BCOM 22

Chapter 22

“You’ve arrived, Your Highness the Crown Prince.”

“Welcome!”

The moment he appeared, everyone immediately noticed and stood up, bowing deeply toward the Crown Prince.

It didn’t seem like he had come just to see them today. Instead of his usual clothing, he wore at least a light set of armor.

“Well, well. It looks like Your Highness was itching for some action.”

Lizerne shook his head with a smile in his voice. At those words, Theowin shrugged his shoulders and raised his lips in a grin.

“I heard you were having sparring matches today. I thought I’d come and learn a thing or two.”

Although he wasn’t an official member of the Imperial Knights, Theowin’s skills were already considered on par with those being discussed as the next commander. So when he announced his intent to spar, the knights swallowed hard.

“It—it’s an honor, Your Highness! Please, spar with me!”

A fairly young-looking senior knight rushed forward and bowed. His boldness made the others murmur and cheer under their breath while exchanging nervous glances.

Surely, many others also wished to spar with him. But if the Crown Prince fought too many in a single day, the later matches would certainly be at a disadvantage for him.

Who would step forward first? Who would dare become the “sacrifice” to highlight him in front of the future Crown Princess, while also claiming the rare chance to spar with him?

As the tension grew and glances flickered, Lizerne again shook his head.

“Your Highness, then how about sparring with just two people today, aside from what you’re already doing?”

Clearly pleased that his son had shown up just to impress Anes, Lizerne made the suggestion. Theowin simply answered, “Fine,” and accepted, prompting a full-fledged contest among the knights’ gazes.

“This is… troublesome.”

“Why, my lady? His Highness is going to spar! This might be a once-in-a-lifetime chance! Imagine how splendid it will be!”

“That’s right, my lady! It’s rare to even see His Highness with a sword, but seeing him fight seriously is rarer still!”

Tarin and Tamohan eagerly urged her on, but Anes only stared back with a sullen expression.

I came to see Father’s swordsmanship…
To see him wield a sword alongside magic.

It would be a precious opportunity to glimpse his active days again, and to check whether the power he used resembled the same force that had once flowed into her.

Spirits—those mysterious beings that spirit-users could sense, converse with, and eventually command freely through contracts.

Their powers overlapped with magic and mana; the source was more or less the same.

That was why Anes had come to the training grounds today.

She thought she could watch in between spars, or after the knights’ duels were finished. But now, at this rate, she might not see it at all—not until evening, or maybe not even then.

“Haa…”

A sigh slipped out before she could stop it.

The surroundings instantly went quiet. Only then did she realize how loud her sigh had been.

“Ah, um, g-good luck!”

She awkwardly smiled and raised both fists in encouragement. Everyone followed her lead, punching the air with sparkling eyes as they shouted, “Good luck!”

She had no idea why their eyes shone so brightly, but at this rate, it seemed like they’d all throw themselves at the Crown Prince for a chance.

“All right, let’s begin the first match! Step forward!”

The chatter stopped abruptly, silence heavy enough to hear a swallow, as everyone turned their eyes to the two men standing in the center.

She had often heard tales of his great skill with the sword, but she hadn’t known he was this good.

The bold young knight was knocked down after just five exchanges. As he scrambled to rise, he clumsily cut his own neck slightly on Theowin’s waiting blade.

Anes immediately rushed in with a first-aid kit to stop the bleeding.

Some envied the young knight for receiving treatment from her own hands. Others watched fondly, saying it was only fitting that the future Crown Princess tended to what the Crown Prince had caused.

Though her hands were a little clumsy, she skillfully pressed the wound, stopped the bleeding, and bandaged it up.

“You should see a physician right away.”

“Yes, do as Anes says. The bleeding may stop soon, but it’s best to get proper treatment quickly.”

As always, Lizerne calmly oversaw everything with a steady gaze.

Theowin, however, didn’t seem entirely satisfied. After all, the moment the match ended, Anes had rushed to the wounded knight instead of acknowledging him.

He had gone out of his way not to be ruthless, adjusting his blows carefully. But none of that mattered.

This isn’t what I came here for… Theowin sat down with a faintly displeased look.

The second duel ended similarly. Fortunately, no one was injured, so Anes’s attention didn’t stray from him this time. Still, she didn’t look at him as though he were dazzling or inspiring.

“Your Highness’s skill is truly unmatched! I think everyone would love it if you joined the order officially.”

“You were amazing, Your Highness! Please, next time, spar with me!”

“No, with me, Your Highness!”

It seemed he was very popular among the men. Watching their excitement, Anes slowly nodded to herself.

“Truly remarkable, Your Highness. They say if you had continued training here, you could already be the Knight Commander—and I believe them. You really are that skilled.”

Tarin relayed what she’d overheard from the other knights.

If only Father were a little younger… then I could see him called Commander and sparring with his subordinates… The thought made her feel an even deeper sense of regret.

It looked like she’d have to postpone checking Lizerne’s mana for now. She couldn’t just ask, Please, show me your mana. And their home was too cramped to try something like that.

Even asking him to demonstrate in the front or back yard felt like an overly bold request.

“Anes.”

Lost in her tangled thoughts about how to witness her father’s power, she suddenly heard her name called.

Looking up, she saw the tall Crown Prince, Theowin, standing before her.

For some reason, he was smiling handsomely as he reached out his hand. A moment ago, he had seemed irritable, casting sideways glances. But now, his gaze was fixed firmly on her.

“You have no interest in me at all, do you?”

“Ah… I’m sorry. I came today to see my father, but I haven’t had much chance to talk to him…”

Caught off guard by his sudden appearance and sudden words, Anes stammered.

If anyone else asked why she came, she could plainly explain it as a simple “visit to Father’s workplace.” But in front of Theowin, it felt different.

“I see.”

His curt reply left her embarrassed, and she forced a small smile. Everyone’s eyes were on them, after all. Theowin had a way of drawing all attention wherever he went.

And now, those eyes seemed to be silently questioning the awkwardness of their exchange.

“Um, your sparring… it was really amazing.”

“…”

The moment she finally managed to say it, she noticed fists clenched around her in silent cheers. What? Did I do something right? It felt as though everyone was sending her supportive energy with fiery gazes.

“You must be… disappointed about the sandwiches. But don’t be too sad. I didn’t make all of them myself…”

But instantly, those sparkling eyes drooped in disappointment. Ah, that wasn’t it?

Feeling sorry for their fallen expressions, she lifted her brows slightly toward them—only to see several knights furrowing theirs in return. Gestures and signals flew everywhere, half-intelligible, half not.

All the while, she worried that Theowin might turn away.

“Um… I’ll make you sandwiches myself next time…?”

She ended the sentence with a slightly rising tone, distracted by the knights’ frantic signaling. But Theowin’s lips curved upward at last.

“Good. I’ll be waiting for the sandwiches you make with your own hands.”

W-what? Me? Make them?

With a satisfied look, he turned away and walked back toward Lizerne, while behind him the knights erupted in silent cheers.

This was too much. She had thought indulging Theowin and the knights was just harmless humoring—but somehow she had been completely caught in their schemes.

Me, making sandwiches for him? And him… actually looking forward to it?

A strange, unfamiliar feeling welled up inside her, as though she were learning a new emotion for the first time.