“This way.”

The east wing of the mansion.

On a night when torches stirred the darkness. Receiving salutes from soldiers standing guard, Alejandro headed underground.

While descending the spiral staircase, Nerea felt puzzled.

Clearly going underground, yet far from being damp or dark, it grew brighter. Just when it seemed a refreshing scent was flowing over the pleasant air without a hint of dust.

Nerea couldn’t believe the sight unfolding before her eyes.

It was a training ground.

A flat gray floor without a speck of dirt. Well-polished swords and shields stood on wooden stands, and a faint leather scent wafted from practice gauntlets.

There were even striking posts, continental maps, and tactical wargame boards laid out.

The ceiling illuminating all this was made of glass, with cold moonlight pouring straight through. It would have been bright enough even without the bright lights on the walls.

Everything Nerea had once desired was here.

Her breath trembled. Nerea reached out as if entranced. Surely those things wouldn’t disappear either, just as her room hadn’t disappeared earlier.

“I’m sorry, but I only brought you here to show you today.”

“Since when…?”

Since when can I use it.

Unable to get those words out properly, Nerea simply stared ahead. For a moment, Alejandro’s expression, blocking her view, strangely hardened, but Nerea was more concerned with the swords beyond him.

She could now openly hang her sword here too. It seemed armor could be placed under the stands as well. Her heart pounded uncontrollably.

“…Safely, right after you’re fully equipped with protective gear and comfortable clothing.”

A low, hoarse voice brushed her ear. At Alejandro’s words, Nerea grew a little more impatient.

“Protective gear?”

She was about to add that she had trained just fine without such things, when Alejandro turned his head. Strangely, the back of Alejandro’s neck stood out under the moonlight.

“…Yes. Because from now on, you must never be injured again, Lady Knight.”

A slightly reddened nape, a faintly trembling voice. All of it possessed a strange power, making Nerea quietly lower her hand.

“Alright.”

.

.

.

“Then, sleep well.”

Alejandro turned off the lights and left. As the door closed, silence flowed over the dark room.

If it had been the cabin.

One, two, three. By now, Alejandro would have stopped walking. He’d probably be guarding that spot until she fell asleep.

Nerea glanced briefly towards the door. The soundproofing of this fine mansion was perfect. Looking around the room meant solely for her, Nerea pinched her cheek for a moment.

It was a ritual she had performed daily during the week-long journey to the capital. A stinging ritual to make her believe this wasn’t all a dream.

Unlike the scenery that had remained the same for five years, rooms that changed daily, unfamiliar cities with hats pressed tightly to conceal her hair. At the end of colorful days that seemed almost unreal was today.

This room, so similar to her own room she had once longed to return to. And the training ground she had truly wanted to have.

Nerea opened her palm, then slowly clenched her fist. While this unrealistic scenery felt overwhelming and delightful, worry and anxiety suddenly seized Nerea.

As much as Alejandro had grown, surely her father, Helen, and Brianna, who had become the crown princess, would be no less formidable. It wouldn’t be easy to regain her rightful title from them.

But Nerea shook her head. After shaking off her worries, she recalled what was most important to her.

“…I must not get hurt. I must never let my guard down.”

So that I never have to long for this moment again, but enjoy it.

The words she recited like a spell lightened the weight in her heart. As her vision gradually blurred, a clear smile settled on Nerea’s lips.

* * *

It was a little over ten minutes after closing the door that Alejandro, who had been standing slightly away from Nerea’s room, moved his feet.

The study on the opposite side. The head maid Martha, butler Kenneth, and Johnny were already standing there.

“We greet the head of the family.”

Alejandro nodded slightly. Johnny was the first to speak.

“The Valere Grand Duchy remains completely quiet. Though they seem to be watching their step due to the Crown Prince’s tour, the Grand Duke is thoroughly guarding in preparation for when the troops will soon withdraw, but…”

“The Valere territory’s forces are too few to be in charge of defense in the first place.”

“That’s right. If something were to happen, it would be difficult with just the Grand Duchy’s forces. If unrest grows uncontrollably, not only might the Grand Duke’s incompetence be exposed, but malicious public opinion against Count Esteban might spread as well.”

Alejandro furrowed his brow.

It was like a time bomb. A bomb that could explode at any time since the Crown Prince’s tour. As the situation seemed like a bomb with greater power might explode as time passed, Johnny added more.

“Of course, there are those lining up wanting to help the Grand Duke as well.”

“What’s that aide sticking to his side doing?”

A languid voice hit the mark. Johnny grinned.

“If you’re referring to Viscount Ronald Illauser, it seems he’s trying hard to persuade the Grand Duke. If only the Grand Duke would agree, neutral noble factions lending their strength to the Grand Duke of Valere would happen in an instant.”

“Those damn neutrals.”

“Well. The Emperor also knows they’re neutral in name only, so he’s not trying to completely exclude them from the vested interests.”

Alejandro contained a wry smile at Johnny’s reply.

Castarty nobles were usually one of two types. Either pro-Emperor or pro-nobility. Those who deviated from those safe choices were the neutrals.

They say they maintain a middle ground between the pro-Emperor and pro-nobility factions, but everyone knew the neutral nobles were secretly supporting the Grand Duke.

In fact, when it came to ability, the Grand Duke who quietly and diligently took charge of the barren Grand Duchy’s affairs was superior to the Crown Prince. But that was strictly limited to ability alone.

“Of course, the Grand Duke won’t agree, but he has tremendous filial piety.”

“Even if the Grand Duke agreed, there’s no justification to recommend him as Crown Prince.”

Indeed.

Johnny nodded at the clear voice. Under Castarty law, the Grand Duke was an illegitimate child.

No matter how talented, the Grand Duke, who had no backing and was out of the Emperor’s favor, would have to continue quelling Gauwe’s rebellions, whose instigators were unknown, in that treacherous border region for a long time to come.

“Still, I’ll continue to grasp the mood of the Grand Duchy through Anjer. I’ll convey that the order to bring in five people in case of a rebellion remains the same.”

Alejandro smiled, pulling up the corners of his mouth at the satisfactory answer.

“What about Colton?”

For a moment, Johnny tensed slightly. So he spoke even more nonchalantly.

“I believe he just passed the Anectar Strait.”

“Still at Anectar? I have to show the Lady Knight all the protective gear tomorrow.”

Thick eyebrows furrowed fiercely. Though the intimidation radiating suddenly was sharp, Johnny shrugged with an incredulous face.

“Not still at Anectar, but already at Anectar. The boots were only completed last month, weren’t they? I think the original schedule to give her the boots was the week after next.”

Alejandro let out a thin sigh. Johnny was right.

He had only wanted to soothe the seemingly impatient Lady Knight, but who knew she would like the training ground so much.

He had wanted to show her the protective gear all at once, but it seemed he would end up presenting incomplete armor.

Johnny added one more thing, as if gloating.

“That’s what happens when you show the training ground too quickly. You even canceled all the boutique and jeweler appointments.”

“…Shut up. Next.”

Johnny promptly retreated. Martha, who had been smiling faintly at their bickering, continued the report.

“Heather is sound asleep. She must have been tired from the journey, as she fell into a deep sleep without any trouble.”

“Don’t forget to keep the household staff’s mouths tightly shut.”

“Yes. I gave them a stern warning again today. No one will give any hint to Count Esteban until you say so.”

Martha smiled brightly. Laughter settled into the wrinkles carved by time. Alejandro stared intently at Martha.

“Why are you looking at this old woman so fondly?”

“…Just. Thinking it must be hard keeping everyone’s mouths shut.”

Alejandro spoke slowly. As if finally realizing what he meant, Martha broke into a broad smile.

Everyone in this Rosa mansion was from the Border Orland territory.

He didn’t know how much they all wanted to speak to the Lady Knight. But seeing even a glimpse of them holding back made Alejandro feel strangely relieved.

It was then that butler Kenneth cautiously spoke up.

“By the way, my lord. The Count barely ate any dinner. I heard she has a small appetite, but is it usually that small? Or was it really due to travel fatigue?”

“Ah, right.”

Alejandro smiled loosely. He had forgotten the most important thing to convey.

“From now on, prepare the Lady Knight’s meals in the small dining room.”

At those words, Kenneth recalled Count Esteban having dinner in the large dining room.

Though forewarned about her small appetite, he hadn’t expected her to not even finish half of the dishes the chef had poured his heart into. When the chef briefly came out, her leisurely words came to mind.

“The chef’s cooking was excellent. It’s just that I haven’t recovered from the journey, so my appetite hasn’t returned yet.”

Because of those considerate words, he hadn’t thought the dining room size might be the issue. Could the dining room have been too large and overwhelming for her?

“Then I’ll tell the chef to move down to the small dining room starting tomorrow.”

“No. Just prepare the ingredients. I’ll do the cooking.”