Chapter 5

It's Monday, after all. Yeah.

"Yaaaah!"

"Taah!"

The wooden swords clash and bounce off each other. The competition doesn't last long; it's a hit-and-run style of combat, and Chihaya, who was on her knees, was the one who took the hit.

"Match over!"

Dolfen swiftly raises his arm straight up.

"Phew, thank you very much."

"Kuuu, I lost again!"

"Lady Chihaya, you forgot the closing bow."

It's been three months since the twins started visiting the knight's guild. They have grown to the point where they can engage in sparring.

For the first month, they practiced swings every day. They started with front swings, then side sweeps, and diagonal upper cuts from both sides. They continued practicing these forms until they had them down pat.

Finally, they practiced drawing their swords.

They would draw their swords with all their might at the straw bundles that provided resistance. The straw bundles, suspended from above, were about the same size as the twins.

At first, the resistance would send them flying back, but gradually they got the hang of the force needed and could draw their swords cleanly.

It took them three months to get to this point.

The small hands that used to go numb with each strike no longer do, and the blisters that used to peel off have started to harden into calluses. The little man looks at them with a sense of accomplishment.

It takes this long just to learn the basics. But they say that a beginner's luck can lead to injury. Yeah.

While the twins were stretching after their training, the surrounding knights watched them with astonishment.

What incredible focus they have.

Not knowing proper swordsmanship, they absorb techniques naturally.

Those who have their own way of holding a sword would take at least six months just to correct their form.

Their progress was due to their lack of preconceived notions and their efforts, which are beyond what one would expect from children.

If they continue to train like this, they will undoubtedly become skilled swordsmen.

A promising future indeed!

They might even join the knight's guild someday. The knights, with such pleasant thoughts in their minds, couldn't help but smile.

Even Sir Harold, the head of the knight's guild.

"Maybe I should seriously consider recruiting them."

As he watched the twins earnestly practicing swordsmanship, Harold's muttered words were picked up by the palace attendant and eventually reached the ears of the first prince, Willfe.

Of course, the story takes an unexpected turn, as is customary.

"Countess Jolge's daughters! What is a lady doing with swordsmanship?!"

A boy with light purple hair and golden eyes appeared in front of the twins, who were running at a steady pace.

Prince Willfe, now the crown prince.

Oh no, this feels like trouble.

After three months of running, not only Chihaya but also Chihiro had gotten used to it, and they no longer needed to take breaks.

Dolfen, too, followed them at a running pace, not just a brisk walk.

The crown prince stood at the entrance of the knight's training ground, and the surrounding knights looked at a loss.

"What brings you here, Your Highness?"

Dolfen stepped in to block Willfe, who was trying to approach the twins.

Facing the muscular knight, Willfe glared up at him with a resentful tone.

"I came to warn you that it's inappropriate for a noble lady to be frequenting a male-dominated knight's guild. Moreover, to be learning swordsmanship! As a noble lady, you should have countless other proper pursuits. If you have time for this, shouldn't you be learning needlework?!"

Why do I have to hear this from you?

The little man's eyes went distant.

As if speaking for Chihiro, Dolfen answered with a sigh.

"The twins have completed all their lessons. The teachers say there's nothing more to teach them."

"Huh?"

That's right. With all the knowledge and skills from their previous life carried over, there's nothing left for Chihiro to learn.

Chihiro's twin, Chihaya, who learned by osmosis, also had knowledge and cultivation almost on par with Chihiro.

With an excellent role model right next to them and the absorbent nature of children, the Drago twins were rumored to be prodigies among the educated class.

Unaware of this, Willfe's eyes darted around.

"Even so, for a noble lady to... "

A shadow appeared behind the crown prince, and sensing the ominous atmosphere, Willfe turned around cautiously.

"What are you doing here?"

There stood Dark Romer, with a broad smile, and the head of the knight's guild.

They were looking at Willfe, who had come to the knight's training ground without his attendants, with a sharp gaze.

"Let's continue this conversation in your palace."

Though he didn't grab the fifteen-year-old crown prince by the collar, Willfe's face was one of grim determination as he was led away by Romer.

...Déjà vu.

Chihiro chuckled as she watched the two walk away, remembering a similar incident from before.

"Really, what were you thinking? What about helping with the paperwork?"

Romer scolded the slouching Willfe with a tone of exasperation.

However, Willfe turned around as if to argue.

"But Uncle! It's swordsmanship for a lady! That girl, Countess Jolge, is a candidate for Theodor's engagement, isn't she?!"

"Your Highness!!"

Romer glanced around discreetly, confirming that only Harold was present, before looking down at Willfe with a cold, piercing gaze.

"Your Highness, are you an idiot?"

"What?!"

"If someone hears you, what do you plan to do? It's still just a discussion. If it gets out that a countess is a candidate over duchesses and marquises, do you understand the consequences?!"

Indeed, the prodigious twins of the Jolge family have received many marriage proposals from nobles.

While some nobles shun them because their father is a cook, their mother is a former princess, and their lineage is impeccable. Many nobles are trying to secure the future of the family by proposing to the twins.

Naturally, this includes Chihiro.

However, the choice is up to their parents, and the Jolge couple has been turning down all proposals, stating that marriage should be the children's decision.

In principle, proposals from high-ranking families cannot be refused.

This unwritten rule existed even in medieval Earth.

There was no room for argument for those of lower status; they had to comply with the unjust rule.

Many countries in Arcadia have the same unwritten rule.

However, the renowned rule-of-law nation, Frontier, does not have such absurd unwritten rules.

Of course, it used to.

But the idea that both commoners and nobles are citizens to be protected has taken root, and laws guarantee freedom to those who fulfill their taxes and duties.

Therefore, even the royal family is equal before the law and cannot act arbitrarily.

In this case, it works to their advantage.

"Understand? Countess Jolge is only a three-year-old child. We don't know what she will become. She might become a candidate for Theodor's engagement, or she might not."

Romer took a breath and looked at Willfe seriously.

"How do you think she felt when you suddenly yelled at her in such an ambiguous situation?"

Willfe tilted his head in confusion.

"If you had yelled at her before and then appeared at a formal meeting with her family to discuss the engagement, wouldn't it leave a terrible impression?"

Realizing the implications, the blood drained from Willfe's face.

"You underestimated her because she's a child, but if she were a noble lady of your age, would you have yelled at her like that?"

Willfe shook his head from side to side.

Of course not. No matter the status of the lady, proper etiquette must be observed. That's how royalty should behave.

Only then did Willfe realize his mistake.

Seeing his nephew's face freeze, Romer nodded in exasperation.

"Do you understand? You've given a bad impression to a lady who is still just a candidate, potentially jeopardizing Theodor's engagement. Moreover, you risked spreading the news before it was official. Royal marriages are serious matters. If rumors spread, it could be irreparable."

Many nobles adhere to the hierarchy. They won't tolerate a low-ranking countess taking the opportunity for a royal marriage that they expect.

That's why the king and queen are proceeding cautiously. Romer, while not welcoming it, can't stop it.

When the public recognizes that Chihiro is suitable to be a princess, things will move forward.

It probably won't be too far in the future.

Well, if it happens, the little man will handle it, and Romer will have his beloved niece back, so he has no complaints.

However.

Until her decision is made, we must protect her peace from people like this!

Romer's personal and professional lecture continued endlessly, and Willfe, just like before, hung his head in tears.

Despite being at the center of the issue, the little man is protected by those around her.

It might be a pre-festival before the main event, but she enjoys her lively days and is always energetic.

Every time, unexpected things happen in the little man's world.

The next post is scheduled for Thursday. Scheduled... yeah, probably.