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Chapter 06
The Reason I Want to Become Strong
Having skillfully changed clothes by herself, Stella tightly tied back her long hair into a single ponytail before leaving the room with Rai. The only difference from usual was that instead of a dress, she wore a worn-out training outfit that looked old from years of use, though it was much easier to move around in.
Breathing in the crisp morning air, Stella walked forward with familiar steps. Passing through the garden and heading toward the back of the ducal castle, the thick trees blocked the sunlight, and the surroundings quickly grew dark. It felt as though the trees and shadows had formed a small cave.
But Stella paid no attention to it and continued forward without hesitation. At the end of the path was a small light marking the exit, and Stella walked toward it, emerging from between the dense trees.
And what appeared before her was—
“We’re here.”
A training ground far larger than the garden spread out before Stella’s eyes. Since it was located behind the castle and hidden by trees, it was difficult for people to notice. Before she knew it, Rai was already freely soaring through the sky above the training grounds, while Stella stood in the center and looked around.
“It feels like I came here just yesterday.”
‘When did so much time pass?’
Not long after arriving in the North, Haril had listened to Stella’s request and guided her here. At first, the path had frightened her, but when she saw the training grounds waiting at the end, an involuntary gasp escaped her lips.
However, someone had arrived there before Stella.
Saying that his role ended there, Haril returned alone, while Stella cautiously approached the person waiting there. Seeing him standing silently, she stopped at a respectful distance and greeted him.
“Hello.”
Even after her greeting, the man kept his eyes closed, allowing Stella to study him closely. The wrinkles on his face and his white hair revealed the years he had lived through, but his sturdy build and imposing aura were enough to make one forget his age. Above all, the long scar running across his right eye seemed to reveal part of the life he had endured.
As Stella observed him, the man finally spoke.
“Seen enough?”
“Huh? Y-Yes.”
Even with his eyes closed, the man had noticed Stella examining him, and startled by the question, she could only nod honestly.
Once Stella admitted it, the man finally opened his eyes. However, only his left eye—the one without the scar—was visible.
The moment he looked at Stella, he slightly furrowed his brow before inspecting her small frame.
“I heard from Haril that you want to learn swordsmanship.”
“Yes. I personally asked for it.”
Despite Stella’s firm answer, the man coldly replied without hesitation.
“Then my answer is no. I’m not free enough to entertain a child’s whim.”
With that, the man turned and walked past Stella. Startled by the sudden rejection, Stella quickly grabbed the edge of his clothing. Feeling the faint strength stopping him, the man turned back toward her.
“I truly want to learn swordsmanship.”
“Why would a noble lady want to learn it? It’s not like you lack anything.”
There was even ridicule hidden in his expression and tone. But to Stella, who had endured Ister’s sharp gaze for years, it had no effect at all.
“I want to become stronger.”
“That’s the responsibility of the people meant to protect you.”
“I don’t have anyone like that. In truth, don’t you already know what it means for a noble lady like me to be sent here?”
At Stella’s words, the man fully turned to face her.
“Why do you want to become strong, young lady?”
The man asked her once more.
Stella could feel that depending on how she answered, he would either teach her swordsmanship—or leave this training ground forever.
‘He’s testing me.’
But Stella already knew her answer.
“I want to protect the people I care about, and the people who care about me, with my own hands. I never want to lose them again.”
Her golden eyes were filled with certainty as she met the man’s gaze without wavering.
‘What kind of life has such a young noble lady lived? Or… did Duke Ister make her this way?’
At that moment, the man saw young Ister overlap with the Stella standing before him.
‘They really do resemble each other. I swore I would never become involved with the Adin family again.’
But despite that old resolve, the man had already decided his answer.
“My training will be harsh enough to make you want to quit.”
“That’s fine.”
“I won’t go easy on you just because you’re a noble lady.”
“That’s exactly what I want.”
Instead of shrinking back, Stella calmly accepted his words.
Feeling as though he had lost, the man decided to give Stella one final choice.
“As you can see, I’m old, and my body isn’t in perfect condition. More importantly, I was Duke Ister’s teacher. Even so, do you still wish to learn from me?”
At the mention of Ister, Stella hesitated for the first time. The man before her had clearly noticed the strained relationship between her and Ister.
Her hesitation lasted only briefly.
Clenching her fists tightly, Stella spoke with sincerity.
“I trust Haril’s judgment. I believe there must be a reason he arranged this meeting.”
Those words left the old man speechless—a man who had weathered every storm life could offer.
And as he looked into the child’s eyes, he finally understood why Haril had come to him despite knowing he would likely refuse.
Stella anxiously waited for his answer.
At last, the man opened his mouth.
“From now on, call me Master.”
Unable to hide her delighted smile, Stella replied,
“My name is Stella. I look forward to learning from you, Master.”
“Now you finally sound your age.”
“Huh?”
“Then we’ll begin immediately.”
Leaving behind Stella’s confused response, the man started the training right away.
“He really never held back. It was hard, but it was fun. Thinking about it now makes me miss Master.”
Stella looked up at the high sky, watching the clouds drift by along with Rai flying overhead. Then she naturally began stretching her body.
Another day was beginning for Stella.
As time passed and the sun rose, the people of the castle also awoke and busily began their day. Among them, Ella—now far more mature than before—hurried somewhere with quick steps.
Arriving in front of someone’s room, Ella knocked on the door, but no answer came from inside. Even after several attempts, there was still silence. Realizing something, Ella opened the door, only to find the room completely empty.
Instead, a torn letter lay on the desk, evidence of its owner.
“She’s still at the training grounds? She should’ve returned by now.”
Finding it strange, Ella left the castle and headed into the garden. Spotting someone tending the grounds, she approached and asked,
“Have you seen Lady Stella?”
“Well… I’m not sure…”
The awkward tone and the way the person avoided her gaze immediately made Ella suspicious. She began examining the nearby trees before stopping in front of one and speaking into the air.
“Lady Stella. I already know you’re there, so please come down.”
After several seconds of silence, the tree before her shook slightly, and a figure lightly landed on the ground.
By now, Ella wasn’t even surprised anymore.
“I’ve told you so many times not to climb trees, my lady. I worry someone might see you like this.”
“Who would even see me? In the North? At this castle?”
After finishing her training, Stella hadn’t returned to her room and had instead climbed a tree to rest comfortably in the shade. Of course, Ella—who had watched Stella for years—had immediately figured it out.
“And if your training is over, please change out of those pants and into a dress. Helia and I prepared a beautiful one for you.”
“But dresses are uncomfortable. You can’t climb trees in them.”
“Then don’t climb trees, my lady.”
As the lecture continued, Stella searched for an escape route before noticing someone approaching nearby.
“Haril!”
“Good morning, my lady.”
“Haril, Ella’s scolding me again because I climbed a tree. Even though nobody was around.”
Haril gently removed Stella’s hand from his arm and replied in his usual calm tone,
“My lady, I’m afraid there may be people around today.”
“Hm? What do you mean?”
Unable to understand his words, Stella tilted her head.
“The Imperial Knights who departed to inspect the northern border.”
“The knights?”
“Yes. After finishing their patrol from the western border, they’ll be staying at this castle for one night.”
Despite the surprising news, Stella didn’t react much and casually asked,
“Oh, I see. When?”
“Today.”
“Oh, today. Wait—today?!”
The moment Haril said “today,” Stella’s voice rose in shock.
“Why are you only telling me something this important now?”
“If we had told you earlier, you would’ve run away.”
Haril’s words struck directly at the truth, startling Stella internally, though she maintained a calm expression.
“You really do know me too well, Haril.”
“Thank you for the compliment.”
‘It’s fine. I can just escape before they arrive.’
As Stella plotted her escape in her head, Haril immediately continued.
“Of course, I didn’t mean we would allow you to run away.”
The instant he finished speaking, Helia, the head maid, suddenly appeared beside him.
Sensing danger, Stella quickly stepped backward, only for someone behind her to grab her.
“Lady Helia. I’ve secured the young lady.”
“Even you too, Ella? So everyone planned this except me? Isn’t that cruel?”
No matter how passionately Stella protested, Ella paid no attention and handed Stella over to Helia.
“Of course. If we don’t go this far, we can’t catch you anymore, my lady.”
Stella made one final attempt to persuade Helia as she was dragged away.
“Helia, listen to me. Do I really have to be there when the knights arrive? You and Haril have managed just fine without me until now.”
“That won’t do. This time, my lady, you must give up.”
Despite Stella’s efforts, Helia remained unmoved, and Stella ultimately abandoned all thoughts of escape and began preparing to receive the guests.
“I’m not asking for much. Just keep it simple.”
Even at Stella’s desperate plea, the maids continued moving their hands enthusiastically, as if they had been waiting for this exact moment.
And while everyone busily prepared—including Stella herself—a group rapidly approached the castle.
The people wearing uniforms—the Imperial Knights—rode swiftly toward their destination on horseback.
At that moment, one of the knights spoke to the man leading them at the front.
“Commander, are we heading to the castle now?”
“Yes.”
Despite the short answer, the knight continued speaking.
“And Commander, regarding the castle…”
“If you have time to talk, ride faster.”
“But I was trying to say something—”
Ignoring the complaint, the man called Commander urged his horse onward even faster, his silver hair flowing wildly in the wind, while the knights hurried after him.
