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The moment he saw the scene before him, Elias’ throat dried up. His heart shot up to his throat and he ran instinctively.
Loggins was pointing his sword at Seletina. This by itself was enough to push Elias to act. Elias ran, his shoulder-length silvery hair swinging uncontrollably. He moved quickly, finally finding himself between the two.
“Loggins! You’ve greatly disappointed me!”
Elias yelled as his jade eyes glared at Loggins. In contrast, the enormous knight in his jet-black armor did not budge an inch and just stood there perplexed. Elias’ rage was further fueled by these actions.
“How could a knight raise his sword against a lady! And…!”
Even if you suspect Seletina, it is not right for you to point your sword at her after she’s just woken up!
Was what Elias wanted to say, but the words never left his mouth.
Suddenly, as if a lightbulb had gone out in Loggins’ head, he nodded in understanding as he stared at the rambling Elias.
“Your Highness, I believe you are misunderstanding the situation. Lady Seletina fully agreed to this.”
“What? Agreed?”
Elias wiped the sweat of his brow and turned to look at Seletina.
Seletina looked a bit puzzled, but nonetheless spoke, “I did agree. I was just having Sir Loggins train me in the way of the sword.”
She gave a half-hearted response.
“Train you in the way of the sword you say… But I heard that you’d just woken up?”
“That is correct, but my body was feeling great and I wanted to make sure for myself which is why I asked the Commander of the Royal Knights to spar with me. I apologize.” Seletina said, bowing towards Elias and Loggins.
Although I believe that Loggins went with it because there was something he wanted to find out as well.
After hearing Seletina’s explanation Loggins promptly shook his head while laughing.
“Do not take the blame, Lady Seletina. It was I that first proposed the idea. There is nothing to apologize for. That aside, what brings you here, Your Highness?”
“What? Oh, that’s… I heard that Seletina had woken up, so I thought I’d go visit her, but when I got to her room there was no one there. And you weren’t anywhere to be found as well, Loggins, so I ran all over the place looking.”
Glaring at Loggins, Elias said while wiping the sweat pouring down his brow with his handkerchief.
“Your Highness, even I am not so foolish as to point my sword at a beautiful lady upon meeting her.” Loggins said, before getting closer to Elias’ ear, “Even if I suspect that lady to be working for a witch.” Loggins whispered.
“I believe in Seletina.” Elias said.
“I know. I now believe her too.” Loggins admitted.
“What?”
“Her sword, or rather her soul, reminds me of a certain hero.”
“What does that mean?”
Elias asked, but Loggins quickly left his side, not answering. No one could tell what Loggins’ expression was beneath his helmet.
“I apologize for disturbing you. I will be taking my leave now. Lady Seletina, thank you for sparring with me.”
“That pleasure was all mine, thank you for taking time off of your busy schedule.”
“May god bless you. Farewell.”
Loggins placed Gate Burner on his back and walked away in a brisk manner.
The warm spring breeze caressed the training ground’s grassy field. A brief silence filled the area between Seletina and Elias.
Elias’ jade eyes were locked on Seletina’s deep-blue eyes.
“Seletina, how are you?” Elias asked in a gentle tone. His tone now was completely different from the one earlier.
“I’m great. I apologize for causing you worry, Your Highness.”
“You can call me Elias. I’m not fond of pleasantries.”
“I understand, Sir Elias.”
Elias nodded, feeling satisfied with Seletina’s response.
“That aside, how is your body feeling? It must’ve been stressful to pick up a sword right after waking up.”
“Even I’m surprised at how well I’m feeling. Unexpectedly, I felt wonderful as I picked up the sword to test it out.”
“I see… That’s great… Huh?!”
Before Elias could finish his sentence. Seletina’s knees suddenly buckled. It was as if the strength that’d been holding her up had suddenly vanished1.
Elias acted quickly and somehow managed to grab Seletina before she fell. As he did, Seletina’s sweet fragrance entered his nostrils.
“That was close… Seletina, are you alright? Though I guess it’s foolish asking that now.”
“I don’t know what happened… The strength suddenly left my body… Haha. I guess doing this kind of exercise after three days in a coma really does take its toll… T-That aside! I apologize, but could you let me down on the grass…”
“What nonsense are you saying? How could I do that?”
Elias exclaimed, slowly taking Seletina’s body in his arms. When Seletina felt herself floating, her mind went blank and she began to fidget.
“S-Sir Elias, what are you doing?! Please let go of me! Such a thing….! This is too embarrassing!” Seletina flailed her limbs restlessly.
In both of her lives, only Balged had ever held her in such a way.
This is embarrassing! Too embarrassing!
The man inside Seletina was being tormented by the sheer shame.
“Please do not move about, Seletina. You can’t walk by yourself right now.”
“I can, so please let me down!”
“Although it’s spring, the weather is still cold. I’d be a failure as a man if I let you go now.”
“But!”
“Seletina,” Elias spoke in a soft manner, trying to calm her down.
When Seletina heard Elias’ voice, she surprisingly found herself speechless.
“Your attendant told me that you’re strong.”
“……”
“You’re strong, brave, beautiful and have a heart that is willing to sacrifice itself for others,” Elias continued, “That is why you can be so reckless. That is why you are able to readily give your life away for others.”
“……”
“You should learn to depend a bit more on those around you. There are countless people who think fondly of you. I am one of them.” Elias smiled.
Seletina’s face flushed2 as she was raised and gazed directly at Elias.
I know that already… I know it, but please just let me down!
A voice sounded from the side just as Seletina was screaming helplessly to herself.
“Oh my…. You’re hitting it off, aren’t you?! You know I’ve been here all this time, right?!” Eleanor exclaimed with her cheeks puffed out3.