Chapter 14
Johan’s loosed arrow struck dead center of the target without a hair’s breadth of deviation.
How is that even possible?
At this distance, you can barely even see that tiny dot—and yet Johan had done it as if it were nothing.
He drew back the bowstring again and then ran toward me, as if he knew without having to look.
The knights’ excited cheers rang out.
Buoyed with pride, Johan called out in a thrilled voice,
“Isn’t oppa cool?”
He looked like he’d be disappointed if I didn’t say something.
Well, credit where it’s due.
I gave him a quick thumbs-up. His eyes sparkled at once; his proudly lifted chin looked like it could pierce the sky, and he laughed heartily, showing all his teeth.
“As expected of me!”
Johan had a formidable ego. At times like this, one more for good measure.
“You’re amazing, oppa!”
Preening, Johan turned to Grandfather Calix.
“Grandfather, you saw that, right? Rob just told me I’m cool.”
All I’d done was toss off a single line, but his puffed-up shoulders were ready to spear the heavens.
A scoffing sound came from Grandfather.
“You brat, I can do that with my eyes closed. Making such a ruckus over nothing. Ahem.”
He said that, but the faint twitch at the corner of his mouth betrayed his good mood.
Unusually for him, Johan only stuck out his lower lip.
While we were carrying on, the proprietor brought over a great big rabbit plush.
As promised, Johan gave it to me as a present. I accepted it while in Grandfather’s arms.
Naturally, he supported it from below so I wouldn’t drop it.
“Thank you, oppa.”
Johan nodded.
Around us came a ripple of pleasant, approving laughter.
I looked about. Everyone here was smiling brightly—genuinely happy. It made me smile without thinking.
Is this what happiness is?
It was a feeling I’d never had before my regression. Why had I had to live without even knowing such a thing?
I thought back on my life, always constrained. Living as heir to the sacred relic had been far too harsh.
Were all Grandfather’s teachings truly right?
Why had the god sent me back to the past? And why to meet my father rather than my maternal grandfather?
It was certain I’d been sent back to awaken something. Then I needed to realize what it was I hadn’t yet understood.
In the carriage back to the grand ducal house, I looked out the window and cried out silently to the One who knows all.
What is it You wish to tell me? Please, teach me.
I turned my gaze from the swaying scenery to Grandfather and Johan. Looking at them, something warm seemed to spread through my chest.
I buried my face in the big rabbit plush sitting beside me. I didn’t want anyone to see the tears.
A warm, gentle patting touched my back.
“If you’re sleepy, rest. Grandfather is always by your side.”
Relieved that my tears hadn’t been noticed, I melted into that familiar touch and drifted off.
“…Rob, wake up.”
A small jolt snapped me alert. The carriage had stopped; outside, a familiar view. Dusk had fallen, dimming the world.
When I lifted my head, my eyes met Grandfather’s.
“Awake?”
“I’m sorry, Grandfather.”
“Sorry? You’ve no idea the joy in watching my granddaughter sleep so sweetly.”
Johan opened the door and hopped down first; I followed, still in Grandfather’s arms.
At the entrance, Father—leaning on his cane—and the household staff awaited us.
“Welcome back, Father.”
“Yes, it’s been a day. Let’s get inside.”
The knights on duty swung open the great doors of the grand ducal house.
“Grandfather, you can put me down now.”
He gently set me on my feet. I clutched the plush tight, but since I wasn’t very tall yet, its bottom dragged along the ground.
Basha must have thought it too much for me to carry as I was; she took it in my stead.
“Thank you. Please take good care of Whitey for me.”
I took Grandfather’s and Johan’s hands. Father walked beside us with his cane.
They weren’t the same as before, but my family now was the hands I held—Father and Grandfather—and Johan.
The grand ducal servants welcomed us home. Basha and everyone in the household were my family, too.
My precious family.
Don’t forget.
I am Roblien Calix of House Calix now—not of House White.
After our outing, before visiting former Crown Princess Yulia’s salon, I resolved to learn imperial etiquette.
Father had hired a tutor named Jenkins to teach me from a little while back.
Her name was Laura Jenkins. She had once instructed the current Empress, Lady Olivia.
I had learned imperial etiquette before my regression, but I thought it good to study again and followed her earnestly.
Of course, since I knew much of it already, I picked things up quickly.
“Now then, my lady, if you shape your hands like this— …You’re already doing it properly. How is it so ingrained? As expected of the young lady of House Calix.”
Miss Jenkins clapped, pleased. Basha and the maids did likewise. The embarrassment was mine alone.
“Your attitude toward learning is admirable, but I didn’t expect you to master it so swiftly. I’ve taught many noble sons and daughters, but I’ve never seen someone learn this fast. It’s as if you were born to it.”
To me, it was material I already knew, so her praise felt like a burden.
“It—it’s all thanks to your excellent instruction, Miss Jenkins.”
Contrary to her strict first impression, Miss Jenkins was very kind.
The maids had told me she was very severe. But she was so gentle that I wondered how such rumors had started.
When word spread that she would be my tutor, the maids were terribly worried. Yet that concern proved needless; she was warm, affectionate, and devoted to teaching.
Sometimes the lessons ran far over time, her passion carrying her along. Given her age, I worried for her.
Today was to be an observation day. With Grandfather and Johan away, only Father was to attend.
Knock, knock.
As expected, it was Father who entered. I asked Miss Jenkins’ leave and went to the door.
I wanted to offer my arm, as his body still troubled him.
“Thank you, my daughter.”
When I steadied his hand, he smiled with such happiness. It was natural to me, but at times his face turned a little sad.
“Thank you for coming, Dad.”
Lately I had switched from “Father” to “Dad.” It felt more intimate, and Dad loved it.
I led him to the sofa so he could sit comfortably and sat beside him. Soon his warm hand smoothed my hair.
It must have gotten mussed when I moved.
“My daughter is always lovely.”
I answered with a smile, then—feeling the eyes on us—asked Miss Jenkins a question.
“Miss Jenkins, what will we learn today?”
Unlike me, she seemed entirely unbothered.
“Today we shall practice the imperial greeting, imagining the young master of House Calix to be His Majesty.”
Miss Jenkins first demonstrated the bow. Her movements were tidy and sure, flowing with long habit.
As befitted one seasoned in the imperial household, her bearing was natural and perfect. Bowing near Father, she spoke,
“Laura of House Jenkins pays respects to His Majesty, the Sun of the Empire.”
She showed every step through to the final, proper end of the salute. When she finished, she looked at me.
“My lady, would you like to try? Or shall I demonstrate once more?”
All eyes turned to me at her question. Calming my pounding heart, I rose.
“I’ll try.”
I walked to where she had stood. Before beginning, I drew a long breath. My eyes met Dad’s.
“It’s fine if you don’t do it perfectly. Don’t be nervous—just take it slow.”
I steadied myself and nodded.
No one’s going to hit me for failing anymore—or make me skip dinner.
Don’t be nervous.
Tilting my head slightly down so my eyes wouldn’t meet the front directly, I stepped lightly so my heels made no sound.
The pace, of course, could be neither hurried nor slow. At the proper distance, I lifted my skirt ever so slightly and bent my knees in a small curtsey.
To be continued.
