Side Story — After the Fight with Calendula

1 — In Aurantia

I, Calendula—the mistress of a nobleman from one of the foremost families in the Kingdom of Flür—broke up with Cercis Tinensis Fisalis due to a confluence of factors. Though to be frank, it was mainly because his heart had gone to his legal wife.

Feeling that I’d become an unwelcome guest, I bailed from the ducal manor, and now I live in Aurantia, the nation on Flür’s southern border.

I started off as a wandering dancer to begin with, so now I’m dancing and entertaining customers again at the Black Cat, the most prosperous tavern in Aurantia’s most prosperous town. The owner likes me, I’ve got a pretty good place to crash, and I make decent money, too. The old geezer... rather, the owner’s genuinely fond of me, but he’s also constantly asking me:

“So, when are we gonna be an item?”

How about never. I wouldn’t be that greasy old man’s lover for anything in the world. He’d get his greasiness all over me. I’ll aim for a nicer catch if at all possible, thank you very much!

“My, you do know how to brighten a lady’s day.” I always reply evasively, wearing my trademark bewitching smile.

Someone who likes me even more than the tavern owner is this country’s second prince, Fragrans Val Aurantiacus. He’s top brass in Aurantia’s military, so he and his military mates come here now and then to have me wait upon them.

He’s a prince, so he’s a nice catch in that sense, but... if I had to sum him up in a word, it’d be “letdown.” He’s got a well-chiseled face, sure, but... eh, he’s nothing special in the looks department. He’s ordinary. As for his physique, he’s slender, I guess, but... he’s really more gangly than elegant. And he’s shallow... ahem, I mean, he’s a flirt. I can scarcely believe he’s fit for a top military rank.

Either he’s just got the kind of face that women fancy in Aurantia, or he’s a delusional narcissist who thinks the opposite sex can’t resist him.

Sorry, I’m familiar with unparalleled handsomeness, so I can’t help but think of you as mid-tier or lower. Let’s just chalk it up to a difference in beauty standards, shall we?

But the real kicker is, he’s got loose lips! Almost every day he comes to me and says things like, “I’ve got military training tomorrow. Well, I say training, but really we’ll be laying waste to our eastern border,” or “We’re buying new weapons soon. But that’s still a secret.” He’s just leaking vital intel constantly.

For real, if somebody this bird-brained is in charge, is this country going to survive?

Speaking of military VIPs, Cercis (my ex, whose appeal took a nosedive when he started getting all lovey-dovey with his legal wife and I decided to dump him) is one too. But he didn’t go around leaking important info—not even once. That’s the kind of man he is.

Just as I was thinking about Cercis, I overheard the prince say:

“If we attack Flür and make it a vassal state, this country will get rich too, right? We could bleed them dry. I mean, we can do whatever we want to a vassal state.”

He and his mates were doubled over with laughter. They engaged in this sort of frivolous merrymaking nigh on every day while I waited on them from off to the side, and today was no exception.

I think he’s twenty-six, but he’s still so immature! It really feels like there’s nothing in that skull of his.

That reminds me, the girls at the tavern did talk amongst themselves about it. Something along the lines of:

“Sir Fragrans looks handsome enough, but I’m guessing he was spoiled as a child, because he seems a little unreliable.”

“Oh yeah, a hundred percent. And no one ever reprimands him, so there’s no sign he’ll ever improve.”

“I mean, if anybody did tell him off, heads would roll. So nobody can afford to.”

That aside, the prince’s utterance of the familiar name of “Flür” startled me for a second. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not all that attached to Flür... and yet...

I wore the forced smile I usually put on at work in order to hide my momentary discomposure, and continued to listen while perfunctorily pouring some drinks.

The prince got uncomfortably, intimately close to me and said, “If my country got rich, I could give you a little more spending money, you know? And I could buy you loads of fancy clothes and stuff.”

Could you stay out of my personal space? Talk about irritating. But I can’t let that irritation show. That’s just good business.

“You could?” I said, tittering. Whatever it takes to get through this one-sided conversation.

I do love me a man of wealth and status, but I don’t need a moron like him. After all, if I don’t play my cards right, I could get caught up in some nasty fallout. I can see it now—people going “this whole war is her fault” or “it’s her fault the country’s ruined.” I’m not about to let that happen because of little mister prince over here. My safety and wellbeing are number one in my book.

Plus, there’s all this talk about invading and subjugating a foreign land, and no talk of just cause. Where’s the justice in that? A war would just bring danger closer to yours truly, and I can’t allow my precious self to be harmed. It’d be nothing but a hassle.

And to think, they’d be fighting the kingdom of Flür. I do owe Flür a bit for providing me a place to live for a time. I’m obligated to at least give them a little intel.

2 — After the Fight

It was at a tavern that I met Cercis, too. He was so young back then. I guess he wasn’t as important then as he is now. I wasn’t really interested in that stuff, and didn’t know much about it anyway, so I forgot.

Cercis flirted with me aggressively, and I was impressed by all the affection, so I became his lover. The opposition was fierce, though. They pushed marriage talks on him in order to split us up by any means necessary. He found himself a show wife in order to silence them, but before I knew it, he actually caught feelings for her.

That’s when my life of luxury started falling apart—and that’s why I marched up to the main building of the Fisalis manor to give that wife of his a piece of my mind, on that fateful day just before suppertime. I’d tried so many times to storm in, but I never managed to cross paths with her—or more accurately, they wouldn’t let me. But that day I was lucky enough to surprise her at the entrance.

My first impression of her was, well... more innocent and cute than glamorous, I guess. And the servants willingly looked after her.

A neat and pretty young lady who was born well-off, I thought. The exact opposite of me!

The servants all circled the wagons, and I ultimately ended up having a chat with Rohtas, who got angry as usual. That’s right—it was just a little chat. But I hadn’t come to talk with some scheming butler. I came to tell wifey not to throw a wrench in my plans for a cushy life, where I got anything I wanted and did whatever I pleased! I came to tell her to take a hike!

The tension was thick as that sinister butler and I glared at each other, but Cercis just so happened to return from work at that moment.

The root cause of this is you. At the beginning of the “married” period, you didn’t darken the doorstep of the main house, just like it was before you got married. You were always with me, and left your show wife to her own devices. But now? Now it looks like she’s actually caught your eye, and you’ve started to spend more and more time with her.

For your information, it’s not as if I can’t stand the thought of eating my meals and spending my nights alone, all right? What I don’t care for is how you’ve lavished so much money on me, only to jump ship when you’ve suddenly gotten the tiniest bit fond of your wife. Your show wife. The wife you only married so that we could have fun together without a care in the world. Are you telling me your heart changed in a handful of months? You’ve got to be kidding me!

The more I thought about it, the deeper I dug myself in. My resentment had increased, and even when I was with him, we’d just get into constant fights. The atmosphere between us had turned sour, and our relationship had become strained. I’d finally come to the manor when I’d reached the limit of my patience. Give me back my cushy life! That’s what I’d come to tell her.

...But I ended up being taken by surprise. As Cercis and I were arguing, that little girl stepped in to stop us! And she didn’t hesitate to speak her mind, either. I like girls like her. And I even started feeling a bit of good will toward her for blasting Cercis with her own opinions, too.

Add that to that the fact that she apparently hadn’t noticed her husband’s feelings, and I couldn’t help but laugh out loud. I was well past being shocked at that point. Sorry, Cercis, but that’s hilarious! In that moment, I think I even started to get over my resentment.

That was the perfect moment to call it quits, but to my embarrassment, I didn’t capitalize on it. “I’m all too happy to give you away to your wife, you pathetic man!” I’d said.

And her reply? “Nooo, no, no, no!” Oh, I’m out of here. And you’ll be the one stuck looking after Cercis! Looking at his totally clueless wife, laughter welled up inside me once again. Cercis, she’s quite the formidable opponent. You won’t get her to fall for you without some blood, sweat, and tears!

Cercis was frozen in shock, dumped by his girlfriend and rejected in no uncertain terms by his wife. I left him there and withdrew to the cottage.

Once inside, I thought to myself, I have a whole lot to do! Just then, Cercis quietly slipped inside before taking a seat on the sofa, visibly dejected. Hoho... chased out by the wife, I take it?

I had no reason to console him, so I decided to simply ignore him. I took out a trunk and retrieved dresses and jewels one after another from the closet. There was too much to carry, so I couldn’t take it all with me.

“Guess I’ll sell the dresses. That fine by you? Cercis.”

“...Whatever you want,” he said, his head still hanging. He showed no sign of getting out of his slump (not that I cared).

“Thanks.” You’re still feeling that sorry for yourself? Were you always this limp-wristed? If he’s going to be that tiresome, then I don’t mind dropping him one bit.

I packed only the dresses I needed for the meantime, and left the rest to be sold tomorrow or sometime after.

“The jewels I’m taking with me. They don’t take up too much space, and I can sell them a bit at a time to fund my travels.”

“I’ll give you some traveling money as well.”

“Appreciate it.” I didn’t even look at him as I assiduously made my preparations to move out.

What’s that? You’re wondering what happened to him afterwards? He slept on the sofa, and it didn’t look terribly comfortable.

When I got to the carriage, I simply asked the driver, “Could you take me south?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

South of the kingdom of Flür lies a country named Aurantia. Before my stint in Flür, I’d dropped by Aurantia for a short visit, way back when. The people there are simpletons... ahem, that is to say, they love their simple pleasures, like booze and brawls. They’re a hotblooded bunch, but a cheerful folk all the same. Which makes them born suckers!

...Whoops, I do beg your pardon. I let what I really think slip out. In any case, I think it’s the perfect country for someone like me, who makes a living as a tavern dancer.

As the outside scenery drifted by, I reflected on my exchange with his wife. When I said, “You really don’t think much of him, do ya?” she answered with “Uh, hmmm... not really?” When I said I loved discovering his wonderful side, she said, “What if it’s too hard?”

She’s a straight shooter. And above all, would a normal girl express concern over where her husband’s mistress is headed? The very existence of a mistress is supposed to be suffering for a wife. What an odd duck! But I don’t dislike her.

She’s the kind of person who, when I told her, “He’s all yours now, Madam!” she responds with, “If you’re ever back in the capital, please do drop by!” I mean, who says that?

The rattling Fisalis family carriage took me to the border between Flür and Aurantia, but would go no farther. From here on out, I’d have to fend for myself.

After I watched the carriage leave for the capital, I searched for a carriage to take me into Aurantia.

3— Secret Meeting

I entrusted a letter (the gist of it being “contact ASAP”) to a trader who’d come to Aurantia from the nearby Fisalis territory for business. After a while, someone claiming to be a subordinate of Cercis’ turned up as a messenger. I wrote a concise note concerning what the second prince had said and handed it over to him. I had no way of knowing whether that messenger actually was who he claimed to be, but at present, I had no choice but to believe him. If he wasn’t, well... I’d just have to steel myself for that possibility.

Luckily, he was, in fact, the real deal. Flür responded swiftly, and Cercis and his corps mobilized for a recon mission.

From that point onward, I observed the second prince’s words and deeds attentively. It appeared that what he was saying was no mere bluster. Aurantia truly was steadily preparing for war.

I wondered whether to send another letter detailing what I’d seen and heard. If any Aurantian loyalists found out what I was doing, I’d be in hot water. Imagine my surprise when Cercis marched right into Aurantia himself!

“Long time no see,” said Cercis, appearing at the Black Cat out of the blue. As one might have expected, he was in disguise, as he wasn’t wearing his usual well-tailored, expensive clothing. Instead, he was dressed in slightly worn-out attire befitting a traveling merchant. His beautiful dark brown hair was casually styled, without a trace of glamor or shine. And on top of that...

“What’s with those lame glasses...?” This was my first time meeting him in quite some time, but I had to restrain myself from laughing out loud. I figured he had them on to keep from standing out, given how handsome he was, but he was seriously wearing black-rimmed spectacles with incredibly thick lenses! I literally couldn’t look him in the eyes. I was dying inside!

When he noticed I was holding in a laugh, he got all sullen.

“...It’s a disguise.”

“Yeah, I get that.”

I got the feeling Cercis wasn’t too thrilled with this get up. He seemed to be in a sour mood. Well, it’s necessary, so suck it up.

From then on, Cercis and I met and conversed in secret more than once. Being a high official in the military, it stood to reason Cercis couldn’t just waltz into an enemy country unattended, so every time he came to the Black Cat, he was accompanied by three male subordinates and two female subordinates dressed as men.

Bringing female subordinates with him was probably just a courtesy to his wife. Unless he’s totally henpecked now? Could it be...? That’d be hysterical!

The female subordinates stood watch over me and Cercis. Well, I guess they were observing him more than me, maybe. And it looked as though Cercis was being careful not to touch me at all. A man named Corydalis always sat next to me.

“If you’ll excuse me,” said Cercis, standing up.

“Where are you going? I’ll come with you!” said a silver-haired female subordinate of his.

“I’m going to the privy! Don’t follow me!”

“Oh, it’s okay! I’ll just accompany you to the entrance!”

You’re going that far!? Wow, Cercis, absolutely nobody trusts you! The sight of a weary Cercis was just too funny. I’m sure I looked judgmental while I watched this exchange.

I slipped information into the intervals of our trifling conversation. And I was extremely careful not to be overheard by potential eavesdroppers. This kind of intrigue is, like... actually pretty fun.

Meanwhile, the second prince was at it again, leaking classified information left and right. “Bought some cutting-edge weapons, we did. They’re projectile weapons! Flür won’t stand a chance!” “If the rear is closed off by a sheer cliff, the area will be a cinch to defend.”

Does he not understand that we’re not all his allies here? Does he not suspect I might be a spy? ...My head hurts. If a cretin like him is a big shot here, then I feel sorry for this country. Guys like him ought to be kicked to the curb.

Eventually, the war began. Apparently, Flür had worked out a thorough battle plan, as they seized the initiative easily, and the military, led by that easygoing second prince, was pushed into a corner in no time flat. The ladies at the tavern were starting to sweat:

“It’s only a matter of time before Aurantia capitulates.”

“Maybe we should flee the country.”

“Flür doesn’t mean any harm to us. I don’t think they’d actually invade...”

I should probably leave Aurantia, too. This country’s a sinking ship.

Just as I was wondering where to go next, a messenger from Flür arrived stealthily at my living quarters. It was one of the male subordinates under Cercis who had come to our tavern meetings. “The war will soon be over, Ms. Calendula. We will be the victors, naturally. I think you should leave this country.”

“Because I was an informant?”

“That hasn’t been discovered yet, but there’s no guarantee it’ll stay under wraps forever. If you stay, we can’t protect you from any harm that might befall you.”

“...True. So, where should I go?”

“To Umber. It’s an ally of Flür, and it’s more or less just as peaceful and affluent.”

“I see.”

“We’ve set your departure for three days from now. We will come fetch you under cover of darkness.”

“Got it.”

I hadn’t spent much time in this country, so packing didn’t take long. Thanks to the tavern owner’s generous wages, as well as the money I’d been given when I left the duchy, I wasn’t going to be hurting for cash for a while.

I stuffed my things one after the other into my bag. All I told the tavern was, “I’m off on another trip.” I literally stepped straight past the clingy owner (“please, be my mistress!”) and boarded the carriage sent by Flür.

“We’ll be headed to Umber after we enter Flür. We’ll need to cross the mountains, so it will take around two days,” said the female knight who came to pick me up.

“I see... Thanks for taking me,” I said, nodding to show her I understood. “Could you give this to your commander’s wife for me, please?” I was referring to the letter I penned to Mrs. Fisalis before I left home. Just thought I’d try writing her a letter, that’s all.

The knight took it with a dubious look on her face. “Understood.” She tucked it neatly into her breast pocket.

Now then, another journey awaits! They say the Kingdom of Umber is a land of plenty, so here’s hoping there’s no shortage of suckers!