CH 20

-Is it true that Lady Blanche possesses a stature exceeding 2 meters and a robust physique, capable of subduing enemies with a single hand while she drives them away with the glow from her eyes?

“…….”

-We once speculated among ourselves about Your Grace’s ideal type. Since Your Grace judges people based on their ability to subdue enemies, we assumed that your betrothed should possess such physical qualities.

“I have heard your ideal type. If I meet such a young lady in the royal capital, I’ll definitely consider pursuing an engagement for you.”

-What? Wait a moment, Your Grace! That was just a joke…!

As Cedric touched the cage again, the mechanical bird’s eyes closed, and its head drooped.

A woman who exceeds 2 meters and subdues enemies with a single hand?

Cedric furrowed his brow. He pondered over Penadel’s words for a moment, then blurted out.

“….that might not be so bad.”

At least he could rely on her on the battlefield.

***

“Not so bad.”

I held the ink-dried proposal up to the sunlight with a smile.

The betrothal between the Grand Duke’s lineage, which traces its bloodline back to the brother of the founding king, and the royal family was no light matter.

Due to the unbelievable complexity of the bureaucratic procedures involved with the royal family, it takes a generous six months to receive approval from the royal family.

I decided to wait it out, staying in the capital as the Grand Duke’s fiancée.

It wasn’t a bad deal, since I wasn’t allowed to leave the capital until I had arranged for Leo to meet Ophelia.

However, I added one condition to the marriage contract.

Once I had safely inherited my dowry, I planned to emigrate to avoid involvement with any of my connections.

A place where Belinda’s notoriety doesn’t reach.

A place where I could escape Belinda’s past and start a new life for myself.

As I contemplated whether to explore a warm southern country, Penadel asked, “When you say guarantee your survival, what exactly do you mean?”

First and foremost, a 24-hour escort by my side during my time in the royal capital.

Someone skilled in combat, resistant to Sybel’s persuasion, and loyal enough to the Grand Duke that he would do his best to protect his master’s betrothed.

As I was summarizing the requirements for the escort, my gaze settled on Penadel, who was right in front of me.

‘Here he is, the perfect escort.’

As a Grand Duke’s subordinate and a knight from the North, his status was like a guarantee.

“Sir, I heard you’ll be in the royal capital for a while? A leave of absence?”

“Yes.”

“You will be busy, then.”

“…….”

“As per the terms of the contract, I entrust you with my escort during your stay in the capital.”

He seemed to want to say something, but I quickly waved the contract as if using it as a hostage and flashed a wicked smile that even I found sinister.

“I’m not interested in any other knight.”

“You haven’t even met him.”

“You should consider that I haven’t stamped my seal on the contract yet, Sir Penadel.”

Sir Penadel immediately closed his mouth.

It’s unfortunate that Penadel, who came here to take a break, ended up with additional work. 

But that’s how social life goes.

I leisurely dipped the pen nib in ink, as if I were considering his unfortunate situation.

“It must be boring guarding me by my side all day. Oh, my personal servant happens to be quite feeble looking, like a lost lamb. How about teaching him some swordplay as a pastime?”

“First, let’s sign the contract…”

“Do you refuse?”

“……No.”

I gladly signed my name to the marriage proposal.

Thus, the naive knight from the North became my temporary escort and Leo’s swordsmanship instructor, residing in the annex.

Under the regulations of the North, Penadel always wore a mask even inside the mansion.

His demonic mask was so intimidating that whenever I happened to encounter it during the dim evening, my heart would race.

Fortunately, Leo obediently followed Penadel, calling him “Sir Knight, Sir Knight,” without showing any signs of fear…

‘That does mean that I’m scarier than that terrifying devil mask after all.’

I sat on the outdoor couch I had brought for observing the lessons, frowning as I sipped my tea.

Leo had been very enthusiastic about learning the sword, as any boy would be. It’s possible that he has developed a dream of becoming a knight.

If that’s the case, what do I need to do to prepare Leo?

‘First and foremost, obtaining a recommendation letter for admission to the Academy is the most important.’

In the Academy where admission is possible from the age of ten, the former royal knight commander was staying as an instructor to nurture future successors.

If recognized by him, regardless of social status, one could receive a recommendation to join any knight order.

Moreover, it wasn’t for nothing that he was praised as a genius swordsman. By learning from him, one could grasp the basics of swordsmanship in just a fortnight…

‘……?’

What just happened?

I blinked my eyes in confusion and looked up at the status window that appeared before me.

It has only been a week since Penadel started teaching Leo, but he has already acquired basic swordsmanship?

I couldn’t believe it, even when I saw it with my own eyes.

What kind of a man is Lord Penadel to teach a swordsman a skill in just one week that would have normally taken someone much more than a week to master?

It was just as I was becoming suspicious of the unexpected cheat-like skill and Penadel’s true identity that my train of thought was interrupted.

“Miss, there’s a visitor.”

One of the main mansion’s servants approached, bowing deeply.

“A visitor?”

“Yes. A wizard claiming to be from the Grey Tower, but…. looks like a beggar.”

The Grey Tower?

There was a fellow from there who might be looking for Belinda.

The moment I thought that, the bright orange eyes full of passion flashed in my mind.

‘It must be Vivian!’

I glanced back at the servant, my eyes flashing. Upon seeing that, the servant flinched and bowed his head.

“I-I will chase them away immediately!”

What is he saying?

Why would he chase away my esteemed mage?

“Bring them to the annex immediately.”

“What?”

“And prepare a grand feast – No, a feast consisting only of meat.”

We shall greet our precious wizard with a meat sacrament!

* * *

Cedric Baluasten was a man who seemed to personify reason and discipline. He rarely showed emotion, and no one had ever seen him lose his composure.

However, his first disciple, who came about by chance, often caught him off guard in unexpected ways.

For example…….

“Your name is Ratchet…….”

“Yes, that’s the name Miss Belinda gave me!”

“……I see.”

When he proudly introduced his name, his cheeks blushed with excitement.

“Take a 10-minute break.”

“…..Yes.”

When he was told to take a break, but looked disappointed, like a puppy denied a walk.

“How can I become as strong as you, Sir knight?”

Or when, as now, the boy fearlessly approached him, looking directly into Cedric’s eyes, and asking questions innocently.

Cedric wasn’t sure what to make of this enthusiastic pupil.

It was rare for someone, especially a young child, to meet his gaze so directly.

From a young age, hunting magical creatures served as both a means of survival and a reason for him to bear the scars on his body. However, it was the curse engraved in his soul that made others instinctively feel a deep fear in his presence.

Moreover, he was currently wearing a mask.

Yet Leo confidently met his gaze without any fear. Cedric, avoiding eye contact, wondered if this newborn-chick-like child was about to collapse under his gaze.

With his limited social skills gathered deep in his soul, Cedric carefully responded.

“Focus on eating three balanced meals a day without being a picky eater. Also, ensure you get enough sleep every day and diligently engage in training. Eventually, you will become stronger.”

“Then, will I be able to become an excellent servant someday?”

“Yes, someday, an excellent knight…”

Cedric paused in mid-sentence.

He guessed that Belinda had asked him to teach her servant swordsmanship to support his aspiration of becoming a knight.

But a servant?

“Do you …..want to become a servant?”

“Yes.”

Once again, his apprentice had managed to catch him off guard without malice.

“You don’t want to be a knight?”

Cedric couldn’t casually brush it off like usual, as he noticed a determination in Leo’s eyes.

Leo looked around unnecessarily to see if anyone was around, then leaned forward to share a secret.

Cedric willingly bent over for the child.

“In truth, if I grow up quickly and become an excellent servant, I will be able to protect Miss Belinda.”

Although he couldn’t fully grasp the meaning of what the child meant by an excellent servant, one thing Cedric was certain of.

This child would undoubtedly become strong.

Not because he wanted to become a knight, but because he carried the heart of a knight.

His first disciple was already an excellent knight