Chapter 70
The two had always thought Jaina would need a father.
It seemed unfortunate for a young girl to live alone in the Magic Tower, and she had come close to losing her life more than once.
But that had been their assumption. Jaina didn’t need a father.
—You don’t need to think of me as your daughter. I won’t call you Father of the Magic Tower either.
It wasn’t resentment toward the father she had been denied all this time.
It was complete indifference.
From the start, she had asked for nothing, and even as a girl she remained the same.
So perhaps it was fine to leave things as they were rather than forcing a connection between the two.
Having paid a great price to save his daughter, Diamid, as her father, would not cast her out or harm her.
Even if the dragons attacked again, he would likely protect her, just as he had before.
Yes, from Jaina’s perspective, it must seem ridiculous. A father who had denied she was his daughter suddenly acts friendly.
Come to think of it, Jaina isn’t exactly a compliant child either.
Mikael and Hilbenzia broke into cold sweats internally.
My first impression of Jaina wasn’t good either…
Luckily, I quickly adjusted my attitude.
They also felt a renewed sense of guilt toward her.
Having almost lost the small girl before them, they couldn’t help but recall all the times since they first met when they hadn’t treated her properly.
“Kiddo… I’m… I’m… I’m sorry for all the mean things I’ve said to you…”
“Pardon? What did you say?”
“I-I-I’m… sorry…”
Jaina smiled softly and silently took Mikael’s hand.
With her other hand, she held Hilbenzia’s hand.
She knew all too well the hearts of the two who cared for her.
Princess Elia approached, leading a horse by its reins.
“I don’t think it’s a bad idea to learn horseback riding.”
Recently, horseback riding had become a popular accomplishment for noble ladies.
But caring for a horse required effort, and above all, horses were expensive, making it a hobby not easily enjoyed.
Ironically, these difficulties only increased the appeal for the upper nobility.
And more than anything…
“When Your Highness ties your hair up high and rides, it makes my heart race!”
“You’re confident and impressive, even compared to men!”
The sight of Princess Elia riding stirred excitement in the hearts of young noblewomen.
The fact that the continent’s finest swordsman was female had significantly changed the empire’s culture.
The riding attire, once taboo for revealing the legs’ shape, had become common for young noblewomen.
“Now that you’re thirteen, it’s about time you learned to ride.”
Jaina had come to the royal palace today to learn riding from Elia.
If the Magic Tower had horses, Elia could have instructed knights to teach her. But there were no horses at the tower.
There’s a chimera with a horse’s head and lion’s body, though…
Jaina imagined riding a chimera, then stopped herself.
“The biggest obstacle is usually fear of the horse…”
Elia glanced at Jaina and the horse.
As expected, despite the horse being nearly her height, Jaina remained calm.
“I suppose I needn’t worry about you.”
Elia selected a gentle mare suitable for a beginner.
“Hello. Nice to meet you.”
Jaina liked the horse with its soft-looking mane. She stroked it, and the horse neighed pleasantly.
Even after Jaina mounted, it didn’t act wild nor make a sound.
As Elia had said, it seemed gentle and wise.
“The horse seems to follow you well, Jaina.”
They started slowly, just walking, then gradually increased speed.
Over time, Elia could hold the reins while allowing Jaina to ride fairly fast.
“You’re the calmest rider I’ve ever seen.”
“There must be others, Auntie?”
At that moment, an unfamiliar voice interjected.
Jaina and Elia turned to see Arnen performing tricks on a fine horse.
“I’m only two years older than her, but I ride this well already.”
“Arnen, you’ve ridden horses since childhood.”
“And what does that have to do with anything?”
“You’re starting to resemble your father as you grow.”
Arnen scowled.
“Is that supposed to be a compliment?”
“I left your upbringing mostly to your father, but seeing you now, I feel I must step in.”
“Why… what do you mean?”
“Your father, after receiving ‘discipline’ from me, could at least act somewhat human.”
“…Excuse me. Sorry for the trouble.”
Arnen quickly turned his horse away and rode off.
Watching, Jaina became curious and asked Elia,
“What is this ‘discipline’ you gave Duke Arnen’s father?”
“I took him hunting northern monsters. After having both arms severed by a mantis-like beast, he never suggested starting a reckless war again.”
The northern monsters were the fiercest, in a region even mercenaries wouldn’t go unless well-paid.
Elia added with a sigh,
“Even though his arms were reattached with potions, he still cries sometimes… As a member of the royal family, he lacks courage.”
It showed Elia’s confident personality.
“Having a royal member inspect the monster hunt… It seems reasonable. It could also boost the knights’ morale.”
“Thank you. But my son Rozian often didn’t understand me either. When he was your age, I asked if he wanted to go hunting northern monsters, and he made a face like a rotten tomato.”
Rozian, sensitive in his ways, probably didn’t understand Elia’s personality.
“Now he would probably request it himself.”
“Pardon?”
“No, I was just thinking aloud.”
Elia smiled faintly at Jaina, a rare expression for someone usually stern.
“Rozian is at the academy, so I have plenty of free time. I’d be glad if you visited often.”
“It would be an honor, as long as it’s not a burden. I’m always grateful to Your Highness Princess Elia.”
Jaina decided to try trotting without holding the reins.
The horse’s gentle nature allowed her to adapt quickly, and Elia’s training was Spartan in style.
Hee-hin!
Even trotting felt different than before.
Balancing with someone holding the reins versus coordinating with the horse herself was a big difference.
“That’s right, you’re doing well.”
As Jaina rode calmly, a taunting voice was heard nearby.
“Slow… so slow. How do you expect to run like that?”
“….”
“Coward, coward.”
Arnen, who had been far off, approached Jaina to provoke her.
“If you want, I could help you run faster.”
Elia frowned slightly but did not intervene, knowing Jaina wouldn’t fall for Arnen’s provocation.
“Hey, are you ignoring me?”
“I believe you have business with Crown Prince Rozian. Don’t use me; compete fairly instead.”
“What? What did you just say?”
“If you have nothing more to say, please step aside.”
Jaina wasn’t concerned with speed. She wanted to learn gradually from the basics.
Unlike those who focused only on immediate results, she was careful and deliberate.
“This… is really…”
Arnen’s face twisted as he watched Jaina focus on her posture. Elia, however, smiled with satisfaction.
No need for me to intervene.
Jaina calmly followed her own pace around the course.
The more I see her, the more I like her.
Perhaps it was because she was the daughter of an old comrade, but she was mature, thoughtful, and measured beyond her peers.
As a royal family member, should she not be composed and graceful?
Rozian can be emotional, so it’s good to help her balance from the side.
Watching Jaina, Elia recalled the message Diamid had sent her recently.
—If you support my daughter, I will actively assist the empire.
The Magic Tower had remained neutral for all nations until now. Diamid personally assisting the empire would be a great help.
But Elia did not answer immediately. Even without Diamid’s request, she was willing to act as Jaina’s guardian and wanted to observe first, unsure of Diamid’s intentions.
—So he’s finally recognizing her as his daughter? But why entrust her to me? Because I’m a princess?
—Not that.
Diamid’s voice, pained, responded.
—Not that?
He had distanced himself from an old comrade and obsessed over magic.
Now, hearing him personally request something with a subdued voice suggested something recent had happened.
Jaina had only collapsed briefly due to her allergy… but it seemed more complicated than that.
Digging deeper might be presumptuous… so I didn’t investigate.
Elia worried whether it was truly good for Jaina to stay at the Magic Tower.
Whatever Diamid’s intentions, I hope this turns out well.
Watching Jaina ride joyfully, Elia quietly sighed.
When Arnen, who had been provoking her, finally left, Jaina focused again on riding.
But soon, she had to release the reins again.
“Hee-hin!”
A white horse with wings descended from the sky.
“What… am I seeing correctly…?”
“A flying horse… a horse can fly?!”
Those nearby rubbed their eyes in astonishment.
The white horse descending from the sky had a white horn, and its eyes shone like jewels in the sunlight.
