Chapter 35 (1/2)

Birdcage

AN: There were some edits, but nothing major. (TN: not applicable to us, I think&h.e.l.lip;)

When she heard that Wynn had received dispatch orders from the Knight Order, Leticia had naturally wanted to go with him.

But since she wasn’t a knight, she hadn’t received permission to join the Imperial Army on its military movements. As a result, she chose to join as Wynn’s follower.

There were many cases of n.o.bles and knights having their soldiers and followers accompany them to battle.

Of course, it was unprecedented for a lady of high n.o.bility to become a follower.

However&h.e.l.lip;

“Leticia, you can’t go to a battlefield!”

As she made preparations to go to Wynn’s side, her father, Lecter van Mavis[1], called out to her.

Lecter grimaced at the sight of the n.o.ble lady who wasn’t dressed well and wore no makeup.

“You want to become the follower of some plebeian brat!? What are you, a member of the Ducal House, thinking!?”

“I am not acting as a member of the Ducal House. What is improper about a disciple following their master?”

“It’s completely improper!”

Lecter stood up, pounding his ebony working desk with his fist.

Lecter remained in that position, glaring at Leticia for a while, then eventually let out a sigh and sat back down in his chair.

“You see, you are now the Brave, and everybody in the world has their eyes on you, Leticia.”

“Understood.”

“Naturally, there is n.o.body in the surrounding countries who doesn’t know who you are. Even countries who isolate themselves, and those of other races would know your name. As your father, I am proud that our family name has spread all over the world.”

“Therefore, it is important that you remember that you are the third daughter of the Remuls.h.i.+l Empire’s Duke Mavis. I don’t mind if the fact that you to have a commoner as your master. There’s no alternative if it’s true. But you should spread the name of the Baron-dono who was your tutor far and wide as your master.”

“I have no Master other than Wynn Byrd.”

In the first place, she had no memory of being taught anything by that Baron.

In the first place, the young Leticia was a child who couldn’t stand staying still.

More than other people, she was inquisitive, wandering towards whatever caught her interest. Whenever she studied, whether it was reading books with the tutor, or practicing her writing, the birds flying outside the window and the flowers blooming in the garden would catch her interest.

The tutor would avoid her every time her eyes left the book.

He spouted abusive words towards Leticia for lazing around, and in the afternoon, during the basic swordplay and martial arts training, he beat her severely with the wooden sword.

It must have been him venting his pent-up frustration from acting as her tutor, since he never got her during the lesson.

When they sparred, she was knocked to the ground-- or rather-- it would be more accurate to say that she was beaten to the ground.

Her whole body was covered in bruises.

He broke Leticia’s bones, and gave her cuts

and bruises only in places that were not easily visible; The Baron was surprisingly skilled.

As a result, Leticia was labelled a dunce in comparison to her older siblings, and was treated as a black sheep of the Ducal House.

When Leticia’s attending maids, who washed her body and changed her clothes reported her wounds, the tutor just said that it was his carelessness.

Under the tutor’s guidance, her brothers and sisters could carry themselves with pride for being a member of the Ducal House, so Lecter believed the tutor.

“For a Duke’s daughter to call an unknown n.o.body the Master of the Brave, it is doing a disservice to high society for you to follow that young commoner boy. Our honour would be stained!”

“Unknown n.o.body&h.e.l.lip; even if you’re my father, of you call Onii--my master that, I would never forgive you!”

Leticia was incensed at Lecter’s words.

If the tutor had patiently taught Leticia slowly from the basics, in her studies, in her swordplay, in her martial arts, she may have awakened as the Brave faster.

However, it was with Wynn , where she enjoyed reading books, learning magic, and moving her body.

In Leticia’s isolated world, only one person gave an unwavering light.

Feeling Leticia’s rage-filled gaze, Lecter flinched, but trying to keep up appearances as a father, he squeezed out his voice.

“Li-Listen, Leticia. You and this commoner boy you call master live in completely different worlds. Are you willing to face the unhappiness of the surroundings not accepting it?”

“Not accepting it?”

Leticia showed a faint smile.