Kays Translations

Chapter 248: Somehow, I’m Sorry

　After breakfast, as everyone began leaving the table, I stopped Mother.

“Mother, may I speak to you for a moment?”

“Yes?”

　Mother smiled gently. It was difficult to believe she had given birth to four children. What sort of health regimen produced such vitality? I doubted Mother would rely on anything suspicious, but I wanted to be certain.

“It’s about Sister-in-law Meeka. Her behaviour can be a little unconventional, but she is a very good person, so… please do not be too hard on her.”

“Oh my. I’m wounded that you think I would do such a thing.”

　Embarrassed, I looked away. Mother began giggling behind her fan. She was teasing me.

“There is no need to worry. I investigated Lady Meeka carefully. She has a proper reason for devoting herself so intensely to swordsmanship.”

“A reason?”

“Boys sometimes tease the girls they like, don’t they?”

“H-ha…”

　Did they? I had never done that, but I supposed some children behaved that way. Certainly not all of them.

　In other words, a boy had bullied Sister-in-law Meeka, and she had trained to become strong enough to resist him. For her, strength was a means of protecting herself.

　Mother smiled as though telling me to understand the implication, and I nodded.

“Cain expressed the same concern. All three brothers are very kind to Lady Meeka. I’m almost jealous.”

　Mother giggled. Of course we were protective; she was our future sister-in-law. It was far better for her and Mother to get along than to live in constant tension. My concern had nothing to do with being charmed by her.

“I am relieved to hear that. I’m sorry I was so rude.”

“It’s all right, Julius. I’m glad you are taking a proper interest in your new family.”

　Mother looked at me with warm, narrowed eyes. Had she thought me cold-hearted? I had never intended to seem that way. I would ask my brothers later and correct the misunderstanding if necessary.

　After speaking with Mother, I returned to my room and prepared to visit the knights’ quarters. Brother Cain and I were heading to the same place, but separately; introducing Sister-in-law Meeka would slow him down.

“All right, I’m ready. Let’s go, Nero.”

“Yes, my lord.”

　The knights’ quarters were already noisy when Nero and I arrived. Brother Cain had probably reached them first. I decided to find Lionel and greet him before doing anything else.

“What is this…?”

“Lord Julius! Welcome home.”

“Welcome home, Lord Julius!”

“Oh, yeah. ……”

　The enthusiastic welcome was pleasant, but the sight before me was baffling: knights in full plate armour were holding wall-sits against empty air.

“I heard that you defeated thirteen Snow Wolves alone. As expected of Lord Julius.”

“What?　Yes, well, yes.”

“I also heard that the escort knights responded poorly at the time.”

"Yeah, well, that's right…"

　So that explained the wall-sits in full plate. Somehow, I felt sorry. I had thought the knights should be reprimanded for losing cohesion when their commander left, but I had never imagined this.

“A knight unable to respond to unforeseen circumstances is unworthy of defending glorious House Heine. We therefore intend to retrain ourselves from the ground up. Please forgive us.”

　Lionel bowed deeply, and the other knights followed. The armour of those holding wall-sits clinked softly.

　This is not good. I’ve got to do something about this.

“Raise your heads. Everyone makes mistakes. There is no problem provided you do not repeat the same one. If you truly regret it, demonstrate that through your actions. Those holding the wall-sit may stand. Then act—and remember that I am always watching.”

　The knights rose with a great clatter. Something glistened through the gap in one helmet. Were they crying? How long had they been enduring that punishment? I should have arrived sooner.

“Let me introduce Nero. As you may have heard, he is now my personal attendant and will train with us from now on. Please take care of him.”

“I’m Nero. It is a pleasure to meet you.”

“We have heard about you. We will train you as rigorously as we trained Lord Julius. Prepare yourself.”

“Yes, sir!”

　Nero answered with a smile, delighted by the prospect of becoming stronger. He also needed to learn many practical duties, which would be difficult. Perhaps training here would provide a welcome change.

　I wanted to ask how matters had gone during my absence, but I still had other places to visit. After exchanging brief greetings with the knights, I went to the apprentice dormitory, where the trainees were practising.

“Giles, Christopher, I’m back. This is Nero, my personal attendant. I hope the three of you will become friends.”

“Welcome home, Lord Julius. I’m Giles.”

“I’m Christopher. I’m glad you returned safely.”

　Other apprentice knights were training nearby. In time, they would become fine knights under Brother Cain’s command. For now, Giles and Christopher were the only two my age. Since I had no intention of leading the order in the future, that was enough.

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