This Could Be a Date! ？

“Prince Edwin prefers herbal tea. I recommend this blend.”

Under Young Master Claude’s instruction, I carried the herbal tea and desserts bought from Sofina’s, and stepped into the garden.

From a distance, I saw a man and a woman under the gazebo, sitting face to face, seemingly in conversation.

—It was my young lady and the Second Prince.

After a year, the Second Prince was once again gracing the ducal estate with his presence.

…They were originally supposed to meet half a year ago, but for reasons known to all, it was delayed until now.

And this meeting, unlike the formal one before, was a private visit, so we servants were allowed to attend to them.

This important duty naturally fell to me.

This concerns a momentous event in our young lady’s future; I must do my absolute best!

Before I knew it, I had already walked up to the two of them.

“Pardon my intrusion.”

Quickly setting down the tea and refreshments, I bowed to them both.

“Please enjoy.”

Then I took two or three steps back and stood quietly behind my young lady.

…I could feel the Second Prince’s gaze looking me over.

If he were an ordinary person, staring at a girl like this would get him disqualified! But this man just happens to have a face that can conquer all… One can only say, as expected of the primary male lead in an otome game.

His brilliant, smooth golden hair was strongly reminiscent of the sun. Even though he wasn’t yet an adult, his face already had sharp, handsome features.

His personality was upright and gentle—a classic sunny, handsome type. It’s no wonder he’s the most popular character.

“Are you Lady Katarina’s exclusive maid?”

Suddenly, he spoke.

I hadn’t expected him to ask me a question and froze for a few seconds.

…This won’t do. I cannot bring disgrace upon my young lady.

“Um… Yes, Your Highness, the Second Prince. I am Lady Katarina’s exclusive maid, Ailena.”

“I see. So you’re the one who saw through the demon’s plot and subjugated a large number of monsters.”

“…?”

How does he know?

“Are you wondering how I know the truth, when it was publicly announced that it was all Lady Katarina’s achievement?”

He smiled meaningfully.

…Could it be?

“…Prince Edwin, that is enough of a joke.”

Just then, my young lady set down her teacup and spoke calmly:

“Please stop teasing my maid. She is very sensitive about such matters.”

“Haha~”

Edwin returned to his usual sunny smile.

“Actually, it was Lady Katarina who just told me. She said she dislikes unearned fame.”

“…”

So that was it.

But was Edwin always this fond of teasing people? In my memory of the game, he almost exclusively showed a righteous and noble side.

“Still, since you’re so capable, I’m almost tempted to recruit you as my own maid.”

“Your Highness, I mu—”

“…Prince Edwin!”

Before I could finish, my young lady slammed her teacup back on the table, glaring at Edwin furiously.

…That is very unladylike, my lady. Won’t you lose impression points for that?

But not only was Edwin not angry, he simply laughed it off.

“Haha, I was only joking.”

…As expected of the number one male lead. Such immense tolerance.

“Speaking of which, Ailena, have we met before?”

“…No, Your Highness, the Second Prince.”

‘Although I’ve seen you many times in the game, and I’ve observed you from afar before, this is definitely the first time you’ve seen me.’

“…Is that so? But I can’t shake the feeling I’ve seen you somewhere.”

“Perhaps you have mistaken me for someone else.”

“Is that so…”

Despite my words, he continued to stare at my face, clearly unconvinced.

“Prince Edwin…”

At that moment, my young lady suddenly spoke up.

For some reason, I felt the temperature around me drop.

But from my angle, I couldn’t see my young lady’s expression…

“I hear you are quite accomplished in swordsmanship… Today, I would like to experience it firsthand.”

“Speaking of which, Lady Katarina, you are also learning swordsmanship, are you not? I would like to witness your skills as well.”

Sparks seemed to fly where their gazes met.

“I heard the young lady is going to spar with the Second Prince!”

“Hurry, hurry!”

“Are there any spots left in the front row?”

The news spread quickly. In just half an hour, the knight’s order’s training ground was already packed with people, and I could see many of them were servants, not knights.

…What about your jobs? Have you all abandoned them?

But more of a headache for me than them was, why did things develop this way?

Both were holding wooden swords. The young lady had even changed into white trousers for this match, and her hair was tied up in a style more suited for exercise.

The entire training ground was filled with a tense, confrontational atmosphere.

…Isn’t this supposed to be a date? Shouldn’t there be a… sweet and affectionate atmosphere?

Why did it turn into this?

“Fighters, ready!”

Just as I was feeling a massive headache coming on, the captain of the knights, acting as the referee, gave the order.

“Three! Two!”

I had no choice but to focus my attention on the match for now.

“One! Begin!”

Although the signal to start had been given, neither person moved.

Both were skilled sword fighters… My young lady goes without saying; I’ve watched her grow every step of the way. And Edwin is one of the top-tier swordsmen in the game, as well as a high-level mage… He’s so perfect it’s a little irritating.

…That’s why I saved his route for last when I played the game. You could call it a small act of revenge to protect my male pride.

Ahem, I’m getting sidetracked.

In any case, because both were aware of their opponent’s skill, they were observing each other, not daring to make a reckless move.

And this balance was ultimately broken by my young lady.

With a single dash, she closed in, instantly shortening the distance to Edwin.

Clack!

Edwin’s reaction was also swift. Only a flicker of surprise crossed his face before he blocked the young lady’s assault with his wooden sword.

Not only that, after parrying her sword, he quickly launched a counterattack.

The young lady performed a backflip, nimbly dodging the blow.

Immediately after, maintaining a low crouch, she kicked off her back foot and shot straight toward Edwin, swinging her sword in a horizontal slash!

That strike was so fast! Even I had trouble following its trajectory!

But Edwin’s reaction was no less impressive, and he immediately raised his sword to block.

Clack!

The blow was blocked again… Can only say, as expected of the all-powerful male lead? If it were me, I would have been defeated already.

“Woah—”

A chorus of gasps came from the audience.

As if by tacit agreement, both of them took several steps back, re-establishing the distance between them.

“…Truly exquisite swordplay… Is this talent inherited from the Duchess? I heard she was an excellent knight in her youth.”

“Perhaps.”

After the brief exchange, the two looked at each other, then charged forward at the same time!

Clack! Clack! Clack!

For a moment, the sound of wooden swords clashing was incessant.

The two were evenly matched, which undoubtedly heated up the atmosphere in the arena.

My eyes were glued to the match, my earlier worries long since cast aside.