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The way of imperial swordsmanship, which was said to be the very essence of all other techniques in the empire, was something that was taught only within the White Dragon Knights, which was an elite knight order dedicated to the imperial family.
In particular, there were only twelve knights in total who could be called the White Dragon Knights, and they were the only ones who could teach imperial swordsmanship to their disciples.
But of course, this was the first time Radis was hearing this.
“Is that true?”
“Yes! And it’s the rule between the White Dragon Knights!”
“What happens if someone breaks that rule?”
Yves shrugged.
“I don’t know… Death sentence?”
Radis’ mouth gaped open in bewilderment.
‘M-My teacher…?’
Still, Yves seemed to be just as bewildered as her.
“Radis, who taught you imperial swordsmanship?”
“My teacher… Teacher Armano.”
“A swordsman of House Tilrod? Did he teach you and your younger brother?”
“Yes.”
“A teacher who taught imperial swordsmanship, and to two children? What, how? Armano? I’ve never heard of that name before. And rather, none of the twelve knights are named Armano.”
Radis recalled Armano.
The Armano in her memories was far from the typical image of a what a knight usually seemed like.
Based on his appearance alone, he honestly seemed more like a bard rather than a knight.
The only time he ever took a sword in his hand was whenever he needed to demonstrate something to Radis. Other than those times, he was always holding a quill while writing his literary works.
There were even certain times that he’d suddenly shout with his arms wide open, as if he’d been struck by lightning of a eureka moment.
‘Ah, Radis! What do you think life is?’
‘Radis, Radis! You have to love life. Ohhh, life— love!’
Back when she was still a child—when she didn’t know anything—she tried to understand her teacher’s words with sparkling eyes. But now that she thought back on those times, Armano…
Armano seemed like a pretty eccentric person.
Radis shook her head.
‘The twelve knights… No, I don’t think he’s one of them.’
As she hopped into a warm bath, Radis thought it over, but she was convinced that her teacher didn’t introduce the imperial swordsmanship to her with bad intentions.
Amidst House Tilrod, in a place where there were only heartless people, Armano was the only one who cared about her.
Besides that, it was thanks to his teachings of the sword that Radis was able to protect herself all the time.
‘Radis, you must protect yourself.’
As she thought back to Armano’s gentle voice, Radis became ashamed of herself for ever doubting her teacher, even if it was for only a moment.
After drying her hair, she sat in front of the table and opened her lips to speak.
“My teacher might not have been a famous knight, but he was a good man.”
Yves was there waiting for her, and in response to what she said, he nodded.
“I know.”
Yves ordered a maid to bring in some food, then he looked at Radis again and spoke.
“I can tell by watching you. I’m a knight, too, you know. I never got to learn imperial swordsmanship, but I know what it’s like. Your teacher taught you properly.”
Soon, their food was served.
Yves picked up a round piece of bread with a pair of tongs, then he continued.
“I thought that the type of swordsmanship you learned was only for self-defense, but I stand corrected.”
Radis shook her head.
“No, it’s self-defense… You’re right, it’s just that”
Radis never thought herself to be strong.
All her life, she had just been in such a frenzy to keep her head on her shoulders in the constant threat of a crisis that would come at her without any rest.
And besides, considering how she met her demise in her previous life, she wasn’t even successful at that. She even lost everything.
‘I’m… weak.’
As the painful memories resurfaced, Radis halted where she was. She had been mixing her salad and its dressing, but she stopped.
The fork gently clacked against the plate.
‘I need to become stronger.’
CRACK—!
The abrupt sound pulled Radis out of her reverie.
The innocent salad plate got split in half.
Yves, who was busy eating his bread, put it back down and spoke up.
“Alright, Radis. I already know that you’re pretty strong, so really, you can stop showing off…“
“……”
* * *
After finishing their meal, Yves asked her one last question before he’d be all holed up in his office again.
“Radis, do you want to become a knight?”
“Huh?”
“Actually, it seems to me like you’ve practiced a lot already, but haven’t you been working hard because you have a goal?”
Radis did not answer right away.
A goal?
Did she have something like that?
Watching out for her reaction, Yves continued.
“Radis, I really appreciate all the help that you’ve been giving me, but you don’t have to bet your life on it. Our contract is only until you’ve come of age. After that, you’ll be completely free. So take your time and think about what you want to do.”
Yves’ words came as a shock to Radis.
Seeing how her pupils were shaking, Yves smiled.
“You can tell me anything, and I’ll do everything in my power to help. I’m on your side.”
Radis looked up at Yves, unable to say a word.
‘Yves Russell, you’re… How can you say something like that so easily?’
Once this day passes, she will turn seventeen.
That meant there’d only be a year left in their contract.
Yves was doing so many things for her.
Currently in the present, she was wracked with so much troubles, but he gave her a place to stay—a roof over her head. And he was even going as far as giving her the solace that she would not stand alone in the uncertain future.
It was still unclear whether Yves would really honor his word and continue to be kind to her for the rest of the year.
Even so, he was talking about her freedom.
He was saying that he was on her side.
It’s weird.
Her heart felt so full, and her throat felt a bit choked.
Then, putting one hand on Radis’ shoulder, Yves said,
“By the way, Radis.”
“……?”
“You know, you shouldn’t fall for me…”
And the throbbing of her heart fell flat.
With a deep sigh, Radis frowned. Then, she pinched Yves’ hand.
“OW!”
“Go away. Go away! Leave and go to work!”
Radis pushed Yves into his office and slammed the door shut.