Responsibility and Promises

…It doesn’t really matter?

Previously… Yes, before the goddess descended, I would have agreed. Both Kenntrips and Rasantark had been close to me since childhood, but I never considered them as marriage partners. I couldn’t even think about marriage seriously because my mind was preoccupied with Lord Wilfried.

…But now, things feel different…

I felt a strange dissonance at Kenntrips’s words and tried to find the right way to express it when Rasantark’s voice interrupted my thoughts.

“What are you saying? There’s no way you’re the same as me. Don’t lump yourself in with someone who tries to back out without doing anything!”

Startled back to reality, I saw Rasantark roughly grabbing Kenntrips’ shoulder and standing him up.

“I am far more suitable for Lady Hannelore than you, who talked about helping her leave for another duchy! How presumptuous. Right now, you should be grateful for the kind memory Lady Hannelore is offering you at the graduation ceremony!”

…I did find Kenntrips’ offer of assistance suspicious, but this outburst from Rasantark…

Rasantark called it a foolish offer of assistance, but that help was essential for me to come to terms with my feelings for Lord Wilfried. It was reassuring to have the only ally when I felt I had none.

“Cordula, ah…”

I glanced at Cordula, seeking her help to stop Rasantark from mistreating Kenntrips. She murmured, her eyes narrowed, “Kenntrips has indeed been saying some foolish things.”

…Come to think of it, my proposal to Lord Wilfried was also kept secret from Cordula!

Feeling a shiver run down my spine, I wanted to shrink away and stay silent. Saying too much could lead to trouble. I could only glance at Cordula while saying, “Please, stop,” to Rasantark in a flustered voice. However, my plea didn’t seem to reach him.

“I feel sorry for Kenntrips not being able to participate in the bride-stealing ditter, but he could have courted Lady Hannelore with all his might before the ditter and secured her choice, presenting himself as her official fiancé within the duchy.”

“But, Rasantark, even as an official fiancé, I cannot be recognized as a suitor under the Zent’s conditions…”

“Shut up! The Zent’s arbitrary restrictions are infuriating, but I am equally furious at you for accepting that injustice without resistance! Fiancé candidates should be treated equally.”

Rasantark’s words made it clear what had been bothering me, and I felt a sense of clarity.

“Rasantark is right; fiancé candidates should be treated equally. I dislike anything less than fair. Forced exclusion due to the Zent’s interference is unacceptable. I will speak to my father about this.”

As I clenched my fist, Cordula glanced at me and sighed resignedly.

“You speak boldly, but wasn’t it you who suggested the Zent’s intervention and management in the first place?”

…What?

Realizing that I was partly responsible for Kenntrips’s inability to participate hit me hard. While my father and the Zent had discussed the details, and I wasn’t fully informed beforehand, I had initiated the process.

“T-that’s why I need to discuss this with my father… Does that mean you knew Kenntrips couldn’t participate in the bride-stealing ditter, Cordula?”

“Yes. When you reported back after hearing the Zent’s announcement in the auditorium, I anticipated this outcome and confirmed it with the Aub.”

Her calm response left me stunned, and I couldn’t help but raise my voice, “Why didn’t you tell me!?”

“It was part of the tasks assigned by the Aub.”

Cordula’s explanation made me gasp. It’s not uncommon for me, as an archduke candidate, to be tested without realizing it.

“The Aub believes it is necessary to assess your capabilities, whether you stay in our duchy or marry into another.”

Given my past struggles with understanding the differences between my duchy and others, the Aub wanted to see if I could truly grasp those differences. Could I interpret subtle differences in wording and predict their long-term effects? Did I remember the goddess’s command not to kill?

As Cordula counted off her points, I recalled the story of how the gods’ anger changed the selection process for the sword dance. Similarly, it might be time to change the norms of the bride-stealing ditter according to the goddess’s words. Yet, despite knowing about the goddess’s command and the sword dance precedent, I hadn’t realized this applied to the current bride-stealing ditter.

”…Did everyone else notice this?”

“From what I’ve observed, it’s mostly the apprentice scholars who are adept at interpreting subtle differences in wording that are concerned about Kenntrips’s position.”

Cordula explained that although some realized the possibility of Kenntrips not participating, many prioritized Dunkelfelger’s customs over the Zent’s words, believing that as a fiancé, Kenntrips would naturally participate.

“Just like you, those with strong preconceptions and narrow views didn’t notice. I was surprised that Rasantark did.”

”…I only heard it from the other retainers; I didn’t realize it myself.”

Rasantark averted his gaze, looking somewhat guilty.

“My father assigning me a challenge is one thing, but involving Kenntrips… that’s too much.”

“Is it? If Kenntrips doesn’t participate in the bride-stealing ditter, the nobles of the duchy will assume he either declined or the Aub officially designated Rasantark as your fiancé. However, if you choose Kenntrips before then, he will become your official fiancé, not just a candidate.”

Cordula explained that Kenntrips could participate in the ditter as the sole fiancé if I chose him before the event. Currently, with two candidates, the apprentice knight was deemed a stronger contender for the ditter.

“Even though the timing is different, the situation where one of the candidates automatically becomes your fiancé if you don’t choose Milady remains unchanged from the initial arrangement.”

“Wait, Lady Cordula, that…”

Kenntrips began to protest, but Rasantark slammed the table with a loud bang. All eyes were drawn to his clenched fists trembling on the table.

“I hate being chosen automatically like that! I want Lady Hannelore to choose me properly! Festelt told me to court her convincingly, and I’m doing my best to do so. Kenntrips, show some seriousness too!”

Rasantark’s frustrated expression and voice reminded me of the time he confronted Kenntrips at the training grounds. Back then, I was too distracted by the details of Lady Rozemyne’s tea party and Lord Wilfried’s movements to grasp the full context, but it seems Rasantark has been feeling this frustration for a while.

…I want to fulfill Rasantark’s wish, but does that mean I must make a choice?

A heavy weight seemed to settle on my shoulders again, making my gaze gradually lower.

“Rasantark, I’m not saying you shouldn’t express your wishes, but the timing is terrible. Lady Hannelore was just told of Lord Ortwin’s feelings during the break of her dedication whirl lesson, and she felt overwhelmed, wishing he hadn’t said anything.”

“What? So he targeted the time during the dedication whirl. This time…”

“Fool! That’s not the point,” Kenntrips interjected, pressing his hand over Rasantark’s mouth. “I’ll explain the details later; just be quiet for now.”

”…Haa. How can I show my sincerity to Lady Hannelore when she feels burdened by confessions of affection?”

“Kenntrips, that makes it sound like you’ll show your sincerity if I want it.”

Kenntrips stopped moving, shifting his gaze from Rasantark to me, examining me with a dubious look before exhaling and smiling.

“Lady Hannelore, do you want to see my sincerity?”

“No!”

I shook my head reflexively. I had been rattled enough by the playful banter so far; I couldn’t handle Kenntrips’s full sincerity.

“And as for you, Rasantark, who wants to be chosen openly, I have some bad news. Lady Hannelore no longer has a choice. There’s no point in forcing her to decide.”

Everyone present furrowed their brows at Kenntrips’s words. I had been told I needed to choose between the two fiancé candidates, so his statement made no sense to me.

”…What do you mean?”

“It’s because the Aub decided,” Kenntrips replied. “Lady Cordula, it seems you weren’t aware, but how is it that Lady Hannelore doesn’t know? Didn’t the Aub speak to you about it when you returned to the duchy yesterday?”

I searched my memory, recalling the conversation with my father about the choices I had to make.

“I was asked if I would stay in the duchy and warned against betrayal. I was also asked which of Kenntrips or Rasantark I would choose, but I don’t remember being told that I had no choice.”

As I pondered, Kenntrips, growing impatient, spoke more quickly.

“Weren’t you told that if you didn’t choose, the Aub would decide for you? Lord Lestilaut’s letter, which arrived at noon, stated that Lady Hannelore didn’t choose between us until the very end. Did you ask the Aub to wait for your decision or negotiate any deadline?”

Only then did my father’s words come back to me. I realized my mistake. Kenntrips was right; I hadn’t negotiated anything.

“That… was when I was asked to choose whether to stay in the duchy. I didn’t realize it also applied to choosing between you two. I thought I had made my choice as my father asked.”

“Milady, I received no such report from the Aub,” Cordula said, looking concerned. “Does that mean Kenntrips is no longer a fiancé candidate?”

Cordula, who had been dismissed during my family’s conversation, looked at Kenntrips for confirmation, indicating that she needed more clarity.

“My status remains as a fiancé candidate for the remainder of this year’s term at Royal Academy. It is better for Lady Hannelore’s protection in the academy to be as strong as possible until the bride-stealing ditter is over. There will be days when Rasantark cannot handle the escort alone.”

“Kenntrips, did you really accept this position? Why? Just hearing about it makes me feel it’s unfair and disrespectful.”

It seemed so wrong that Kenntrips was being treated this way. I felt frustrated, but Kenntrips merely smiled wryly.

“Isn’t it natural to accept the words of the Aub and one’s lord? Besides, if I were to participate in the bride-stealing ditter now that the Aub has decided on Rasantark, I would have to become a suitor. Surely you wouldn’t suggest I make the same mistake as Lord Raufereg and have Lord Lestilaut become a lord who can’t control his retainers?”

I couldn’t possibly suggest that. Negotiating with the Aub and the Zent to have Kenntrips treated equally as a fiancé candidate alongside Rasantark was beyond the reach of a mere archnoble, even for me as an archduke candidate.

I pursed my lips and fell silent. Rasantark looked at Kenntrips with a troubled expression, clearly regretting his earlier outbursts.

“Kenntrips, I…”

“I didn’t want to make you feel this way, which is why I kept quiet,” Kenntrips said, ruffling Rasantark’s bright orange hair in a comforting gesture.

“Rasantark, I always knew Lady Hannelore wouldn’t choose me and that time would run out. But now, being able to escort Lady Hannelore at the graduation ceremony is much better than how things were when I first came to the academy.”

…This isn’t good at all.

I felt lost. Despite everything, Kenntrips’s warning was correct: I had run out of time to make my choice, and as a result, Rasantark became my fiancé by default.

“Don’t stop courting her, but don’t push Lady Hannelore to the point of distress for your own satisfaction. Promise me. I won’t tolerate it if you make her cry.”

I had made Kenntrips’s situation unfair and crushed Rasantark’s wish to be chosen. Yet, Kenntrips didn’t blame me. Instead, he comforted Rasantark and set boundaries. His tone reminded me of our childhood, and I couldn’t help but smile.

“Hehe… Kenntrips, your promises bring back memories.”

“You remember?”

Kenntrips gasped, turning around in surprise. I nodded, my eyes widening at his unexpected reaction.

”…When I was little, you scolded me and made me promise all sorts of things, didn’t you?”

“Ah, yes, that’s right,”

Kenntrips’ face briefly showed disappointment before he masked it with a smile and turned away.

“Um… Kenntrips.”

I called out to him. noticing his strange behavior, but he didn’t respond. Instead, he busied himself with straightening the chair Rasantark had knocked over.

“Let’s conclude for today. I didn’t know about the Aub’s words either. We should confirm with Lady Sieglinde.”

With that Cordula sighed, signaling the end of our discussion.

“Cordula, I want to return to Dunkelfelger and speak with my father again. Kenntrips’ treatment is simply too harsh,” I said as I returned to my room, expressing my frustration.

Cordula looked down at me with a slightly stern expression and shook her head.

“There’s no need for you to act now, Milady. If you intend to challenge the Aub’s decision, you need a compelling reason.”

“A compelling reason? Isn’t it enough to say that Kenntrips’ treatment is unfair?”

I couldn’t believe that my request to speak with my father would be dismissed. Cordula nodded once, her expression unwavering.

“The Aub has made his decision, and Kenntrips has accepted it. Since the Aub decided, Kenntrips and Rasantark no longer need to be treated equally. Lady Hannelore, you seem dissatisfied, but why do you want Kenntrips to remain a fiancé candidate?”

…Why do I want Kenntrips to stay as a fiancé candidate?

The reasons I had given so far, such as “Rasantark wanted to be treated equally” or “I dislike how Kenntrips is being treated unfairly,” weren’t sufficient. What else was needed?

“Because you didn’t make a choice, the Aub did. You must consider the meaning of defying that decision, especially as an archduke candidate. Your actions have consequences,” Cordula stated sternly.

I remembered my father’s words.

“If he had shown any understanding of the consequences of his actions, the stakes of the contest, or if he had any meaningful opinions, it might have been different. But all he has in his mind is the desire to engage in ditter. He doesn’t even understand the significance of marrying you.”

Though my father’s words were directed at Raufereg, they applied to me as well.

…Resolve, benefit to the duchy, my own opinion, and the consequences of my actions…

I realized that I had often followed my family’s directives without deeply thinking for myself.

It’s complicated and bothersome to consider all those aspects, but if I avoid or abandon this now, Kenntrips will remain in an unfair position.

…I can’t allow that.

With a sigh, Kenntrips’s resigned smile and his overreaction to the word “promise” flashed through my mind.

…Which promise was it, anyway?

Kenntrips often said, “Make sure to do this from now on. Promise me,” when scolding someone. Because of this, there were many promises, like “Be polite to unpleasant people,” “Spread your skirt before sitting to avoid wrinkles,” “Come to me if you want to cry or get angry, so you don’t hide in the garden,” “Always have a guard knight when moving, even in the castle,” and “Signal for someone to come closer instead of shouting.”

…None of these seem like promises Kenntrips would overreact to.

As Cordula wrote a letter to my mother, my mind was filled with these trivial promises with Kenntrips. I couldn’t come up with any strategy for negotiating with my father.