The Noble Lady Without Magic Aims to Become an Adventurer! - Chapter 16

“Fars, the exam is the day after tomorrow, right?”

“Yes, I’ll make sure to wake you up so you won’t be late.”
“My lady, what is this exam about?”

“Fars is taking the test to accompany me to the academy. Of course, I plan to go with him.”

“I see. If I remember correctly, you were also scheduled to meet your fiancé the day after tomorrow. Shall I reschedule it?”
!!!

“Wait, my fiancé? Whose fiancé are you talking about?”
“Yours, Lady Marloa.”

“I’ve never heard anything about having a fiancé.”
“…Is that so? Perhaps the master arranged it on his own and didn’t even inform me. If I recall correctly, your engagement was decided about three years ago.”

Three years ago!? I haven’t heard a word about it, and, of course, there’s been no correspondence from this so-called fiancé.

“And who exactly is this fiancé of mine?”
“He is the son of Count Ahim Disley.”

“I see. Please reschedule the meeting with my fiancé. In situations like this, should I write a letter?”
“That would be appropriate.”

Although confused by the sudden announcement of a fiancé, I pulled out some plain stationery from my desk and wrote a note explaining that I couldn’t meet the day after tomorrow. I handed it to the head maid.

Today has been utterly exhausting.
“I’m sorry, but I’m quite tired after everything that happened today. I’ll retire early.”

“Understood.”

Both Fars and the head maid seemed to have complex feelings about my situation. It’s understandable—there probably aren’t many noble daughters as neglected as me.

I changed into the nightwear that had been prepared for me and climbed into bed.

The next morning.

“Good morning.”

I woke to Fars’ voice. It felt like he had woken me earlier than usual.

“What’s going on? Isn’t it a bit early for breakfast?”
“Well, training is essential, isn’t it? Since we can’t do it during the day, we’ll make time for it now. Yesterday, I asked Reco about a training area. Apparently, there’s a small training ground behind the servants’ quarters.”

“Really? Let me get ready quickly.”

I jumped out of bed, changed into a linen shirt and trousers, and rushed to the training ground behind the servants’ quarters, where Reco was waiting.
“Good morning, my lady.”

Under Reco’s guidance, Fars and I completed basic training for about an hour before returning to our rooms.

“Marloa, maybe you should take a bath. Nobody likes a sweaty lady.”

“Ugh, how tedious. Fars, can’t you use magic?”
“Fine, fine. [Cleanse].”
Fars cast a purification spell.

“It’s still a bit rough, but at least I’m not sweaty anymore.”
“You know I’m not good at anything other than attack magic. By the way, Marloa, you have so few personal belongings. Aren’t you shopping for things today?”

“I plan to wait until I pass the knight department exam and get a list of required items from the academy. I’ll buy everything then.”

“That makes sense. For now, though, why not buy a few outfits to wear while you’re staying here?”

“Good idea.”

When I headed to the dining hall for breakfast, only my father was there.

“Good morning, Father.”

“Good morning, Marloa. You’re up early.”

“Where are Mother, Sarah, and Terra?”

“They’re still asleep.”

A servant brought me a simple breakfast of bread and scrambled eggs. As I ate, I remembered yesterday’s topic and decided to ask my father about it.

“Father, yesterday the head maid mentioned that I have a fiancé…?”

“Oh, I forgot to tell you. Rejoice—he’s the son of Count Disley.”

“I’m not rejoicing at all.”

I replied with a bright, sarcastic smile.

“Why not?”

“Rather, I’d like to ask why I should rejoice.”

I tilted my head, feigning complete confusion as I continued.
“From the moment I was born, I was sent to the village to be raised by a nursemaid. There were no nobles in the village, and I lived no differently than a commoner. No one from my family ever visited me after we parted.

Do you remember last night’s dinner conversation? My sister Sarah and brother Terra called me an embarrassment without ever having met me. You and Mother didn’t deny it.
Now you expect me to be happy about an engagement arranged by people like that? I wasn’t informed of this fiancé, who was supposedly decided three years ago, nor have I received a single letter from him.

Where exactly is the joy in this situation?”

My father seemed at a loss for words, clearly unprepared for my rebuttal. Finishing my breakfast, I stood up.

“I’ll be going out to buy some clothes for my stay here. As for tomorrow’s meeting with my fiancé, I’ve already declined it due to prior commitments.”

Though my father tried to say something, I ignored him and left the dining hall, returning to my room.

“Marloa, are you sure about this? He’s still a marquis, you know. What if he kicks you out of the house?”

“I was just so angry, I couldn’t help it. If I get kicked out, I’ll go to the Ashul Marquisate and ask Revien-sensei for help. It’s a bit early, but I plan to become an adventurer. Don’t worry, I’ll manage. Fars, you should focus on becoming a fine knight at the academy.”

Fars scratched his head, looking annoyed.
“If that happens, I’ll become an adventurer with you. For now, though, just maintain a minimum level of interaction with the marquis. You’re still family, even if only in name.”
“You’re right. Family in name only. Getting upset isn’t worth it.”

Fars’ words helped me regain some composure. As we chatted, a knock came at the door.

“Come in.”
“Excuse us.”

The head maid entered with her daughter, Anna.
“Lady Marloa, this is my daughter, Anna. She will accompany you on today’s shopping trip.”

“Understood. Anna, I’ll be relying on you.”
“It’s a pleasure, my lady.”

Anna, dressed in modest clothes like mine, had a polished air befitting someone from the royal capital.

“Let’s be off, then.”

We boarded a carriage and headed to the central noble district. I couldn’t help but be fascinated by the scenery outside the carriage window.

“Anna, what’s popular in the royal capital these days?”
“Let’s see… Cupcakes from a patisserie nearby are quite the trend. Shall we try them after buying your clothes?”

“Cupcakes? They didn’t have those in Lanloft Village. I’m excited!”

Following Anna’s guidance, we entered a large clothing store in the center of the noble district.

We alighted from the carriage and entered the store, which was packed with dresses displayed everywhere.

“Anna, what kind of dresses should I get?”

“Typically, a marquisate would have dresses custom-made, but for now, we’ll select ready-made ones that you can wear immediately. We’ll have them adjusted later if needed.”

“Sounds good. I’ll leave the selection to you, Anna.”

Anna quickly chose several dresses, and I tried them on. We ended up buying five. Though Anna suggested buying at least fifteen more, I figured I could make do with a smaller wardrobe while staying at the mansion. Fars carried the purchases to the carriage.