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nAllendis was so pleased that he suddenly hugged me. Surprised, I detached myself from his embrace but patted him on the back quietly. Like me, he was trembling before practicing, but unlike me who wanted to learn voluntarily, he had to learn against his will, so he might have more fear than thrill.

nI thought I should stay with him until he felt a little calm, but suddenly someone pulled me to his side. My father, who hugged me, with his eyebrows raised, said, “What are you doing now, Verita?”

n“Oh, dear. I didn’t mean it, sir. ”

n“That’s enough. Do 30 laps around the training field track first before practicing. ”

n‘Huh? I’m doing only ten laps. Why 30 laps for him? Is it because he is a man?’ I wondered, but ran with him anyway. I was bothered when the knights and my father watched me, but it was the beginning of a refreshing day for me anyway.

n“Huck, huck…”

n“Ha… Ha…”

nI was gasping for breath. After barely doing ten laps, I flopped down on the ground, unable to control my wobbly legs. I felt I might look funny, but I couldn’t control my body. I knew I was weak, but had never realized how weak I was physically.

nWhat should I do? I’ve just started. How can I learn fencing without any basic physical strength? Can I really learn fencing properly?

n“Allendis, are you okay?”

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n“Huck, huck… I’m okay…”

nAfter doing seventeen laps around the track, he almost fell and sat next to me, taking a breath.

n“You guys are better than I thought. Hmm, today is the first day, so let me stop here.

n“Thank you, sir…”

n“For the time being, let me put you on a physical training regimen like this, Verita. After that, let me teach you fencing seriously. Tia, you are no exception. See you tomorrow. ”

n“Yes, dad.”

nMy father, who lightly pat my shoulder, turned away. I could open my mouth only after I got my breath back.

n“Are you okay, Allendis?”

n“Whew! I’m fine now. What tough training on the first day!”

n“Sorry. It looks like you’re having a hard time because of me. ”

n“Don’t say that, Tia. I’m okay. I told you yesterday. I have to pay the price to obtain a pretty and smart wife like you,” Allendis smiled brightly at me and stood up.

n“I think I have to stay with you for some time. Why don’t you introduce me to your family’s knights?”

n“Oh yeah. Let’s go.”

nI thought that as he and I had decided to learn fencing in the future, it would be inevitable for us to mingle with the knights, so it would be good to introduce Allendis to them. After I put my disheveled hair in order and adjusted my clothes, I approached a middle-aged knight overseeing the training to introduce him.

n“How are you, Sir League?”

n“It’s an honor that you remember my name, my lady! ”

nI was not sure if the knight’s name was right, so I felt relieved that he responded. As I got his name right by chance, I felt sorry for him. I wish I had memorized the names of my family’s knights.

nIn the past, I had nothing to do with the army people, nor did I have any interest in them. I remembered the names of those servants and maids of my house, but I didn’t remember all the knights assigned to my family as security detainees. As I was so busy learning the virtues befitting my status as the next empress, I neglected to learn the most basic martial arts, even though I was the daughter of the Marquis Monique family, the spear of the empire. I was very ashamed of it and at the same time angry with myself.

nLooking back, I ignored so many other things while blindly pursuing only one thing. At least, I should have been interested in them, even though I didn’t have to learn them.

nAside from my interest, I should have memorized the names of the knights defending my family. “Lady?”

n“Aristia?”

nDid my face look contorted? Allendis and Sir League called me with nervous expressions.

n“Oops, sorry, Sir League. I was distracted for a moment.”

n“Oh, that’s fine!” As soon as I said I was sorry, Sir League shouted resoundingly.

nUnlike my father, who was strong but had a small build, the knight’s voice was loud and matched his stout build. When I heard his loud voice, I felt like I was freed from my idle thoughts.

n‘Yes, as I have received a new lease on my life, let me work hard to make up for what I was lacking in the past. It’s good that I’ve realized it even now. I can do well in the future,’ I thought to myself and smiled at the middle-aged knight.

n“I have decided to learn fencing from my father, starting today. I hope I’m in great hands.”

n“Oh dear! Are you sure, my lady?”

n“Yes. And this man’s name is Allendis de Verita. He has also decided to learn fencing with me. Allendis, this is … ”

n“My name is Freer Sen League.”

nAllendis bowed to him as he quickly responded to her introduction.

n“Nice to meet you, Sir League. I hope I’m in good hands.”

n“Nice to meet you, Verita. Even though there is a difference in our status, as you’re a rookie, let me talk informally to you. ”

n“Yes, please.”

nWhy does he call me a lady and call him a rookie? I felt something strange, but I stopped asking further because our long conversation seemed to interfere with his training.

n“If I won’t disturb their training, I want to say hello to other knights. Is it okay?”

n“Of course, lady. I guess they, too, are looking forward to seeing you.”

nAre the knights’ voices loud by nature? It seemed like my ears were ringing when Sir League replied. Anyway, after exchanging greetings with them, I got out of the crowd and asked Allendis, “Will you have breakfast before going back home?”

n“I want to, but I’m afraid I’m an unwelcome guest. To be honest, I don’t have much appetite because I am exhausted. ”

n“I feel the same. See you tomorrow, Allendis. Let’s get along well.”

n“Oh, sure, Aristia.”

nI smiled brightly at the boy with bright green hair. The sun was shining brightly on his back, who gently waved his hand.

nThe world was now covered with pure white, and the frostwork on the bare branches gave way to young shoots and disappeared. The lady of the spring, playing around while waving her yellowish green skirts, chuckled merrilly, and the petals that bloomed shyly blushed at her smile. Under the warm sunshine of May, the silver blades of swords sparkled on the training field.

nA strange shadow appeared on the training field where Tia was busy learning swordsmanship.

nThe imperial attendant, looking around nervously, approached her and said, “You’ve got a message from the Imperial Palace, my lady. The emperor wants to see you.”

n“What kind of message? To me? What’s up? ”

n“I don’t know.”

n“Okay. Thanks.”

nI hurried back home. When I changed clothes and entered the parlor, my father looked at me. He nodded to me then gestured to the servant who was on standby. Shortly afterwards, a messenger wearing an ID on his chest showing he was from the palace office, came into the room.

n“I’m honored to see Sir Monique and your daughter. I’ve brought the emperor’s message to you.”

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n“Got it. Is the message sent to my daughter?”

n“That’s right. His Majesty wants to have a light tea this afternoon in the garden of the Central Palace. So, he said he hoped your daughter could attend by all means.”

n“Okay. I got it.”

nI was lost in thought while watching my father seeing him off.

n‘Why does the emperor want to see me?’

nWas it because I was stressed out when I saw him last? I was scared. He told me that he was not worried because I was not a threat to the crown prince, but didn’t he like the fact that I was given my middle name by God? Or was he bothered by my wishes to not get entangled with the crown prince in any way? Or was he going to cancel his promise that he would give me some time to think about his offer to have me be his son’s concubine?

nI was scared. I was afraid that I might have to repeat my past hellish life.

nI lifted my trembling arms and wrapped them around my stiffened body.

nAt that moment, I heard my father letting out a deep sigh.

n“Tia?”

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