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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 2
Chapter Title: The Little Groom's Vow
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It was a bit too late in the day to begin swordsmanship. Instead, I took him to the art studio to give him a taste of other things.
This was a place I had kept locked, so Lucian had never been inside before.
“What is all this?”
[An eccentric painter once lived here. This was his room.]
About fifty years ago, I think. A painter had lived in this mansion.
Even though he was all alone, he was so irritable that he would fly into a rage by himself if something didn't go his way. Thinking back, perhaps he did that to soothe his own loneliness.
[He had a rotten personality, but his painting was second to none.]
“Can you paint like this too, Bride?”
[Hmm, well, I’ve never tried painting anything myself, so I’m not sure. But I should be able to teach you.]
‘There are no rules in art! You just paint whatever you want, again and again!’
‘Hmph! Anyone who starts over from scratch after one little mistake is a fool! Who knows if a better work might come from it!’
‘Here, you have to paint with a light wrist so you don’t get tired even after painting for a long time. You need to build good habits from the start so you don’t do useless things later.’
Who knew the eccentric painter's mutterings would be so helpful?
“But the owner of these paintings must be really famous! They look like they’re alive!”
[Well, I’m not sure if he was famous….]
What was his name again? Henri Layple, I think.
“Oh? This one is a person’s face?”
Just then, Lucian spotted a painting in the corner, covered with a cloth. Unlike the other clean paintings, this one was old and smudged with fingerprints.
“She’s a very beautiful person.”
It was a portrait of a woman with a pure smile, like a delicate flower. The painter used to look at it every night before he slept. It must have been a portrait of someone precious to him.
After staring intently at the woman’s portrait, Lucian began to gaze at me.
[Why?]
“You said you don’t know what you look like, right, Bride?”
[I did?]
“I’ll draw you!”
[What?]
My bewilderment was brief; Lucian, having already made up his mind to paint me, was full of motivation.
“You’re really, really pretty, Bride!”
[A-Ahem, why are you suddenly saying things like that?]
“Because you don’t believe it!”
Sometimes, Lucian would stare at my face and blurt out that I was pretty. Whenever he did, I’d get embarrassed for no reason and tell him to stop joking around…
“Once I get good enough to paint something this amazing, I’ll draw your face for you!”
Well… his motive seemed a bit strange, but I suppose it was a relief that he showed an interest in painting.
Thinking it was for the best, I stroked his head.
[Then let’s save the painting for later and go downstairs. I’ll show you the other rooms.]
“Okay.”
This mansion had seen a cycle of people moving in and out.
If you added up all the time people lived here, it wouldn't even amount to a hundred years, but since they were all eccentrics and experts in their fields, there were quite a few collections and antiques they had gathered.
So, whenever they passed away, I would decorate the rooms they frequented with their belongings.
The art studio I first showed Lucian was one example, and there were various others.
A music room with a grand piano, a harp, and violins; a laboratory cherished by an alchemist; a workshop used by an archaeologist, and so on.
Though it was a two-story mansion, it was quite large, so it had many rooms. And among them, there were many things I couldn’t create a separate room for and had to store in the warehouse instead.
Weapons were a prime example.
I left the mansion with Lucian and headed for the small training ground warehouse in the backyard.
The warehouse had a deep cellar dug beneath it. And in that cellar were the weapons used by a certain weapon master.
“Wh-What is all this?”
Lucian’s jaw dropped at the sight of the magnificent weapons.
[These are the weapons used by a weapon master. I couldn’t bear to part with them, so I kept them all.]
“Wow…”
[Starting tomorrow, I’m going to teach you swordsmanship. It’s best to start physical activities like this from a young age. You’re a little on the late side.]
“Am I going to use all of these?”
[Someday, perhaps?]
He was smart, so he would follow the theory well, but I wasn't sure if he'd be good at the physical part. Still, if I taught him diligently, he should at least be able to earn a living.
“Is there anything you can’t do, Bride?”
Lucian asked abruptly as he looked around at the weapons.
“You’re a good cook, you read well, you can paint, you can play the piano, and you know how to use all of these too.”
It seemed he misunderstood, thinking that because I was going to teach him everything, I must be able to do it all myself.
I knew how to teach because I had seen and heard it all, but actually doing it myself was a completely different matter.
As I pondered how to explain, an unexpected question came.
“Are you a god, Bride?”
I stumbled and stared at him with a dumbfounded expression. Judging by his sparkling eyes, he seemed to be serious.
[Don’t be ridiculous. If I were a god, why would I be here like this?]
“But there’s nothing you can’t do.”
[How many years did I say I’ve lived here?]
“Umm… 300 years?”
[Right. I’ve lived more than five times longer than humans, who live for an average of 60 years. In 60 years, one can become a master in a field, so what do you think that means for me?]
Lucian tilted his head with a blank expression. It seemed the explanation was too difficult for him.
[I just know how to do a lot of things because I’ve lived longer than others.]
“Ah!”
[And teaching is different from doing it yourself. Someday, you might even be better at it than me.]
“No way.”
[What’s this? You don’t believe me?]
“Because you can do everything like a god, Bride. There’s no way I can become like you.”
[Hmm, well…]
Was he wrong? It took me 300 years to learn all this, after all.
“Still, I want to be cool like you, Bride! I’ll work hard from now on!”
Lucian grinned, showing his teeth, then looked around the warehouse.
I felt a phantom flutter where my heart used to be. It was a fresh reminder of why I was looking after him.
I must raise this child right so that he can survive in the harsh human world.
Preferably as someone who can afford good clothes, good food, and a good house.
Is this what a master feels for their disciple?
A strange resonance echoed through my soul, and somehow, it wasn't unpleasant.
“Whoa! H-Heavy!”
Lucian grunted, trying his best to lift a sword.
He looked so pitiful, sending me an SOS signal, not knowing what to do. I burst out laughing and walked over to him.
[That’s what you get for touching things so carelessly.]
“It looked light.”
[You don’t have a single muscle in your arms. This won’t do. We’ll have to build up your body first.]
“What? But I want to start swinging a sword…”
[You can’t even lift the smallest one. No backtalk, just listen to me.]
“Okay…”
I ruffled Lucian’s dejected white hair and we left the warehouse together.
Outside, darkness had already fallen.
* * *
[Alright, repeat after me. A healthy mind!]
“A healthy mind…!”
[Comes from a strong body!]
“Ugh, comes from a strong body!”
Lucian trembled as he barely pushed himself up from a sitting position.
Day one of sword training.
About two hours after we started, Lucian’s clothes were soaked with sweat, and his whole body began to tremble.
[Good job. Let’s stop here for today.]
Lucian’s body collapsed in a heap. He didn’t care about rolling in the dirt as he lay sprawled out, clutching at his heart, which felt like it was about to explode.
[You’re persistent, though, aren’t you?]
He lasted longer and followed along better than I expected, so we ended up going for an hour longer than planned.
Of course, he was now in a half-dead state.
[How was it? Manageable?]
“Pant, pant, pant… Well…”
[No, it’s fine. Catch your breath first, then talk.]
He didn't even have the energy to answer. I’d have to lower the intensity of the workout tomorrow.
Lucian downed the drink I gave him in one gulp and even tipped the ice into his mouth.
“Phew! I feel alive again!”
Seeing him still drenched in sweat, I conjured a gentle breeze. His expression eased.
“It’s so hard!”
[Is it?]
“Yes! I feel like my heart is going to explode and I’m going to die. My legs are shaking, and it’s hard to even lift this cup.”
It was the first complaint I’d heard from him since I started teaching him.
“Do I really have to do this? Can’t I just swing a sword?”
[Physical work is always hard. Besides, you have low stamina.]
“That’s…!”
Lucian grumbled and pouted.
[It’ll probably be as tough as today for about two weeks. Your body has no foundation, so even a small stimulus feels intense.]
“T-Two weeks?”
[You don’t want to do it?]
I met his eyes and stared at him intently. Lucian slowly avoided my gaze. He glanced at me for a moment before nodding.
[I’d really prefer it if you did.]
“…Why?”
[Because with this, you’ll be able to take care of yourself.]
My words seemed too difficult for him. Lucian’s eyes darted around as he watched my expression.
[Are you planning to live here forever?]
“Uh…”
[It might seem far away now, but you’ll grow up in the blink of an eye. Besides, the Imperial Family only agreed to support you until you’re eighteen, right?]
Lucian flinched. It seemed he had forgotten, what with his life having become so comfortable thanks to me. He had exactly ten years until he became an adult.
By then, he wouldn't be provided with supplies or funds like he was now, and he would have to live on his own.
I didn’t know how the current political situation was unfolding, but if he at least learned to read, write, and wield a sword properly, he wouldn’t have to worry about starving.
[Whether it’s a sword, a bow, or a spear, you need to have some martial skill so that no one can mess with you. And if you’re ever truly desperate, you could at least work as a mercenary to survive, couldn’t you?]
“…Can’t I just live here? I don’t want to go outside.”
Perhaps because he was still too young to understand my words, Lucian remained hesitant.
“All I need is you, Bride…”
[Oh, child. What good will it do you to stay with a ghost! The living should live among the living. It’s just that you haven’t yet met someone who will cherish you.]
Lucian’s face soured, as if he didn’t like what I said.
“Are you trying to kick me out? Don’t you need me anymore? I’m your groom, Bride! We even got married!”
[That wasn't something we both agreed to.]
As if struck by the truth, Lucian clamped his mouth shut.
“…Still, I like that you’re my bride.”
Overcome with emotion, teardrops like pearls fell from Lucian’s eyes. I panicked and circled around him.
[Why, why are you crying? I just want you to meet lots of people….]
“You’re the only person who’s ever been nice to me.”
Lucian rubbed furiously at his reddened eyes.
[That’s because everyone you’ve met so far has been a strange….]
“Are you looking down on me because I’m young?”
His glare was quite sharp.
“I’m old enough to know things. I know people don’t like me. I’ve even been told to just die.”
[What kind of ridiculous nonsen—! Mmph.]
I lost my temper without realizing it and quickly covered my mouth. Lucian’s expression softened slightly. He gave a small smile.
“See? You’re on my side, Bride.”
[Ugh… I suppose I am.]
“I was really surprised at first that you were a ghost, but you’re the kindest and coolest person I’ve ever met. So please don’t kick me out…”
As tears welled up in his eyes again, I quickly spoke.
[Why would I kick you out? There’s no way I would.]
“Then why do you keep telling me to leave the mansion?”
Lucian pouted, telling me not to say such things.
I felt just as frustrated. It felt like my words weren't reaching him at all, just going around in circles.
