EWOWMAIBTYPF Chapter 138

Chapter 138

 

“Aderiana!”

“Your Highness, the Grand Princess!”

As the scattered magic faded and the faint breeze died down, the hall was filled with anxious, teary-eyed gazes.

“Cough, ahem.”

I let out a dry cough and awkwardly glanced around.

But no matter where I looked, I was met with watery eyes brimming with worry.

Though I had somewhat grown used to these reactions, they still made me embarrassed.

And, since I couldn’t deny feeling a little guilty, I eventually spoke up first.

“I’m sorry. I must have startled you. I know everyone is busy…”

“No, Your Highness!”

“It’s the eve of your coming of age—of course, you might want to take a walk alone!”

“We knew you’d return soon!”

“That’s right. You even left a note. We were just worrying over nothing.”

Despite having frantically searched for me, the knights and servants all waved their hands dismissively, as if my apology was completely unnecessary.

Then, as if a weight had been lifted from them, they let out relieved sighs, simply grateful that I had returned safely.

Watching them, I let out a wry smile.

Honestly, I hadn’t even wanted to leave a note…

I had expected them to be worried to some extent, but their overprotectiveness was really getting out of hand.

“…Your Highness, how could you leave me behind?”

Just then, my personal maid, Jane, sniffled and spoke.

“I am your direct bodyguard… your closest attendant!”

Seeing Jane nearly roaring in frustration, the servants and knights flinched and took a step back, clearly afraid of getting caught in the crossfire.

“J-Jane, I get it, so… could you put the sword down?”

“Ah! I’m sorry. I got a little carried away…”

At my words, Jane jumped in surprise and hastily sheathed her sword.

“I truly thought some vile intruders had stormed in again.”

“You didn’t see my note? You know my handwriting.”

“…But you never know.”

Her voice trembled as she argued that handwriting could be easily forged, leaving me at a loss for words.

Jane had originally been the youngest of my mother’s maids before she became my personal attendant. It turned out she had a remarkable talent for swordsmanship.

‘Why are there so many geniuses around me…?’

Just as my mother had recognized Bianca’s potential, Bianca had also recognized Jane’s talent.

Jane had hesitated at the unexpected offer, but in exchange for securing her position as my personal maid, she picked up the sword.

After years of rigorous training, she finally gained Bianca’s official acknowledgment when I turned fourteen, becoming both my personal maid and my sworn knight.

“But still, Your Highness, you should have taken me with you.”

I knew better than anyone how devoted and passionate Jane was. Seeing her pout in disappointment made me feel a little guilty.

But if I had taken Jane with me, today’s outing would have been nothing more than a simple stroll.

For someone like me, who wanted to make a strong statement of rebellion, that was unacceptable.

Feeling the weight of the situation, I cautiously glanced at my mother standing behind me.

Beside her, my father looked like he was about to cry as he murmured, “Aderiana…” But my mother’s expression was firm.

Even Bianca, who stood with them, could only give me an awkward smile, clearly unsure of what to say.

My mother still doesn’t approve of me learning swordsmanship.

Of course, I understood where she was coming from.

⟨You can call me an overprotective fool, but I can’t bear to see even the smallest scratch on you.⟩

My mother had spoken those words when trying to convince me, but I had already known her feelings long before that.

Even though all my old scars had long since faded, every time she helped wash my back or arms, she would quietly mutter, ‘How much must this have hurt…’

And I knew she had been deeply shaken by the moment, back at the marquisate, when she had raised her hand, and I had flinched in fear.

To be honest, with my entire family so firmly against it, I hadn’t intended to stubbornly push forward with my decision.

At first, I had only picked up the sword because I wanted to be like my mother and Bianca, even though I had never planned on learning it again.

But now… Magic alone isn’t enough for me to feel safe.

I bit my lip as I recalled something only Raizel and I knew—something I couldn’t tell my family.

Determined to stand my ground today, I discreetly nudged Ascart in the side with my elbow.

Ascart flinched, swallowed hard, and finally spoke.

“Mother, I’ve been thinking… I believe it would be good for Lia to learn the sword.”

“…What?!”

The moment the words left his mouth, Mother’s eyes widened in fury.

It was as if she were looking at an ultimate traitor, not her precious only son. Ascart trembled under her murderous gaze, but he pressed on.

“Even just basic self-defense… And magic requires training too.”

“Magic training?”

“If Lia wants to be able to defend herself with magic in an emergency, she needs to practice using it in real situations to become proficient.”

“Wouldn’t it be easier to just avoid emergencies altogether?”

“Well, yes, but it’s always good to be prepared. You never know what might happen.”

It seemed Ascart had put a lot of thought into how to persuade Mother. His argument was quite logical.

Of course, comparing my innate ability to wield magic as naturally as breathing with those who had to meticulously draw magic circles and chant incantations was a bit of a stretch.

“Hmm…”

Luckily, since Mother was a knight who couldn’t use magic, she turned to Father, a mage, and Bianca, a magic swordswoman, as if to confirm Ascart’s words.

“…Magic does require training.”

“Yes. I had to work tirelessly to master both swordsmanship and magic…”

The two I had won over long ago weren’t as outspoken as Ascart, but they subtly lent their support.

At this point, I knew it was my turn to step in.

“Mother, I’m sorry for sneaking out of the castle today.”

“…Hmph, all of a sudden?”

“It’s not sudden. I’ve been feeling uneasy for a while. But… I really wanted to learn the sword from you.”

Clinging to her arm and acting as sweet as possible, I saw her face soften despite her gruff words.

“Lia, just so you don’t misunderstand…”

“Yes? About what?”

“When you take up the sword, things won’t be the same. I’ll be very, very strict. Even if you cry and tell me you hate me, like before…”

Mother trailed off, then suddenly shook her head.

“No. If that’s going to happen again, it’s better not to start at all. I can’t bear to see you crying because of me.”

“…”

“I mean it! I’m going to be very strict, you know?”

She frowned fiercely as if trying to intimidate me, but I only smiled.

In my past life, when I was younger and more ignorant, I had wished for that person to show me even the slightest kindness.

Instead, he had trained me harshly, without mercy.

I had endured that ordeal.

If this time, the one training me was my mother—whose love for me was so painfully evident—then I could endure it with my eyes closed.

“Mother, thank you. I’ll work really hard. And I won’t neglect my other studies either.”

“You don’t have to push yourself so hard.”

When I hugged her tightly, she clicked her tongue but gently stroked my hair.

When I only smiled in response, she shook her head.

“You’re as stubborn as I am.”

Even in her scolding, I could feel the warmth in her voice.

I was content.

In this life, I had worked tirelessly to make up for everything I had missed before.

I had mastered not only the etiquette and refinement expected of a Grand Princess but also politics, history, economics, law, foreign languages, art, and music—all in pursuit of perfection.

Though my parents worried I might be taking on too much responsibility…

I had pursued this both out of duty as a Grand Princess and out of my own personal desire.

This was a new life, a chance to learn everything I wanted. Why wouldn’t I give it my all?

Plus, the compliments I received were a sweet bonus.

“Lia, that went really well.”

At that moment, my loyal supporter, Ascart, whispered as he approached.

His eyes sparkled like an eager puppy seeking praise, so I nodded and gave him a thumbs-up.

As he practically wagged his invisible tail in excitement, Mother suddenly spoke.

“Oh, right. A whole lot of packages arrived from the Duke of Elard’s household.”

 

***

 

“All of this is from Elard Duchy?”

“Yes. I suppose they put in extra effort since you’re coming of age.”

“This doesn’t look like just ‘a little extra effort’…”

Looking at the mountain of gift boxes piled high in the reception room, I felt slightly overwhelmed.

Every year, as my birthday approached in the summer, the Duchy of Elard’s never failed to send a mountain of gifts.

But this year, it really does feel excessive.

Perhaps it was because this was my second time turning eighteen and coming of age.

While I didn’t feel much excitement, everyone else—my family, the Duke’s household—seemed to consider it a significant milestone.

Even Grandfather is crossing the sea just to attend my coming-of-age ceremony. And he rarely traveled to the Grand Duchy because of his severe seasickness.

I thought to myself that I really needed to speed up the development of teleportation scrolls for his sake.

“Lia, why don’t you open this one?”

Mother, sitting on the sofa, pointed to a small velvet box. It was wrapped with particular care.

Nodding, I opened it and let out an exclamation of pure admiration at the bracelet inside, studded with deep blue gems.

“Is this blue sapphire? It’s stunning.”

I had never seen one so richly colored yet so luminous.

I turned to my mother, seeking her opinion.

But her expression was… unusual.

“Hah, how ridiculous! What kind of nonsense is this?!”

 

I think I will be able to release 2 more chapters in a few hours, so look forward to it~