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Chapter 23
“Milady, let me help you get ready.”
In the very early dawn, when the sky was only just beginning to lighten, El groggily rose to the sound of Ena’s voice.
“There’s no class today though.”
“I heard you’ll be training together with the Master from now on.”
“Ah… right. Thanks for waking me.”
El gave a weary smile and nodded. She had been so distracted yesterday that she’d completely forgotten.
What on earth did she have that was so special for him to insist on teaching her personally?
“Oh, and the guest left last night.”
“Marquis Terleaire?”
“Yes. From how hastily he departed, it seems the Master must have driven him away.”
“…Was that okay?”
It was probably because of yesterday’s incident. Still, she thought she’d at least get the chance to say goodbye. El wore a faintly bitter expression, then shook her head lightly as if to rid herself of the thought.
He was a good man, but far too optimistic. What El needed wasn’t pity or affection, but acknowledgment and a place she could belong.
“It’s only natural. The Master is a Pheros, after all.”
Ena beamed proudly, and El, staring at her maid’s face, couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Ena.”
“Yes, milady?”
“I’ll do my best to be something you can be proud of too.”
“…Yes. Please, do that.”
Ena smiled brightly, then suddenly planted her hands on her hips and struck a confident pose.
The sudden change in atmosphere left El blinking in surprise.
“All right! Then shall we get you ready for training, milady?”
“H-ha… sure.”
Somehow, she had a bad feeling about this. Was it really the right thing for her to be trained by the Master himself?
After all, El had ears. She had often heard the groans of the knights.
Whenever she saw them collapsed on the ground, gasping for air, it looked less like training and more like torture.
With Ena’s help, El finished preparing and slowly made her way toward the training grounds.
“One, two!”
Training was already in full swing; the knights were running in formation around the grounds.
“El. You’re here.”
Even though she had tried to enter quietly, Karon immediately sensed her presence and turned toward her.
When she approached hesitantly, he handed her a wooden sword.
“First, let’s see where you’re at.”
“But I don’t know anything.”
“That’s fine.”
Karon gave a brief smile, lightly patting the top of her head.
With her hair tied high and wearing her training clothes, El actually looked the part.
“Um, Karon.”
“Yes?”
“Is it really okay for me to start straight away with a sword?”
“You already have the stamina for it.”
“I do?”
Instead of answering, Karon suddenly stepped behind her and wrapped his arms around her.
“Now, El, what would you do if someone suddenly grabbed you from behind like this?”
El instantly relaxed all tension in her body and leaned into his hold.
The one thrown off guard was Karon—his brow twitched for just a moment.
“M-maybe… bite their arm?”
She tilted her head back slightly, glancing up at him as she stammered.
“Then try.”
“But it’s you, Karon.”
“Think of me as some lecher. Do whatever it takes.”
“…”
After a long pause, El awkwardly lifted her trembling hands, held his arm, and lightly pressed her lips against it.
Smooch.
The damp sound was closer to a kiss than a bite, almost… seductive.
“…That wasn’t biting. That was kissing.”
“How could I ever dare to actually bite you, Karon?”
“…Sigh. Let’s try something else.”
With a quiet sigh, Karon released her. El, strangely missing the warmth, reached up and brushed her own back absentmindedly.
Karon’s body was always broad and firm. Despite his cold exterior, his touch radiated heat that nearly burned.
Turning slightly, she watched him as he went to the water pump, splashing his face with cold water. Droplets sprayed, soaking his collar, and through the wet white shirt, the outline of his body became visible.
“…”
She had stared too much.
Sensing her gaze, Karon turned and locked eyes with her. El quickly looked away, pretending to busy herself.
“Look at me like that, and even I’ll feel burdened.”
“I-I wasn’t looking!”
At his teasing tone, El flusteredly waved her hands.
“Really? Then why is your face so red? What exactly were you not looking at?”
“K-Karon!”
Her eyes flicked toward him again before darting to the ground.
How could the knights focus on training with him around like that? Truly, knights were on a different level.
Karon stepped up close, until he was right before her, and cupped her cheek.
As he gently tilted her head up, her eyes—brown, clear, and shining with faint embarrassment—were caught in the sunlight.
“El. Lying is bad. You know that.”
His jet-black eyes deepened, his low voice resonating between them.
“I can’t help where my eyes go. I’m sorry.”
“Well done. Just keep looking at me like that.”
“…?”
El blinked wide-eyed, and Karon chuckled.
“Now, again. What if someone tries to grab you by the collar?”
Once more, she obediently let him seize her collar.
“El, stop them before they grab you. Try again.”
He let go and reached again. And once again, she simply let him take hold.
“…”
Cracks began to form in his playful expression. His hand slowly slid from her collar to her neck.
Still, El only stared at him silently. Not just obedient—she seemed utterly submissive, devoted.
“El.”
His voice was low and hoarse.
“How could I possibly resist you? Even if it’s training, I couldn’t.”
“…I don’t know if I should call that endearing or troubling. Wait here.”
He let go, straightened her crumpled clothes, then called out:
“Nine. Come here.”
A knight who had been practicing sword drills hurried over.
“When this girl goes for your collar, stop her.”
“M-me? You want me to grab the young lady’s collar?”
“Hurry.”
Flustered, the knight hesitated but finally thrust his hand forward.
But just before he touched her, El’s brown eyes flashed.
“Ugh!”
With swift, economical movements, she twisted his wrist and kicked his shin, subduing him instantly.
“Are you all right?”
She quickly apologized, offering her hand to help him up.
“Haha, I’m fine.”
The knight was about to take her hand when Karon’s hand suddenly intercepted, grabbing his and flinging it aside.
“…?”
The knight stared in confusion, but Karon ignored him, gently brushing El’s loose hair back.
“Well done.”
“Really?”
Joy lit up El’s eyes.
“Yes. Very practical. I like it.”
His lips curved in clear satisfaction.
“M-my lord…”
The knight, still standing awkwardly to the side, cautiously called out. Karon slowly turned his gaze toward him.
Just meeting Karon’s eyes made the knight flinch and bow hurriedly.
“Two hours’ rest before resuming training.”
“Thank you!”
The knight’s eyes shone at the unexpected mercy.
El quickly realized what that meant: in this place, two hours of rest was a rare privilege indeed.
“Karon…”
“Yes?”
…You’re quite the tyrant as a commander, aren’t you.
But instead of saying it aloud, El just smiled faintly.
Karon, unaware, gazed at her upturned lips.
Was this training for a social party, or a battlefield? Karon’s relentless regimen never let up.
El had to constantly fight through muscle pain.
Yet strangely, no matter how much her body ached, once she stepped into the training grounds, the pain seemed to vanish as if it had never been.
Of course, if it weren’t for Karon, she would never endure this.
“Next is countering ambushes.”
Under the morning sun, his blue hair shimmered as he polished his sword—so beautiful it was hard to believe they were of the same race.
El thought that even if he hadn’t saved her, even if she had met him somewhere else, she would have still ended up following him in secret.
Her friends at the orphanage had once told her what that kind of feeling was called…
“You’re daydreaming. While I’m right here in front of you.”
If anyone else heard him, they might think he was jealous. Yet Karon’s face showed not a trace of emotion.
“I was thinking about you, Karon.”
“I’m standing right here. What else is there to think about? Take this.”
He handed her a small dagger. El, startled, accepted it and examined the blade.
It was clear this had been specially commissioned with great care.
“This doesn’t look like a training weapon…”
“There’s no separate training set. It’s important to get used to real ones.”
“But isn’t this a real blade?”
“El, do you truly think your weapon could ever harm me?”
“…No.”
“Exactly. So come at me with everything you have.”
That wasn’t arrogance. It was confidence backed by proof. Even highly trained elite knights couldn’t land a wound on him.
With a faint, lazy smile, Karon stood there—a man who had survived countless battles on the edge of life and death.
(To be continued in the next chapter…)
