(Arielle Luxembourg POV)

When was it when I felt that I was inferior to my older siblings?

We’re from the same family and have the same genes yet I can’t seem to catch up to them as I had hoped. My only talent was for the sword.

Before Clyde and Arthur took lessons at our mansion I tried studying diligently everyday to improve myself. No matter how many times I tried to understand administration or how economics works, I always fail.

You’re so stupid. I can’t believe I have a sister like you.

Those words that my sister said to me stung my heart. It felt so painful being insulted by the one I look up to most.

Kenia Liliana Luxembourg. Aside from the second princess, Denise(Charlotte’s older sister), she was known to be one of the brightest minds on the continent. Her marks at the academy were always at the top, she had excellent wind attribute magic, her beauty turned the heads of all the people regardless if they were married or not, old or young ,male or female.

She was the perfect woman. That’s what I’d say if someone were to ask me what I thought of her back then.

And my brother?

He had talents related to strategic planning and tactics for war. His first ever campaign was when he was 12 years old. What did I achieve when I was 12?

Basically nothing.

That’s what separated me from them. I had to work hard to become as strong as I am today. And I’m not even close to Arthur–No, Artoria. But that’s fine with me. She had far more talent than me.

I had another motivation for working hard besides trying to become a better person.

The one I came to love, Clyde. I only saw him as inferior to me because I wanted to vent out my pent up frustrations on him. Whenever he talked back to me, I’d hit him.

It’s really embarrassing remembering my old self. Was I really that much of a cliché spoiled noble brat? The kind that picks on commoners to prove their superiority?

I wondered why he stuck by my side despite how I was towards him. He’d always help me with the work we received from the instructor. He’d even comfort me on my rainy days. The two of us spent every day together. That counted for our off days as well.

I wouldn’t forget that day when he gently wiped my tears away and looked into my eyes.

Don’t cry. I’m still here with you even if your siblings aren’t there to give you love.

It was funny. He was still 10 years old but could say such lines to a 12 year old. That was the first time my heart beat so much in my chest. I only ever saw him as a brat that needed to be ordered around and pummelled by my fist. But day after day… I saw him as a man and fell for him.

It’s odd how I can remember the day so vividly three years later. A person would normally forget their interactions from years ago. But I still remembered it clearly.

His tone. The sparkle of his green eyes that had a bit of blue light within. I came to love everything about him day by day.

The two of us grew up together and that’s a memory I’d want to keep forever.

◇◇◇

“Arielle?”

When I knocked on the door, I received an answer a minute later. I came here straight after asking Lithia to dress me up after I was done bathing.

I wore a dress that emphasized my cleavage and showed my collarbone. My hair was let loose on my shoulders. I even had a bit of makeup on my face.

Clyde’s eyes widened and his face flushed a little red. That was the reaction I wanted out of him. It was hard walking in this tight dress, you know?

I put my hands on his chest after I approached him. I could see his Adam’s apple moving up and down as he gulped hard. His glaring gaze was making my body hotter and hotter.

I put my arms around his neck and gazed into his eyes. His breath quickened and I could see a tent pitching in his pants.

“I came to say goodbye.”

“Huh….?”

His eyes then widened.

“N-Not forever. Just… until I can find the path I want to take in my life. I know this is selfish of me but can you wait for me?”

Clyde’s pupils shook as I continued talking.

“Mother is missing. She left me here alone. I feared that this would happen. She has no allies in this house aside from me. Father is never around and it feels suffocating being with Sadith and my two siblings. I–“

Tears fell from my eyes and I averted my gaze. I was too much of a coward to gaze into his eyes.

“I’m all alone…”

I put my head on his shoulder and cried. He stroked my silver hair gently.

“I can’t really say that I understand what you feel but you can’t say you’re alone. You still have me.”

His words were the same as that day he found me crying on the floor after I was insulted and beaten up by my sister.

“I-I didn’t mean it like that–“

“I know.” His eyes scanned my body.

I blushed and lowered the straps of my silver dress. The lingerie I bought was a sexy red.

“Wow.”

He looked at my chest and slowly put his hands on them.

“Mmmm…”

The candle light was slowly burning out as the moon shined down on us. Clyde lowered the straps of my bra and then my bare chest could my seen. He pushed me onto the bed and put hands above my head.

His gaze went to my valley that glistened with the lotion I put on before I came.

My heartbeat quickened in expectation.

He opened my legs and slowly kissed me upwards until he reached my mouth.

It felt so pleasurable feeling the person I love grope my body.

His tongue was so sweet and squishy. His body was so small compared to mine since I was older.

“Mmm♡”

His hands went further down my belly and reach my privates. He gazed into my eyes as if to seek confirmation.

I nodded with a feverish sigh.

He pulled his pants down and I saw the thing that will connect the two of us.

Clyde’s hands were so experienced that I couldn’t stop moaning from his touch. My body was so sensitive after he finished.

“Ah…”

My pained but pleasurable moans and his grunts filled the entire manor as we engaged in the play of intimacy between man and woman of the highest degree.

After Clyde’s groin touched mine, I felt him pierce my insides. It was painful but I could endure it.

I never wanted the night to end. Rather, I wanted to stay connected with him and be held in his arms

◇◇◇

(Clyde Astley POV)

I woke up only to gaze directly into the sun which blinded me.

My right side didn’t have the warmth I felt last night anymore.

“Haaa…”

She really left.

It’s not that I was angry.

I know what it feels like going down the wrong path. I didn’t want her experiencing the same and dying somewhere after someone’s blade pierced her body.

I recalled last night.

Arielle’s debauched expression. The way she locked her legs around my waist while keeping my eyes locked with hers. It was a loved-filled gaze. Our bodies made obscene sounds as the bed shook.

I could still smell her fragrance in the air.

I slapped my cheeks and looked around.

There was a letter on my folded robe on the chair next to the bed.

I stretched my upper body first and opened it up.

–I’ll be heading to the Rusa Empire in the east. They nurture the best swordsmen on the continent. I can find Rosetta, the Sword King there. I’m not really good with expressing myself with words so I can only say:

I’ll miss you.

I hope to finish my training quickly and come back to start a family with you.

--

‘Who would’ve thought that she’d be writing things like this.’

“I’ll miss you too.”

Arielle’s gone now.

‘Will Eleanor and George head back to the village today?’

I didn’t have anything to do until the academy reopens in a week so I’ll go with them.

After cutting out the stained sheet of Arielle’s blood and pocketing it, I went downstairs for breakfast.

I saw our bags already packed when I past by the huge living room. Mother seems to have been up early to prepare our stuff before we leave.

Noises and voices came from the dining room. I fixed up my hair and tidied my clothes and entered.

After greeting everyone present, I took my seat next to Kenia. She smiled mysteriously as she looked at me. She put a bacon strip from her plate in mine.

“Good morning, little Clyde. Did you sleep well?”

“…Yes, I did.”

‘I was boning your sister so I didn’t get much sleep.’

Did she know that Arielle and I were in a relationship already?

‘She must think that I’d interfere with her position of head. I have no interest in political strives.’

I ate my breakfast and ignored her suspicious gaze.

“Hello, lord Henry.”

I greeted the head of the house after sitting down.

“Haha. Lord Henry? Call me father-in-law. Did you enjoy your night?”

I fake coughed and avoided the eyes of my parents.

“A-About that…”

“Don’t worry. I will not interfere in your relationship. I’m rather happy that Arielle picked you instead of some other noble brat. That aside, a letter arrived for you.”

Duke Luxembourg spoke to me as I was about to finish up.

He flicked his finger to a maid in the corner. She went to go retrieve something and came back a minute later.

“A letter… from who–“

I saw the sender. Even the fancy letter and candle wax with the Royal Crest can immediately tell you that it’s from Royalty.

“Now this is interesting…”

I heard Kenia mutter something as I opened it up.

–You must want to spend time with your family so I can’t expect you to visit me so often. I’ll make arrangements for you to attend my class so we can be together. Someone might be from Olivia’s faction in my class so it’s natural that I have my strongest knight with me, right? Anyway, when you visit the kingdom again, please come to my villa. I’ll be staying there with miss Helen for the time being.

…

It was good that she didn’t act too intimate with me in the letter. Others might mistake our relationship that way.

When I closed the letter, I even felt Eric’s gaze on me.

‘Do I look like a monkey in a zoo?’

Both of their eyes looked at me with interest.

After we finished our breakfast, the entire family saw us off at the door. Since the duke had to get back to his territory, he will be riding behind us.

I found Artoria underneath the shade of a tree.

I approached her.

“Are you not coming?”

She shook her head.

“The White Order is keeping a close eye on me. I can’t really disobey them since my power is still limited at the moment.”

“I’ve been wondering something since our conversation yesterday… How long were the two of us together?”

Artoria tilted her head as she pondered.

“I can’t remember anything past 22 years old. My memories are sealed whenever I get regressed. I can only remember something if it’s mentioned just like that time when I remembered this sword.”

She tapped the white sword on her waist.

The [Heaven Piercer].

“I can only recall a few things about the future. Although the memories of anything important are filtered out.”

“I see…”

I rubbed my forehead.

‘It’s quite actually similar to the dreams I have.’

“Clyde, I know we can’t immediately become lovers… Can we try at least? We were lovers before and I hope we can be like that again. I-I want the two of us to be together again… well?”

She gripped my arm.

The words of my future self.

So Arthur was this Artoria he mentioned. If I had known, would my behaviour have been different?

I averted my gaze from her eyes.

I only saw him as a brother and my best friend…

Her grip on my arm loosened.

“Is it no good?”

She had tears in her eyes.

“…Alright… I’m still trying to process everything that happened so far…”

Her empty smile vanished and was replaced by a bright one.

“…T-Thank you… I won’t disappoint you…”

I didn’t hug her when she spread her arms. She awkwardly lowered her arms.

“I guess it’s goodbye for now…”

I nodded.

“I’ll miss you…”

“…”

I stepped away without a word. Mother and Father looked at me worriedly when I came into the carriage.

Artoria looked so lonely beneath that tree as she gazed at our carriage.

But she didn’t cry. She held it in.

I turned my gaze away from her figure as the manor grew smaller and smaller as we rode in the carriage.