Side Story - Chapter 7

The surroundings became noisy. The aristocrats, who showed off their wonderful dance moves, seemed to be coming out with the approval of the imperial family to cool off their excitement.

“May I see you again some other time?”

Prillance, who was in a hurry, asked first. Ralph smiled joyfully at her question.

“I’ll come to see you at Baron Friennes.”

“No, you don’t have to. My father’s a little…harsh.”

Unable to tell him that he would not be able to go to Baron Friennes, Prillance pretended to be a child with a strict father.

Ralph seemed to know a little bit why he couldn’t find her so far. In the first place, the nobles did not even look into it, but there must have been a reason why she could not go out of the house often because of his strict father. He speculated that it was probably because of her beauty.

“Then how about in front of the salon?”

Salons were frequented by aristocrats. There would be someone there who would recognize her. Prillance recalled Ver’s words that noblemen came near the fountain in the square.

“No, I’ll meet you in front of the square fountain.”

“The square fountain…okay.”

Ralph wanted to stay with her a little longer, but he also had no time to lose. Having made a promise, stepping down first like a gentleman would give her a good impression.

“Well, I look forward to seeing you then.”

Ralph parted with her like a gentleman and rushed out of there. It was a quick step in anticipation of Ben’s nagging.

As soon as he disappeared, the nobles came here one by one. The moment I saw her, I left my seat to meet her.

Prillance had no time to care about such things. I’ve got things on my mind. She went up.

Wouldn’t it be possible to get information from Baron Jennett if I tried a little more? That was why she didn’t turn down Ralph and asked for his name. That’s how it is. If…

“Esteemed Daughter of Weiand.”
It was Ver who called her, standing alone in thought. Will I be able to honestly convey my heart to you? Prillance thought, looking at Ver, who was standing in front of her.

“Is this where you’ve been?”

Unlike usual, Ver was frowning slightly. It was due to him being worried that something might have happened to her.

“I was worried.” Ver, who saw her face, spoke in a slightly soft voice.

“I’m sorry.”

I like that he was worrying about me. However, I am a little sad about my situation where I couldn’t tell you right away that I feel the same way as you. Her feelings were conveyed to Ver through her voice.

“What happened?”

She shook her head to tell him that nothing was wrong, but her gaze seemed to speak for her heart, saying she was sick.

“You can tell me….” That’s what I’ve always wanted to say. He couldn’t hurt her or cry for her. However, he was able to ease her pain. He hoped that her pain would lessen.

“It’s just a lady’s whim, as always.” Prillance had no choice but to laugh at that. There was nothing she could say. Even though she feels the same way.

“Can you stay a little longer as the head of the family’s Knights?” So now I was going to make myself talk. It was also for Ver, but I had the biggest desire to convey my heart to him.

“I think the answer to the oath you made, will be a little delayed.” Recalling that time, her cheeks were dyed due to her shyness and she had twinkling eyes.

“Of course,” Ver laughed at the memory.

“I will wait until you answer me.” He falls into those shining eyes and wishes to be with her a little more.

***

Knock, Knock

The wooden swords clashed, making a cheerful sound. Soon, the sword that had blocked the attack, moved quickly and stabbed the opponent’s open spot.

“Ugh!”

It was a wooden sword, but when pressed hard, it still hurts. The knight, which complained of pain, slipped out of the battle. Then another one quickly rushed in.

Bam, Bam.

There are a lot more cheerful friction sounds than before. It was because the last knight who ran in made a swift attack to avoid giving a gap. The man who accepted his swift attack took a step backward.

The last knight, seemingly at odds, swung his wooden sword heavily with strength.

‘I’m going to lose.’

Prillance, watching the scene, gave a pitiful look at the knight. Ver, who was attacked by the knight, was not embarrassed. While blocking his attack, his sharp eyes remained the same. Even using light footwork to make it look like he is being pushed. In such a situation, the last knight showed a gap. Eventually, the wooden sword fell from the knight’s hand. Ver scanned through the knights.

“All, extra training.” The sighs of knights could be heard.

This started a few days ago. Even though the imperial ball ended safely, the knights were restless. Perhaps all the knights in the field feel the same way. As a recent example, until today’s training, they were using stiff movements unlike usual.

It was because of a beautiful woman sitting on the side of the field. Prillance and several maids sat watching their training. The maids were embarrassed by the powerful movements of the men, and Prillance was looking through the knights one by one with a pretty smile on her face.

The knights who received her gaze could not be properly trained. A wooden sword that doesn’t touch the scarecrow, a command that comes out like a crawl, limp arms and legs, a glimpse of eyes. “Stop moving.” To correct the discipline of the knights, Ver stopped the training. Then he lifted the wooden sword and turned it lightly on his hand. When the wooden sword was right in his hand, his eyes changed.

“You can come at me with everything. Beat me.”

“What?”

“Instead, if you can’t beat me, it’s additional training.”

Where is there a saying like a bolt from the blue sky, that the training starts again when it was already more than half done?

That’s how the battle began. And the result was Ver’s victory.

“After a short break, we start again.” Ver said with a light shake of sweaty hair. Sweat flowed down his strong jawline. The long-trained body looked slender but was definitely firm. The tendons and slightly visible muscles in his hand holding the wooden sword proved it.

Prillance couldn’t take his eyes off Ver. Not only her, but all the maidens next to her were the same. Shaking her head to come to her senses, she recalled the purpose of coming here. Finding a knight to escort her to meet Ralph.

“Eat while you are resting.” Prillance prepared lunch to apologize for interrupting the training. She filled the sandwiches with meat and prepared fresh fruit drinks to make them feel better.

She handed out the food to the knights herself, and the maids handed over the drinks. Finally, it was the last knight except for Ver. The knight that was very aggressive towards Ver.

Ver said he was not embarrassed, but he pushed him back for a moment. It was clear that he was quite talented.

“You’re very talented.” Prillance gave him food and complimented him naturally.

“Thank you.” The knight was a little shy.

“May I know your name?”

“Line. There is no last name.”

“Line… I’ll keep that in mind,” Prillance responded with a smile. It was not only her escort but also notable as a family knight. She decided to ask him to do it when she saw Line moving away with food.

“Are you still here?” Before she knew it, Ver was in front of her.

“No, I’m just here to see…”

“…then I’ll show you around.”

“But…” I’ve heard that a short break is valuable to knights. He must have had a hard time dealing with so many opponents. I didn’t want to disturb you.

“You don’t have to worry about me,” Prillance’s face showed her worries. However, it was a worry that was unnecessary. He’s been severely trained by his father since he was a child, and rarely been given little breaks.

I’m not going to collapse. The rough training he blamed on his father seemed to shine only today.

“I can go back alone. Besides, there are a lot of maids.” It wasn’t because she didn’t know he was a physically fit knight. I hate it when he gets used to his difficulties.

“I’m really fine.”

“It’s because I’m not okay. Because I can’t take away your time.”

They didn’t know they were getting attention because they were so worried about each other. That’s how much Ver and Prillance were looking at each other.

At the sight, the maids were laughing among themselves and looking ecstatic as if they were watching a romance, and the knights had blank faces while eating sandwiches.

“I won’t be okay if I don’t.” Ver did not back down.

By definition, Prillance was able to cheer the knights as a member of the Marquis of Weiand. Strangely, however, her eyes when she was looking at Line meticulously, were on his mind.

Ver thought she might want to change her escort.

The reason is probably his concern. He asked if it would be difficult even at first.

“Everything with the Young Lady is my pleasure.”

Flowers seemed to bloom around Ver, who said so. At least in the eyes of the maids there. Even Mendy, who got married, was heartbroken by his words.

“Because I’m the only one who gets help all the time. I wouldn’t have come if I thought I’d get in the way.”

Besides, I am with the maids, not alone. Even in the eyes of the knights, Prillance’s face seemed to show the beauty of a saint. Usually, most of the aristocratic young children were begging to be escorted. Therefore, Young Lady’s intention to go on her own without an escort was touching. In addition, the Young Lady was the only flower of the family of the High Knights.

After all, it was a trade-off. Neither of the two had any intention of making concessions, so this was the conclusion. Ver nodded reluctantly at the trade-off. Reluctance could be seen on his face.

Thus, the maids were working hard on the novel, following the footsteps of the two, and the knights began to warm up for their next training, vowing loyalty.

“I am strong.”

“What?”

“And I’m physically fit,” said Ver, who was walking beside her. Prillance blinked.

“…maybe it’s hard to find a knight like me.” Like as an escort. He looked her in the eye and tried to deliver words he couldn’t deliver.

“I know.” Only her answer, which did not recognize his intentions, returned. “But that doesn’t always mean you can get hurt. It’s not like I’m not sick. Most of all…”

They just reached the end of the field. Prillance, who gave him the last word in a voice that could be heard, escaped from the smoke with a red face. It was followed by maids with curious faces.

“I’m upset if you get hurt.” Only Ver was standing there. He could not hide his joy by sweeping his face.