I was showing Ash-sama around the royal capital.
And, in passing, I had shared with him what I had spoken to Misha about.
Misha's wish was to come to Baltzrein with me.
Naturally, that would require Ash-sama's permission.
"... Such a thing happened."
"Yes. Misha and I have been friends for a long time. I am worried about her."
"As for the feelings of others, well... There's no choice but to step back and accept that 'it just wasn't meant to be'."
"That's true. Fortunately, it seems she's managed to put this behind her."
"I see. She might not be able to forget him easily, so you should keep a close eye on her, Angelina."
"Yes, I intend to do so. Misha has told me that she wants to come to Baltzrein with me in the future."
"Of course I don't mind if she does. But I would like you to make sure she's prepared for what lies ahead. I'm sure you understand."
"Yes, Ash-sama. I will make sure she's aware of that."
Baltzrein was a land of battle with magical beasts. I don't think Misha is cut out for combat like I am.
That's exactly why I need to come up with some kind of plan.
Of course, I don't intend to neglect non-combatants; there are things she could do.
"Speaking of which, Ash-sama..."
"Hm? What is it, Angelina?"
Walking like this, Ash-sama really did stand out.
I got the feeling that people around us might be a little intimidated by his imposing build.
... Though, it's no big deal for those who like big, strong men.
But if you don't know the person well, then it's normal to find them a little intimidating.
I didn't want Ash-sama to worry about such things. With that in mind, I looked up into his face.
I've grown a little taller than before, but I'd still like to be a bit taller.
Just enough so that if I tilted my head up ever so slightly, our lips would be at just the right height... So to speak.
"No, I was only looking up at your face, Ash-sama."
"I see."
"Yes."
Ash-sama treated me with care, but he never makes a move on me.
I suppose the age gap between us bothers him.
I thought that was a very wholesome thing, and gentlemanly.
When I came of age, a five-year gap won't even be noticeable.
But will I really make him "hold back" until then?
And will I grow into someone who Ash-sama finds attractive?
I do, of course, feel a little anxious about the future. After all, no one knows what the future holds.
Even so, I felt that the anxieties that everyone carried could be overcome if I were with Ash-sama.
That was how I felt. I felt safe when he was by my side.
Even though Carlos Onii-sama was older too, the two were as different as could be. Not that I should be comparing him to my family.
"Speaking of which, Ash-sama. Before you return to the frontier, will you be paying your respects to Otou-sama?"
Thinking of family, my mind shifted from Onii-sama to Otou-sama, and I asked.
"I would like to pay my respects to the Duke in a proper manner. But I came in a rush this time. I did pay my respects to His Majesty, but I wonder if it is appropriate to show up like this to pay my respects to my father-in-law."
"Ah, yes, you were practically chased out of Baltzrein by Aria-san and the others."
"I, I was not chased out! I... I wanted to do this."
"Hehe. I know, Ash-sama."
It seems Ash-sama felt his preparations were insufficient to meet Otou-sama.
But, since he's already had his audience with His Majesty, surely it would be fine.
"Otou-sama would have no problem with it, Ash-sama."
"Truly? Hm? 'Your father' alone?"
"It is just a small matter with Carlos Onii-sama. Our relationship has been strained for several years now."
"Is that so. Is there a reason? When did it begin?"
I think Onii-sama started acting cold towards me about two years ago.
Just around the time the engagement talk between Prince Leonhardt and me had come up.
In the end, that talk had been called off. But it was an issue that has lingered for a long time afterward.
"It's been a couple of years now. It seems he has reservations about the progress of my engagement to Prince Leonhardt."
"I see."
"Yes. Honestly. It really strikes me now, but the engagement with the Crown Prince has affected many things."
"Hm... A duke's daughter's engagement has the same impact."
"Hehe! You're absolutely right."
My betrothal had likely had its effect on Misha.
I felt bad about it, but I wanted to do my best to make her feel that things turned out for the best.
"I'm actually grateful to the royal family that those betrothal plans fell through. After all, it has led me to you being here with me like this, Angelina."
"Ash-sama..."
Ash-sama's words when expressing his feelings are always straightforward.
He must be that sort of upright man. He charges right in and cuts straight to the chase.
I am always thrown off-balance by it, and easily undone.
I know it's unlikely, but if he were to ever cheat on me, I'd find out immediately.
Well, I'm pretty sure he's not the type to do something like that though.
He isn't cut out for the scheming nature of the capital nobles. That said, he isn't short-tempered either, and even if provoked, doesn't seem the type to fly into a rage.
I've heard that if someone were to harm his family, he would rage like a fire of fury, but I hope nothing like that happens.
He was a skilled warrior as well, and could truly be called a prodigy of the frontier.
I had been... truly blessed with a wonderful "fate".
So I sincerely hope that Misha finds a fate as good as mine too.
"Angelina."
"Yes, Ash-sama."
"... That, well. Are you still training?"
Training?
"Yes! I'm training diligently in both swordsmanship and magic!"
"I see... You don't have to push yourself, you know?"
"Pardon?"
"You... I will protect you, you know."
My, to say such a thing while blushing.
It makes me feel embarrassed. But, well.
"Hehe, Ash-sama. I will become strong."
"Angelina?"
"I have a talent for swordsmanship, and magic. The one who said so was you, Ash-sama."
"Th, that... that was before all this, you see, and..."
Before all this, that was, before we got engaged.
In the early days after I arrived in Baltzrein, I had trained with Ash-sama.
His younger sister Aria-san, and many others, had schemed to bring the two of us closer somehow.
The result of that had been our sword training sessions.
Ash-sama uses his magic primarily for body enhancement.
Battles against magical beasts require immediate response, and so it inevitably becomes that way.
That's because powerful spells simply can't keep up with the enemy's attacks.
I'm currently refining and improving the body-enhancement magic he taught me directly.
So, while I trained in swordsmanship and magic, he praised me for having talent.
Yes, I was extremely happy.
That's why I decided that I wanted to become strong enough to stand on equal footing with him one day.
"Of course, I'm still no match for you yet, Ash-sama. I'd like to learn magic that can be used for support more than anything. But I will not stop training with my sword. Ash-sama, I am a woman who spent half a year in Baltzrein, you know?"
"... So you are."
"Ash-sama. Rather than just being protected, I... want to become someone who can protect you... Someone who stands by your side."
I held his hand, and pleaded with him earnestly. I truly meant every word I said.
"Angelina... I see. I shall respect your feelings."
"Hehe. Thank you, Ash-sama. That's right..."
"What is it?"
"Ash-sama, how about a bit of sword training?"
"Sword training?"
"Yes. Surely, that would suit us better. Don't you think? Of course, I do like walking through the royal capital like this too."
Our relationship wasn't just about being in love.
There will surely be swords and magic, and battles with magical beasts too.
I decided that was fine. That sort of life is fine with me.
Marrying into Baltzrein must have been my fate.
"... You're right. Then, let's do that."
"Yes, Ash-sama. Then shall we head to the Schteizen manor?"
"Yes... Greeting your father is going to be a problem though."
"That's that, and this is this! There's a training ground for the knights as well, so we'll go there."
"Ah, that sounds good."
And so, after our brief date at the capital, we returned to the manor.
We stood facing each other with weapons in hand. Of course, they were just wooden training weapons.
"Now, come at me, Angelina. It's been a month. Let's see how much stronger you've grown."
"Yes, here I come, Ash-sama!"
I swung my sword, and Ash-sama parried it with his favoured spear.
A crisp crack! of wooden weapons rang out.
It was an utterly unromantic end to our date.
But that, somehow, suited us very well. So I thought.