Two Anxieties
The noble academy I’ll soon be attending teaches, in a word, how to govern a territory and lead it to prosperity as a proper noble.
It’s a place where I’ll study what must be done to help a domain flourish, what the common people truly need, the kingdom’s laws that must be upheld, and complex matters like land and commerce—things far too intricate to learn on one’s own.
To prepare myself so I can absorb the academy’s teachings more easily, I’ve been studying ahead of time. Today, instead of heading to the library, I chose to study in my own room.
“Master, may I have a moment of your time?”
“Siana? Yeah, you can come in.”
Wondering if she needed something from me, I gave Siana permission to enter. As soon as she stepped through the door, she walked straight over to where I sat at my desk, deep in study.
“Siana, did you need something?”
“Not exactly. I was simply wondering… if anything’s troubling you, I’d like to help, Master.”
I see… Siana doesn’t wait for me to ask for help. If she senses that I might struggle with something, she quietly takes care of it before it even reaches me.
And sometimes, like now, she’ll ask me outright if there’s anything bothering me.
“Thanks, Siana. But I’m okay for now… If I had to name something, I guess the territory defense portion of military studies is a bit tough.”
“Someone as kind and gentle as you, Master, just doesn’t suit such violent matters…”
“Yeah, I’d rather never be in a situation where I have to defend the territory. But still, there’s always the chance something might happen. I need to be prepared… I’m sure that’s something the academy will cover too.”
When I said that, Siana’s brows knit ever so slightly before her expression smoothed back into its usual calm.
“The noble academy… You’re starting soon, Master, but how many days exactly until it begins?”
“Six days to go… From what I’ve heard, it’s a prestigious place that puts a lot of weight on proper etiquette and conduct. Honestly, it’s a bit nerve-wracking.”
“Master, you’re already so refined and intelligent—I truly don’t think you have anything to worry about.”
“That may be true, but… there are still two things that make me uneasy.”
“…Uneasy?”
I hadn’t planned on telling Siana either of them. I didn’t think it was necessary. But… maybe she should know.
“I heard that there are people from ducal families at the academy. Some of them are nice, sure… but around seventy percent of the ones I’ve met have been pretty overbearing. I’m worried I won’t get along with them.”
“They treated you… overbearingly? Master, do you remember the names of any of those nobles?”
“I remember the names of the kind ones. But as for the ones who looked down on me… I didn’t bother to remember.”
When I said that, Siana briefly cast her eyes downward. Then she looked back up, her gaze sharp.
“That’s just like you, Master… But if anyone at the academy does act that way toward you, please tell me their name.”
“I don’t mind, but… Siana, if something like that happens, you absolutely must not retaliate, okay? That could bring trouble to the entire House of Rodwell. They might strike back too.”
“Of course. I have no intention of bringing harm to the Rodwell household, and I’m not concerned about retaliation. So please, don’t worry.”
With those words, Siana gave me a bright, serene smile.
…I don’t quite understand what she means, but if she says there won’t be any trouble or retaliation, then maybe I can trust that.
As I came to that conclusion, Siana asked again.
“Master, what’s the other thing that’s been weighing on you?”
“Ah, right… Actually, Father told me that while I’m at the academy, I should try to find someone to be my fiancée—preferably someone with a high rank. But even if she isn’t, if there’s a girl I truly care for, I should still introduce her as my intended.”
“…I-I’m sorry? A f-fiancée?”
When I shared the second reason, Siana reacted with a rare show of surprise.
“I’ve already turned fifteen, so I guess Father wants to feel at ease knowing I have someone like that in my life.”
“Th-Then… you’re going to look for a fiancée at the noble academy, Master?”
“Yeah. I’m sorry, but rank won’t matter to me at all. I won’t force anything, either. I just hope I can naturally grow close to someone. Still… I’m a little worried whether I’ll actually find someone like that.”
As I said that, Siana suddenly froze in place—her body, her gaze, even her breathing seemed to stop.
“…Siana?”
“…Forgive me, Master. I’ll go tend to the garden for a while. Good luck with your studies.”
“Ah, okay… Thanks…?”
Without another word, Siana left the room, looking somehow… deflated.
…I was a little worried, but I couldn’t betray the support she’d given me. So I turned back to my books and resumed studying.
Siana’s Side
After stepping out through the front door, Siana looked up at the sky.
The weather was overcast—mirroring the haze in her heart.
“…Haa.”
“——Such a heavy sigh. Is something the matter, Ojou-sama?”
Just after her breath escaped, a tall girl in a black hood approached, speaking to her gently.
“You were listening, weren’t you? About how Lux-kun plans to find a fiancée at the noble academy.”
“Yes. For the heir of a count’s house, that’s to be expected.”
“‘To be expected’—don’t give me that! I have to act fast, do something, anything… or Lux-kun will end up with some girl who isn’t me…!”