In one of the servants’ room

  “Dida, you should have done it properly.”


  I could hear Lyle’s voice from the next room, but the energy to respond unfortunately did not come.

  After all, I could not win the duchess. Rather, I feel that she becomes much stronger as we fight.

  I felt more tense than when I was fighting my teacher, general Gazelle.

  Thanks to that, I’m now very exhausted.

  I knew for the first time that our duchess was such a strong soldier.

  No, I knew that she was strong though, but I didn’t imagine our difference was so large.

  I could not see the bottom of her strength, but eventually I somehow managed to pull it out …… …… I thought it would be an easy win.

  But as I fought today, I told myself that such a thought was an illusion.

  The fight gave me goose bumps and my hair stood in the end all the time. It was dangerous, a mistake could have been fatal.

  While laughing joyfully, my eyes still manage to keep calm.

  It sharpened, my sword senses and my muscles were very well trained.

  I felt that the bigger wall for anyone, would be, even more than teacher …… this woman standing up.

  That is why I do not want to give up, though. If I gave up here, I will never again master the courage to stand in front of her.

  Because the duchess was my partner in the sparring, my body is now drenched. I feel so tired…… so much…… I don’t remember ever been so tired for a long time……

  Even though Lyle is next door, I wonder why he still has so much energy.

  “Oh, Lyle”


  “.……What?”


  “From now on, increase the time you train with me.”
……

  The last battle, I barely managed to bring it to a tie with the duchess somehow.

  But that is the result of having fought many times before with Lyle and with our maximum efforts.

  Yet, I am still weak.

  My pride does not allow me to be weaker than my employer’s family who I have to protect.

  “It’s a good deal, I was going to request the same thing.”


  “Surely …… …… I will win next time, Lyle”


  “Oh, of course. Yeah, Yeah……”


  When I arrived home, I relaxed instantly.

  “Lyle, why would that woman be in such a place?”


  Suddenly I remembered the woman I met when I left the royal palace, the baroness……

  “Well …… she must have had the good idea to invite us, to be her guards instead of Iris guard.”


  The conversation goes on as usual.

  Although it was not a particular agreement, after arriving at the mansion, our legs were facing to the rest room dedicated to servants.

  “Let’s compete which one of us will make tea ”


  “I was the one that brewed tea before this remember?”


  “Before this, but now……!”


  “Even if we say that as a game in the first place, our feet are already in front of the rest room”


  “You better do something well besides holding the sword”


  While knocking down lightly, I opened the door to the rest room.

  “Oh …… have you returned already?”


  There was the figure of Tanya that was sipping her tea and taking a break.

  “Yo! Tanya. It was just right in time, please brew us some tea.”


  “If you’re okay with herb tea, there’s some remains in that pod so please make it yourself.”


  “Er …… ……”


  I stumbled as I was stared at by Tanya……

  I can not go against her with that glare. I must do it well.

  I started to brew tea myself……

  However, it is just serving from the pod into the cup.

  At the same time, I also served some tea into Lyle’s cup.

  Lyle returned some gratitude words and sat down on the chair.

  “How was the royal palace?”


  “It was a waste of time”


  “Well, it always is, why did they called you this time?”


  “The Order has no discipline …… They are really problematic…… ”


  “Well, this time it was the new knight captain,”


  I entered the conversation between Lyle and Tanya.

  I lean on the kitchen and enjoy tea while answering to her.

  “Is the new leader of the knights the Count Seltre?”


  “Do you know him?”


  “Because I was investigating the order for the time being, and he was a man involved, so it was perfectly normal to find out that he is the new Knight Leader.”


  “Only a count…… What merits does he have to get the position of knight captain?”


  At my words, she smiles bitterly.

  “Lady Elle judgement alone. There seems to be a lot of opponents and factions in the Order …… Well …… That’s why I wanted a quick record of your solicitation…… how it went? did you accept?”


  At her words, Lyle looked as if he had been insulted.

  “Well, it’s enough jokes…… …… From that kind of thing, I met Yuri Baroness.”


  “What?”


  From Lyle’s words, Tanya jumped from her chair surprised.

  “That woman has also sent us a petition to give you guys to her, what is she thinking ……??”


  “Really …… She is crazy……!”


  Tanya breathes long trying to keep calm as she squeezes air out of the lungs.

  And then she got up.

  “I will tell the lady somehow about the contact you had with her”


  “Begged you please”


  “Yeah, don’t worry……”


  Tanya leaves the room with our approval and request that she asks the lady to solve this.

  We left the room as soon as we finished drinking tea.