I looked at him calmly.
"...We haven't known each other long, but it's like you already know me."
I was a little surprised by that.
I tried to be careful, but it seems I was too obvious.
Even if that wasn't the case, he's the leader of the great Magic Knight Order, so his perception would be extraordinary.
'Should I have been more reserved?'
Like I don't know much about him, like he's scary.
But soon I came to the conclusion that 'no' was the answer.
From the beginning, when trying to win him over, I acted like I knew everything about him, so pretending not to know now would only arouse suspicion.
And most of all.
'I don't want to waste time like that.'
How did we meet again? How did I seize this opportunity?
I couldn't let this moment with Aen slip away while being cautious and acting differently.
'I don't even have enough time to say everything I want to say.'
It was hard enough to hold back the feelings I wanted to pour out right away.
"Wow... I've never heard such a small lady call me 'kind' before."
Aen muttered with a flustered face.
"But, well..."
He scratched his cheek, then smiled and said.
"It's not bad."
However, he soon hardened his expression as if he had never smiled.
"Getting back to the point, your current condition is terrible. You can't learn swordsmanship right away in this state. If you recklessly grab a sword, you'll only ruin your body more. I can't stand to see that."
Aen's attitude was very firm, as if not giving me any room for argument.
"But..."
Of course, I know Aen is right.
But...
"There isn't much time left."
The biggest problem was that there wasn't much time left until the Lordbel exam.
In order to get what I want, I absolutely have to pass the Lordbel qualification exam.
Aen's expression darkened as if he was also concerned about that.
"..."
"..."
Silence flowed.
I wondered if I should speak first, but I just stayed quiet because Aen seemed lost in thought.
After a while, Aen parted his lips.
"You're right. We won't get the results we want by the exam if we have lessons in our spare time."
I nodded and quietly agreed with Aen's words.
I have all the time in the world, but Aen's situation, as the leader of the Magic Knight Order, is different.
He has to take care of the Knight Order and handle the duties that come with his position.
Three months until the Lordbel qualification exam.
It's short if it's short, and long if it's long, but it's very tight for us right now.
Aen told me not to overdo it, but...
'I have to work harder.'
I clenched my fist thinking that, when...
"So, I'm thinking of taking you on as a formal disciple."
My eyes widened at the unexpected words.
"A formal disciple?"
He nodded.
"If I take you on as a formal disciple, I can schedule a certain amount of time for lessons each day. I can conduct lessons longer and more confidently than now."
Aen smiled.
But I couldn't help but worry because I knew better than anyone that the smile wasn't easily given.
"Is it really okay?"
I finally asked cautiously.
"What do you mean?"
"You said you don't take formal disciples."
Taking me on as a disciple was the same as breaking his belief that he doesn't take disciples.
Moreover, our relationship is temporary.
After the Lordbel qualification exam and our relationship ends, if his disciple position becomes vacant, other successor forces will surely covet it.
It's going to be a lot of trouble. That's why he hasn't been taking disciples at all.
Is Aen really okay?
Then Aen ruffled my hair with his large hand and said.
"Of course, I did."
"..."
"But I think it would be okay if it were you. More than anything, I promised. I said I would help you pass the exam. I'm the type to keep my promises."
His hand stroking my hair was gentle.
He's the type to keep his promises. I know that well.
'Aen has already made up his mind.'
Then no matter what I say, he won't change his decision.
But there was another problem.
"But, isn't it necessary to get the head of the family's approval to teach swordsmanship?"
"...What don't you know?"
The fact that the head of the family's approval is necessary.
Aen looked slightly disgusted by the fact that I knew that much.
I quietly stared at such Aen and thought to myself.
'How could I not know?'
In my past life, I wanted to learn swordsmanship too, so I went directly to a knight and requested it, but.
'I can't teach you swordsmanship without Duke approval.'
What came back was cold treatment.
'If you want to learn swordsmanship, please get approval directly from the Duke.'
I didn't know at the time that it was a polite refusal.
With the hope that I could learn swordsmanship if I got approval from my father, I immediately ran to the office, but.
'Please leave.'
He didn't meet me in the end.
I couldn't even say a word, let alone ask for permission to learn swordsmanship.
Later, the story that I went to a knight and asked him to teach me swordsmanship spread throughout the mansion, and ridicule followed me wherever I went.
And Bansis, who heard the rumors, ran over in anger.
'You, you begged for swordsmanship lessons? There's a limit to how much you can tarnish the family!'
There was undisguised contempt in Bansis's eyes as he said that.
'That's why I hate people like you. Your actions are stupid and vulgar. You don't know your place.'
'...'
'Who would want to teach you! It would be a laughing stock if I became your teacher. The knight you asked to be your teacher came to me and told me. He said it was too humiliating! You are that kind of existence. You are an existence that only gives others displeasure.'
'...'
'If you know your place even now, act accordingly. If you tarnish Lordbel's name like this one more time, then I'll punish you myself!'
After saying that, Bansis looked around and clicked his tongue with an annoyed expression.
'Tsk, disgusting.'
After that day, Bansis never came to my room again.
'Bansis was right.'
At that time, I didn't know my place.
I was a child of the Duke, so I mistakenly thought that I could enjoy what the other children enjoyed.
So this time, I'll do it my way.
But what I'm worried about is...
"Will the Duke give his approval?"
The fact that I don't have the right to decide this time either.
No matter how much I struggle, it would be useless if the Duke doesn't give his approval.
Then Aen smiled and replied.
"You don't have to worry about that."
Aen's face was full of confidence as he said that.
"I'll take care of it."
I stared blankly at Aen, who spoke confidently, and burst into laughter without realizing it.
"Huh, are you laughing? Do you not trust me? I'm this and that..."
Aen, who seemed to have misunderstood my laughter, stuck close to me and rattled off how great he was.
'That's not it.'
I wasn't laughing because it was funny, but because I was happy.
'I feel so reassured.'
The fact that there's a place to lean on, that made me so happy that I could cry.
"Then, make sure to eat well. Now that I've checked your condition today, we'll start lessons in earnest from next time. There's not much time left until the exam, so don't think I'll go easy on you."
"Yes. Thank you for today."
"It's nothing. I haven't even done it properly... Go in quickly. I'll go after I see you go in."
"Yes."
After putting her small hands together in front of her and bowing her head, Lucia turned around and went into the room.
Thud.
Even after the door closed, Aen didn't move.
Then soon, the closed door gently opened and...
"You haven't left yet?"
Lucia, who only had her eyes showing through the gap, asked in a surprised tone.
Aen chuckled and replied.
"I had a feeling you'd come out again."
"..."
Lucia's eyes widened at Aen's words.
'Actually, I noticed that the presence wasn't getting farther away.'
Lucia is still in front of the door.
So I waited just in case.
Sure enough. His hunch was right.
"Did you have something left to say?"
Lucia hesitated at the question.
Then.
"Thank you."
"..."
"I really wanted to tell you that. Then goodbye."
After bowing her head as if it were really the end, Lucia went back inside.
This time, the presence was definitely farther away.
"Huff."
Belatedly bursting into a short laugh, Aen wiped his forehead with one hand.
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