Chapter 71
I hadn’t been to the bustling streets in a very long time. Today, I came with Killian and Adel.
Not for any other reason, but because I wanted to give them debutante gifts.
Since I wanted to buy them something they really wanted, we agreed to meet up—but things weren’t smooth from the very start.
“Adel, what’s wrong with your forehead?”
“I got it while training with my master.”
“What? What kind of lunatic would dare do that to Adel’s forehead? Who’s your master!”
Adel, who grabbed my hand as I fumed, laughed awkwardly, glancing at Killian.
“Tia, calm down for a sec and listen, okay? It’s not from being hit. There’s this training where you press your head to the floor of the drill hall and support your weight with your abs. I got this while doing that. I just don’t have enough core strength, so I kept slipping. I already put ointment on it, and we’re going to the temple today anyway, so it’s really not a problem!”
So she’s still hiding who her master is, huh?
Haah… honestly.
I stomped my foot and turned first.
I heard Killian and Adel bickering nervously behind me, but I didn’t look back.
I just wasn’t in the mood.
After calming myself down, we arrived at a boutique—the hottest place in the capital, Madame Casta’s salon.
Of course, each of their families must already be preparing their debutante gowns and formal wear, but I thought it would be meaningful for the three of us to get outfits together, so I brought them here.
When I asked what they wanted, Adel said a hundred grilled skewers from a street vendor, and Killian said a small charm for his sword. I got so worked up I dragged them here instead.
I mean, I’m the Crown Princess of the Empire. I’ve made a fortune from Dearc black salt, I even run a guild. And these two ask for… skewers and trinkets?
“Sorry, but with the debutante ball so close, unless you have a reservation, you can’t purchase any clothing.”
Rejected.
Flatly rejected.
So embarrassing…
With no choice, I lowered my hood in front of Madame Casta. Then I pulled Killian’s and Adel’s hoods back as well.
Ta-da!
I didn’t want to be the kind of person who used status and power to press down on others, but today I had no choice.
“G-good heavens!”
Dazzling silver, radiant gold, and even black.
One gloomy color awkwardly snuck in there, but Madame Casta understood at once what our hair colors meant, and bowed deeply.
“I greet the Little Sun of the Empire.”
“Hi, Madame Casta. Nice to meet you. Now, are you still saying we can’t buy clothes without a reservation?”
Though she had been startled at first, Madame Casta, unfazed by my serious tone, shook her head.
“Of course not. Please, allow me to lead you to our innermost space, Your Highness.”
“Thank you.”
We followed her into the deepest, most discreet and comfortable VIP space of the salon.
“Will all three of you be getting outfits?”
“Yes. Can it be finished before the debutante ball?”
“Of course, Your Highness. First, let us take your measurements.”
I like her confidence.
At my nod, Madame Casta led Killian away first.
“T-Tia, are you really mad?”
“No? Not really?”
I was a little sulky, but if I should be angry, it’s at that master of hers, not at Adel herself.
“I’m really fine. As soon as I leave you, I’ll go to the temple and then home.”
“Alright. Just know, if a scar ever mars your pretty forehead, I’ll really get angry.”
“Wooong! Oh, our sweet Tia. You’re way too kind! Heehee.”
Adel hugged me tight and rubbed her cheek against mine. Meanwhile, Killian, having finished, stepped back out.
“Adel, your turn.”
“Mm. I’ll be right back, Tia.”
She smoothed down my messy hair with her hand before disappearing behind the curtain.
Killian studied my softened expression closely. I realized something again—I must have no immunity to my favorite face. It’s not heart failure, but lately my heart races way too fast….
I put a little distance between us, lifted and lowered my eyelids dramatically, and tilted my head.
“What is it, Killian?”
“I just wondered if you’re feeling better now.”
“I’m fine. I was just upset earlier. You saw Adel’s forehead too, right? I mean, what kind of teacher makes a girl bang her head against the floor?”
Talking about it made my temper rise again.
But with reputation and status at stake, I had to hold it in here.
Huuu—letting out a long breath, I saw Killian nod.
“True. I didn’t think you’d be this upset, Tia.”
“Hm?”
“I figured you wouldn’t be.”
He tilted his chin toward the curtain.
“But hasn’t Adel’s skill improved dramatically?”
I couldn’t help but nod. That much was true.
“Still… she’s become so rough.”
“She was always rough, Tia.”
“Always?”
I looked at him. He just shrugged.
“No, I said ‘always was.’”
“Oh. Still…”
Clicking my tongue without anything more to say, I heard Adel return.
“Now it’s Your Highness’s turn.”
With her help, I rose from my seat and stepped behind the curtain.
“Ughhh. All your fault!”
The moment Tia disappeared, Adel smacked Killian on the shoulder. Of course, it didn’t land properly—Killian dodged quickly.
“How is this my fault? It’s yours. I told you to speak nicely. Don’t blame me for your foul mouth. Thanks to you, Tia thinks I’m the bad guy.”
“It just slipped out….”
Like the first time she saw a monster beast—words had just spilled out before she realized it.
She hadn’t known all the curses she’d heard while living in the orphanage were sitting inside her, ready to burst out.
“Seriously….”
Killian rubbed his face. Being scolded by Tia as Adel’s so-called “master,” when he wasn’t even treated as one, felt so unfair.
“Not even recognized as a master, yet blamed as one….”
“A master’s still a master. Even you have something worth learning.”
Adel stuck out her tongue.
This had all started the year Adel first manifested her holy power.
After meeting Tia at the palace, they were on their way home when Killian’s carriage broke down. He ended up riding in Adel’s carriage, where they had their fateful conversation.
“It’s not fun, that’s the problem. Swinging a sword isn’t fun. All they make me do is meditate.”
Adel banged her head against the carriage wall. Killian, frowning at her sorry state, reluctantly replied.
“Then just quit.”
“Dad says I can’t. Says I have to finish the basic training.”
“Well, yeah. If you’ve got holy power, you should at least know how to use it.”
“It’s not even hard. You just open your hand and it comes out. Wanna see?”
Adel held out her hand. Frowning in concentration, she soon produced a white glow.
“Whoa, okay. That’s impressive.”
“See what you take me for? Wanna die?”
She swung her fist playfully. Killian waved it off like a fly.
“Seriously, talk prettier.”
“Hey, have you ever actually seen a monster beast?”
“No.”
Only in books. He muttered. Adel chuckled.
“Well, I have. And they’re gross.”
Just like you. Pfft, hahaha.
Adel laughed.
This crazy girl!
Killian clenched his teeth.
“Wanna die?”
“Blaaah. As if you could kill me.”
“Too bad I don’t have my gloves with me.”
“What if you did? You’d throw them? Ooooh.”
“Of course.”
At his glare, Adel banged on the carriage wall. By coincidence, it stopped before an open lot.
“Get down here. Now.”
“As if I’d be scared.”
“Are you actually speaking human words right now?”
“What? Can’t understand me, oh mighty scary mouth?”
“You said you wouldn’t hit girls, idiot! Can’t even stick to your word?”
“You stopped being a girl long ago.”
“Whew. Time to stretch properly for once.”
“Gladly.”
They both grabbed wooden swords from the carriage and threw themselves into a fierce duel.
The wide clearing rang only with panting breaths and the clash of wood on wood.
“You should’ve blocked with the blade flat.”
“Argh!”
“Now keep it upright.”
“Damn it! So annoying!”
“Don’t loosen your grip! To the end!”
“Hyaaahhh! Here I gooo!”
After failing even her final strike, Adel collapsed to the ground.
She had to admit Killian’s skill was truly impressive. The difference between them was frustrating.
“Hey, Killian. Just so you know, today’s loss is only because I’ve been stuck in that stupid temple training and slacking on sword practice, alright?”
“Still, your skills aren’t rusty enough to die.”
“Really? You think so? Ugh, but even so, it’s not enough to protect Tia. If I can’t even beat you, that makes no sense, right? Sigh… I want to get better, but thanks to that stupid temple, I don’t have time to train during the day…. If only I had a teacher at night.”
Killian, unable to ignore how uncharacteristically downcast she was, asked quietly.
“Not a teacher, but…”
“Hm?”
“Want to train with me?”
After all, his resolve to protect Tia wasn’t any different from Adel’s. Helping this much couldn’t hurt.
“For real?”
“You said you want to protect Tia.”
In truth, Adel had felt it herself earlier while sparring. As irritating as his words were, they were helpful.
“Of course I do. But… can you come out at night? Oh! Since the Duke’s in his territory, it’s fine?”
“Yeah.”
“Great! Then we start tomorrow!”
And that was how Killian became Adel’s secret master.
