Chapter 42

After the party, I couldn’t properly walk down the imperial corridor.

I had to greet and say hello to people I encountered almost every twenty steps.

By the time I got to the training hall after passing those people, I felt like I had already run out of energy.

“It seems that you’ve gotten very popular.”

Commander Dalton chuckled as if he was having fun. How mean.

“I’m exhausted.”

“Well, as time goes by, their interest will fade away. You might as well have some fun while you’re at it.”

“I’d like to decline.”

I have enjoyed enough such attention from others in my previous life. I don’t need a second time because I want to live a quiet life.

‘Well, a quiet life is already down the drain.’

When I decided to go out to subdue the monsters, I was already prepared.

But just because I was prepared, didn’t mean I liked it.

“Now that I look at it, Princess is a very strange person.”

“Strange? Me?”

“Normally, people’d love to get this much admiration and attention.”

Dalton stroked his beard and twitched one eyebrow.

“At first, I thought it would be empty words, but now that you’re really hiding here, it seems that they were not empty words.”

“Well, everyone has different personalities.”

“That’s true, but if you’re going to become the ladyship in the future, you might as well get used to it.”

At that, I sighed and swallowed a groan.

Since Dalton and I had always only had conversations on topics related to swords and Leonard, the word ‘the ladyship’ was very unfamiliar coming from him.

“I suppose so… If I marry His Highness, as the crown princess, that’s what I have to do…”

I groaned and covered my face with both hands.

“Oh. You don’t like that either? Now you’re even stranger.”

I was ready.

However, as I said earlier, it didn’t mean being prepared didn’t make me lazy.

‘Besides, it’s going to be my first time getting married…!’

Aside from the crown princess position, the wedding itself was going to be my first time.

No, wait.

It’s not just about mariage, is it?

Come to think of it, isn’t the first time I’ve ever been in a relationship?

‘A relationship… By the way, I really am in a relationship, right?’

I once again reflected on what Caesar and I do when we meet together.

Swordsmanship lesson… in general.

Not long ago, we subjugated monsters together.

Other than that, for days I don’t want to leave the house, Caesar visits the duke’s estate to drink tea, fight with Agoth very three visits, or even fight in with Leonard every four… What on earth—?

‘Is this a relationship?’

No matter how new I was about dating…

This isn’t a relationship!

What talks about the love affair of lovers? All we talked about was swords!

“Sir Dalton.”

“Yes, my lady.”

“When did you get married, Sir?”

“Well, it’s been about five years.”

“When you were dating, what did you spend most of your time doing?”

Dalton burst out laughing at my question.

No, this guy—! This is no laughing matter! I’m serious!

“I guess you haven’t been having fun with His Highness lately.”

“No, that’s not true… What should I say, I wonder what other people usually do when they’re in a relationship…”

“Hmm, I’m not sure. I was married by arrangement, and the dating period is short, so I don’t think my experience will be of much help.”

Dalton thought for a moment before speaking.

“We usually go to an opera or performance together, take a walk, or go to a nice restaurant… Well, aren’t those the usual things?”

I was quite surprised to hear such a typical standard of love.

Even a sword fool like Dalton had a pretty normal relationship.

“That’s normal, right?”

“Have you never been to a concert with His Highness?”

“…”

I avoided Dalton’s gaze instead of answering.

“Has His Highness ever recommended it before?”

“No.”

“Hmm. You’re a strange couple. So what do you usually do?”

“… Lessons?”

“Ah…”

Dalton, who lived and died by the sword, looked at me with an expression that this alone was unacceptable.

What’s with your gaze? Stop it. It hurts my self-esteem.

Anyway, one thing was for sure.

Caesar and I, were not in a relationship right now.

***

What is love?

What kind of relationship is the right relationship?

What on earth should I do for a good relationship?

“Instructor, what are you worried about these days?”

After the trainees have finished class.

Perhaps hearing my light sigh, the trainees who were with me during the subjugation gathered around me.

They all look worried about me.

“Hoh, did you happen to have a bad experience at the last party?”

“Ah, did a lesser-known bastard from a certain family make our instructor uncomfortable!?”

“Just say it! We’ll go and kill that bastard right now!”

“It’s not like that. Everyone calm down.”

I didn’t say anything, so why are they trying to come up with a conclusion? Geez.

“Then what the hell is going on?”

“If you have any concerns, please tell us. We will do our best to help!”

Everyone looked at me with twinkling eyes.

I hesitated for a moment. To be honest, there were also times when I was embarrassed to say that it was a love issue.

“Mm, has anyone ever been in a relationship?”

I raised my right hand shoulder-high and asked.. Everyone looked at each other as if my question was unexpected, then they started raising their hands.

Wait a minute. What? Almost everyone?

“Aren’t you all in your twenties? Why are there so many of you who’ve been in relationships?”

“Isn’t it weird if you’re in your twenties and don’t have any dating experience?”

“Uh, is that so?”

For some reason, my face turned red.

To say that the me in the previous life couldn’t have a single relationship until I died, there must have been an area where I didn’t work hard!

“Well, among those who raised their hands right now. Uh, is there anyone who can consult me?”

I asked in a timid voice.

The trainees’ eyes widened at my difficult question.

As they exchanged glances with each other, they suddenly became active as if they had realized something.

“Of course! If it is for Instructor, we will stay up all night to consult you!”

“No, you don’t have to stay up all night.”

“I’ve dated more than 20 times, Instructor!”

“What? You are eliminated.”

“Instructor! Me! I am a married man who was in free love!”

“Oh, really?”

“Don’t listen to that bastard, Instructor! That bastard, married someone other than the one he was dating!”

It was good that everyone responded positively, but they were so passionate that all sorts of obscenities and slanders began to spread.

“C-Calm down, everyone.”

Just as I waved my hand in embarrassment, Caesar appeared with Hamilton from the entrance to the training hall.

Perhaps they had been waiting for me to finish class and came to pick me up.

“Huh? What’s going on here?”

Caesar smiled at the unusual commotion and looked at the trainees as if asking for an answer.

“Why don’t someone come forward and explain to me?”

As the trainees tried to answer with a meaningful expression, I waved my arms in embarrassment.

“It’s nothing!”

“Now I’m even more curious after hearing that.”

Caesar looked at me and lifted one eyebrow.

“Don’t be curious.”

“I’m disappointed, Master. I can honestly tell you anything you’re curious about.”

“But I don’t want to ask you.”

“Hmm.”

As I stubbornly refused, Caesar shifted his gaze to glance over the novice soldiers.

He seemed to think that even if he couldn’t open my mouth, the trainees would confess.

I looked at the trainees nervously.

‘Don’t say it! Never say it!’

Whether my telepathy worked, the trainees looked at me with determined expressions, telling me not to worry.

“This is a secret between us and the instructor!”

“That’s right! No matter what you do, we can’t tell you!”

“The honor of the knight is at stake!”

‘You guys—!’

I was deeply moved by the loyalty of the trainees.

Of course, it was a little bit provoking Caesar by emphasizing it was a secret between me and them.

“That’s right… Surely it won’t work once you say that…’

‘Mm? Surprisingly, he backs away without hesitation?’

“Then, continue with your conversation.”

Caesar did not really rush any further and left the training hall.

That’s strange. That guy isn’t that kind of guy. I looked suspiciously at Caesar’s back.

‘Well, that’s a relief.’

I’m getting dating counseling because of that guy, so even if I die, I can’t let Caesar know.

‘I must never get caught by that guy.’

As I looked towards the entrance where Caesar had disappeared, I made a promise over and over again.

***

With the trainees’ somewhat excessive but active counseling and attention, I managed to acquire a roughly universal dating course.

All that remains is practice.

“Agoth. How about this dress?”

I showed Agoth a navy blue dress.

This was the one-piece Rowena recommended because she said it was a trendy design these days. The skirt had rich lace, and the sleeves were puffy.

“Wow, it’s pretty, but…”

Agoth blurted out what she was saying with a somewhat shaky expression on her face.

“What is it? You don’t like it?”

“No. It’s not that, but I think it’s a bit far from my lady’s taste.”

“Well, it’s not my cup of tea.”

I didn’t like these loose clothes because they are uncomfortable for activities.

However, as a result of conducting a survey of the trainees, it was concluded that men prefer this type of clothing.

What did they say, ‘Shalala’ style?

I couldn’t quite get a sense of what it was, though.

“Anyway, it’s not weird, isn’t it?”

“Of course. You look beautiful in anything.”

Agoth replied with bright eyes.

Well, looking at it that way, Agoth was a kid who would say that I look pretty even in bulky clothes. I might have chosen the wrong person to ask.

‘There’s nothing I can do. I have to trust Rowena’s eyes’

Because I couldn’t trust my eyes.

“Prepare the carriage. I will go to the Imperial Palace.”

“The Imperial Palace? But there’s no class today.”

“I know. I made an appointment with Caesar to go out today.”

After answering that, I took a deep breath to renew my resolve.

Today I intend to ask Caesar out. I’ll have a normal, universal relationship.

‘There’s nothing to worry about. The preparation is perfect.’

Through consultation and information gathering with many dating experiences, I have prepared a truly perfect dating course. There is no way it will fail.

Soon the carriage was ready, and I left the room.

Kegor, the butler, who came out of the hall to see me off, saw my clothes and touched his mustache for no reason.

“My lady. You look a little… different.”

I was really worried about what kind of words were hiding between those words.

“You don’t like it?”

“No, that’s not what I meant… If you have a special event today, please let me know in advance. I will prepare.”

“That’s alright. Oh, you don’t have to prepare dinner because I’m going to eat outside today.”

When I said it with a solemn expression, the butler’s eyes changed as if he realized something.

He spoke to me in a grave voice that suddenly dropped a tone.

“I see. Well, I hope you have… a great day today.”

I don’t know what you’ve realized, but thank you for your support, butler!

The carriage headed straight for the Imperial Palace.

‘Go to a cafe with a nice atmosphere, have tea, and watch an opera. After that, we stop by Mont’s Cathedral to see the night view, then go to a nice restaurant for dinner.’

Inside the swaying carriage, I reviewed today’s plans in my head several times.

It was a course that the trainees meticulously checked and crafted one by one.

When I had first reserved the opera seat saying, ‘I’m sure the first row would be good’, I had been scolded by the trainees, and eventually rebooked a balcony seat on the second floor.

This is a course that can’t go wrong!

I was full of confidence.

“Welcome, Helena. I’ve been waiting.”

When I arrived at the room where I was guided, Caesar greeted me with a bright smile.

I coughed once in vain with a feeling of determination.

“By the way, what’s going on? You told me to meet you outside first.”

“I heard that the opera performances at Millen Hall are pretty good these days, so I wanted to go with you.”

I took out a ticket and showed it to him like an excuse.

Seeing the ticket, Caesar lifted his eyebrows and smiled.

“Huh, opera?”

“You don’t like it?”

“No way. I like opera. Seriously.”

Oh, that’s a relief. I was worried about what to do if you didn’t like it. I breathed a brief sigh of relief.

“Since it starts in the evening, would you like to stop by the cafe first if it’s okay? I found a cafe with a good atmosphere.”

“Really?”

“It’s a really famous place.”

“Oh, I’m looking forward to it.”

“Sure, of course. Just trust me and follow me today.”

A little flattered by Caesar’s words, I clenched my fist and said, Caesar smiled strangely at me for some reason.

“Great. Then, let’s have a good day, Master.”

Caesar’s smile looked like he was up to something, but I must be mistaken.

I took Caesar’s hand as he reached out to me, and pressed down the question that crept into the corner of my mind.