Chapter 34
The room was quiet, and Rufus was staring blankly… the only noisy thing was my panicked mind. When I calmed down, though, I realized I’d really messed up.
“Sorry, Rufus. That was really… a mess. You must be surprised.”
“Uh… actually, I’m the one who’s surprised… Lady Marie, what just happened… huh?”
I reached out to help Rufus up, and he stood there with wide eyes. Of course—if someone asked what had just happened, the right answer would have been: “I just pulled a ridiculous, illegal move.”
“Is your neck okay? Did you hit your body weirdly?”
“Ah… yes. I managed to roll with it instinctively. What just…?”
“My glove flew off, and I panicked.”
“Eh? Ah… what happened to me?”
I slowly walked him through what had just happened, acting it out for him. Rufus’ eyes sparkled with excitement. He hadn’t expected the shinai to be taken from him, and now he was fired up, saying, “I’ll practice!”
Even though it would be natural for him to be furious at the way I had done kendo, he showed no anger at all. Good boy.
The spectators were silent. Completely frozen. Leon was holding the glove, but it had somehow landed perfectly in front of him. It looked like a scene from a comedy.
I quietly took the glove from Leon, and suddenly—he grabbed my arm. I was too surprised to even make a sound.
“How amazing are you… You were so fast from the start that I couldn’t even tell what I was looking at… You were a cute little kitten just moments ago. Don’t leave me behind, Marie.”
“I surprised you. Where would I leave you? We still have a bit more training to do here.”
“Maria, I hadn’t realized your true strength at all. I knew you were holding back… but I must work with all my might, or I won’t be worthy of protecting you.”
As I glanced between the two of them, I felt weight on my back. My parents were clinging to me. They said they were terrified, thinking I might get beaten by Rufus. Watching me fight also made them feel like they might faint, or swell with joy… their thoughts were still a bit scattered. In any case, they were astonished at my speed.
“Perhaps father and mother shouldn’t watch my practice. They’ve seen enough to know there’s no problem, right?”
“We already knew how amazing you are, Marie. Yes, let’s leave. Honestly, we might collapse otherwise.”
“That outfit is really stunning! The cloak flutters, your hair shines beautifully… I’m completely captivated! I need to make more design sketches! Good luck, Marie. I love you.”
My mother spoke rapidly and left like a storm. She was delighted, saying, “At our house, there are only princes!”
I removed the glove and placed it on top of the shoe cabinet. Sorry, Mother, I really don’t need this. It’s silk… If only it had a non-slip lining instead of just silk… I’ll mention it to her later.
As I flipped my cloak and looked back, the three of them were watching me intently.
“W-what? What’s going on?”
“I’m Marie’s prince, so I’ll become stronger. Watch me, Marie, and teach me.”
“Please teach me more too. All of your techniques. So I can become stronger than you.”
“I want to become a knight worthy of being Marie-sama’s personal knight! Otherwise, I can never repay the debt I owe you!”
A declaration of resolve?
“Understood. Rufus, your motivation makes sense. You and Helen were born, lived, and met me… and I already owe you enough to repay. If you want to fight alongside me as friends, then I will teach you.”
Rufus bowed deeply, tears glimmering in his eyes. Kyle stared at him thoughtfully.
“Then Leon and Kyle will spar. Rufus, since your form and posture were off earlier, practice swinging your shinai. Basics are important.”
“Yes, Marie-sama!”
We began immediately. Rufus was straightforward, so his growth was quick. Meanwhile, Leon and Kyle started sparring with their shinai, glaring at each other.
I wondered what they taught at knight school in this world. I know they have horsemanship, but maybe also mounted combat? Spears? I’ll ask the knight teacher when they come.
Watching Leon and Kyle spar while Rufus practiced, I occasionally heard shouts of “Die!” from both of them. Blazing, swinging, shouting “You die!” repeatedly… In my past life, at Rufus and Leon’s age, I couldn’t move like that. Terrifying.
I wondered if this training was okay. Will they develop habits in kendo before entering knight school? But that can wait until the teacher arrives. I’m also looking forward to learning real-world combat techniques. The surprise attack… the previous foul play is another matter.
“Marie-sama…”
“Yes…”
A long time passed. Even by evening, it hadn’t ended. I couldn’t tell because of the clouds, but night would come soon. Both of them had incredible stamina. They might grow up muscular… amazing.
“Dinner soon, I guess?”
“Yes. I’m hungry.”
Helen brought lunch midway, but the two of them didn’t eat. Rufus and I were watching, sitting with our knees up. Maybe we could take a bath…
“Oh, I wanted to ask Rufus something.”
“What is it, Marie-sama?”
“You’ve been acting strange since Kyle arrived. What’s wrong?”
Rufus glanced back at me, resting his chin on his knees, and spoke quietly.
“I… I’m scared of Kyle-sama.”
“Did he say or do anything?”
“That would be easier to understand. But I… haven’t spoken a single word to Kyle-sama yet.”
No way. Since he arrived, no handover, no instructions? Even though you walk together every day? What about when you wait outside in the morning? Nothing?
“Really…?”
“What do you mean by ‘really’?”
“It’s written as ‘serious.’ Remember that.”
“Understood. Serious! Is that the right usage?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
…This should be okay.
“I’m not being glared at, but ever since the inspection by the knight corps, he’s been staring at me a lot… I can’t tell what he’s thinking. At first, I was just tense, but… I’m stupid, so I might have been rude without realizing.”
Rufus buried his face in his knees… poor thing. I almost wanted to cry. I stroked his brown hair that was sticking out here and there.
“You’re not stupid, Rufus. I don’t put foolish people by my side. You know that, right?”
Rufus brightened, but then slumped again.
“I see… Marie-sama is right.”
“Perhaps there’s some misunderstanding. I’ll talk to Kyle and see what’s going on.”
“Thank you. Sorry for relying on you, Marie-sama…”
“It’s natural to help a friend in trouble. And maybe I’m partly the cause. Now, dinner! Tonight, let’s eat in the guest room, just the three of us: Helen, Rufus, and me.”
“Yes! With pleasure!”
Every time Helen and Rufus respond like that, I get a strange sense of déjà vu… makes me want to drink. Leon and Kyle can stay ignored for now.
