HSFCWH 49

HSFCWH

Posted by Zoe, Released on June 25, 2025

Chapter 49

“It was just a mistake because the sword didn’t fit my hand.”

She spread her hand wide to show that there was nothing wrong with it.

She wanted to run away to a place where no one knew her—how could the news that a Sword Master dropped her sword spread everywhere?

“Since I was the one who dropped the sword, I’d like it if the injured knight wasn’t punished.”

“Hmm. I didn’t train them so poorly that they couldn’t dodge a sword flying from behind.”

“But we were in the middle of a sparring session, and he was focused.”

Evelyn hoped that the junior knight wouldn’t suffer for it, especially seeing the stiff expression on Elliott’s face.

“Then we’ll settle for increasing his training a bit. One should be able to block a flying sword in any situation.”

That was something only a senior knight or higher could do.

But Evelyn nodded, letting him do as he pleased, since Elliott’s tone suggested the decision was already made.

“It’s unfortunate that this happened while I wasn’t around.”

With that, Elliott helped Evelyn up and led her to the sofa.

The teacup she had set down was now back in his hand.

“Aren’t you busy?”

“I have time for tea with you.”

At Elliott’s gesture, Tinya and the attendants quietly exited the office.

“You’re not blaming yourself thinking it’s a curse, are you?”

“No. Things like this happened now and then even back at my family’s estate. And there’s no such thing as a curse.”

At first, she had trembled thinking everything was her fault. But now, she was okay.

Knights getting injured during sparring was a common occurrence. It still bothered her a little, but it wasn’t worth running away from.

Did he really come here because he was worried about me?

Evelyn scratched her cheek under Elliott’s gaze as he examined her face closely.

“I wasn’t hurt, and it wasn’t a serious matter. Something like this isn’t enough to shake me.”

“If anyone spreads rumors, I’ll see to it they’re severely punished. I’m glad you aren’t hurt.”

Elliott shrugged as if that was all that mattered, then turned to check the documents on his desk.

“You really are quick with the administrative work. Must be your training as a successor.”

According to Sophia, Evelyn had already taken care of the long-overdue repairs inside the fortress.

The stack of documents on his desk was already running low.

“It wasn’t anything difficult.”

The ducal house had plenty of money, and merchants wouldn’t dare try to swindle them with shoddy goods, not when their magestone trade was at stake.

So the merchant guilds bowed low and offered reasonable prices.

With plenty of money, Evelyn just had to review the paperwork organized by Sophia and the staff and pick what she liked.

“The staff are all quite pleased with the new uniforms. There’s even talk of changing the knights’ uniforms now.”

“It’s not that big a deal.”

She had simply improved the servants’ clothing after hearing Sophia’s suggestion.

The servants’ attire was essentially the face of the household. Even the penniless Count’s house had made sure their servants looked decent.

“They said they hated black, so I just tried to avoid it as much as possible.”

From what the maids had told her, ever since Elliott became Duke, the staff had only been issued plain black uniforms.

While it was practical and neat, their eyes had pleaded with her to change it just this once—and Evelyn had decided to add some color while she was at it.

The colors weren’t flashy, but the staff had been so delighted that she felt almost embarrassed.

“Thanks to you, the atmosphere in the fortress is brightening.”

Elliott’s soft smile and warm gaze seemed genuinely heartfelt. Should she push her luck a bit more?

“May I decorate the garden? Now that the holy sword is gone, there’s no reason not to.”

Until recently, the holy sword had occupied the garden, leaving it abandoned like a restricted area.

Now, an old, dull sword had been planted there in its place, and knights took turns standing guard.

Evelyn wanted to turn the place into a beautiful garden to lift the fortress’s mood.

Her mother had always said the highlight of a mansion was its garden.

If the servants were beginning to feel proud, she wanted to brighten up the fortress even more.

“If that’s what you wish, then of course. I’ll allocate plenty of magestones for it—don’t worry.”

“Then, would it be alright if I ask a Tower mage for help?”

She figured it was better to take full advantage of her friend’s skills. Evelyn thought of her friend who specialized in magic circles.

“You’re thinking of Sir Hendrick?”

Mages who surpassed the 4th Circle were given the honorific “Sir” like knights. A 4th Circle mage was considered advanced—equivalent to a mid-level knight.

“Yes! No one can beat him when it comes to magic circles.”

“Will Sir Hendrick even come to the North?”

“He will, if I ask him to help find the relic.”

She did genuinely want help finding the relic. If it had been hidden in a way that made it impossible for just anyone to find, then Raven was the perfect candidate.

“Isn’t he quite busy these days?”

“He’ll come. I’ll officially request Raven as a magical garden designer, and I’ll send him a personal letter too.”

Evelyn was sure her experiment-obsessed friend wouldn’t pass up the opportunity.

It was a relic left behind by an ancient hero, after all. Evelyn smiled confidently.

“Why! Why won’t he come?!”

Bang! Bang!

Evelyn slammed the desk, crushing the letter in her grip.

“Lady Evelyn? I’m sure Sir Raven is just busy.”

A few days later, the letter from the Tower arrived, and Evelyn went into a frenzy.

Tinya tried to calm her down as Evelyn jumped to her feet and crumpled the letter with a snarl.

“Busy?! He’s always holed up in his lab doing experiments!”

That is being busy, Tinya thought, but she couldn’t bring herself to argue with her stomping mistress.

“To turn down a friend’s request!”

She had even sent a separate letter asking for help with the relic! Evelyn’s eyes burned with fury.

“Does he think garden design is beneath him?”

“Please don’t say that…”

“Hmph. Bring me new stationery. I’m writing another letter.”

“Yes! Maybe… maybe you could pique his interest by offering a chance to observe the holy sword?”

“The holy sword?”

“Yes. You wouldn’t actually let him experiment on it, but just the chance to see it up close might excite him.”

Tinya’s cautious suggestion made Evelyn’s eyes sparkle.

“Thanks, Tinya! That might just work!”

“R-Really? You think it’ll be enough?”

“It will!”

Last time, Raven’s eyes had lit up just from infusing mana into the sword—even though it strained his heart.

“He’s already coming here, and even if I say no, he won’t just leave!”

And if he tried to go back, Evelyn would just let him study the holy sword briefly.

She’d kill three birds with one stone—find the relic, decorate the garden, and research the sword.

She did need to examine the holy sword, too.

Since the snowy mountain trip, she hadn’t had a chance to take it out again. It had a bit of monster blood rust, and she was curious to see if it had remained stable.

“Here’s the stationery.”

Tinya handed over a set of bright, elegant paper.

“Thanks, Tinya.”

Evelyn sat back down and filled the letter with tempting hints—carefully phrased so only Raven would understand if anyone else opened it.

“Perfect. Send it express.”

“Yes! I’ll be right back!”

Tinya dashed off with the letter. Since coming North, she’d become noticeably more agile from training.

Knock knock.

“Come in.”

Almost immediately after Tinya left, Anna entered.

“Your Grace, Sir Zahall has woken up.”

Evelyn, who had just finished her letter and was catching her breath, stood up immediately.