Sigrid

It was the dress she had just sold(?) to Beramund. The maid, still smiling, said:

“Lord Beramund said it’s a gift. And the clothes you wore here have already been washed, so there are no other suitable clothes. Or should I borrow some from the young master?”

‘Young master?’

Realizing that meant Beramund, Sigrid bit her lip. No matter what, she couldn’t ask to borrow his clothes.

They wouldn’t fit anyway.

‘But why are there women’s undergarments?’

With this question in mind, Sigrid let the maids dress her. Then another maid approached and wrapped a large apron around her.

‘An apron?’

Why this?

Puzzled, she went to the reception room where Beramund was already seated on the sofa, eating a sandwich.

“Sorry, I couldn’t wait and started eating. Come and eat. You must be hungry?”

Sigrid quickly sat down, eyeing the scones and sandwiches piled on the table. Her stomach was already growling.

“I thought this would be better than a formal dinner. More comfortable.”

Beramund grinned as he poured tea into her cup. Sigrid didn’t hesitate to pick up a sandwich with a large slice of ham.

“It’s delicious!”

Sigrid exclaimed after swallowing a mouthful. Whatever they had done, it was very tasty.

“Hunger is the best sauce.”

Beramund, having already finished his sandwich, liberally spread cream and jam on a scone, which looked more suitable for elegant enjoyment. In his large hand, the scone looked like just a single bite.

Glancing at Sigrid, Beramund knew he had made the right choice.

She didn’t seem offended that he hadn’t prepared a formal dinner, and he could tell she felt much more comfortable with this.

‘Though perhaps a bit too comfortable.’

He couldn’t help but smile seeing her cheeks puffed out, stuffed with sandwich. Beramund disguised his laughter with a cough.

Only after devouring three large sandwiches did Sigrid slow her eating pace. Sipping the sweet tea, she glanced at Beramund. He was dressed casually in just a shirt, with the sleeves rolled up two or three times.

“What? Am I handsome?”

He asked with a smile, but Sigrid shook her head and said:

“No, it’s not that. Thank you for lending me clothes. I’ll wash and return them.”

“Huh? No, that’s a gift. I’m giving them to you.”

“What? But—”

“It’s custom-made anyway, so I have no one to give it to even if I keep it. And it would be strange to take back a gift I’d given, right?”

“But I sold it to you, Beramund.”

“Yes, and now I’m choosing to gift the item I bought. What’s wrong with that?”

“That’s—”

Something felt off, but when asked what was strange, all she could say was that it was odd to re-gift something she had sold.

“Take it. I can’t wear it anyway.”

At those words, Sigrid briefly imagined Beramund wearing the dress, then shook her head.

“No, but still—”

“You want me to wear it?”

“That’s not what I mean…”

“Then take it.”

Beramund settled the matter simply and drank his tea. Sigrid felt bewildered.

‘Is this really okay?’

Sigrid hesitantly said:

“Beramund.”

“Yes?”

“Marie-Chez said if you’re too nice to friends, you become a pushover.”

Beramund burst out laughing at her worried words. After laughing for a while, he said:

“It’s not like that. This is what you call having ulterior motives.”

“Ulterior motives.”

Sigrid pondered again, then said seriously:

“I understand. I’ll think about it seriously too.”

This time, it was Beramund who was surprised. He straightened up and asked:

“Really?”

“Yes. Actually, I’ve been thinking a bit about moving to a place with a higher salary… And what you said before makes sense too.”

To choose a lord, observe them up close.

That wasn’t wrong.

“Oh— Ah, that. Well, that would be good. The doors of the 1st Imperial Guard are always open. If possible, come to us before getting too close with other groups.”

Beramund shook his head and crossed his legs as he spoke.

‘Close groups.’

Sigrid immediately understood what he meant.

‘Come to think of it, I wonder what the 6th Imperial Guard people are up to?’

Though she hadn’t stayed long, that had been her unit.

‘I only remember fighting.’

What did we fight about?

‘And I fought a lot with the 1st Imperial Guard too.’

It was called socializing, but it was no different from duels staking their pride, and she, belonging to the 6th Imperial Guard, had fought tremendously.

‘And because I hated Beramund…’

His Majesty always entrusted him with difficult missions. He sent Beramund on dangerous missions that others whispered would be fatal. It seemed like a sign of trust, and I couldn’t bear how envious I felt.

I begged several times to be sent too, but was refused because it was too dangerous. It felt like they were indirectly saying my skills were insufficient, which I really hated.

‘And then, just once, I followed…’

She remembered saving Beramund when he was in danger. He made a really strange face, as if he hadn’t expected her to come rescue him.

‘We only fought every day.’

Why did you come looking for me? For me in prison.

“Want to stay over?”

“Pardon?”

“You’ve had dinner, why not rest a bit and stay the night?”

“No, they’ll be worried since I left without notice. I should go home.”

“I can let them know.”

“No, thank you. And I want to review today’s sparring quietly before bed. It’s more comfortable to do that at home.”

“Is that so? Well, I suppose it is too early to stay over.”

Sigrid glanced out the window and nodded. Though they had eaten dinner, it wasn’t that late yet.

Beramund stood up and said:

“I’ll see you off.”

“That’s alright.”

“No, it’s not.”

Beramund pulled a bell cord to summon a servant.

“Prepare a carriage.”

At Beramund’s words, the servant bowed politely and withdrew. Sigrid put the last scone in her mouth and carefully removed her apron, taking care not to let crumbs and other debris fall from it.

‘Aprons are nice.’

She marveled at the foresight of the maid who had given her the apron. Beramund said “Let’s go” and led the way, with Sigrid following behind.

A ducal carriage was waiting at the entrance, and Sigrid gathered her skirts to climb in. Beramund tilted his head to look at the long boots revealed under her skirt and smiled to himself. He swiftly climbed into the carriage and called out the address to the coachman.

“How do you know my address?”

“Personnel file.”

“……”

“It’s not illegal, I assure you.”

“I see.”

After answering, Sigrid fiddled with the sword attached to the sword belt over her dress. Beramund didn’t bother asking “Do you like it that much?”

He could tell just by her expression.

A moment later, the carriage came to a stop. Beramund held the carriage door and said:

“Siri, I’d like you to come under my command soon. It’s hard to protect you when you’re out of reach.”

As she tilted her head, wondering ‘Protect?’, he opened the carriage door and stepped out. This time, Sigrid properly took Beramund’s hand as she alighted from the carriage.

“Good night.”

Beramund grasped Sigrid’s shoulder and lightly kissed her cheek. She rubbed her cheek with a disgruntled expression.

“I’m not a child.”

“I know.”

Beramund laughed and then climbed back into the carriage. After seeing off the departing carriage, she looked at her house.

My house, brightly lit in the darkness.

Sigrid smiled broadly and entered through the gate.

‘Protect?’

Sigrid repeated the word that had resurfaced in her mind.

‘Why would I need Beramund’s protection? Is he saying he’ll protect me because I’m weaker than him now?’

Ah, that’s annoying.

She thought, then shook her head.

‘No. He’s not the type to say he’ll protect weak people. He wouldn’t use them as subordinates either.’

Sigrid had observed him closely for two years, to the point of exhaustion. Isn’t true stalking negative stalking? She knew Beramund’s movements like the back of her hand.

‘Saying he’ll protect means there are enemies, right? Enemies? Enemies.’

Thinking she needed to consider this further, Sigrid bounded up the stairs in one go and opened the mansion’s front door.

‘For now, let’s review today’s practice and go to bed!’

Soon it would be the day to coach Marie-Chez and Alkerto.

She decided she needed to prepare for that.

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Lowengrin provided the location. The training ground at the Viscount Alsekidna’s mansion was clean, and above all, being a private facility, it was good that there were no prying eyes.

Sigrid was relieved that Lowengrin and Morris had agreed to participate as well. The atmosphere between Alkerto and Marie-Chez was downright frigid.

No, Marie-Chez kept glancing at Alkerto, trying to gauge his mood, while Alkerto didn’t even spare her a glance.

“First, let’s measure your basic fitness. It’s simple, so it won’t take long.”

Sigrid took out a small hourglass.

“We’ll count how many repetitions of the movement I describe you can do until this runs out.”

Evidently not having taught before, Sigrid felt somewhat shy when four pairs of eyes turned to her.

“Who wants to go first?”

After a moment of everyone looking at each other, Alkerto raised his hand.

“I’ll go first.”

“Okay, the first movement is jumping in place, lifting your knees as high as possible—”

The four of them took turns with the fitness test. Lowengrin, panting, said:

“Why, why is it so tiring when it’s just a test?”

“Because you have to do it at full power?”

Alkerto took a sip of water and spat it out. Finally, it was Marie-Chez’s turn, and it was clear at a glance that her fitness level was far below the other three.

Sigrid said:

“Basic fitness training is necessary for everyone, but ultimately, you have to set your own level. But Marie-Chez, it seems you need to start from there.”

Marie-Chez’s face turned red. But it was hard to tell if it was from exertion or embarrassment.

“I’ll observe Alkerto’s swordsmanship. I noticed when we sparred before, you seem to have an odd habit—”

“Really?”

Alkerto looked at his hand holding the sword, tilting his head. Sigrid nodded. She had Alkerto assume the basic stance and began correcting his posture completely. There was almost nothing to correct for Morris.

‘Why did Morris join the 2nd Knight Order?’

Sigrid couldn’t help but feel puzzled. Lowengrin was exactly at the basic level, no more, no less, so Sigrid taught her some more advanced techniques.

‘This is interesting.’

Sigrid realized an interesting fact while teaching them. It made her reconsider her own posture as well. As she took on the role of instructor for the first time, she found herself thinking about posture, sword swinging, movement stance, and footwork. It opened up a new perspective.

‘And as for Marie-Chez…’

She wouldn’t be touching a sword until she built up her basic fitness.

Sigrid made a cold assessment.

Observing the four of them like this, a couple of hours flew by. Lowengrin wiped her sweat and said, “Phew.”

“Everyone, let’s wash up quickly and have some snacks before you go.”

“Thanks.”

“Snacks!”

Morris expressed his gratitude, while Marie-Chez exclaimed with excitement. Alkerto said:

“I’m fine. I want to practice a bit more before I forget.”

Sigrid said, “Then I’ll stay and observe you,” but he shook his head and smiled.

“It’s okay. You’ve watched enough. I’ll practice on my own.”

“Really? Alright.”

Sigrid nodded. Marie-Chez hesitated, then said:

“Then should I have a servant bring something out?”

Her voice was small but clearly audible. However, Alkerto acted as if he hadn’t heard her at all and turned back to the center of the training ground. Lowengrin quickly said:

“That’s a good idea. Alkerto, I’ll tell the maid.”

“Thanks.”

Alkerto replied to Lowengrin with a grin. This time, Marie-Chez’s face definitely turned red. Morris cleared his throat and said:

“Then could I get some water to wash up?”

“Ah, yes. Everyone, come inside.”

Lowengrin quickly managed the situation.

The group washed up briefly with the prepared cold water.

After eating some light refreshments, Morris said his goodbyes and left first. He probably felt uncomfortable being the only man among the women. As he stood up, Marie-Chez, who had been silent, also rose.

“I’ll be going too.”

“Marie.”

Lowengrin called her name. Marie-Chez hesitated, then looked at Sigrid and said:

“You’ll coach me again next time, right?”

“Hm? Oh, of course. Um~ I’ll help you last three exchanges against me.”

At Sigrid’s assurance, Marie-Chez didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, so she gave a slight smile that looked more like a grimace before leaving. Left alone with Lowengrin, she smiled and said:

“That’s unexpected.”

“Hm?”

As Sigrid tilted her head, Lowengrin said:

“I thought you’d tell Marie-Chez to apologize right away.”

“I’m thinking about how to get Marie-Chez to apologize well.”

“I see.”