Kays Translations

Chapter 216: A Sparring Match

　The afternoon work session ended, and as usual we gathered in the common room to talk. I loved this quiet time. The thought that it would disappear when I returned to the territorial capital made me a little sad.

“How many more days do you think the icehouse will take?”

　Axel selected a tea cake with surprisingly polished manners. He must have been taught carefully at home, perhaps by his mother. She had seemed like a strong and capable woman.

“At the earliest, two days. At the latest, perhaps three.”

“You can finish it that quickly?”

　Ijidol’s eyes widened so much that they looked ready to fall out.

“Yes. Is that really so surprising?”

“Of course it is! My uncle is a magic-tool maker, and it took him almost half a month to make a single magic tool.”

“I see. Was it an especially complicated tool?”

“What? I think it was a lamp…”

　He repeatedly tilted his head, trying to remember. This was concerning. Come to think of it, I had rarely watched other people make magic tools and had never considered normal production times. I usually completed mine within days.

“I can work this quickly only because you two and everyone else are helping. Alone, I might have needed a month.”

“Really? Then we are useful after all.”

　Axel smiled happily, while Ijidol continued looking doubtful. He might ask his uncle about it later. Please do not turn this into another commotion.

　When I returned to the townhouse, Brother Cain and Lady Meeka were preparing to go back to the academy.

“Welcome back, Julius.”

“I am back. You are returning to the academy now? I will miss you.”

“I will miss you too, Julius.”

　Lady Meeka hugged me tightly. I had not asked for a farewell embrace, so Brother Cain should not glare at me—and Brother Alex should stop smiling.

“Julius has a remarkable talent for drawing people to him.”

“Please do not say anything misleading.”

“I agree with him. Princess Daniela is very fond of you too. I shall tell her how well you and Lady Meeka got along.”

“What exactly do you intend to tell her?”

　I had a bad feeling. Surely Brother Alex was not planning to describe every moment Lady Meeka had spent fussing over me.

“Only that you became very close to Lady Meeka, who will soon be your sister-in-law.”

“Why say something that might provoke Princess Daniela?”

“Because I want you and Princess Daniela to become close as members of the same family.”

“We already get along well.”

“Do you?”

　His expression said he did not believe me. He could see that I still kept a certain distance from Princess Daniela. But, Brother, one could hardly treat a princess with the same casual familiarity as any other noble lady.

　Perhaps older brothers simply could not understand a younger brother’s feelings.

“Before we leave, Julius, let us have one sparring match.”

“What?”

　Why was Lady Meeka so determined to spar with me? Was she obsessed with swordsmanship? Before I could object, the townhouse courtyard had already been prepared. The speed of the arrangements astonished me. Apparently, Brother Alex wanted to see what I could do as well. This was bad.

“Are we truly doing this? I am only ten years old.”

“Age does not matter in swordsmanship practice. When I was ten, I was already training with a real sword.”

　She was one step away from being a complete swordsmanship fanatic. What had Viscount Raniemi been teaching his precious daughter?

“Viscount Raniemi is passionate about swordsmanship. He enters the annual tournament in the royal capital and has won prizes.”

“I see.”

　My suspicions must have shown on my face, because Brother Alex supplied that unwelcome information. Naturally, he had researched the family of Brother Cain’s prospective fiancée thoroughly.

“Then let us begin!”

　Before I could answer, Lady Meeka charged. She was fast—far faster than her delicate appearance suggested.

　Our wooden swords met with a sharp crack. Her strike did not carry as much force as I had feared, which was a relief.

“You blocked it, did you?”

　Oh. Had accepting the blow been a mistake? Lady Meeka’s eyes sharpened, and the gentle expression from moments before vanished. Perhaps I should have dodged.

　Lady Meeka launched a rapid series of attacks, all of which I parried easily. None carried enough force to alter my stance.

　Should I counterattack? I did not want to injure her, so disarming her seemed safest.

“I cannot land a single hit!”

　She was beginning to tire. I feinted an attack, and Lady Meeka took the bait beautifully. I changed the path of my wooden sword and struck hers from another angle.

　I had intended to knock the weapon from her hand, but instead my wooden sword severed hers. That was not what I had expected. Lady Meeka and I stared at each other in astonishment.

　The broken blade spun through the air and landed with a dry clatter. A winter-morning silence filled the courtyard.

“Well… I have lost.”

“Lady Meeka, I…”

“Goodness, Julius, you are extraordinary! I am proud to call you my brother-in-law.”

　Lady Meeka dropped the remaining hilt and swept me into another tremendously enthusiastic embrace.

　Her arms were crushingly strong. I could not breathe. Help.

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