"The Schönheit family is a cornerstone of our nation. It is not something to be mocked."
Naturally, Sylvester chastised the princess for her careless words. The central nobility, who indulged in luxury and selfish gain, tended to look down on the people of the frontier who valued martial strength.
Yet it was thanks to them that the capital enjoyed such peace.
"You’re as nagging as ever…!"
The princess's expression darkened with clear displeasure.
He knew she hated being lectured, but as someone who had been educated for this role, Sylvester couldn’t overlook her reckless behavior.
"No matter what anyone says, you will marry into the Schönheit family! Sylvester Maltz, this is a royal decree!"
"Wha..."
"My father has already agreed to this. Be grateful that this is all the punishment you're receiving. Poor Sylvester, you're unfit to be the consort of this kingdom. Enjoy spending your life with those savage bears, won't you?"
The mocking laughter of those around him reached Sylvester's ears.
So, that's how it is. He understood.
This soirée had been orchestrated with this purpose from the start.
The groundwork had already been laid to distance the Maltz Marquisate from the central political sphere and diminish its status. The fact that no one condemned the princess's blatantly abnormal behavior indicated that other schemes were in play.
Daniel, who had his arm around the princess’s shoulder, was looking at Sylvester with a triumphant expression. It was the Maltz faction that had opposed the elevation of Daniel's merchant house to nobility.
"You understand now, don’t you, Sylvester?"
"...If it is a royal decree."
Still, he had never imagined they would go to such extremes. The princess would not retract her decision.
(I was aware that there were factions trying to pull my father down from his position as chancellor... but to think they would side with Daniel.)
As Sylvester bit his lip in frustration for having unwittingly walked into this situation, a joyous voice suddenly echoed from above.
"Eh?! Are you serious?!"
Then, as if a butterfly were dancing, a young lady gracefully descended from the sky.
◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇
A short while earlier...
Claudia, unable to see the commotion clearly from the ground, had leapt into the air and was observing the scene from the second floor.
From above, everything was crystal clear.
It's the same as on a battlefield. First, you assess the situation from a higher vantage point to devise a strategy—she was thinking this when she overheard what appeared to be the leader of the gathering saying something.
From the conversation, it seemed that this person was the kingdom’s first princess, Adele.
'The Bear Woman of the Schönheit family looking for a husband.'
Claudia was sure that this referred to her. After all, the Schönheit family had only one daughter.
(...Oh, how embarrassing.)
She felt a mix of pride and bashfulness, knowing that her search for a husband was public knowledge, and that even her bear-slaying feat was known in the capital.
(That bear was quite strong. But since it was a graduation exam, I gave it my all.)
In the Schönheit family's martial arts tradition, defeating a bear is the final challenge. Claudia was very proud of having accomplished this feat at just eight years old, something even adults struggled with.
Feeling a bit flustered, Claudia looked at the man whose engagement was being annulled.
He seemed intelligent, honest, healthy, and not overly muscular. His soft brown hair looked as appetizing as freshly baked bread, and his green eyes reminded her of the fresh greenery that heralds the arrival of spring in the snow-covered Schönheit region.
(...Eh?)
Though her vocabulary might be limited, Claudia's keen observational skills told her that Sylvester perfectly matched her ideal husband. Was this a miracle? She had fallen in love at first sight.
(What should I do... To find my ideal man in such a place.)
But how should she approach him? It didn’t seem like a situation where he would naturally come over and speak to her.
It was a real dilemma. Should she wait for a moment when he was alone?
As Claudia pondered her strategy, the princess, Adele, grew angry with Sylvester.
'No matter what anyone says, you will marry into the Schönheit family! Sylvester Maltz, this is a royal decree!'
(Does Her Highness intend to marry this gentleman into my family?)
Claudia knew the name of the Maltz Marquisate. Her father had praised Sylvester as a rare man of principle in the central government, someone who respected and understood the people of the north.
'Do you understand, Sylvester?!'
'...If it is a royal decree.'
The moment the princess and Sylvester exchanged those words, Claudia, overcome with joy, immediately leapt down.
"Eh?! Are you serious?!"
Claudia landed gracefully before Sylvester, crouching slightly to meet the princess's gaze as she remained in her landing posture. Her form-fitting dress, with its high slit, revealed her well-proportioned legs. Her maid had chosen the dress for ease of movement, just in case a fight broke out.
"W-What is the meaning of this? Who are you?"
The princess, understandably, was as stunned as if she had been struck by a bolt from the blue at the sudden appearance of this young lady in the center of the room.
(That’s right, I must introduce myself first.)
Standing up, Claudia dusted off her skirt and adjusted her stance. Then, with the unparalleled poise she had developed, she offered the most beautiful bow in the world.
"I apologize for my intrusion. I hope this message finds Your Highness, Princess Adele, in good spirits. My name is Claudia, the eldest daughter of the Schönheit family. I am honored by the compliments you have bestowed upon me."
"Sch-Schönheit…!!??"
"Yes, I am indeed the so-called 'Bear Woman,' Your Highness."
Claudia responded with a flawless smile. She had been told by her aunt that a smile was the most potent weapon in social settings, so she had practiced it diligently.
("Bear Woman"... what a wonderful honor.)
When someone in the Schönheit territory slays a bear, they receive a Bear Badge. Wearing this badge is considered the highest honor in their land. Even today, Claudia proudly wore her golden Bear Badge on the chest of her evening dress.
Claudia subtly puffed out her chest to show off the shining badge, completely unaware that she might be perceived as boastful. She was genuinely expressing her respect for the princess, though it seemed to make the princess's face pale.
"And..."
Ignoring the stunned princess and her companion, Claudia turned around to face Sylvester. When their gazes met, her own bright green eyes locking with his, Claudia saw that he appeared to be a kind and gentle young man. No doubt about it—she was smitten.
"I can't believe that you've gone to such lengths to find such a wonderful husband for me, especially when I am so unfamiliar with things outside my territory. Thank you so much, Princess Adele!!"
"Ow, that hurts!"
Overwhelmed with emotion, Claudia grabbed the princess's hands and squeezed them tightly, only to be scolded when she accidentally applied too much force. She quickly let go.
"W-Wait a minute! Are you really the 'Bear Woman' from Schönheit? Is this true?"
"Yes. I am indeed Claudia. The bear I defeated at the age of eight was enormous! Even I found it to be a nail-biting battle. I would love to share the story with you, Your Highness—about that moment when I faced off against the bear..."
Completely unfazed by the princess's confusion, Claudia eagerly began recounting her tale of bravery. The onlookers, stunned into silence, could only gape at this "Bear Woman" from Schönheit.
Claudia appeared to be just an ordinary young lady. She wasn't particularly tall, nor was she overly muscular. In fact, she was quite cute.
(How could this girl have possibly defeated a bear???)
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