The Genius Son-in-law of the Swordmaster Household—Blessed by Authority Chapter 76

Advances (4)

― Zzzt!

Yuria glared fiercely at Sophia with eyes full of anger.

"Eh...!"

Sophia flinched at that gaze and instinctively took a step back, but as Yuria's eyes relentlessly followed her, she froze in place, not knowing what to do.

"...?"

Ian was no less bewildered.

Why is Yuria so angry?

― Swish.

Ian led Sophia behind his back and took Yuria's burning gaze in her stead.

"Miss Yuria?"

Only then did Yuria avert her eyes from Sophia and look into Ian's.

"It's been almost two weeks. Ian Greysel."

Yuria pursed her lips, clearly displeased about something.

"Hmph... This trickster...!"

It was muttered quietly, but it rang clear in Ian's ears.

"Eh...?"

What's this?

What on earth is she so angry about?

― Snap!

Yuria folded her arms and shot another glance at Sophia.

"Who is this woman?"

"Hmm."

The way Yuria kept glaring at Sophia made it seem like she had a grudge against her.

'Did Sophia ever do anything to Yuria? No, that can't be. They've never even met alone back at Heavenly Sword Palace.'

'Still, since she asked, I should introduce them.'

"I'll introduce her. This is Sophia Marygold. She's my most trusted childhood friend."

Ian smiled reassuringly at Sophia as if to tell her not to be nervous, then brought her to his side.

"Ah..."

"Greet her, Sophia."

With a nod from Ian, Sophia nervously watched Yuria and gave a formal greeting.

"Ah, hello, miss Yuria...! It's an honor to meet you...!"

Though flustered, it was a proper greeting in line with Heavenly Sword Palace etiquette.

"I am Sophia, surname Marygold..."

However—

"Noble?"

Yuria cut off Sophia before she could finish.

"Ah. I-I'm actually..."

Ian stepped in for the flustered Sophia.

"My friend doesn't hold a noble title yet."

"Hm... Is that so?"

Yuria fixed a cold gaze on Ian.

"You're really funny."

"... Sorry?"

Ian blinked, confused.

"So you're saying this woman isn't family, nor a retainer."

"Th-that's right."

"Not a noble either."

"Yes."

"Then she's a commoner with no relation to you."

"Ah. Sophia once worked for our main family. We became close then."

"... What? And she was a servant? Then she wasn't even a swordswoman."

"She is a swordswoman now."

"... You. Sophia, was it?"

Yuria eyed Sophia again.

"How old are you?"

"T-this year, I'm 16, miss."

"What's your aura level?"

"Just starting at the beginner level..."

"What? Just started? And your swordsmanship? Your experience?"

"T-that is..."

With the relentless questioning, Sophia's lips grew dry.

She hadn't actually done anything wrong, yet Yuria's sharp gaze made her worried she must have unknowingly made a mistake.

"I-it's just been a little over a month..."

"Hah! A month?"

Yuria looked at Ian, incredulous.

"You brought someone who's only been wielding a sword for a month to Sword Dragon Hall? Ian, did you bring her personally?"

"... Yes, but is that a problem?"

"Ha. Problem?"

Yuria cocked her head, glaring at Ian.

'What is this, Ian Greysel? What are you trying to pull with me?'

If he brought this girl here himself, who was neither family nor retainer nor a proper swordswoman...

Doesn't this just mean she's a girlfriend?

So there was another woman besides me?

"Then what about the things you showed me two weeks ago in the west?"

He had revealed all the strength he'd hidden to save her from Dellen.

He had shielded her with his own body, even catching Dellen's blade in his chest.

He'd even let her have time for a final farewell, rather than finish Dellen off instantly.

While camping during their escape, he'd told her he wished she'd grow stronger.

When she doubted his sincerity, he'd proven it with an oath on mana.

And then, he'd lovingly treated the wound on her hand, saying even a small scar could itch.

After all that sacrifice, the only thing Ian asked in return was...

No arm-in-arm or handholding with other boys—that was his only request.

Making such an innocent request and blushing up to his ears...

'What was that?! Was I imagining everything by myself?!'

While recovering in the Heavenly Sword Palace, Yuria had spent two weeks wondering about the meaning behind Ian's actions.

The kindness, the sacrifice, the sincerity, the small favors.

Again and again, she'd reached the same conclusion:

Ian certainly seemed to genuinely like her.

She had even thought that if things went well, she might try getting closer to him herself.

But now...

'How dare...!'

She'd even readied her heart for him! And here he was laughing with another woman?!

And what are these two to each other anyway?!

Not family, not a retainer, but what? Friends?

How can a man and a woman be just friends?

Anyone can see they're together!

Ian Greysel! You womanizer! Player!

"Hmph!"

Yuria snorted.

'Ah...! I'm so angry...!'

She was furious at herself for having spent two weeks alone, anticipating things about Ian.

But Ian and Yuria had never defined their relationship.

If they had mutually agreed to date, or had been openly honest about their feelings, maybe she would have called him out.

But right now...

Honestly, the relationship was too ambiguous for her to even get angry.

That made her even more frustrated.

'Do you know how much I've been thinking of you for two weeks...!'

She had imagined all sorts of situations with him, thought about what to say and do!

It was all such foolish nonsense!

Why did he say those things to me when he really had another girlfriend the whole time?!

Why did he risk his life for me, treat me so kindly, blush so cutely?!

― Crackling!

Yuria glared at Sophia, her eyes blazing.

"Eep...!"

Sophia tightly pressed her lips together and lowered her eyes.

Yuria's gaze deepened.

'She's pretty...'

Not flashy, but with a calming beauty about her that put people at ease.

A girl with a warm and gentle charm that Yuria herself lacked.

'Was this Ian Greysel's type?!'

She was the complete opposite of Yuria!

Unexplained anger continued to well inside Yuria.

"Huu, huu..."

But no matter how upset, there was no point lashing out.

Yuria took a deep breath to calm her heated anger.

Instead of getting angry now, there was a question she had to ask, even if it was a little embarrassing.

"Are you two dating?"

"Eh!"

Sophia, startled by the question, flailed her hands and bit her tongue.

"Ah! H-how could I ever! There's no way! We're not dating!"

"... Really?"

At that, Yuria's fierce expression unconsciously eased a little.

'So they're not dating?'

Well, then.

Yuria tilted her chin.

'That girl knows her place, at least.'

Ian was a young master of a prestigious family even in Hisperion, and a genius with Heavenly Extreme talent—surpassing even Yuria, who was called a prodigy.

There was no way someone like Ian would date a lowly commoner. It just wouldn't happen.

He might fool around a bit if he were a true womanizer, but a serious relationship was out of the question.

To be involved with someone like Ian, you'd need the right background and the talent to match him.

For example, someone like... herself, Yuria, would be a perfect match.

'Hmm... But.'

Not in a relationship?

Then what are they? They looked really close just now.

Standing right next to each other, even their faces touching!

'Ah...! Now that I think about it!'

This girl! She looked familiar—she was at the Sword Selection Ceremony too.

Right before the ceremony, in the corridor to the Sword Pool, she had come running to wipe away Ian's tears after he saw Yuria and cried.

'He brought her to the Sword Selection Ceremony too? No matter how I think about it, it still looks like they're together.'

Just childhood friends? Really?

'Hmm... Are they really just friends? Ah, but wait! Aren't they living together at the guest annex now?! And they're not dating?! What is going on?!'

Yuria bit down hard on her lower lip.

She had so many things she wanted to ask right now.

'Ugh...!'

But her mouth wouldn't open that easily.

She and Ian weren't in any official relationship after all.

If she asked anything more, she'd seem nosy.

She was upset, but she didn't want to risk crossing a line and being disliked.

'Maybe I was just imagining Ian liked me in the first place...'

If she pried any further, it would definitely look strange.

'Ha... Well, nothing I can do about it. I'll just have to be patient and find out more little by little.'

Even after she'd come to that decision, Yuria's eyes remained fixed on Sophia.

― Drip, drip!

Sophia, feeling the glare, could do nothing but sweat nervously.

"Miss Yuria?"

Not able to stand it any longer, Ian cautiously spoke up.

"Sophia is like a sister to me. If there is anything that upsets you, I ask you to please speak to me directly."

As Ian sided with Sophia, Yuria's eyes grew even more menacing.

"Ugh...!"

A sister between man and woman? Did you even perform a ceremony or something?

'But at least I know this!'

This Ian Greysel—he's got complicated relationships with women.

"Huu...!"

Yuria sighed.

A deep breath calmed her emotions just a bit.

'Well, I guess it's inevitable.'

Yuria looked at Ian with slightly softer eyes.

'With looks like his... such skill, good personality, willing to put himself on the line for others... He really shakes people's hearts...'

If Ian had been as kind to other girls as he was to her in the west—

It wouldn't be strange if women gathered around him.

'True...'

If anything, it was strange there was only one brown-haired girl around him.

'Well... but at least they're really not dating, right?'

Maybe they're just... really, really close.

He did say like siblings.

'I'll have to keep watching closely to find out.'

She honestly still didn't know what kind of feelings Ian had for her.

She thought he liked her, but now she was confused again.

If Ian really did like her—

'I have absolutely no intention of being just one of many girlfriends to a womanizer.'

If Ian wanted her, it had to be an exclusive relationship.

'There can't be any other girls. If he wants me, he'll have to sort things out with that girl once and for all.'

Of course, if Ian had absolutely no interest in her, she'd be embarrassed to have even had such thoughts.

'Ugh...!'

Suddenly.

Perhaps the reason she was so angry was not because of Ian, but because she wanted him herself—so whispered a thought in her mind.

'Ugh...! So humiliating!'

Whether it was anger or embarrassment, Yuria's cheeks flushed slightly as she chewed on her lower lip.

"By the way, miss."

Ian glanced at the leather watch strapped to his wrist.

The inauguration ceremony was about to start.

"Why did you come looking for me?"

Since she'd followed him to such an out-of-the-way spot, there must be an important reason.

He needed to hear why she sought him out before the ceremony began.

"I-it was just to say hi!"

Yuria clumsily lied.

In truth, she'd gotten angry seeing Ian and Sophia heading somewhere secluded and had followed them, but...

"Ah!"

Now that she thought of it, there was one more thing to check.

"What did Charlotte give you earlier? The others made a fuss, saying it was a love letter, but there's no way."

That couldn't be a love letter.

It's not that she doubted Charlotte might like Ian.

He was from a good family, capable, handsome, and had a great personality—someone even with Charlotte's high standards might approve of.

But Charlotte was the type who, no matter how much she liked someone, would never confess first because of her enormous pride.

"It was a letter the Heavenly Sword Lord left for both Miss Charlotte and me. Miss Charlotte read it first and handed it to me."

"Ah. I knew it."

Of course.

There was no way it was a love letter.

"Well, fine. Get back to your business."

"... Is that all you came for?"

"Y-yes, that's it! Checking in, saying hi, or whatever. What else would I be here for?"

Yuria feigned ignorance again.

Ian nodded with a gentle smile.

"I see. Actually, I've been looking for you all this time."

"H-huh? Looking for me?"

"Yes. I hadn't seen you at all since we returned from the west. I was worried if you'd been hurt further, or if you were healing well."

"W-what..."

"I'm glad to see you well again. It's a great relief."

"Ugh!"

At the word 'relief,' Yuria's cheeks turned impossibly red.

Even though her anger hadn't fully dissipated, hearing those words with that smile felt like a wave washing away a rock; her anger was instantly colored over with excitement.

"And I missed you."

Yuria's eyes wavered, and her face turned even brighter red.

"I-I see? Y-you missed me? Hmph! I, I thought about you sometimes too... N-no! You look fine, so that's good! I checked, so I'll be going!"

"Yes. Take care on your way. I'll see you again at the ceremony."

"Y-yeah! Okay! Tell me if anything comes up! Okay!"

Yuria spat out her words in rapid-fire, yanked her hood down to hide her red face, and hurried away.

"Hmmm?"

After all was said and done, Sophia, who'd been quietly watching, tilted her head.

"Miss Yuria likes you, doesn't she, young master?"

Ian shook his head.

"No way. That can't be."

But I'll make it so for sure.

-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=

Yuria is jealous, and Ian is oblivious...

Go figure...

【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】