– Is there anything you want?
“What I want?”
-That’s right. Things you wish you could do in this life.
“A lot.”
In the midst of the light, my voice echoed in despair.
– Tell me.
The voice telling me to speak was very kind, so I opened my mouth as if pouring out my heart.
“I wish I could remember my family. Because I can’t remember at all, I don’t know what kind of people they were…and what if I studied a little more? Looking at the tarok Sieur Randell carries-.”
Even if my voice was burning with embarrassment.
“I learned that the world we live in is round. I don’t know how that could be. But I want to know more about things like that, and-.”
Words flowed nonstop.
If it had been a little stronger, if I had believed in the spirits a little more, if I had signed a contract with a higher spirit.
“And I shouldn’t have turned a blind eye to Adrian as a child.”
Depression came over.
“When I saw him covered in blood, I thought I couldn’t do anything, I couldn’t dare do anything, because I was a maid… And then I ran away because the Madam was very scary…”
If I had stood my ground, if I had held out my hand even if he pushed me away, it would not have taken so long for our relationship to come to this point.
A sigh flowed out.
But soon laughter lingers. The words came out like a joke.
“Well, I also want to throw away Sieur Rabdell glasses…”
The reason that various wishes flowed back and forth was that the other person was listening with deep understanding.
-All right.
When I finished my words, the other person answered softly.
– It won’t be easy. Nina, it would be painful.
“But I can get another chance, right?”
-That’s right.
“But can I do it just because I get another chance? I’ve already failed.”
– I will be with you.
But wouldn’t there be many more wonderful people besides me? When I said that, my listener laughed a little.
-But the one who trusted me and called for me was only you, Nina.
I took a deep breath and said.
“All right. Then, let’s go, to meet you once again.”
(Note: In case you don’t remember, this is the title of the ‘book’ mentioned in Chapter. 06)
* * *
‘Ah.’
When I opened my eyes, tears flowed endlessly and the pillow was damp.
‘I must have cried the whole time I was dreaming.’
Because I was sad? Glad? Relieved?
Wiping her wet face, Nina took a deep breath.
It was the first time I heard the whole conversation. It’s a dream, but…
‘I think I know who the other person is.’
And I’m quite afraid to confirm it.
‘Me? Did I call for him?’
The Great Spirit?
What the hell is this situation?
Looking blankly at the ceiling, she could see it was dawn. Nina got up from her seat.
“Hum!”
After stretching her limbs back and forth like a cat, she got out of bed and opened the curtains.
The rising sun was scattering light here and there, coloring the world in a pinkish hue.
The silver lake glistened in the sunlight, Nina stood by the window for a moment and watched it until the sun completely came up.
As expected, this is home.
It has already been a week since I arrived at the mansion, but I still enjoyed being at home.
The air was getting colder, and Nina was delighted with the cold air.
She changed her clothes and hurriedly headed to the training hall, there were already knights practicing their daily routine.
“Good morning, Commander.”
When they saw her, they came to politely greet Nina, she waved her hand.
After having to train daily in the small gymnasium in the townhouse, it felt very refreshing to train in the large field where a horse can openly run in the distance.
The floor was laid out with smooth kerbstones, and it was well maintained, so not a single piece of grass could be seen through the cracks in the stones.
No cracked stones, no broken stones.
‘Is the answer money after all?’
They used reasonably hard stones, and the fact that they were replaced immediately if they break or crack means that the Duchy had that much money on its hand.
“Leader.”
It was Pam who came with his particular gait. Now Nina could roughly tell who the elite member was by just hearing the sound of footsteps.
“What’s going on?”
He was now tying his long scarlet hair into a tight ponytail.
“I warmed up my body, would you please have a bout with me?”
At Pan’s words, Nina grinned.
“Good.”
Nina branded her wooden sword like a flag while making a swooshing sound. Pan moved a couple of steps away and took his stance.
‘Now everyone is strong.’
It was difficult for her to defeat them in one hit like before, and that made her happy.
“Here I go!”
Pan rushed in.
It was a training match that would normally have ended in its due time, but Pan came wielding his sword as if determined.
Nina couldn’t take it easy anymore, so she gave him a good small hit.
‘If you rush to get hit, you get hit.’
It was a fiery match, to the extent that the knights who were watching made sounds and voices like ‘Uh-‘ and ‘Ah-ah-ah’, on their own.
Nina’s hand was spicy.
She adjusted it so that his bones were not damaged, but it still hurt.
“Are you coming again?”
Nina straightened her sword and Pan raised his head with a “whoa” sound.
His eyelids were starting to swell. Tomorrow, it will be so swollen that it will be difficult to distinguish what is what in his face, and it will be difficult to walk properly.
Nina asked, raising her sword at an angle.
“Do you want me to knock you out? You can get carried away afterward.”
“No, I’ll stop.”
Pan, who swallowed his breath raised his arms and sat down in his seat. His butt hurts from being kicked too many times.
Nina lowered her sword and said,
“Don’t use me as a tool for self-harm.”
“It’s not like that…”
Pan smiled bitterly at her and looked at Nina. She approached and crouched down in front of him.
Putting her chin on the back of her hand, she asked.
“Then why do this?”
Staring into her golden eyes, Pan looked for an answer.
Why?
Indeed, why.
“Seems like a couple of two, it’s a tizzy for others.” (Pan)
He threw it like a joke, but Nina didn’t laugh. Thinking it was a failed joke, Pan smiled awkwardly by himself.
“Ouch……”(Pan)
When his broken lips hurt and Pan’s eyes frowned, Nina smiled and reached out to stroke his head.
She was gentle because he already had a bump and would be hurting.
Embarrassed for some reason, Pan rolled his eyes down.
Yes, this is shameful.
Yep, this is nonsense.
He shouldn’t have pointed it out himself, even though Nina didn’t show any changes.
“I’m not going to care less for you guys just because I’m in a relationship. You know that, right?”
Nina brushed off and stood up from her seat, Pan said.
“And the newcomer.”
“Ah- yes.”
“He is completely out of sync.”
“Gosh.”
Nina laughed.
“I think it would have been better to just take him to the elite.”
“It’s not okay. And I don’t want it either.”
Pan said his part and groaned again.
It feels strange to see the former Commander of the Lily Knights train with the newcomers. He doesn’t even have a pleasant personality, unlike how he looks, he just goes off on his own rhythm.
“It’s okay, as we roll around on the ground together, we’ll all become friends.”
At Nina’s outspoken words, Pan said, “That’s true.” and she laughed. Nina said to him.
“Go to the infirmary. Lie down and take a sick leave tomorrow.”
“All right.”
Hayden, who had been watching Pan from afar, quickly approached and supported him. He looked at Pan with a face full of things to say, and Pan smiled awkwardly.
“Excuse us, Leader.”
After Hayden greeted her politely, he took the Pan and left. Nina pulled her hair slightly.
‘Affection, yearning, and admiration are similar, but there are many different types.’
She had no intention of denying that she was popular.
“Leader.”
Charlotte was approaching as light as a cat. It was funny to see Kell and Raja glancing at this place from afar.
“Charlotte.”
“Is that alright?”
Charlotte didn’t like Pan at all. She couldn’t understand why he kept rushing like that to the Leader.
As the Leader said, Charlotte hopes he won’t use her as a ‘self-harm tool’.
“He’s just trying to make himself comfortable.” (Charlotte)
She spoke sharply as she looked at Nina with worried eyes.
Nina nodded her head.
“Of course it’s fine.”
Even after hearing the answer, Charlotte hesitated, and Nina smiled sweetly.
“Why? Does Charlotte wants to have a match now?”
“No.”
Her words were so firm that Charlotte blushed.
“Please do it next time. Definitely.”
“Yes.”
When Nina smiled, Charlotte also smiled and continued.
“I’m fine with it if the Leader is fine with it.”
Charlotte bravely spoke again and continued her words after clearing her through with a light cough.
“Tomorrow evening I’ll send the list of nominees for the elite.”
– Is there anything you want?
“What I want?”
-That’s right. Things you wish you could do in this life.
“A lot.”
In the midst of the light, my voice echoed in despair.
– Tell me.
The voice telling me to speak was very kind, so I opened my mouth as if pouring out my heart.
“I wish I could remember my family. Because I can’t remember at all, I don’t know what kind of people they were…and what if I studied a little more? Looking at the tarok Sieur Randell carries-.”
Even if my voice was burning with embarrassment.
“I learned that the world we live in is round. I don’t know how that could be. But I want to know more about things like that, and-.”
Words flowed nonstop.
If it had been a little stronger, if I had believed in the spirits a little more, if I had signed a contract with a higher spirit.
“And I shouldn’t have turned a blind eye to Adrian as a child.”
Depression came over.
“When I saw him covered in blood, I thought I couldn’t do anything, I couldn’t dare do anything, because I was a maid… And then I ran away because the Madam was very scary…”
If I had stood my ground, if I had held out my hand even if he pushed me away, it would not have taken so long for our relationship to come to this point.
A sigh flowed out.
But soon laughter lingers. The words came out like a joke.
“Well, I also want to throw away Sieur Rabdell glasses…”
The reason that various wishes flowed back and forth was that the other person was listening with deep understanding.
-All right.
When I finished my words, the other person answered softly.
– It won’t be easy. Nina, it would be painful.
“But I can get another chance, right?”
-That’s right.
“But can I do it just because I get another chance? I’ve already failed.”
– I will be with you.
But wouldn’t there be many more wonderful people besides me? When I said that, my listener laughed a little.
-But the one who trusted me and called for me was only you, Nina.
I took a deep breath and said.
“All right. Then, let’s go, to meet you once again.”
(Note: In case you don’t remember, this is the title of the ‘book’ mentioned in Chapter. 06)
* * *
‘Ah.’
When I opened my eyes, tears flowed endlessly and the pillow was damp.
‘I must have cried the whole time I was dreaming.’
Because I was sad? Glad? Relieved?
Wiping her wet face, Nina took a deep breath.
It was the first time I heard the whole conversation. It’s a dream, but…
‘I think I know who the other person is.’
And I’m quite afraid to confirm it.
‘Me? Did I call for him?’
The Great Spirit?
What the hell is this situation?
Looking blankly at the ceiling, she could see it was dawn. Nina got up from her seat.
“Hum!”
After stretching her limbs back and forth like a cat, she got out of bed and opened the curtains.
The rising sun was scattering light here and there, coloring the world in a pinkish hue.
The silver lake glistened in the sunlight, Nina stood by the window for a moment and watched it until the sun completely came up.
As expected, this is home.
It has already been a week since I arrived at the mansion, but I still enjoyed being at home.
The air was getting colder, and Nina was delighted with the cold air.
She changed her clothes and hurriedly headed to the training hall, there were already knights practicing their daily routine.
“Good morning, Commander.”
When they saw her, they came to politely greet Nina, she waved her hand.
After having to train daily in the small gymnasium in the townhouse, it felt very refreshing to train in the large field where a horse can openly run in the distance.
The floor was laid out with smooth kerbstones, and it was well maintained, so not a single piece of grass could be seen through the cracks in the stones.
No cracked stones, no broken stones.
‘Is the answer money after all?’
They used reasonably hard stones, and the fact that they were replaced immediately if they break or crack means that the Duchy had that much money on its hand.
“Leader.”
It was Pam who came with his particular gait. Now Nina could roughly tell who the elite member was by just hearing the sound of footsteps.
“What’s going on?”
He was now tying his long scarlet hair into a tight ponytail.
“I warmed up my body, would you please have a bout with me?”
At Pan’s words, Nina grinned.
“Good.”
Nina branded her wooden sword like a flag while making a swooshing sound. Pan moved a couple of steps away and took his stance.
‘Now everyone is strong.’
It was difficult for her to defeat them in one hit like before, and that made her happy.
“Here I go!”
Pan rushed in.
It was a training match that would normally have ended in its due time, but Pan came wielding his sword as if determined.
Nina couldn’t take it easy anymore, so she gave him a good small hit.
‘If you rush to get hit, you get hit.’
It was a fiery match, to the extent that the knights who were watching made sounds and voices like ‘Uh-‘ and ‘Ah-ah-ah’, on their own.
Nina’s hand was spicy.
She adjusted it so that his bones were not damaged, but it still hurt.
“Are you coming again?”
Nina straightened her sword and Pan raised his head with a “whoa” sound.
His eyelids were starting to swell. Tomorrow, it will be so swollen that it will be difficult to distinguish what is what in his face, and it will be difficult to walk properly.
Nina asked, raising her sword at an angle.
“Do you want me to knock you out? You can get carried away afterward.”
“No, I’ll stop.”
Pan, who swallowed his breath raised his arms and sat down in his seat. His butt hurts from being kicked too many times.
Nina lowered her sword and said,
“Don’t use me as a tool for self-harm.”
“It’s not like that…”
Pan smiled bitterly at her and looked at Nina. She approached and crouched down in front of him.
Putting her chin on the back of her hand, she asked.
“Then why do this?”
Staring into her golden eyes, Pan looked for an answer.
Why?
Indeed, why.
“Seems like a couple of two, it’s a tizzy for others.” (Pan)
He threw it like a joke, but Nina didn’t laugh. Thinking it was a failed joke, Pan smiled awkwardly by himself.
“Ouch……”(Pan)
When his broken lips hurt and Pan’s eyes frowned, Nina smiled and reached out to stroke his head.
She was gentle because he already had a bump and would be hurting.
Embarrassed for some reason, Pan rolled his eyes down.
Yes, this is shameful.
Yep, this is nonsense.
He shouldn’t have pointed it out himself, even though Nina didn’t show any changes.
“I’m not going to care less for you guys just because I’m in a relationship. You know that, right?”
Nina brushed off and stood up from her seat, Pan said.
“And the newcomer.”
“Ah- yes.”
“He is completely out of sync.”
“Gosh.”
Nina laughed.
“I think it would have been better to just take him to the elite.”
“It’s not okay. And I don’t want it either.”
Pan said his part and groaned again.
It feels strange to see the former Commander of the Lily Knights train with the newcomers. He doesn’t even have a pleasant personality, unlike how he looks, he just goes off on his own rhythm.
“It’s okay, as we roll around on the ground together, we’ll all become friends.”
At Nina’s outspoken words, Pan said, “That’s true.” and she laughed. Nina said to him.
“Go to the infirmary. Lie down and take a sick leave tomorrow.”
“All right.”
Hayden, who had been watching Pan from afar, quickly approached and supported him. He looked at Pan with a face full of things to say, and Pan smiled awkwardly.
“Excuse us, Leader.”
After Hayden greeted her politely, he took the Pan and left. Nina pulled her hair slightly.
‘Affection, yearning, and admiration are similar, but there are many different types.’
She had no intention of denying that she was popular.
“Leader.”
Charlotte was approaching as light as a cat. It was funny to see Kell and Raja glancing at this place from afar.
“Charlotte.”
“Is that alright?”
Charlotte didn’t like Pan at all. She couldn’t understand why he kept rushing like that to the Leader.
As the Leader said, Charlotte hopes he won’t use her as a ‘self-harm tool’.
“He’s just trying to make himself comfortable.” (Charlotte)
She spoke sharply as she looked at Nina with worried eyes.
Nina nodded her head.
“Of course it’s fine.”
Even after hearing the answer, Charlotte hesitated, and Nina smiled sweetly.
“Why? Does Charlotte wants to have a match now?”
“No.”
Her words were so firm that Charlotte blushed.
“Please do it next time. Definitely.”
“Yes.”
When Nina smiled, Charlotte also smiled and continued.
“I’m fine with it if the Leader is fine with it.”
Charlotte bravely spoke again and continued her words after clearing her through with a light cough.
“Tomorrow evening I’ll send the list of nominees for the elite.”
