… could it be that you don’t know Princess Tessia’s dress size?”
He looked slightly troubled. The madam waved her hands.
“No, it’s not that… It’s just, Her Highness has never once had a partner before.”
“As I’ve said, there’s nothing to worry about there.”
“Haha, of course… We know her measurements well. She even gets her shirts for her uniform tailored here. But will Her Highness really wear a dress?”
“What else…?”
“She usually wears her uniform.”
The madam smiled brightly.
Ah. So that’s it. Louwenhardt’s biggest obstacle was Tessia herself. With anyone else, he could simply have a dress made and sent. But with Tessia, he first had to check whether she would wear a dress at all—or her uniform. And her knightly uniform couldn’t simply be tailored like any ordinary cloth. Louwenhardt found himself smiling with quiet resignation.
“Even so, I’d like to send her a dress. The choice is hers, of course.”
“Oh my, how romantic.”
The madam showered him with praise. In truth, most of it was admiration for the fact that he had managed to secure Tessia’s agreement at all, but she masked it skillfully.
Back at the Estonian Magic Academy—while Louwenhardt was absorbed in choosing their attire for the ball, Tessia was catching up with an old friend she hadn’t seen in years. Redford Umberto, eldest son of Duke Umberto, was her childhood companion. Their families, both ducal houses, had long been closely tied, and being of similar age, the two had grown up side by side. In their early years, they had even taken magic lessons together under Headmaster Jerod. Though Tessia eventually quit, lacking talent for magic, their friendship endured.
“It’s been so long,” Tessia said, sipping fragrant tea. Indeed, it had been years since she’d last seen Redford. While she had roamed the battlefields as an Estonian knight, Redford had gone abroad to study in Croa. His last letter had said he would return in autumn. And yet, here he was now at the Academy. Tessia pouted.
“You should’ve written! How could you trick me like this? What kind of friend does that?”
They weren’t blood siblings, but sworn siblings bound by loyalty! Tessia, ever the knight, prized honor and friendship above all. Though she scolded him, it was more a playful complaint. Redford tried to soothe her with a restrained laugh.
“Sorry. I really had no time. The decision to return came so suddenly.”
“You could still have written.”
“I thought it’d be faster to surprise you in person.”
“Forgive me, Tessia.” He bowed his head with a gentle smile. Her pout melted away. Redford chuckled.
“Have you been well, Tessia?”
“Of course! I’m always well. What about you, Didi? Was studying in Croa fun?”
If Estonia was famed for its magic, Croa excelled in mathematics and science. Redford had gone to study the fusion of science and magic. He shrugged.
“Studying was enjoyable… but not always fun.”
“Why not?”
“Because you weren’t there. It was lonely.”
Poor thing. Tessia’s expression softened immediately. Her mind flicked to Louwenhardt, who also seemed lonely in a different way. One was past, the other present.
I should treat Hart even better.
Of course, in truth, Redford—handsome and brilliant—had no shortage of friends, and Louwenhardt’s supposed loneliness was a carefully crafted façade. But Tessia realized none of this. She giggled and patted Redford’s hand.
“Didi, you missed this big sister, didn’t you!”
“Well, I wouldn’t say no… But Tessia, I’m actually older than you.”
“The winner is the elder sibling! Or are you refusing to accept the verdict of our righteous duel?”
By “duel,” she meant the time, long ago, when she had punched him on the head. They had been children then.
“That was when we were six!”
“A victory is still a victory. We can always have a rematch. If I lose, I’ll call you oppa. This time, with swords!”
“No thanks. There’s no way I could ever beat you with a sword.”
Her valor was known even as far as Croa—“the Blood Fairy,” they called her. Having grown up at her side, Redford agreed, at least with the “fairy” part.
“Oh, come to think of it, isn’t the ball next week? Master Jerod mentioned it.”
“Yeah. That damned Helios is throwing another ball, to celebrate my victory and welcome Hart.”
“Hart?”
“Mm! Ah, Hart is…”
Finally, a chance to brag about her brilliant subordinate! Tessia eagerly launched into stories of Louwenhardt’s exploits: a gifted healer from Tiranavan, skilled with a sword, and—most importantly—a man who could outdrink Alex. Her eyes sparkled as she boasted. Redford listened quietly, smiling, though his eyes did not smile.
Louwenhardt Tiranavan. He knew the name. His father, Duke Umberto, had mentioned him in a letter: The Emperor seems to be considering him a strong candidate for Tessia’s fiancé. He was popular even in his homeland, and they say he’s quite the charmer. Be careful, son.
The Emperor himself had also hinted as much—considering Louwenhardt as Tessia’s betrothed. That was why Redford had cut short his studies and returned sooner than planned.
“I see. Sounds like a capable man has appeared.”
“Right!”
“But Tessia, have you decided who you’ll go with to the ball?”
There was a reason he had lingered at her side all these years. He couldn’t let some interloper named Louwenhardt snatch her away. If Louwenhardt was the sly fox, then Redford was the devoted wolf. And now, the wolf blinked his sharp eyes gently.
