Yuusha-sama no Oshishou-sama

AN: There were some edits, but nothing major. (TN: not applicable to us, I think…)

When she heard that Wynn had received dispatch orders from the Knight Order, Leticia had naturally wanted to go with him.

But since she wasn’t a knight, she hadn’t received permission to join the Imperial Army on its military movements. As a result, she chose to join as Wynn’s follower.

There were many cases of n.o.bles and knights having their soldiers and followers accompany them to battle.

Of course, it was unprecedented for a lady of high n.o.bility to become a follower.

However…

“Leticia, you can’t go to a battlefield!”

As she made preparations to go to Wynn’s side, her father, Lecter van Mavis[1], called out to her.

Lecter grimaced at the sight of the n.o.ble lady who wasn’t dressed well and wore no makeup.

“You want to become the follower of some plebeian brat!? What are you, a member of the Ducal House, thinking!?”

“I am not acting as a member of the Ducal House. What is improper about a disciple following their master?”

“It’s completely improper!”

Lecter stood up, pounding his ebony working desk with his fist.

Lecter remained in that position, glaring at Leticia for a while, then eventually let out a sigh and sat back down in his chair.

“You see, you are now the Brave, and everybody in the world has their eyes on you, Leticia.”

“Understood.”

“Naturally, there is n.o.body in the surrounding countries who doesn’t know who you are. Even countries who isolate themselves, and those of other races would know your name. As your father, I am proud that our family name has spread all over the world.”

“Therefore, it is important that you remember that you are the third daughter of the Remulshil Empire’s Duke Mavis. I don’t mind if the fact that you to have a commoner as your master. There’s no alternative if it’s true. But you should spread the name of the Baron-dono who was your tutor far and wide as your master.”

“I have no Master other than Wynn Byrd.”

In the first place, she had no memory of being taught anything by that Baron.

In the first place, the young Leticia was a child who couldn’t stand staying still.

More than other people, she was inquisitive, wandering towards whatever caught her interest. Whenever she studied, whether it was reading books with the tutor, or practicing her writing, the birds flying outside the window and the flowers blooming in the garden would catch her interest.

The tutor would avoid her every time her eyes left the book.

He spouted abusive words towards Leticia for lazing around, and in the afternoon, during the basic swordplay and martial arts training, he beat her severely with the wooden sword.

It must have been him venting his pent-up frustration from acting as her tutor, since he never got her during the lesson.

When they sparred, she was knocked to the ground— or rather— it would be more accurate to say that she was beaten to the ground.

Her whole body was covered in bruises.

He broke Leticia’s bones, and gave her cuts
and bruises only in places that were not easily visible; The Baron was surprisingly skilled.

As a result, Leticia was labelled a dunce in comparison to her older siblings, and was treated as a black sheep of the Ducal House.

When Leticia’s attending maids, who washed her body and changed her clothes reported her wounds, the tutor just said that it was his carelessness.

Under the tutor’s guidance, her brothers and sisters could carry themselves with pride for being a member of the Ducal House, so Lecter believed the tutor.

“For a Duke’s daughter to call an unknown n.o.body the Master of the Brave, it is doing a disservice to high society for you to follow that young commoner boy. Our honour would be stained!”

“Unknown n.o.body… even if you’re my father, of you call Onii—my master that, I would never forgive you!”

Leticia was incensed at Lecter’s words.

If the tutor had patiently taught Leticia slowly from the basics, in her studies, in her swordplay, in her martial arts, she may have awakened as the Brave faster.

However, it was with Wynn , where she enjoyed reading books, learning magic, and moving her body.

In Leticia’s isolated world, only one person gave an unwavering light.

Feeling Leticia’s rage-filled gaze, Lecter flinched, but trying to keep up appearances as a father, he squeezed out his voice.

“Li-Listen, Leticia. You and this commoner boy you call master live in completely different worlds. Are you willing to face the unhappiness of the surroundings not accepting it?”

“Not accepting it?”

Leticia showed a faint smile.

“Why does it have to be recognized by somebody? Apart from me and Master, who else’s opinion matters?”

“A-anyways, I will not let you join the campaign. Certainly, you were chosen as the Brave, and you have the status to be able to not bow down to the emperor, but you are still my daughter. You have to obey the words of the head of Mavis House.”

Lecter rung a bell on his work desk.

The Ducal House’s attendants opened the door and filed into the room.

They held in their hands excessively decorated frames, with what appeared to be portraits.

A total of six attendants entered.

Each person carried five or six drawings, making a total of 30 to 40 paintings.

“These are all portraits of your marriage interview candidates.[2]”

“Marriage interview… !?”

Leticia’s mind recalled the time when Cornelia showed her the portraits of various young aristocrats a few days ago.

“Not only from our country, but even royalty and prominent families of neighboring countries. You can choose a suitor from any of these.”

“Father. Why are we doing this? I do not wish to have a marriage interview. I have already dedicated my heart to somebody.”

“Is that the commoner you call Master?”

Leticia hung her head at Lecter’s words

From her anger to her bashfulness, and seeing her whole face flush, her att.i.tude was fitting for her age, but Lecter merely scowled upon seeing her att.i.tude.

“There is also the proposal from Prince Alfred that His Majesty mentioned. His Majesty is very enthusiastic about the idea. Rather than some foreign n.o.bility, Prince Alfred should come first. Of course, you can decline if he doesn’t interest you. It would normally be unacceptable to decline the Crown Prince after having the marriage interview, but your circ.u.mstances are special. At any rate, the Brave is an existence outside normal common sense.[3] The t.i.tle of Brave is that important. I am proud of you as my daughter.”

Lecter’s gaze moved from Leticia to the attendants in the room.

“Leticia. You’re a member of the Ducal House. Please be aware of the status you hold. You all keep watch and keep her from leaving..”

“We will humbly obey, Master.”

“You’re not thinking something stupid as trying to force your way out, right? For your sake, and for the sake of the commoner brat you call Master.”

“If you lay a hand on Onii-chan—!”

Leticia’s voice was once again filled with rage. However, Lecter didn’t flinch. He merely looked at Leticia with a grim face.

“Take them with you.”

With one sentence, Lecter looked down at at the papers spread across his desk. His voice showed that it was final.

Leticia glared at Lecter, but at the urging of the attendants, she rose and left the room. In the doorway, she looked back for a moment, but Lecter paid her no heed, his expression showing that he wasn’t going to say any more.

‘What do I do, Onii-chan?’

If she used her power, nothing in this world could suppress Leticia.

However, Leticia was bound by the powerless chains of her own status, as the Brave, and as the third daughter of the Duke.

More than the difference in status between Wynn and the n.o.bles, Leticia and Wynn’s status were as different as night and day, just as Lecter had said.[4]

‘You and this commoner boy you call master live in completely different worlds. Are you willing to face the unhappiness of the surroundings not accepting it?’

She couldn’t respond to those words. Leticia’s status, which she had never desired, was a tall wall looming between Wynn and her.

She returned to her room, and looked out the window. She saw a single bird flying in the sky.

She wanted to throw away everything.

Her t.i.tle of Brave, and her status as a Duke’s daughter.

However, it was impossible.

Her exploits and achievements would be handed down for generations.

If Leticia desired, she could take Wynn and flee to another country. If she did that, she could leave behind the t.i.tle of Brave and her status as lady of a Ducal House. Unlike any other n.o.ble lady, she believed she could live in any sort of environment.

But that would mean that Wynn has to give up his dreams of becoming an imperial knight.

If Leticia begged him, that kind youth would accompany her. However, Wynn would end up abandoning his dreams. Leticia didn’t want that.

Just like a bird which had once again lost its freedom, Leticia stared enviously at the birds flying freely in the sky.

Translator Notes