A Crusader with System in the Middle Ages

”Dancing? That’s a new one. Perhaps some other time, but right now I have to—” Emma was about to explode.

’Who cares if your hounds can dance.’

”Yes, not only do my hounds chase rabbits, they also dance to music. Imagine it, an elegant troupe of dancing hounds! I’ve even considered staging a performance. The ticket proceeds could be donated to the Church for its new roof.

Furthermore, my hounds recently competed in a tournament and performed exceptionally well. Do you have any idea how much patience and skill it takes to train an outstanding hound?

Oh, and I’ve recently taken up a new instrument called the Lute. Though I’ve only been learning for a few weeks, I can already play several simple tunes. Perhaps at the next banquet, I could play a piece for you?” Sir Henry, thinking he had found a good topic, grew even more enthusiastic.

”Sir Henry, you self-righteous—”

Just as Emma reached her breaking point, a familiar voice sounded from behind her.

”It’s been a while, my dear young lady.”

”Eric? What are you doing here? I heard you went to Italy, and rumor has it you weren’t too keen on coming back.”

”Purely a rumor. Why would I go to Italy? I never left. I just wasn’t in England, but in Normandy. And as for Italy, what is there besides crooked merchants and corrupt monks? England is where the object of my pursuit lies,” Eric said this deliberately.

”Oh, please. You have everything now. What else is there for you to pursue?” Emma understood Eric’s meaning and played along.

”What else, but the lady standing before me?” Eric gave a slight bow.

”Miss Emma, is he...”

”Um... I suppose he’s the one I fancy.” Emma tapped her chin, feigning a thoughtful expression, then looked at Sir Henry as if an idea had just struck her.

”You must be joking. You are not betrothed.” Sir Henry was stunned.

”It’s because we can’t be betrothed. He’s just a humble Court Clerk, so there’s no way he could ever marry me. We can only... play around, like this.” Emma then crossed her arms, put on a sorrowful expression, and rested her head against Eric’s chest.

”Impossible. That makes no sense. The Earl of Hereford’s reputation precedes him; his promises have always carried weight.

I asked him myself, and he said you favored no one. So please, stop this childish prank. This man must be your friend, and this is just a pointless game—” Sir Henry’s words trailed off as he froze on the spot.

Because Emma had thrown her arms around Eric’s neck and crushed her lips against his.

”There. Is that enough for you? You can go tell everyone I’m a wanton woman now.” Emma then brushed a thumb over her own lips and clapped her hands dismissively.

”I will lodge a complaint with the Earl of Hereford! This is a waste of my time!” Sir Henry stamped his foot and stormed out.

”Er... what are you doing?” Emma’s sudden move had left even Eric dumbfounded for a moment.

”Nothing. Just getting rid of a boring, self-important suitor. Pay it no mind.” Emma tapped Eric’s chest with the book in her hand. ”See? He’s fleeing in disarray. He even tripped, the shame. He’s much easier on the eyes like that.”

Emma withdrew her gaze and looked at Eric, gesturing back toward the infuriated Sir Henry, who was now fleeing the scene.

”You shouldn’t say such dreadful things so seriously. You’re ruining your own reputation.”

”Honestly, I don’t care. EDe has already said everything he could to slander me. You think I’m afraid of this? Please. I’m terrifyingly strong now.” Emma clenched her fist and playfully punched Eric in the stomach. ”By the way, when did you get back?”

”Last week,” Eric bluffed.

”Then allow me to wish you a happy marriage, my respected Marquis. I imagine your married life is blissful.”

”It’s tolerable.”

”So ungrateful. What more could you ask for? She has land, and wealth, and she’s beautiful. She can do almost everything a man can do—except get a woman pregnant. If she were a man, I’d marry her myself.”

”Yes, yes,” Eric replied perfunctorily. ”By the way, I heard from Belem that your father is still in Wales. Is he back?”

”It’s precisely because he isn’t here that he let me represent him at this Royal Court assembly. I had to beg him for ages.

I’m sick and tired of being forced into these so-called matchmaking sessions at the castle. That fellow just now chased me all the way from Hereford to Gloucester just to tell me about his damn hound.”

”Don’t be so harsh. He was doing everything he could to make a good impression on you. You were a little too cruel.”

”I put up with him for three whole days! You think you’re so righteous? If it were you, you probably would have sent him to meet God on the first day.

Promise me you’ll never mention hunting hounds in front of me again. I feel sick just hearing those two words now. Every single one of my suitors feels the need to tell me about his hounds, as if they’ve all planned it.

Maybe I should send him to meet EDe Guillaume. They’d surely get along. But before that, I’d have to find a way to castrate him.” Emma leaned against the stair railing and opened the book in her hands.

”How is he?”

”He’s perfectly fine, of course. The wicked are never punished so easily. They’ve managed to curry favor with Count Odo and are now his vassals, just waiting for a chance to stab my father in the back again.”

”That’s terrible news. Perhaps I can offer some help with that in the future.” Eric noticed the book in Emma’s hands. ”By the way, that book you’re holding...”