“Are you really comfortable with this?”
“Is there anything more important than that?”
Why is he asking me this?
“Yes. You should do what you think is important.” I sat with Dedric.
“But, Didi, this may seem surprising, but your opinion is the most important to me. If you don’t want to be the heir or if you want to do something else, you can do so. At any time. Understood?”
"Understood."
“Just do what you want, Didi!”
“I will.”
I felt a little worried, as if I was putting pressure on him, but he gave me a nice smile, which made me feel like there was no need to worry.
I felt a little better, so I picked up my pen and started reviewing the letters we had learned yesterday in the notebook. Then it suddenly stopped.
I turned to see Deedric. He was smiling and watching me.
“Why are you looking at me instead of studying?”
But there was something else I was more curious about.
“Didi, can I ask you something?”
"What is it?"
“Who is your sword arts teacher? How long will I remain in the dark about this matter?”
Couldn't you have told me now?
I wanted to know if the teacher was a good person or not. What's more, it was because of this milestone that Somerset and the Duchess were punished. I was really curious to know if the person I was thinking of was the one in question.
“Umm...”
Daedric hesitated and did not answer immediately. He opened his mouth slightly, then closed it again. Just when I was about to say something, he blushed and started speaking cautiously.
“Do you…want to see me compete in a duel?”
My eyes widened in surprise.
He rubbed his now reddened neck and lowered his head.
“I was shy to show you... but since you're so curious and worried about me... I still have a lot of work to do, but I want to show you. Will you watch?”
"Yes!"
I nodded enthusiastically without hesitation.
"I can't even hold a sword properly. The fact that you're practicing at all is amazing."
I couldn't hide my wide smile.
"I've always wanted to see you holding a sword. I'm so excited!"
“…I'm a little afraid you might be disappointed.”
Seeing Deedric looking nervous made me feel uncomfortable, so I grabbed his hand. His blue eyes met mine directly.
“I won't be mad at you, I won't be disappointed, I won't hate you—nothing negative at all. So don't worry.”
"…Good."
Deidrick always seems to need confirmation of my affection.
Well… his mother died when he needed her most, and he grew up under his father's indifference. Moreover, he was always being bullied by Delaney.
Reassuring him wasn't difficult.
If it would give Dedrick peace of mind, I could say it a thousand times over.
At dawn today.
As soon as I opened my eyes, the closet door opened. Deedric extended his hand to me.
“You woke up early?”
“I was so excited I couldn't sleep. Oh, but I don't mean it in a bad way! I just really want to see you holding the sword.”
"I know."
______________________
She followed Daedric out of the main building.
The Grand Duke's castles at dawn had a completely different charm.
Covered in fog, the castle seemed mysterious, like a dream. Thick fog was wrapped around the trees and flowers, making everything seem unreal.
The shiny beach was now shrouded in mist, making it seem as if we had entered a secret place.
Walking the quiet path at dawn alone with Dedric made me feel at peace, as if all my worries had disappeared.
My lungs were filled with fresh, fresh air.
So, this is what Diederick sees every morning while running and training.
“It's very beautiful, Didi. Ah, no need to answer.”
We had to be very careful outside.
Daedric gave me a small smile, and I continued talking.
"Going out at dawn gives you a different feeling. It's kind of relaxing."
“…”
"Should I start going out in the morning too? I can watch you while you train and then we can get back together. That sounds fun!"
As she laughed enthusiastically, a sparkle flashed in Deidric's eyes as he nodded slightly.
"Really? I can? Then I should start waking up early too!"
Even though I was the only one talking, Deidrick kept looking at me, so I didn't feel alone.
We climbed the hill in the park. The road was covered with grass, as if no one used it.
It's too far away...
Well, the castle is huge...
As we climbed the steep hill, Diedrick looked at me every now and then, worried that I was getting tired.
I started to feel uncomfortable. The problem wasn't fatigue, if I was suddenly transported again…? I hope that doesn't happen. If it happens, I'll have to climb this hill again!
I pleaded silently and walked faster. Deedric continued to look at me worriedly.
“Stop with those awkward looks...”
“…”
Daedric looked away hesitantly.
I continued talking between steps so he knew I was still following him.
Eventually, we reached a small hut at the top of the hill.
I was impressed by the open view.
“Wow...”
The castle belonging to the Grand Duke was clearly visible below.
'Have we come this far?'
Now I understood why he came here every morning.
For a moment, I just stopped to enjoy the view.
Then, panting, I collapsed onto a nearby bench.
Deedric was pacing around, expressing concern, but I raised my hand to tell him I was fine.
Then, with a slightly nervous face, she waited for his sword arts teacher to arrive.
"my lord."
Upon hearing the deep voice, I immediately turned around.
A man with a strong build, short reddish-brown hair, and prominent red eyes stood there.
His upright posture, steady steps, and tightly pressed lips reflected his disciplined and serious personality.
I was happy inside.
You were right.
'Jacob Howard!'
He was seen by those around him as a “useless knight” because he had not yet shown his aura. But that was only the White Falcon Knights and the Grand Duchess—as for the Black Falcon Knights, they treated him differently.
'But he'll get over that soon.'
One day, he'll wake up with a great aura—not as good as Daedric, but it will be noticeable. Jacob was a hidden gem, a future prodigy in the sword arts. When Daedric becomes Grand Duke, Jacob will rise to become the leader of the Black Falcon Knights. Once he showed his aura, he would grow amazingly and reach the pinnacle of skill.
'He was exactly the teacher I wanted for Daedric!'
Even without my interference, Daedric found himself a great sword arts teacher. I was so proud of him that I wanted to hug him so hard.
Deedric looked at me, silently asking my opinion. I suppressed my excessive smile and replied seriously:
“He seems like a person of great integrity. A wonderful teacher. You should stay with him forever. No—actually, you can stay with him forever!”
In my excitement, my words came out slurred. Deedric laughed a little at my gag and let out a small smile.
"Didi has great taste in choosing people. So cute, I could die from adrenaline. I want to hug you right now!"
“……”
Daedric's face immediately turned red.
“Sir? Are you feeling unwell? You look like you have a fever...”
“No—I'm fine.”
Daedric flapped his hands to calm himself and then looked at me quickly as if to tell me to watch carefully.
Then, with deliberate steps, he headed to the center of the square.
“Sir, please teach me a lesson through a training match today.”
It turns into the official language during training? This is amazing!
My eyes sparkled with excitement.
I was afraid my constant staring would make him feel uncomfortable, so I turned around every now and then as if I was distracted. But Deedric must have noticed this because he couldn't help but laugh.
“Haha.”
"…my lord?"
“Oh, I just remembered something funny…”
"Okay. Let me know when you're ready."
Jacob's reassuring voice erased all traces of amusement from Deedric's face. He adjusted his posture, holding his wooden sword with steady hands.
He looked amazing.
The cool morning breeze ruffled his hair, revealing his entire face.
His deep blue eyes, like the ocean, settled into calm, steady focus—as deep as the sea.
Feeling the atmosphere change, I held my mouth shut so he could concentrate.
Then, with a powerful push from the ground, Daedric lunged at Jacob.