27 – Fight without Compromise
“….What do you mean to do?”
Yukito moved to the back as Aize faced Mikhail.
He was sweating as he spoke.
“It’s as you said. This is a personal matter between you and I.”
“Ah…”
Mikhail snorted.
“Do you think you can negotiate on equal footing? As if the tables have turned now? Using power to threaten and bend things to your own will. You are no different from me.”
“Indeed. Perhaps it is the same thing.”
Had Yukito not come…she would not have been able to resist. And they would have lost everything.
Because she had no power.
This moment was just an opportunity that someone else had given her.
She had no complaints. As long as Mimi was protected.
But…what of her father and mother?
“Even if I left everything to teacher, and it all worked out… There are some things that would stay the same.”
“No matter what you do…those two are rotted. There is no saving parents who could easily sell their child.”
“…”
Indeed…that was likely true.
It was too late… They were too far into their own madness.
“…I was scared.”
She had not wanted to face that reality.
“To become a noble…become stronger…there were many reasons that I left. But really, I was just scared.”
Every time she looked at her parents, she felt that she should just admit it.
That it was futile. There was no going back.
And then she could run away. And forget everything.
But every time she thought that…
The past. The days. The memories would whisper to her.
…I just want to go back to that time.
“But I’ve made up my mind.”
Aize thrust the head of her spear toward the man.
“Mikhail Fravault… Once again, I challenge you to a duel. To protect my sister.”
“What…”
He was about to ask her what that would accomplish, but she stopped him with a shake of her head.
“There is no point in talking now. We cannot understand each other. This…is all we can do.”
The last attempt of an awkward girl.
He just laughed again.
“Fool. I have no reason to accept…”
“…You do. Mikhail Fravault.”
The voice…was from someone who should not have been there.
Aize’s head turned and then her eyes widened.
A beautiful girl with long golden hair was standing there.
And to her side…was her friend.
“Iria…Sherry… Why are you…”
“We came with Teacher Yukito. Though, he managed to reach you first.”
“Sorry. But I was able to arrive just in time.”
Yukito chuckled.
“Iria Orlando…”
Mikhail Fravault muttered with a frown.
He had considered the possibility of the count’s involvement. And have acted carefully in order to avoid it…
“…And why is that? I doubt Count Orlando is going to intervene in someone else’s marriage…”
“He would not do that.”
Iria shook her head calmly.
“…But I came here to stand witness to this duel. And if you run away from it, then I will make a report to my father.”
Iria glanced over to Aize.
Aize understood, and then nodded back.
Obviously, Aize had never asked Iria to come as a witness. She had not even known that she would be here.
Running away from a duel—and from a duel over a marriage. That would be incredibly humiliating. Rumors would spread, and at worst, it could affect his business.
“Grr…”
Mikhail realized now that he had no choice but to accept. And he bit his lip angrily.
“…Very well. However, I will have you know that I have rights as well.”
“Rights?”
“Of course, the right to select a substitute. After all, I do not fight.”
Aize and Iria narrowed their eyes.
However, that was the accepted rule.
Obviously, it would be…
“Master. I’m sorry, but I cannot do it.”
“What…”
The man called Zero shook his head.
And then he turned towards Yukito.
“Because if you choose me, then she will choose him.”
“But that is…”
“Besides, I don’t think that is what they want.”
Yukito remained silent. His arms were folded and eyes closed.
“With that trump card, it is us who will lose. In that case, it is best to go for a more even match. …Leo.”
“Me?”
One of the soldiers that had been surrounding them stepped forward.
It was the man who Aize had fought in the mountain.
“This will be the substitute. Do you have a problem with that?”
“Very well. I accept.”
Aize nodded.
And so it was decided.
Over Mimi’s marriage—a battle where a single girl staked everything she had.
◆ ◇ ◆
“Aize!”
At the Lilieth house, the first person to rush towards Aize, was her old friend, Enya.
“Enya. I’m so glad you’re alright.”
“Yes, your teacher saved us.”
According to her, Yukito had rushed to the mountain and chased their pursuers away.
“And he did it with one glare. It was ridiculous…that guy…”
“Aye. I suppose that’s what they call murderous intent…”
They must have been remembering it, as the three turned pale. Aize chuckled.
Until she had met Yukito, she had also thought ‘murderous intent’ was just an exaggerated expression.
But what he did…it had a pressure that could stop your heart. Most people would not be able to bear it.
“What about you? When the house exploded…”
“I’m fine. And I’m the one who did it.”
Aize said calmly, and the mouths of the other three dropped. But then Enya held her head as if it hurt.
“Well…I guess I shouldn’t be surprised about that.”
“Really?”
“You were always so reckless.”
They nodded at each other.
“Huh. So I guess Aize really hasn’t changed at all then.”
Laughed the girl with brown hair. It was Sherry.
“Aize, who is this?”
“Yes, I’ll introduce you. My friend, and the president of the student council. Sherry. And this is my classmate, Iria.”
The two bowed.
Their movements had all the elegance of nobles.
The two boys in particular, were completely stunned by Iria.
“A-a real-life princess.”
“Beauitul…”
Enya had to pull Tor away by the ear.
“Ouch! What are you doing!”
“Oh, sorry about that. I just couldn’t let you stand there and make a fool of yourself.”
“Shut up! You can’t blame me, when all I have to look at here are rough men and women…”
“What did you call me!?”
“I said what I said!”
While seeing them, Sherry muttered.
“You have good friends.”
“Yes.”
“I’m a little jealous.”
Iria said, much to Aize’s confusion.
“Well, I don’t have friends that I can argue like that with…hey!?”
Suddenly, Aize started yanking on Iria’s cheeks.
She held the reddened spot with surprise. And then Aize declared,
“You do. Right here.”
“…Ms. Aize…”
“Just call me Aize. We’re friends.”
Iria smiled and nodded while holding her cheek.
Yukito watched this exchange with a pleasant expression.
Friendship was beautiful. Such hackneyed words were on the verge of coming out.
(Well, it’s the truth, so it can’t be helped.)
Just then, he felt someone tugging on his sleeve. It was the small girl. Mimi.
“Um…so you are Aize’s teacher?”
“Uh, yes. I am.”
“She told me about you. That you are strong. That even if we made enemies of all of them, you will still be stronger.”
“It’s true.”
Yukito nodded casually.
It was just the reality. No exaggeration.
“In that case! …Please help her.”
“That’s…”
Yukito looked at Aize.
The girl with silver hair who was laughing with her friends.
“I know. The reason that she wants to fight him.”
To protect her.
And to open her parents’ eyes.
Even if it was not a very wise choice.
“But…there is no need for her to get hurt. And so…”
“Sorry, but I can’t do that.”
Yukito closed his eyes and shook his head.
“She isn’t being self-destructive now. Her spirit isn’t broken.”
She had gotten up and was still fighting.
Because she knew that stopping and being afraid would mean that there would be things she couldn’t reach.
He could not tell her to stop, and that he would take care of everything.
Regardless of how it ended.
“Don’t worry.”
He patted the girl on the head.
“She will win. I promise.”