Kays Translations

Side Story: Licia’s Change

On the carriage ride home, Licia rested her cheek against one hand and stared through the window.

A little more than ten days had passed since she had left the Ashton village, and Clausel was already close at hand. Even after the carriage passed through the city gates, she continued gazing outside.

(How frustrating.)

That single thought filled her mind.

She had crossed swords with Ren Ashton twice, yet not once had she managed to fight him on even terms. The memory had lingered ever since, tormenting her with an emotion she had never experienced before.

Next time, she absolutely wanted to win.

No matter how strongly she wished for it, however, she could not imagine how victory was possible. She truly had been unable to do anything against him.

Worse, Ren had apparently still possessed enough leeway to hold back, even though Licia had used Sacred Magic.

“Argh, honestly!”

She struck the window frame with both hands.

Noticing the commotion, Weiss rode closer to the carriage.

“Is this about that boy, my lady?”

“Yes! It has been bothering me this entire time! I cannot forget how disgracefully I performed! He is so strong that it makes no sense!”

Licia normally acted mature for her age, so her childish frustration was unexpectedly endearing. Still mounted beside the window, Weiss smiled where she could not see him.

He had never believed she would simply accept defeat.

As though to prove him right, Licia said, “At least stay with me until sunset today. If I do not begin training immediately, I feel as though I might lose my mind.”

“I shall accompany you.”

Weiss was usually too busy to oversee all her training personally, so his ready agreement pleased her.

“I have to work harder,” she murmured.

Whenever she fell silent, however, her matches with Ren returned to mind.

This time, her recollection shifted away from the swordplay itself.

—I win.

She remembered Ren’s decisive declaration after their first duel—and how close he had been when he said it. Close enough for her to feel his breath.

“…”

She was not deliberately recalling it. The memory returned on its own.

The distance between them had been absurdly small. His eyes had looked straight down at her. His face was almost delicate for a boy, yet the strength behind it was anything but delicate.

“…”

During their duel, she had nearly become captivated by his swordsmanship as he deflected her again and again. She believed her technique was probably superior, but his overwhelming strength and ferocity had left her breathless.

Learning that someone her own age could fight that way had shocked her.

—I win.

His words returned yet again. This time, so did the position in which she had been pinned, and heat rose into her cheeks.

Licia shook her head vigorously and slapped both cheeks.

“W-What is wrong with me? Next time, I will be the one saying those words!”

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

Before long, winter arrived.

Whenever Licia returned from Ren’s village, she went directly to training. Watching her hurry into the cold, her father gave a wry smile.

“She certainly is energetic despite the weather.”

Weiss, who had also just returned to the mansion, entered the room carrying his report.

“I have brought the written account, my lord.”

“I will read it later. First, tell me how things went. Licia has improved considerably over the last few months. Was she at least able to press him this time?”

Weiss smiled as though reluctant to answer, then shook his head.

“The boy has improved even more than the young lady.”

“I do not understand. Even setting aside a father’s partiality, I believed Licia was strong enough to be unrivaled among children her age.”

“I believe so as well. The boy is simply beyond even that.”

Still struggling to accept the answer, Lessard left his chair and walked to the window.

Outside, Licia was already training with the knights.

“I shall join them shortly,” Weiss said.

Lessard nodded.

The sight was familiar. After Licia’s first meeting with Ren, she had returned home and immersed herself in training in exactly the same way.

If Weiss was correct, the gap between them had widened despite all her progress. The intensity with which she trained suggested that Ren had defeated her easily again.

“Someday, I should like to meet him myself.”

Lessard wanted to speak with the boy whose sword surpassed even that of Licia Clausel, bearer of the White Saint. The distance between their homes made such a meeting difficult, but surely an opportunity would come eventually.

Licia was indebted to him as well. Her father owed him thanks.

Looking down at his daughter as she continued practicing beneath the falling snow, Lessard hoped her efforts would one day be rewarded.

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

Licia trained until nightfall on the day she returned.

Afterward, she bathed and sat before a mirror while an attendant dried her hair.

“I lost terribly again. So badly that it almost makes me laugh.”

“You seem rather happy for someone who lost.”

“Do I? I am still angry at myself for being so inadequate.”

“That may be how you feel, my lady, but please look in the mirror.”

Licia did as she was told.

The girl reflected there wore a relaxed expression that showed none of the indignation she had claimed to feel. She looked positively cheerful, and she could not honestly deny it.

“You may not have noticed,” the attendant continued, “but you appear happier than ever whenever you speak of Lord Ren.”

“It is not like that.”

Licia turned away with affected coolness.

The attendant found the reaction charming and giggled as she continued drying Licia’s hair.

“But you enjoyed yourself, did you not?”

“Well… yes. I learn a great deal whenever I duel him, so the time is meaningful.”

“I hear he is exceptionally strong. I can understand why he interests you.”

“That is not what I mean!”

Then, more quietly, Licia added, “Besides… I do not keep asking to duel him merely because he is strong.”

Her bashful admission delighted the attendant. This clearly deserved further investigation.

“Then why have you challenged him so many times?”

“I like the way he thinks. That may sound condescending, but he is more gentlemanly than the noble boys who have tried to court me, and I respect his character.”

“Oh my. How lovely.”

Seeing the attendant’s pleased smile in the mirror, Licia pursed her lips.

“What?”

“You are trying to tease me.”

“Not at all.”

“That is a lie! Look at you—you are smiling more than usual!”

The attendant narrowed her eyes fondly at Licia’s reddening reflection. Licia’s nearly dry hair swayed softly, shining like silk.

“Be honest. You truly were making fun of me, were you not?”

“No, my lady. I truly was not.”

“Then why have you been smiling this entire time?”

Still unconvinced, Licia had turned red all the way down her neck. The color could no longer be blamed on the bath.

“Then, if I may be so bold…”

The attendant ran a comb through Licia’s hair.

“Are you certain it is not that sort of feeling?”

That sort of feeling?

For several long seconds, Licia remained puzzled while the attendant combed her hair.

The moment she understood, her face and neck grew even redder.

“I told you, it is not like that!”

Her unconvincing denial only made the attendant’s smile deepen.

Previous chapter | TOC | Next chapter