“How was Yezar able to block Count Warden’s movements so well?”

“Were you curious about that?”

“Of course. I was focused on watching Count Warden’s swordsmanship, but in the end I saw Yezar’s sword blocking everything and striking the weak points. It was so impressive my heart raced.”

“I’m embarrassed to hear you say that.”

The knight who was so fierce and unrelenting with a sword in hand was normally as soft as a marshmallow like this.

“You shouldn’t be embarrassed. After crossing swords with Count Warden, I realized something. I wanted to spar with Yezar for longer, exchanging blows. So I want to improve my swordsmanship. The longer I can last against Yezar, the more enjoyable it will be.”

Predicting the opponent’s thoughts and clashing swords was like having a conversation. I enjoyed the whole process of intensely listening to each other’s breathing, observing movements, looking into each other’s eyes, and reading the next move.

“Someday I will sincerely help you until you can face me as an equal. The conversation through clashing swords is different from talking with words.”

“Yes, just wait. I’ll grow to be even more of a challenge than I am now.”

“I look forward to it, my lady.”

I was childishly delighted by his sincere words without a hint of falsehood. He must believe I can grow that much.

The night deepened, but our conversation continued endlessly. Only when I blinked and collapsed into his arms did the conversation end. Even in my hazy consciousness, I clearly felt the hand covering me with a blanket and stroking my head.

“Good night, Julieta.”

Smiling at that greeting heard in my drowsy state, I also mumbled. It may have been too faint to hear, but I hoped he would have sweet dreams.

***

The letter Pelanne sent arrived quickly.

― I’m sorry, my lady! The Countess Stemun is acquainted with the painter Cortina, so she’s been purchasing paintings through her. So I accidentally let it slip while chatting…

Come to think of it, I had wondered how the paintings of the faceless painter Cortina were being distributed. So Sarsina was pretending to be the agent and distributing them this way. I learned an unexpected fact. Though that didn’t excuse Pelanne’s loose lips.

― But I didn’t mention you were a co-manager. It’s strange how words just flow out in front of Countess Stemun, you know? Did she cast a spell? Ahaha. Just kidding, sorry. Please don’t look at the letter so coldly.

Having known me for several years, she seemed to predict my coldly displeased reaction. What exactly was flowing out so smoothly? I think it would be good to meet with Pelanne now, even at this point.

― As an apology, I’m sending you one of painter Cortina’s paintings! Please forgive me with this!

‘…Well, she’s giving a painting, so maybe I’ll let it slide this once?’

Currently, I hadn’t given up collecting artworks. I hesitated for a moment. Many of painter Cortina’s works weren’t publicly displayed, after all. The one Pelanne was offering was likely one of the unreleased ones.

“I’ll forgive her, why not. If I accept it, I should display it in the Perhaem duchy.”

When leaving for the Perhaem duchy, I had asked Pelanne to keep the artworks from the Orbetian estate in a space where they could be well-preserved.

But I thought it would be fine to display one of painter Cortina’s works in the duchy. Just one piece wouldn’t be too much trouble to take with me later when I was no longer the Duchess of Perhaem.

“I’m letting it slide just this once. Just this once.”

I picked up the quill pen to write her a reply. Wizlet said he was free this week. I wanted to receive it and show him before he came.

There was a lot I wanted to ask when I saw Wizlet. After finishing the letter, I stretched out fully.

‘It’s been a while since I’ve seen Wizlet’s face.’

When I was at the count’s estate, my wet nurse and Wizlet were the ones who often kept me company. Though we always bickered, I was glad to see his face again.

“What did Wizlet like again? I should tell the chef in advance. He’ll probably be on a date with elder sister anyway. Will he just eat lunch and go?”

Wizlet was always weak to elder sister after all. It was obvious he would go straight on a date after confirming I was doing well here.

What is love, to steal a person’s soul like that? But I’m a bit envious. That their love hasn’t cooled, and their childhood engagement has continued until now.

One day, I happened to see elder sister and Wizlet whispering about their future and smiling happily. It looked quite nice. I learned for the first time that elder sister, who always spoke indifferently to Wizlet, could smile like that.

I thought it was just Wizlet’s one-sided feelings. How surprised I was to realize it was mutual.

“I may not be to that extent, but I should show a harmonious image with my husband. That’s the only way elder brother will be able to leave with peace of mind.”

He’s such a fool. But I couldn’t criticize him more, knowing that I was able to smile so brightly partly thanks to Wizlet taking care of me by my side.

***

“So my elder brother is coming this week. I think he’ll probably just eat lunch and go.”

“I see. I’ll let the chef know. Is there anything else I should prepare separately?”

Yezar calmly replied as he parried my sword. Clang! Though I quickly retreated, his sword came in aiming for my left field of vision.

Ching―! A sharp friction sound rang threateningly.

“Please show that our marital relationship is good. Elder brother was worried because he knew we weren’t lovers.”

“Does he know it’s a contract marriage?”

“Not that, but he understands it as a political marriage.”

Ugh. The force pushing back the sword was stronger than usual. My high ponytail swayed back and forth. I tried to catch my breath for a moment and read his next pattern.

But before I could read it, his sword came in towards my neck.

“A political marriage, is it. Then we should show an even better relationship than usual.”

Recognizing that I had lost, I let go of the sword in my hand.

“Yes. And Yezar won again this time. I feel like I could have lasted longer. What a shame.”

As he withdrew his sword, he tidied up my disheveled hair.

“It seems you’re still struggling to keep up with my movements. If we keep sparring, you’ll instinctively know where the sword will come in, just like with Count Warden.”

“Will that happen?”

“Yes. You will. I can tell from training knights. People who love the sword like you and charge in without showing signs of fatigue grew quickly.”

If Yezar said so, it would be so. I could feel the sincerity in his voice.

“Alright. I’ll work hard. Ah, but I think we shouldn’t spar much when Wizlet comes. He might be surprised. He’s very overprotective.”

We were sparring with real swords right now after all. If Wizlet saw, he might get angry at Yezar, asking what we were doing.

“Everyone would, seeing me pointing a sword at you. The knights also had a word with me.”

“My goodness. They did?”

Maybe it’s because most of the knights are always polite to me. I couldn’t quite imagine them approaching Yezar and having a word.

“Yes. But that was after seeing Julieta seriously sparring.”

“Ahaha. I can imagine their faces then. They all looked surprised, didn’t they? The feeling is certainly different when using real swords instead of wooden ones.”

The sensation of contact was completely different. A sense of exhilaration enveloped my whole body, making me more immersed in sparring than usual.

And the trajectory drawn by the sharp sword captivated my gaze every time I saw it, making observation a kind of habit.

“Is the sword you’re using now alright?”

“Yes. It’s fine. The sword is well-maintained, so there’s no discomfort in using it.”

But honestly, I did want a sword that fit me perfectly. A sword that was slightly thinner but longer, with a weighty feeling when swung.

Since I was rarely larger than my average opponent. A relatively longer blade would be convenient for striking the opponent’s weak points.

‘I really have become greedy. When I was at the Orbetian estate, I just enjoyed swinging it as a hobby.’

Now that wasn’t enough to satisfy me. After directly facing beautiful swordsmanship, I felt a thirst that went beyond calling it a hobby. I wanted to see the different swordsmanship passed down in each family.

I wanted to fight Yezar more seriously, for longer. Even if I got injured while sparring, I wouldn’t mind.

“Ah, cold!”

I was startled by something suddenly cold touching my cheek.

“Cool water. You looked hot. Shall we go in now?”

I saw beads of sweat flowing on his forehead. Ah, come to think of it, quite some time seemed to have passed.

“I did keep asking for more sparring. Let’s go in. Both Yezar and I are drenched in sweat.”

I reflected for a moment on how I always seemed to lose control and charge in eagerly because he indulged me.

Still, like the time spent talking with him before sleep, sparring with him had become another precious part of my daily life.

I wanted to keep clashing swords and conversing with him. Recalling the points Yezar had pointed out today, I gulped down the cool water. Though I wished these peaceful moments would continue, the invitation from the imperial family suddenly came to mind.