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n“Again.”

n“… ”

n“Again!”

nCarsein was a very strict coach. When I showed even the slightest sign of fatigue, he rebuked me severely. I don’t know why, but he was burning with desire to improve my skills in a short time.

n“Oh, it ‘s really frustrating. Can’t you do it right? Push a little more. No, that’s not the right posture!”

nThe boy who was staring at me sharply got fretful. Although he got really annoyed, he was a good coach, pointing out and correcting the position of my arms and waist as well as the angle of the sword. When I wielded the sword, reflecting on what Lars pointed out, I felt like I was doing better.

nIt has been six months since I came to my father’s estate.

nSuddenly, the hot summer passed, and now it grows cooler everyday. Exposed to the cool wind, I smiled pleasantly. Was the day when I practiced until I was exhausted and took care of my skin at the urging of Lina finally over?

n“That’s all for today. You got much better. ”

n“That’s surprising! How come you are praising me?”

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n“I don’t talk any nonsense as far as fencing is concerned. You’ve really made great progress. If you continue to practice like this, you might be able to aim for a knight in a few years. I’m serious.”

n“No way! Thanks for your praise anyway. ”

nAs I spent the two seasons with him, my relationship with Carsein changed a lot. The biggest change is that we finally started to speak comfortably. Well, as I used to use honorific language to him from the beginning, I think I have started to feel comfortable.

nWiping the sweat from my forehead, I headed for the mansion. Even though it was quite cool, my whole body was still hot because I was practicing in the hot sun for a long time. After I took a shower and came downstairs, a maid brought out tea and cake.

nI glanced at the red tea water blankly and looked around. As always, Sir Seymour, the royal guard in white uniform, was standing still at the door today.

n“Thanks for your hard work, Sir Seymour. Would you like a cup of tea? ”

n“No thanks, my lady.”

n“Just moisten your throat. When I see you standing there, I feel uncomfortable. ”

n“… Okay. Thank you, lady.”

nAfter I handed a mug to the blonde knight, I checked the letter that came today while drink the sour hibiscus tea.

n‘Let’s see. This is for Carsein, and this is from Allendis.’

nAs I opened the light green envelope, Carsein, who already sat next to me, said in a sulken voice, “What the heck? Another letter from that stupid guy? What is he saying this time?”

n“Go away, Carsein. Why are you trying to look at another man’s letter? ”

n“Oh, dang it! You are so mean! I am not looking at it.”

nCarsein, who got fretful with his dishevelled red hair down, picked up the letter addressed to him. Did he feel it was funny that Carsein and I were squabbling? I smiled at Sir Seymour awkwardly, opening the envelope. At first, it was difficult for me to even reply to Allendis, but over the passage of two seasons, he and I continued to exchange letters, and we were restoring our friendship little by little in the process.

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nWhen I read about half the letter that filled it up, Lina gave me another letter.

nWhen I checked the lion crest on the envelope, I stiffened. It was the letter from the imperial family. I hadn’t seen it in a long time since I spent time together at the estate with my father.

n“What is it? Did you quarrel again…?”

nThe boy, who said something with an annoying voice, slowly shut up. His blue eyes were fixed on the lion crest. Even when Sir Seymour, who was remaining silent, watched me closely, I let out a long sigh. I put down the light green stationery that I was reading, and picked up the imperial letter. I took a big breath and read it written in the gorgeous handwriting unique to the imperial family.

nAccording to the luxurious white paper, the crown prince would leave the capital for inspection of the border areas early next week, and on his way back, he would be visiting the estate of the Monique family, so I had to be fully ready for his upcoming visit.

nIn the late afternoon, the cool breeze blew as I headed to the outer castle with Carsein, two royal guards and the staff at the estate to welcome the crown prince.

nAlthough the horses here were not as good as mine in the capital, I stroked its smooth mane and turned its head. Today, the sky was so blue.

nMy father’s estate was large enough to match that of a duke’s estate. As it served as the last defense protecting the road leading to the capital, it had double walls that could be seen from anywhere in the border areas. The sturdy walls and defense weapons surrounding the outer castle among other things were the pride of the Monique estate.

nThere were crowds already gathered near the castle gate early in the morning to see the crown prince. The relationship between the imperial imperial family and my family was famous enough to be known by all the imperial citizens, so the people in our estate were generally very loyal to the empire. For them, the crown prince and the royal guards’ visit was a must-see spectacle.

nWas it because so many people came out? I felt many of them casting curious glances at me. I looked at them for a moment and slowly turned my head. As I came here to greet the crown prince, I couldn’t respond to them now.

nAfter a lot of time passed, I heard several horses’ hooves coming toward me. It seemed that he arrived finally.

n“I, Aristia La Monique, am honored to greet the Crown Prince, the Little Sun of the empire. It is an honor for you to visit my shabby estate.”

n“It’s been awhile. How have you been?”

n“I was doing well thanks to your grace. How are you, Your Majesty?”

n“Oh, yes. Thanks for your consideration. ”

nAs if he was conscious of people around him, he smiled at me a bit instead of showing his usual cold expression. Suddenly, my eyes met his eyes. I stiffened at his cold blue eyes that were so unlike his kind attitude, but I got on my horse, trying to pretend to stay calm.

n“May the empire last eternally!”

nWhen someone spoke loudly from behind, there were shouts here and there. He waved to the people lined up.

n‘Wow!’ I was almost deafened because of the thunderous cheers.

n“Haven’t we met in half a year?”

n“Pardon? Ah yes, Your Majesty.” I replied in surprise.

nLooking at me quietly, he looked to the left and said, “Long time, no see, Carsein Lars.”

n“It’s nice to see you here, Your Majesty. How are you doing?”

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n“So-so. Hmm, how goes the practice?”

n“I’m doing my best, though I have yet to improve my skills.”

n“I see. I have high expectations for you.”

n“I’m flattered, Your Majesty. I will do my best to meet your expectations. ”

nNodding to Carsein with appreciation, he turned his eyes.

nHe saw the thick wall of the castle of my estate in the distance. The soldiers on standby saluted him and opened the gate. While he was lost in thought, heading to the gate, he said, “Did you say that the Monique estate was the last defense protecting the road leading to the capital?”

n“Yes, Your Majesty.”

n“Hmm, that’s why the defense around here is very tight. And you seem to have managed your weapons well. ”

n“I’m flattered, Your Majesty. We’re just trying our best to carry out our duty. You’re almost there. You see the mansion over there.”

nIt was a beautiful mansion that they arrived across the wide open boulevard. Unlike my mansion in the capital, the outer walls of the mansion were built with bricks and covered with ivy. The green leaves, tinted red by the autumn sun, were fluttering in the wind. Along the wall everyone lined up and bowed to the crown prince politely.

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