20
Chapter 5
“Not bad at all.”
With a satisfied heart, I held the ink-dried engagement proposal up to the sunlight.
An engagement with the Grand Duke's family, who inherited the royal bloodline from the founding King's brother, was by no means a light matter.
Because of this, the administrative procedures entangled with the royal family were incredibly complicated, and it would take about six months to receive approval from the royal family.
I decided to stay in the royal capital as the Grand Duke's fiancée and wait for that time.
Since I couldn't leave the royal capital until I brought Leo and Ophelia together, it wasn't a bad deal.
However, I added one condition to the engagement contract.
From the moment the contract takes effect until the divorce, the survival of Belinda Blansche will be guaranteed.
After safely inheriting the dowry, I planned to immigrate to avoid getting involved with the Patrons.
To a place where Belinda's infamy didn't reach. A place where I could escape Belinda's past and start my life anew.
While I was contemplating whether to look into warm southern countries, Lord Penadel asked me.
"What exactly do you mean by guaranteeing survival?"
First of all, a guard to protect me 24 hours a day while I'm in the royal capital.
It would be nice to have someone with excellent martial skills, who is so upright that he wouldn't be swayed by Schwebel's persuasion, and who has deep loyalty to the Grand Duke, so he would do his best to protect his master's betrothed.
As I was organizing the requirements for the guard, my eyes rolled around and landed on Lord Penadel in front of me.
'Here he is. The perfect guard.'
His status as the Grand Duke's adjutant and a knight from the North was as good as a guarantee.
"Lord, didn't you say you'd be in the royal capital for a while? On vacation?"
"Yes."
"Then you must be free."
"……."
"According to the terms of the contract, I'll entrust you with my protection while I'm staying in the royal capital."
He tried to say something, but I quickly waved the contract around as a hostage, wearing a smile that even I thought looked wicked.
"I don't like the other knights."
"You haven't even met them."
"You should remember that I haven't signed the contract yet."
Lord Penadel immediately shut his mouth.
I felt sorry for Lord Penadel, who came to rest and ended up with extra work, but what could I do? That's how social life is.
I slowly and gracefully dipped the pen tip in ink, continuing as if I were considering his unfortunate situation.
"More than that, it must be boring to be by my side all day. Ah, my servant looks so weak, as if he hasn't even had gruel to eat. How about teaching him swordsmanship as a side job?"
"Please sign the contract first……."
"Do you dislike it?"
"……No."
Only then did I willingly sign my name on the engagement proposal.
Thus, the upright knight from the North stayed in the annex as my temporary bodyguard and Leo's swordsmanship teacher.
Under the rules of the North, Lord Penadel always wore a mask, even inside the mansion.
That Devil mask was so terrifying that my heart would plummet if I happened to run into him in the dark evening.
Fortunately, Leo wasn't scared and followed Lord Penadel around, calling him 'Sir Knight, Sir Knight'…….
'In the end, does that mean I'm scarier than that terrifying Devil mask?'
I sat on the outdoor couch I had brought for observing the lessons, sipping tea gloomily.
Perhaps because of the romance that boys usually have, Leo was very enthusiastic about learning swordsmanship.
Maybe he's developed a dream of becoming a knight.
If that's the case, what should I prepare for Leo?
'First of all, getting him into the Royal Academy is the most important thing.'
The former captain of the royal guard stays at the Vilhelm Royal Academy, which you can enter from the age of ten, as a faculty member to train future generations.
If he recognizes your potential, you can receive a recommendation to join any royal guard, regardless of your status.
Besides, it's not for nothing that he's praised as a Swordmaster; if you learn swordsmanship from him, you can master Basic swordsmanship in just fifteen days…….
Star of the Hero has mastered Basic swordsmanship (lv.1).
Star of the Hero's health has increased by +3.
'……?'
What just happened?
I widened my eyes and looked up at the Status window that appeared in front of me.
It's only been a week since Lord Penadel started teaching Leo. But he's already mastered Basic swordsmanship?
I couldn't believe it even after seeing it with my own eyes.
What kind of person is Lord Penadel that he can teach a skill that even the Swordmaster takes fifteen days to teach in just one week?
It was when I became suspicious of Lord Penadel's identity due to the unexpected cheat key.
"My lady, a guest has arrived."
A servant from the main building approached, lowering his body deeply.
"A guest?"
"Yes. He claims to be a Wizard from the Gray Tower, but his appearance is very…… ragged."
Gray Tower?
Was there a guest who would come to Belinda from there?
The moment I thought that, a green eye sparkling with passion flashed in my mind.
'Vivian has come!'
I turned to the servant with a gleam in my eyes.
Then the servant, who had flinched, quickly bowed.
"I, I'll chase him away!"
What are you talking about? Why chase away our precious Wizard?
"Bring him to the annex immediately."
"Yes?"
"And prepare a grand feast, no, a feast made only of meat."
I have to welcome our precious Wizard with a meat feast!
* * *
Cesar Valuashten was a man who seemed to embody reason and discipline.
He rarely revealed his emotions, and no one had ever seen his composure crumble.
However, his first disciple, whom he had inadvertently acquired, often embarrassed him in unexpected ways.
For example…….
"His name is Acorn mouse…… is it?"
"Yes, Belinda gave him that name!"
"……I see."
When he blushed and proudly introduced his name.
"Rest for 10 minutes."
"……Yes."
When he looked dejected like a puppy who had been forbidden from taking a walk after being told to rest.
"How can I become as strong as Sir Knight?"
Or when he came close enough to look straight into Cesar's eyes and asked innocently, without being afraid, like now.
Cesar was troubled about how to deal with this passionate disciple.
It was very rare for others, especially children, to make eye contact with him.
The murderous intent that had become ingrained in him from hunting Demon beasts since he was young was also a reason, but the curse engraved on his soul made the other person feel instinctive fear.
Besides, he was wearing a mask now.
But Leo fearlessly made eye contact, so Cesar was afraid that this chick-like child would collapse at his gaze, so he slightly avoided his eyes.
And he carefully answered, gathering his lacking social skills to the soul.
"Focus on growing your body by eating three meals a day without being picky. Also, if you secure enough sleep time every day and diligently engage in training, you will become strong someday."
"Then can I become a great servant someday?"
"Yes, someday a great knight……."
Cesar, who was continuing to speak, paused.
He guessed that Belinda told him to teach his servant swordsmanship in order to sponsor him to become a knight.
But a servant?
"You want to…… become a servant?"
"Yes."
His disciple once again blocked his teacher's words without malice.
"Not become a knight?"
The reason Cesar couldn't just pass it off as usual with 'I see' was because he had discovered a certain determination in Leo's eyes.
Leo looked around to see if there was anyone nearby, then raised both hands to cover his mouth as if he were telling a secret.
Cesar willingly bent his knees for the child.
"Actually. If I grow up quickly and become a great servant, I will protect Belinda!"
He couldn't know what level of greatness the child was referring to when he said a great servant.
But Cesar could be sure of one thing.
This child will definitely become strong.
Not because he wants to become a knight, but because he has the heart of a knight.
His first disciple was already a great knight.
