The Story of a Modest Young Lady Who Formed a New Engagement the Day After Her Engagement Was Annulled - Chapter 14

I learned from the report Heinrich sent me that the black-haired woman I saw on the battlefield was Eleanora Narcissus, the eldest daughter of an earl’s family. The royal family had ordered the military to verify her actions, and the military seemed to have investigated the circumstances at the time. I heard she received recognition and a reward for having significantly changed the war situation. Apparently, she didn’t mention that I had taken credit for her achievements.

Heinrich remarked with a strange expression, almost like a complaint, “How modest. As a noble, she ought to be a bit more ambitious.” Indeed, if she were a typical noble, she would normally act for her own and her family’s benefit. Whether she’s just bad at asserting herself or simply lacks ambition, I didn’t have enough information to understand her feelings.

A celebration hosted by the royal family to commemorate the victory in the war was held, and I was also participating as one of the key figures of the victory. I watched the dancers in the ballroom from a slight distance. Heinrich and his consort, the princess, were performing the first dance, swirling the long hems of their dresses gracefully as they displayed a magnificent dance.

“It’s lively.”

Music specialized for dancing, with a different charm from the military tunes that flow on the battlefield, filled the venue. After the first dance ended, people flowed into the ballroom, pairing up and dancing merrily. Having few opportunities to be involved in social circles, I felt out of place and was tormented by the sensation. When I gave a wry smile to those who were eagerly looking at me, wanting to greet me, they happily surrounded me with quick steps.

“We’ve heard of the exploits of the son of the Lotus Margrave! It’s truly wonderful that you, renowned as the God of War, are in our country!”

“Lord Fels, might you be looking for a fiancée? How about my daughter? She’s still young at fifteen years old. You might call it a parent’s bias, but she has excellent looks and is reasonably quick-witted. She should have the ability to serve as the future Margravine.”

Being surrounded by nobles like this was a usual occurrence. Whenever I visited the royal capital, combining vacation with military reports, there were always invitations I couldn’t refuse.

As the eldest son of the Lotus family, I had many opportunities to stand on the battlefield, and we hadn’t officially decided on the next head. I had received orders from my father to take over the next generation after the war ended and was in the middle of the procedures, but they were truly sharp-eared. Before I knew it, a woman had entwined herself around my arm and was pressing her chest against me. While pulling away from her actions, I skillfully spun words to get through the situation.

“Heinrich.”

Weaving through the crowd, I headed toward Heinrich, who had finished the first dance. Noticing me, he and the princess turned their faces and raised their hands.

“Fels, did you run away?”

Heinrich welcomed me with a wry smile.

“You have to look for a fiancée, you know. It’s a problem for the son of a Margrave to be twenty-five and not married to anyone.”

Heinrich added that it might be different for the seventh or eighth sons of poor nobles, and further remarked that it wasn’t something I could say. In peacetime, a fiancée would likely have been assigned to me, but until recently, we were at war, and I had decided to stand on the battlefield.

If the war had continued, one of my two younger brothers was supposed to inherit the position of Margrave, but with the war’s end, the situation changed, and my father, brothers, and branch families all pushed for me to take the position. Once it was decided, I couldn’t escape, and while I was in the middle of various administrative procedures, wasn’t it too early to wish for a partner? I told Heinrich it would be fine to wait a bit longer until the world situation calmed down.

“Ah, that’s right. The black-haired woman you were interested in, Fels, should be at this venue. We sent her an invitation from the royal family. If you have something to talk about, why not go speak with her?”

Heinrich smiled cheerfully. He had always called me rigid, and wasn’t he amused by my current situation where I had to interact with women? Still, if a single man approached a noblewoman, it could spark unnecessary rumors.

“If I go, it might cause trouble for her, and if she’s a daughter of an earl’s family, she probably has a fiancé. I shouldn’t make contact carelessly.”

“That may be so, but as the God of War, I’d like you to at least convey your gratitude. The royal family has given rewards to those with merit, but because she’s a woman, we had no choice but to reduce the amount and evaluation. It wouldn’t hurt for her to have the prestige of receiving words of thanks from you.”

I realized my eyebrow twitched. Women’s status was indeed looked down upon. Seeing me like that, Heinrich also made a subtle face. But would my words alone add that kind of prestige?

“Is that how it is?”

“That’s how it is. Receiving words from someone in a position of authority is quite important, you know. If you think her evaluation is unfair, you should properly speak to her and help change the perception around her. Well, she has a fiancé, so make sure your contact is appropriate.”

Since they hadn’t actually seen the battlefield, there were those who doubted her achievements, but if the words came from me, called the God of War, they would likely accept her evaluation. I understood, then perhaps I should at least offer her words of appreciation. But—

“If she were a man, I could do it easily but with a woman, it suddenly becomes difficult. What should I do?”

When colleagues or subordinates achieved military feats on the front lines, I could casually say, “Well done,” but what should I do when the other party is a woman? To begin with, this would be our first meeting. Should I start by introducing myself?

No, if I may be conceited, my name is well-known, and since I crossed her path on my beloved horse, it’s possible she’s angry that I took credit for her achievements. Thinking that, perhaps I should start with an apology rather than an introduction.

“Worrying about it here won’t help. Fels, do your best. And try to build at least a little tolerance toward women. It’ll surely be a good experience.”

Heinrich turned my body around and slapped my back with all his might. Beside him, the princess was giggling amusingly. I suppose I had no choice but to steel myself and exchange greetings. If she was angry, I would just have to apologize sincerely. With that, I stepped into the crowd of the venue.