GDNDILBF Chapter 15

Chapter 15. The Strongest Young Lady

 

After putting down the kitchen knife, I practiced the martial arts I learned during my time in the Special Forces—starting with Taekwondo, then close-quarters combat, and even lethal techniques using a dagger.

How many times had I trained like this in the snowy mountains of Gangwon Province?

These were unforgettable memories etched into my soul.

If I keep practicing without rest, I’ll build strength and become ready for actual combat. Since this is something that takes time anyway, I’ll train steadily without rushing.

Until the day I succeed the late Grand Duchess and become the strongest young lady.

 

***

 

A few days passed, but that day remained a deeply emotional memory.

Endorph and Robin, along with the knights of Training Ground 2, were still overwhelmed with awe.

The unfamiliar words from Ludia, the likes of which they’d never heard before, thrilled the knights in a different way.

“Our young lady is truly a linguistic genius—her ability to reinvent language is extraordinary.”

Thus, they had to use their heads for once, trying to understand the newly created language.

And when enlightenment finally came, they could respond to the young lady’s passion by chanting “one, two” along with her.

That inspiration spread far and wide, even to Training Ground 1.

The first to hear the news was Arthur. With a look as if he had lost the world, he headed to the shaded pagoda where Cherto was resting.

“You heard about what happened at Training Ground 2?”

“What…?”

“Seems the young lady dropped by. Said she wanted to watch the knights train.”

Cherto, who had been resting in the shade, sprang up.

Why did everything flash before his eyes, even though there wasn’t a lightning strike?

“What? Really? She didn’t come here?”

“Exactly.”

Arthur sat down next to him with a disgruntled face. He thought he and Cherto had made the most memories with the young lady.

They were the ones who had spread the “Thalut” meme throughout the knight order. How could she visit Training Ground 2 instead?

“So?”

“Well, apparently they went easy with their training, thinking she might be scared if they were too intense.”

“Well, of course. She’s brave, but still young. She’s only five. It’d be awful if she got startled.”

“Exactly. Even though she stood up bravely to a snake, I’m sure she was scared inside. But she pretends to be fearless, probably because she doesn’t want to leave here. It’s heartbreaking, really.”

As Arthur’s expression turned gloomy, Cherto’s face darkened too.

Both believed Ludia was naturally fragile but acting strong because she didn’t want to leave.

“The young master is too much. How could he suggest breaking off an engagement with someone so adorable?”

“Right? After only seeing stiff noble ladies all his life, he finally meets someone with big round eyes and soft features—how could he not be enchanted?”

Arthur sighed, and the other knights around them sighed too. Before long, the shaded pagoda was packed with knights, not a foot of space left.

“Anyway, when they were slacking off, the young lady squinted her eyes cutely and scolded them, saying their discipline had slipped. But she was so cute doing it that the guys slacked off even more just to see her get angrier.”

“What? Those sneaky ******s.”

Cherto’s face hardened. So they tried to see more of the young lady’s cute scolding face by slacking off? Their discipline must really be in shambles.

Or… was that clever?

“As you know, everything about our young lady is adorable. But when she narrows her eyes like she’s angry, she’s extra cute.”

“Whoa! Deputy Commander, you actually saw it?”

One of the knights stepped forward and asked.

“Of course I did. I followed her around yelling ‘Thalut, Thalut,’ and she got annoyed. She gave me a sharp glare. Anyway, she made them do something called ‘poosh up’ and gave them a full-on lecture. Apparently, she spoke like she was giving a speech. As you know, our young lady is a genius—everything she says has grace. Ah, we should’ve been there too…”

The more Arthur talked, the louder the knights’ lamentations grew. The shadow beneath the pagoda deepened like a flock of crows.

“The most ridiculous part? Those guys did 50 laps around the training field, slowly, so she wouldn’t leave.”

“Those sly ******s.”

Cherto narrowed his eyes, furious.

“When she comes here, we should run 100 laps.”

“100? No way, 300 laps!”

“Right!”

“Yeah. Let’s bring her to our training ground.”

As each knight added their own comment, the sunset painted the distant mountains red.

With the ruddy sun behind him, Cherto clenched his sword and spoke,

“Do any of you know our young lady’s walk schedule? Whoever lures her to our training ground gets a huge treat from me.”

“Wooooaaaah!!”

The knights’ cheers echoed across the sky of the training field.

“And if she comes and any of you train seriously without reading the room, you’re all dead.”

“Yes, Deputy Commander!!!”

The knights’ firm resolve soared higher than ever.

 

***

 

The maids were unusually busy today. Casey, who brought my wash water earlier than usual, spoke with urgency.

“Young Lady, today I’ll make you especially pretty.”

“Espethially?”

“Yes, because His Majesty the Emperor is visiting today. Crown Prince Leo, Prince Ramella, and Princess Sienna will be coming too. Since we have royal guests, of course, we must make every effort.”

Ah! So today was the day Ramella was coming.

Rikael had received the invitation but hadn’t gone to the imperial palace. However, this time it was said to be a visit arranged by the Grand Duke himself.

If they were coming to meet Rikael, I could’ve just hidden in my room and not come out—but since it was a formal invitation from the Grand Duke, I had no choice but to attend.

If I absolutely had to see him, there was no reason to avoid it. No, in fact, just the thought of seeing that ******’s face made my chest blaze with fury.

The wretched garbage bag who fell for my looks, used me, and even made me commit murder in the end.

Not even chewing him up would satisfy me.

If I recall correctly, in the original story, Ramella fell in love with Roella for real at sixteen, but it was said he already liked her face even when he was younger.

Would Ramella like my face this time too?

This might get interesting…

“Young Lady, which necklace would you like to wear today?”

Lisa pulled out a necklace she had tucked away in a drawer and showed it to me.

“Would you like to wear this one again?”

“That? Why is that there?”

That was the necklace I had on when I first came here. I hadn’t even realized I was wearing it until I found it while bathing.

“I took it off when you fainted last time. I thought it might get in the way.”

It wasn’t really something a child would wear. It had a large blue crystal at the center, surrounded by clear, gem-like embellishments.

Since the original story never mentioned a necklace, I had no idea how it ended up on me.

“No, just leave it there.”

It’s probably my mother’s, so I should keep it safe as a keepsake.

Lisa and Casey busily worked. They dressed me in a gown and brushed my shoulder-length curls, then braided down part of the side.

This blonde hair is beautiful no matter how many times I see it. It flowed naturally like waves, and the golden hue shimmered under the sunlight.

Seriously, how could Rikael even think of breaking off the engagement with this face?

I felt offended all over again.

“Well, our Young Lady is always beautiful, but today you’ll be especially radiant.”

“Casey, sthop it. When people change suddanly, they thay it’s a sthign.”

“And who told you that? Ah, you must’ve read it. You read so many books. How are you so clever, my lady?”

“You don’t need a book to know sthuff like that.”

“Of course, of course. You’re a genius, after all.”

I was rendered speechless by the nonstop praise and closed my mouth. Casey was downright obsessed with me lately.

Honestly, I was beginning to understand why Rikael looked at me like I was crazy.

“But hey, Casey. Can I cut my hair?”

“Cut it?!”

“Yeah, like Gonza or Andy—real short.”

“No way!”

Casey suddenly raised her voice. I almost went deaf.

“Gosh, you scared me!”

“Young Lady, please don’t say such things. A lady’s hair is her pride and symbol. Cutting it is unthinkable!”

“But I don’t like being a lady. I just want comfort. And you all say I’m pretty no matter what—so I’d still look pretty with short hair, right?”

“Well… yes, that’s true. But still, for a lady, hair is life.”

“Then just tie it back.”

Ever since my cadet days up to becoming an officer, my hair had never gone past my shoulders. Now it was thick, long, and reached below my shoulders, it was heavy and annoying.