Leticiaâs mornings started early . A person of her status could choose to wake up when the sun was high in the sky and have an army of maids attend to her every morning . However, she did not do so . Instead, she rose before the sun, when the sky was still dark . She woke up before the bakers even began to bake their bread . Ever since meeting Wynn, she never failed to get up at this time .
She slept in a womenâs dormitory at the Academy . Her room was dark, as it was every morning . Officially, while the academy did not discriminate based upon social status, those of n.o.bility still received private rooms . Leticia was given special treatment due to her admission as a special scholars.h.i.+p student . She was the Brave who had saved the world, and was also a dukeâs daughter, so special treatment was a given . Only a handful of the other students received the same level of hospitality .
Leticia slipped out of her bed . The predawn air felt cold, to the point that she could see her breath . It would get warmer once the sun rose, but that wasnât until later . Her golden hair s.h.i.+mmered in the moonlight . Using the mirror sitting on her dresser, she tied her hair and tidied her clothes . This was also where Leticia differed from other n.o.ble ladies . She preferred not to have a maid attend to her . She grabbed a small, carefully wrapped bundle from a shelf before leaving her room .
Magic tools illuminated the hallway just enough for her to be able to walk . The other students were still asleep, so she took care to step lightly . Her skill at concealing her presence was honed by having to hide from monsters as they pa.s.sed by . She had learned it with Wynn during their work as adventurers . Actually, Wynn learned it first, and he had to teach it to her .
She left the dorm building . It was silent outside; only the moon and stars lit up the sky, creating dark shadows on the ground under the trees . She headed towards the menâs dormitories, a block away from the womenâs . Leticia slowly relaxed her body and took a deep breath . Then, she took off with light steps . Her surroundings streamed past, and the menâs dorms soon came into view . Slowing her feet, she peeped from behind a tree and saw Wynn swinging his sword .
He practiced each sword form slowly, paying careful attention to his stance and his sword . He concentrated all of his strength into the end of each swing . His technique didnât rely on brute strength, but instead used his entire body to create quick movements . After going through all the basic forms, Wynn took a break to catch his breath .
At that point in his routine, heâd usually run to the Wandering Birdâs Roost, where he was needed to help with preparations, while also training his legs . However, Hannah hired a new worker recently, so he no longer needed to work there in the mornings . Since he no longer had work in the morning, he didnât need to wake up so early anymore, but the habit had already been deeply ingrained into his body . Because of him, Leticiaâs schedule was early as well . Leticia breathed in⦠then out .
Youâve got this! She pumped her fist to gather her courage . Her eyes fell to the bundle in her hand . She made sure it was there before walking over .
âHm? Good morning, Leti . â
âMorning, Big Brother . â
Noticing Leticiaâs approach, Wynn lowered his sword to greet her . She returned his greeting with a smile .  I hope he doesnât notice anything off with my smile, she thought to herself .
âWait just a moment . Iâm almost done with my training . Oh, would you like to join in?â
âIâll just watch from here . â
Wynn nodded and resumed his training . As she watched, Leticia felt her nervousness melt away . Wynnâs blade flickered through the air effortlessly and gracefully . Wynn preferred to counterattack after dodging the opponentâs attacks, just like Leticia herself .
No, Leticia corrected herself, Iâm the one who is using Wynnâs style of swordplay .  She could see the misty breaths from Wynnâs mouth as he danced across the ground . He was the one who had taught her the swordplay that had kept her alive through countless battles . Wynnâs blade swiped through the air horizontally, then stopped moving . The blade dance had ended . He relaxed, breathing heavily .
âGood work . â Leticia met Wynn halfway as he tried to catch his breath .
âOh, thanks . â
âAre you done training for today?â
âYeah, the sun is starting to rise . Why do you ask?â
âUm, wellâ¦â
Calm down! she told herself when she noticed her heart had started racing .
âWhat is it?â
âH-here . â Leticia handed him the parcel .
âCongratulations on becoming a guardian knight, Big Brother!â
âThis is for me?â
âYup . â
âOh, thanks so much! Should I open it?â
Leticia nodded . Inside the parcel, he saw several books .
âOh, amazing! Such expensive thingsâ¦â Books were expensive . Some even went as high as a gold coin .
âTheyâre history books, as well as epics . I chose ones I thought you might like . â
âI canât wait to read them! Thank you so much! Iâll treasure them . â Seeing Wynn flip through one of the books with such a big smile on his face made Leticia happy . âHow can I ever make it up to you?â
I did it! Leticia made a celebratory fistpump in her mind . She had predicted this outcome from Wynnâs personality .
âI wonder what I should doâ¦â
âThen⦠can you come with me on a shopping trip?â
âShopping? Do you want me to carry your things?â
âYeah, Iâve been wanting to get some new clothes . â
âCanât you buy that from your familyâs regular merchant?â
âI could, but⦠I wanted you to help me choose . â
âI donât really know much about womenâs clothing . Is that okay?â
âAs long as you like it, Big Brother, Iâm fine . â
Even if youâre the only one who thinks so, Leticia added in her mind .
âOkay, got it . I was summoned by Cornelia this afternoon, but letâs go when I get a day off . â
âThatâs a promise, okay?â
Wynn smiled upon hearing Leticiaâs cheerful tone . Suspecting that Wynn had seen through her completely, Leticia blushed .
âOh thatâs right, youâre going to start as a guardian knight today . Could you tell me why you became one?â
âOh, that?â Wynn tilted his head as he thought . He recounted his conversation with Alfred, Cornelia, and Tiara .
âSomething like that happened?â Unable to remember her first experience in battle, Leticia had happily listened to Wynnâs story, and was intrigued by the series of events . But when the tale turned to the discussion about becoming Corneliaâs guardian knight, Leticiaâs face darkened slightly . âI see⦠Cornelia is the one Big Brother is supposed to protectâ¦â she whispered quietly .
âYou see, Iâve always wanted to become a knight, and I thought that Cornelia wasnât a bad person to wield my sword for . Thatâs why⦠huh? Leti?â
âHmph . I see . Itâs because of Cornelia . â
âL-Leti?â
Leticia looked at Wynn with upturned eyes, puffing her cheeks slightly .  Whoa, she looks cute, thought Wynn . Puffing her cheeks was a habit sheâd had ever since she was young . Her cheeks would puff out when she was displeased . Seeing Leticia being jealous of Cornelia made Wynn crack a bit . He said, âLeti is also very important to me . â
A smile threatened to break through her face, but Leticia continued to pout . Wynn patted her head . âMm~, I wonât be tricked!â She let out a funny sound as she tried to maintain her angry glare .
âIâm hungry . How âbout we go get some breakfast?â
âHuh? Breakfast? Sure, letâs go!â
How simpleâ¦Â Wynn chuckled . Leticiaâs bad mood instantly vanished upon hearing the word âbreakfastâ . The food at the academy wasnât too expensive, but it was served in tiny portions and had a more refined taste . It didnât make for a satisfying meal . Despite her n.o.ble lineage, Leticia had grown up while often eating commonerâs food, so she was more than happy to leave the academy to eat . Wynn was sixteen and she was fourteen . They were growing children, and they had been exercising all morning . Simply put, they were starving .
They greeted the guard, whom they had gotten to know, as they pa.s.sed through the academyâs gates . Merchants were hustling and bustling as they worked to set up their stalls on either side of the street . At one large intersection, there were many street stalls already open, hoping to sell a light meal to travelers pa.s.sing by . The appetizing smell of baked bread, herbs, and grilled meat lavished in spices wafted into their noses .
Wynn and Leticia ordered some bread from one of the stalls . Paying extra for b.u.t.ter, Leticia spread it on her bread slices and put meat and vegetables in between . Sitting down on one of the wooden chairs in the plaza, Leticia sunk her teeth into the sandwich . The flavor of the b.u.t.ter and juicy meat mixed in her mouth . Leticiaâs face relaxed in enjoyment . Wynn ordered a citrus fruit from another stand . It came on a plate, cut in two halves . He handed one half to Leticia . The fruitâs juices quenched her thirst, and the sweet and sour flavor was refres.h.i.+ng .
âDelicious . â Having eaten her fill, she grinned happily as she watched Wynn bite into his bread . She closed her eyes . Her body began to sway, and she started humming .
When they were younger, Wynn would always let Leticia eat first, and only when she finished would he then start eating . Now that they were older, they started their meals at the same time, but Wynn naturally ate more . As a result, even while taking smaller bites, Leticia would still finish eating first . Therefore, she would sing until Wynn finished eating . She sang songs she had learned from Wynn, as well as songs she had learned during her travels . Leticia loved to sing . She sang and sang, enjoying the warm, comforting presence standing beside her .
Before long, a crowd formed around her . Travelers in the midst of their journeys and shopkeepers busy with preparations all stopped to listen . No one realized that the girl they were listening to was the Brave herself . They were drawn solely by her enchanting voice, and stayed there, spellbound . The sunâs soft rays began to s.h.i.+ne, as if called by Leticiaâs clear voice . Only when she stopped singing did she realize that she had gathered an audience, and embarra.s.sment set in . Blus.h.i.+ng furiously with teary eyes, she wanted to drag Wynn off to escape . Wynn looked on warmly, happy she was in a good mood .
There were various unsettling rumors coming from the border between Lemmroussell and Petersia that were spreading through the capital . Some of them talked about how the Brave had led the Empire to push back the detested Petersians . The song Leticia sang was one wis.h.i.+ng for the safety of a loved one on the battlefield .
In truth, sheâs just a girl who loves to sing .
Occasionally, the wind blew past her hair, causing her hair to brush against the back of her neck .
I was summoned by Cornelia, so I should leave soon, butâ¦
Wynn had planned to arrive with time to spare, but he decided it would be fine to stay and enjoy the music for a while longer, even if he had to rush afterwards .