Chapter 55 Swordsmanship Training
A few days have passed since Rifine's birthday party. I'm still living in the Detached Palace.
Rifine's position has stabilized, and while I'm thinking about returning to the Granbell territory, it's actually quite comfortable here... more than anything.
My father, Elder Brother, and even the knights of Granbell are still here, so there's really no particular reason to go back.
"Hey there!"
One of the knights──Mr. Baston──is training me in the garden of the Detached Palace.
With a training sword in hand, I focus on the weight transfer techniques I've learned and swing down with all my might.
As I put my all into that strike, Mr. Baston effortlessly deflects it while watching me with a warm smile.
"Very good, young lady! You've improved significantly since before. You're training seriously, aren't you?"
"Of course! I'm a daughter of Granbell!"
I can't help but smile widely at the praise.
Just then, Mr. Baston lets his guard down with a goofy grin, and I think it's my chance to step in... but, of course, he easily blocks me again. Ugh.
"That was particularly good! Being aware of your opponent's openings is very important."
"I still can't get through, though... Mr. Baston, you're not just flattering me, right?"
"Absolutely not! It's all from the heart!"
When I give him a skeptical look, Mr. Baston hurriedly denies it.
Especially Elder Brother, they all spoil me a bit too much.
But well, it seems I'm more suited for swordsmanship than magic.
Earlier, I had a mock battle with Rifine, and I was able to defeat her in seconds without any special rules.
Before, I had to use all sorts of tricks to win, but just holding a sword makes a difference.
Maybe what I should aim for isn't to be a beautiful magician, but rather a beautiful swordswoman.
No, maybe I should combine both and become a beautiful magic swordswoman? With my coolness and cuteness, I'll captivate the entire kingdom! Just kidding.
"Yumie──! There it is──! You can do it──!"
"Ns. Yumie! You're amazing!"
The ones cheering me on are Rifine and Monica, who said they wanted to watch the training. While I'm happy to receive their support, unfortunately, I can't match up to Captain Mr. Baston's sword skills, so I feel bad that I can't meet their expectations.
"Yumie──, it's my turn next──"
"Ah, yes, I'll switch right away!"
Just then, I heard Elder Brother's voice urging me to switch.
I thought he wanted to train with Captain Mr. Baston, but it seems I was wrong.
"No, this time it's my turn to teach Yumie how to use a sword! I was your magic teacher, so I want to teach you swordsmanship step by step!"
"Eh!?"
Is that what this is about!? I couldn't help but raise my voice in surprise.
I mean, I'm happy that Elder Brother wants to train me, but what about my own training?
"What are you talking about, Neil? If Yumie's training partner is here, then you should focus on your own training!"
It was Father who said what I was thinking.
The head of the Granbell family, said to be the strongest man in the kingdom. Of course, I want to learn from him... but.
"Father is out of the question."
"Why!?"
"Because of the punishment for suddenly barging into the Royal Palace without any notice or consultation last time. It seems you still haven't reflected enough. No cuddling or petting for a while!"
"What!?"
No way... Father looked as if he was witnessing the end of the world, his expression filled with despair as he crumbled.
...I feel a bit sorry for him, so maybe I can allow a little petting?
"Anyway, if you train for another ten years... no, even 5 years, you should have enough skill to hold your own against knights. Have confidence!"
According to Mr. Baston, my strengths lie in my competitive spirit and quick judgment.
Usually, the first hurdle for beginners who have just started wielding a sword is to overcome the fear of the sword coming towards them and to keep their eyes on it until the end.
It's supposed to be quite difficult, but apparently I've been doing it without any problems from the start.
Moreover, when you try to find the right moment to use the techniques you've learned in actual combat, it takes a lot of experience. But it seems that I'm still doing that naturally.
Mr. Boston says that if I continue to train and expand my capabilities, my talent will eventually blossom.
"Ehehe, thank you very much."
When I'm praised like this, I feel happy but also a bit embarrassed. Even more so in front of everyone.
For that reason, as I fidgeted a little, Elder Brother hugged me tightly from the side. Guh.
"Ah, Yumie is so cute no matter what you do! The cutest in the world!"
"Elder Brother, you're overdoing it... And I'm all sweaty right now, so you should move away... You'll get dirty, right?"
"It's fine, I don't mind licking your sweat, Yumie."
"Eee..."
Elder Brother, I think you're a bit perverted.
"Ah! You're always sneaking away! Only I am allowed to touch Ms. Yumie!"
"Me too! I also want to hug Yumie!"
Ms. Monica and Rifine, influenced by Elder Brother, came to me and hugged me tightly from 3 directions, leaving no gaps.
Isn't it a bit early in the season for you guys to be playing push-and-shove? It's hot, you know?
The children, who are no longer focused on training, are chatting happily, while Father and Mr. Boston watch over them.
In this harmonious atmosphere, Rifine's exclusive maid, Mei, arrived.
"Princess, you have a letter addressed to you."
"Hmm? For me? Who is it from?"
"It's from the Noble who attended the birthday party. They want you to attend their house parties next time."
Mei brought in a mountain of invitations, piled up in a box.
Even Rifine's cute eyes seemed to pop out in surprise at the sight.
"Here, all of this for me? Is it true?"
"Yes. You were so charming at the party, everyone fell in love with you. You said you loved them too, so it's mutual."
"S-Stop teasing me, Mei!"
As we helped with the sorting of the delivered letters, we were soothed by Rifine's cuteness as her face turned bright red.
Every time we saw words of praise for Rifine, like "delicate" and "adorable," we couldn't help but smile at our princess blushing.
Then, I noticed a letter in the box that wasn't addressed to Rifine.
"Ms. Mei, this letter is for you."
"Huh? Oh, you're right, I'm sorry, I didn't notice."
When I handed her the letter, Mei checked the sender's name, looking flustered.
It seemed to be a letter from her family home.
As I tilted my head, wondering why she was slightly frowning while reading it... Mei finished reading, sighed, and...
She tore the letter to pieces.
W-What the...?!
"That filthy, rotten old bastard! Has he finally gone senile, huh?! Spewing that kind of crap—should I rip out his tongue and arms so he can never say something like that again and stuff horse crap in their place?! Huh?! HUH?!?!"
"Eh... w-what?!"
Even Rifine, who had always been willful and whose care Mei never neglected, and who was always on her side, was stunned. We all stood there with our mouths agape at the sudden change in the usually kind-hearted maid.
Mei crumpled the torn letter and threw it on the ground, then kept stomping on it as if it wasn't enough. Finally, she seemed to calm down a bit, staring blankly at the ceiling... only to realize her own disgraceful behavior and start panicking.
"Oh no, I ruined the evidence! I impulsively destroyed the letter that proves that old man's delusions! What should I do?!"
No, wait, she's still in her own world. She's trying to gather the letter she messed up and restore it.
Rifine cautiously spoke to Mei.
"Mei, what's wrong? Are you okay?"
As Rifine came into Mei's field of vision, Mei's strange behavior finally settled down.
And... with tears streaming down her face, Rifine embraced Mei.
"My lady... Even if something happens to me, I will always cherish you. Please take care of yourself..."
"...Mei?"
Before Rifine could question her further, sensing an unsettling atmosphere, Mei hurriedly went to my father with the worn-out letter in her hand.
My father, looking perplexed, reluctantly accepted the letter that was offered to him. As he struggled to read its contents, his expression suddenly turned grave.
"Do you understand what it means to show this to me?"
"I do. I am fully prepared for whatever may come."
"You yourself don't know what will happen to you."
"I have already dedicated my body, mind, and every piece of my soul to you, my lady. My life is worth nothing compared to yours."
Her whispered words were not meant for us, including Rifine. Her father even used magic to ensure we wouldn't hear them.
However, the fact that he used magic to prevent us from hearing the contents of the letter, combined with her earlier words, only amplified Rifine's anxiety.
"...I have accepted your determination. We will work with the Belmont family and take action immediately. Baston, Neil!!"
"Yes, sir!"
"Uh, yes. What is it, Father?"
"We're going back. Get ready quickly."
"Eh?!"
"Understood."
Ignoring my confused elder brother, my father and Mr. Baston began to move hastily.
As Mei's back moved further away from them, Rifine continued to watch her with anxious eyes.
"Mei... What's wrong...?"
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