Rival in Love

“……”

—I am currently facing my hated rival in love.

The location is the indoor training ground of the Royal Knights.

Besides me, there are the figures of Joshua, Lord Craon, and Letitia.

Normally, knights would be sweating in training here, but just for this time, we were allowed to rent it out privately due to Lord Craon’s kindness.

It feels disproportionate as a place to hold a conference, but according to Lord Craon, it is “considering a worst-case scenario.”

In short, he chose a place where it wouldn’t be a problem even if Joshua and I started killing each other.

Though, naturally, neither of us brought swords, so we are unarmed.

But… honestly speaking, I’m grateful.

Even standing like this now, I’m desperate to restrain myself from throwing a punch.

“Alban, I think you know, but—”

“No violence, right. I promised Letitia. It’s okay, I understand properly.”

I answer Letitia, who looks anxious, as if to emphasize it.

Regarding this conference, I promised her.

“Do not fight with Joshua.”

Anyway, just for this time, no violence.

Joshua seems to have been told strictly by Lord Craon too.

The main point of this conference is strictly to “talk.”

…Well, I don’t know what talking will solve in the first place, though.

Lord Craon looks at the two of us alternately,

“I thank you both for gathering here today. First, let me offer my gratitude.”

“No, not at all… This Joshua Ryduan intends to rush anywhere if called by Lord Craon.”

“Hee, nice words. I totally thought you had no intention of agreeing to a discussion.”

When I say that, Joshua glares at me for an instant with sharp eyes.

But he immediately closes his eyelids with a hmph,

“…A girl in your class, Laki was the name, I believe. She told me, you see. ‘Try having a proper talk with Baron Odrant once’.”

“Laki did?”

Oops, a somewhat unexpected name came up.

That girl, she was plotting something evil again, wasn’t she…?

Come to think of it, a crisis for me and Letitia as a couple is a ship on the crossing for her.

It wouldn’t be strange for her to betray us and side with Joshua.

However, Laki said to “talk properly”…?

That seems somehow very unlike her…

That sounds almost like she’s cheering for us instead of cooperating with Joshua.

What happened to her, that Laki…?

—Well, fine.

I’ll ask her true intentions from the person herself later.

Anyway, right now, let’s be grateful she created the trigger to bring Joshua here.

“She said it, you know. That if I talk to you, I’ll understand how much you cherish Lady Letitia… So, I thought I would at least listen to what you have to say.”

“Yeah, I seriously cherish her—my wife—and I love her. To me, she is the most important person in the world.”

“…”

Joshua stares at me with eyes that are still doubtful.

I see, I see, you still doubt my love.

Interesting.

“If you can’t believe it, shall I show you proof?”

“Hoh, proof, you say?”

“That’s right, proof that I seriously love Letitia.”

Saying that, I point my thumb sharply at myself.

“Listen well, I can say—one thousand ‘Cute Points of Letitia’!”

“—!?”

“A-Alban…!?”

Joshua and Letitia make surprised faces.

But I don’t stop.

“First off Letitia looks cold at a glance but she’s actually incredibly kind and observant and attentive and she’s good at praising and encouraging people and she has a strong core but she’s a bit lonely and when it’s just the two of us she acts spoiled and despite that when it counts she’s truly reliable and respectable and actually she loves black tea and sweets and that gap is supremely cute and also and also—”

“W-Wait Alban! Stop, any more is… I’m so embarrassed fire is going to come out of my face…!”

Letitia comes in to stop me, her face bright red.

What the heck~, getting to the good part from here.

But if the Letitia-Stop is out, it can’t be helped.

I’ll leave it around here.

“Well then, next let’s talk about how much I know and understand Letitia. She loves black tea but prefers cheaper tea leaves rather than expensive ones but she’s picky about the water temperature when brewing and absolutely insists on soft water and—”

“I-I get it. That’s enough. I understand well that you deeply understand her…”

Joshua speaks while subtly holding his head, but immediately returns his gaze to sharp as if resetting.

“…I have heard rumors of you from before. That you are arrogant, insolent, lazy, and an extremely selfish ‘Lowest, Worst Baron’.”

“That’s not particularly wrong.”

“If so, why does such a man love one woman to that extent? No, in the first place, I feel it is too different from the rumors I heard. Are you truly Baron Alban Odrant?”

“I am me. No one else.”

That’s right, I am unmistakably the “Lowest, Worst Baron.”

—Just an arrogant, insolent, and lazy noble who put in effort to avoid ruin, and decided to love Letitia.

“I’ll say it again, Joshua. No matter what society thinks of me, even if the relationship with the Barrow House is cut, I have no intention of separating from Letitia. Because she is my everything.”

I declare it clearly.

In fact, I can no longer think of a life without Letitia.

Being next to her is the greatest happiness for me.

Living with Letitia, dying with her.

I decided that, and I don’t need anything else.

Receiving those words of mine, Joshua asks,

“Then I ask, do you have the resolve to throw away peerage, fortune, everything for her sake?”

“I do.”

“…Even your life?”

“Naturally—is what I want to say, but if I die Letitia will be unhappy. So I have no intention of dying.”

When I answer that, Joshua shows a demeanor of thinking for a while.

And a few seconds later, he opens his mouth again,

“…I will apologize on one point only. Regarding abusing you as the ‘Lowest, Worst Baron’, it may have been my fault for taking the rumors as truth. I am sorry.”

“Eh? I-Is that so…”

“It appears Baron Alban Odrant was a person of far higher integrity and deeper affection than I imagined. I will revise my perception.”

Huh, he turned his palm surprisingly cleanly, didn’t he…?

Does this mean this guy wasn’t just a stubborn idiot noble either?

Well, although with this attitude—

“However, the engagement between her and me is a matter already decided by both houses. I have no intention of pretending it didn’t happen this late in the game.”

“I figured. So what do we do? Duel over Letitia after all?”

“That isn’t bad either. But before that, I must ask this.”

Joshua says that, and takes a small breath, suuu—

“Baron Odrant, you likely love your wife endlessly, but—have you ever realized that ‘the more you love her, the more you are making Lady Letitia unhappy’?”

He asked that.

“…I’m making Letitia unhappy the more I love her, you say?”

“That is correct. You are making her unhappy.”

Joshua declares it with an extremely confident, clear tone.

—Don’t screw with me.

I tried to shout that from the bottom of my gut.

However, “…Don’t screw with me.”

Before me, Letitia speaks the exact same words I thought.

“Because of Alban, I am becoming unhappy, you say? What exactly do you think you know…?”

She glares at Joshua with a menacing look that freezes the spine.

Even I am startled for a moment by that figure.

T-This is, she’s super angry…

It might be a while since I’ve seen her this pissed off…?

When she gets angry, Letitia is seriously scary…

And since she’s the type to get angry quietly, it’s even more so…

“F-Fact is fact. This time, listen to my story.”

Seeing the angry Letitia, even Joshua flinches slightly, but immediately resumes speaking.

“Originally, I was stopped by the Duke of Barrow from revealing this to you… but having recognized Baron Odrant as a noble person of high integrity, I will speak of what I know.”

“Father did…?”

Letitia is surprised.

—Willem. Willem Barrow.

Of course I know the name.

Letitia’s father, and the current head of the Barrow Duke House.

Since talk of divorce and engagement came up, I certainly thought he would be involved, but…

“Have you ever thought about it? Why the Barrow House married Lady Letitia off to the Odrant Baron House, which is far lower in rank?”

“That is because my engagement was annulled by Mauro and I had nowhere to go…”

“No, that is merely a trigger. To begin with—Mauro was instigated. He was assigned a new woman and told to annul the engagement.”

“What—!?”

“Though the person himself is likely unaware. He was merely used.”

Saying that much, Joshua stares at Letitia—

“…Letitia Barrow, your life is being targeted. You have bought the resentment of a Person of High Standing.”

“I… have…?”

“You must have some idea? The numerous incidents occurring in succession recently… Clearly, there is someone guiding them from behind.”

Recent incidents—

The Letitia kidnapping incident, and Raymond’s case; Impaling Baron, Scuyer was right nearby for both.

But that guy said it.

Something like, “I must make a report to my master.”

In other words, the true mastermind is someone else.

And Headmaster Faust said it before too.

“Part of the Royal Family might be involved.”

…Letitia doesn’t know this.

Even Headmaster Faust didn’t seem to grasp the details fully.

But presumably, the Duke of Barrow grasped something.

So he moved to action.

Is that about right?

“Lady Letitia needed to marry the ‘Lowest, Worst Baron’. And if she became an unhappy and pitiful Duke’s daughter, she might have been able to avoid ruin in the true sense.”

“…”

Letitia listens silently.

Joshua continues,

“Therefore, the Duke of Barrow sent you to the Odrant Baron House. But… something unexpected occurred.”

“That I started doting on Letitia, huh.”

“Correct. And because Mauro’s misdeeds were exposed, word reached the Person of High Standing that you two are living harmoniously.”

“Who exactly is that Person of High Standing…?”

“I do not know the name either. The Duke of Barrow said it is better not to know. …In other words, it is likely a personage of such position that merely knowing the name brings danger.”

Having narrated that far, Joshua resets the conversation with “Anyway,”

“As long as you two continue to be a harmonious couple, Lady Letitia will continue to be targeted. Because the Person of High Standing seems to find it absolutely unforgivable that Letitia Barrow looks happy.”

“Then what? Are you saying if she marries you, Letitia won’t be targeted?”

“At the very least, she will be far safer than being with you.”

Joshua declares clearly.

…For better or worse, the Ryduan Marquis House stands out among nobles, possessing a unique position and faction.

They have thick support from the populace, and the Royal Knights are backing them too.

If it becomes a matter of being protected by such a Ryduan House, even if it were a Royal family member, they wouldn’t be able to lay a hand carelessly.

Because politics would definitely get involved.

It should become exponentially more troublesome than dealing with a humble baron from the countryside.

It would have been impossible back when her engagement was annulled by Mauro, but for the current Letitia whose bad reputation in the streets has decreased, the Ryduan Marquis House can welcome her.

Since the Ryduan Marquis House also gains a foothold into the world of politics by connecting with the Barrow Duke House, it’s convenient for both sides.

—Most likely, the Duke of Barrow is thinking something like that.

…Huh?

But wait, that means—

“Once again, I desire your divorce. Because that is for your sakes.”

“…”

“I, Joshua Ryduan, promise to save Letitia Barrow from unhappiness. Withdraw quietly, Baron Odrant.”

Joshua presses for it formally.

But—I point my palm sharply at the guy.

As if to say, Stop!

“Hold it. I’m after.”

“What?”

“My answer is already decided. But, shouldn’t we hear Letitia’s thoughts before mine?”

…I just can’t accept it, you know.

Why does everyone try to ignore Letitia’s heart?

Shouldn’t we listen to her feelings first?

Divorce or new engagement, Letitia is a concerned party too, you know?

Face her, I say.

Unless you can do that, can you really say you love her?

I want to hear—from Letitia’s mouth, Letitia’s feelings.

“I… I am…”

Letitia looks down a little, hesitating as if turning thoughts over.

But immediately she raises her face, looks straight ahead, and—

“I… want to be with Alban!”

“! Lady Letitia…”

“Joshua, I am happy you are concerned for me. But I have decided that my lifelong partner is Alban Odrant alone.”

“…Is that your answer?”

“Yes.”

“I feel the same. That my wife is only Letitia.”

I softly embrace her shoulders.

Seeing the two of us like that, Joshua lowers his eyelids suuu.

“…It is regrettable. I thought I could persuade you.”

“Negotiations broke down?”

“Yes. It seems the villain is me.”

Joshua smiles wryly.

But as soon as he opens his eyes and looks at me,

“However, I am also a person asked by the Duke of Barrow. Since I have become the villain anyway, shall I act like one to the end?”

“Hee… So what will you do?”

“Oops, I have no intention of causing a scene here. I have a promise with Lord Craon as well. …Come to think of it, the Academy Midterm Exam was coming up.”

Lifting his cheek in a smirk, Joshua turns his back to us.

“You may already know, but I serve as the King of Class C. So let us do this. If Class F can surpass the grades of Class C in the Midterm Exam, I will convey the annulment of the engagement to the Duke of Barrow. I promise to withdraw quietly.”

“…And conversely, if Class C wins?”

“At that time—I will receive Lady Letitia. How is that?”

▲ ▲ ▲

“That is fan-fucking-tastic! I say we bring it on, you damn fools, you bastards!”

—SMASH!

Ester swings her fist down, splitting her desk cleanly in two.

As always, her brute strength is ridiculous.

Doesn’t her hand hurt?

Look, even Shanoa is totally creeped out.

Letitia is just holding her head in her hands.

“If they claim they wish to tear Baron Odrant and Lady Letitia apart, then I, Ester Appleberry, shall serve them a piping hot course of ‘an honorable beating’!”

“Ester, calm down a little…”

“How can I remain calm!? Those who disturb the path of love shall be kicked by a horse and sent to hell! That is the code of the turf in this world!”

“…Unforgivable.”

Following Ester, Carla also starts acting strange.

“UnforgivableunforgivableunforgivableunforgivableunforgivableunforgivableunforgivableunforgivableunforgivableunforgivableunforgivableABSOLUTELYunforgivableABSOLUTELYunforgivableABSOLUTELYunforgivableABSOLUTELYunforgivableABSOLUTELYunforgivable… I will absolutely never forgive this.”

“Caaaw!”

“…As an Al x Letty Supremacist… I cannot allow this… Their love must be passed down through eternity as a pure-hearted myth wrapped in pure white, as the hope of the world…”

“Caaaw!”

“…In the name of Member Number 00 of the ‘Squad Who Wants to Become a Wall Watching Over Al x Letty’… I will protect them no matter what…!”

She’s starting to sound like some kind of extremist cultist.

And Dark Assassin-maru is being noisy with his cawing, too…

Actually, what the hell is the “Squad Who Wants to Become a Wall Watching Over Al x Letty”?

Don’t go forming weird organizations without my knowledge.

—The day after the meeting with Joshua, Letitia and I explained the situation to everyone in Class F.

Specifically, that “Letitia’s fate will be decided by the results of the Midterm Exam.”

Upon hearing that, Ester and Carla flew into a rage, just like now.

They probably recognized it as a blatant provocation from Joshua.

Also, they simply couldn’t forgive a plunder marriage.

I share that anger, of course.

Letitia lets out a deep sigh.

“Haa… even Carla…”

“B-But, I think they are right…!”

“Shanoa…?”

“I-I also… I cannot forgive taking Lady Letitia away from Baron Odrant…! Let’s do our best and win the Midterm Exam…!”

“Yeah, yeah~, let’s totally beat Joshua to a pulp♣”

Resting her cheek on her hand, Laki agrees with a slightly grumpy look.

It’s surprising that she isn’t happy about our potential divorce, but—

“Come to think of it, I heard, Laki. You went to see Joshua on your own, didn’t you?”

“Dunno what you mean♠ As I hate that guy.”

Laki turns her face away abruptly.

It seems she doesn’t intend to hide it particularly well.

I mean, if you didn’t meet him, how could you say you hate him?

That’s basically admitting, “I met and talked to him, but we didn’t get along.”

Letitia also stares at Laki.

“…He mentioned it, you know. That he was told, ‘Try having a proper talk with Baron Odrant once.'”

“…”

“If not for your words, Joshua likely wouldn’t have even met with Alban. Regardless of the circumstances, I thank you. Thank you, Laki.”

“S-Stop it… I didn’t intend for that…”

Laki mumbles awkwardly.

It seems Letitia isn’t angry that Laki secretly contacted Joshua.

Depending on the situation, that could be clear betrayal, but if Letitia forgives her, then I’ll forgive her too.

Besides, it’s a fact that the meeting with Joshua happened thanks to Laki.

Not to say “all’s well that ends well,” but I’ll overlook it this time.

While we are having that conversation, Matthias watches over the girls with a distant look in his eyes.

“Oh my, oh my, the girls’ group is getting fired up.”

“What about you? You don’t look very enthusiastic.”

Prompted by Ivan standing next to him, Matthias shrugs.

“Nah, I’m actually pretty into it, you know? Being looked down on by that guy Joshua affects the dignity of the class, after all.”

“I feel the same. Besides, either way, we will be competing against other classes in the exam. We must take on the challenge seriously.”

“You aren’t being honest either. Why don’t you just say clearly that you don’t want to see those two break up?”

“I am speaking quite honestly.”

Hmph, Ivan snorts and adjusts his glasses.

“However, the Midterm Exam… The contents haven’t even been announced yet, but everything depends on the result. Should we call it bold, or fair and square…?”

“—It doesn’t matter.”

“! Leonil…?”

“The exam contents don’t matter. We will definitely win. For the sake of the King, Baron Odrant. Right?”

“A-Ah… you’re right.”

Ivan seems slightly overwhelmed by the intensity of Leonil’s gaze and the aura radiating from his entire body.

Leo… ever since the Raymond incident, he seems to be throwing himself into sword training even more than before.

He’s reliable… no doubt about that, but looking at him is kinda scary.

And lately, I feel like the way he looks at me has changed somehow…

What exactly happened to you?

You’re the protagonist, aren’t you?

Ignoring my internal anxiety, Ester raises her fist high.

“All right then! Since the class’s feelings seem united, let’s inject some spirit right here! Hip, hip, hurrah!!”

“Hurrah!”

Ester raises a spirited war cry, and Leonil answers enthusiastically.

The other members also raise their arms, albeit a bit overwhelmed, saying, “O-Ohh~.”

…Well, fine.

It’s grateful that all ten members of Class F are raising morale together.

Whatever form the Midterm Exam takes, it’s bound to be an all-out war between classes.

I need everyone to give it their all.

For the sake of my married life with Letitia.

…Hm?

Wait, come to think of it…

“Hey Letitia, don’t you feel like we’re forgetting something?”

“Oh? Like what?”

“No, somehow… something… or rather, someone is missing…”

—It was at that moment.

Bam! The classroom door opens with force.

“Wahahaha! Sorry to worry you all! This Rowen Sterajian is fully healed and completely revived, just as you see!”

And Rowen enters with a beaming smile.

When we see his face, “””…Ah.”””

Everyone in Class F makes the exact same face, as if remembering something.

—After this, Rowen, upon learning that his existence had been completely forgotten by the entire class due to too many things happening, wept manly tears all alone.

▲ ▲ ▲

“—Now then, everyone, the moment you’ve been waiting for! I will explain the contents of the Midterm Exam!”

Standing at the podium, Paula-sensei begins to speak with a gleeful expression.

We, the members of Class F, listen to her with serious faces.

“The Midterm Exam will consist of two parts: ‘Written’ and ‘Practical.’ regarding the written part, only minimum academic ability as an academy student is required, so there should be no problem for you all!”

“Heh… does that mean the practical exam is viewed as more important?”

“Yes! Because written exams are boring, aren’t they!”

Paula-sensei answers my question with a beaming smile.

Wow, this person just said something outrageous.

Calling written exams boring—is that a line a teacher should be saying clearly…?

As always, her brain is dominated by conflict, or something…

No, well, I agree they’re boring, but…

“Of course, the class average score in the written exam will cause points to increase or decrease, but with your academic ability, no large gap should be created with other classes! Please rest assured!”

“…Conversely, that means the difference will be made by the results of the practical exam.”

“Exactly!” Paula-sensei replies to Letitia’s words.

“And the content of the practical exam you are all curious about is… Class vs. Class ‘Flag Defense’!”

“Flag Defense…?”

“Yes, ‘Flag Defense’! Two classes will be divided into attack and defense in a dungeon designated by the academy, and compete for a flag. The attacking side wins if they bring the flag back to their own territory, and the defending side wins if they protect the flag within the time limit or annihilate the attacking side!”

“Flag Defense”—I see, in a sense, it certainly is an all-out war.

Individual combat power aside, the coordination of all members will be crucial.

Also, how to attack and how to defend—strategy formulation is important, and intellect, judgment, and adaptability will be required.

Just like a microcosm of war, a localized battle between elite units.

The academy’s—or rather, Headmaster Faust’s aim is likely to make us experience that.

So that when conflict actually arises, we don’t become incompetent nobles who can’t do anything.

Sounds like something that geezer would think of.

“The dungeon is engraved with the same special magic circles as the ‘Dueling Grounds,’ so whether you slash each other with swords or blow each other away with magic, you won’t die! So please crush your opponents with all your might!”

“Hmph, interesting.”

This time Ivan snorted.

“So, is this ‘Flag Defense’ going to be a tournament where all classes clash?”

“No, since this is the Midterm Exam, it is limited to one class versus one class! Only one battle will take place, but the specifications are such that more points will be allocated to those who show wonderful battles and tactics within it!”

“I see… so we are being watched not just for winning or losing, but for ‘how we fight’.”

“That is correct! The progress will be broadcast to the teachers, so be conscious of it! Use your heads a thousand times more than in the written exam, and please fight beautifully!”

…She looks like she’s having fun, Paula-sensei.

Her body is completely craving violence.

She’s blatantly lively about it.

Just as I’m thinking that, Paula-sensei suddenly claps her hands as if remembering something.

“Ah! Also—it seems there will be outside inspection for this Midterm Exam!”

“Inspection…?”

“Apparently, a request came in saying ‘I would definitely like to inspect’… from a person named Duke Willem Barrow.”

“””—!?”””

—Hearing that name, all members of Class F wear expressions of shock.

Because we never expected to hear it at this timing.

Naturally, Letitia’s eyes also go wide.

“F… Father…?”

“Yes, apparently several other nobles will be inspecting as well!”

“…”

Letitia falls silent.

What in the world is the meaning of this…?

Duke Barrow, who hasn’t even tried to meet Letitia since the Mauro incident, is coming for an inspection…

Did Joshua say something?

Or maybe Olivia-san worked hard for this?

I don’t know, but in any case—

“This is an excellent opportunity!!!”

This time Ester stands up from her chair.

Bang! She slaps the desk vigorously.

“We simply need to show her Lord Father just how damn lovey-dovey Lady Letitia and Baron Odrant are!”

“W-Wait, Ester…?”

“If we show off the flirtatious love of you two with a sugar content of 1000%, even her Lord Father will inevitably want to vomit from heartburn! He will surely recognize the relationship between you two!”

“Is… is that how it works…?”

“There is no mistake! If he still refuses to admit it, then I shall make him understand!”

Hey wait, what do you intend to make him understand?

Even so, the opponent is the Head of the Barrow Duke House, you know?

If you cause any trouble, that’ll be a pain in the ass in its own right.

No, honestly speaking, I want to make him understand too, but for better or worse, he’s Letitia’s parent.

I want to avoid rough stuff with Duke Barrow as much as possible.

Because Letitia would dislike it.

…If Letitia hated her father enough to want to kill him, I might have responded differently than I am now.

To be clear, I have no conflict about killing a father-in-law for my wife’s happiness.

But she doesn’t hate her father, Duke Barrow, to that extent.

Even now, she holds affection for her flesh and blood in her own way.

I don’t want to do anything that would make Letitia sad if I can help it.

So I’ll endure.

I won’t cause problems either.

“Hey Ester, enthusiasm is fine, but laying a hand on Duke Barrow is forbidden. This is an order as the King, got it?”

“Tch, if the King says so, it cannot be helped…”

“But you know~, isn’t it a good idea?♠ Showing off to Letitia-chan’s papa♪”

Laki follows up, speaking while grinning.

“According to Joshua, he thinks Al-kun is making Letitia-chan unhappy, right? Then I think conveying that she’s plenty happy right now isn’t a bad method?♢”

“That… might be true, but…”

“I think we should do whatever we can to dampen his desire to force a divorce♥ If you want, I can seduce him for you? Kufufu♫”

“Stop that. That would make things the most complicated.”

“Okaaay, if the King says so, I’ll refrain♡”

Honestly, this girl…

I can’t tell if she’s joking or serious.

—However, there’s no doubt this is a good opportunity to show him who we are now.

Alright, let’s give it a shot.

“Paula-sensei, question.”

“Yes, Alban-kun! What is it!”

“For the practical exam ‘Flag Defense,’ can we nominate the class to fight?”

“Good question! Actually, Class F has already received a nomination from Class C as an opponent, so it will be decided depending on our reply!”

“Bring it on.”

I see, they’re plenty motivated too.

That’s how it should be…

“—Letitia.”

“W-What is it…?”

Perhaps nervous hearing her father is coming to inspect, my wife’s expression is slightly stiff.

To her, I show a confident grin—

“Let’s do our best together.”

—And gave her those words.

---