CH 73

Chapter 73 - Still no competition

At the end of the day’s sword training, Cain returned to the mansion with Elysse without having lunch with Arundilano. He changed his clothes and after he was told by the butler his meal had been prepared, he went to the dining room. 

Dianna and Cain finished their meal in silence then without having tea in the dining room they were summoned to the tearoom. Ilvalino who had dinner in the servant quarters was also called to the tearoom. 

“Dianna, do you remember when dad said you couldn’t do swordsmanship training?” 

The three children sat in a line on a loveseat in the tearoom. The first person to answer Elysse’s question was Dianna. 

“Di isn’t practicing the sword.” 

Dianna was squished between Cain and Ilvalino. Her left hand was holding Cain’s hand and their conjoined hands rested on his knee. As Dianna said she wasn’t practicing the sword her eyes went to Elysse. 

“It is not good to lie. There was no way you could be good if you didn’t practice, right?” 

“Di is good at the sword!?” 

The part she said about the lie was ignored and Elysse sighed at the fact that Dianna only heard what was convenient. 

Cain straightened and squeezed Dianna’s hand reassuringly as he opened his mouth to respond to Elysse. 

“Really, Dianna isn’t practicing her swordsmanship. You can even ask the guard knights.” 

“Do you understand that you all can be blamed, and I can’t say that I will be able to say she isn’t convincingly? Just because other people say doesn’t mean it is proven.” 

“The knights are all very honest and trustworthy. But if you can’t take just their word as the grandson of the gardener’s grandfather. No matter where you are in the garden you are bound to be seen if you are practicing swordsmanship.”  

“If you are on good terms with the gardener it is all the same. The common folks are weak to the persuasions of aristocrats. They may form a clique to protect the one they are loyal to.” 

Elysse said that she couldn’t trust the word of the common folk. Cain didn’t like that Elysse spoke that way of the knights who greeted him while running in the morning and taught him basic swordsmanship. However, he bit his tongue, knowing now wasn’t the time to oppose.  

“Can I make a remark, Madam?” Ilvalino asked as he raised his hand for permission to speak. 

Elysse’s gaze turned to Ilvalino and she gave a small nod. 

“I permit you to speak. Even so, the outcome will be the same. However, it is not because you are a commoner. You are on Cain’s side and therefore you cannot be trusted in this matter. Today you even prepared sportswear…well I will listen to what you have to say. Speak.”  

“Why don’t you ask Mr. Waynes?” 

“Parepantle?”[Read this novel and other amazing translated novels from the original source at the “Novel Multiverse dot com” website @ novelmultiverse.com]

“Yes. He knows about everything that goes on in this house. If Dianna was learning swordsmanship from the guard knights or was practicing her swordsmanship somewhere in the mansion he would know.”

Elysse considered Ilvalino’s words, then ordered a maid to go find the butler. While they waited for the butler to arrive Elysse asked Ilvalino about how he came to prepare the sportswear. 

“Cain had nothing to do with the sportswear. Romy was having trouble convincing Dianna to not wear sportswear. So, to keep Dianna from going in sportswear I proposed that I would prepare sportswear and persuaded Dianna to wear a dress.” 

“Big brother says it’s cool to not show the things that you can do so when opportunity strikes, I can pull my ability out of my back pocket. Because of that for the first time, Di decided to wear a dress.”

“I’m sorry. If I am told to bring out the clothes, I have no choice but to comply.”

Dianna had a moved look on her face and Ilvalino smiled. He had thought that the best way to keep the peace was to prepare the sportswear and not bring it out. He didn’t think they would allow Dianna to participate in the training. 

“I did not expect Prince Arundilano to say what he said…”

Elysse sighed as a knock from the door came and the butler Waynes Parepantle entered the tearoom.

“Mr. Waynes. Have you seen Dianna participating in swordsmanship training anywhere on the grounds of the mansion?” 

Ilvalino asked the butler. In such instances, the first person to speak should have been Elysse. It was considered rude to ask a question to a guest that Elysse—the woman of the house—called. 

However, Ilvalino had been rude and asked the question first. 

“Ilvalino, know your place.” 

As expected, Ilvalino received a rebuke from Parapentle. Ilvalino stood from the sofa and bowed in apology. 

“Madam. If your question is the same as Ilvalino’s the answer is “No”. There is no evidence that I can provide to suggest that Dianna has been practicing swordsmanship with the guard knights or anywhere on the Elandark family premises.” Parapentle said in answer to Elysse’s inquiry. 

He bowed slightly, smiled, then glanced at Cain and Ilvalino. 

“Parapentle…I will ask you a question.” 

“Ask me anything.” 

Parapentle straightened and turned toward Elysse once again. He raised his right hand and held it over his chest as he waited for her words. 

***

“Where did Dianna learn swordsmanship?” 

The moment they heard Elysse’s question, Ilvalino who had his head still lowered trembled, and Cain cowered into the couch with his head buried in his free hand. 

“In Cain’s room. Dianna pretends to be the Girl Knight Nina. This was Cain’s solution to the problem of Dianna wanting to learn swordsmanship.” 

Easily, the children were defeated by the adults.