The Invincible Aloof Yandere Princess Falls in Love with Her Younger Court Mage's Fatherly Warmth! ~She Clung to Him So Much That the King Fired Him. When He Made Marriage His Official Reason for Resigning Under Royal Order, the Light Vanished from the Princess's Eyes~ - Volume 2 - Chapter 17

Chapter 17: The Lonely Superhuman’s Resolve

Third-person perspective leaning towards Scarlett

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Scarlet Clay was feared within the knight order.

Her superhuman combat ability that came from being a superhuman. Her overly serious attitude toward her position. And her strange, excessive wariness toward others… especially toward those weaker than herself.

In general, this was how the members of the “Shield of the Mane” evaluated her.

“I know she’s excellent, but she’s suffocating, and sometimes I just can’t keep up with her”—

“—There! Your sword swing isn’t connecting to the next move at all, and your footwork is way too clumsy! At that level you wouldn’t even be able to hold back that big guy from the other day…!”

“Y-Yes, Division Commander! I’m very sorry…!”

During training at the knight order headquarters, while many pairs of knights faced off against each other, Scarlet — not even wearing armor — personally took on a knight herself while at the same time sharply calling out to another pair practicing nearby.

The knight who answered, and even the one facing Scarlet, stiffened their bodies with obvious fear…

“That’s why… that’s even worse than just before! Don’t you remember what I always teach you? Swordsmanship should be more organic…!”

After saying that much, Scarlet finally closed her mouth.

“…I’m switching to solo training now. You all just keep training as usual while thinking over what I’ve said.”

Saying any more would be meaningless. She understood that.

Because.

What everyone directed toward her was — fear of Scarlet.

—This is… no different from back in the village…

Scarlet clenched her back teeth hard. Without looking back, she quickly left the training ground.

Had she said too much? No. Since she was being paid as part of her duty to protect the citizens, it was only natural to take training seriously.

On the contrary, why did people with less talent than her put in less effort? And yet they looked at her with those terrified eyes…

While holding dark, indescribable feelings in her chest, Scarlet felt somehow annoyed at her own body that hadn’t even broken a sweat, and headed toward—

—Ah. Right now, I really… want to see Al-kun…

That kind-hearted mage. The one boy who possessed talent equal to — or even surpassing — hers, the only one she could devote everything to.

He didn’t fear her. Of course, maybe it was because he was strong, but still… he was a mage, so at zero distance he should be weaker than her.

It must be because he knew the same pain as her. Having extraordinary talent and for that reason being persecuted by those around him since childhood—

They gather because they’re weak, and reject the strong as heretics. A world where that logic is turned upside down is…………—I hate it. I really hate it.

The only one who understands me is Al-kun. With those gentle green eyes he smiles at me, sweetly cares for me, and sometimes looks so enchantingly captivating that he steals my gaze.

—Hey, please, Al-kun. Praise me. I’m working so hard. But everyone is scared of me. It’s awful. Comfort me.

Please… guide me…

And so.

Scarlet’s feet naturally carried her to—

“—I ended up coming. To the palace.”

She had really intended to train alone, just like she told the members. But before she knew it, her feet had brought her to the nearby palace, and now she was walking down the corridor.

Not long ago she used to wander around the palace dressed as that maid. But she didn’t need to do that anymore.

Because Scarlet had already found him. The person she should serve.

That was why she came here again today. To act spoiled with him, to feel safe, and to let him guide her.

Even so.

“He’s not here…”

Not in the office, not in his private room, not at the training ground. She checked every place he might be, but he was nowhere.

—He couldn’t be… in that princess’s private chambers, could he…?

Driven by that unpleasant thought, her feet turned toward the residential area for royalty and other nobles.

Normally even knight order members couldn’t come and go freely here, but as Division Commander it was different. The guarding soldiers bowed their heads to her, and Scarlet continued deeper inside.

Then, while hesitantly heading toward Killriera’s private chambers,

Scarlet’s superhuman eyesight finally caught sight of him. The figure of the master she served.

However.

“! Al-k—…!”

Her mouth, about to call out to him from far away, stopped midway.

It wasn’t because the princess — Killriera — was next to him. She had already expected that just by being in this area. It was common knowledge that the princess dragged Albert around against his will.

So what shocked Scarlet was—

“…S-Steam? Coming from their bodies? And… and… Al-kun’s scent… is mixed with that thieving cat’s…—”

Her superhuman senses mercilessly made her recognize parts of Albert that were clearly different from usual.

If it was just one or the other, maybe she could bear it. But both Albert and Killriera had flushed skin giving off warm-looking steam.

And the final blow: the familiar, calming scent of Albert that she loved… had been overwritten by the flowery scent that Killriera always wore.

Huh? Huh? No way, it couldn’t be…

Could that thieving cat really have done something so outrageous — something Scarlet couldn’t even bring herself to ask for, let alone invite — behind her back?

“She… with Al-kun. —… T-T-They took a bath… together…?”

How could she…? Overwhelmed by the unbelievable shock, Scarlet reeled.

In her emotions, which were delayed for her age, sharing a bath had already transformed into proof of being husband and wife — in other words, the most sexual act she could imagine.

Scarlet wasn’t romantically involved with Albert. Far from it — she had never even been aware of falling in love before, and she understood her feelings toward Albert as nothing more than pure affection and loyalty.

But precisely because of that.

Her childish, and somewhat twisted, longing… tore her heart to shreds at this worst possible timing.

“Ah… then… um… what about me…”

If those two had that kind of relationship, then what was she, Albert’s servant, supposed to do?

Could she keep serving him like before? Could she still talk to him? —Would he ever turn that soft, sunny smile toward her again?

No way. No way.

The princess surely hated her. She could tell. Because she felt the same way about the princess.

Then surely the princess would say it. “Don’t talk to that woman.”

And what would he do then? Would her only salvation… ignore the words of the princess he… l-loves… and keep treating her the same as always?

No way. Just like everyone in the village.

—Looking at her with those eyes, trying to reject her…

“Ugh… oe…”

Just imagining it made something sour rise in her throat. The back of her nose stung, and her eyes filled uncontrollably with tears.

If something like that happened, she wouldn’t be able to bear it. She was already at her limit for so long.

At first she had just thought that if she could leave the village, things would be better. But even after coming to the capital, she never found anyone who understood her.

And then, the irreplaceable master she finally found after so much effort was…—

…………No. No.

She couldn’t give up that easily. Not on her salvation, her guide, the person she could devote everything to.

—I won’t just hand over my Al-kun so easily…!

Scarlet glared into the distance with eyes blurred by tears.

Killriera clung to Albert with a smile she would probably never show anyone else, without noticing Scarlet at all.

In contrast, she herself was just a shadow watching happiness from a dim corner.

Even so, she refused to give up.

With that vow in her heart, some of the strength that had drained away began to return. When she thought about that enviably perfect position, the will to keep struggling in this hell rose up again.

That’s right. She would become even more useful to Albert as his servant and earn his recognition.

That she had every right to be by his side too.
—That she was the one who should be by his side…!