TL/Editor: Raei
Schedule: 5/Week Wed-Sun
Illustrations: Here
In the women's room in the Knight Department, Irene stood, looking nervous
'Do I look okay today?' she thought, studying herself in the mirror.
She looked mostly the same as always.
She had expected more dramatic changes from the makeup: redder lips, more enticing eyes, fairer skin.
But Mina's makeup application was subtle.
'I think I could have done a better job.'
Still, Mina had made the effort...so she would accept it.
Checking the time, she saw that it was just past 3 PM.
'Time is passing so slowly.'
She still had three hours until meeting up with Theo.
They planned to meet at 6 PM at the main gate of the Knight Department for their date at a new restaurant nearby.
'I can't wait to see him. I bet Theo looks as handsome as always today'
The thought brought a radiant smile to her face, a giggle escaping her lips.
It was their first official date since they got engaged.
She wasn't expecting any apologies or confessions from Theo.
Still, she had chosen to accept him as he was, waiting patiently for him.
After all, despite his popularity, she was his fiancée, and probably the person who cared most about him.
'All I want today is...’
The thought of simply spending time together made her happy.
Just the two of them.
"Just the two of us," she said aloud, feeling her cheeks warm up.
She quickly washed her hands and left the restroom.
Despite it being a Saturday, I was at the Hero Department's training ground, practicing.
I had returned early from the fishing club the previous day, but that wasn't important.
I had been attending club meetings faithfully and actively participating.
[Sub Quest: Join two or more clubs and actively participate.]
Reward: 2 Shop Gold Coins
I was sure I would meet the quest's requirements.
I was practicing with a longsword when Aisha appeared.
"Theo, you're here!"
"Um, nice to see you."
I was surprised.
... Where did she come from?
She should be tired from the 2-day trip, is there something urgent?
"What is it?"
"What do you mean what is it? I came to learn swordsmanship."
"What about the fishing trip? I heard you went for 2 days and 1 night."
"I came straight here after it ended."
"Is that so... Coming directly to the training ground after is impressive."
"Of, of course! As a hero, I must have an unending desire for improvement! I can't rest just because I'm a little tired! Wha, what do you take me for?!”
"Hmm."
... Was Aisha always like this?
In the original game, Aisha might have been overshadowed by Neike and Piel, but she was still a top-tier talent.
The only difference was that she hardly put in any effort to enhance her physical strength.
She spent more energy on politics and building relationships than on physical training.
'Well, maybe it's possible,' I thought.
Compared to the original game, many people's futures had changed.
I observed Aisha closely.
Seemingly surprised, she spoke.
"So, are you going to teach me swordsmanship or what? My body is eager to move. And we never decided on how many lessons..."
As she spoke, she swung her limbs around.
"Alright, I got it."
So, I taught her swordsmanship.
But I was dismayed.
'She hasn't improved one bit...'
Actually, she was even worse than before.
She acted as if she had entirely forgotten the stance I had taught her previously.
She looked at me with wide eyes, asking, "Is this how I should hold it?", "Swordsmanship is really hard."
Again today, I had to manually correct her posture, holding her body in place.
During a brief break, Aisha asked, "You're meeting your fiancé for dinner today, right?"
"Yes."
"I hope you've chosen a good place. You can be quite clueless about these things, Theo. Don't let the Foodie Exploration Club down. Where did you book?"
"I reserved a table at 'Cheonmihyang' near the Knight Department. Amy told me it's a newly opened restaurant that serves oriental food."
"Cheonmihyang, huh."
Aisha nodded, a serious look on her face.
"You know the place?"
"No. ....No, I mean, yes. Of course I do! As the future president of the Foodie Exploration Club, I know every restaurant, even new ones!"
She seemed flustered.
‘Is that something to react so exaggeratedly to.’
Well, considering it was Aisha, maybe it was.
"Um, sorry. I didn't mean it that way. Anyway, we've rested enough, let's continue the lesson."
"Oh, no! Suddenly, I remembered something urgent I have to deal with. Let's call it a day!"
Saying that, Aisha hastily left the training ground.
"..."
I stared at her retreating figure, a little stunned.
I still had plenty of time until my evening appointment.
Time to train some more.
As I picked up the practice sword again and started swinging,
"Theo~"
Another woman came to find me.
"... Siena, what is it?"
"Hehe, do I need a reason? I just missed you~"
With that, Siena ran towards me.
'... Ah, my life.'
The rain stops, and then the hail begins to fall.
Think positively, think positively.
It's not bad.
Training with Siena was always more productive than training alone.
So after an intensive session with Siena, and a desperate effort to shake her off of me, I made my way to the Knight Department.
At the main gate of the Knight Department, Irene was wandering around, restless like a puppy that needed to pee.
Our rendezvous was scheduled for 6 p.m.
'There's still 30 minutes to go...'
Time seemed to be crawling at a snail's pace.
Her eagerness to see him even a minute sooner was overwhelming.
Each passing second felt like an eternity.
Suddenly.
Clank, clank──
A carriage pulled up in front of the Knight Department.
"Ah!"
Irene quickly seated herself on a nearby bench.
'I've just arrived at the meeting place. Just in time.'
She tried hard to mask the fact that she had been waiting there for the past 30 minutes.
Passengers started disembarking from the carriage.
5:59:57... 5:59:58... 5:59:59.
6:00.
Punctual as ever, Theo made his appearance.
"Nice to see you, Irene."
"Oh, you're here."
Irene glanced at Theo nervously, uncertain about her makeup.
"We're not late. The reservation at the restaurant is for 6:30. We can leave whenever you're ready."
"Ah, yes. Let's go."
As always, Theo exuded a confident aura.
As they walked to the restaurant, they made small talk.
"What did you do today?"
"Training. I also gave Aisha a swordsmanship lesson."
"Aisha? I thought she was an archer."
"She wanted to try her hand at swordsmanship. So, I'm teaching her. What I learned from you has been quite helpful, Irene."
"...Is that so?"
Irene narrowed her eyes, slowly nodding.
'Theo, as expected, you are too popular.'
Just as Mina had warned.
A man like Theo, intentionally or not, was a magnet for women.
The audacious elf princess, and now Aisha.
Although Theo has drastically improved, there were still many who were better at the sword than him.
'Why would Aisha choose to learn swordsmanship from Theo of all people?'
Irene mulled over it, her eyes squinted.
Aisha was as dangerous a contender as Siena.
The fact that she was from her family wasn't any consolation.
The large Waldeurk family had numerous branch families, some of whom married into the main family.
A marriage alliance was a golden opportunity for elevation in status.
Given Aisha's prominence in the Hero's Department, getting with Theo wasn't far-fetched.
Furthermore, Theo was the successor to a prestigious family and a prospective hero.
It wasn't uncommon for someone of his status to have multiple wives.
'Ah... I'm dizzy.'
A dull throb pounded in her head.
'I was supposed to stay calm... I decided to take things slow...'
She was becoming anxious again.
Words slipped out before she could rein them in.
"...I'm so pathetic today. I'm not as pretty as that elf or Aisha."
She was surprised at what she had unconsciously blurted out, but she didn't retract her words.
Her heart ached.
She needed even a little bit of reassurance.
She just looked up at Theo helplessly.
Theo turned to Irene.
"No."
"...Huh?"
Irene's eyes widened in surprise.
Theo spoke again.
"You are always beautiful, Irene."
His crimson eyes twinkled like the night sky.
niceu Theo
another chap in a few hours
4/5 Enjoy the chappy!
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