Chapter 74

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After the sword training that day, Cain returned to the mansion with his mother Elise without having lunch with Arundilano. When he changed and went to the dining room, his portion was already prepared. The butler must have sent a message ahead.

They finished the meal in silence, and without serving tea in the dining room, Cain and Diona were taken directly to the tea room. Ilvaleno, who had finished his lunch in the servants' dining room, was also called there.

"Do you remember that Father said he wouldn't let Diona practice swordsmanship?"

The three children were seated side by side on a two-seater sofa in the tea room. Diona, sitting in the middle between Ilvaleno and Cain, had her left hand held by Cain on her lap. Her eyes, which said she hadn't practiced swordsmanship, were fixed straight on Elise.

"Dia hasn't practiced swordsmanship."

Elise sighed deeply at Diona, who ignored the accusation of lying and only picked up the convenient part. Cain straightened his back, squeezed Diona's hand, and looked Elise in the eye.

"Really, Diona hasn't practiced swordsmanship. You can ask the guard knights if you want."

"You wouldn't admit it if you knew you'd be punished. Their words can't be taken as proof."

"The knights are all honest and sincere. If their words aren't enough, why don't you ask the old gardener? He would have seen if they were practicing swordsmanship anywhere in the garden."

"If the gardener and the gate guards are close, it's the same. People in weaker positions often band together to protect their own."

Elise was saying that she couldn't trust what commoners said. Cain gritted his teeth at her words about the knights who had greeted him during his runs and taught him the basics of swordsmanship, but he knew this wasn't the time to argue.

"May I speak, ma'am?"

Raising his hand slightly, Ilvaleno asked for permission to speak. Elise shifted her gaze to Ilvaleno and nodded slightly.

"You may speak. However, your testimony won't change anything. It's not because you're a commoner. It's because you're on Cain's side, so you're not credible in this matter. You even prepared sports clothes today... Sigh. Well, I'll listen. Go ahead."

"Why don't you ask Mr. Wainz?"

"Mr. Palepantur?"

"Yes. He knows everything about this mansion. Why don't you ask him if Lady Diona has been learning swordsmanship from the guard knights or practicing anywhere in the mansion?"

Elise thought for a moment about Ilvaleno's words, then called a maid standing at the door to fetch the butler. While waiting for the butler, Elise asked Ilvaleno about the sports clothes.

"The sports clothes have nothing to do with Master Cain. Romy tried to stop Lady Diona from going in sports clothes, so I suggested bringing them just in case to get her to wear a dress."

"Big brother once said that it's cool to hide your abilities and then pull out a trump card when needed! Dia decided to wear a dress first for that!"

"...I'm sorry. If I was told to bring them out, I couldn't refuse..."

Diona, with a smug look, and Ilvaleno, with an apologetic face. Ilvaleno had thought that bringing the sports clothes and not using them would be the most peaceful option, and he never expected the adults to let Diona participate in sword training.

"I didn't think Prince Arundilano would say such a thing..."

"...Sigh."

Just as Elise sighed, there was a knock on the door, and the butler Wainz Palepantur entered the tea room.

"Mr. Wainz. Lady Diona hasn't been receiving sword training from the knights or practicing anywhere in the mansion, has she?"

Ilvaleno was the first to ask the butler. Normally, Elise, the lady of the house, would be the first to speak. It was very impolite for Ilvaleno to ask a servant called by Elise before her.

"Ilvaleno, be mindful of your position."

As expected, Ilvaleno received a reprimand from Palepantur. He stood up from the sofa and bowed, saying, "I'm sorry."

"Ma'am, if I may answer Ilvaleno's question, the answer is 'no.' Lady Diona has not received any sword training from the knights or practiced anywhere in the Elgranderk family's grounds."

Palepantur answered Elise and bowed slightly. Then, he smiled and glanced briefly at Ilvaleno and Cain.

"...Palepantur, I have a question too."

"Of course, ma'am."

Palepantur turned to Elise again, placed his right hand on his chest, and stood straight, waiting for Elise's words.

"Where did Diona learn swordsmanship?"

The moment Elise asked this question, Ilvaleno, who was still bowed, shuddered, and Cain huddled on the sofa, holding his head with the hand not holding Diona's.

"In Master Cain's room. Master Cain was teaching Lady Diona, calling it a 'knight game' with a young knight named Nina."

The children's cunning was easily defeated by the adults' cunning.

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