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Chapter 14
The Fox and the Wolf
“Partner?”
“Yeah, partner. I’ll be attending this banquet as the heir of House Umberto.”
“Right! Ah, I think I’ll be going with Heart.”
“Heart…?”
Tessia nodded. Now that she thought about it, Redford had also left his homeland at a young age to study abroad. During that time, he had kept in touch with Tessia through letters, but as far as she knew, he hadn’t maintained such relationships with anyone else. She had once asked him why, and Redford’s answer had simply been: ‘I’m too shy.’ He seemed convinced that other noble sons and daughters wouldn’t bother replying to his letters.
Such a shy one.
Had she known Redford was coming, she might have thought twice before asking Heart to be her partner…
“…It seemed like Heart needed someone to go with. He does have a fiancée, but it looks like she’s not quite ready yet. So, I agreed to go with him.”
“I see.”
Redford gave a dry laugh. A “fiancée who wasn’t ready” — what an excuse. Tessia clearly had no idea about the crowd of suitors surrounding her, nor that Redford was among them. And yet Heart had gone and called her his “unready fiancée.” Apparently, Prince Lowenheart was confident he could make Tessia his betrothed. But that was only true while Redford wasn’t around.
“It seems Prince Lowenheart hasn’t quite adjusted to this place yet.”
“Probably. But honestly, I’d like Heart to stay here for a long time.”
“Do you… like the prince?”
“Of course! You can’t find a healing mage as skilled as him anywhere. For once, I think Helios actually did something useful for me.”
“Is that so?”
In that case, speaking ill of Lowenheart was out of the question. Not only would it make Tessia sad, but it could also earn Redford her resentment. So, with a warm smile full of goodwill, Redford said:
“As long as Tessia looks happy, I’m happy too. You’ve always worried about the Valkyrie Knights.”
“That’s right!”
Tessia replied brightly. When she had first wanted to join the Valkyrie Knights, everyone else had opposed her with concern, but Redford had encouraged her. He’d said with her skills, she would surely make great achievements as a Valkyrie. That was the kind of friend he was. With him, Tessia could speak her heart freely without hesitation.
“Heart is exactly the kind of talent the Valkyries need.”
“I’m glad to hear that. I’ll be sure to thank him when I meet him.”
“Thank him?”
“Yes. He’s someone who’ll help you. As your closest friend, it’s only right I express my gratitude. And I have a feeling we’ll be seeing more of each other.”
“You’re right, Didi. I’d love it if you became close with Heart!”
“I’ll try.”
Redford continued the conversation smoothly.
“Then at the banquet, you’ll dance with me at least once, won’t you? If I go home without dancing even once, Father will never forgive me.”
Tessia giggled. She knew well how Redford, as Umberto’s heir, had been endlessly pressured about marriage.
“Of course, Didi. What’s a dance for a friend?”
“Then how about twice? Consider it my welcome-home gift.”
“Will that be enough to stop the Duke from pestering you for a while?”
“Of course. What Father cares about most is that I don’t fall behind in the capital’s social circles. He still wants me to be the most eligible bachelor in the city.”
Tessia playfully performed an old-fashioned social curtsy.
“If a lowly girl like me can help bring peace to the young Duke, then by all means.”
“Thank you, Tessia.”
Without much effort, Redford had secured a position equal to Lowenheart. The bond of long childhood friendship and the years of knowledge he had built about Tessia — those were his strengths.
Lowenheart Tirnavan…
Redford mulled over the name of the rival who would be his strongest competition. Lowenheart had already won Tessia’s favor through ability alone. And since they would be working together, chances for them to grow closer would only increase. Perhaps he had grown complacent — otherwise, how had such a bothersome fly ended up buzzing around Tessia?
Normally, Tessia didn’t return home on weekends, preferring to remain in the knights’ dormitory where training was easier. But this weekend, she had no choice. The Duchess of Chloris usually respected Tessia’s wishes, but when it came to social gatherings, she was firm. She insisted Tessia prepare for such events at the family estate. If not, she threatened to move an entire dressing room into Tessia’s cramped dormitory chamber. So Tessia had reluctantly agreed, and thus returned home for the first time in a while.
The Duke was overjoyed at her arrival and even had a pig slaughtered to prepare high-protein meals for her.
“Tessia!”
“Father. Why are you all the way out here?”
As she approached the tree-lined avenue to the estate, Tessia spotted the Duke pacing. She quickly dismounted from her horse. Luckily, she hadn’t come riding her war steed but an ordinary horse, otherwise she would have flown right over without noticing him.
“I came out to greet you. I wanted to walk the avenue with you.”
“Ah, I see.”
Tessia took hold of the reins. Even she, usually so oblivious, could sense her father’s thoughtfulness. He treasured every moment spent with her. Sometimes he even waited outside the knights’ headquarters just to see her. Though he bore the burdens of leading the vast House of Chloris, his daughter was always his top priority.
As they walked, Tessia chattered away about her recent days, and the Duke responded warmly to each pause in her story.
“So, you’ll be dancing with Prince Lowenheart and Redford?”
“Yes, Father. Of course! And I’ll be sure to save a dance for you as well.”
She quickly added that last part — otherwise, she might be hounded with sulky letters and portraits for weeks after the banquet. Despite her love for her father, those letters always said the same thing: ‘I miss the sweet, adorable Tessia from your childhood.’ To prevent such torture, Tessia always played the role of the dutiful, loving daughter in front of him. She could burn Helios’s letters if she wanted, but never her father’s.
“I see!”
The Duke’s face lit up at once.
“I even bought new shoes to wear when we dance. They say they’re the latest fashion. You’ll still wear the family ring with me, won’t you?”
“Hahaha… of course…”
Tessia laughed hollowly. The family ring had been specially made for her — set with pink diamonds and emeralds representing her, the Duke, and the Duchess. Only three such rings existed in the world.
Now, where did I put it…?
If she asked Alex, he’d know. Usually she left it behind when going to war, so she couldn’t quite remember. The last time she’d seen it was before her most recent campaign. Tessia swallowed nervously. She would have to write to Alex as soon as she got back. Then suddenly, a memory surfaced—
‘Captain! Take this with you, the ring! Don’t leave it behind, you’ll regret it!’
That was Alex shoving something into her pocket as she left.
Thank the heavens! Tessia discreetly touched the weight in her pocket, silently giving Alex her endless gratitude. From hell to heaven in an instant. Meanwhile, her father, oblivious, continued speaking excitedly.
“Three new dresses arrived for you.”
“From Helios?”
“As if.”
Well, it was possible…
“He only sent one this time.”
“Then who sent the others?”
“One from House Umberto. And one from Prince Lowenheart.”
Tessia froze. She had been about to complain about Helios’s useless gift when Redford and Lowenheart’s names came up. Both of them were her responsibility — she had promised to keep them company so they wouldn’t be left alone at the banquet.
Tessia scratched at her temple.
Ugh… dresses really aren’t my thing.
Still, as a noblewoman, she understood the meaning of such gifts. They had chosen them to match what they would wear themselves. If she was going to humor them anyway, perhaps she ought to wear one of the dresses.
The problem was, she only had one body but two extra dresses.
If only they were the same color… then I wouldn’t even have to think about it.
Tessia sighed. The banquet already felt exhausting.
“Tessia, which dress will you choose?”
“I don’t want to wear any of them, Father.”
“Then how about one dress per hour? Dance in each! Any of them would suit you beautifully.”
Absolutely not. Tessia’s sour expression finally made the Duke shut his mouth, worried he might lose his dance altogether. Clearing his throat, he said:
“Everyone seems desperate to trouble my precious daughter. Hmph!”
As her father floundered to cover his misstep, Tessia’s thoughts drifted elsewhere. In moments like these, she always thought of Eldora. They had already made plans to meet for dessert that afternoon. Eldora Gladys — the daughter of Count Gladys — was, in Tessia’s mind, the wisest and sharpest friend she had. Eldora would surely know the best solution to her current predicament.
Dora… I need you so badly right now.
