Enemies Meet at the Engagement Ceremony

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Enoch poured out his honest feelings to me.

 

Due to the pressures of getting married in the future because of adults’ circumstances, and an inexplicable instinctive unease, our relationship hadn’t been good.

 

Him, at this young one, was the first to reveal such sincere thoughts, and I knew I had to take it seriously.

 

“First, I understand your words. I’ll accept your apology from earlier, regarding the insult to Emblems.”

 

“…!”

 

At my words, Enoch’s eyes widened. It seemed surprising for him that I, who hadn’t been on good terms with him, readily accepted the apology.

 

“So, will you learn the sword?”

 

Enoch’s voice was filled with anticipation, as if asking when had it become so subdued.

 

I started to nod absentmindedly, but a lingering discomfort made me hesitate in my response.

 

“Cherry!”

 

Seeing me hesitate with furrowed brows, Enoch grew anxious and urged me.

 

Looking at Enoch’s face, as if tormented by hope, something kept bothering me incessantly.

 

‘There’s something uneasy, what is it?’

 

Learning swordsmanship? Well, that shouldn’t be too difficult. I’ve mastered various martial arts from Taekwondo, Muay Thai, Kendo, Judo to Hapkido during my Inspector days.

 

I had a feeling that I could meet the expectations of the Emblem.

 

But Enoch’s attitude—something about it irked me. It was elusive, refusing to be identified.

 

“Ah!”

 

Then, a refreshing thought passed through my mind, relieving me as if a thorn had been pulled out.

 

“But why do you automatically think that if I learn swordsmanship, you can to defeat me to live with Diana Aunt?”

 

“……?”

 

In response to my question, Enoch stared at me as if it were an absurd inquiry.

 

“Naturally, I’ve already been recognized by everyone in the family for my talent in swordsmanship. Didn’t anyone tell you?”

 

“I just found out today that you’re learning the sword. How would I know? But more importantly, you’re talented in swordsmanship?”

 

“Yes. I’m considered a greater genius than my grandfather, who was acknowledged as the most talented in the history of the Gray Duchy.”

 

“Is that so?”

 

“Yes, it is.”

 

Enoch’s words left me silent for a moment.

 

It was a story I hadn’t heard before. Come to think of it, it was absurd that I didn’t even know Enoch was learning the sword. Considering the relationship between our grandfathers, who boasted about each other from birth, growing up, and even competing in everything.

 

Surely Enoch’s grandfather must have bragged a lot to our grandfather. If he heard this story, he definitely wasn’t the type to stay silent.

 

‘Could it be that he didn’t say anything because I chose not to learn the sword?’

 

Somehow, I recalled a day when my grandfather came into my room, grabbed me, stared at me for a while, and then left with closed eyes.

 

If I had heard about Enoch being a sword genius, I would have surely been extremely anxious.

 

Reflecting on the extent of my grandfather’s love for me, I muttered unconsciously.

 

“Wow, how did you endure that?”

 

“Endure what?”

 

“It’s nothing.”

 

Shaking off thoughts about my grandfather, I asked Enoch further.

 

“Even so, you never know what will happen when I start learning swordsmanship.”

 

“Cherry, don’t tell me you assume that just because you’re the Emblem, you’ll naturally be good at swordsmanship?”

 

Nodding blankly at Enoch’s words, I asked,

 

“So, is this uproar about you wanting me to learn swordsmanship too? Saying that you need to defeat the Emblem’s sword when it’s at its best.”

 

Enoch sighed deeply and lowered their head before saying,

 

“Cherry, how many among the past Emblems and Grays were untalented.”

 

“I asked you to learn the sword from me because if you lack talent of swordmanship, you need to find out quickly.”

 

“So that Melsia aunt can quickly give birth to the second child, and I can do that with Emblem’s successor to compete with me.”

 

People say when something is too absurd, words fail you. Right now, that was me. My mouth hung open in disbelief, unable to utter a word.

 

“Cherry, it doesn’t seem like you have any intention of continuing to learn the sword anyway. So why not quickly prove that you lack talent in swordsmanship and live comfortably as you wished?”

 

My body trembled. Is this what it means for anger to turn your mind white? I involuntarily clenched my fist.

 

But I refrained from thrusting that fist into Enoch’s face, despite the strong urge. After the scolding from my mother earlier today, I didn’t want to cause more trouble.

 

Eventually, I took a deep breath, trying to calm down my anger.

 

“Cherry?”

 

As I suddenly muttered incomprehensibly, Enoch approached me, taking a step closer.

 

Stepping back quickly, I raised my trembling hand towards Enoch, threateningly saying,

 

“You… watch me. I’ll break you!”

 

I never thought I would utter lines like those villains in comic books or movies. Yet, those were the words that came to mind.

 

I turned away from Enoch and headed back to the mansion.

 

Despite Enoch shouting,

 

“So, are you learning swordsmanship?”

 

From behind, I chose to ignore it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

***

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The next day.

 

Early in the morning, I sprinted through the corridors at full speed. Behind me, servants and maids followed with bewildered expressions.

 

“Lady Cherry, where on earth are you going with such a face?”

 

“What’s wrong with my face?”

 

“I feel like you’re going to kill someone!”

 

“There’s no one here for me to kill!”

 

“Oh my!”

 

While Jessia was left speechless by my response, I arrived at the door of my mother and father’s bedroom.

 

“Huh? Lady Cherry!”

 

At the bedroom door, Renz, my mother’s confidant and deputy commander of the Emblem Knights, was waiting.

 

I ran as it was, clipped and clung to Lawrence’s legs.

 

“Lawrence! Is my mom inside now? Can I come in?”

Lawrence’s lips opened wide as he stomped on his feet in a hurry and stretched by his trousers.

“Well, if Cherrya kisses me on the cheek, I might ask the general manager…”

“You’re saying there is! Okay!”

“Oh, my!”

I left Lawrence behind and opened the door without regret.

 

Then, my mother, who was sitting on the dressing table and leaving her dad to do her hair, said without opening her closed eyes.

 

“Lawrence, you know I don’t like being disturbed in the morning, but now…”

 

“Mom!”

 

“Disturbing… Huh? Cherry?”

 

My mother, who was warning me in a bleak voice as if she thought Lawrence had come in, opened her eyes in amazement at my voice..

 

“Cherry! How did you open your eyes at this hour? No, but now what?”

 

“Mom, I have something to say!”

“Mom?”

“Yes!”

“Did you just say mom?”

 

“Yes!”

 

My mother, who was watching me nodding my head, raised her hand and covered her mouth.

 

“Benedict, did you hear that?”

 

“Yes, I heard it very well, Mel.”

 

My mom, as if in disbelief, exchanged glances between Dad and me.

 

I had stubbornly insisted on calling my mother as ‘Mom’ and my father as ‘Dad’ since the first time I started speaking. They often complained about who taught me to address them this way, saying it wasn’t the right time to hear mom and dad sounds unless I was a little older.

 

‘In reality, it was just awkward because I hadn’t called them that before…’

 

Seeing my mom so delighted, I regretted not addressing them like this sooner.

 

My dad, sensing my mom’s happiness, asked me in her place.

 

“So, my daughter, what do you have to say?”

 

“I’ve made a decision!”

 

To show determination, I widened my eyes. The will to learn swordsmanship was burning inside me, making it an easy statement.

 

“I want to learn swordsmanship!”

 

“What?”

 

My mom stood up abruptly.

 

“Is that really true? I, I mean, last night, I said I…”

 

Uncharacteristically, my mom stumbled over her words. She had declared last night that she wouldn’t force swordsmanship on me.

 

It was a choice she made for the heir of Emblem, opting not to teach swordsmanship to the one who would carry on the legacy.

 

It must have been a very difficult decision for her, possibly akin to cutting off an arm.

 

“I heard what mom said yesterday and made up my mind.”

 

“Oh, mom has no intention of forcing it on you, Cherry. So, if it’s for me…”

 

“No! I want to learn, absolutely!”

 

Approaching my mom with fervor, I held both her hands tightly.

 

“Mom, you said violence is bad.”

 

“Yes, I did.”

 

“So, by learning swordsmanship, I’ll face Enoch with skill, not violence!”

 

“Cherry, our little one…!”

 

My mom looked at me with a face filled with emotion, and dad, wearing a pleased smile, sent me an affectionate gaze.

 

“With integrity!”

 

Drawing strength from their encouragement, I clenched my fist.

 

“I’ll defeat him with a sword!”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thankyou for coming to this sites and read my translation, enjoy! Sorry if theres still have any mistake on the translation. See you on the next update!

Click bellow to support me on ko-fi.