Chapter 41 (2/2)

“Yes, I remember it.”

“Oh, that makes my job easy. The swordsmanship of your family is too tough for a woman to learn. But it’s not the case of my family. ”

“So what?”

“Your father has formally asked my family to teach you fencing suitable for you as a woman.

In exchange your father has promised to give my family something in return.”

What? To a family of martial arts, its original swordsmanship is the pride and symbol of the family. Nonetheless, has my father committed to pass it on to another family, even if it’s just one person? Because of me?

When I reacted in shock, he said with a smile, “Oh, don’t worry about that. The target of the deal is only you and me. Its transfer to another family is prohibited.”

“I see. That’s a relief! ”

“So, I decided to pass down one thing about fencing to you first. As for me, I can take it from your family later. Anyway, that’s why I came to teach you.”

“Got it.”

“Now, call me Master,” he said playfully.

“…I don’t like it.” ”

“Why? I’m your master, and I’m here to teach you.”

“I still hate it.”

“Can’t you be generous to call me master?”

With an irritated look, he turned away. He stopped while trying to walk away, sweeping his dishevelled hair fluttering in the wind. Then, I took out something from his pocket and gave it to me.

“What is this?”

“How long are you going to use honorific language to me?”

“Well, I don’t know.”

“Oh, dang it! You always say ‘ I don’t know’ when I ask that. By the way, I clearly gave it to you. That stupid guy asked me to deliver it to you.”

‘Oh, Allendis? ‘

I glanced at the light green envelope smelling of a fresh scent.

While looking at me hesitating to open it for a moment, Carsein said as if he was annoyed, “Oh, dang it! Did you quarrel with that stupid guy?”

Quarrell? Can I define it like that? He was now asking to reconcile with me when I consistently refused it. How would I define this kind of relationship?

“You guys are really funny? You were like a couple in the past. And now you are separated like this? What the heck is going on here?”

“… ”

“Well, I thought of tearing it on my way here, but I didn’t because of his pathetic expression.

Anyway, this time I gave it a pass. I never knew he could make such a pathetic expression.”

He then turned away as if he was displeased with our relationship. A serene silence surrounded me. I looked at the light green envelope in my hand and slowly opened the seal.

<Hi, Tia.

Several days ago, Lars suddenly came to me and said he was going to your estate soon. He said he was going with your father’s permission. I didn’t ask further because he said he was going as a result of a deal between two families. Anyway, I don’t think you will be lonely if he is there with you.>

I went back to my room with a sigh. Determined to reply this time, I opened the stationery, but when I picked up the pen, I couldn’t figure out how to. However, I was bothered by what Lars said. He said he saw Allendis’s pathetic expression on his face. I guessed that Allendis was greatly hurt, but when I heard from Carsein that he looked so pitiable, I felt something stuck in my throat.

‘Let me write anyway.’

I tried to encourage myself to write a reply several times, but I still couldn’t write a single letter. I stared at the paper for a while and put the pen down with a sigh. I folded the blank stationery into the envelope and sealed it. For now, it was the best I could do.