Several days passed.
Clothes bustled in and out of the dress shop. Interior contractors arrived at dawn to begin renovations.
Ah, I even received another letter from that Anonymous or whatever he’s called, saying, “Even if you refuse, I’ll keep meddling in your affairs.”
It was tucked among my accessories, which had been belatedly delivered from the palace.
‘I can just ignore it.’
With a blank expression, I tossed the letter into the trash.
‘It’s not like I don’t have any plans myself.’
I was very curious about who he really was and why he was so eager to give me advice on expanding my influence.
But asking someone like that “Who are you?” would likely lead to a serious mistake. It could even be a new trap set by Anna. So for now, ignoring it was the best course of action.
‘He doesn’t even hide the fact that we’ll be seeing each other often at the palace.’
In the end, I decided to think about that Anonymous person once I returned to the palace.
In the meantime, Kayan had been doing very well.
Nobles were usually very busy — with social gatherings, managing connections in various fields, running their territories, discussing national affairs, expanding businesses, etc.
But none of that applied to Kayan. He had time in abundance.
Every morning, I taught him basic books to help him build his general knowledge.
At the same time, I made him memorize the noble almanac and taught him essential common sense.
He absorbed everything like a sponge.
“But, Your Highness,”
Kayan looked at me with a doubtful face and said,
“Have you not adjusted to the new bed? You seem to have had trouble sleeping.”
“Ah, well. It’s fine.”
I waved my hand and smiled lightly.
“Maybe I’m just not getting enough exercise. On that note, let’s go to the training grounds.”
The assassin, who had become my “toy,” was only released in the afternoons.
He blindly charged at me every time.
“This is so fun!”
Facing this raw killing intent!
It had truly been a long time since I felt like this.
I was thrilled and jumped around.
“It’s like I’ve gone back to my childhood!”
At that, the assassin gave me a look of disbelief.
Kayan calmly advised,
“You shouldn’t bend your body so excessively. It’ll make your next move harder.”
Even though he was an adult man, he was easy to handle. His aura core was destroyed, and he couldn’t channel aura into his limbs.
Of course, there were also areas where I couldn’t use aura well because of Kayan.
On the day we cut ties, Kayan had jokingly pushed a faint aura into my hand, and I hadn’t repelled it.
That moment caused me to lose the ability to finely control aura with my fingers.
“Simon made him do it… I had no choice.”
Before leaving, Kayan had left a letter at the palace. It read:
Your Highness, I will now return to the North.
In the future, even if you don’t like someone, please don’t drive them out at the cost of injuring yourself.
Thankfully, there won’t be much reason in life to control aura with your fingers.
Thank you for everything. Please take care.
‘It doesn’t really affect daily life or martial arts… so Kayan could only think that way.’
That’s why he used to play pranks like that since we were young.
But in truth, there was a reason to control aura with my fingers.
The pianoforte was an instrument that required finger aura control to adjust dynamics.
Since then, I hadn’t been able to play the pianoforte.
Kayan didn’t know how the pianoforte worked.
So he had no idea that because of him, I could never play it again.
‘If he ever found out, he’d feel so guilty.’
I thought to myself.
‘It’s a relief he isn’t interested in the pianoforte.’
He had praised the sound at first, but soon lost interest.
He only watched from a distance when I said it was fun to play.
‘He doesn’t seem like he wants to learn it. I hope he never finds out.’
Luckily, I only lost the ability to play the pianoforte.
But the assassin had become almost completely incapable of using aura.
He’d charge at me enthusiastically and collapse from exhaustion first.
When that happened, Kayan would tie him up again and give feedback.
“Do you have a particular reason for insisting on that thin sword? Try using this one. You always liked this style of sword when you were young.”
“But this was the first sword I chose here. I want to do my best with it.”
“But you look like someone who’s never handled aura before. Even when you were seven, you were better than this.”
“Hehehe.”
“Why are you laughing?”
“Because I like how you talk to me bluntly and criticize me. It’s just like the old days.”
“Calling it bluntness and criticism… Your memories are very distorted. I was just being honest and relaxed with you.”
“Anyway, I’ll do my best.”
I grinned and said,
“Even if my body is broken.”
“I’ve never taken a break myself, but I doubt one year off would completely ruin your body. Let’s go over the basic stance for slashing again, shall we?”
Kayan set down the sword he had been handing me and approached.
Then it happened.
In the corner of the training ground, the assassin who had been lying down with his ankles tied began to stir.
He suddenly grabbed the sword Kayan had set down.
“Hm?”
Kayan raised an eyebrow coolly as he watched.
The assassin quickly used the sword to cut the rope binding his ankles.
“Haaaa! Dieeeee!”
He then charged at me and swung the sword. Or rather, tried to swing.
“This is how nobles see me, huh?”
Kayan chuckled without even flinching.
“Even ignorance has its limits…”
The assassin stumbled and fell mid-swing.
Kayan looked down at him and clicked his tongue.
“Do you even know what it means to have your aura core shattered? Regular swords that rely on aura for full-body synchronization are hard to swing properly without it. In your state, a kitchen knife would’ve been more useful.”
The assassin trembled all the way down to his toes and couldn’t even stand.
Kayan tied him up again and kicked him back into a corner.
“Dark magic really is terrifying.”
He then looked at me and clicked his tongue again.
“A shattered aura core can never be restored. And yet he still lunges at Your Highness, ignoring the one who did this to him.”
“Well, considering everything, he’s not doing too badly. He can still talk.”
I smiled as I replied.
“He retains just enough intelligence to think for himself.”
Eight years from now, those controlled by dark magic would even lose their sense of reason.
At least this assassin, though slightly dazed, could eat and talk normally. He was just thoroughly brainwashed with one mission: “Kill Ivnoa.”
As I placed the sword back on the ground, Kayan spoke up.
“Your Highness, how about hiring a professional sword instructor?”
“Nope.”
I shook my head immediately.
“I’m not doing this because I want to become a great swordswoman. I just want to spend time with you, like the old days. But of course…”
I sighed lightly and shrugged.
“You’re definitely not as good a teacher as your father.”
At that, Kayan smiled faintly.
“Indeed.”
Back in the North, my teacher was Arthur. He was like a parent to me — the first adult I ever relied on.
Even my graceful, refined manner of speaking was thanks to him.
‘I hope he’s on his way. I really hope….’
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