Please accept mine!

Mine, too!

Here you are!

Dont you have anything to give us, lady?

The knights, who lined up on the field, came running and reached out to me all at once.

I saw one of their sleeves loosened and fluttered in the wind. I was too embarrassed to respond.

What should I do? Then, my father ordered them sharply, Were leaving now!

Wait a moment, Captain!

Can I give it to her before I leave?

We, too, would like to hear the lady wish that we can return safely.

I hesitated at their desperate requests. It was understandable that they felt sorry for my failure to wish them well. They had been training with my father in the training field everyday. Nonetheless, I only prayed for my fathers safe return.

Please come back safely, everyone!

Yes, well be back safely!

You have to keep well, young lady. Watch out for good-for-nothing guys!

Thats right. Although Veritas son is going to the border, you never know who else will hover around you. You should watch out, lady.

Pardon? Ah, yes. I will be careful.

I nodded, overwhelmed by their excessive interest in me. Watching the knights often looking back at me after walking several steps, I smiled gently at them.

When they finally disappeared, silence fell on the noisy field. I looked at the platinum cufflin in my hand for a while and turned back slowly. It seemed that I could feel my fathers warmth through the button.

After my father left, I could not get by as usual for the first few days. As I had no regular trainer, I got nowhere in my fencing practice. No matter how hard I tried, I didnt see any progress.

I idled away 15 days, and in the end, I sent a letter to Duke Lars, asking if I could visit. The next day I received a reply, asking me to attend a tea party at his mansion. I tried not to cause any trouble to him, but I couldnt help it.

I am honored to meet you, Duchess. My name is Aristia La Monique, the eldest daughter of Marquis Monique.

Nice to meet you, Monique. Im Ernia Shana de Lars. Have a seat.

Duchess Lars wasnt that different from how I remembered her. Unlike the duke or Sir Lars whose warm impressions stood out because of their red hair and eyes, she had dark blue hair and blue eyes and looked very chilly due to her expressionless face.

I heard about it. Your father asked my husband or son to teach you fencing.

Yes, thats true.

Oh, I see. Ive sent someone to bring my son. Hell be here soon.

Ah, thank you, Duchess.

I flinched at her chilly tone, but I expressed gratitude with a smile. It wasnt the first time I saw her chilly attitude. Wasnt she unusually chilly to me in the past? I dont know why, but unlike the duke, she hated me very much even though the dukes family shared the same political faction with mine.

While I was drinking tea in the cold silence, I heard the door opening suddenly.

When I slowly turned my head, I noticed a boy looking like Allen walking in with a nervous expression.

Why have you called me here? Its so annoying.

Sit down. You have a guest here. Why are you so rude?

I dont care

The boy, who looked at me with a scornful laugh, suddenly shut his mouth. I dont know why, but I greeted him with a smile.

Nice to see you, Lars. I am Aristia La Monique, the eldest daughter of Marquis Monique.

My name is Carsein de Lars.

The boy had the dukes hair and the duchess eyes. He looked cold as he took after her mother more. Was it because of his cold look? The boys blue eyes staring straight at me seemed to remind me of someone else. I felt goosebumps at that moment.

Wait, Monique? So, is this the same girl you mentioned? Do you want me to practice fencing with this girl?

Watch your language, Sein. Maybe you should learn manners again.

No, thanks, Mom. I dont have enough time to practice fencing for myself

Sein!

Oh, got it, Mom. I can be polite.

The boy, who reluctantly responded to the duchesss calling, was very displeased. He stared at me for a long time and said in a crackling voice, Well, shall we go, miss?

Where are we going?

You said you are here to practice fencing with me, right? I have to check your skills first if I can spar with you. Dont you think so?

Sein!

Oh, why are you calling me again, Mom? Im being respectful to her.

Pressing her temple, the duchess sighed deeply and told me, What would you do? I just thought of introducing you to my son today, but if youre going to accept his offer, I will send someone to bring you some clothes to change.

Ah, that would be kind of you. Can you do that? Thank you for your consideration.

No problem. Lets have tea until he brings the clothes. Sit down, Sein.

The boy looked dissatisfied but quietly sat down. I swallowed a sigh while drinking the almost cold tea, seated between them as they showed hostility toward me.

Thats why I was trying to do it myself.

As soon as the maid who went to pick up my clothes returned, the duchess ended the tea time.

I thanked her for inviting me then changed into a training outfit. Guided by the servant, I headed to the training place. .

It took you a long time to change clothes.

Sorry for being late, Lars.

My father told you to practice fencing with me?

Thats right.

Ha, it s funny. Do you think you can learn fencing quickly? Dont ever think anybody can learn it easily.

Carsein de Lars was, perhaps, fourteen or fifteen. He was the youngest knight in history with an unprecedented record, and he was called a fencing genius who had no rival when it comes to swordsmanship.

As I have never met him before, I imagined what kind of person he was when I was on my way to his mansion. I thought vaguely that he would be a man of few words who only focused on fencing like my father.

But the boy before my eyes was completely different. He talked down to me and showed no manners at all. He was a sharp contrast to Alledis, called a genius who could lead the empire, who was kind and gentle.

When I saw him looking down at me arrogantly, I suddenly got enraged.

I didnt say I would learn fencing as a pastime, Lars!

Ha, I know you are pretending to learn fencing for a few years then quit to get married, right? What a joke!

I am not!

Dont try to make poor excuses. If its not a joke, show me your skills and determination, wont you?

I shut my mouth slowly because he was right. No matter how much I talked, I couldnt prove my will. It was me, not him who was asking for help anyway.

You are right. How can I prove it?

Let me see if you can show me the basic skills, said the boy, staring at me in dissatisfaction.

I picked out what seemed to be a lighter practice sword in the corner of the empty training place. I demonstrated the basic skills that I learned so far before the boy with red hair looking silently with his arms folded. I even showed him whatever slumsy skill I learned by myself.

Its terrible. You want to learn fencing with your poor skills like that?

.

I think your basic skills seem to be solid, but whats that you showed me at the end?

I felt like crying at his scornful tone, but tried to look expressionless as best I could.

Be patient, Aristia. Its you who needs help.

Only

After taking a deep breath, I said in a voice as calm as possible, My skills are what you see. I tried practicing by myself, but there was no progress.

Of course. You know why? Your basic fencing posture is wrong. How can you expect to improve?

Then, what can I do?

As he pointed out my problems, I felt he might give me some tips on training.

But he replied as if he was annoyed, when I asked how I could improve.

I dont care. Why should I help you practice? Take care of yourself, and dont bother me!

Lars!

Why?