Chapter 6: Destined Partner

Chapter 6:
Destined Partner

 

IT WAS QUIET at Marie’s estate. Part of that was due to the absence of five rambunctious boys, but it was also due to the gloomy air that had settled over the residents. Marie had hunkered down at her desk to update her accounting ledger. The night had already grown late. Marie planned to retire once she finished, but Carla interrupted her.

“Lady Marie, there’s something I want to discuss with you…regarding Miss Noelle.”

“Did something happen?”

“We’ve had no issue with settling her in, since she just stayed with us, but—I don’t know how to put this—it seems like she’s putting up a brave front. Sometimes, she’s outright depressed.”

Marie had only been able to rescue Noelle the other day because Cleare had been keeping an eye on the girl. Cleare alerted Marie the moment Loic made his move, which allowed her to make it in time to protect Noelle, but their protagonist had been in a strange mood ever since.

“I see,” said Marie. “Well, I’ll take care of her, so you get some rest.”

“A-all right.”

After dismissing Carla, Marie put down her pen and cradled her head, slumping over her desk. “Idiot of a brother. What are you gonna do about this mess?”

The Priestess’s Crest had appeared on the back of Noelle’s right hand, but Leon had left for the kingdom before they could inform him. Luxion’s main body had left as well, which made it impossible to communicate the situation. Leon was supposed to return soon, so Marie intended to inform him when he did. She at least felt like she could relax a bit for now, since Cleare was on hand—but the real issue wasn’t Noelle’s crest so much as Noelle herself.

Why did she have to fall for my brother?! What’s even good about him? He has a terrible personality, a potty mouth, average looks, and… Okay, he does make pretty good money, and I can admit he’s resourceful. Hang on a minute! Maybe he’s actually a pretty good catch.

Once upon a time, Marie wouldn’t have given a boy like Leon a second glance considering how underwhelming he was compared to Julius and the other boys, but that was no longer true. Leon had managed to get his hands on Luxion, and he was an earl. He’d also managed to wrest payouts from the republic, so he was even wealthier than before. If you overlooked his personality and crude way of speaking, he was actually prime dating material.

No! The pros aren’t the issue here. The issue is still his personality! I sensed she had an interest in Leon a while ago, but he was completely oblivious.

Marie had realized it once the two began staying at her manor. Noelle always seemed hyper-aware of Leon, but he never noticed. Prior to their summer break, Noelle had made open overtures, but Leon hadn’t picked up on any of them.

And what was that crap about him hating dense guys? He’s the dense one! Dense as a brick.

Leon always complained about how much he hated protagonists who were oblivious to romantic affection, but he didn’t realize that he was no different from them.

Marie had hesitated over whether to say anything. She could have told Noelle that Leon was already promised twice over, but seeing the girl so cheerful, she had been unable to bear taking the wind out of her sails. Noelle was such a good girl. She even helped around the house.

It was hard not to like her; she was so upbeat and candid. Honestly, Marie wanted to support her. That was why she had been unable to say anything. But that had come back to bite her.

I should have told her sooner.

She was still annoyed at Leon for not picking up on Noelle’s feelings.

You’re at fault too, you know. Do you have any idea how hard she tried to get you to notice her? Watching you annoyed the hell out of me.

Irritated as Marie was, she knew anger wouldn’t solve the problem. She gave up and decided to talk to Noelle, pulling herself out of her chair and starting toward the door.

 

***

 

Noelle was spacing out in her room when Marie arrived. She forced a smile and welcomed Marie in. Marie took a seat on a chair while Noelle plopped down on her bed.

“It’s late. What’s up?” Noelle couldn’t begin to guess why Marie would visit her at this hour.

“Sorry. I should have told you sooner,” said Marie.

It was easy to guess what Marie was getting at. Noelle also wished Marie had mentioned Leon’s fiancées earlier, but after averting her eyes, she shook her head. “It’s fine. I was the one who got all carried away. I should have known he would already have someone. You know what they say, the good ones are always taken.”

Noelle laughed it off, but honestly, she wanted to break down in tears.

Marie’s face fell. “What do you even like about him?”

“You’re going to ask me that now? Well, no harm in it, I guess. …I liked that he was comfortable to be around. I didn’t have to worry about anything when I was with him. I could just be. That was really important to me. I even entertained the idea of going back to Holfort with him.”

Noelle was willing to throw it all away—the position of Priestess, her hopes for her house, and even her country.

But in the end, I guess I can’t run from the Sacred Tree. It was almost as if those who had once been tied to it could never completely escape its grasp. At least, that was how Noelle felt. She glanced down at her bandaged hand. “There’s a famous story here in the republic. Do you know of it, Rie?”

“What story?”

“We don’t have them anymore, but there used to be a Guardian and a Priestess. The Priestess was always selected from the same family, generation after generation.”

The head of House Lespinasse was always a woman, because only a woman could inherit the Priestess’s Crest.

“But the Guardian’s Crest was not heritable. The Priestess always chose the most suitable man she could find each time.”

The Priestess was always from a great house of noble blood. The Guardian was the one chosen on merit alone, and it was always the Priestess who selected him.

Marie’s shoulders relaxed. “I don’t know the specifics, but I think I’ve heard a bit of this story before.”

“Oh, so you know. In that case, I’ll get straight to the point. The man the Priestess falls in love with is chosen as the Guardian. It’s only when he returns her affections that the crest appears on him. It’s a pretty romantic story.”

Marie agreed with that, although something nagged at her. “But hasn’t the Guardian basically always been someone from the Six Great Houses?”

“Yes. Well, someone powerful is always chosen, and in Alzer, basically the only people with power are those who already have crests. I suppose there’s only ever been one exception.”

And that had been Noelle’s father. He hadn’t been of the Six Great Houses, and to top it off, he hadn’t even borne a crest at first. Still, her mother had chosen him.

“That’s why, no matter how impossible love might seem, a woman still has a chance of seeing her dreams fulfilled, if she becomes the Priestess. That’s the legend, anyway.”

However, Noelle’s love would not bear fruit.

I guess it really was nothing more than a legend, she thought.

“If—hypothetically speaking—I were to bear the Priestess’s Crest, do you think Leon would receive the Guardian’s Crest?”

Marie solemnly closed her eyes and nodded. “I am sure he would.”

“You really think so? If only that were the case.” Noelle’s heart faltered. She wanted to divulge the secret on her hand to someone—and to enlist their help. The first person that popped into her mind when she had these thoughts was Leon… But she shook her head. “Ugh, having your heart broken really is the pits. Sorry, but I’d like to be alone for a bit so I can work on forgetting all this.”

Honestly, right now, she was glad Leon wasn’t here.

 

***

 

As soon as Marie left Noelle’s room, she clutched her head.

Oh, she’s got it bad! And is it just me or has she totally forgotten that I was there when she received the Priestess’s Crest?! Yeah, okay, it would’ve been weird for me to recognize it, but still! Raise your guard a bit, girl!

Marie and Noelle had lived together for a while now, but Noelle had never before given any indication that she was a survivor of House Lespinasse. However, she was making no attempt to hide the crest on her hand. She often glanced at it and sighed to herself.

My brother is such an idiot! Why did you have to make her fall for you?! How are we supposed to fix this?!

Marie cursed him inwardly. Of all the people Noelle could have picked, she had to pick Marie’s brother. If only he weren’t already engaged, then Marie would have done all she could to support this relationship. Alas, since he already had Angie and Livia, she couldn’t.

What should I do? With the way Noelle is now, I don’t even know if she can move on.

In the worst-case scenario, it would take her years to get over Leon. The plot wouldn’t wait that long—and they’d at the very least graduate from the academy before then. But if things didn’t improve, Noelle seemed likely to abandon the idea of ever being with anyone at all.

A man—I need to introduce her to a man! No, that’s not going to work. I can’t see that going remotely well. Rats! What am I supposed to do?!

 

***

 

Loic had been invited to the Druille Estate to continue discussions.

Fernand’s face hardened. “You want to disqualify the Raults from the position of chairman? Loic, you have some extreme ideas.”

“You think so?”

This was all part of Loic’s focused strategy to get his hands on Noelle. The one person he thought might get in his way wasn’t Albergue but rather Louise. She often picked fights with Noelle, and these usually thwarted Loic’s advances. Additionally, if he wanted to convince his father to approve of his union with Noelle, he needed to remove the Raults from their current position.

Fernand’s sharp gaze bored into Loic. “Our house owes the Raults a great debt. When I became the head of my house at a young age, it was Lord Albergue who gave me the backing I required.”

“I am aware. If I recall correctly, your houses have been closely linked for the past two generations.”

“I am pleased you understand, then.”

The bloodlines of the Six Great Houses were exceptionally pure, for they believed the only worthy partners also hailed from those houses. This had, however, resulted in many of them being a bit too closely related. It was primarily for that reason that Louise could not wed Fernand. Hugues had been born by a different mother, one unrelated to the Raults, and so they had been able to agree on an engagement.

Relatedly, Fernand had been selected to be the heir to House Druille from the very beginning, and it was because Hugues respected that decision that the two enjoyed such a close relationship.

Alliances changed with each new generation. Once, the Raults and Druilles had been in conflict. In another period, the Barielles and the Raults had been close. As times changed, loyalties shifted.

Loic was aware of Fernand’s obligation to Albergue, but he also knew the young Druille leader’s personality.

For as mild-mannered as he appears on the outside, there’s no one more patriotic than Fernand. Loic shook his head. “It’s because I know of the debt you owe him that I am reaching out to you. Surely you must understand. He’s not fit for the position of chairman. His weak stance on Holfort is proof of that.”

Fernand’s eyes narrowed. “You’ve oversimplified the problem. Holfort has mass-produced many other ships like the Einhorn and has them stationed in their harbor. What could obstinance toward them cost us?”

“That is exactly why we cannot bend. It will only further weaken our position in future diplomatic outreach.”

Fernand’s deep love for his country meant he also valued the strength it had touted for generations. Admitting that they had lost to Holfort was an insult to his pride. However, as a political administrator, he also had to be realistic. That was precisely the chink in his armor that Loic planned to exploit.

“Holfort is a tough opponent, which is why we need to adopt the appropriate attitude when dealing with them. If you take our future dealings into consideration, Albergue’s stance puts us at a marked disadvantage.”

Fernand averted his eyes, perhaps thinking the same thing.

Diplomacy was only one of Loic’s cards. Now it was time to reveal his ace. “And you know…I have found the Priestess.”

Fernand’s head jerked up, eyes going wide as he stared at Loic.

“After the Raults destroyed the Lespinasses, there were two survivors—twin girls named Noelle and Lelia. They’re currently attending the academy and have the Sacred Tree Sapling in their possession.”

Fernand gaped. “I find it hard to believe Lord Albergue would fail to wipe them all out, but…they really survived, then?”

The Raults had obliterated House Lespinasse. The younger generation knew that much, but they hadn’t been told the specifics of what had happened. Those involved were tight-lipped. The current leaders of the Six Great Houses—or rather, the older generation—probably knew more, but they didn’t breathe a word of it.

Barielle’s previous head had already passed away, and the same went for the Druille’s. There was no way to dig up the truth within their own houses. Intruding on another house’s affairs to wrest answers from them wouldn’t be easy either. Regardless, the fact remained that House Rault occupied the chairman’s position, and many among the younger generation found that odd. Loic found it especially curious.

I find it difficult to believe that Lord Albergue would somehow overlook Noelle and her sister, but perhaps there was some reason for sparing them?

Albergue wasn’t the type to leave a liability behind, not if he wanted to wipe out his enemies. Letting even one person go meant failure to someone like him. Regardless, Loic wasn’t too interested in the truth. All he cared about was one thing…

“Noelle was chosen as Priestess,” he said. “Fernand, I would like to welcome her into my house.”

Fernand shot him a cold look. “If she survived and was chosen as Priestess, our houses should secure her safety. No single house should monopolize her.” He didn’t want House Barielle to wield all of that power themselves.

Thankfully, Loic had prepared adequate compensation. “About Hugues… Do you intend to have him assist you in your work after he graduates?”

Fernand eyed Loic suspiciously, wary of the sudden change of topic, but he nodded. “That was my plan, yes.”

“Though he can be a bit unprofessional at times, Hugues is a capable man. He is more than qualified to be the leader of a great house.”

If Fernand was guarded before, he was even more so now. “Are you threatening to replace me with him if I refuse to cooperate with you?”

“I wouldn’t dream of it. Alzer needs you if she is to remain strong in the future. No one is more qualified to lead House Druille than you. But having said that, Hugues wouldn’t make for a bad leader, would he? After all, he is engaged to Louise.”

Fernand swiftly picked up on the implied meaning—that Hugues might become the head of House Rault. “Impossible,” he said. “They have Serge.”

Loic scoffed. “The boy who so desperately wants to be an adventurer? Do you truly think him fit to lead? Besides, he hates the Six Great Houses. Surely you would prefer to have friendly relations with the next head of House Rault.”

It would be especially convenient for Fernand if that head were his beloved half-brother. Hugues was capable enough, but he was also obsessed with his brother. The latter seemed to realize that as well.

Loic continued. “Hugues and Louise could lead the family, and no one would complain if their child were to be named heir. No one save the current chairman, that is.”

Fernand contemplated this briefly, then finally said, “Very well, Loic. I will accept your deal. However, once the Priestess graduates and is able to stand independently in society, she must become our new chairman. Can you promise to let House Lespinasse sit on that seat once more?”

Loic had no interest in any of that. He must be wary of House Barielle having despotic ambitions. Well, my house will inevitably throw its weight behind hers, whether Fernand likes it or not. Of course, that’s something to worry about in the future.

“Of course,” said Loic. “Regardless, I will be backing Noelle in the future—as the Guardian.”

In the past, the house that produced the Guardian had often enjoyed an increase in authority. There was nothing unusual about that, even if Fernand had made clear that he didn’t want House Barielle to monopolize the Priestess. Judging by the pained look on his face, he was also feeling guilty for his decision to betray Albergue. That meant nothing to Loic.

Any obligation he felt was obviously superficial. The moment he realized he could have the Raults’ power for himself, he turned on them. No matter. I will make good use of you, Fernand.

 

***

 

The Druilles had prepared a room for Louise at their estate, where she was spending her summer vacation. The official reason for her stay was so that she and Hugues could cultivate their relationship before the official wedding ceremony, but their marriage was practically a foregone conclusion. This was only a formality they were paying to the other houses.

House Rault had agreed to this union primarily because they were eager to establish a connection between themselves and House Druille. Since Albergue was the current assembly chairman, he would have been in a weak position without any allies.

Even so, Hugues never visited Louise’s room. Summer break lasted over a month in Alzer, but he never showed his face even once during that time.

Louise was gazing out the window when she noticed Hugues hop into his car and drive off.

“Out to play with other girls again?” she murmured to herself.

Louise couldn’t fault him for it. She was perfectly aware of their mutual lack of affection. If anything, she wanted him to make a move on her so they could get it over with more quickly.

Sitting around in her room wasn’t going to make the time pass any faster, so she decided to venture out to do some shopping. A number of servants were waiting for her the moment she stepped out of her door.

“Lady Louise, where are you going?”

They looked panicked by her presence.

“I thought I might do some shopping. Could I trouble you to prepare a car for me?”

They traded looks before one said, “Very well. Please wait in your room until we have one ready for you.”

“Since you’ll be pulling it around to the front anyway, I will simply wait there.”

“No, please wait in your room.”

Louise was shooed back inside, which left her suspicious.

What could be going on? The mood in the house is completely different today than it was yesterday.

It gave her the sense they were trying to hide something from her.

 

***

 

Louise was supposed to have dinner that evening with Hugues, but the minutes trickled by without him ever showing up. The staff serving her also seemed troubled by his absence.

“He still hasn’t come back?” she asked.

One of them answered, “He has, but Lord Fernand summoned him.”

“Fernand did?”

It was unusual for him to call for his brother before mealtime. In fact, Fernand should have been scolding Hugues for not paying more attention to Louise. Was there some urgent affair distracting him? As Louise contemplated the possibilities, Hugues finally stepped into the room. He waltzed over to the table, throwing himself into his chair and snatching a bottle of wine from one of the nearby servants. He wasted no time pouring it into a glass and chugging it down.

“Such poor manners,” Louise scolded.

Hugues grinned, which made her even more suspicious. Normally, he blew her off without any interest in her nitpicking, only affording her an obligatory, “Yeah, yeah.” But not this time.

“What’s gotten into you?” she asked.

“Louise, something really interesting is about to go down.” After saying that, Hugues dug into the food the servants had carried in.

Louise had no idea what he could be referring to.

Hugues raised his glass, amusement dancing in his eyes. “Tomorrow will be a fine day for our country.”

 

***

 

A great number of vehicles pulled up in front of Marie’s estate. Dozens of soldiers arrived as well, all in their dress uniforms. Behind them were other military personnel, decked out in armor. Airships dotted the skies above. The place was completely surrounded.

Kyle pointed a finger at the window. “Mistress, there are other airships gathering too.”

They all flew flags from different houses. One could be forgiven for thinking this was a military operation.

Carla trembled. “Lady Marie, there are Armors zooming around too!”

They were blocked on all sides. The early morning hour had done nothing to discourage the clamor.

Marie was clad in her pajamas. Having shot out of bed thanks to the racket, she was still carrying her pillow in her arms. “Just calm down, everyone,” she said. “First, we need to pinch our cheeks to make sure this isn’t a dream!”

The three of them pinched their cheeks. The pain was proof that this was reality.

Kyle held his head in his hands. “What are we going to do?! The earl is still in Holfort!”

“Waaah, Earl Bartfort, hurry back to us!” Carla wailed.

Neither of them had any hope that the five idiots might be of any help. Frankly, neither did Marie.

“Cleare, is Leon still not back yet?!”

“Weeell, I got a message saying he would be back soon, but it’s still going to be a bit. No worries. I’ll just launch the Licorne and barbecue those suckers!”

Marie was horrified.

The fact that these robots are willing to massacre people on a dime is no joke! And anyway, wouldn’t that be a huge problem? Like, diplomatically? Well, hold on, we’re already in hot water as it is. Why the heck do they gotta pull a fast one on us when my brother isn’t here?! Wait! Maybe that’s the point. They’re attacking because he’s not here. Oh, Big Brother, you stupid idiot!

While Marie batted the possibilities around in her mind, a man in a tailcoat approached the house.

“Oh, is this their way of declaring war?” Cleare wondered. “Do they think the Licorne less capable than the Einhorn? In that case, time to take her for a spin! I’ll prove how capable my baby really is! I’ll fill them with holes ’til they look like Swiss cheese. They won’t know what hit ’em!”

Marie restrained the robot with her pillow. “You moron! If you do that, it really will be a full-blown war! Anyway, we need to let that person in.”

As she raced to the front door, the voice of the official standing outside rang out.

“I come to you as a servant of House Barielle. We have been sent to retrieve Lady Noelle Zel Lespinasse!”

Marie’s eyes went round. “H-how do they know her real name?”

This had never happened in the game—not as far as Marie knew, anyway!

 

***

 

Having been summoned, Noelle stepped outside. When she did, the official took a knee and bowed his head. Judging by the crest on his hand, he was one of the higher-ranking retainers of House Barielle.

“It is a relief to see you in good health. We are all extremely pleased to welcome you as the next head of House Lespinasse.”

Gobsmacked, Noelle could only stare. The whole estate was surrounded by soldiers from House Barielle. Onlookers had also gathered for a glimpse at what all the fuss was about, and their eyes were glued on her.

“He said Lespinasse!”

“There were survivors?”

“Wait, but if she’s the heir…that must mean she’s the Priestess!”

The soldiers were quick to shoo off the crowd, but it was too late. They already knew that Noelle was a survivor of House Lespinasse.

Oh boy, now everything is a mess.

Noelle stared down at her right hand. After a pause, she finally said, “You and your people sure have caused a scene. What are you planning to do with so many soldiers?”

“We came intending to put our lives on the line in order to take you back. Even if it means drawing steel on kingdom soldiers to return you to your people, we are prepared to do so.”

Noelle dropped her gaze. He says that even though they know Leon isn’t here.

As she hovered there, a young man approached from the front gate—Loic.

“Noelle, I have come to take you back.”

“Loic, you…”

He glanced around at his family’s army. They weren’t aiming their cannons at Marie’s manor, but they were still fully prepared to go on the offensive at a moment’s notice.

“Do you honestly intend to follow the Feivels’ example and pick a fight with these people?!” Noelle demanded. “Have you forgotten how it ended for them? This is exactly why everyone thinks our country is uncivilized—because people like you do things like this!”

Loic smiled as he listened quietly. It was discomforting. Terrified as Noelle was of his silence, he soon lifted both hands out wide and declared, “I do it only because you’re too valuable not to!”

“Come again?”

“Even if the Holfortians wipe us out, we would still be willing to throw our lives away to save you. That doesn’t just go for House Barielle. The other five houses would be forced to fight as well. No, the entire country desires your power such that they would all raise arms in your name!”

The Priestess was important enough to Alzer to motivate every last person to fight for her. It had been over a decade since someone last held the position, and many were anxious over her absence. That was as true for the nobility as it was for the common people. The Priestess acted as a link between the people and the Sacred Tree. Given their reverence for said tree, her existence was most precious. If it meant taking her back, all too many of them would lay down their lives to fight even a man as powerful as Leon.

He’s using the people’s lives as a shield, Noelle realized.

That was Loic’s aim. If it came to war, many would be sacrificed. He knew Noelle would be unable to bear seeing that happen, and he was using that weakness against her.

“We will fight to the very last man for you, Noelle. But what about you? Would you ignore our feelings—or rather, would you spurn the hand I offer you, knowing that?”

Frantic footsteps echoed behind Noelle as Marie and her companions scrambled out of the house. Marie had managed to change her clothes, but she’d done so in such a hurry that her hair was still a rat’s nest.

The moment Marie spotted Loic, she snapped, “You rotten bastard! Don’t you know the difference between right and wrong?! My Bro—I mean, Leon may not be here right now, but that’s no excuse for you to get ahead of yourself!”

Loic took one look at her and snorted with laughter. “Oh, how utterly terrifying. I do believe your white Einhorn is stationed in the harbor, yes? No doubt it will manage to move on its own and take us down one after another. But even should only one man be left standing on our side, he will continue to fight to his dying breath—because Noelle is Alzer’s Priestess.”

Noelle’s face paled. The mere thought of thousands dying for her had her legs trembling in fear.

Loic stepped closer, bringing his lips to her ear. “Noelle, submit yourself to me. That’s your destiny.”

“D-destiny?” she stammered.

“That’s right. Now that you have been selected as the Priestess, there are only two paths open to you: Run and be responsible for the deaths of thousands, or come obediently to my side and maintain peace for our republic. Go on, make your choice.”

Whatever he said, that was no choice. Noelle had only one option left to her.

“You really are the lowest of the low,” she said.

“You see, I am in love with you, and I will do anything to have you. Do you now comprehend the depths of my affections?”

Noelle lifted her hand to strike him, but almost as quickly, her arm lost strength and fell.

Behind her, Marie shouted, “Noelle, don’t let this slimeball persuade you! Leon will be back before you know it and fix everything!”

“Leon… Earl Bartfort, you mean?” Loic asked. “Yes, he does seem to be quite powerful. But I wonder, how willing is he to fight for you? The man is a foreigner. I see no reason for him to involve himself in our domestic affairs. Well, he is welcome to try it if he likes.”

Would Leon put his life on the line to fight for Noelle…?

No. No, he wouldn’t. He had his own position to think about and two fiancées waiting back home. Leon wouldn’t fight Loic simply to save some girl.

Moreover, even on the off chance he was willing, Noelle didn’t want to drag him into this battle.

I can’t cause him any more trouble than I already have.

Noelle glanced over her shoulder. “Sorry, Rie, but…I’m going to go with him.”

Marie’s jaw dropped in disbelief.

As Noelle started forward, Loic fell into step beside her. He snaked an arm around her waist and forcefully yanked her against him.

“I knew you would answer your people’s fervent wish,” he said. “Come, we must let the whole republic know that a new Priestess has been chosen! Finally, tranquility will be restored!”

The crowd cheered as they watched the two walk together.

Unlike everyone else, Noelle was staring down at her feet.

I’m the only one that needs to be sacrificed. As long as I put up with this, everyone else can be happy. I’m sorry, Lelia, for not hiding my crest better. As Noelle slipped into the car that Loic had prepared for her, she silently apologized to her twin.