The Protagonist's Party is Too Diligent

Chapter 134

Strictly speaking, a school break is like a holiday for workers.

Of course, compared to an actual worker’s vacation, it’s incredibly long, and usually, kids with the social status to attend an academy tend to enjoy it comfortably without working.

Claire and Leo could have done the same.

However, both of them were highly driven. Neither Leo nor Claire hesitated to spend the entire break diligently training to improve their swordsmanship.

And both of them had met the "Swordmaster" during the semester. Though the time they spent learning from him was brief, they had both earned the title of “disciple.”

Moreover, they were even told that they could come to learn anytime they had the chance.

For such purposes, the school break was an ideal period.

With this in mind, Leo and Claire planned to head north right after the visit from the two princesses ended.

Of course, life rarely flows exactly as planned.

"Claire, you’ll stay here."

Naturally, it didn’t.

“Mother?”

But life doesn’t always follow exactly what one expects or desires.

“Inheriting the Grace swordsmanship is a good thing. If you have a great teacher like the Swordmaster, then it’s proper to pursue your swordsmanship with gratitude. After all, it’s not a chance given to just anyone.”

“Mother, then—”

“But.”

The Baroness of Grace sighed softly as she spoke to Claire.

“Claire, isn’t it about time you started preparing for marriage?”

“...Excuse me?”

Claire’s face went blank, her mouth slightly agape, reflecting a bewildered expression of “What does that mean?”

“I’m not saying you need to marry right away. You can think about it slowly after you become an adult. But, even so, you need to be equipped with the basics.”

Claire’s face began to flush slightly.

“At the very least... you need to carry yourself properly as a ‘young lady.’ This break will be focused on that.”

“But, Mother—”

Claire’s face took on a pleading expression, but the Baroness of Grace seemed resolute.

“Claire, you are the daughter of our family. I believe you should receive proper education to ensure there’s nothing lacking if you marry someone one day.”

Beneath her words lay an unmistakable affection.

Claire found herself at a loss for words.

Seeing Claire’s dazed expression, the baroness smiled gently.

“Still, if, during this break, you manage to refine your manners to represent our family well, then I will allow you to go north for swordsmanship training in the winter.”

“Really?”

Claire’s eyes widened.

“Really, Mother?”

Seeing Claire bouncing in excitement, the baroness let out a soft sigh.

“...Yes, but first, let’s do something about that boisterous behavior of yours.”

Surprised by the high-pitched squeal, Frederick blinked. Leo, too, turned his upper body toward the door, still seated cross-legged.

The girl, who had fallen onto her rear, was petite and appeared fragile at first glance. Not that she lacked a certain feminine charm, though.

With tears in the corners of her eyes, the girl rubbed her forehead.

“Sylvia?”

Leo asked in a somewhat dazed tone.

The girl, addressed as Sylvia, blinked as if only now realizing she was sitting on the floor. She seemed to momentarily forget the pain in her forehead.

Looking blank for a moment, she suddenly snapped out of it and—

“Redo!”

She shouted—

---

After bumping my forehead on that damn basket again, I’d forgotten about it.

It had been months since I’d last come here, so it was only natural I’d forgotten... but still, it was embarrassing.

Especially since even Leo inside the hut saw me.

“Hoo...”

I rewound a few seconds, took a deep breath, and opened the door again.

The door, its ill-fitting hinges creaking, opened with a groan that betrayed its poor craftsmanship.

And then I saw the basket flying toward my face.

Raising my free hand, I caught the basket.

Snap.

Thankfully, it seemed Frederick wasn’t throwing it with the intent to kill, so I managed to catch it fairly gracefully.

“Oh-ho.”

Frederick let out a small exclamation.

“Sylvia?”

This time, there was no bewilderment or shock in Leo’s voice—just pure surprise.

Trying to keep my composure, I calmly placed the basket on a nearby table.

“Sylvia, is it?”

Frederick looked thoughtful for a moment, then smirked slightly, a bit of a predatory gleam in his smile.

“I see. So you’re the one who made a name for yourself on the battlefield recently.”

...What’s this?

Why does it feel different from when we first met?

For a moment, I wondered if Frederick remembered me, but it didn’t seem like that, fortunately.

Instead—

“If you’re my disciple’s close friend, then I should at least see your skills.”

He gripped his sword.

Wait, hold on!