Taming The Villainesses novel Chapter 370

When I said “Ayra,” when I called her name, she corrected me to “Lady Ayra.” To add an honorific after being addressed by name in front of others—what a telling move.

“Lady Ayra.”

“That’s right.”

Slightly embarrassed, I flushed red.

If my face weren’t covered in bandages, it probably would’ve looked like a bright red tomato. Maybe everyone had already picked up on it.

Though no one said anything, the awkwardness instantly filled the tent. Everyone was too busy reading the room to know how to respond.

Still, it was an informative exchange. I’d just confirmed that Ayra had no desire to close the distance between us. To me, she was “Lady Ayra.” To her, I was still “Teo-ya.”

Truthfully, I’d been hoping for more.

We were legally married now, after all. And we’d shared so many honest, heartfelt conversations through everything we’d been through together.

I wasn’t expecting her to call me something embarrassing like “darling” or “honey,” but I thought maybe—just maybe—she’d act a little more familiar.

But Ayra had drawn a firm line.

She said,

“Sit down. We were in the middle of a serious discussion. Depending on how things go, I might need both of your insight. Erganes is the field commander, and you’re the court mage.”

Court mage, huh.

Right—formally, I did hold that title.

Some people had complained I was just a parachute appointee. But now, no one questioned my post.

Because I’d proven my strength.

Even if there’d been a bit of luck involved, I was still someone who’d defeated Ayra. No one had any room to question my qualifications now.

Shfft.

I pulled out a chair and sat down, glancing around.

Inside Ayra’s command tent, about ten people were seated around a large round table. They were clearly military experts, each with deep knowledge of strategy and war.

Though most were unfamiliar to me, I recognized one face. Over in the far left corner sat a blonde woman, arms crossed, face full of irritation.

“Erganes.”

“Aslan.”

The two women—clearly cut from the same cloth—locked eyes briefly. There was a visible spark, like static snapping between them. And it wasn’t just my imagination.

I didn’t know the details, but I could guess that there was some unresolved tension between them.

This time, it was Elga who broke the ice.

“So, what were you all discussing?”

To that, Aslan—reportedly called the “Knight Princess” of the western city Orléans—snorted.

“Can’t you tell by looking? We were discussing tomorrow’s assault on Gargarta. Just one glance at the unit placements on the map should be enough to clue you in.”

Aslan had a rather abrasive personality. Was she like this the last time we met? I remembered her as a model knight—righteous and noble, always standing for justice.

“Maybe you’ve gotten dull after spending time in the capital or Ark instead of on the front lines, Erganes.”

Perhaps she saw Elga as a rival.

Of course, Elga responded coolly.

“With such a ridiculous deployment, I didn’t think it could possibly be about an actual assault. What’s with all these cavalry units? Looks like a charge-only strategy someone brainless drew up.”

“D-Don’t you mock cavalry!”

“I’m not mocking them. I’m saying—will they even be effective in terrain like this, full of trees and vines? ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) If it were me, I’d place adventurers familiar with the landscape up front as scouts, then...”

Slide, slide.

Elga reached out and moved the markers across the map like it was a game of chess. She seemed to be enjoying herself.

I guess the smell of a real battlefield had stirred something in her. The group spent a good while debating various formations and tactics.

Of course, as someone completely clueless about military matters, I just sat there blinking like a schoolkid on a field trip, quietly watching the conversation unfold.

Then someone addressed me.

“What do you think, Sir Teo? As court mage, we’d like to hear your opinion.”

I didn’t even know who was speaking. But it could’ve been anyone—after all, a court mage was both a royal advisor and, in wartime, a walking tactical weapon.

But since I hadn’t followed the earlier conversation, all I could do was mumble, “Um...” under my breath. Aslan picked up the thread and spoke.

“You’re impressive, aren’t you. I mean, you defeated the queen, didn’t you? And you’re Solomon’s grandson, right? Then surely you’ve got at least one spell to break through Gargarta’s gate.”

“That’s...”

Before I could respond, Elga cut in.

“Sure, he could blow up a castle gate. But not right now. Teo’s in no condition for that. Firing an unmaintained cannon only leads to disaster, you know?”

“Erganes, you’re not usually this soft. Just push through it with grit and guts! This is wartime—we’re at war. What do you think the tax breaks for archmages are for...?”

Their voices began to rise.

This was typical when big-name people gathered.

They were all used to being the protagonist of their own lives, full of self-assuredness that their view was the right one.

Clap.

Then Ayra clapped her hands.

“We’ll recess for an hour.”

***

Everyone filed out of the tent. Once all the noise was gone, the place felt like an entirely different world—quiet, almost eerily so.

Crackle, crackle.

It had grown so quiet that I could hear the campfire. I hadn’t even realized there was a fire inside the tent.

Along with the fire, the nearby cot made it clear that this command tent also served as Ayra’s sleeping quarters.

“......”

“......”

Ayra and I didn’t speak. She wasn’t the chatty type, so silent lulls were nothing new—but today, something about it felt especially strange.

Awkward might be the word.

It felt like I should say something—anything.

Maybe this was what arranged marriage introductions felt like? I wouldn’t know. I’d never been to one.