"Again!" "Again." "Again!" The loud voice of Sir Gareth's sword sparring partner echoed through the air, each repetition punctuated by the sharp clash of wooden swords.

Feeling a knot of anxiety forming in my stomach, I found myself biting my fingers unconsciously as I watched the intense training session unfold.

Sir Gareth, with determination etched on his face, picked up his wooden sword once more, readying himself to launch another attack against his opponent.

From the first and only time I had seen him fight, it was evident that his movements were not those of a seasoned swordsman. Instead, they resembled the fluid motions of someone accustomed to hand-to-hand combat.

Despite his efforts, his opponent seemed to effortlessly anticipate and counter each of Sir Gareth's strikes, blocking and dodging with ease.

As if his sparring partner was bored with all the predictable attacks and with all the dodging and blocking, with a swift move he was able to throw the sword off Sir Gareth’s hand.

“Tsk Tsk Tsk.” As the practice continued, I couldn't help but notice the disappointment on the baron's face. He had high hopes for Sir Gareth's progress in swordsmanship, but it seemed that he still had a long way to go.

Unable to bear watching Sir Gareth struggle any longer, I nervously flapped my hand fan, trying to distract myself from the tension in the air.

The sound of clashing swords filled the courtyard, each strike reverberating with a sense of urgency. Yet, despite Sir Gareth's determination, he found himself disarmed once again by his skilled opponent.

“That’s enough for today!” I shouted.

Finally, unable to stand by idly any longer, I intervened, calling an end to the training session.

The baron nodded in agreement, signaling for them to wrap up their practice. As they began to clean up

“Remember our deal.” the baron reminded me of our agreement before making his exit.

I smiled nervously, trying to calm my racing thoughts.

The deal is…

***

"Please prepare my luggage," I instructed the maid who was assisting me personally. I stretched my arms and back, trying to alleviate the stiffness in my body from the uncomfortable carriage ride. There was no shock absorption, making every bump on the road feel like a jolt.

My brother and Lucian traveled separately, so it was just the three of us—myself, the baron, and the baroness—in one carriage. The space felt a bit cramped, especially since the baroness had made a detour to the shops to pick up the latest trends.

As we journeyed, thoughts swirled in my mind. Would my trip to the capital truly lead me to Roselle's destined partner? Or was I simply trying to force fate's hand?

Shaking off the uncertainty, I made my way back inside the manor.

"Roselle, come to my office," the baron instructed, halting my steps toward my room.

I shared a meaningful glance with the baroness, her reassuring nod giving me a sense of resolve. With a feeling of duty weighing upon me, I followed the baron to his office, with the baroness trailing quietly behind.

Seated behind his imposing desk, the baron exuded an air of authority that reminded me of his role as the head of our household. As Roselle's father, his influence still held sway over the decisions I made, serving as a constant reminder that, despite my desires, I remained under his care and jurisdiction.

"You understand that I place great trust in your judgment, Roselle," he began, his gaze piercing, as if seeking affirmation of his statement.

Acknowledging his words with a solemn nod, I could sense the weight of his responsibility as a father emanating from him.

"I set aside my paternal desires to ensure your well-being for the entirety of your life, delaying your transition into independent adulthood,"

He looked at me as if he had a lot on his mind, like he was thinking about a bunch of things all at once.

"Just as I have allowed your elder brother Ethan to pursue his chosen path, despite my ultimate wish for him to succeed me as the baron, he is out there chasing his dreams. I extend the same opportunity to you," he declared calmly, his stance unwavering, projecting the image of a responsible father and dignified leader.

"I grant you the freedom to choose your own path in matters of marriage, and I offer you permission to reside with your brother in the capital. However, there is a condition," he stated, broaching the subject of a deal.

"In exchange for this privilege, I require assurance of the commoner tasked with your protection. He must undergo rigorous training, selected personally by your mother and me," he added firmly, his tone leaving no room for negotiation.

***

I looked ahead again to where Sir Gareth should have been, but there was no sign of him, not even a shadow. Even though he's a towering 7-foot man, I couldn't catch sight of him.

"Where did he go?" I muttered, feeling confused.

Suddenly, I heard a rustle from the tree nearby where Sir Gareth had been standing just a while ago.

I glanced up and saw a big figure perched on the tree's branches.

"What on earth are you doing up there?" I blurted out.

He looked down and spotted me.

Those intense glares. I had to brace myself for them. If I didn't have a clue who he was, I might have run for my life. His aura was overwhelming, and his glares felt like they could cut through steel.

"This little fella fell off," he said, showing me a baby bird, he was holding.

I couldn't help but imagine him dressed like a Diswey princess, rescuing the young bird and returning it home.

He jumped down from the tree with such grace, as if the height didn't bother him at all. The wind gently swayed the hem of his clothes.

"My lady," he said, interrupting my thoughts with his deep voice. It made me wonder if he had a well inside him, because his voice sounded like it came from the depths of one.

"Pick up the sword and practice a hundred swings," I instructed, crossing my arms to signal that I would be personally training him.

Without hesitation, he followed my command, which pleased me. I couldn't stand someone who was incapable yet stubbornly resistant to learning.

He grabbed his wooden sword and approached the training dummy, preparing himself for the swings.

Bam~~~

My expression turned deadly serious as I witnessed what just happened.

The impact of his swing was as light as a feather. Even my little toe wouldn't feel a thing if it were hit by Sir Gareth.

He carefully inspected the wooden sword for any damage.

I stared at him, trying to figure out what was wrong.

Approaching him, I took the sword from his hands and stepped back a few paces, as he towered over me and strained my neck to look at him.

I positioned the sword tip slightly slanted on the ground, noting the angle for easy breakage.

Examining his expression closely, I proceeded to kick and break the wooden sword.

The look on his face provided a clear answer as to why his swings lacked force.

***

Ethan's POV

"The horses are ready, my lord," a servant informed me.

Glancing back at my parents, I made my way towards them.

"Write us letters as soon as you can, my son," my mother reminded me, her words filled with concern.

I smiled and hugged her once more before looking around for my sister.

"She's at the back of the manor," my father said, noticing my search.

I approached His Highness to inform him that I would be meeting my sister for a moment. He acknowledged my request, so I headed toward Roselle.

As I walked toward the training ground, I heard loud noises coming from where the training equipment was kept. I noticed my sister's long hair blowing in the wind, so I made my way toward the equipment room. The sound of something breaking grew louder and clearer.

"Roselle?" I called out, surprised by the scene before me: the commoner she had brought was breaking the wooden swords we kept in storage.

Confused, I asked, "Why is he breaking all of those?"

"Oh, it's part of his training," she explained, smiling.

I looked at her, waiting for further explanation.

"Well, you see, this bodyguard of mine is afraid of damaging the wooden swords because they're expensive," she said, her smile unsettling.

"So, I'm teaching him to use the resources his employer provides. The more he's afraid of costing me money, the more he's actually wasting it," she added with a hint of disappointment that she wouldn't be able to accompany us to the capital as planned.

"I see. Well, we'll be heading to the capital, then," I said, expecting a parting embrace.

But she looked at me strangely.

"Well?" I prompted, feeling awkward.

She blinked and chuckled, then extended her hand for a handshake, which I hesitantly accepted.

"Um, I guess I'll see you soon?" I said, scratching my head.

"Yeah, we still have a lot of swords to break," she replied, glancing toward the hesitant man who seemed reluctant to even scratch the equipment.

"Oh, I almost forgot. You'll be working in the palace, right? Say hi to the prince for me," she said, pushing me toward the door to encourage me to leave.

I nodded and waved goodbye to her.

"Hmm, which prince? There are quite a few," I thought to myself as I left.