"My……did that not become a good experience for you?"

During the break between lessons, when the topic of Anna and Enaline came up that was Aurelisama's reaction.

"You can learn a lot more than you think from showing someone else the basics. Because you cannot be vague about things."

I laughed dryly at Aurelisama's words.

"And with that, let's continue to study steadily."

Not paying any heed to my reaction, she smiled sweetly.

"Y-Yes……"

"Well the, that is all for the break. Try doing it one more time from the beginning."

Together with her voice, the piano started to play the song.

Matching the notes, I stepped forward along with Alf, who was standing in front of me.

"Yes, that's right. Pay attention to the music……yes, and make your movements elegant."

While listening to Aurelisama's words, I turned my consciousness towards my legs.

Because if I didn't do that, it felt like my legs would get tangled up.

I felt from the bottom of my heart, that making the movements of my body match the music was quite difficult.

The sole redeeming point was that thanks to the military arts that I've done up until now, I was able to maintain my physical strength.

"Do not look at your feet! Always smile……that's right. Pay more attention to the flow."

Following Aurelisama's advice, I made a smile.

Although even I could imagine that it seemed quite forced.

"Keep your posture. That's right, that's good."

And until the piece ended, I continued to dance together with Alf.

"Thank you for today as well."

When the lesson ended, I gave my thanks to Aurelisama and Alf, and then withdrew and road the carriage home.

Upon returning to my room, I changed my clothes.

And then, moving to a place inside my room from which I could see the training grounds, I watched how the training was currently going.

It seemed that Anna and Enaline somehow managed to keep up with the foundation training.

Amongst the people who were taking Father's training for the first time, there were few who had a good enough basis to complete the foundation training.

When you think about that, it was certain that they had trained quite a bit.

……be that as it may, looking at how out of breath and exhausted they were, it would probably be better if they built a bit more stamina.

After that, the two of them mingled with those from the Guard Corps and started to do practice swings.

Like they said, their swordsmans.h.i.+p was self-taught and still in the process of being formed.

"How is their training going, Ojou-sama?"

"Oh, Granny. Is Granny also interested?"

Granny asked me that as she served me tea as I sat.

"No……I am not very knowledgeable with regards to the military arts. It is just that I am concerned about their state."

"I see. The two of them are properly taking on Father's training…….although with their current skills, I cannot fight together with them yet. Nonetheless, I am looking forward to their growth from here on out."

"Is that so? …….incidentally, Ojou-sama. Ever since they first came to this mansion, it seems like you had a grasp on their physical strength but…….could it be that you knew of those two since before they came to the mansion?"

"There's no way, right? I honestly met them for the first time in front of the mansion. And, did I have such a conversation with Granny before?"

"You did not speak directly to me but……you did say things like [I left their observation to the Guard Corps to ensure that they do not inflict any harm upon the people of the mansion] and [I am sure that they will be able to take control if needed]. That is something that you cannot declare unless you had a grasp of their strength."

"Ahh, so it was like that…….fufufu, it was intuition, intuition."

Perhaps my words were unexpected, as Granny's eyes widened as she blinked dumbfoundedly.

Seeing that, I felt laughter well up once more, and drank tea in order to suppress it.

"I made that decision based on how they position their centre of gravity when they walk, the movement of their gaze, and so on. Father often tells me to [Judge an opponent's ability based on their unconscious movements], so since training, I've paid attention to observing the movements of others. As for the rest, I suppose it would be thanks to Aurelisama's teachings?"

"……Aurelisama? Why would the Aurelia Ducal House's Mistress's teachings……?"

"It is difficult to hide movements that have been engrained into one's bones. Thanks to that, Aurelisama often points out movements that I make. Because of that, I paid more attention to my own movements, and started to observe the usual movements of others."

Although, in the end that was just a judgement I was making based on my experience, so it wasn't necessarily on the level of intuition.

Even so, I believed in my own experience.

"I see…….Ojou-sama, I have a single concern regarding the conversation just now."

"Oh, what might that be?"

"While this might be presumptuous of me, I have been amazed at Ojou-sama's growth ever since you started taking manner lessons at the Armelia Ducal House. Of course, it is partly due to Ojou-sama putting in a suitable amount of effort……and there is also the fact that d.u.c.h.ess Armelia is excellent at teaching. But most importantly, I believe that the powers of observation that you cultivated up until now have played a major role. You observe, understand the differences, and then make the good parts of those differences your own. It is precisely because that comes naturally to Ojou-sama that you have been able to grow with such amazing speed."

"My……I am happy to receive such praise from Granny on my manners."

As I said that, Granny's words continued to echo within my head.

It is true that even if I see something that appears completely unrelated at first glance…….I leave in a corner of my mind, thinking that it may intersect with other matters, becoming entangled with them in some way.

"It is an incredible ability. I am looking forward to Ojou-sama's growth in the future."

"Yes, I will work hard. Granny."

Granny made a gentle smile at that answer.

"…….now that I think of it, while those girls are receiving training, what shall I do with my own tempering?"

However, while I was continued to mouth those words with a smile, Granny let out a fed up sigh.

"How about introducing yourself as Mel?"

"Oh, Granny. You won't stop me?"

"Just how many years do you think I have been taking care of Ojou-sama?"

"Fufufu, that's true……..it is fine to greet them as Mel, but if those two are to become my personal attendants, then it shouldn't take too long for them to figure out that Mel and I are one and the same person."

"…….are you planning on hiding it from them?"

As if finding that to be unexpected, Granny made a slightly surprised expression.

"Even if it is discovered, it may be okay to say that it will be fine since they are employees of our house, but…….I honestly do not want it to be known too widely."

While there was nothing to be ashamed of with having trained in the military arts…….as expected, as a n.o.ble daughter it was a heresy.

If it is spread out, then it will tarnish my reputation, so it absolutely had to be a secret from other n.o.bles.

For secrets, the fewer people that knew of it, the harder it is for it to be leaked out……that is why, even if it was amongst those of my own house, I did not have any intentions of making it widely known.

"…….I see. Then, how about giving up on training?"

"I don't wanna. I've reflected on how dull my body became in no time at all as soon as I stopped training. That is why I want to continue piling up my training but..…."

My training menu for a single day came to mind.

Since I have been doing nothing but taking manner lessons at the Armelia House lately, it has become difficult to partic.i.p.ate in training together with everyone to begin with.

"……in any case, since it's become difficult to partic.i.p.ate in the training, then it'll be fine to just train independently instead. It'll be fine to call over some random people from the Guard Corps to keep me company while those girls are doing work in the mansion."

"If that is the case, then when Mellice-sama is training I shall instruct them to do work that will not bring them to the training field. And there are still plenty of thing that I must teach them. I will be keeping them by my side for a while, so it should not be discovered that quickly."

"I see…….thank you, Granny."

"You're welcome."

Granny answered my thanks with a tender smile.

"……now that I think of it, Granny. Have you thought about that matter?"

[That matter] referred to a talk regarding Granny's family.

Granny's husband had already pa.s.sed away, and she had a single child with that husband.

As that child had already become independent, when it was decided that Granny would come with me to the Capital, they chose to stay in the territory, and the two lived separately.

……and ever since coming to the Capital, Granny did not take any long vacations and did not return to the territory, and naturally has not met with her family at all.

That concerned me and I suggested on numerous occasions that she take a vacation and return home, but she rejected me every time. That being the case, I figured that we might as well introduce a job to that family member and have them move to the Capital, thus I tried sounding her out by asking.

"Ojou-sama. I am truly thankful that you are anxious for such a worthless me. However, it really is fine. Since I have pledged my allegiance to the Anderson Marquis House, having the privilege of working here is the best for me."

"……really? But you haven't returned to the territory once since I came here."

"Yes. It is fine."

Seeing her smile as she declared that, I discerned that her opinion on the matter would not change no matter what I said.

I would not listen once I say that I would do something, and Granny was also the same.

"If you change your mind, you can tell me anytime."

"Yes, I will tell you."

"……then, I suppose I shall continue my reading from yesterday. Granny, please bring some hot tea to my room."

"Understood."