Chapter Text
With an echoing bang, the bullet she shot at the tiger hit just in time, moments before it was able to maim Winter. Akin to lightning, the sparks travelled all around the tiger as it convulsed, before it collapsed in an unconscious heap.
Winter looked to his saviour with a pale face, then looked back to the sprawled out tiger that was seconds away from mauling him, and began hurriedly approaching her. The vendor of the exotic caged animal stand came out from his hiding spot and hastily approached the tiger.
“I-I don’t know what to say… you…”
“Saved your life?” she interrupted in a purposely different voice to Penelope’s natural one, “You’re welcome.”
Winter was enthused, staring at her with obvious awe as he stammered out his thankfulness, “Yes, you saved me… I cannot even begin to express the enormity of my gratitude.”
Ada smirked and turned away from him with a waved hand, “No problem, sir.”
Heading back towards the stall she was perusing before disaster, she wasn’t surprised to hear the sound of hurried footsteps following her. Eventually, he walked at her side with what she assumed was a sincere expression under the mask.
“I must repay you, Miss– I simply cannot continue on knowing such kindness shown to me wasn’t fully returned.”
Reaching the gadget stand she was eyeing earlier, she continued looking over the various items while humming thoughtfully in return.
“And what of it?”
The man’s lips parted before he hurried to grab something inside his trench coat– and isn't that familiar? – before handing it to her.
“My card,” he stated, “I owe you something– anything. If you ever decide what that is, come to the location on the card. I will make time for you; it’s the least I can do.”
The card he handed was a shiny black, with white text on it displaying “The White Rabbit Guild”.
Ada was silent as she flipped the card, the location on the back. She looked back up at Winter and smiled.
“I’ll take you up on that offer, some time,” she said finally, “Until then, try to avoid getting maimed, yes?”
Winter’s cheeks flushed lightly as he gave her an embarrassed smile, “I will try.”
There was silence for a minute or two as Ada gazed at all the gadgets she knew she wouldn’t be buying, the vendor himself long gone. Winter was burning a hole through the side of her face in the meantime. Did he perhaps know?
“The White Rabbit.”
Ada gazed at him with a raised brow.
“You may call me that, I mean,” he explained before looking at her with a quirk of his lips, “What may I call you?”
Ada looked down with a considering expression, before smiling a bittersweet smile and looking him in his covered eyes.
“Ada. Call me Ada.”
“Ada,” he muttered, testing the name before smiling genuinely at her, “Nice to meet you, Ada.”
“Likewise,” she returned, smiling back just as genuinely.
Ironic, isn’t it? Two liars playing at genuineness.
With a ring, Winter’s affection metre rose to 11%.
The night was still young when Ada began making her way back to where she first lost track of the Eckharts. Revolver hidden under her cloak with the money she brought and the card she received, Ada supposed getting a favour from Winter was the highlight of the night. What she would use it for, however, was still a mystery.
Finally exiting the now slightly less deserted alleyway, she was met with the sight of dwindling festivities and none of the Eckhart men.
Retracing her steps in the shadows, Ada finally caught sight of them, frazzled at the carriage. She noted Derrick’s absence. Taking off the mask and lowering the cloak, she stepped into the light and caught the eye of Reynold and the Duke.
The Duke immediately ran up to her and cradled her shoulders.
“There you are! Where were you!? I–We were worried sick! I thought…” he paused, “...it doesn't matter what I thought– are you okay!?”
<SYSTEM>
“Event cleared!
[Check Out the Festival with Reynold]
Accept the rewards?”
Distractedly, she selected “Yes”.
<SYSTEM>
“Rewards acquired!
◆ Reynold’s Affection ▲ 3%
◆ Fox-eyed Mask”
Reynold had run up as well at this point, looking equally distressed with 15% displayed above him, “You idiot! Why’d you let yourself get swept away, huh!?”
“I’m fine! I’m fine! You heard my shout, right?”
“That you would meet back up with us, yeah?” Reynold answered with furrowed brows, “Well, so much for that! It’s been hours !!”
“It has not been hours…” she mumbled before raising her voice over both their concerns, “I just got a little lost, that’s all. Nothing happened, I’m okay. Where’s Derrick?”
Thankfully, the change in conversation distracted them for the moment as the Duke responded, “He went out looking for you immediately, though we haven’t seen him since.”
“All this trouble just for you, you must be ecstatic, huh!”
“Reynold,” the Duke warned, to which the pink-haired man grumbled unintelligibly.
They waited a few minutes more, all the while two men continued to fuss over her.
Finally, a huffing Derrick came into view, noticeably disorganized.
<SYSTEM>
“Event cleared!
[Check Out the Festival with Derrick]
Accept the rewards?”
Upon catching sight of her, his eyes narrowed, and he began speed walking determinedly toward her as she selected “Yes”.
<SYSTEM>
“Rewards acquired!
◆ Derrick’s Affection ▲ 3%
◆ Revolver”
Really? The Revolver was only thanks to her clearing the event with him?
When he finally reached her, Ada noticed his affection metre now displayed 10%.
“You. What were you thinking?” he interrogated in a harsh tone, “You should have grabbed on to one of us instead of bumbling about like a fool.”
The Duke frowned as he scolded his eldest, “Derrick, that’s enough.”
Derrick, too enraptured in his irritation, continued on, “Is all you’re capable of doing causing trouble for us? I mean, seriously, you disgrace the–”
“Derrick,” the Duke barked out, to which Derrick finally shut up.
Reynold looked between the two incredulously, then side-eyed her with a raised brow, which she responded with a minute shrug.
The Duke, after a few moments of silence, let out a long-suffering sigh.
“Penelope, dear, don’t scare us like that again. Please.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
The man frowned, and his two sons looked at her oddly before the Duke shook his head, straightening up from his slouch.
“Let us return, it has been a long day for us all.”
The ride back was as silent as it was when arriving, except perhaps for Reynold’s loud and frankly obvious glances. Ada ignored them in favour of looking out the window and watching the passing scenery, though she could feel the childish man’s unease.
Suddenly, the silence was broken with the Duke’s fake cough. He looked all of them over before his gaze landed on Penelope with an inscrutable expression.
“While searching for Penelope, I came across something curious. To put it plainly, it was a slave auction. However, there was one in particular who caught my eye.”
No… it couldn’t be, right?
Derrick and Reynold looked at him skeptically as he continued, “He is from the fallen Delman empire, and a master swordsman at that. It is for that reason that I… purchased him to be Penelope’s bodyguard.”
Immediately, Reynold and Derrick protested in unison.
“A slave as her bodyguard!? Why not one of the knights–”
“Father, are you sure that’s wise–”
The Duke, expecting this pushback, responded calmly, “It has come to my attention that the knights have a… less than favourable impression of Penelope. I worry they would let that cloud their judgment. Thus, is it not better to have someone impartial?”
“But a slave, father?”
“His skills all but make up for it,” he rebutted, before looking worriedly at Penelope, “You haven’t said anything… are you alright with this, my dear?”
“Where is he?”
The Duke blinked, “What?”
“Where is he right now?”
“Ah…” the Duke started, looking confused, “Well, I ordered him to return to the estate on his own– I gave him a map.”
“I see… What’s his name?”
“His name?”
Ada stared at the Duke with a raised brow as he scratched his chin, “I’m afraid I didn’t get his name, dear. Why?”
“If he is to be my bodyguard, I thought the least I could do is to know his name.”
The Duke gazed at her silently for a few moments before smiling warmly at her, “How mature of you, Penelope.”
Ada faux smiled and returned her gaze out the window, considering.
His introduction stated him as “a taciturn knight-in-training belonging to the House of Eckhart” and that he “possesses such talent in swordsmanship that he caught the eye of the duke, who brought him to the state”; however, Ada had assumed that meant he was already at the estate.
It turns out her perception was wrong, which leaves a sour taste in her mouth.
Once again, she felt the burning stare of a certain pink-haired man. This time, she met his stare head-on. Upon being caught, he immediately looked away with an embarrassed frown.
Eventually, they arrived at the estate where Ada was met by Sophia.
“How’d it go?”
“It went well, overall. I have a bodyguard now,” she answered as she began walking toward her room tiredly.
“Oh?”
“Long story,” Ada shared with a cheeky smile before she went to bed for the night.
The next day, she woke up bright and early to train, grinning victoriously while pushing herself up. To start off being unable to do a single push-up and now being able to do several knee push-ups made her feel like progress was actually being made. This was her body, dammit.
The day continued much like an ordinary day; she ate breakfast, went out for a walk, perused the library, and went back to her quarters for lunch; however, this routine was interrupted by the sharp sound of three knocks.
Pennel. And he was actually knocking. Perhaps the Duke said something?
“Come in,” she said finally after making him wait to fulfill her petty revenge.
Pennel pushed the doors open carefully, eyeing her with noticeable apprehension as he spoke, “Miss, the Duke has requested I relay a message to you.”
“I see, and what is that message?”
“He wants you to know that you are able to train in the training hall like you requested, and the captain of the knights has been informed.”
Like she requested..? The only person she told was–
“Reynold.”
“Yes, it seems he went to the Duke.”
Ada pursed her lips, staring out the window as she half-heartedly dismissed Pennel.
Was this a peace offering?
Does she want to find out?
The answer, of course, was yes. Scavenging Penelope’s closet, she found riding gear in the far back, with shorts and a button-up. That would have to do.
It was not even an hour later when she approached the training hall alone, Sophia staying behind.
Halfway to the hall, she was met with a tall, older, burly man who introduced himself as Bruce.
“I’m the cap’n of the knights, ma’am,” he began somewhat cautiously with a strained smile, “S’a pleasure to meet ya.”
Ada extended her hand, waiting for him to shake it despite his confused look. When he finally shook it, she made sure her grip was rather firm as she returned his pleasantries, “Nice to meet you as well, Bruce.”
Just as she hoped, that earned her a modicum of respect as he nodded and dropped his fake and cautious smile in favour of his resting face, “The Duke told me ‘bout your plans– combat only, ya?”
Ada hummed in agreement, and Bruce nodded again, gesturing for her to follow him to the hall. Once closer, she was met with the sight of dozens of lively, roughhousing, sweaty men.
“Boys,” Bruce suddenly barked out, “We gots a lady visitin’, play nice ya hear?”
A chorus of ‘Yes, sir!’ answered him as Ada willed her eye not to twitch at the way he said that. The knights eyed her warily as Bruce pointed to different parts of the grounds, telling her what happened where, like she couldn’t tell just from a glance.
“Oh,” he snapped his fingers, “Almost forgot, Duke told me to introduce ya to your bodyguard.”
“Eckles!” he yelled, “Get over here!”
It then seemed as though the sea of knights split, keeping a noticeable distance between themselves and the scrawny man who walked to her with an expressionless face and scuffed-up appearance, expertly dodging a foot that attempted to trip him. Above him was 0%.
“Here’s ya bodyguard, ma’am,” Bruce introduced with a light dose of scorn in his tone, “Eckles, your mistress.”
Eckles immediately bowed down at that, to which Ada took the chance to examine him. It seemed as though he was not being treated that well, which made sense considering his status, but was unfortunate all the same. His grey hair was unkempt, and his neck bore a black choker with a curious gold ball adorning it.
“And before I forget,” Bruce continued, grabbing something from his pocket and holding it out to her, “Your leash .”
He gave her a beautiful-looking silver ring with a dark pink stone, almost the same colour as her hair.
“One poke a this and the beast–ahem–I mean your bodyguard–will fall like a bird shot outta the sky.”
All throughout this demeaning talk, Eckles continued bowing with not a single emotion in his eyes or in his expression.
“I see…” she said carefully, holding off the frown she wanted to let out, “Thank you, Bruce. Where exactly am I to train?”
“Ah, good question,” he pointed to the very corner of the hall, “Your space is over there.”
“Thank you.”
“No problem, ma’am,” he responded before walking back the way they came.
Ada looked back at Eckles; the ring held tightly in her white knuckled grip.
“You may stand, Eckles.”
Eckles listened, standing up to his full height and staring her down. It was clear he was bitter, but he did as he was told, likely because of the ring in her hand. It made sense why he was resentful, after all, his country was defeated, only for him to become a slave. A true showcase of the vile nature of mankind.
“Follow me.”
As they walked, Eckles trailed behind her obediently as the knight’s too-loud whispers followed them.
“Is that the mad dog…”
“The mad dog and the beast are…”
“Why is she here…”
“What is a woman doing…”
Ada suddenly stopped in the middle of the hall, staring down at the men who whispered about her with a fierce stare, “Got something to say, boys?”
They were silent for a few moments before one arrogantly spoke up. He had putrid green hair and wore a smug expression, though his words were almost whispered, betraying his cowardice.
“What’s a lady like you doing here, uh– Miss?”
There was complete silence, and the man began panicking.
“I-I mean– it’s not like– uh–”
“That’s enough,” Ada sternly declared, “I think I know what you mean.”
“O-Oh, really? That’s good ‘cause I–”
“You mean, ‘what’s a woman doing in a place where only men should come’, right? Well, am I wrong?”
He went pale and his eyes widened even further, “No! That’s not!–”
“What’s your name?”
“Huh?”
“Your name. What is it?”
“M-Mark Albert, My Lady…”
“Mark, do you think I don’t belong here?”
There was a hushed silence where the man in front of her could only sputter.
“Well then,” Ada said with a closed-mouth smile and moon crescent eyes, “Come at me.”
“W-What?” the man questioned incredulously.
“Come attack me. Let’s see if I belong here or not, shall we?”
For the first time, Eckles spoke up quietly, “My Lady, are you sure–”
“I am sure, Eckles. Sit back and watch.”
“I-I’m not gonna attack you, Miss– uh– My Lady… I could be punished and–”
“Is that what you're worried about?” Ada questioned innocently, “Being punished? How small of you.”
The man’s brows furrowed.
“I’m giving you permission, am I not? How dare you go against your superior? Do you think you're so weak that a lady could defeat you, is that it?”
His face turned a lovely shade of red, signifying his growing irritation.
“Are you scared, Mark?”
“Fine,” he bit out foolishly, “But I'm not going easy on you then.”
There was an explosion of hushed whispers, everyone looking between the two of them like a car crash you can’t keep your eyes off.
Looking behind her, she was met with Eckles' frown.
She ignored it.
The sea parted further until there were only the two of them, and Eckles perhaps a little too close. Ada slipped the ring into her pocket and got into a ready position, breathing in, then breathing out. This would be her first actual fight since coming to this strange world, and she was ecstatic .
She let out a fierce grin, “Well?”
With a loud cry, he rushed her. Almost in slow motion, Ada watched as he ran straight for her, his arms up almost to grab her, and his whole body angled towards her. Swiftly, she moved to the side, right out of the way as his body forced him to continue his charge. He stumbled and was met with air, and looked back at her with gritted teeth.
Ada made sure there was distance between them as she calmly walked around him. He puffed his chest up before running for her again, this time learning his lesson and only angling part of his body towards her, in a position to turn whenever.
Ada ducked swiftly under the arm coming for her throat and dropped down, sweeping her leg out and tripping him. Immediately, she rushed to put him in a headlock maneuver she was sure he wouldn’t be able to get out of, no matter his strength.
He tried to breathe as he repeatedly punched her arm, and Ada let him do it with gritted teeth, never letting go and allowing him mercy.
“Yield,” she instructed harshly.
With a gasped out no, he began trying to throw her over his shoulder, but Ada would not be moved. It would have continued much like that if not for–
“What the fuck is going on here!?” Reynold shouted, met with the sight of his sister choking a knight to death.
Ada let go and ignored the man’s wheezing breaths and coughs. She stood up and smiled pleasantly.
“Hello, Reynold, what brings you here?”
He looked disbelievingly at her before pointing to Mark, who was still breathing harshly on the ground, “Why in the hell would you do that? Scratch that– how ? Since when could you… you…”
“I told you,” she answered, perfectly calm, “I’ve been reading about combat. It doesn’t take much to put what you read into action.”
His jaw dropped before he physically shook his head while the affection metre above him began blinking warningly, “That doesn’t matter– why the hell were you fighting him in the first place!? Have you gone mad!?”
“He asked me why a lady would come here. I simply showed him why,” she said, shrugging.
His brows furrowed further before he turned to Eckles, who until this point had been standing near her quietly, watching the fight unfold. His affection metre now stood at a staggering 10%.
“And you!” he accused, “Why were you just standing there?!”
“The lady asked me to stay put,” Eckles spoke in a neutral tone.
“ Arghh !” Reynold growled out, throwing his hands up, “Has everyone gone mad?!”
“Listen,” Ada finally said, sighing and walking closer to Reynold, “He questioned my authority. I merely restated it. There’s not much to it.”
Reynold’s affection metre stopped blinking as it remained unchanged, before he glared down at the defeated knight, “He did, did he…”
He suddenly turned back towards her with an authority he had never utilized with her before, “Well, next time don’t go around fighting people unless it’s for training, you hear me!”
“Yes, sir,” Ada responded, mock saluting.
Reynold’s mouth scrunched as his affection metre rose to 16%, and Ada belatedly realized he was holding in his smile. He sighed then, “Listen, I won’t tell father… but you seriously can’t be doing this– fight me next time.”
“What have you done with Reynold?” she asked playfully, “And seriously, you?”
He exaggeratedly rolled his eyes, “Oh shut it, brat.”
Reynold looked back at Mark, who had picked himself up off the floor and was staring Penelope down with angry, shame-filled eyes.
“Oy, you! With the ugly green hair,” Ada snorted, “Come with me!”
He whispered to Penelope one last time, “I’ll deal with this mutt; stay out of trouble, or I’m telling Father.”
“Yes, Reynold.”
The pink-haired man stared intensely for a moment before turning around and verbally dragging Mark with him. Left alone with the other knights, Ada turned her attention towards them with a vicious glare.
“Anyone else think a lady doesn’t belong here?”
It was silent, and there were even a few ‘No, Ma’am’s!’ to her delight.
<SYSTEM>
“Your relationship with the occupants of the manor has improved!
Reputation has increased +10 points.
TOTAL POINTS: 20”
Ada smirked as she resumed her walk to the corner of the hall. Men like them were so easy, just show your dominance, and they begrudgingly respect you.
The corner of the hall was dimly lit, with a row of punching bags along the wall. Perfect.
Ada looked around and sure enough, there were bandages in the corner, which she grabbed. She wrapped them around her fists, rolled her sleeves up and got into a ready position, ignoring the leftover ache from the green-haired knight’s desperate punches. Before she could start the methodical dance that was fighting, Eckles' voice quietly but surely sounded out.
“You’re skilled.”
Ada was silent as she stood up to her full height, purposely not looking back at him.
“And you’re experienced. Probably years’ worth of experience.”
Ada turned around and scrutinized the master swordsman in front of her with narrow eyes and a resolute face.
“You lied. To your brother. Why?”
If this were anyone else, Ada would surely flaunt her authority and tell them not to question her. However, Eckles was much more like her than she initially assumed he would be. He can’t be dissuaded, but he likely won’t tell anyone. This is genuine curiosity.
“Not all questions need answers, Eckles.”
He stared at her with a blank expression, but Ada could tell he was confused. He glanced at her hands, noticing the lack of a ring, and he seemed even more confused.
“Why am I not wearing the ring?”
Shutters seemed to come down behind his eyes, perhaps ashamed or indignant to be caught. To be known right back. Ada continued on mercilessly.
“Why are you not attacking me?”
She was sure that if he were more expressive, he would be raising a brow.
“You know I'm not wearing the ring, and you know it would likely take me longer to grab the ring than you could immobilize me, or even kill me. But you haven’t.”
“Why?” she questioned, echoing his earlier sentiment.
Finally, his brows furrowed minutely, like he couldn’t understand her, not fully.
“All of those questions– do any of them need answers?”
He was silent for perhaps a minute before quietly answering, “No.”
Ada grinned at him and turned her back to him, the ring still in her pocket. If he was ever going to try and escape, now would be the time.
He didn’t.
A ring sounded out.
Ada didn’t check.
Ada began to attack the punching bag in remembrance of all the fighting she had done in her past life. Eckles continued to watch her showcase skills befitting someone of experience.
Neither said anything, and it continued much like that for a while. Eventually, Ada could no longer ignore the all-consuming fatigue and stopped, turning around.
Above Eckles, 15% was displayed.
The next day, Eckles became her full-time bodyguard. As in he stood outside her door most hours of the day and followed her and Sophia when they went out on a walk, and went to the library. Ada expected him to be silently awkward the entire time; yet, surprisingly, he and Sophia got along like a house on fire.
Perhaps because they were both stoic individuals, but it took less than a day for them to grow comfortable with one another’s presence. They would walk side by side behind her, and she even saw them talking on one occasion.
Even with Eckle’s quiet presence, the day continued much like normal well until lunch. When, of course, it was interrupted by Pennel again.
Three knocks and Ada couldn’t help the sigh she let out. Sophia raised an unimpressed brow, and they shared knowing glances.
“Come in.”
Pennel opened the door as if this was business as usual to him and looked slightly less apprehensive when gazing at her.
“Miss, I have come to relay that the Duke has said he would like to have lunch together today. He has asked me to escort you to the main floor dining room.”
Exchanging one last glance with Sophia, Ada sat up and walked towards the man.
“Well, let us go then.”
As they walked, Ada was caught off guard by Pennel speaking up from behind her.
“The Duke has been missing your presence lately, Miss.”
Ada raised a nonplussed brow, “Has he?”
“It has been quite a while since you all sat together and ate, seeing as you get most of your meals in your room nowadays.”
“What can I say?” Ada began flippantly, “Sophia is great company.”
“Indeed, Miss,” Pennel politely agreed– it seems the Duke really did have a talk with him– “After your conversation almost two weeks ago now…”
When she confronted the Duke.
“...he has been diligently interrogating all the staff on their past behaviours. He found many who wronged you in the past, and weeded them out. He is still doing this nonstop in the hope of creating a comfortable environment for you.”
Why are you still here then? she wondered.
“I do wonder why I haven’t heard a word of this. After all, wouldn’t my input prove beneficial?”
At that, he went quiet.
“His grace is scared to face you,” Pennel quietly admitted, “He fears to see disappointment in your face once more.”
It was Ada’s turn to be silent as she digested that information. She had assumed so, but to hear Pennel readily admit it was a shock. Ada stopped walking.
“Miss?”
“Pennel, I’m gonna ask you something and I need you to be completely honest with me.”
Pennel stopped walking and stood a few feet behind her, staring at her as if she had grown a second head, “Of course, Miss.”
“When you helped frame me for stealing Ivonne’s necklace, did you think it was the right thing to do?”
“Miss!” he shouted suddenly, “I-”
“I won’t repeat myself. Did you or did you not?”
“I-...” he started, then failed, before trying again and failing once more, “I…”
Ada was silent as she watched his struggle, eyes narrowed and mouth firm.
“No– I thought you–”
“I said be honest.”
That rendered him speechless, and the silence thickly blanketed them as it stretched on.
“Yes… I did, Miss.”
Ada let the silence continue on, and let him stew in that honesty.
“Do you still, Pennel, think framing a twelve-year-old commoner only recently turned noble for the theft of the real daughter’s necklace was the right thing for an adult to do?”
“No,” he replied finally, almost whispering it, “No, I do not.”
“It's going to take me time to believe that. I have a job for you, Pennel.”
“Yes, Miss,” he replied, hopeful the conversation was moving on.
“Convince me, to your absolute best ability, that you learned the wrong of your ways. Do this by being the best butler you can possibly be to me, and never looking down on me again, or I will never forgive you. I’ll let you fret on what that would entail.”
There was a pause, and then, “Let’s go. My Father and Brothers are waiting.”
They reached the door and Pennel instructed the man there to open it, which revealed the Eckhart men and their impatient glares.
“Do you have any concept of time?” Reynold practically whined, “Why are you so late?”
“It was my fault, Young Master,” Pennel bowed as another servant pulled out the chair for her, and she sat down.
Not a bad start.
“Pennel, you may rise,” the Duke instructed, “You are pardoned. Now let us eat.”
They began eating without much fanfare, though the food was certainly delicious.
“Are you not going out when it is the last day, Penelope?”
“I had enough fun on the first day.”
“I'll say,” Reynold mumbled.
The Duke let out a breath before speaking up, “The reason I have summoned you all here to lunch today… is because of the imminent hunting tournament.”
Yes, she read about that. Perhaps a bit too intimately, seeing as she knows each and every regulation as well as all about the Queen of the Hunt nonsense.
“It will be held at the northern forest of the Royal Palace again. I am sure you are all well aware already, but the hunting tournament this time holds great meaning.”
She was not aware of that.
“The Royals of nations that have become subject states after the Crown Prince's war will be attending. I hear they will also be releasing rare animals representing every nation. Because our house did not participate in the war, the houses that support the Crown Prince do not look favourably upon us. At an opportunity like this, we must cement our status.”
The Duke and Derrick bore a serious face, and Ada supposed that made sense. War was war, regardless of what world you were in. It was a universal constant. Reynold, on the other hand, was smirking like a child, probably at the implications of cementing the house’s status.
“Thus, I have just returned from the nobles’ meeting, where I declared the House of Eckharts’ intent to participate in the Hunting Tournament.”
Reynold’s grin grew even wider, and Ada watched with amusement as he subtly pumped his fist.
“Penelope.”
“Yes?”
“A vote was held during the meeting. Your ban from participating has been lifted.”
Oh? Does this have to do with what Reynold had mentioned during their little talk?
At her silence, the Duke continued, “What are you planning to do?”
“I plan to attend, of course.”
“I see, you must have your hunting equipment mended in that case.”
Ada expected Reynold to rush out of his chair, going on about the last time she held a weapon, but to her surprise, he remained blessedly silent.
“Is letting her have a weapon really wise?” Derrick questioned in Reynold’s place.