SWNOVELXO Chapter 144
“No, next time.”
Lensia hesitated before continuing.
“…I’m not ready yet.”
The truth was, she had been ready for a long time. She had practiced and internalized everything she had learned from her master at the academy to the point that she could perform in her sleep. But why?
She wanted to enjoy this routine a little longer. Who knows, maybe the current subjugation team might defeat the dragon, and it would be nice to continue her life until the next recruitment.
“That’s a relief. I think I need to study more before joining the subjugation team, too.”
“Why would the head of Servenia join the subjugation team? Don’t say such foolish things.”
“Yes, I’m a fool. A fool who only knows Lensia.”
“Crazy…”
“Yes, I’m crazy. For the best swordswoman, Lensi—”
Lensia covered Allen’s mouth with her hand. “Alright, I get it, so shut up.” Her face was bright red.
Soon, news came that this subjugation team was also wiped out before reaching the dragon. Lensia felt an inexplicable sense of guilt.
* * *
“Is Lensia really the emperor’s mistress?”
“She was famous even during her academy days.”
“They say Marquis Servenia is completely obsessed with her. What on earth is her charm?”
“I don’t understand it at all. Anyway, I hope nothing disrupts the relationship between the emperor and Servenia. It’s unsettling how someone of low birth can stir up trouble in the capital by taking such a high position.”
“The emperor and empress seem to have a good relationship. Surely not.”
“Men with mistresses often treat their wives better out of guilt.”
Hearing the conversation from around the corner, Lensia turned back to the knight order building before the maids could approach. Thinking about it, it was strange that such rumors hadn’t surfaced among the gossip-loving nobles until now. Perhaps Edin and Allen had kept such talk from reaching her ears.
“…What the heck? Who are they to talk like that?” Lensia clenched her fist tightly. “Why can’t I live without their help? Why do I always have to be so anxious?!”
Lensia had lived with countless strokes of luck. Getting into the academy, meeting her kind yet timid first sparring partner Edin, finding a sword master, becoming friends with Edin, and Allen falling for her at first sight—all were coincidences and luck. For those born into power, these events were natural parts of life, so they couldn’t understand Lensia’s constant anxiety about when her luck might run out.
Indeed, Lensia was always anxious because she never knew when these streaks of luck and coincidences might end. The moment luck turned its back on her, she would be left with nothing.
Leaving the imperial knight order meant becoming a mercenary to survive with her sword. But Lensia knew the world better than she let on. Who would entrust a mission to a swordswoman?
To those in similar situations, it seemed like Lensia was constantly seizing luck.
“…Why do I have no choices?”
But Lensia had never once seized luck. She had merely made the suitable choices to survive.
The next day, Lensia applied for the dragon subjugation team.
* * *
Before she knew it, the morning of the new year had dawned. Having read half of Lensia’s diary overnight, Luize stretched with a tired expression. She closed the diary and took out Lensia’s letter of introduction.
“The diary clearly mentions Fioren Orphanage. So why does the introduction say Fioren Academy? Are they using the same name because both are in Illisen?” Pondering, Luize spoke to herself. “…I have to see for myself.”
Anyway, Lorein was leaving for the capital soon. It was better for Luize to find something to do than to stay behind alone. She knew well how hard it was to just wait in someone’s absence.
Over breakfast, eating warm lasagna and freshly baked focaccia, Luize brought up Fioren Academy.
“I remember hearing about it. They suddenly decided to build an imperial academy in that seaside village. It was such an unexpected announcement that it stuck in my memory. I don’t know what happened afterward, but the recommendation letter suggests it was indeed built.”
“How long will it take to get there?”
“It’s about a ten-day journey. It’s the nearest seaside from Perils.”
“Then, Aunt, I’ll head there.”
“It’s a place you have no ties to. Are you sure?”
“My mother used to stay there, so I’m curious.”
“Alright then. Go ahead. When you return, Baron Aeroven will welcome you back to the castle. Just because I’m not here doesn’t mean you can’t come back.”
“Yes, Aunt.” Luize smiled softly.
* * *
The Lindeman estate was bustling with a small party celebrating the new year. Before the full—scale preparations for usurping the throne, Edward had arranged a casual gathering for the order members to eat, drink, and enjoy themselves.
“
Woow
! Your Excellency is the best!”
“Long live the Silver Hawk Knights!”
“Now, let’s toast to the new year.”
“Yes!”
“Isn’t the first toast of the new year supposed to be with the left hand?” Robin asked one of the members.
The member nodded. “That’s right.”
As Edward lifted his glass with his left hand, the order members followed suit. He smiled and spoke. “To the bright future of the empire in the new year, che—”
Snap.
Just as Edward was about to toast, something snapped on his wrist. His hand holding the glass trembled slightly.
The lively atmosphere of the Silver Hawk Knights’ New Year’s party suddenly fell silent.
“Did I see right? Did something just snap on His Excellency’s wrist…”
“His bracelet snapped…”
“Wait, did His Excellency always wear something like that?”
“
Shh
, be quiet! That was a gift from Lady Luize!”
“Damn… Was that it?”
“I heard that if the bracelet gift snapped, the same person has to give another one before the mark on their wrist disappears.”
“Hey, shut up already.”
“The vice-captain strictly told us not to mention that bracelet! You big loud mouths!”
Edward picked up the bracelet from the table. After a moment of silence, he spoke. “…I can hear all of you clearly.”
“I’ll sew their mouths shut right away,” Robin said determinedly.
“
Puing
.” [Idiots.] Ren mumbled, dipping focaccia into olive oil.
Maxion quickly tried to lighten the mood. “…Cheers.”
“Cheers!”
Everyone clinked their glasses and drank in one go. Edward also emptied his glass and stood with the bracelet in hand.
“The drink isn’t sitting well with me today, so I’ll retire early.”
“Yes!”
“Please, have a good night!”
“
Huh
? Leaving already? Your Excellency, have a happy news—!
Mph
!
Mmph
!”
Someone quickly covered the last speaker’s mouth before he could finish his sentence.
Though Edward wasn’t someone who would usually feel unwell from a single glass of wine, the members exchanged glances and let him go.
“…Will he be alright?”
“If he’s not, what can we do? His Excellency is an adult now. He’ll probably go back to his room and deal with it in his own way.”
“He headed towards the annex.”
“…”
“…”
“…Cheers.” Maxion raised his glass, and the unit members quietly followed.
Edward went to the annex and naturally sat on the bed Luize used. He tried to reattach the broken bracelet to his left wrist with magic but stopped.
“If I had known it had that meaning, I would have given you a magically enchanted bracelet that doesn’t break.”
“I’m satisfied with this one. It’s the most special bracelet in the world to me, with its purple gemstone. If it breaks, I hope Miss Luize will give me a new gift before the mark disappears.”
“Alright, I’ll do that.”
After much contemplation, he withdrew his hand.
“…A new gift is welcome anytime, anywhere. The mark you left on me will never disappear.”
He looked at the amethyst in the broken bracelet, which matched Luize’s eye color.
“If the gods grant me another chance…” Edward clenched the broken bracelet. “I hope we can reunite before the mark you left on me disappears.”