-U Manor -"Father, you called?" Pupillam said to the man around his 40"s, who was sat down and polis.h.i.+ng his sword. Since they rose to fame, her father has dressed more formerly. Pupillam still found it odd to see her father in such garments though.
"Pupillam, a marriage proposal for you arrived."
"Is that so?"
"However, I"ve already refused it." Yet he called her out here, he must have something to say regarding it, "It was count second son who sent the proposal."
A knowing "ah" escaped her lips, "So it was from fathers old acquaintance." She watches him put the sword back in the sheath as he turned to the window.
"I do not wish to give you to someone who makes fun of people who rose to power like us. Especially not to an arrogant man whose spirit does not even match yours by a tiny amount. Does it not chill you to imagine it, Pupillam?"
Her sweat fell at her father"s reaction; what is he doing? So, much for that refined and dignified expression.
Father continued, "Just imagining it makes me s.h.i.+ver, that second son only has his good looks and his sword skills. He uses underhanded methods. I wish the eldest son proposed, he is at least a man of honor. So, I have no intention of sending you to him... But that guy was oddly persistent; he insisted that the only one you could marry is him. He said if I spoke to you about this, you would think the same as him."
Pupillam sighs deeply, "Your getting off-topic. But you"re doing a good job refusing the proposal." If their family didn"t have enough influence, it probably wouldn"t have been possible. But the second son of the count family... She once greeted him a few years ago. So it was Lord Amakaze. They are around the same age.
Her father turned to her, "Pupillam, the son in law I choose will be the one that"s inheriting the family business."
Pupillam understood what her father was getting at. Even if they have gained fame and prestige, the family business is still important to him.
"This is my duty as your father and head of the family. I owe it to you, who decided that you would protect the Princess at the cost of your life. Please wait, I will find someone who can be trusted, so just wait for a little longer."
"Understood father."
..
On her way back home, Pupillam found herself thinking back to those words countless times. Rely on, huh? Come to think of it she doesn"t talk to many people her age. Those who approach her are only doing so because they want something from her. Or are being paid to do so. Up until now, there has never been anything truly genuine. Her thoughts broke off when she hears a horse pull up beside her; her eyes went wide recognizing the person on the black horse.
"Good evening, let"s talk."
"It"s nice to see you again, Lord Amakaze."
This man is Lord Amakaze, the person her father was just speaking to her about. Pupillam could guess what he wanted.
Amakaze smiles, "Ah, you recognize me that"s an honor. Today I came here to meet you. The marriage proposal, I wanted to know why you refused it."
"I am devoted to the Princess."
"Is that all there is?"
Pupillam sighed, "Out of all the people you"d ask, why was it me? You are often the center of attention; surely, there is a better candidate.
Amakaze smiled, "You don"t believe in my feelings?"
Pupillam showed him a grim expression, and Amakaze sighed. "Indeed, your still a cold woman, but surely you understand the circ.u.mstances? Only I can propose to you right now."
"I see," Pupillam nodded. Now she understood where he was getting at. "You"re oddly blunt, do you not have a woman that"s caught your fancy?"
"I can"t say I have one I"m afraid. Duty takes precede over my heart. Though I am not the type to follow other people"s orders, I have nothing else other than my blade."
"In the end, we can"t decide this by dueling each other."
Amakaze chuckled, "That was quite foolish of me. Do you have somebody you like?"
A flash of blonde and blue eyes as deep as the ocean appeared in her head, and Pupillam shook her head. "I do not."
....
-Barracks -
Whenever she thinks of that person, Pupillam would recall the moments they shared. Everything would come flooding to her in an instance. Pupillam would recall how deep her emotions were for him, how badly she wanted to stay by his side. But even those emotions,
"That"s it. End of training."Find authorized novels in Webnovel，faster updates, better experience，Please click for visiting.
Murmurs of "thank you"s were expressed towards her and the lilac and white-haired man beside her. Getting called back here to help with the training was quite unexpected. Especially since she left so abruptly the last time too, last time it couldn"t be helped though, she was worried about the Princess. There"s no way she could have stayed without having a guilty conscience. Even though such a short amount of time has pa.s.sed since then, Pupillam feels as though it"s been quite a while.
All the guards are back in full health, and the wall of the outer gate has been repaired now too. In a few days, Lady Lyn will be leaving and heading to the city north of this area. It"s quite a distance and yet it"s quite close to this castle..the castle that person is staying. Maybe it"s just a coincidence, or her face pales, she won"t be surprised if that flashy guy settled it all up. The two are both completely different from each other. But if you get to know both of them unexpectedly, you find similarities.
As Pupillam takes a drink from her cup, she hears approaching footsteps. Black hair .... Lord Amakaze, huh?
"Good work. We had a lot of requests for training with you two. Thanks for the sparring practice."
"Lord Amakaze, I think we are unexpectedly suited for each other."
"So she says with that cold tone and indifferent
expression."
"But I cannot make a vow now," Pupillam murmured.
"Since you are playing hard to get, I do not mind playing your games, Lady Pupillam. In fact, we could use this chance to foster some feelings for each other."
Foster some feelings. Pupillam recalled the Princess expression, "Would it be less painful for you if you moved on and forgot... I"m sorry Pupillam, but Gabrielle likes my brother. Your my side but I..." The Princess told her such words once they became close. Pupillam never intended for the Princess to chose between her and Lady Gabrielle. If she could bury her feelings for that person in secret, then she would in a heartbeat.
n.o.body is supposed to know. n.o.body shall know.