...
Northern Leonandra Estate, Patricia's Room
Seeing the convert, made from the typical excellent paper and almost perfect penmanship, Patricia immediately knew who it was from, making her nearly jump joyfully. Those letters were the only interruption and highlight of her relatively terror-filled training, which she couldn't believe anyone could survive for more than a year.
She leaned back while patting the letter carefully, reminiscing about the last months. It was Outer Circle, but because the training started relatively early, with her being the only trainee, it was somewhat easier since she was slowly introduced to the Outer Circlish training regime because of Alexander.
He sent Scarlett new mana skills and spells to test out, which were specially fitted for her, making her much more amicable. Because of this, she also tried Alexander's more gradual methods, that he suggested.
Her training was usually much more brutal, even more so from the beginning, where she separated the wheat from the chaff. Everyone from their Guard Households could join. Nothing mattered, be it [Divinity Line], status, or whether they were only the pup of a retainer. By basically blackmailing every other household, she secured her funding and became the epitome of excellence when raising the next generation, as seen with the last one.
Survive a year, and you can become a decent mercenary or adventurer. Five years and your name will be hailed as a great warrior. Ten years, and you will be seen as a worthy Guard Dog or equivalent, and this was also the point when most dropped out.
Patricia scooped slightly on the chair and immediately felt the aches and fatigue everywhere around her body, making her flinch, even though she was fully healed. She knew why everyone dropped out, as her mental state deteriorated over the months, and her body did not go a single day without feeling as if it was ripped apart and put together. Besides that, Scarlett trained her almost perfectly in the typical techniques fitting for a Knight.
However, after this point, the divide between the talented and so-called monsters of their generations came to light. It didn't matter how good you were. Only absolute endurance could bring you over the finish line.
After twenty years, the ones who dropped out were the current Lords and Ladies of other Guard Households or those who went as soldiers to the battlefield somewhere else, not wanting to stay and administrate. After twenty-five years, only a few were left, comprised of Brutus, Pomerian, Ansiques, Marisia, and Bartholomew. Over the next five years, three left, with only two finishing the training and becoming the first and second place when it came to strength in combat of their generation.
Patricia initially didn't believe that the training made them so much stronger. Her thoughts quickly changed when she traveled through some areas, from the Leonandra fief to the North, visiting some central Mal-Gil lower nobility fiefs on the way, where only Bartholomew went through after his coupe; almost nothing was left. It was brutal, and seeing the destruction became another motivation for her.
Besides marrying Alexander, they would need to decide who would be responsible for specific areas inside their fief. She wanted him as an administrator, but depending on how strong he was, the roles may be switched with him going to the battlefield. She didn't like this as she couldn't observe and control him well there.
Sighing, she made herself comfortable, wanting to read the letters quietly. She noticed that she had become a little more mature, which made her chuckle. She used as little energy as possible to open the letter and start reading, enjoying the moments of peace.
---
From Alexander K. Leonandra to Patricia O. Nine-Fire
Hello Patty,
I want to be straightforward in this letter. I am sorry for not telling you this since I didn't know I had such feelings toward Elisabeth, my aunt. Since I didn't tell you anything about her and why I have those emotions, I will tell you everything in this letter, and if you want to know more, I will answer all of your questions as honestly as possible. Also, as an apology, you have a favor! I will do anything you want!
I think I am in love...
---
Patricia stopped reading as her blood started to boil. She stood abruptly up and screamed hysterically, "This son of a bitch! I will kill him! I will kill her! Argh!"
Patricia stood in her room, ripping up the letter, but after she was done, she looked at the pieces now lying all around the room. After another moment, she panicked, "Damn it!"
She immediately looked for the pieces, trying to puzzle them all together. After desperately crawling around the floor for five minutes, she found them, 'Okay... calm down and read it calmly.'
The thought that Alexander could love or adore someone else this much was a possibility she didn't like to entertain. It made her furious, and she wanted to immediately travel back to a monster-infested field and rip them all apart with her hands to calm down.
However, after some minutes of [Meditation], she started reading again, 'You can do it...'
---
I think I am in love. When I read about Elisabeth, I saw myself in her, going through Outer Circle and my Grandmother pushing her without mercy. I saw the same pain and desperation in her diaries, which I also felt while I couldn't move. It was as if she was my soulmate.
Furthermore...
---
Patricia stopped reading, trying to control herself, even though barely, 'What does he mean by Furthermore?! Isn't it enough?!'
However, she quickly relaxed, knowing Alexander had given her the excuse to do whatever she wanted with him, making her giddy. A Favor from him, and an absolute one like that, was worth the stress she felt for the last weeks, '...okay, I will excuse him for now. So...' She started reading again.
---
Furthermore, I saw her talent and creativity everywhere, in her poetry and artistry. It inspired me not to give up and just keep going. If I am honest, I don't know if it is love since I have never felt anything like this in my life. It could be admiration or just respect. Whatever it is, I want to meet her at least once. I want to ask her, in person, if she feels the same way and see what it brings.
Patricia, I want to apologize again. I am opening myself up to you because I can't thank you enough. You are truly my best friend, and I couldn't wish for anything else as long as I have you. You were the person who was always there for me, by my side, helping me.
Again, I apologize deeply and sincerely for not being open with you. With gratitude and respect, Alex, and hopefully also your best friend
---
Patricia leaned back, looking at the ceiling, not knowing if she wanted to smile or cry. She was in love with Alexander, but he never saw her as anything more than a friend. However, a friend could be considered much more valuable than a partner since he seemed to see her as something he didn't want to lose. It was flattering but frustrating since she wanted so much more.
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She sighed, standing up and walking towards the only person who could answer her questions and maybe help her. A Cold-Snout and a man at that, born and raised by women who knew how other girls and boys thought, especially about romance. With him being so charming, it was a miracle that Scarlett could keep away from other women.
'Actually, I know how.'
She remembered a small gathering in the North to which she trotted along. Someone wanted to come close to him, being flirtatious, but the aura Scarlett emitted toward the poor woman could scare even a demon lord away.
...
Northern Leonandra Estate, Tea Room
"Roland, I really need your advice."
Across the table sat Roland P. Leonandra, the current Lord in the North of the Leonandra estate, a prodigy in sword arts, and the husband of Scarlett J. Leonandra. He wore casual clothes with an open white shirt, showing his weirdly shaved chest, while his long braided hair hung over his shoulder, a new fashion style he followed. However, to Patricia, he looked more like a fancy gigolo than the military expert his enemies knew him.
However, friends, family, and those he was generally close with knew a very different side, far from the cold-blooded beast he was on the battlefield—a friendly and sensitive man who was always there for them with an open ear, listening to their problems.
He smiled at her lovingly, seeing the bags under her eyes, as she had given up on make-up on the third day after the training started, "Patricia, my pup, what is going on? Do you want a break? I know Honey can be a little strict with her training, but the most important thing is that you find your limit and stop, repeat the next day, and so on. This method was the essence of how Mari broke and rebuilt herself only for Honey..." He chuckled, "...to fall into despair as she barely could find anything new, only to develop the most brutal techniques and..."
Roland was incredibly loving and forthcoming, and while he talked, Patricia didn't see a smidge of arrogance but pure adoration. He was like every Cold-Snout man, only with a massive amount of talent in a field other than interpersonal relationships and decision-making, which was rather rare for them.
However, as he babbled on, a bad habit of his, he said something that made her frown, "By the way, I got quite a few letters and..."
She interrupted him, knowing from who it was, "I know, Emma, right?"
He nodded, looking closely at her while rubbing his chin, thinking aloud, "I see. Do you want to know how a harem works? It's easy, really, you just..."
She interrupted him again, glaring at him as she spoke her following words with disgust, "Harem? Such a thing will not happen. Alex is mine and only mine."
Roland flinched back, smiling, holding his hands up in peace, "Young love is truly something passioned, but once you get along with..."
Before he could end the sentence, Patricia's abhorrence of the topic manifested into an aura, focusing solely on Roland. The stress from the training and all those exchanges with Emma made her too tired to use any skills to stay calm.
Obviously feeling it, Roland raised an eyebrow in confusion, "Oh, what is the problem?"
Seeing Roland's calm face, Patricia immediately calmed slightly down, sighing, "I... want Alex for me alone."
Roland leaned back, putting one leg over the other while straightening out his shirt, showing more of his chest, "Do you want to tell me more about how you feel?"
"What is there to tell? I hate the feeling of someone else touching him."
Roland looked at her in thought while tapping his chin, "You see, I think you are a charming young lady with great potential. Having you as my granddaughter-in-law would also make me very happy..." When he said it, she smiled joyfully, loving the compliments, especially the family part, only to suddenly frown, "...but what about Alex? I never met him, but from all the tellings and letters, I guess he also likes you. But what if he also likes others, too? Don't forget that the Cold-Snout household is not far from the Leonandra when it comes to our bloodline, as you can see from my son, Brutus."
Leonandra's and Cold-Snout's households were heavily intertwined, complimenting each other's structures. While not every Lord and Lady was engaged with each other, many engaged in relationships on lower levels, like Earls, sharing their blood heavily.
Patricia didn't care, looking earnestly at Roland, "I don't care what he thinks..." She straightened up, puffing her chest out proudly, "...I know I am enough for him."
He chuckled at her, "I understand your feelings, but what if he says he wants to marry you and take some concubine? Mari already told me he has some Cold-Snout blood, as he only has maids and not butlers."
Patricia smiled again and then sighed, hearing such a dirty word, "A concubine? I..." She stopped and shivered slightly, as if someone stepped on her tail, only to answer him in an unsure voice, "...I don't want him to take anyone else, but if he truly wants..." She shook her head, deciding otherwise, as the thought of her allowing him such a thing was not something she could do, "...no, I can't and will not allow it."
Roland nodded and smiled toward her, "Good. I am fine either way, but you should make it clear and cordial. Don't forget that your future husband wants to develop the whole territory and needs as much support and help as possible. Angering my cute nieces will probably lead to tensions in the future."
Patricia smiled, obviously liking what he said, as he had already described her as someone from their household, "Thank you, Roland."
He waved his hand in dismissal, "Don't worry. Who am I if I do not help my own blood? However, you should write Alex and be clear with what you want."
She shook her head, "He is too young, and when we talked about love, he only started insulting the novel my father wrote, and now..." She sighed, "...he wrote that he is..." She gulped, feeling an uncomfortable pressure in her chest, "... probably in love with Elisabeth."
Roland looked at her in shock momentarily, silence invading the room. Patricia could see that he didn't know about this. However, after some time, he shook himself away, sounding melancholic but joyful, "It will be impossible, but I also have nothing against Alex and Eli engaging."
Patricia glared at him, becoming slightly confused after basically making her Alexander's next wife, "Pardon?!"
Roland shrugged, "Eli is..." He sighed, "...she is sadly a victim of having the wrong personality for the wrong body and..." For some reason, slight killing intent escaped him, making her flinch as it was on another level, "...because of a particular person, she will never be able to love anyone, and it is a wonder that Mari is fine."
"I... don't understand?"
"She is not available. Let's say it like this, and I can probably arrange a meeting in the future so Alex can talk to her..." Patricia's eyes shook when he said it. He saw this immediately, gesturing for her to calm down, "...I know what you think, but relax. Nothing will happen, that's for sure."
"But... what if something happens?"
Roland sadly smiled, "Trust me, nothing will happen. They will never come together. However, he will be heartbroken after the meet-up, probably wanting to find the closest person to bond with..." Patricia interrupted him, overly happy, "...I see! Thank you, Roland!"
Roland shook his head, "My dear, I will not trick my grandson into loving you even though I find you charming."
Patricia panicked a little, "Wait! But... Why?! What do I need to do?!"
She saw this as a great chance to bond with Alexander, telling him her feelings. It was perfect. From what she researched by asking around, nobody knew anything about Elisabeth except that she got crazy after a demonic baptism. Before that, she was apparently the genius of her generation. Now, nobody knew where she was and what she was doing. The only thing she could figure out by asking Scarlett, who said she married some low Earl and was living at some farm, managing a village of a dozen or so subjects.
As such, she was ready to do anything to get Alexander to love her back, and the best way was, like before, to make him vulnerable by breaking him. This time, she wouldn't hesitate to take him by any means necessary.
However, when she looked at Roland in panic, he sighed at her outburst, "Young love is really exhausting..." He rubbed his forehead, "...fine, I will help you, but I want you to promise me something."
Patricia nodded, "Yes! What is it? Everything as long as..." She changed her words in the last second, "...can come together with Alex."
He smiled at her, a little mischievous, "I want you to accept Alex's decision, whatever it will be."
Patricia became stunned, "You want me to be part of his harem?!"
Roland rolled his eyes, "No, I want you to accept if he decides on a harem, not loving you or something else entirely."
Patricia was exasperated, "Not loving me? Impossible, and what do you mean with something else?!"
Roland shrugged, trying to visibly hold back his laughter. He probably thought Patricia was puppyish, which she was, but it didn't help, making her even furious, "What if he likes boys? I heard that he is really close to his retainers and Narsi, right?"
Patricia glared at him, "I will become one if I need to!"
Potions for sex changes existed, and while they were perfectly fine for commoners or those who wouldn't need to battle, they had disastrous side effects, making combat folk weaker on the battlefield. In addition, they would get a new [Charisma] attribute, which would also entirely change their aura. As such, it was not advisable for the nobility, who were expected to fight to change their sex.
"Darling, I understand your frustration, but this is my grandson we are talking about. Either you do it alone, in which case I will just let it play out, or I will help you, but you will have to accept his decisions and decide from that point on..." He shrugged, "...maybe you are lucky, maybe not? Alex seems to be curious, full of energy, and eccentric. Nobody knows who he will love, and the last thing I want is to trick him into a relationship he may not be ready for or not like."
Patricia stood up and aggressively approached Roland, "I am enough!"
Her aura slowly radiated out like a beast that had escaped their cage, full of bloodthirst and hunger. Roland rolled his eyes, waving his hand once, dispersing all aura and creating a slight air pressure, pushing Patricia back on the couch and sitting her down.
"Keugh!" It wasn't gentle, though.
"Now, calm down, little Lady..." He smiled at her again, not losing his demeanor, "...think about it for a moment. I am not forcing you to do anything, but I want to give you and Alex a chance."
After calming down what felt like a gentle horse kick into her stomach, her mind went blank as she thought if she should take Roland's help. She didn't think for too long, instinctively knowing what she had to do, nodding, "I... I would do everything to at least get a chance to be together with him..."
Roland nodded, "What if he loves you but wants a harem?"
She looked down, not liking it, but in her mind, if she had Alexander, she could somehow manipulate him into only loving her, even though he would be open to others, "I... I wouldn't be against it, but I would try to dissuade him from those pests, nonetheless."
Roland stood up and patted her, "Good girl ..." He smiled charmingly at her, but his aura felt very different, like someone held a giant blade over her, making her panic, "...while I like you, he is, in the end, my grandson. Make him sad, you will make me sad, and making me sad will always end terribly..." He chuckled, walking outside while whistling and singing a song, "...Oh youth thy spring... no, it was through spring?"
When he was gone, Patricia only then dared to move, mumbling, "He is as petty as Alex." It was obvious that he punished her for being rude to him. It was at least better than Scarlett, who would just beat her up.