I Don’t Want to Be a Lady

“Huh? What?” asked the crown prince, blinking his eyes as if he was bewildered.

“You will join us in the war, right?”

“Why me?”

At the crown prince’s stupid question, I widened my eyes and asked back. “Yes? Then who’s going? Is Your Majesty the old Emperor going? Or the Second Prince, who is the ‘only’ prince going?”

“Keheum!” The emperor expressed his displeasure. Old… He still had energy…

The crown prince thought, forcing his head to roll. I hate to see Luiden go… But how can I go to such a scary place?

The crown prince turned his head and looked at the emperor. I will leave this to Father.

The emperor read the meaning in his eyes.

It was ridiculous. Knowing that his position had been narrowed due to Luiden’s recent actions, he thought only of his own comfort rather than taking advantage of this situation.

You idiot! Duke Krow, who noticed the emperor’s hardened complexion, carefully opened his mouth. “I think that’s something to discuss further. As you know, our Crown Prince is weak.”

At the words of Duke Krow, I tilted my head and said, “Well, that’s strange. The fact that the Crown Prince is energetic is known to all the people of the Empire.” I referred to the fact that the crown prince has as many as five concubines.

The faces of Duke Krow and the crown prince hardened at Arianne’s blunt remark. They couldn’t deny it and got angry, especially seeing her face blinking brightly made them feel sick.

In response, Luiden gritted his teeth to suppress a burst of laughter. How on earth can Baroness Devit say such a thing with such a straight face? Only Luiden and Count Bornes knew that her innocent-looking actions were nothing more than planned performance.

“His Highness the Crown Prince is the future emperor of this empire, so we can’t send him to such a dangerous place. Rather, it would be better for His Highness the Second Prince to go. Wouldn’t it be an opportunity to do his part as a member of the imperial family?” said Count Bornes.

Hmm. Looks like he has turned to the crown prince faction.

In the first place, Count Bornes intended to put his foot on both sides, but after seeing Arianne today, he made up his mind. I will absolutely put an end to that bitch!

Facing his blazing eyes, Arianne lowered her eyes as if she was disappointed by her father’s decision.

Yikes! I don’t want to see you, shameless bitch! Count Bornes looked away first as if he was sick of her.

Luiden was troubled. At Charter’s request, I promised to keep Baroness Devit safe… but I can’t believe she’s going to participate in the war.

There were too many risk factors for leaving for the battlefield in the current situation. The risk of being attacked by the opposing faction was great, and no one could be sure what would happen on the battlefield. If I die like that… that stupid, arrogant crown prince will become the emperor.

“Sigh.”

Luiden let out a low sight, pessimistic about his situation. If I send Baroness Devit alone, I will die at the hands of Charter. It’s either I die like this or like that.

“Alright, I will join.”

“No! Your Highness! It’s too dangerous.”

“Yes, that’s not going to work.”

Viscount Bening and other nobles of the imperial faction raised their voices.  

“No. I’m willing to give even my humble life for the well-being of the Empire.”

“Ah…”

Viscount Bening’s eyes turned red as if he had been impressed by his words. I will follow you for the rest of my life, Your Highness the Second Prince!

It was the moment when Viscount Bening decided to follow him into the war.

“I will join the war too!”

“Your Highness!!” Duke Krow shouted in surprise at the crown prince’s sudden declaration.

The crown prince, who flinched at Duke Krow’s shout, immediately glared at Luiden and thought. It looks like he’s trying to stand out even more this time, but no way I will allow that.

Seeing the crown prince’s burning eyes, Duke Krow touched his forehead with a tired face. T-that idiot.

I raised my eyebrows at Luiden. What the hell is he doing?

Luiden smiled at her like that. Come on, let’s go together. It’s reassuring, right?

“It’s annoying…”

It’s already too much to protect my body, but now it seems that I need to protect my husband’s friend as well. I was going to drag the crown prince and make him suffer, but somehow this fool ruined it.

Luiden was smiling all the time, not knowing my terrible feelings. He’s the second person I want to hit after my father.  The plan went awry.

Returning to the Duchy, I instructed Madrenne to pack. 

“I told you to pack, but why do you pack a dress?”

“Of course, Baroness has to bring a dress. Then, is Baroness going to go naked?”

Trying to contain my irritation, I said, “Do you think I’m going to play now? I mean to pack my things to go to the battlefield!”

Madrenne said with a surprised look, “Is Baroness really going to war? Wait, they didn’t stop you? I thought you couldn’t go there?”

“They tried to stop me from going there.”

“Yes? Then…”

Madrenne’s hand, which was diligently packing, stopped. “So, is Baroness really going to the battlefield? Really? You’re not going to evacuate to a safe place?”

I answered Madrenne’s question. “There is no safe place anymore.”

“…”

“Pack your things too. We should go together.”

“What~~~?”

Bewildered, Madrenne lengthened her words. And she jumped up. “No, I’m not going! Serving young lady is fun, but not to the point of giving up my life!”

I knew this would happen. I didn’t expect her loyalty. Still, I felt rejected, which made my stomach ache.

Honestly, no matter how confident I was in shooting and mastering self-defense, there were many inconveniences for a woman to stay on the battlefield alone. I was stunned by Madrenne’s rebellion, whom I thought would follow me. And my anger slowly rose.

Wait, I’m leaving to a dead end, but why is she trying to stay alive alone? Come to think of it, she annoys me.

I asked Madrenne with a cold face. “Decide. Will you die with honor on the battlefield? Or will you die miserably while running away servilely?”

“Later, I want to live a little longer.”

I-is that so?

“Honor doesn’t matter to a maid like me. My life is more important than that.”

Come to think of it, she was right. The honor was only for the noble.

I didn’t want to ignore Madrenne’s will and drag her by force. It was something she had to risk her life for. She is my maid, not a slave, so she has the right to decide. But I never thought about leaving without her.

We had been together for ten years. That much time could never be ignored. All I knew how to do without Madrenne was only to shoot. I’ve never worn stockings by myself before.

At that time, I realized. What kind of existence is Madrenne to me? Also, what I took for granted might not be natural.

I opened and closed my mouth. Words weren’t readily said. I’ve never asked a favor, not an order, to the person I thought was below me. The first time was not always easy. But what? That’s not a big deal. I, who took a deep breath, opened my mouth as if I had decided.

“I want you to go with me.”

Madrenne tilted her head at the sudden polite request. What’s wrong with the lady? She faced Arianne. Reading the earnestness in her eyes, she laughed. Oh my. Did the young lady know she could make a face like that?

They felt they were relying on each other but never acknowledged it. What happened today seemed to bring about a change between them.

“Are you sure you want me to be your companion to hell? Anyway, you’re a mean lady.”

Madrenne grumbled. It was a yes.

The corners of my mouth went up. Then I questioned her, “Why to hell?”

“Then did Baroness think you would go to heaven?”

“Why not…”

I can’t?

“Conscience…”

“…”

That night, an advance party was formed with the troops and supplies that were urgently brought out. The advance party consisted of Arianne, Luiden, Marquis Hood, Viscount Bening, and the crown prince.

I prepared a separate carriage, but the second price repeatedly asked me to join him, so I eventually joined his carriage. I climbed into the rear where Luiden’s carriage was. Madrenne and Bein were separated into the carriage in front of the servants.

While in the Luiden’s carriage, I sat still and waited for departure.

“No, I will ride in this carriage.”

“No, Your Highness. There is a carriage prepared separately by Duke Krow.”

“Noisy! You dare to stop me? If you dare, do it!”

“…”

It was noisy outside the carriage.

“What? Why do I hear this rotten voice outside the carriage?”

“Pfft!”

My irritating words made Luiden laugh.

“Why are you laughing?”

“That… Baroness’s words are so similar to my feelings. I don’t know how you scratch my itchy stomach like a ghost.”

I looked at him in bewilderment and said, “Do you know that you just said something very rude? Don’t be mistaken that the world revolves around you. I’m just saying something according to my mood.”

“Yes, of course.”

I, who was forced to ride in the same carriage with Luiden, grumbled. The smile didn’t disappear from Luiden’s face.

“You! I’m going in this carriage, so move to another carriage,” The crown prince said to Luiden as he opened the carriage door and climbed up

“I don’t want to.”

“What! Do you think you can survive ignoring my words!”

The prince’s face reddened as if he was angry at Luiden for going against his will.

“It’s noisy, so please just sit quietly.”

The crown prince’s face hardened at Arianne’s words, and he sat down like a well-behaved dog right next to her.

Luiden looked at him with a surprised look. Why? Why is he docile with her?

Arianne only stared out the window, ignoring Luiden’s gaze. Contrary to Luiden’s disastrously wrinkled face, the crown prince was intoxicated with a sense of victory. The twitching corners of his mouth told him how he felt.

As expected, she had me in her mind. The crown prince seemed to have misunderstood the word let’s go to the battlefield together. I’m annoyed, but maybe it will be fun because of that punk? He smiled with satisfaction without anyone knowing.

Before long, the carriage left the capital and entered the outskirts. It was dark outside, and the surroundings couldn’t be distinguished, but I was still staring out the window.

I think my neck is going to get stiff. But I couldn’t turn my head. This was because I could see the crown prince sitting next to me if I turned my head.

Luiden, who saw the crown prince glancing at the timing to talk to Arianne all the time, said a word in frustration. “Are you in a hurry to do something? You keep fidgeting.”

At Luiden’s words, the crown prince replied with a frown as if he was displeased. “I never said you could dare talk to me.”

“I thought you wanted to have a private conversation with your younger brother since you personally accompany me in my carriage, right?”

The crown prince shouted at Luiden’s words. “Why should I talk to you! I just!”

He glanced at Ariane and clouded his words. It’s strange. Everyone should be anxious to talk to me. But what’s wrong with this woman? He wondered where the woman who smiled enchantingly at him had gone. She’s pretty… but I’m afraid I can’t talk to her for some reason.

At that moment, the surrounding landscape became completely dark. They seemed to have entered a forest path the moonlight could not reach. The carriage shook heavily as it passed through the rough forest road.

“Ick! Can’t you drive straight! Are you going to hurt the crown prince’s body!” shouted the crown prince loudly as if to let the coachman listen.

He had lived only in the well-paved capital his whole life, so this must be his first time. I’m like that too. I was desperately trying not to fall unsightly in the wobbly carriage. At that time, the carriage swung to the right.

Ariane was also desperately trying not to fall ugly in a wobbly carriage. At that time, the train swung to the right.

“Ack!”

“Um!”

“!”

A sudden shake pushed everyone to the right of the carriage.

“Hmhm.”

Thanks to this, the crown prince, who came in contact with Arianne, cleared his throat as if he was in a good mood.

“Your Highness, the coachman of this carriage, is he not your man?” I, who had settled down, asked Luiden seriously.

“You’re asking something for granted. Of course, he’s my coachman.”

“Did you check his face?”

At Arianne’s question, Luiden smiled awkwardly. Who would take care of the humble coachman? The same goes for the nobles, but as a member of the imperial family, he didn’t know the name or face of the coachman.

“What a fool!” All of a sudden Arianne got angry.

“What’s wrong with you? It’s just a little shaky because it’s a forest path.”

“Stupid words! Six hours from the capital, there is only a straight road!”

Luiden’s face hardened after understanding Arianne’s words.

“What are you talking about? What’s wrong?”

Arianne said frustratedly at the crown prince’s stupid question. “We’re being kidnaped now, Your Highness the Crown Prince.”