150
Lately, Enoch had been receiving the same special training from my grandfather at our house.
Even if someone becomes aware of our power beyond human limits, it doesn't mean we immediately become a Swordmaster.
'Even I wandered aimlessly for over ten years after realizing my strength before I could fully master it. It was only then that my aging began to slow down.'
Grandfather said, chuckling. He promised to help us avoid going through such a dark and uncertain period. Since he had gone through it all alone—without anyone to ask for advice or confide in—he was willing to share everything he had learned, without hesitation.
Not just with me, his granddaughter, but even with Enoch.
And of course, Enoch wasn’t about to miss this opportunity.
“Cherrya, if you’d just acted a little better, it wouldn’t have come to this.”
“...I did want to do it well, you know.”
To make our engagement look solid and convincing, we had agreed to pretend to get along.
But unlike Enoch, who managed to keep up his pleasant facade, my expressions kept betraying me every time I tried to speak kindly to him. My face would twist, ruining the mood.
The nobles who saw this began whispering behind our backs.
'It doesn’t look like Dame Cherrya is willing to accept this engagement, does it?'
'Sir Enoch, on the other hand, seems quite happy with it.'
'Well, despite the engagement having been arranged since they were in the womb, the Duke of Emblem and her husband reportedly adore their daughter. If Sir Enoch fails to win over Dame Cherrya’s heart, this engagement might fall apart.'
I wanted to correct their misunderstandings. But then again, I realized this situation was perfect for hiding the fact that Enoch was being trained at our estate.
With Grandfather staying at the mansion and swinging a sword at both Enoch and me, it was easy to excuse it as a test—to see if Enoch was strong enough to marry his granddaughter.
Eventually, Enoch and I reconnected at the Continental Academy, under the roles of student and exam proctor. Rumor had it that during our graduation exam, he fell in love with me all over again while we overcame challenges together.
Apparently, that narrative generated quite the dopamine rush for the people of Lutinas.
'Cherrya, while I’m still being nice—tell me exactly what kind of romantic serenade Sir Gray whispered to you. Word for word. If you truly consider me a friend, shouldn’t we share at least this kind of love story?'
Even Olivia hounded me the moment Enoch left.
All of this chaos was thanks to my failure to manage my expressions—an utter disaster of my own making.
“What do you expect me to do? I just can’t control my expressions.”
I shrugged, as if to say it couldn’t be helped. As I did, the shawl slipped from my shoulder, leaving it exposed.
Kane reached out to fix it, but Enoch—standing right in front of me—was quicker.
Not only did he pull the shawl back up, but he even wrapped it around me like a scarf and casually continued the conversation.
“What kind of setup is it this time?”
“Something like… I walked out half-asleep and just happened to run into you, and you were once again struck by how lethally attractive I looked.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me.”
Enoch scowled as if the mere thought gave him a headache.
Honestly, I felt the same.
“I’m losing my mind too, you know.”
At least if Enoch and I could master the Swordmaster’s power through Grandfather’s training, then we wouldn’t have to fear any kind of threat anymore.
When that moment came, Lutinas would be able to proudly announce the rise of not just one, but two new Swordmasters. That would mark an unprecedented event in the continent’s history.
And with it, Lutinas would gain unmatched power and influence—something never seen before.
Despite being the object of envy and fear, Lutinas would remain firm and unshaken—as long as the combined strength of three Swordmasters brought stability.
“Still, I’d rather be stuck playing along with this ridiculous romance drama than dealing with the real mess.”
“...I get what you mean.”
Enoch and I exchanged heavy sighs as we looked at each other.
The power of a Swordmaster, when unstable, could go berserk with the slightest trigger, leaving one a broken wreck.
As long as we hadn’t learned to control it properly, every single nation on the continent, wary of Lutinas’ rising dominance, would have their eyes on us.
It was a threat far beyond what the Empress posed.
“Hey, did you hear, Enoch? The Empress collapsed when she heard about our engagement.”
“...Yeah, I know. The Empress asked my father to take care of her.”
“Really? What did uncle say?”
“Of course he refused. But he’s been anxious ever since, so Grandpa's been keeping him close.”
“Ah, then that’s a relief.”
I let out a breath of relief.
Enoch’s father—uncle Edward—had become physically weak ever since Aunt Diana disappeared.
The Empress had been relentlessly summoning him to the palace, trying to rope him into an alliance with the Gray Knights and the Second Prince Arthur.
Now, with the news of our engagement, she’d likely summon uncle Edward again, pressuring him to sabotage it—or else she’d make sure he paid dearly.
If Edward refused her demand, she would fuel public opinion against him, claiming his rejection worsened her condition—all as a ploy to strike at Gray.
“As long as your grandfather is guarding him, the Empress probably won’t be able to push uncle around.”
“Which is exactly why we have to make sure this engagement isn’t in vain.”
Enoch and I had to move forward together with a single goal in mind.
If we could learn to control the power of a Swordmaster quickly enough... maybe we wouldn't even need to go through with the engagement ceremony.
I had pinned all my hopes on that.
“Anyway, let’s go. Grandfather’s waiting for us at his personal training ground.”
“You—go change your clothes first.”
“Oh, right! Just a sec!”
The thought of finally getting out of this uncomfortable dress made me lift the hem and bolt.
“Cherrya, at least fix your clothes before you run around!”
“You’ve never worn a dress like this—you don’t know! There’s no other way to run in it!”
“Then walk!”
“There’s no time for that!”
This ridiculous dress was such a nightmare, and clearly no one around me understood just how bad it was.
I glanced at Enoch as I ran. He had his hand over his eyes like he couldn’t bear to watch.
Kane, running alongside me, didn’t even look my way.
I had no idea what their problem was. I was just excited to finally get back to my room.
“Oh my! Why are your bare legs exposed like that? What kind of lady behaves so carelessly and shamelessly!?”
“I just want to get changed already!”
Then Jessia gave me a good few slaps on the back for my trouble.
“Am I a knight or a lady?”
“You’re a knight and a lady!”
“Let’s just pick one!”
“Then I pick lady!”
“I’m going with knight! I’m leaving now!”
“My lady, your buttons! Button up first!”
“I’ll do it on the way!”
“Who walks while buttoning up their blouse?! Stop right there!”
In the end, I only let Jessia drag me back into the room after I saw Kane, who had been catching his breath by the door, blushing like someone had dropped a bomb on him.
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
0 Comments