After sweating, I headed to the bathroom to wash up. Only after cleaning myself up and changing clothes could I enter the dining hall.
“What about Grandpa?”
Dany, who had never missed a meal since my mom and I returned, seemed unusually absent today.
Calling Daniel “Grandpa” was something I despised to the point of it being dreadful, but I had no choice but to address him as “Grandpa” in front of the family, as I couldn’t use his name.
“Hurry in, Mirabel. Dany said he has a meeting today and will be coming back late. That boy, he didn’t show any affection towards Daniel, but it seems he’s changed.”
Duke Crichton seemed to think that I was concerned about Dany and asked me. Seeing his endearing expression, I couldn’t deny it, so I awkwardly smiled.
Dany probably had some connections, so it wasn’t strange for him to have a meeting. But still, it bothered me for no reason.
Could it be related to the Crimson Crypt?
Perhaps that could be the case.
[It would be good to look into it. Maybe we can gather some information.]
Vivre, catching onto my curiosity, suggested to me. I nodded slightly and looked at Duke Crichton.
“What kind of meeting is it?”
Pretending not to know anything, I asked Duke Crichton. Duke Crichton shrugged his shoulders as if he didn’t know either.
“Well, I’m not quite sure either. He always has a meeting about once every two weeks. He’s been like that for a long time, and I never really asked about it.”
“For a long time?”
“Yes, about 30 years or so. Come to think of it, he didn’t seem to meet up with his friends… Well, Daniel must have his own business, right?”
Duke Crichton smiled and answered. In the end, it seemed that Duke Crichton didn’t know either.
“Thank you for letting me know.”
[In the end, there was nothing we could find out.]
“It can’t be helped. Besides, if Grandpa doesn’t know either, there’s nothing more we can dig into.”
I replied to Vivre’s concern.
Meanwhile, Duke Crichton continued speaking.
“Yes, I hope you don’t think too badly of Daniel. He may have a sharp tongue, but he’s a deep person. Even if he says something nonsensical, try to understand him. And if he says anything unpleasant, let me know.”
The whispered words contained a deep trust towards Daniel.
I silently looked at Duke Crichton.
Daniel probably didn’t know that he would be betrayed and die in his dream, right? Otherwise, he wouldn’t be able to say these words.
Even thinking about recent events made it clear. It was Daniel who continuously intercepted the letters my mom sent, eliminating any chances for the two of them to meet.
“Well, now that everyone seems to be here, let’s have the meal.”
After Duke Crichton finished speaking, the meal preparations began.
Daniel probably wouldn’t be there, so there was no need to needlessly worry. It would be fine to have the meal without him.
“It seems that Mirabel has a natural talent for swordsmanship.”
Out of the blue, Brian spoke during the enjoyable dinner.
At the sudden comment, everyone’s attention turned towards the dining table. Even I widened my eyes and looked at Brian.
“What are you talking about, Brian?”
Representing everyone’s curiosity, Duke Crichton asked Brian.
Brian spoke as if he had been waiting for that question.
“Are you aware that His Highness the Crown Prince visited today?”
“I know. He accompanied Her Majesty the Queen on her way here.”
Duke Crichton looked at my mom for confirmation. My mom nodded in agreement.
“Yes, she said she came to see Mirabel. But Mirabel had to go to the Duana Shrine today…”
“And Mirabel already met the Crown Prince in the afternoon. Then she came to the training grounds.”
Brian’s smile disappeared from his mouth. I felt awkward with the stares directed at me, so I quietly drank water.
“Why did she come? The Crown Prince and Mirabel came to duel.”
“The Crown Prince and Mirabel?”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“Mirabel has only been learning swordsmanship for less than a month, right?”
“Yes. But she defeated His Highness the Crown Prince, who is famous for his swordsmanship skills, in a duel.”
“That’s right! I was really surprised. She took the sword from me earlier, and then she swung the sword!”
Following Brian, Elliot was also excitedly explaining what happened at the training grounds. I was worried that Elliot might feel a bit upset since he lost to me in the duel, but he didn’t show any signs of being bothered. Instead, he seemed quite pleased to explain the situation.
“So, when I came to my senses, the sword was already against my neck. It was truly amazing.”
Duke Crichton burst into laughter at Elliot’s excited voice.
“Yeah, Elliot. Aren’t you a bit upset?”
Duke Crichton asked the question I wanted to ask, capturing Elliot’s mood.
I cautiously observed Elliot’s reaction, waiting for his answer.
“Not at all. I’m actually happy. Because now there’s someone who can be considered my rival in this aristocratic family where everyone blindly pursues strength. You have no idea how frustrating it has been because of those who have been indulgent towards me.”
Elliot explained why he was happy. Finally, I could understand his words.
He was glad to have a fair competitor with similar skills. Of course, in today’s match, I used a sudden move that Elliot, who had only learned proper swordsmanship, couldn’t handle. Perhaps, if Elliot gained more experience, such tricks wouldn’t work on him.
Duke Crichton burst into laughter even more amiably at Elliot’s supplementary explanation.
“Yeah, Mirabel really defeated Elliot.”
“That’s right? She’s a beginner who started training only a month ago, and she defeated Elliot and His Highness the Crown Prince? Moreover, I heard that she didn’t even learn swordsmanship from Gail.”
“That’s right. Since Gail went when Bell was younger… At that time, Bell was too young and didn’t even know how to hold a sword. And the fact that Gail was a knight…”
Mom answered with a bitter smile. Brian hesitated for a moment, feeling a sense of regret.
“But still, it’s great that Mirabel is showing talent in such a short time, isn’t it? Gail would have been happy if he knew about this.”
When Mom suddenly spoke brightly, Brian responded with a relieved expression.
“I don’t think it’s just a general talent in swordsmanship. Elliot also has considerable talent in swordsmanship. He takes after me.”
As he spoke, Brian patted Elliot’s head.
“Oh, Father, you’re ruining my hair!”
“It’s already evening, so what’s the big deal if you’re going to wash it anyway?”
“Still!”
Elliot growled, and Brian, with narrowed eyes, turned to Mom.
“By the way, Cornelia.”
“Yes?”
Mom, taken aback by the sudden call, widened her eyes.
“If Mirabel seriously learns swordsmanship, she will undoubtedly become a knight much better than me.”
“Father, it’s not that extreme…”
Mom tried to intervene, feeling increasingly uneasy about Brian’s exaggerated words. However, Brian looked at me with a serious expression.
“No, Mirabel. As a knight, your father has quite accurate judgment. Even the way you pretended to stumble to expose the Crown Prince’s weakness and the way you knocked away Elliot’s wooden sword. It’s not something a clueless beginner can do. It’s what we call… a sense. That sense doesn’t come from training. And you were born with it.”
After taking a sip of water to moisten his dry mouth, Brian looked at Mom again.
“Cornelia, I want to train Mirabel as a knight. Is that okay?”
Brian asked Mom as if making a request. Mom looked a bit flustered and blinked at Brian. After a moment, she turned to me.
“Mirabel, what do you think?”
“Me?”
“Yes. I understood what your brother meant when he said that. It means that Mirabel has exceptional talent in swordsmanship, right?”
“Yes, and it’s completely natural.”
Mom softly smiled in response to Brian’s words.
“But if Mirabel doesn’t want to do it, I don’t want to force her. You know that, right, dear? If you force someone to do something they don’t want to, they will become miserable. Besides, I know that knight training is very tough. So, if Bell doesn’t want to, I’m satisfied with this much.”
Brian understood and looked at me, accepting Mom’s words.
“Mirabel, what do you think? I also share your mother’s thoughts. If you don’t want to, I won’t insist. But even if you don’t want to undergo knight training, if you want to continue with swordsmanship or physical training, we will continue that for you. Take your time and don’t feel pressured.”
His tone, which had been actively pushing for knight training just a while ago, had become more accommodating.
Contrary to my worries, I really wanted to receive knight training directly from Brian. For the sake of my future and for the sake of this ducal household. I knew that I had to become stronger.
In case an unexpected situation occurred, I had to be able to personally kill Daniel.
“I want to try. I really wanted to receive knight training from you, Father!”
As I smiled and replied, silence fell in the dining hall for a moment.
Then, a bright smile bloomed on Brian’s face.
“Great. You thought well, Mirabel!”
As if dancing, the people in the dining hall burst into laughter along with Brian’s joyful expression.
I also laughed along with their laughter.
The evening meal concluded amidst a cheerful atmosphere.
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Translator Note:
This chapter was translated by Bree.
Next chapter will be released on September, 23. To read chapters in advance support us on Patreon!!
