The day after the meeting to request support, Margrave Rommel introduced his second daughter, Lady Flora, asking if Alfred would teach her how to play Reversi.
They said she was the same age as Alfred, but she was far too beautiful and composed for that. Every gesture, every movement-so mature that she seemed anything but fifteen.
The moment Alfred laid eyes on her, his breath caught in his throat. He was speechless.
Her platinum blonde hair reached her waist, and her skin was so luminous it almost seemed to glow. Her large blue eyes sparkled beneath long, delicate lashes. A straight nose, perfectly refined features-and a smile that seemed to spill over with warmth. Her voice was clear as a bell, so pleasant to the ear that he could have listened to her all day.
The dress she wore revealed a generous décolletage. Her full figure contrasted sharply with her slender frame, and the imbalance only made her more alluring somehow.
She was so stunning that “beautiful” hardly felt like enough.
Before he knew it, Alfred couldn’t take his eyes off her.
Count Bruno, who saw Flora in person, was captivated instantly-practically drooling as he leaned in. But Flora brushed him off coldly, Margrave Rommel shot him dagger eyes, and the household staff kept finding excuses to get between them. Soon enough, he couldn’t even get close to her anymore. Eventually, he sulked so badly that he locked himself in his room.
…For once, Alfred almost felt sorry for him. But then again, thinking of Flora… well, it was only natural, really.
Flora picked up Reversi quickly. Before long, she was beating Alfred handily-even though he should have had the advantage. She was sharp, quick-witted, brilliant.
This is what they mean when they say “beautiful and brilliant,” Alfred thought. His instincts told him there was no other way to describe her.
And now, here he was, sitting beside Flora in a carriage bound for the Lindrott territory.
”Ohohoho! I’m so excited to visit your home, Alfred,” Flora said, practically humming with joy. “I can’t wait to meet your little sister, Misha, too.”
She was in excellent spirits, humming all the while.
…How did it come to this?
”Um… Lady Flora? Are you really sure about coming all the way to the Lindrott territory? I hate to say it, but there’s nothing interesting there. And more importantly, there are dangerous monsters everywhere..,” Alfred asked, having lost count of how many times he’d posed the question.
Flora knitted her brows and pouted, making the most displeased face she could muster. “It’s fine! I said I’m going, and I’m going! I want to see where you grew up, Alfred! And meeting your family-I’m so excited! Besides, Father’s people will take care of any monsters, so that’s no worry. And if anything does happen… you’ll protect me, won’t you, Alfred?”
She clasped her hands in front of her chest and gazed up at him with sparkling eyes. He couldn’t say another word.
Truth be told, around their carriage, a force of 150 troops-including the elite Knight Order and Magic Division-had formed a defensive perimeter, led by Margrave Rommel himself at the front. The sheer intimidation was enough to send even the monsters fleeing.
Any monster that did attack was cut down in a single stroke or obliterated with a single spell. The formation never broke stride, advancing relentlessly forward in perfect order.
Behind Margrave Rommel, Count Bruno’s force of about 50 men followed.
When they’d stopped by the Liegel capital of Granliger, Count Bruno had apparently only prepared 15 men, including 5 knights. But seeing Margrave Rommel’s real commitment, he’d scrambled to summon reinforcements. Their troops were less experienced, falling further and further behind the Margrave’s forces, barely managing to keep up.
”Sigh… Fine. I’ll protect you if anything happens. But promise me you won’t do anything reckless or go anywhere dangerous, Lady Flora,” Alfred said.
Flora was the type who, once she’d made up her mind, wouldn’t budge. When she’d insisted on joining this inspection tour, Margrave Rommel had quickly given his permission.
…Though Alfred still wondered about the sly grin Margrave Rommel had worn when he’d agreed.
”Lady Flora, the road gets rougher from here. Please be careful,” Alfred said.
”Lady Flora, how are you feeling? Once we’re past these mountains, we’ll be almost there. Just a little more patience,” he added.
Alfred had noticed Flora’s energy fading gradually and kept trying to engage her, but her responses were short.
…Was she getting carriage-sick? Or was she regretting coming all the way out here? Then again, for a normal fifteen-year-old girl, the journey to the Lindrott territory was pretty rough…
He was worrying about what to do when Flora spoke first.
”…Alfred, I’ve been thinking about something for a while now,” she said quietly.
”Yes? What is it, Lady Flora?” Alfred replied.
”…Flora,” she said.
”…Huh?” Alfred said.
”Just Flora! Call me Flora! We’re the same age, aren’t we? No need for ‘Lady.’ And you can drop the formal speech too!” she insisted.
”Wha-no! I can’t just-” Alfred started.
”You can! If I say it’s fine, it’s fine!” she declared.
…Oh, come on…
”B-but you’re still using formal speech with me!” Alfred pointed out.
”That’s different!” she said.
…Oh, come on. That’s so unfair…
”A-anyway! Please, just call me Flora! We finally have a friend our age, and I want to get closer!” she said.
…Ah. So that’s what this is about.
”Ha ha ha! A friend, huh? Okay. Fine. I mean-okay, Flora. That work for you? If we’re doing this, then call me Al. That’s what my close friends call me,” Alfred said with a laugh.
At that, she finally smiled.
”Yes! Thank you! Sir Al!” she said.
”Ha ha ha, no need for the ‘sir,’” Alfred said.
”Ah, it’s a habit. I’ll work on it… eventually,” she said.
From there, the two chatted easily, their conversation flowing naturally. When the carriage lurched hard, Flora grabbed onto Alfred, and both of them blushed-moments like that passed as they traveled on.
The maid seated across from them simply watched the whole exchange with warm, fond amusement.
”Here we are, my lady,” the knight announced.
As they stepped out of the carriage, Alfred saw his entire family gathered to greet them.
Even his father, Jade, who could barely move due to his injuries, was there-supported by Gardo the carpenter. The sight made Alfred’s eyes sting. He blinked quickly, pretending it was nothing.
It had been nearly a month since he’d left the Lindrott territory. This was the longest he’d ever been away from the village. The moment he saw everyone’s faces, the tension he’d been holding finally broke.
”Everyone… I’m home!” Alfred called out.
”Welcome home,” they replied in unison.
Their voices sank deep into his heart.
”Big brother, welcome home!” his little sister, Misha, said, launching herself at him and rubbing her head against his.
Ah… she was still an absolute bundle of cuteness.
”Whoa-Misha! I’m home! You’ve grown so much!” Alfred said, scooping her up.
”Ehh, I didn’t grow that fast!” Misha protested.
He scooped her up and spun her around. She giggled and squealed, and he couldn’t help but adore every second of it.
Ah… I’m so healed. Misha really is an angel.
”…Big brother, who’s that behind you?” Misha asked, her voice suddenly wary.
…Oh, crap. I forgot.
Flora, who’d been waiting patiently behind him, stepped forward.
”Greetings, everyone. I am Flora von Bradley, second daughter of the Margrave of Ronamel,” she said, drawing one foot back and lightly pinching the hem of her skirt with both hands, curtsying gracefully.
”…Hmmph. Big brother, what’s your relationship with her?” Misha asked, eyes narrowing.
”Hm? Oh, she’s the daughter of someone I’m indebted to,” Alfred said.
”…Hmmph… Flora..,” Misha muttered.
”You must be Misha! You’re so adorable!” Flora said, approaching.
”I’m Flora. I’m good friends with Al! Let’s be friends too, Misha!” she added.
”…Al? …Good friends..,” Misha said, her voice flat.
The sparkle vanished from Misha’s eyes. After that, no matter what Alfred said to Misha, her responses were flat. She kept giving him cold looks.
…How did it come to this?
”Misha, how about this?” Flora asked, holding up a small accessory.
”Elder Sister Flora is amazing! Teach me!” Misha exclaimed, her earlier coldness completely forgotten.
The next morning, Alfred woke and went to the dining hall. There was Misha, back to her usual self, sitting with Flora as they made homemade accessories together.
”When this is done, I’ll give it to you, Misha,” Flora said.
”Really!? Thank you, Elder Sister Flora! I’m so happy!” Misha said, beaming.
…Wait, Elder Sister Flora?
As Alfred approached, Flora noticed him and greeted him with a radiant smile. “Good morning, Al!” she said.
Meanwhile, the moment Misha spotted him… the sparkle vanished from her eyes again.
…HOW DID IT COME TO THIS?!
Trivia:
- Flora’s insistence on being called by her first name without honorifics represents a deliberate breach of noble protocol, signaling her genuine desire for an equal, personal relationship with Alfred rather than a formal political alliance.
- The three iterations of How did it come to this? escalate in emotional intensity: first as mild bewilderment, second as growing exasperation, and finally as comedic despair at Misha’s unpredictable loyalty shifts.
- Margrave Rommel’s sly grin when granting permission for Flora to join the expedition suggests he may be deliberately encouraging his daughter’s interest in Alfred, viewing him as a potential future ally or son-in-law.
- Misha’s immediate shift from hostility to adoration upon receiving a gift from Flora is a classic light novel gag highlighting how easily children are won over by small kindnesses, while also mocking the superficiality of loyalty based on material offerings.
- Count Bruno’s humiliating rejection by Flora and subsequent sulking serves as a foil to Alfred’s success, reinforcing the theme that genuine connection cannot be forced or purchased.
- The maid’s silent, amused observation throughout the carriage scene indicates the household staff are already accustomed to Flora’s headstrong nature and may be rooting for her romance with Alfred.
- The family’s collective welcome in unison emphasizes the tight-knit, supportive community Alfred left behind, contrasting with the complex politics of noble society he is now navigating.