His expression was colder than ever.
Glaring at Zellach as if to kill him, Aen spat out,
"I don't think Lord Zellach, who made his subordinate half-crippled through abusive behavior disguised as sparring, is in a position to say that."
"......!! Why bring up something that already ended as an accident now-"
"Enough!"
"......"
"......"
Just as the argument was about to escalate, the Duke intervened and ended it.
His gaze turned to me.
"Lucia, you tell me. Why did you do that?"
I was honestly surprised.
I didn't expect him to give me the floor.
I stared at the Duke and calmly replied.
"Because I was scared."
"What is she saying now-"
The moment Vansis was about to shout after hearing my words.
"Vansis."
At the Duke's cold call, Vansis flinched and lowered his head.
The Duke's gaze returned to me.
His amethyst eyes, devoid of any emotion, urged me to continue speaking.
If he wanted to hear the answer that badly.
"I thought Vansis would get up and hit me at any moment."
"......"
"I was so scared that I went too far without realizing it. I'm sorry."
I bowed deeply towards the Duke.
I honestly knew it too.
That this was an absurd excuse.
Even if the Duke were to pick on this excuse.
'It doesn't matter.'
The outcome was already decided from the moment I got on top of Vansis's body.
The Duke wouldn't be able to find fault with that either.
I was preparing to refute the Duke's words at any moment.
"......The winner is Lucia Rodbell."
"Ah, Father?"
"Lord!"
'Huh?'
Vansis and Zellach exclaimed in astonishment.
I also looked at him in surprise.
Our eyes met.
I blinked blankly.
'This easily?'
Moreover......
"The finishing was indeed excessive, but the outcome was decided from the moment Lucia and Vansis's bodies made contact. Any objections?"
"Khuk......"
The last resort I had prepared in advance came out of his mouth.
There was no way Vansis or Zellach could object when the Duke said so much.
Leaving Zellach, who was grinding his teeth in resentment, behind, Duke Ego Rodbell looked at me. And,
"Lucia Rodbell, as promised, I grant you permission to take lessons from Commander Aen Rixus."
......Approval was granted.
"......Thank you, Duke."
Hiding my bewildered feelings, I lowered my head.
After glancing at me once, the Duke left the training ground as he was.
After that, Zellach, who took care of Vansis, saw Aen on his way out and gritted his teeth.
"Don't think this is the end of it."
Aen laughed mockingly at Zellach, who was delivering a typical loser's line.
"Just a lot of talk, nothing special."
"Eeeek!"
He, who was clenching his fists and trembling at Aen's words, glared at me one last time before storming out of the training ground.
And.
"Lucia."
Turning my head at the refreshing beautiful voice, Miracle came closer, fluttering her snow-white hair.
Soon, she grabbed my hand, which was standing still, and shouted with sparkling purple eyes.
"You were so cool!"
Her cheeks were dyed a lovely pink as if she was very excited.
"Of course, it was a little scary when you were hitting little brother so hard, but still, brother is super strong. To beat such a brother, you're really amazing!"
It was pure admiration without any selfish motives.
Miracle continued to shower me with praise without giving me a chance to respond.
Then suddenly, Miracle's gaze went downward.
She murmured as she looked at my hand, which still had the cloth wrapped around it.
"A spear, it's a spear. It's amazing. Not many people use spears. It really suits Lucia."
Then she tilted her head and asked.
"How did you learn spear techniques? Usually, people learn swordsmanship."
It wasn't me who answered that question.
"Our young lady chose it herself."
"Ah."
Miracle's eyes widened as she discovered the person who suddenly approached.
I also looked at him.
"Commander."
"You've worked hard, young lady. You were very cool. As expected of my disciple."
Aen nodded proudly, saying that his choice was not wrong.
I finally relaxed at the sight of Aen.
It was then.
"Hello. Are you Commander Aen Rixus?"
Suddenly, Miracle greeted him.
Aen and I both turned to look at Miracle at the same time.
Miracle was still looking up at Aen with a lovely smile.
After looking down at Miracle for a moment, Aen nodded with a gentle face.
"Yes, that's right."
"Wow! It's my first time seeing you. I'm Miracle Rodbell!"
Miracle's eyes sparkled like stars.
It was a lovely and cute appearance that anyone would fall in love with at first sight.
It was then.
'Huh?'
I pressed my chest without realizing it.
Suddenly, my stomach started to churn.
Thump, thump, thump......
My heart was beating strangely.
Why is this happening all of a sudden?
I tilted my head, wondering what was wrong with my condition.
"I've actually admired the Commander for a long time."
"Is that so? I'm honored."
"Yes, that's why I'm so jealous of Lucia. To be Commander Aen Rixus's disciple...... I'm so jealous."
Murmuring in a clear and pure voice, Miracle took another step closer to Aen.
Then, she grabbed Aen's hand and looked up at him with big eyes and said.
"Could I also become Commander Rixus's disciple? That would be really nice."
Aen stared blankly down at Miracle as if he was possessed.
I watched the two of them and covered my mouth.
I felt like I was going to throw up.
My stomach was churning.
My lower abdomen hurt, my heart was pounding, and my fingertips were filled with strength.
Ah, I see.
I realized why I was in this state.
I was afraid and anxious.
Of what?
'Of losing Aen.'
Because everyone loves Miracle.
I was afraid that even Aen, who had come to know Miracle's loveliness, would leave me.
Without realizing it, I had felt fear.
Besides, anyone could see that Miracle wanted Aen.
If she wanted, Aen could become Miracle's teacher.
'It's much better to be the teacher of a beloved princess than the disciple of a bastard.'
Of course, there was a contract between us with <Ayla's Medical Book>, but that was something that could be requested from Miracle.
Rather, it would be much faster and easier to ask Miracle.
Miracle would be much more... than me, who wasn't sure if I could pass the qualification exam.
'No.'
I closed my eyes tightly.
The more I thought, the more I could only imagine the worst of the worst.
'Believe in Aen......'
If necessary, I can step in.
The commander position can only have one disciple.
It wouldn't be easy to change a disciple who had been approved by the head of the family.
If I point that out......
"I'm sorry, Princess."
Aen's voice broke through my thoughts.
I opened my eyes wide.
In front of me, Aen took his hand out of Miracle's grasp.
Miracle, who lost her hand for a moment, looked up at Aen with wide eyes.
My gaze naturally turned to Aen's face as well.
Aen still had a gentle smile on his lips.
His sun-colored eyes were more brilliant than ever.
It was the same as Aen's usual appearance that I knew.
In that appearance, Aen said.
"My disciple is only Princess Lucia. No one can replace Princess Lucia. Even if it's the youngest princess who receives the head of the family's love."
"......"
"I apologize if my words hurt you."
With those words, Aen bowed to Miracle.
I blankly watched the scene of his reddish-brown hair scattering.
And at the same time, I realized.
How pathetic my anxiety was.
I said I believed, but I didn't actually believe in Aen.
"......"
Silence fell.
Miracle, Rigrin who was watching the situation from a distance, Aen, and I.
No one made a sound.
A little later, the first person to speak was Miracle.
"I see......"
She trailed off with a slightly depressed expression, then smiled brightly and said.
"I didn't know. I didn't know you liked Lucia that much, Commander."
"Haha, I'm a bit of a fool for her."
Aen replied with an embarrassed laugh.
Miracle smiled quietly, turned to me, and said.
"I'm jealous, Lucia. You're loved."
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