Chapter 47
“Is she really that skilled? And aren’t there some bad rumors about her?”
“She’s a Sword Master—of course she’s strong.”
“Is that really true though? She hasn’t done much since coming to the North, so maybe she’s not that big of a deal?”
Even after training resumed, the knights’ attention remained fixated on the Grand Duchess.
“Didn’t she even go to the snow-covered mountains with the Grand Duke? And if she was really that amazing, wouldn’t she have shown something by now?”
“Well, that’s true too, I guess.”
Among the gossiping knights talking about the Grand Duchess as they pleased, Rain shook his head in disbelief.
These idiots. They don’t even realize the Grand Duchess is the Hero. Tsk tsk.
They’ll regret running their mouths like that later.
Rain looked at his comrades with pity before returning to his spot.
Even if the Evil God is resurrected, the North will be safe because the Hero is here.
No—just the fact that a Hero was chosen means the gods are still protecting humanity.
The gods are still watching over us.
Rain wasn’t particularly religious, but the mere existence of the Hero moved and reassured him.
Even those doubtful knights would eventually come to revere the Hero one day.
“Don’t you think the Grand Duke fell in love because she’s a Sword Master?”
Even during their break, the chatter about the Grand Duke and Duchess didn’t die down.
“Isn’t it obvious? I’ve seen the Grand Duke unable to take his eyes off her while escorting her.”
The knights had now shifted to discussing the Grand Duke’s affections.
Like the servants, they believed he had fallen for her—but their reasoning was a bit different.
“They train together every day. That proves it, doesn’t it?”
“Falling for someone just because they’re a Sword Master? Isn’t that a bit weird?”
One knight voiced doubt. He didn’t like the idea that the Grand Duke had married a woman rumored to be cursed, just because she was a Sword Master.
“Well, now that she’s a Sword Master, maybe the curse doesn’t matter anymore?”
“We’ll have to wait and see. She might still be hiding her true colors.”
While the others muttered their opinions, Rain asked bitterly,
“None of you ever thought the Grand Duke might have just genuinely fallen for her?”
“The Grand Duke?”
“He’s never shown much interest in romance. If he actually fell for someone, isn’t that a good thing?”
Rain had no rebuttal for the knights who clearly understood their master all too well.
Maybe it was a blessing in disguise that her identity as the Hero remained hidden. At least she could blend in for now.
“It’s actually better that she’s a Sword Master. If she weren’t, people would suspect the Grand Duke was being blackmailed by some noblewoman from the capital.”
Everyone nodded in agreement at that comment.
Well, I thought the same thing too.
Had he not known she was the Hero, Rain would’ve assumed any woman marrying the Grand Duke had some sort of flaw or hidden agenda.
Rain felt relieved that the knights had so easily accepted her due to her strength.
“I wonder if she’ll spar with us too?”
“Of course she will. She’s participating in knight training. Why wouldn’t she?”
With the Grand Duchess attending training, expectations among the knights were rising.
Meanwhile…
At that same moment, Evelyn stood nervously in front of a mirror. Just thinking about training with the knights filled her with energy.
“Lone, I’m off to train now.”
“Still…”
Evelyn, dressed in her training uniform to officially participate in knight training for the first time, spoke with some hesitation.
“I’m going to train seriously. The outfit’s probably going to get ruined.”
“It’s your first day. You should dress properly.”
Lone, who had just finished helping Evelyn get ready, nodded with satisfaction.
She wore the official knight’s uniform. Apparently, someone had it tailored without Evelyn even knowing.
“You’ve got this!” Lone cheered, raising her fist in encouragement.
“Hehe, I’m not going off to battle, but I’ll do my best.”
Evelyn nodded at Lone’s enthusiastic cheer. Maybe it was a Northern thing—so warlike.
Fueled by Lone’s encouragement, Evelyn made her way to the training grounds.
I’ll spend as much time with the knights as possible.
She had decided to dedicate most of her time to training. Her duties as the Grand Duchess were manageable.
If she trained until afternoon tea time and then immediately started handling paperwork, she might not fall behind.
Most of the backlog from the honeymoon had already been handled by Sophia. All that was left were current reports.
Just as she was thinking through all this, Evelyn froze at the entrance to the training ground.
The knights, fully dressed and lined up, came into view.
Wasn’t it not time yet?
She glanced over at the clock next to the podium.
It was the official training time she had been told.
“Welcome, my lady.”
Elliot greeted her warmly. The knights’ sharp gazes followed her as she entered.
She had already received their oaths after the wedding, so there was no need for additional greetings.
With a nod from Elliot urging her onto the platform, Evelyn had no choice but to step up.
“I look forward to training with you. I’ll do my best not to be a burden on the Order.”
Once she finished her short greeting, the knights responded in silence, raising their swords in a formal salute.
“Dismissed! Training begins now,” Elliot declared.
Without even a moment to gauge their evaluating stares, Evelyn had to get moving.
Later…
This is insane.
“Huff… huff…”
Lower-rank knight Jahal bit back a curse as he watched the Grand Duchess running ahead of him.
She was fast.
And she didn’t tire.
Basic endurance runs were part of every session.
Even though they’d already done warm-ups all morning, he still couldn’t keep up with the Grand Duchess.
“Wow, the lower ranks can’t keep up at all.”
Hearing this from a higher-ranking knight up front, Jahal gritted his teeth. He’d heard she was a Sword Master, but figured the stories were exaggerated.
But seeing her run twenty laps around the massive training field without even breaking a sweat made him feel useless.
I’m losing to a woman…
Jahal moved his legs faster, not wanting to fall behind someone around his age.
“Don’t push yourselves too hard,”
Jeffrey, the vice-captain trailing the lower-ranked knights and squires, warned those starting to drag their legs.
He was glad the Grand Duchess had inspired everyone, but the side effects were becoming apparent.
Everyone was overexerting themselves.
I guess they’re still young and prideful.
Jeffrey suspected some still looked down on the Grand Duchess just for being a woman. He sighed, expecting more injuries to follow.
“Hey, do you see that?”
“She’s almost on par with the Grand Duke.”
When the running ended and sparring began, the knights were even more shocked. Two senior knights were knocked out by a single strike from the Grand Duchess.
The Northern Order’s squires watched, their eyes glowing with admiration for the Grand Duchess, who hadn’t missed a single day of training for a month.
“That’s the Graham House sword style, right?”
“Yeah. The one the Grand Duke often uses.”
During sparring, the young squires huddled together, unable to take their eyes off her.
She was elegant and powerful.
They thought she was just fast, but she was also strong—rarely being pushed back.
“She really is the one chosen by the Grand Duke.”
“I heard she’s joining the next subjugation mission too.”
“Really? That’s so exciting! I missed the last one, but I’ll definitely sign up this time.”
The squires were completely captivated by the Grand Duchess, who was now dueling the senior knights in the distance.
“What are you all whispering about instead of sparring?”
“Sir Jahal!”
As the group of young knights got too loud, lower-rank knight Jahal approached them with a warning gesture.
“We were observing the Grand Duchess’s duel!”
“Ah, she’s amazing.”
Jahal, who had just gotten scolded himself for watching the senior knights’ duels, nodded earnestly.
“Still, stay focused on your own training.”
“Sir Jahal, do you think you’ll get to spar with the Grand Duchess?”
“She’s only dueling senior knights for now. We’ve got a long way to go.”
Even the Grand Duke mostly sparred with the senior knights. You had to at least be mid-to-upper rank to catch his attention for corrections.
“But hey, want to hear some good news?”
Jahal glanced around and lowered his voice.
“I overheard something—there’s a rumor the Grand Duchess might take charge of the lower ranks and squires.”
“Really?!”
“Yeah. The Grand Duke and Commander are handling the mid-to-high ranks, so it sounds like she’ll be assigned to us.”
That’s amazing.
To be taught by a Sword Master! The squires’ eyes sparkled with hope.
“So make sure not to slack off and embarrass yourselves.”
Jahal smiled as he returned to his post, unable to hide his excitement.
He was glad he was no longer a squire.
Lower-rank knights would likely get training even faster.
Even just watching senior knights spar was a valuable learning experience that could improve one’s skills.
But to be directly taught?
Jahal’s heart pounded in anticipation.
