Chapter 25
Mornings in Genoa were always unwelcome.
Genoa was a beautiful place by the lake, but during the monsoon season, it was more humid and hot than anywhere else.
No matter how thin the clothes were, the skin felt sticky and sweat kept flowing.
I sighed at the stifling heat even inside the swaying carriage.
How did I end up coming here?
Every four years, a swordsmanship tournament was held in Genoa.
It wasn’t a prestigious tournament hosted by the empire, but it was one of the few where commoners could become knights.
One of the biggest sponsors of this tournament was the Brilloxen family.
From what I vaguely remember, until I died, we always sent a representative to the tournament in Genoa.
It was a beautiful place, but if the dates didn’t align, the tournament would be held during the monsoon season, making it not a very pleasant environment.
Every four years, an invitation would arrive, but neither my father nor I ever participated.
But there was only one reason I decided to come here this time.
‘Jin Wolf Derick Carter…’
It was to recruit the man who, despite his commoner status, would become the unprecedented captain of the Imperial Guard.
No one expected his selection, and many were shocked. He quickly became the most talked-about man in the empire.
Right now, he’s just a wandering swordsman, but the future is different.
If I could recruit him, it would definitely strengthen our lacking knight order. Even if not, he’d make a reliable ally.
He was useful in many ways.
“Thank you for coming such a long way, Lady Brilloxen.”
“It’s been a while, Count of Genoa. I’m here as a representative for my father, the Earl of Brilloxen.”
I smiled at the lord who welcomed me as I got off the carriage.
After a light handshake, I followed him inside.
Even though it was cool inside the walled castle, it was still humid.
As I endured the sticky feeling, wanting nothing more than to jump into the cool water, I noticed a group of knights passing by.
“Come to think of it, there seem to be quite a few knights participating in this tournament. From the list, it looks like there are over 200.”
“And that’s after we trimmed it down. Since word got out that the knight who won four years ago was selected as a royal knight, even those with knight titles are participating. Some nobles are even joining in.”
A tournament with not just knights but also nobles participating?
The commoners are going to have a hard time.
“The open path for commoners to become knights is a thing of the past, huh.”
“But we’ve ensured a fair selection. Commoners who applied had preliminary rounds to secure their spots. Many more commoners than nobles will participate in the main event.”
My sarcastic remark was met with a rather hasty explanation.
When I glanced over, the count looked quite flustered.
“Our family, which hosts this tournament, supports the Brilloxen family’s intent to guarantee the basic rights of all imperial citizens. We put a lot of effort into this tournament. So, we will continue to hold fair tournaments for commoners. Don’t worry about that.”
His overreaction made me feel like I could see the words “money” and “sponsorship” in his eyes.
Genoa was a pretty remote territory within the empire and wasn’t a popular tourist destination except in the summer.
The only income that kept Genoa going was the sponsorship from the tournament held every four years.
It was why poor Genoa had taken on this troublesome task to survive.
“Both my father and I trust you, Count of Genoa. Please continue to take good care of us.”
“Of course. Please convey my regards to the Earl.”
I smiled at the count’s desperate plea to keep the Brilloxen family’s sponsorship, the largest for the tournament.
As I looked away from the count and ahead again, I saw some familiar but not very welcome faces approaching from the opposite side.
“Count of Genoa.”
The man leading the group slightly bowed his head.
His eyes, which had been on the count, slowly shifted and locked onto me.
“…And Lady Brilloxen. It’s been a while.”
Rick Derind.
The second son of Viscount Derind and an ardent follower of Bellietia.
Behind Rick were Houtman Egrin and Altas Neser.
They were all followers of Bellietia.
“Yes, it’s been a while.”
In other words, we didn’t have a great relationship.
There was no reason to be friendly, so I greeted him with a businesslike attitude.
Rick, with a sly smile, looked me up and down slowly.
I furrowed my brows at his blatant stare, and Rick spoke leisurely.
“Your clothes seem a bit thin.”
Tsk tsk, a laughing voice followed from behind Rick.
I frowned as Rick wore a sleazy smile.
“Thanks to you, the excitement of the tournament will surely increase.”
“You should watch your words. Lady Brilloxen, you don’t need to take him seriously.”
The Count of Genoa, who had been listening, cut Rick off with a flustered look, trying to calm me down.
Rick shrugged his shoulders and then frowned unpleasantly.
“Count, why is there a difference in treatment between the lady and me? Even if Brilloxen sponsors a lot, the one in front of you now is just the lady. She’s no different from any other noble offspring, so why the special treatment?”
The Count chuckled in disbelief at Rick’s words.
Even if he was rude and ignorant, he should know noble etiquette. Rick’s words were way out of line.
The Count had the authority to decide how to treat both Rick and me. No one, not even a duke, could question that.
The Count’s face hardened as he showed his displeasure at Rick’s words.
“You’re here as a participant in the tournament, while the lady is here as the Earl of Brilloxen’s representative. The difference in treatment isn’t about sponsorship; it’s about qualification. It’s a pity I have to spell this out for you, showing just how uneducated you are.”
The Count clicked his tongue in disdain, making Rick’s face turn red.
Rick glanced between the Count and me before turning and leaving.
As I watched the two following him, I clicked my tongue quietly as well.
What a bunch of idiots.
“Just ignore what they said.”
I nodded shortly in response to the Count’s considerate words.
As I followed the Count, who was leading me to my room, my eyes wandered.
‘Did Bellietia set this up in advance?’
I had a feeling this was going to be a nuisance.
* * *
“I’m sorry, but we couldn’t secure both spots.”
Viscount Rodburn approached Bellietia, who was enjoying a tea party with the ladies in the garden.
Bellietia glanced up at him and let out a small chuckle.
Despite the gloomy monsoon sky, the garden, filled with ladies, felt as warm as spring. The ladies paused their conversations, watching Bellietia’s reaction.
Bellietia put down her teacup and smiled leisurely.
As her expression softened, the ladies resumed their cheerful chatter and continued their tea.
The garden, which had briefly fallen silent, was once again filled with the laughter of the ladies.
Among them was Richelle, who looked the brightest of all.
Richelle, who thought she was abandoned after the last party, was overjoyed to receive an invitation to this tea gathering.
In the social circles, falling out of Bellietia’s favor meant the end.
For young ladies born into ordinary minor noble families, unlike those from prestigious or powerful families, their fate was usually dull and passive.
They often ended up in arranged marriages with families of similar standing or sold off as second wives to much older power holders.
Richelle had her own Cinderella dreams, and the social scene was her only way to achieve them.
That’s why, when Bellietia called her back, Richelle felt the joy of getting a new lease on life.
She didn’t even consider Bellietia’s ulterior motives.
“Viscount Rodburn.”
“Yes, my lady.”
Her voice was small, almost buried under the laughter of the other ladies.
Bellietia kept her gaze fixed on the ladies as she brought her cup to her lips.
“I won’t ask why you couldn’t secure both spots. But given the investment, we need to achieve the results I mentioned.”
“We’ve prepared everything you requested, my lady. Everything will proceed smoothly.”
His voice was small but firm, full of confidence.
Bellietia looked at Viscount Rodburn’s steady eyes for a moment, then smiled lightly.
“Lady Richelle.”
Richelle, who had been chatting away, perked up and hurried over.
“You called, my lady?!”
The other ladies stifled their laughs at Richelle’s almost servant-like demeanor, but Richelle’s eyes sparkled with excitement just because Bellietia had called her.
With a kind smile, Bellietia lowered her cup and clasped her hands together.
“Do you have time next week?”
“Time? Of course, I do! Just say the word!”
“That’s good. I have a favor to ask.”
Richelle nodded eagerly, her eyes shining brighter than the evening star.
Bellietia glanced at Fiolette, who was sitting quietly and hadn’t joined the conversation.
“Fiolette, come here.”
At Bellietia’s call, Fiolette stood up and approached.
Richelle looked at Fiolette curiously but then turned her gaze back to Bellietia.
Bellietia spoke in a gentle voice to Richelle, who was tilting her head in confusion.
“There’s a tournament sponsored by our family, and I’d like you to attend in my place with Fiolette.”
“M-Me?!”
The ladies who had been mocking Richelle widened their eyes in surprise.
The ladies who had never thought that Richelle would be treated like that listened with their ears pricked up, concentrating on what Bellietta was saying.
Richelle, excited and flushed, bit her lip and swallowed hard.
