Chapter 4: Ten Out of Ten Tsundere

“Marquis Riefenstahl’s daughter is bullying that commoner girl in the courtyard. Please, go help her!”

Faced with this inconceivable statement, I wondered how I was meant to respond. Was I to grow upset at this slight to my fiancée’s name? Should I have explained that this was a misunderstanding and boast that my betrothed was an adorable, kind girl? Or perhaps the right answer was to act shocked and say that bullying was unacceptable.

Regardless, the meek girl who’d come to tell me this was trembling. All I could do was half-heartedly smile in the same way I always did and say, “I understand. Thank you for letting me know.”

However, I may have been able to protect my easily misunderstood fiancée more. The thought left a tinge of regret in my heart. The other day, it had become clear that Fiene wasn’t at all scared of Lieselotte. I hoped that there was a way for me to let the rest of our peers appreciate her cuteness as well.

With this in mind, I made my way to the courtyard, looking for the misinterpretable Lieselotte.

“Miss Fiene, you reside in the faculty dorms, do you not?”

“Lieselotte’s questions are so roundabout that not even we understand them!”

“It looks like there’s something in particular Liese-tan wants to ask. I don’t know if this is a noble specialty or one of her own, but she’s been asking so many seemingly unrelated questions that this conversation is becoming an interrogation.”

There she is. I found Lieselotte sitting on a bench beside Fiene, pressing her with questions. Judging from the gods’ statements and the fixed forty-five degree angle of Fiene’s head, her queries were both unclear and far too numerous.

“Um, yes? The school is letting me stay in the dorms.”

Generally speaking, the academy’s students were the well-to-do sons and daughters of the aristocracy. Commonly, every noble house in the kingdom had their own estate, but also owned a secondary residence in the capital.

Since our campus was located on the outskirts of the capital, all students commuted from home. That is, except for one lone exception: Fiene. She instead lived in the faculty dorms.

Still, it was rather late to be confirming such a detail. What is Lieselotte planning?

“And the faculty dorms...provide meals, don’t they?”

“She is on the cusp of getting to the point! We’ve seen this shtick so many times in the past few minutes.”

Lady Kobayashee’s remark was spot-on. Lieselotte seemed troubled by the fact that she couldn’t ask what she wanted to in a straightforward manner.

“They do! It’s delicious! But because of budgetary concerns—or maybe because everyone there is a full-grown woman—they don’t serve much meat at dinnertime. I go out and get my own to make up for it, though!”

“I don’t think that’s what Lieselotte was trying to ask!”

“Fiene is living in the female staff dorms. Not only that, but the teachers are all high-born ladies fit for their role at this school. It does make sense that a growing warrior like her would find their meals lacking.”

Fiene’s answer was as enthusiastic as could be, but it only left Lieselotte fidgeting, unsatisfied. Lord Endoh must have been right.

“Lieselotte, is something the matter?”

It was high time I quit my silent observation, and so I called out to my fiancée. Both she and Fiene recoiled and whirled around in unison, and remained in sync as they smiled in relief upon seeing me.

“Oh, Your Highness. Well...”

Lieselotte looked happy, but trailed off all the same. The contents of her question were difficult to disclose, even to me.

“You were discussing the meals served at the faculty dorms, weren’t you? Speaking of which, Miss Fiene, what are your plans for the summer break? I heard the dining hall is closed for part of it.”

The academy’s summer vacation was only a week away. During the month-long break from school, the faculty and staff continued to work. However, there was a full week where even they were released for holiday.

Lieselotte silently gasped. She reacted to my offhand comment with a beaming smile.

“I see now. Lieselotte is worried about how Fiene plans to get through the summer break!”

“She goes on a trip with her chosen romance target in the game, but...I can’t help but feel like an unwed boy and girl traveling together goes against the morals of their world.”

I frowned in reflex at Lady Kobayashee’s statement. It was indeed disreputable for an unmarried couple to go on a vacation together.

“Oh, summer break? If I can find out where mommy—er, I’m sorry, where my mother is, I’ll go live with her. Otherwise, I’ll stay in the dorms and cook for myself.”

Fiene seemed to think nothing of her reply, but it raised serious issues. I’d heard that she had no father. The fact that she couldn’t locate her only parent was seriously alarming. I unconsciously stepped forward and asked her to clarify.

“Miss Fiene, what in the world does that mean?”

“Oh, well, my mother apparently made a bunch of very powerful nobles very, very mad. Now they’re after her life.”

My serious tone was met with utter nonchalance from the girl in question.

“As a result, they nearly killed me too. We moved about once a month when I was little, and now that we live apart, she won’t tell me where she is, even though I’m her daughter. Honestly, I wonder what my mother could have done?”

Fiene chuckled as she spoke, but I was fairly certain this was no laughing matter.

“Since I can use magic, I’m pretty sure my father must have been a nobleman. Also, I’ve heard that he passed away before I was born. That means he died after I was conceived but before I was born. At the time, I wondered, ‘Did mommy kill him during a fight about the pregnancy? Could it have been a crime of passion? And is that why we have hits out on our lives?’ I couldn’t bring myself to ask my mother about any of this, though.”

Fiene’s gaze wandered off as she elaborated. Neither Lieselotte nor I could say a thing.

What a frightening conjecture. I simultaneously wanted and didn’t want to know the truth.

“Fiene’s theory is wrong. The real story is exceedingly peaceful.”

Thank the gods. Lady Kobayashee’s interjection left me at ease.

“L-Let us put aside your mother’s tale for now! Miss Fiene, don’t you think it would be uncouth of you to stay behind in the dorms all by your lonesome? No matter how strong you may be, you are still a girl, you know?”

Lieselotte’s face was incredibly grim. Still, she had managed to put our conversation back on track.

The overwhelming impact of Fiene’s mother’s story had made me lose track of the issue at hand. Meals were not the only concern. A girl of fifteen was meant to be properly cared for. The security detail at the academy was but a skeleton crew in the summer. We couldn’t simply leave her here.

The royal palace had no shortage of guest rooms, so I figured it would be best to shelter her there. However, despite my status, would receiving an invitation from a man cause harm to her reputation?

“Why does Lieselotte look so grim?”

“Part of it is that she’s upset by Fiene’s life story. But as we all know, she’s a tsundere. Basically, I speculate that the main cause is that she wants to invite Fiene to stay with her but can’t figure out how to do so.”

Just as I was contemplating what the best course of action would be, the gods had a short discussion of their own. Ah, I see.

“In that case, Lieselotte, why don’t you harbor Miss Fiene for the summer?” My suggestion caused the corners of Lieselotte’s lips to pull up ever so slightly.

“B-But of course! I plan to return to the main Riefenstahl estate for the summer, and with three younger sisters already, adding one more would be little trouble! As an esteemed lineage of warriors, we pride ourselves on our strength. Should an incident occur brought on by Miss Fiene’s mother, we shall handily dispose of any assailants. Furthermore, Miss Fiene, you still have much to learn when it comes to manners and the like; I could not be a more perfect example to show you proper form! Can you think of anywhere else as fit for your stay as my home? I suppose if His Highness insists, then, um...I wouldn’t, um, mind letting you stay.”

“Lieselotte can’t hold back her joy! Here come her rapid-fire excuses! A haughty choice of words won’t be enough to hide that smirk, Lieselotte!”

“Near the end, she realized she was getting too excited and slowly toned it down. A ten out of ten tsundere performance from start to finish.”

The gods could not have been more right. I silently revered the heavens. My fiancée was so adorable it hurt.

“No, please, I can’t cause any more trouble for you,” Fiene said, shaking her head in shame.

“Hmph, did I not just state that taking care of you would cause us no trouble? What, do you mean to dishonor the Riefenstahl marquisate? Shall I take this as an implication that our venerable estate is so destitute that the custody of a lone girl for a mere month would bring us to our knees?”

Lieselotte leered at Fiene. Still, from clothing to wands, the number of gifts she’d sent to Fiene in her tsun de rais way was ludicrous. I felt like she didn’t even give me this many thoughtful presents—and we were to be married.

I could hardly blame Fiene for wanting to refuse some of Lieselotte’s favors. What was more, the duration of her stay had changed from the week that the dorms were closed to the entire month without our noticing.

“The key to uncovering the peaceful truth of Fiene’s mom’s past is with House Riefenstahl,” Lady Kobayashee said. “We need Liese-tan to win out here no matter what.”

If this was more than a matter of Lieselotte being excited about spending the summer with her friend, it was my time to step in.

“Miss Fiene, the Riefenstahl estate is located by the ocean. The seafood there is delicious.”

“Lady Lieselotte, I will be in your care for the summer.”

My little joke immediately robbed Fiene of all reservations.

Upon seeing Fiene bow down, Lieselotte stood stupefied. Yet still unable to best the happiness in her heart, she smiled.

————

The two girls went on to plan out their activities for the break, but their conversation came to an abrupt end when Baldur arrived to pick up Fiene.

“I imagine this will take some time, so let us postpone our preparations to a later date,” Lieselotte said.

As I absentmindedly watched Fiene leave, Lieselotte suddenly asked me a question.

“By the by, how do you expect to pass the time this summer, Your Highness?”

“I’m...probably going to have to go around inspecting various estates, as per usual. In just a year, I’ll graduate from this academy and begin engaging in state business as an active member of the royal family. My father insists that I get used to my future affairs as much as I can now.”

Imagining all the things my father would tightly pack into my schedule left me feeling depressed. Lieselotte didn’t seem very pleased; in fact, she looked to be sulking as she opened her mouth again.

“My, I would say that taking full advantage of opportunities to rest is rather important, wouldn’t you?”

“I don’t disagree...”

Unfortunately, my father had pushed a handful of his responsibilities to me, specifically so he could get some rest himself.

To tell the truth, I wanted a moment to summon my lovely fiancée to the palace and slowly deepen our bond. However, my father would surely get in the way of any attempt at such frivolity. Without a means to negotiate with him, I could only reply in vague platitudes.

“I think it imperative that you find time to exchange ideas with your peers while you remain a student. Indeed, learning from adults will be possible after graduation, but there are some things that can only be experienced as a student.”

Lieselotte’s persistence brought a certain friend’s invitation to mind.

“That may be true. Art said, ‘Let’s skip out on all that and go on a vacation! It’ll be our graduation trip!’ Although he’s practically a devil whispering over my shoulder, should I take him up on his offer? It won’t be easy to find time to travel with him after we leave the academy, after all.”

For a brief moment, I thought back on Lady Kobayashee’s words and entertained the idea of vacationing with Lieselotte. However, that was too unrealistic. Instead, if Art and I visited House Riefenstahl, I would at least be able to see her. But my unspoken scheme was cut short by the panicked words of the goddess.

“S-Sieg, I don’t think that’s what she meant... Liese-tan’s really mad!”

“Count Artur Richter, was it?” Lieselotte’s low voice crawled about the earth. Her silent fury sent a chill throughout the entire courtyard.

“The flames of jealousy are burning in Lieselotte’s eyes!”

“Liese-tan’s lonely since she won’t get to see Sieg for the entire break. Also, truth is, her jealousy of Art is a regular thing due to how close he and Sieg are.”

This news, combined with Lieselotte’s irregular attitude, shocked me into a state of urgency. I quickly exposed all of my thoughts until this point.

“That’s right. My father can’t say much when it comes to Art. I thought that I might be able to use him as an excuse to visit your residence. It would be too lonely to go that long without seeing you.”

Baring my true feelings was rather embarrassing, but Lieselotte’s expression instantly brightened. I was relieved to know that she didn’t find me to be disgusting or clingy.

“W-Well, of course! Our estate is expansive, with several sightseeing locations perfect for your vacation! Rather, I think it would be the ideal location for Your Highness’s inspections!”

Lieselotte twirled the tips of her honey-blonde hair. The way she fought back her grin was incredibly cute.

“Mm, no, the Riefenstahl estate doesn’t need to be inspected. Your family is exemplary and dependable.”

I delivered her the cold truth. Her twirling finger froze in place and she stared at me solemnly.

“I cannot help but criticize such unfettered trust. My father holds the posts of both marquis and warmaster. Do you not think a careful eye is needed to discern whether or not he harbors any intention of rebelling against the crown?”

“If he did, he wouldn’t have married off his precious eldest daughter to me...”

Despite this comment, the precious eldest daughter of House Riefenstahl shook her head, still glaring at me.

“Perhaps this is all a ploy to make you think that way. I suspect you’ll have to confirm the truth with your own two eyes by inspecting our estate from corner to corner.”

“No, it isn’t a ploy. I truly doubt that’s the case. Both my father and I know our generals well, and the marquis is undeniably a loyal soldier.”

I tried my utmost to calm Lieselotte down. Then, the entertained voices of the gods reached my ear.

“Lieselotte throws her own father under the bus for a chance to see His Highness! All truly is fair in love and war!”

“Her logic is totally bonkers, but the passion behind wanting to see Sieg and keeping him at the Riefenstahl estate for as long as possible is coming through!”

I knew it. Lieselotte is so cute, even when she’s running amok like this.

Overwhelmed with emotion, I sighed, smiled, and closed the distance with Lieselotte. I scooped up the ends of her hair, disheveled from her earlier fidgeting.

“Ah...” She began to say something, but then fell silent.

I laid my heart bare for her.

“Inspection and work aside, I will come visit for no other reason than to see you, Lieselotte.”

“Sieg combs through Lieselotte’s hair and hits her with a princely smile at point-blank range! His final line seals the deal! This is absolute destruction!”

“So flashy! God, that’s so showy! But as expected of Prince Sieg, he pulls it off without a hitch!”

The gods issued their judgments of my actions. Now a little worried, I snuck a glance at Lieselotte’s face. She was flushed red and had averted her gaze.

“There isn’t any need to force yourself to come,” she mumbled meekly.

Lieselotte was so unbearably cute that I resolved myself then and there to twist open time in my schedule at any cost. Even if I had to burden Art with all the blame in the world, I would visit her. I swear it.