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Chapter – 17
“Calib….”
After hearing Lazette’s whereabouts from Amy, I went to the training grounds to find him. The training grounds were located a short distance away from the main building.
Why would Lazette be at the training grounds? He didn’t even learn swordsmanship.
I spotted Lazette standing near the edge of the grounds and was about to call out to him.
But though I opened my mouth, no sound came out.
Something about Lazette’s profile as he stared straight ahead felt strange. His expression looked like that of someone desperately yearning for something.
It felt as though I could hear his voice from back then, as vividly as if he were speaking beside me.
‘I… I want a sword.’
A wish of his that I had pretended not to notice.
Following Lazette’s gaze, I saw knights training with wooden swords.
The dull thuds of wood colliding and the irregular shouts of exertion echoed through the air.
For a brief moment, I caught a flicker of envy in his eyes.
Ah. This really won’t do.
Lazette must not learn swordsmanship. If he did, I might be the one put in danger. I knew that better than anyone—yet for some reason, my resolve wavered.
Perhaps it was because this was the first thing he had ever asked of me. Or maybe the comfort I’d received at the villa last time had influenced me.
“Ah, seriously… this is bothering me.”
I tried to pretend I hadn’t seen anything. I planned to act shamelessly, as if the Lazette from moments ago had never existed in my sight.
Turning my back, I headed for the manor. With every step up the stairs, the image of Lazette staring longingly at the training knights floated back into my mind.
I was impulsive at times. I knew, rationally, that I needed to think carefully before acting—but my body never listened, swaying back and forth with my emotions.
One thing was certain: the feelings I was experiencing right now were my own.
“Father.”
I changed direction and went to the Count’s study instead of my room. The Count looked at me with clear confusion at my sudden visit.
“Calib wants to learn the sword.”
“What?”
“Please allow it. Let him do what he wants to do.”
In the end, the Count permitted Lazette to learn swordsmanship.
Of course, it wasn’t as though he readily agreed, nor did I throw a tantrum to force his hand.
We reached a reasonable compromise.
‘I’ll personally select his instructor. He’ll only be given a wooden sword, never a real one. And we can keep a close watch to make sure he doesn’t do anything reckless. I’ve already told Amy to keep an eye on Calib.’
The Count’s concerns were the same as mine.
Lazette’s sword could always be turned against us.
‘You want me to behave quietly, don’t you, Father? If you allow this, I’ll keep a low profile. Like I’m not even here.’
It was half a threat—but outwardly, it passed as a compromise.
“Is everyone here?”
With permission secured, I went straight to the training grounds.
After sweeping my gaze across the neatly lined knights, I asked the knight commander beside me.
“Yes. I gathered everyone, including those still in their probation period.”
“Send those away. They’re unnecessary—and distracting.”
“…Yes.”
Once the apprentice knights were dismissed in a rush, I looked over the remaining lineup again.
“I’m selecting a sword instructor for my brother. You’ve already heard, haven’t you?”
The knight commander had been summoned the moment my father gave his approval. He nodded.
“Yes. I’ve already shortlisted a few suitable candidates.”
“Oh? Who?”
“All of you, step forward.”
Four men stepped out.
They greeted me crisply—no wasted motion. As the knight commander introduced them, I evaluated them carefully.
I had my own criteria for choosing Lazette’s sword instructor.
-
He must be moderately negligent.
-
His skill must be at least average.
Those were the only two conditions.
It seemed the Count had given similar instructions to the knight commander.
“What’s your name?”
After scanning the group, I pointed to a relatively neat-looking man.
“Albert Brick.”
“Good. I’ll go with Sir Brick.”
Someone overflowing with enthusiasm was not what I wanted.
Judging by the clear annoyance etched across his face, this Brick fellow seemed perfectly moderately negligent.
“Sir Brick, all you need to do is go through the motions. There’s no need to teach diligently.”
I explained his role to him—and as I was about to leave the training grounds, I added one more thing.
“But make sure he feels some sense of accomplishment. Keep up appearances, at least.”
I still didn’t want to put a sword in Lazette’s hands—but I couldn’t ignore him when he looked at it that way. That was the conclusion I’d reached.
Let him hold a sword as he wished—but prevent him from improving.
Even if I tried to stop it, he would eventually become the greatest knight in the Empire, so this was pointless in the long run. Still, doing this much made me feel a little better.
I left the training grounds.
All the way back, worry gnawed at me—whether it was really okay to let Lazette learn the sword. But the water had already been spilled.
He should be here by now.
Half-reclined on the couch, I was enjoying a massage. I hadn’t realized how comfortable it was to have Amy do this.
Knock, knock.
At the sound of the door, I snapped my head around.
But instead of the person I was waiting for, someone else entered.
“It’s time for your medicine.”
“Ah… what medicine now….”
My enthusiasm deflated instantly.
Although I’d reduced the dosage due to side effects, I hadn’t been able to stop taking it completely.
Apparently, quitting a medicine you’d taken for so long all at once was dangerous—or so they said.
“I won’t take it. Take it back.”
“The Count said you mustn’t skip it today.”
“Tell him I’m skipping it today as well.”
I felt Amy’s puzzled gaze on my cheek as she massaged my legs.
“Why aren’t you taking it? You like it.”
“Lately, I can manage even sober. I’m trying to, anyway.”
I brushed it off vaguely.
Amy gave me a look that clearly said, ‘You? Really?’—but she didn’t voice it.
I passed the time enjoying her sulky foot massage while waiting for Lazette.
But no matter how long I waited, he didn’t come.
“You ungrateful brat….”
Guess he wasn’t coming.
I’d imagined Lazette rushing over in excitement after hearing he could learn the sword. I thought it would be the perfect, unexpected gift.
“Should I just pretend this never happened?”
As that rather pathetic thought crossed my mind, I gave up on thinking altogether. Blood or not, I was his sister in name—taking something back after giving it wasn’t right.
Just then—
The door flew open.
“Sister.”
My eyes widened. Lazette had finally arrived. But he wasn’t what I’d imagined.
He wasn’t out of breath from running. And he didn’t look particularly happy.
He was expressionless.
“I heard everything. That you let me learn the sword.”
Then, as if on cue, the corners of his eyes curved gently.
“I never even imagined it… I’m so happy. Happy enough to think how fortunate I am to have you as my sister.”
His lips curved softly upward, and lies flowed smoothly from them.
“Oh, you heard?”
I smiled brightly as he sat beside me.
“I’m glad you like it. Though… there is something I’m a little worried about.”
“Worried? About what?”
“Calib, will you promise me something?”
I spoke lightly, as though making a joke.
Even after granting his dearest wish, his acting irritated me to no end.
“Promise you won’t stab me with the sword you learn.”
“…What?”
His expression vanished completely—clearly caught off guard.
“I’m kidding. Why would you do that to me?”
“……”
“You’re just so cute, I feel like teasing you.”
I immediately regretted it. Childish. I knew this wasn’t the time to let my mood dictate my actions—yet the words slipped out anyway.
My personality really was terrible.
“I’m sorry. Did I scare you? I really was joking. If I truly thought you’d stab me, why would I let you learn the sword?”
“……”
“This is part of my ‘effort,’ too.”
I had said I would try not to ruin him.
Even if it was superficial, I hadn’t stopped him from doing what he wanted. I’d helped him.
Lazette understood exactly what my “effort” meant.
Slowly, his lips curved upward again. I couldn’t tell whether he was truly happy or not.
He seemed displeased by my teasing—but since he didn’t press the issue, it seemed his mood wasn’t actually bad.
“You don’t need to make any effort, Sister.”
“……”
“It’s enough for me that my family includes such a kind sister.”
I realized, without much difficulty, that those words were a lie.
“He’s only holding the sword?”
Reading Lazette’s movement report, I felt a bit sorry for him.
Library, garden, training grounds, and my room—that was his entire routine.
Beside it was a note stating that for an entire week, he’d only been practicing holding the sword.
I’d told him to go through the motions—but only practicing holding it?
“Should I go take a look?”
I closed the book I’d been lazily reading and headed to the training grounds.
“Young Master!”
A man’s booming shout assaulted my ears the moment I got close.
Startled by the sheer volume, I stopped.
Instead of revealing myself, I peeked out from behind a nearby building.
I watched Brick scolding Lazette from hiding.
“The most important thing for a knight is fundamentals! Without a solid foundation, you’ll only hurt yourself no matter what you try to learn! How many times must I tell you?”
