Chapter 26
‘After a full day of duty, it’s usually only Senior who continues training as much as usual.’
In truth, such a full-day assignment, from morning until evening, would be a burden for most knights.
So, in most cases, when knights were assigned to continuous vigilance like this, they would skip training or even be excused from drills altogether.
‘Senior… You haven’t cut your sleep short again just to train, have you…?’
While Felix voiced his concern, Eugene quietly gathered her thoughts and spoke.
“Sir Knight, would it be all right if someone else came to the training ground?”
“The training ground… you mean?”
Sir Hatten’s eyes lingered on her for a moment as she diverted the question, then he seemed to grasp her intent and answered with a gentle smile.
“Yes. Unless something unusual occurs, entry isn’t strictly restricted. Occasionally, not only knights and trainees, but young noble ladies or special guests may come to watch.”
“Th-then, Sir Knight…”
Eugene swallowed nervously and began to ramble, as if reading from a script she had prepared.
“I read in a book before that the protagonist’s training scenes were described so vividly, and I always wanted to see them for myself someday….”
At that moment, Felix seemed to understand what she wanted and his eyes lit up with interest.
“…Of course, I understand that training isn’t exactly a spectacle, so if it’s inconvenient, it’s fine, but if it isn’t too much trouble, could you show me your training, Sir Knight?”
Absolutely! This isn’t leaving duty—it’s because I really want to see it! Fulfilling the request of the one I protect counts as part of my mission!
Seeing Eugene’s sparkling eyes, Sir Hatten almost chuckled, and quickly restored his usual formal expression as he replied.
“Of course, that’s fine. I can guide you anytime you wish.”
“Ah! Then today! I’ve been feeling stiff lately!”
…Which means, I just want to go outside! Not that I particularly need to watch the personal training during duty hours, but I want to see it!
Eugene muttered excuses to make her request seem polite, but the two knights simply smiled.
Having spent quite some time with Eugene, the two were already familiar with her personality.
They knew that someone like Eugene, who usually loved to lie still on a bed or a rocking chair, would never voluntarily move her body unless she truly wanted to see something.
Accepting her awkward kindness pleasantly, the three moved to the training ground.
“Wow.”
Eugene had already forgotten why she had wanted to come here in the first place, and now her eyes were completely absorbed in the scene before her.
“Hah!”
For the sake of the single audience member who had accompanied him here, Sir Hatten added a touch of showmanship to his usual training routine.
Swish swish—
Every time her sword swung, the thick scarecrow targets were neatly sliced, revealing clean cuts as they fell apart in pieces.
“Senior!”
Felix, who had entered the training ground with his senior after a long time, was thrilled.
“Want to spar a round?”
Sir Hatten cast a glance at the girl seated safely at the edge, and then exchanged her sharp blade for a dull practice sword, facing Felix.
“Let’s see.”
As she drew the practice sword, even without a sharp edge, it somehow seemed alive with presence.
“Let’s see how much you’ve improved, Sir Felix.”
Felix’s heart raced, both from tension and excitement, at seeing a rare provocation smile on his senior’s face, and he charged forward.
Clang!
Their swords collided strongly. Even when their blades became entangled, Felix couldn’t push back Sir Hatten, who stood her ground effortlessly, yet he attempted to pull free and continue a strong, continuous assault.
Clang! Clang! Clang, clang!
No matter how many strikes came, Sir Hatten, moving only minimally, parried each one without effort.
Noticing for the first time, Eugene covered her mouth in silent awe.
‘So that’s what it’s like in martial arts novels!’
Masters don’t move their feet at all, while the followers desperately try to reach even the edge of their clothing.
Eugene’s heart raced like watching a high-budget action scene unfold.
The clash of swords and the dazzling reflections off the blades captivated her completely.
Following their movements closely, she finally looked at their faces, and her mouth dropped open.
“Wow… so handsome…”
The sparring itself was exciting, but seeing Sir Hatten genuinely enjoying it—a rare expression not usually visible—was captivating.
Felix, too, looked surprisingly sincere, all his usual mischievous charm stripped away.
“Wow.”
It felt like a scene straight out of a drama. Eugene regretted that she couldn’t capture it. Yet she enjoyed every moment at the training ground.
Though her initial goal had been different, she was content knowing that her presence might help slightly reduce Sir Hatten’s extra work hours.
From then on, the three of them often spent afternoons at the training ground together.
Recently, Prince Michael had little chance to see the lively face of the puppy girl he raised.
Previously, he would occasionally glimpse her rolling around in the garden while he moved between the main palace and the prince’s quarters. Sometimes, Eugene would come to his office for a snack, making her visits irregular yet welcome.
However, after her recent runaway incident, he had moved her room closer to his own to ensure her safety.
Despite the proximity, the frequency of seeing his puppy girl had sharply decreased.
This was because Eugene, who loved cozy indoor life, was now happily absorbed in playing games in her playroom with companions all day long.
Prince Michael had no way of knowing this. All he saw was that she hadn’t come to the office for snacks yet again.
Even though she was near him, he couldn’t see her.
“…”
This explained his subdued mood.
As usual, the cold-faced prince was approached cautiously by his chamberlain.
“Your Highness, Sir Baoren, Captain of the Palace Knights, has submitted a request.”
The messenger, fearing the prince’s displeasure, quickly placed the document on Michael’s desk following the chamberlain’s subtle signal.
“…”
Michael skimmed the document without comment.
“You want to dispatch Palace Knights for this mission?”
“Yes, yes, Your Highness! It’s urgent and important, so Captain Baoren sought permission to send suitable personnel immediately!”
“Urgent and important, huh…”
Ignoring the trembling messenger, Michael continued to study the request with an indifferent expression.
“Where is Captain Baoren?”
“He’s currently at the training ground, Your Highness!”
Thud.
Having processed everything mentally, Michael closed the document and rose from his seat.
“I’ll go there.”
Following the prince, the chamberlain quickly collected his belongings.
“I need to move my body a bit.”
In other words, the prince intended to personally spar with the knights—a rare occurrence since his youth, when even adult knights could hardly match him. The chamberlain mentally prepared for the inevitable demoralization of the new palace knights.
Prince Michael wasn’t expecting much from this visit.
But when he reached the training ground and saw a familiar face…
He felt a simple, genuine delight.
‘So, she’s here.’
Though he had assumed she mostly stayed in her room or in the garden, seeing his puppy girl at the training ground was a pleasant surprise. Her face was lively, her eyes sparkling with energy, and she appeared completely safe and unscathed.
‘Looking well.’
Prince Michael allowed a rare smile as he watched her.
At that moment, Eugene, sitting quietly by the training ground, suddenly jumped up and ran forward, calling someone’s name.
“Sir Hatten!”
Seeing his puppy girl run off calling another’s name, Prince Michael’s eyebrows shot up in displeasure.
‘…What’s going on?’
