From the moment she was born, Alicia was a girl blessed by the heavens.
Her appearance was superior to that of most girls, with an enviable beauty.
She had a rich and powerful family, but above all, a very loving one.
Ever since she could remember, she was loved by all, and she was also very kind to others, as her parents taught her not to judge anyone by their appearance or economic status.
For a noble, this way of thinking was unusual, but the Campbell's decided to break that mold because the current head didn't want to be like the others. It was a difficult decision: being kind to everyone in a cruel world is a death sentence.
But Edgar wasn't foolish; he knew when to be kind and when to be terrifying. His wife was the only person in the whole world who understood him perfectly.
That's why they raised their children with unconditional love. They wanted them to find the same love, so with their most loyal contacts, they arranged meetings so their children could meet someone reliable.
Of all their children, the one who managed to find that relationship was Alicia.
She became friends with a certain boy whose family had been friends with hers for generations.
She was too young to think about love, but she really liked being with her friend.
Over the years, they grew up together until they reached the legal age to become engaged. Then, one day, he asked her. Alicia thought this was the love her older sisters talked about, so she happily accepted.
And then, one day on her thirteenth birthday, the fateful moment arrived. Alicia was looking for her cousin Alisa since she hadn't greeted her, but when Alisa saw her, her expression was one of anger.
"Alisa?"
"Don't talk to me, traitor."
With those words, Alisa left the party and never spoke to her cousin again.
Alicia learned that her mother had severed ties with her family; therefore, the Bismarck's felt offended and saw them as traitors.
She asked her mother the reason, but she only replied, "You'll understand when you're older." So she could only be sad about not being able to see her cousin anymore, with whom she had spent a large part of her childhood.
Although Alisa had sent her a gift with a small note that said, "Happy birthday, I wish you happiness, even if we never see each other again." She felt happy to see that her cousin was also going through something similar.
It was an adult problem that didn't concern their daughters.
◇◇◇
Then the big day arrived, and Alicia, along with her fiancé, came to the academy.
Her family said goodbye to her, as they would only see each other during vacations.
It was a short time, but knowing she would be far from her family was something new for her.
A new life awaited her, and so it was.
Alicia lived her life with her group of "close friends." She sometimes saw Alisa, but she couldn't greet her because Alisa wouldn't even look at her.
But everything began to change that day.
"Hey, did you hear the rumors going around?"
"Which ones?"
"They say that at the end-of-semester party, the Kingsfort heir was challenged to a duel by a peasant."
"Really? I think it's ridiculous that he accepted."
Alicia didn't understand what they were saying, but she didn't care. Or so she thought, until a few days later, her fiancé started acting strange.
"There you are."
She said after searching for him for days.
The second semester had begun and he had disappeared.
She found him on the capital's streets talking to some unknown men.
When she found him, his expression was one of panic.
"Is something wrong?"
"No, it's just..."
He then looked both ways and took her to an alley.
"I'm sorry!"
He bowed his head while pleading.
"Alicia, please, lend me some money!"
"Huh?"
"You see, I... lost money on a bet."
"I bet money on the Kingsfort heir and expected to win a lot, but that Bradford guy defeated him, and because of that several people like me ended up indebted to loan sharks."
"I can't tell my family because they'd be angry with me. That's why I'm asking you, my fiancée."
Alicia didn't like gambling, but she knew she couldn't interfere in people's privacy.
But her fiancé was the man she would marry one day. So if this served as a lesson for him not to gamble again, she thought what happened was fine.
"I have some savings. How much do you need?"
"I need you to lend me..."
He said an amount that made Alicia shudder.
"That's a lot of zeros. How could you bet so much?"
"I-it's not recent, it's something that accumulated over time."
"Accumulated?! That means you bet more than once!"
"I'm sorry, really! I won't do it again!"
She felt horrified for not knowing this side of him, but she also understood that not everything is like in fantasy books.
She agreed to lend him the money.
Alicia had enough money to buy a mansion in the capital and still have enough left for two more.
But her fiancé's debt was equivalent to buying the land for that mansion, a bit more than the budget she would use.
Even after that, loan sharks sometimes came looking for her. Her fiancé said she should pay because they were dangerous people. She said they should report them to the authorities, but he said no.
She just had to give them the money and they would leave peacefully.
Alicia wasn't stupid, but she was very naive about many things.
Like, for example, not recognizing someone who was a latent danger to her financial future.
While paying a loan shark, she heard some boys talking.
"I can't believe that guy found his own island with a Lost Object on it. It must be a lie."
"I'd agree with you, but he defeated several sons of important families, including the crown prince."
"I don't think we should underestimate him just because he's a peasant."
After finishing paying the loan shark, she gave him a long lecture. Her fiancé said these were pending debts.
"I'm so sorry, Alicia. I swear, it won't happen again. I'll even pay you back with my next allowance."
"I'll make it up to you on our next date."
"Alright, I forgive you."
Alicia had an angry face, but seeing him plead like a puppy changed her expression.
"Since we're going to an island on our school trip, I'm eagerly looking forward to our date."
After saying that, the big day arrived. The date happened, but her fiancé spent the time looking at other girls instead of her.
Alicia couldn't believe what she was seeing.
She was so angry with him that she didn't notice the day had ended.
While walking around a temple like the others, she saw three people praying.
She couldn't tell who they were, but two of them pulled another's ears before he stormed off angrily.
But before they disappeared, she could notice that Alisa was one of them.
When she confronted him in the party area, she saw him drinking an alcoholic beverage.
She was scolding him when then...
"You know something? You're really irritating."
"Understand this. I'm a man; men do manly things. It might be wrong, but we're not married."
"I want to enjoy my youth. Because, at this rate, if you're going to be this irritable and annoying, we'd better break up before living stressed."
After saying those words, he didn't realize what he'd said.
But despite that, he didn't pay it any mind and kept drinking.
Alicia felt so sad that she went to her room crying.
She didn't understand what was happening to him to behave like that.
"Idiot! You're a huge idiot!"
"If you really believe that, then we should break off our engagement."
"I'm sure there must be a better man than you out there."
And as if she had made a wish, something happened.
The ship was taken by Commonwealth forces.
She was forcibly taken from her room by the other students.
There, in front of her, was a boy with a rifle who said:
"Die for me; your lives are worthless. So if you want to live, fight. Because I'll use you as human shields to save my ass and the prince's."
"What a disgusting guy!"
"Die, idiot!"
"I'm going to survive and beat this imbecile to a pulp."
She couldn't see the rifle boy clearly, but because of his hostile voice, the other terrified students began to arm themselves to fight.
She didn't understand how they had changed that mood.
All she could see before being pushed by the crowd was black hair talking with some blue curls.
Alicia wasn't a fighter, so she could only provide support to the male students: passing them ammunition and casting magical spells, like tending to the wounded.
She was witnessing something she couldn't even imagine in her worst nightmares.
There was too much chaos in the place.
Screams of people fighting for their lives.
Gunshots here and there.
Cannons thundering in the skies and impacting other ships.
She could only describe this as a nightmare from which she wished to wake up.
Alicia went to get more bandages to treat a wounded boy: it was her fiancé.
She had a lot to say to him, but in the current situation, her words were useless.
"I'm sorry," he said in an honest tone. "It was all my fault. I promise I'll correct my behavior this time."
"..."
She said nothing, but she was glad to hear those words. But promises are like the wind: they disappear with a gust.
The ship was attacked and she was pushed against the railing, breaking it and holding on.
Alicia was about to fall.
She extended her hand to her fiancé, the person she trusted most in the world after her family.
For him to run and save her was the most normal thing in the world, being her fiancé.
But Alicia was horrified to see how he apologized and ran away.
"You are... a huge idiot!"
It was the first time in her life she had sworn, feeling disappointed in someone and full of anger and hatred.
Feeling so betrayed, the strength in her arm failed and she fell.
(Ah... I'm going to die here.)
(I'm so sorry, everyone. I wish I could have at least said goodbye to you all and told you what kind of trash my fiancé was.)
(I guess knights who save damsels only exist in fairy tales.)
She resigned herself to death and accepted her fate.
"Really, how many times do I have to save people today?"
(Huh?)
She was caught by someone; she should have hit the ocean and sunk, but she was rising up and heard a man's voice.
Opening her eyes, she was on the ship's deck, away from the railing. Turning around, she saw a boy she had never met before.
"Next time, be careful. I'm not a superman who can save everyone."
Said the boy—Rudel—and flew away.
Alicia was left thoughtful.
(What was that?)
She thought while watching him fly away to fight monsters.
A black-colored ship approached to rescue them in boats.
When she boarded hers, she saw him fighting several armored figures. But she also saw Alisa and another girl on the ship fighting monsters.
◇◇◇
After the victory against the Commonwealth, a party was held to celebrate what happened.
Everyone was enjoying the place. Alicia didn't know why she had come, but she put on the most elegant dress she had and there she found her fiancé flirting with a girl.
She quickly approached to confront him.
He saw her and tried to explain himself, but she gave him a strong slap full of resentment.
"You are the worst. The most despicable person in the world."
"We're breaking up now and I never want to see you again in my life."
After saying that, she went home crying over breaking a relationship of several years.
◇◇◇
Sometime later, when she returned to normal after staying home, she noticed everyone was running around.
When she went to the foyer, she saw her mother crying while hugging her father and brother.
"Mom, what's going on?"
Since she had been in her room all this time, she didn't understand what was happening.
Her father quickly explained the situation while hugging his daughters.
"We must go to war. Your brother and I will go with our fleet to meet up with the others."
"Huh...? War? Is this real?"
"You were asleep, but a few hours ago they attacked the capital. The attack was short-range, but the situation is critical."
"I don't want to do this, but I told your mother that you should take everyone and return to our territory in case we need to flee."
"Flee... from the country?"
Her father looked at her with sadness.
"If your brother and I die, there will be no one left to protect you. I'd rather die knowing my family is safe than have you taken as hostages."
"Daddy!!"
Layla hugged her father with tears.
"Dad will come back home. After all, the commander of this fleet is someone appointed by the palace; I heard he was the one who defeated the invading fleet."
"Who?"
That's when she finally learned that boy's name.
"Viscount Bradford."
"I don't know him, but Duke Bismarck supports him, as does the Prime Minister. Without a doubt, he must be someone special for two people who never get along to have total confidence in someone like him."
"Viscount Bradford..."
Alicia felt she had heard that name before, but she couldn't remember exactly.
"There's no time to waste. Lionel, let's go."
"Yes, Father."
With tears in their eyes, the women watched the men of the family leave to fight.
They feared the worst, but they begged the saint to bring them back safe and sound.
After about four hours of waiting, the door opened.
Covered in debris and sweat, both father and son were unharmed.
They ran to hug them; they were happy to know they were alive.
"I'm glad to see you safe and sound."
"I'm also happy to be here, Mom."
"That thing... war is horrible. For a second I thought I would die."
"The smell of burning flesh, like the sound of bullets and cannons flying everywhere... it's something horrible."
Alicia understood what her brother was saying. She still remembered the horrible experience of what happened on the ship.
"But it's thanks to the Viscount that we're alive."
"Viscount Bradford?"
"Yes!"
Her brother shouted with energy.
Her father shared the same feeling.
"I take back what I thought of him. He's truly amazing; he alone took out half the enemies. When everything seemed to be over, two huge monsters appeared and he defeated them alone."
"Without a doubt, the country is safe with him."
They told them what Rudel had done. Alicia was amazed by what she heard.
She couldn't believe what one person had done. Alicia didn't know him, but she was amazed by the feats of someone who was supposed to be her age.
After the war, a party was held at the palace.
The nobles who participated with their families were invited. Alicia separated from them, as she had never been to the palace before.
"That's right! I'm amazing!"
She heard someone shouting, or rather, boasting.
"Did you really do all that alone?"
"That's right, girls. As long as I'm here, the country and you will be safe."
"Kyah!!"
She approached the loud voices and saw a group of girls surrounding a boy with black hair.
It was the same hair from that day, so it could only be him.
Alicia saw him boasting about his exploits to the girls, but unlike her ex-fiancé—who had fled with his entire family not because of the war, but because of debts—she felt that the expressions on his face were very different from what she had seen. It could partly be because he was a hero, and if a hero wants to flirt with women, it's something all of them would accept without complaint.
She tried to get into the group of girls to talk to him about what happened on the ship.
She pushed aside a large number of girls and had Rudel at her side, but those girls moved aside, pushing her.
That was because Alisa arrived and scared them off; she took his hand and led him away from everyone with her withering glare.
She had heard from her older sisters that Alisa, another girl, and he were close.
But watching them leave, she could feel strange jealousy.
◇◇◇
Sometime after that day, Alicia was preparing for the start of the new school year.
"Good, I'm very well."
She was trying on various dresses because she planned to invite Rudel for tea.
She wanted to talk about what happened that day and thank him for saving her and her family.
Her older sisters saw her looking very happy.
"Alicia, you look very happy just for a meeting that hasn't even happened yet."
"Certainly, our little sister looks very feminine, as if she were preparing to meet a man she hasn't seen in years."
They enjoyed teasing her.
"Heavens! Sisters, please don't tease me."
She said that while pouting.
While looking at which dress suited her best, her mother entered her room.
"Umm, girls, which of you would like to go to a ceremony?"
"Is someone getting married?"
"It's an engagement ceremony."
"Someone we know?"
"No, the palace sent it to us just because we're related to the bride."
"It's... Alisa, and she's getting engaged to... Count Bradford."
Upon hearing that, Alicia felt her world crumbling.
She fell to her knees and tears began to stream down her rosy cheeks.
"Alicia!"
"What's wrong?"
Her sisters and mother went to check on her.
She had no physical problems, but she was sad. Her heart felt shattered.
Alicia didn't understand why her chest hurt so much until she started thinking about Rudel.
That's when she understood.
(This pain is... what they call love.)
(I... am in love with Viscount Bradford.)
Although she didn't know him in person, Alicia knew stories about him and what he had done. This led her to develop a genuine interest in him, to the point of falling in love with a Rudel she didn't know.
She calmed down and said it was nothing. But she patiently waited for the school year to begin.
There she would talk to him about those feelings.
The day came and she looked for him in his classroom, but she only found Alisa, who looked at her with disinterest.
"What are you doing here?"
"H-hi, Alisa. It's been a while."
"Same to you. I repeat, what do you want here?"
"I, uh... I'm looking for Count Bradford. Have you seen him?"
"Rudel? What business do you have with him?"
"It's personal. If you don't mind, could you tell me where he is?"
Alisa looked unfavorably upon any woman who wanted to get involved with Rudel, now more than ever.
"I'm afraid that won't be possible."
"Rudel isn't here?"
"You mean he went somewhere?"
"That's right, out of the country. He went to study abroad along with His Highness and other boys."
"Out of the country!?"
"That's right. Why are you interested?"
Her aggressive look frightened Alicia. She seemed like an even more fervent Alisa than before.
"I understand. I would like, please, for you to tell me when he returns or contacts you, because I would like to have a chat with him."
"I'm sorry, but Rudel isn't interested in you or your family."
After saying those words, Alisa left, ignoring her. And every time Alicia tried to bring up the topic when they met, Alisa coldly rejected her.
That's why she eagerly awaited this day.
The day they could finally meet. An entire year passed and, finally, the day arrived.
That's why she took advantage of him being in the capital, and now she's standing before him.
◇◇◇
Alicia told Rudel about her romantic situation.
Rudel was astonished; he couldn't believe that someone could really fall in love with someone because of stories others told.
He felt flattered because everything he heard was true, and he couldn't believe he had forgotten such a pretty girl.
(I probably forgot her because my fiancées are just as beautiful as she is.)
"That's why I wanted to meet you in person and talk with you. Through those stories, I could only think about how incredible and amazing you were."
"But hearing it directly from your mouth is even more surprising."
"Everything you said or did made me interested in you, to the point of having these feelings. Now that I've met you, I can only affirm that they're real."
"That's why, just like Eleonora from the Roseblaire family..."
"You know about Ellen?"
"It was the most talked-about thing in the capital for days; that's why I thought you knew, but you wanted to be modest and not say anything."
(So everyone really knew and no one said anything?)
"I know it's a lot to ask, but I would really like you to give me a chance and make me your concubine."
There was only one response to give here.
"I'm sorry, but I can't accept you."
Hearing that, Alicia seemed to understand that he wasn't interested at all. But Rudel immediately corrected his poor wording.
"Don't misunderstand. It's not that I can't accept you; it's that, for me, a concubine doesn't work like that, as if you were hiring a servant."
"For me, a concubine is a wife. It's true that Alisa will be my wife, but I see all the others as my future wives too."
"I wouldn't want an unknown woman sleeping with me; that seems very uncomfortable to me. And now more than ever, I can't just accept any stranger."
"I've met you and your family, and I can say you're trustworthy. But if I take you as my woman, it would be after getting to know you. All of them spent time with me, so you should too."
Alicia understood what he said, and that filled her with enthusiasm.
"So I have a chance?"
"Of course you do."
"If you want, the next time I return to the capital—for the academy that would be it—we could go out somewhere."
"Rudel-san, I have a better idea. Why don't you come with me to my house?"
"Your house?"
"Yes. If you come with me, we'll have a date and you can get to know me better. I just ask for a day or two of your time."
Rudel thought about it for a moment.
"Well, I was planning to go home tomorrow, but I suppose I can delay it a little."
Then he heard a loud thump coming from the adjoining room.
He paid it no mind, and Alicia stood up, very excited.
"Then, please, go to the port tomorrow at noon! I'll tell my father to have everything ready by then."
"Alright."
"Goodnight, Rudel-san."
Alicia wished him goodnight with a smile from ear to ear before leaving.
Rudel felt relieved that it was over.
(I'm really popular. That's weird, actually.)
Lecia opened the door and jumped on him.
She was very upset.
"So you're going to have a date with her, huh?"
"You are, without a doubt, a womanizer like Leonis."
"Please don't compare me to that trash. Everything I do, I'll tell my fiancées sooner or later; I also need to consult with them."
"Your opinion is important to me, as is hers."
Even though he said that, Lecia kept pouting.
"I know. But how do you expect me to feel watching you flirt with young, beautiful girls while I hide?"
"I'm very sorry. I promise to make it up to you the next time I go to the palace."
"What do you mean next time? Do you think I'll let you go easily when I have so little free time left?"
"Of course not. I'll go with you; I'm your personal maid for a reason."
She said that before hugging him.
"That's why today I'll pamper my master. Eveeerythiiing you want."
Lecia began to unbutton Rudel's shirt and then pressed her breasts against his face.
Her large mammary glands hung like a pendulum, swinging from side to side.
"For leaving me out this time, I'm going to give you a good punishment."
"Please, I want one."
She said that and began to smother him with her breasts.
Neither of them noticed that the door was ajar.
Alicia had forgotten to close it and went back to do so, but she saw them in the act. She secretly watched and, after the situation escalated, she closed the door without making a sound.
(I knew it. Rudel-san wouldn't have such a beautiful woman as her just as a simple maid.)
(She must be his lover. This is normal, since he's a hero, and it's natural for them to have many women.)
(That means I'm not the only one who has a chance with him.)
She quickly returned to her room. She shared a room with her older sisters; the size was large enough not to be called a small bedroom.
They were applying face cream before sleeping.
"Alicia? What's going on?"
Annerose said while watching Alicia enter and quickly close the door.
She was very excited.
"M-m-my sisters!"
"I have something to tell you!"
Alicia told her sisters what she saw.
"Really?"
"I can't believe a guy with that face could be a womanizer. But, knowing he got two women abroad—one of them being a princess—it's normal for him to take a mature maid as a lover. Without a doubt, he's a man with great lust."
Annerose said that after running her tongue over her lips.
"Alicia, it seems you've hit the jackpot."
They started laughing for some reason.
◇◇◇
The next morning after breakfast, Marquis Campbell said to Rudel: "Of course you can go to the territory; in fact, we were planning to all go, but I have work. We'll go when I finish; you can go ahead if you like."
For Rudel, a man telling him he could go to his "house" alone with his "daughter" was something he never expected to hear in his life. Naturally, a noble can't be compared to an ordinary father.
"So, Rudel-san, can you come to my house for a few days?"
"Sure, but first I need to check my clothes and do a few more things."
"Yes! I'll be eagerly waiting for you at the port."
Alicia was happy, but her father gave her a warning.
"Alicia, remember that lately I've been receiving reports that the Wing Sharks are being more aggressive than before."
"The Wing Sharks?"
Rudel asked, curious.
"A pirate gang that's been bothering us for a time. They attack occasionally and have caused us economic losses, and we can't... drive them away from the territory."
(He was going to say "neutralize them," right?)
(He didn't want to say he'd eliminate them in front of his daughters, right?)
(He truly is a great man; he doesn't want to soil his daughters' minds with unpleasant things like the death of bandits and pirates. Without a doubt, he's a role model.)
"If I had my ship or armor here, I could 'drive them away' for you."
Rudel played along with his wording. The Marquis was happy to hear it.
"I appreciate your interest, but I believe household problems should be solved by oneself and not by a guest. Thank you very much for the offer, but we've defended ourselves alone for a reason."
"I understand. I just offered my help in case you were interested."
"It's not for nothing that you're known as the Noble Pirate Hunter. If those pirates were to get out of control, then I would count on your help."
"You're welcome."
After saying goodbye, Rudel and Lecia were taken by carriage to Lecia's house where Rudel was staying.
Since it wasn't an official property of the queen, she could use it as her own.
"It was a good experience. But are you really going?"
"I already told you: I won't waste my time with you just because a girl wants to have her fantasy romance with you. Rather, I envy her for having one."
"But, Rudel-kun, you should know that Alisa doesn't get along with her because of family issues. How will you make her accept Alicia?"
"Umm, that's something that would amount to using my face as a support for my decisions."
(Besides, having her father backing me would make Siegwald stop bothering me with political issues.)
"Please stop using yourself as a shield for all the tough decisions you have to make."
"I'm sorry. But, as I said, all of their opinions are important; I would never make a decision thinking only of myself. I want to make them all happy."
"Sometimes I wonder why you're so wonderful in how you treat women, instead of avoiding thinking about how they feel."
"My mother told me that in a relationship, it's important for both parties to agree. That's the key to a happy marriage."
"Your mother must really love your father; that's why they're having a new baby."
(Actually, my mother from my previous life said that before she died.)
They arrived at her house and opened the door. Something was strange here.
The maids were dismissed by Lecia so they wouldn't miss their work schedule, so none of them should be inside.
Rudel entered silently and took a knife from the kitchen. Lecia was behind him, scared.
"What's going on?"
"The door was poorly closed. Before leaving, I remember closing it after the last maid left. No one should be here except us."
Searching the place for clues about the intruder, they both heard something fall above them.
Lecia was so scared she didn't notice her hair had turned blonde again.
They went up to the room, and she took a broom. Finding thieves wasn't unusual, so they would just scare them off.
Entering the room, they found a strange bulge on the bed. Quickly, both positioned themselves on different sides and pulled off the sheets.
Just as they were about to hit the lump, they stopped because of what they saw.
"Ellen? Sara?"
"What the hell are you doing here?"
Ellen and Sara were hiding under those sheets.
Lecia, noticing them, quickly hid in the closet.
Quickly, Sara pointed at Rudel after standing up and stopping hugging Ellen out of the fear they felt after being discovered.
"That's what we should be asking you."
"Yesterday we saw you enter a mysterious house and you didn't come out at all the whole night."
"What were you doing following me?"
"No one was following you," Ellen responded, fixing her disheveled curls. "I was showing Sara the mansion that would serve as the embassy, then we saw you get out of the carriage with a mysterious maid who hid in the closet."
"That's right, Rudel. We want answers."
"I admire your guts for having women in secret, but you have to understand we can't leave you alone with a stranger."
Rudel tried to think of what to do to avoid this problem.
Ixion entered the room through the window he opened.
"Master, it seems it's time to be partially honest."
"What are you talking about?"
Rudel asked, still stunned by the situation.
"Do you think all this happened by chance? Not even in your dreams would something like this happen."
Ixion approached the closet and, with a mechanical tentacle that came out of his body, opened the door. Hiding her face with clothes was Lecia.
"You see, Ixion, I can explain it."
"There's nothing to explain. I know everything; I know what you and she have been doing for months."
"Wait... you know? How long have you been invading my private life?"
"Private life? Pff."
Ixion spat out a sound similar to a tongue click.
"You don't have a private life with me. I know everything you do: your family life, private, intimate, even the bathroom. I know all of that."
"You're a damn stalker!"
"I'm not. I look after you; your safety is important."
"That's what a stalker would say!"
"If you want to complain about weird things, do it with Bell, who documents your intimacy. She has hours of what you and they do, especially with..."
Ixion removed Lecia's coat, revealing her face.
"The queen, in secret."
Suddenly, a chilling cold ran through the place. Ellen and Sara were as blank as a painting.
"Hey, isn't she the woman who was with the king when I met my father?"
"That's right."
"Rudel... is she who I think she is?"
"That's right..."
Both covered their faces, leaving the girls who discovered Rudel's secret speechless.
"I'm tired of this little secret game, so I made sure they found out. Which is better for everyone, because you always end up badly when you hide things."
"Girls, let me explain the situation."
"Personally, I'd like to know how it all happened in your head. It's really interesting to know."
Lecia proceeded to tell them what happened from the beginning. She omitted the private details, but they got the idea of what occurred.
"And that's how we ended up here."
Sara then grabbed Rudel by the collar of his shirt and looked at him with bloodshot eyes.
"Rudel, you know she's the queen of your country, right?"
"I know."
"You know she's married, don't you?"
"I know that too."
"You know she's the mother of Prince Liam, who not long ago shared lunch with you."
"Do you want me to answer that?"
"Tell me, did you see my mother the same way?"
"Your mom... is beautiful, it's true, but I didn't see her that way."
"Lecia is a very special case."
Even though he was being interrogated by Sara, Ellen could only laugh.
"Ohohoho. This is, without a doubt, splendid."
"You are the man with the most scruples and guts in the world."
"Never in my life, not even in novels, did I imagine I would see someone so crazy as to court a married woman who, on top of that, is your queen."
"Without a doubt, it would be a huge scandal. I'm amazed, more than anything, by how you can look at His Highness and Her Majesty knowing what you do with his mother and spouse."
"You really are a man who will never cease to surprise me."
"Are you criticizing me or praising me?"
"I'm so bewildered I can only laugh."
"Eleonora, Sara, listen to me well."
Ixion came to Rudel's rescue.
"It's true what you think and say about the master, but this man isn't playing with you."
"In the time I've known him, he has made all his promises come true. So if he said he would make you happy, he will make you happy."
"Even with you, Lecia. The master will undoubtedly take you as his, even if he has to kill Leonis over it."
"I'm not going to kill Leonis, even if it's what I want most."
"I'm helping him; stop contradicting me."
Rudel calmed Sara, who was worked up.
"I'm sorry you found out this way, but I've already accepted the kind of man I am."
"A womanizer."
"One without scruples."
"A very pathetic one."
Rudel ignored Ixion and focused on them.
"I promise to explain everything myself. I just need you to listen."
Sara was the first to speak, then Ellen.
"There's nothing to explain. Her Majesty the Queen already did."
"Rudel, you do very wrong by hiding things from us, especially this relationship."
"But I think it was to be expected, coming from you."
"Huh?"
"It's like she says. By female standards, Her Majesty the Queen is very beautiful. It wouldn't be strange to think of you taking her as your lover."
"Especially..."
Both of their gazes focused on Lecia's enormous chest, which she covered.
"You really got away with it."
(I'm glad my mom doesn't have them that huge. Otherwise, Rudel would have given me a little brother.)
"I'm surprised she accepted all the harassment she received from you. Without a doubt, your ability to seduce married women is fearsome, but that only makes you even more splendid."
(She ended up succumbing to all his harassment; without a doubt, this way of courting isn't even in the adult novels I read.)
"In any case, Rudel..."
He looked at Sara, who gave him the good news.
"If you want this, I'll accept it. Besides, if you're going to keep it a secret, that means I beat those three. I'll laugh a lot behind Lucy's back knowing what you do and only I know."
"I understand the feeling. Just imagining Alicelotte's face when she finds out she has no idea about this is very pleasurable."
(The way they treat each other terrifies me. Without a doubt, this is a typical conversation among women.)
"Very well, Rudel. Remember she is the mother of His Highness Liam. Even if she accepted it and you have to tell all of them, the real problem is her husband and her son. I hope you're ready for the consequences."
(I'm not really worried about Liam; I can use Erselica as a shield.)
"I'll do it without fail."
"More importantly: you two, what were you doing there yesterday? I hope you didn't rent a mansion just to have fun there."
Rudel explained to them about Alicia's family, and both were shocked again.
Sara couldn't handle this.
"Rudel, I just found out you have a romance with the queen, and now another woman..."
"Really, you're a danger to us and to all women."
"The Campbell family, huh? Without a doubt, you're a man who knows how to choose women."
"Very well, I'm in to see that."
"Huh?"
Everyone was surprised to hear Ellen, who wanted to go with them.
"What's strange about what I say?"
"I want to see how you conquer the Campbell daughter; it will be very interesting to watch."
"What do you think, Sara?"
Sara had a headache from all the information she was processing. Ixion offered her a painkiller.
"It's fine, I'll go too. If you're going to do your thing anyway, I want to at least meet that woman."
"You heard it, master; they want to go with you."
"Aren't you fascinated by how a horrible man like you always ends up winning?"
"Do you want to shut up?"
"Make me."
Rudel tried to grab Ixion several times, but couldn't do it.
Lecia addressed the girls.
"Girls, I understand you're upset with him. But I swear I'm completely serious about this relationship."
"I can't stand being with that man anymore, and I haven't divorced yet because it would cause problems for the country, but I swear I'll do it without fail."
"I also have to explain it to Liam, who will be the most affected."
Ellen murmured to herself.
"A married woman has a secret relationship with the boy who beat up her son. For some reason, I feel it would sell like hotcakes if it had illustrations."
"Sorry, I didn't hear what you said."
"She says your decision was the right one. There are people who don't have faith in His Highness Liam as the future king, and with this, they'll see Rudel as very loyal, so it was a decision that guaranteed Liam's future as king and his family."
Lecia is surprised that the situation regarding her son is so horrible.
"In that case, Your Majesty, you just have to patiently wait for the day you make your announcement. And I hope you have a baby that day. Fufufu."
Ellen laughed just imagining Alisa's angry face over this secret.
And so, just like that, the secret of Rudel and Lecia was revealed to two more girls. But they wouldn't be the last to find out about it.
_________________
Did you like Alicia's story? I did; not much more could be done because she had no prior relationship with Rudel.
Two girls have already learned about his situation with Lecia, and the best part is that I already have the situation developed with the others.
The fanservice is again for Alicia, since this entire volume focuses on her: https://danbooru.donmai.us/posts/7382273?q=howe_%28azur_lane%29