“Episode 18”
The story about Grand Duke Martins repeatedly failing the knightly exams wasn’t something I heard from Prince Tessler, but from their mutual swordsmanship instructor, Kanal Adalion. Kanal Adalion was one of the most esteemed sword masters in the history of the Kingdom of Shartonil and the captain of the royal knights. He was also my secret swordsmanship teacher. From the moment I became aware of the avatar within me, I secretly began practicing swordsmanship to alleviate the burning sensation inside my body.
Noble daughters of the Kingdom of Shartonil learn basic swordsmanship from a young age. Most noble daughters learn swordsmanship half-heartedly and give up, but the moment I held a sword in my hand, I felt a thrill throughout my entire body. Master Kanal had a long-standing relationship with my family, the House of Count Trova, and had been teaching swordsmanship to my stepbrothers. I would peek into the training hall of the House of Count Trova, secretly mimicking Master Kanal’s teachings. One day, he saw me alone in the training hall wielding a sword and accepted me as his pupil. However, the fact that I was receiving personal instruction from him was a secret, suggested by Master Kanal due to my stepbrothers’ jealousy.
Several years passed, and when I turned sixteen…
At that time, my side attack techniques were not improving, so I often went into the forest connected to the House of Count Trova to practice throughout the night. On that day, when the sword didn’t move as I wanted, I collapsed to the ground in frustration. As always, Master Kanal was silently observing from a corner and then approached me.
“……You’ve heard a lot, haven’t you?”
The Duke looked more fearful of his personal information being revealed than he would be if his treasure pouch was stolen.
“Oh, by the way, why haven’t you married yet, Your Grace?”
When the topic of conversation changed, the tense expression on Duke Martins’ face slightly relaxed.
“Well, I’ve been so buried in my studies that it got delayed. It’s not because I’m picky.”
“It seems that way. Could it be a matter of your preferences, Your Grace?”
“Preferences? It sounds as if Her Majesty the Empress knows my preferences well.”
Duke Martins laughed, folding his arms behind his back with a look of interest.
“I heard that three years ago, you had a very passionate love affair with the widow of the Duke of Elido.”
Freeze. Duke Martins stopped dead in his tracks. I continued talking as if I hadn’t noticed his embarrassment.
“Oh, and wasn’t your first love the Countess of Rodlow? I believe she has been divorced three times?”
“W-wait a minute!”
I quickly called out to Linel.
“What.”
He turned to look at me, raising his straight eyebrows.
“If you give such an order, it will only lead to more misunderstandings.”
“Then what should I do?”
“Just, laugh as much as you want.”
“Hmph, an Empress who worries about her attendants’ opinions… That’s peculiar.”
Linel chuckled as he approached me again.
“So, what’s brought you here tonight?”
“Do I need a reason to visit the Empress’s quarters?”
“It’s not that, but… If you had informed me in advance, I would have finished my bath quickly to welcome you.”
“That’s why.”
Linel said, stirring the water in the bathtub with his hand.
“Pardon? Ah.”
He flicked water at my face with a grin after pulling his hand out of the bathtub.
“So I just came.”
