Episode 24: Brigitte and Marie
“Yep. This looks good.”
After taking a spin, Alexia declared with satisfaction.
With her long hair tied up and tucked into a newsboy cap, she concealed her slender figure beneath an off-white shirt, khaki trousers fastened with suspenders, and deliberately worn-out shoes. She turned proudly to Brigitte.
“How about it? Don’t I look like a man?”
“It’s sad how much you actually do…”
Brigitte sighed, lowering her hooded head with a heavy sigh.
“Honestly, no one would ever mistake you for a noble lady. You look more masculine than a man…”
“That’s precisely the point, so it’s fine.”
Despite Brigitte’s concerns, Alexia didn’t let it faze her.
While Brigitte readjusted the collar of her shirt, she repeatedly warned her not to stir up any trouble, to leave any issues to the knights on guard, and not to put herself in danger—among other urgent reminders, all delivered with a squeaky voice.
“Please be careful and have a safe trip. Make sure you don’t do anything to draw attention to yourself.”
Brigitte was stuck at the castle because of the aches in her back and knees.
After sending Alexia off, albeit reluctantly, Brigitte cast a glance back at Marie.
“…But still, Marie. Why is that outsider the one in charge of watching over her?”
“Well, Lady Brigitte, didn’t I explain it? Having knights as guards would be too conspicuous, and on the other hand, I’m worried about leaving the young lady alone… So, I think Luke is the best option.”
“That’s true, but…”
Brigitte tightened her already wrinkled eyes.
“I don’t trust a stranger from the royal capital. No, I concede that he’s been working tirelessly for the castle. However, could it be that his diligent efforts come from ulterior motives? I can’t shake off the concern of having such a suspicious person with unclear intentions close to my young lady.”
Brigitte had been Alexia’s wet nurse since her birth. To Brigitte, who had cherished Alexia since she was a baby, “my young lady” was her reason for living.
Even while complaining, she helped Alexia with her cross-dressing out of pure affection that she couldn’t help but feel.
Marie nodded with conviction.
“Indeed, Luke-sama is deeply devoted to my lady, and I’m certain his affection for her greatly influences his dedication to this castle.”
Let’s be clear here. Denying it awkwardly or being vague would only complicate matters further.
After all, Luke’s feelings for Alexia were utterly transparent.
He directed his passionate gaze only toward Alexia, blushed at every meeting, and let his inner monologues spill out in words—really, there was no way to claim he didn’t have romantic feelings for her.
But then, Marie let out a long sigh.
“But isn’t my young lady a bit of a dense one?”
“That’s true…”
Marie lamented, and Brigitte buried her hooded head in her hands.
Luke didn’t force himself on her, but his affection for Alexia was apparent to everyone.
Even with all the heartfelt attention he consistently showered upon her, how was it that Alexia, the object of his affection, could remain completely unaware of it? It was almost puzzling when even the children Emile and Lily could easily tell who Luke liked.
“So, I think it’s perfectly fine for him to accompany her. Nothing to worry about, Brigitte. In fact, it might even create a nice atmosphere…”
Although it might seem immoral for a single couple to be alone together, it didn’t appear there would be any overly sweet developments to worry about. A disappointment, indeed, for Luke.
“I, for one, don’t think a young man who looks so weak would dare do anything to my young lady. When it comes to swordsmanship and sheer strength, my lady easily trumps that man. …Though, I didn’t intend to raise her that way…”
The lowered tone at the end hinted at Brigitte’s inner turmoil.
Marie offered a wry smile, and Brigitte pressed her hand to her furrowed forehead.
“I’m not worried about our lady’s safety. What I dread is the thought of experiencing the same situation again…”
Luke wasn’t the first young nobleman to arrive at Rietberg from the royal capital.
Many suitors had graced this place in the past, all with the intention of proposing to Alexia.
Rietberg was often ridiculed as a backwater aristocracy shunted off to a remote, deserted area, but in truth, it was a distinguished family tied to a military leader entrusted with border regions and played a crucial role in the nation’s defense.
At present, the Margrave of Rietberg had only one child, Alexia.
Destined to inherit her father’s title, she would eventually become the female Margrave of this land.
In pursuit of Alexia, who would one day inherit a vast estate and substantial authority, many young nobles had ventured into Rietberg. Most of them were second or third sons, with no claim to a title themselves.
The suitors hoping to wed the future female Margrave and, if luck would have it, seize control of Rietberg were all scions from reputable families boasting noteworthy statuses.
However, none of the men lingered for long.
While Alexia had shown little interest in anyone, the young noble heirs were largely spineless. There wasn’t a single one that stood out in skill compared to Alexia.
In the beginning, these suitors praised her beauty and shamelessly whispered sweet nothings in her ear, but once they faced her in combat—be it sword, bow, or bare hands—they were defeated utterly and swiftly changed their tune.
“How is it possible for a woman to be so barbaric?” they would rage, declaring that they would no longer bother with such an uncouth lady and would scurry off with their tails between their legs.
“It’s unpleasant enough to have some pompous, unskilled youth loitering around my young lady. Knowing that it won’t last long anyway, I’d rather these fellows not approach her at all!”
Even when those gallant suitors turned their backs and spat disparaging remarks, Alexia seemed unfazed by it all.
The ones who truly cared—her father, the Margrave, and her wet nurse, Brigitte—were the ones who truly riled up.
The residents of Rietberg, along with Brigitte and the Margrave, felt insulted; a defensive wariness grew in them whenever they encountered young noble heirs, leading them to treat every nobleman as if he might be an enemy.
Though Brigitte wished Alexia would exhibit more grace, she’d always held this belief. She’d brought it up with Alexia countless times.
However, the sentiments of Brigitte—who had cared for and nurtured Alexia all these years—held a weight entirely different from any opinion voiced by a random stranger who had just crossed into Rietberg.
It didn’t matter if they hailed from esteemed or affluent families.
Just the thought that “my young lady” could be demeaned by some pompous fool lacking even the ability to match Alexia’s prowess set Brigitte’s insides boiling.
(…I don’t think Luke is that kind of person, though…)
Marie wanted to voice that, but held her tongue.
Instead, after taking a deep breath, she conjured up the faces of all the suitors who had fallen by the wayside.
“Brigitte, I’ve often thought about the suitors who have come our way. Just because someone holds a high social position, it doesn’t guarantee they’ll bring happiness to our young lady… While a title and power are certainly beneficial, they aren’t everything.”
Indeed, Alexia was remarkably strong for a lady—both due to her innate talents and relentless training.
Marie figured that even if a man didn’t recognize Alexia’s skills or efforts, and went as far as to label her as barbaric and unfeminine, their marriage would hardly lead to happiness.
“For me, the most crucial factor is someone who truly loves her, my lady.”
Despite Luke’s overwhelming feelings of affection pouring out from him, he never even dared touch Alexia regardless of how close they were. It was endearing, and Marie wanted so badly to encourage their burgeoning feelings.
Initially, Marie only wanted to assist Luke in finding his footing here, grateful for the help he had given to her son Emile. Yet, as she got to know him better, her fondness for Luke grew. There was something charmingly earnest and pure about his affection that made her want to support him.
Luke might not hold a high social standing or lineage that could be deemed noble.
Yet, he was honest, humble, and kind to those around him.
Such virtues were hard to find among aristocrats.
At the very least, Marie had long since stopped imagining that Luke would suddenly flip his attitude as the previous suitors had done.
(Do your best, Luke-sama…!)
By now, he should be nearing the entrance of the town with Alexia. The image of Luke’s radiant smile danced through Marie’s mind, and she pressed a hand against her warming chest.
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