“I was unable to attend due to personal reasons. I apologize for not asking for your understanding in advance due to the urgency.”

“Personal reasons?”

“I believe he must be going through a very difficult time right now.”

“Is it that serious? Is he ill or something?”

“I’m afraid to say, but from my estimation, he may be gravely ill.”

“Is that so? This is troubling.”

The Emperor’s expression hardened.

It was problematic for the Captain of the Knights to be absent at such a critical time.

“It can’t be helped. For now, tell him that recovering quickly is most important, so he should take care of himself.”

“I will do so.”

“And as you know, a written report can suffice, so there’s no need to send a deputy to attend.”

“…Pardon?”

Allen, who had been staring blankly at the Emperor, finally realized his mistake and lowered his head.

He remembered Eric saying before that for recent routine inspection meetings, a written report would suffice if unable to attend, as they were mostly briefings.

If he had properly known the meeting agenda from the start, there would have been no need to rush to attend here, nor to foolishly tell the Emperor that Eric was ill.

Come to think of it, he recalled Eric’s deputy saying something as he rushed out.

‘I’m really dead now.’

[This is the timeline separator]

Late that evening, a letter from Allen arrived for Eric.

“Why is this guy suddenly doing something he never does?”

He always barged in like it was his own home, turning everything upside down, but this time he sent a polite letter.

He even properly affixed the Knights’ seal, making it look like an official document.

Eric opened the letter with a mix of curiosity and unease.

“……”

Crunch.

The letter crumpled miserably in Eric’s hand.

The contents of the letter were simple.

Esteemed Captain,

Thanks to my mishandling of words while attending the routine inspection meeting on your behalf, you have now become bedridden.

Given the circumstances, I hope you will appreciate this junior’s kind intention for you to rest for a few days and spend quality time with your sister-in-law.

P.S. If you’re going to kill me, please let me know in advance. I’ll write my resignation letter before that.

[This is the timeline separator]

“So you’re feigning illness?”

“Yeah.”

Eric shook his head with a sigh at Alicia’s incredulous gaze.

“I really don’t know what great sin I committed to end up with such a junior.”

“But I heard he’s quite capable?”

“I take that back. Should I fire him right now?”

When Eric asked with mock seriousness, Alicia burst into a short laugh.

“That wouldn’t be any fun, would it?”

“Fun? What fun? That guy’s been exhausting me lately.”

“Still, you two seem to get along really well.”

“Don’t even say such things out loud.”

Alicia giggled at Eric’s gruff response.

Eric, who had been sitting with a disgruntled expression, suddenly spoke as if remembering something.

“Oh right, can you tell Edward to come tomorrow?”

“Edward? Why?”

“I want to see him.”

“?”

Seeing Alicia’s puzzled look, Eric grinned.

“I made a promise to Edward before. I thought I’d teach him some swordsmanship in preparation for the military academy.”

“You’re going to teach swordsmanship personally?”

“Yeah. While I’m idling anyway.”

“But is it okay for the Captain of the Knights to do that?”

“What do you mean?”

“Teaching privately?”

“It’s not like I’m charging money or calling him to the Knights’ training grounds. Besides, our Knights and Allen come and go freely, so they can teach him well even when I’m not around.”

“Sir Allen?”

“You may not believe it, but he’s quite skilled.”

Eric thought for a moment, then chuckled.

“Right, even I think that guy is a bit unreliable.”

With that, Eric stood up.

“Well then, I’ll head to the training grounds.”

“Shouldn’t you stay put since it’s an official sick leave?”

“Wouldn’t there be room for leniency if I’m said to be training diligently despite that?”

If he’s well enough to train, wouldn’t that rather make it look like he’s faking illness?

But Alicia just smiled and kept quiet, thinking how itchy he must be feeling to act like this.

[This is the timeline separator]

“You’ve arrived, Captain.”

“You look perfectly fine?”

“What do you mean? Can’t you see how haggard I look under my eyes? My hands are trembling so much I can barely hold a sword now. The training regimen is murderously intense, I tell you.”

“Keep your mouth shut unless you really intend to write that resignation letter, at least for you if not the others.”

“Urgh.”

Though he looked disgruntled, Allen seemed to have no choice but to accept it and promptly shut his mouth.

“Ah, an observer will be coming tomorrow. Just try to embarrass us. I won’t let it slide.”

“An observer? What’s this all of a sudden?”

“I’m going to try raising a disciple.”

“Huh? Raise what?”

“Why are you surprised? Is it that unexpected?”

“No, it’s just that someone who’s never properly raised even a potted plant that everyone else manages is saying they’ll raise something?”

“…10 more laps added.”

“What? That’s too much!”

“Shut up. Are you not going to run?”

“Argh-!”

As soon as Eric frowned, Allen whined and ran off.

‘He’s really been enjoying pushing his luck lately. Should I really fire him?’

Eric glared at Allen’s back as he jogged away sluggishly with a displeased expression.

[This is the timeline separator]

The next day, Eric introduced the nervously standing Edward to his subordinates.

“This is Edward Beirne. I’ve agreed to oversee his training starting today.”

“Ooh.”

The knights’ eyes sparkled with curiosity towards Edward, who looked exactly like the Captain’s fiancée.

“I look forward to working with you all.”

Edward bowed politely.

Just then, Allen, who was bringing the sword for Edward to use, greeted Edward happily upon seeing him.

“Oh, so the disciple was Edward? He’s definitely worth raising.”

Allen nodded in understanding, recalling Edward from their joint training in the square before.

“Hello. It’s been a while.”

“Don’t worry too much and just trust me completely.”

“Why should he trust you?”

“I’m better than the Captain, right? Honestly, the Captain is a bit awkward. Not a hint of delicacy.”

“What did you say?”

As the two bickered, Edward, who had been smiling awkwardly between them, quickly intervened.

“So, what should I do first?”

“Well, let’s start by warming up? Let’s run around the training grounds first. 10 laps. Then we’ll have a light sparring match. To gauge your level.”

“Spar with brother-in-law? Me?”

“Yes. We promised, remember? When we first met.”

“Wow. You remembered? I’m excited.”

An excited Edward clenched both fists.

Then he quickly corrected his posture.

“Ah, my sister told me not to call you brother-in-law. Should I call you Master here? Or Captain?”

“Hmm? Well. Whatever you’re comfortable with.”

“Then I’ll call you Captain. For practice.”

“Alright. Do that.”

“Yes, Captain.”

Edward answered energetically, then immediately ran off following the other knights.

[This is the timeline separator]

“Edward. How’s learning swordsmanship? Is he teaching you well?”

During dinner, Alicia suddenly asked as if she just thought of it.

“Yes, sister. It’s really fun.”

“Fun? Not difficult?”

“Not difficult at all. Everyone is so nice to me.”

Alicia narrowed her eyes with a dubious expression at Edward’s words.

“Oh right, sister. Brother-in-law sparred with me too.”

“Really?”

“Brother-in-law only used his left hand while standing still, but I couldn’t even get close. He was really amazing.”

Countess Lancaster, who was listening, smiled brightly.

“My, it seems Eric is being very considerate.”

“Yes, Mother. And the older brothers are really fun too.”

“That’s great. Learn well and have fun.”

“There’s so much delicious food in the Knights Order, and so many types of swords, and so many weapons. It’s fun just looking around. But they’re heavy and not easy to lift.”

Listening to Edward chattering excitedly, Alicia tilted her head.

‘He went to learn swordsmanship, so shouldn’t it be difficult? Why is it just fun? I think I need to check if he’s doing it properly.’

[This is the timeline separator]

After dinner, Alicia climbed the stairs to return to her room after briefly talking with the butler.

Upon reaching the second floor, she suddenly looked at the balcony visible straight ahead.

“Who left the door open?”

Alicia muttered as she approached to close the door.

At that moment, she noticed a fluttering blue color sitting on the balcony railing.

“What’s that?”

Alicia approached closer out of curiosity.

“A butterfly?”

Alicia looked at it with wonder, as the blue color seemed somehow familiar.

As she continued watching the wings move slightly, she felt a bit dazed.

The butterfly, seeming to have relaxed as Alicia wasn’t moving, soon fluttered up as if trying to enter the mansion.

Just then, Edward, who was coming up with a glass of milk, asked from behind the dazed Alicia.

“Sister, what are you doing?”

“Shh. Look over there.”

“What is it? A butterfly? Why did it come all the way here?”

“Hah!”

Suddenly, Alicia swung the broom that was standing next to her at the butterfly.

The butterfly fluttered greatly to the side from the force of the swing.

“Goodness, sister. What are you doing? Poor butterfly.”

“What butterfly? It’s night, so it must be a moth. I’m going to keep it from coming in, so chase it out and close the door.”

“Alright.”

As Alicia swung the broom once more, the butterfly fluttered and wobbled, then escaped back outside.

Edward quickly closed the door.

“Well done, Edward.”

“It wasn’t much, sister. Don’t you think that was a bit excessive? It’s just trying to survive too.”

“What are you saying? Moths should live outside.”

“Wasn’t the color a bit different for a moth?”

“Who knows? Whether it’s a butterfly or a moth, it’s troublesome if it comes inside.”

Alicia put the broom back to the side and even closed the curtains neatly.

“Brother-in-law really needs to see this.”

“Stop saying strange things and go in quickly.”

“Sigh.”

Edward shook his head at Alicia, then headed to his room.

Alicia glared at Edward, then entered her room, and soon the hallway became quiet.

Meanwhile, outside the balcony, the butterfly that had been chased away earlier returned, fluttering its blue wings and continuing to linger around the balcony.

[This is the timeline separator]

The next day, Alicia headed to the training grounds to match Edward’s schedule.

“Hello.”

“Oh, you came? How did you get here……”

Eric, who turned around smiling at Alicia’s voice, looked surprised upon seeing her.

Her hair was tied up in a single bundle, and she was wearing a light shirt and pants, looking easy to move in.

“But what’s with the outfit? What are you planning to do?”

“I wanted to do some testing.”