Chapter 86

"Amelia-sama! Amelia-sama! Please wake up!"

Laila's urgent voice and the sound of knocking on the door roused Amelia's consciousness.

"What, what... What's wrong...? I'm awake."

Amelia, still half-asleep, mumbled, and Laila entered the room. Laila was startled to see Amelia rubbing her sleepy eyes.

"Amelia-sama, your eyes are completely red...! Didn't you sleep at all last night?"

"…I remember being awake until the sky started to brighten."

"Until dawn! You didn't sleep at all!"

Laila sighed in exasperation.

"Really, staying up late is bad for your health and your skin."

"Ugh… I have no words to say…"

The reason for her insomnia was clear.

The events of yesterday, when she spent time with Logan on the bench, kept replaying in her mind. No matter how many times she turned in bed, she couldn't fall asleep.

If she were to explain the details here, she would spend the entire day with a red face, so she kept quiet.

As if rebelling against her closed mouth, a large yawn escaped her.

In contrast to Amelia's state,

"Even though you're sleep-deprived, Amelia-sama! Hurry and get ready to go outside! There's something interesting to see!"

Laila said excitedly.

"Something interesting?"

Amelia tilted her head in confusion.

◇◇◇

"Here, Amelia-sama, this way!"

Laila led Amelia by the hand to a certain corner of the vast garden.

"There's a place like this…?"

The enormous grounds of the Hernberg family included areas Amelia had yet to visit. This was one of them, and it appeared to be a place for some kind of training.

In the circular space where not a single blade of grass grew, two people were already present.

"Lord Logan… and Rio?"

Logan, not in his usual elaborate noble attire but in a simple, easy-to-move shirt and pants, was holding a wooden sword.

Bathed in the morning sun, he exuded both elegance and strength. Across from him, the servant Rio was also wearing a shirt and holding a wooden sword.

After exchanging a few words, they bowed gracefully and took a few steps back.

Then they both took their sword stances and locked eyes with sharp gazes.

"Laila, what is this…?"

"I'm not sure either, but this morning, Lord Logan asked Rio to accompany him for sword training."

"Training…"

Amelia remembered that the Hernberg family was known for their martial arts, and Logan had been rigorously trained by Charlotte as a child. Still, she had never gotten the impression that Logan regularly practiced.

That's why the sight of Logan in light clothing with a sword looked very fresh to her.

Out of curiosity, a few servants were also watching from a distance. Amelia, anticipating the scene about to unfold, held her breath with a tense expression.