My mom’s words were right. When I took a step back from the sword, I finally started to notice other things.
The large hands of that person I held last night, and how I now have to tilt my head back to look at his towering height.
The moment when I calculated the length of his legs and arms, and the force he used to strike me, just to succeed in the sparring.
“I already knew that my eye level with Enoch changed every time we sparred, and that there was a difference in strength, but I guess I just couldn’t accept it.”
When I was obsessed with swordsmanship, I didn’t realize it.
I didn’t understand why I was being pushed back when facing Enoch with a sword, or why the sword I tried to block didn’t budge at all.
Even though I kept asking Enoch if he had grown taller, I didn’t actually notice it.
My mind knew, but my body didn’t.
I was only focused on his genius talent, his reflexes that seemed to anticipate all my attacks, and his incredible swordsmanship that showed different patterns every time.
The countless sparring sessions with Enoch that my body learned better than my mind made me unable to notice the drastic changes between us day by day.
“I considered it when sparring with others, but I couldn’t do the same with Enoch. I’ve known him since we were very young, and we’ve been crossing swords since then.”
Enoch was called a genius in swordsmanship, and I wanted to catch up with that difference.
So, I tried to replicate the swordsmanship Enoch showed in our sparring exactly as he did, and I started to match my sword to the techniques he used.
I need to swing my sword more like Enoch. If Enoch can do it, then so should I.
That impatience led me to mistakenly blame our physical differences for why I couldn’t do it like Enoch.
“I should have acknowledged that Enoch and I are different. But I guess I couldn’t.”
The sword that Enoch could wield and the sword I could wield were fundamentally different. No matter how much of a genius Enoch was in swordsmanship, the techniques he invented might not be suitable for me.
Unable to accept this, I gradually started using sword techniques that even I couldn’t comprehend.
“It wasn’t that I stopped loving the sword. I just came to hate it because I was wielding something that wasn’t mine. I loved my sword, not Enoch’s sword.”
“Haha.”
My mom nodded with a smile at my words.
“The heirs of Emblem and Gray always face this problem. Because they know each other so well from a very young age, they’re too slow to notice the changes in each other and accept them.”
My mom slowly brushed my hair, cheeks, and shoulders with her hand, examining me carefully with a gentle gaze.
“Our Cherry has grown so much, yet in my eyes, you still look like that naive seven-year-old daughter.”
“I think it’s because I’m still naive.”
“It’s enough that you realize that yourself.”
My mom and I smiled at each other. My heart tingled, and I felt a fluttering sensation all over my body.
I wanted to run somewhere right now and pick up the sword I had put down for a while.
I wanted to apologize for being so neglectful.
Realizing that I had been scolding my sword to behave like someone else’s sword just because it seemed better made me feel even more so.
“Your grandfather and I both had such natural strength that we couldn’t give you proper advice. Since Cherry has always done well on her own, we just assumed you would overcome it as usual and left you to it. I’m sorry…”
My mom held my hand tightly. I could feel the pain and guilt she felt at that moment through her touch.
The current Duke of Emblem’s swordsmanship, passed down through two generations, was based on overwhelming strength.
My mom probably knew that this situation, overlapping with Enoch’s, became the catalyst for the deeper burnout I was experiencing.
“If your dad hadn’t given me a hint, I would have kept watching you from afar, using the excuse that I believed in you.”
“No, it was my pride that kept me from asking you for help.”
In fact, I had been thinking that maybe Emblem’s swordsmanship wasn’t right for me, but I didn’t want to admit that I couldn’t do what my mom and grandfather could do, so I ignored it.
It was because of my foolish pride.
I thought I had hidden it well, but it seemed my dad had noticed it without me knowing.
But thanks to that, I was able to realize it through the plan my dad set up to hit me in the back of the head.
“Now, I’ll find a way to wield a sword that suits Emblem without relying on strength.”
Seeing my determined expression, a smile spread across my mom and dad’s faces.
The strategy the two of them devised was working well on me, and I could see a satisfied expression in their eyes as they looked at each other.
“The only sword that suits Emblem is one.”
“……..?”
“A sword that protects what is precious.”
My mom alternated her gaze between my dad and me before continuing.
“It could be your family, your friends, or someday, your lover. But the most important thing is that you must be able to protect yourself.”
“…………”
“That’s when Emblem’s sword shines the brightest.”
I nodded earnestly at my mom’s words, and then I eagerly asked as I shifted from the bed.
“Then, can I go train now?”
I was so eager to run to the training ground immediately. It felt like the desire for the sword that I had temporarily put aside was flowing through my veins, making me restless.
“No. There’s someone you need to meet first.”
“What? Who? But I’m in a hurry.”
Seeing me impatiently tapping my feet, my mom chuckled and glanced towards the door.
“Who could it be at such a crucial time…”
Following my mom’s gaze, I turned to the door and then suddenly stood up from the bed.
I barely managed to stop myself from lunging forward and looked at my mom and dad with wide eyes.
“It’s not my birthday today… Is this a dream?”
“Of course not. Your dad personally went out of his way to contact and bring him here.”
“………..!”
That meant the person standing before me was real.
Not a fake, but the real one. Not someone who just resembled him, but the real person.
“Grandfather!!!!!!”
“Hahaha, my dear Cherry!”
It was Seffield Emblem. My grandfather, who had disappeared 11 years ago, only meeting me once a year on my birthday.
I ran and threw myself into my grandfather’s open arms.
“My precious child!”
My grandfather easily lifted my adult-sized body with one hand, just like when I was seven years old.
“……….!”
A warm flush spread across my cheeks. I could see my reflection in my grandfather’s eyes, with my face fully reddened.
It had been so long since someone had lifted me up like a child. Being in my grandfather’s arms made me feel like I had returned to my childhood.
“Grandpa…”
And so, I clung to my grandfather’s thick and strong neck and cried out loud like a child.
this is so cute😭😭😭