Inside the carriage returning to the academy.
“Hans, some tea.”
“Here you go.”
Despite the risk of spilling the tea due to the bumpy ride, which could result in burns, both me, the server and Luciana, the receiver, maintained their composure.
“Would you like a cup as well?”
“No, thank you. I don’t want to spill it.”
“Ha ha, Lady Roberk, you worry too much. That won’t happen, will it?”
Just as Theodore said, this carriage carried three noble children and was prepared with magic, and the best coachman hired by Yegor. As a result, the surface of the tea in Luciana’s cup remained perfectly still, proving Camilla Roberk’s concerns unnecessary.
“When will I ever get to drink tea served by someone with higher grades than mine? I’d like a cup too, please.”
“As you wish.”
Taking out another cup engraved with the Speda family crest, I poured hot water into it to warm it up. Then, I filled the emptied cup with tea from the kettle. The tea, golden and fragrant, guaranteed a delightful taste. After all, it was the work of Bathory, now well-versed in the role of a maid.
‘In the north, she was of no use, but she should at least perform maid duties properly.’
With these impudent thoughts, which would have made the person involved furious if she heard them, I placed the fragrant tea in front of him without spilling a drop.
“By the way, it’s a pity. In the end, the Wendigo from the rumors didn’t show a single hair.”
“Indeed, it’s strange. Once they start causing trouble, Wendigos usually go on a rampage for at least a month, making everyone shudder in fear….”
While quietly listening in on the conversation, I smiled inwardly. Of course, it was expected. It was the king’s command. As long as they were ordered to lay low in their hideout, they wouldn’t recklessly harm people.
Moreover…
‘No more madness, right?’
‘Yes, since the king has ascended the throne, the disasters affecting our race will gradually disappear. Not just Wendigos, but other doppelgängers will also be affected.’
Iskadel said that the Wendigos originally imitated reindeer to avoid human eyes. He confidently claimed that, in their right minds, they wouldn’t attack humans.
‘With the king’s command added, problems caused by Wendigos in the north will disappear.’
However…
“It ended too anticlimactically. Although it’s fortunate, it’s personally disappointing.”
The disappointment of a hunter who missed their prey lingered.
The loud clink of glass hitting glass revealed Luciana’s true feelings.
“I agree. I had high expectations.”
And the same was true for Theodore. Unlike Camilla, who was disgusted, two pairs of eyes full of regret scanned the windows, searching for any sign of monsters.
‘It was the same in the original work.’
Luciana and Theodore had quite similar personalities. Competitive spirit. They were always thirsty for the emotions derived from dueling with strong opponents. Perhaps that’s why they maintained a certain level of friendship despite their differing positions as influential figures in the Emperor’s faction and the Nobles’ faction. They continued to spar and interact with each other.
‘Of course, Theodore is more active, sociable, and has quite a few friends, but still.’
There were simply too few people who recognized Luciana’s warmth within her cool demeanor and her delicate side within her charisma. The only time they severed ties was…
-Miss Speda, I can no longer stand by and watch your wrongdoings.
-Ha, what are you talking about? Go on, keep babbling.
-A duel trial! What crime has Rene committed to deserve this?!
-You don’t understand anything. That woman… well, if you must know, it’s because she didn’t know her place and coveted my position.
When Luciana, the mid-boss and one of the potential love interests, faced off with the protagonist, blinded by love, the friendship between them was nothing but a thing of the past.
-Do you have the luxury to argue right and wrong with words? In a duel trial, one must prove their conviction with strength.
-I won’t lose! Not for her!
The rest is predictable. Theodore transforms from a mere candidate to the true love interest, and Luciana follows the path of downfall as usual.
‘I won’t just watch it happen this time.’
This time is different. I’m on her side, the one who knows this world the best.
At that moment, Camilla’s voice pulled me out of my reminiscence.
“What are you grumbling about? You were properly compensated.”
“Haha… that’s true, Lady Roberk. I did get something like this.”
Theodore shrugged and smiled broadly. He had indeed been rewarded handsomely without even having to fight properly. Such a sweet job was hard to come by. Though they only managed to subdue one creature, the fact that the Wendigo’s activity had quieted down was seen as a great achievement.
What was sparkling on Theodore’s arm now was that very reward. Proudly rolling up his sleeve, he revealed a pair of embroidered gloves adorned with white fur. It was a familiar item.
Yeti Power Gauntlets.
It was a relic Luciana once recommended to me, and now it belonged to him.
And that was the same for me as well.
[Eliminate the Wendigo and bring peace to the north!]
[Reward: Additional points, access to the Vault (limited to basement level 2), ???]
When the offer to provide the reward, which I thought had been canceled, came up, I couldn’t believe my luck. In the end, I got the Shadow Order position, the Speda family’s reward, and even gained influence over the Wendigo forces. It was a sweet result of killing three birds with one stone.
But then,
“You’ve got a keen eye. That’s a fine relic from that floor’s archives.”
“Ah, really? I’ll make good use of it.”
‘Luciana…?’
To others, she always spoke in the same flat tone with an expressionless face, but to me, it was clear. Her tone slightly lifted at the end, as if she was impressed, and her eyebrow subtly tilted from horizontal.
Theodore Treja, he had earned Luciana’s ‘recognition.’
“Ahem. Lady Luciana.”
I casually interrupted between him and her. It wasn’t just because her teacup was empty. To be precise, it was to disrupt this unsettling atmosphere.
‘Hmph. It’s still too early. Luciana’s encounter should happen only after the main male lead is determined, at least.’
I admit that Theodore and Luciana get along quite well. But for now, his status is only that of a candidate for the main male lead. His handsome appearance and easygoing personality are effective weapons to attract the saint away from the crown prince. Though I have multiple cards to play in Oparn and Ricky, having more cards is always better.
For a more perfect plan… that’s just an excuse. I glanced him up and down, clicking my tongue inwardly. Though I personally hold him in good regard, if asked if he is suitable as Luciana’s partner, my answer would be, “I don’t think so.”
‘He doesn’t fit. A suitable partner for Luciana should at least meet certain criteria.’
Luciana, who rarely expresses her emotions other than anger, doesn’t match well with Theodore, who frequently shows his emotions honestly. Ideally, a partner for her would be someone who can not only soothe the clumsy Luciana but also understand her unspoken feelings. Someone more secretive, who can gently draw out her inner emotions…
Such a man would suit her better.
Anyway, in my eyes, as someone who knows Luciana well, Theodore could never pass the test.
“Hans? What is it?”
Luciana, unaware of my inner thoughts, questioned me as I suddenly interrupted their conversation.
“Ahem, Lady Luciana. I also chose the same relic as Lord Theodore.”
“…Haha, it seems you took my advice to heart. It’s finally finding its true owner. Well done.”
Her reaction to me was different from earlier with Theodore. Her eyes noticeably curved in a smile.
And from that came a faint smile. I found myself momentarily captivated by her face before quickly turning away. Only then did my mind clear.
Let’s be honest. Plans and all that didn’t matter. As someone who monopolized her ‘recognition,’ the fact that it was now being shared with Theodore was simply unbearable.
“Yes, it’s all thanks to your discernment, Lady Luciana. Thanks to you, it seems my chronic strength issues have been somewhat resolved. Thank you.”
“Enough with the flattery. It’s something you obtained with your own strength, so make good use of it.”
I bowed respectfully, and she nodded in return.
Ah, that’s Luciana for you. Her posture was so precise and disciplined, perfect for showing off to others.
“Haha, you two have a very close master-servant relationship. It’s good to have someone loyal by your side.”
Theodore laughed heartily as he sipped his tea. Even though the conversation with Luciana had suddenly been interrupted, he didn’t seem to mind at all. His easygoing demeanor, which had seemed endearing until now, suddenly struck me as irritating for not actively engaging with Luciana.
At that moment, Theodore, who had been smiling and complimenting us, casually posed a question.
“Is it really okay? We didn’t do much.”
“A northern warrior treats his words as if they were made of steel. The Duke has ordered us to spare no support, and you all deserve proper rewards.”
Apparently, he hadn’t had the chance to ask earlier due to the many people around the mansion. With both Luciana and I nodding in reassurance, Theodore’s face brightened even more.
“Well, it’s a shame we couldn’t fight the Wendigo. But we did gain a rare relic that only comes from the north and made new friends. Isn’t that perfect?”
“Friends? Are we really at a point where we can call it that? And it’s not even a new relationship.”
“Haha, maybe not for the young ladies, but what about Sir Byron?”
‘Huh? Suddenly, he’s talking about me?’
Smoothly bypassing Lady Roberk’s scolding and slightly redeeming himself in my eyes, he placed a hand on my shoulder.
‘Did he mean me?’
“With skills capable of defeating a Wendigo! The courage to charge into a monster-infested place alone! That’s more than enough to become a friend of Theodore Treja!”
“Haha, thank you for valuing me so highly.”
“Let’s exchange swords sometimes. I’m curious about the skills of the third-ranked student.”
“…Ugh.”
“Haha.”
It was quite a burdensome declaration. That sword at his waist wasn’t just for show, and his sixth-place entrance exam rank wasn’t achieved by playing around.
‘If Luciana has mastered all the swordsmanship of the north, Theodore is the master of all the swordsmanship of the east.’
Not just the sword, but from the katana, which is hard to keep up with in terms of speed, to the guandao, which combines weight and power. As a frontliner, he was an incredibly reliable dealer character.
That made him a tough opponent in sparring.
“A sparring match with Sir Treja, who is skilled in martial arts. It’s an honor beyond my reach.”
But rather than feeling overwhelmed, I saw it as a good opportunity. It was a chance to observe a main male lead candidate up close and to use the sparring to improve my own skills. More importantly, I needed to be sure of my current capabilities.
‘Can I confidently claim victory against the main male lead candidates now?’
I had a record of defeating the crown prince, but that victory was achieved by sacrificing the lives of my subordinates to wear him down. When the time comes for Luciana’s potential downfall, which could end in disaster, I needed to be able to face the main male lead candidates with confidence and continuously grow stronger.
In that sense, sparring with Theodore was a great opportunity not only for growth but also to potentially ally with one of my future adversaries.
“If you wish, shall we spar immediately upon returning to the academy?”
“Haha, indeed! I knew I judged you correctly. I was hoping you’d say that. I welcome it!”
Theodore enthusiastically patted my shoulder.
‘Ow, that hurts, you jerk. Stop it!’
I almost let my true feelings slip due to the pain from the overwhelming strength difference, but I managed to force a smile through sheer endurance and my ingrained servant mindset.
“You two have become friends quickly.”
“That’s Hans’s strength, isn’t it? He has a knack for quickly becoming familiar with everyone.”
Luciana quietly praised me while lifting her teacup.
‘…Huh? Did I see that wrong?’
But for some reason, her slightly furrowed brows suggested she was a bit displeased.
‘Is the tea cold and tasteless? That shouldn’t be the case.’
***
A day had passed since we conversed in the carriage. The harsh cold of the north had subsided, and we were welcomed by warm weather.
“It’s quicker than I thought.”
“Whew, I finally feel alive. No matter how much I bundle up, I can never get used to the northern cold.”
“Lady Roberk, it was only two weeks…”
Ignoring Theodore’s comment, Camilla hurried towards the dormitory.
“Ugh… I’m so tired.”
“I agree. It seems the journey has taken its toll. I should go rest as well.”
“Oh, let me carry your luggage!”
As I rushed to carry her sword, she waved me away.
“It’s fine. You have a prior engagement, don’t you? I’ll handle it myself. You should go.”
…I did have an appointment.
“Sir Byron, shall we head to the training grounds?”
He must have found it hard to wait any longer.
Theodore approached eagerly, his eyes filled with anticipation. He even instructed the servants who came to carry his luggage to assist Luciana, ensuring there was no way for me to back out.
‘There’s no escape.’
I had intended to go along with him from the start, but a persistent man like this doesn’t suit Luciana.
“I apologize, but I don’t plan to lose. I must repay the time I borrowed from my lord with a victory.”
“Haha, I like your confidence! Yes, anyone engaging in a spar should always give their best!”
His hearty voice conveyed no thought of losing, only the determination to defeat me.
However,
‘…I’m in no position to talk.’
Competitive spirit wasn’t exclusive to Luciana and Theodore. I, too, felt my fingers itch, provoked by his challenge.
Cliche Novel 