# 54
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“Hmm?”
Lucio furrowed his eyebrows slightly at the unexpected question.
Then I realized what I had just done.
No maid was in her right mind to ask the master that question.
I was biting my lip and trying to get my words out quickly.
'Well, is it because it's become a habit?'
Unexpectedly, the answer flowed from Lucio's mouth.
“I have lived in the capital since I was young, but there was no head maid back then.”
“Then, when I tried to change my surname, I wanted so badly to be called by my first name, without even thinking about it...but why?”
You blinked, surprised by the unexpectedly sweet answer.
His expression was still expressionless, but he looked strangely gentle.
Emboldened by this, I rolled my eyes and asked again.
“So, are you uncomfortable with the lady?”
"What?"
It seemed as if he did not understand the intent of my question.
After a while, he laughed and burst into laughter.
“Are you really asking me if I'm closer to the head maid than my mother?”
He looked at me, resting his chin on one hand.
“There is no way you would think such a ridiculous idea, did my mother say so?”
Startled by this sharp question, I quickly lowered my head.
I did not have the courage to look the Duchess in the face.
However, since this topic was being brought up so strongly, I felt like I had to do something.
“Otherwise, could you please be a little nicer to the lady?”
Yes I know.
He's completely crossed that line.
Not only did I have no right to tell Lucio what to do, I wasn't even in a position to give him that kind of advice.
But I had no regrets.
Even if Lucio scolds me for being acquainted because of this, if my relationship with the Duchess improves even a little.
then.
“I understand, I will.”
He heard the answer trickle out lightly.
I felt my heart beating.
'Why are you so cute?'
In fact, the person named Lucio Elad in me was originally someone with this friendly side.
Lucio, according to others, has always been a cold and cold person.
It was a strange feeling, but in the end it was a very good thing.
It was the time when I started smiling without even realizing it.
“I told you frankly, now it's your turn.”
Suddenly Lucio changed his attitude.
“Why are you afraid of me?”
". … Yes?"
He said, his eyes fixed on me as if we were making a fair deal.
“When we first met, you trembled when you saw me.”
“Ah, you mean that time, I was so surprised.”
They asked me so many questions that I didn't even have time to think, so I answered hesitantly.
Lucio narrowed his eyes.
“I know it's a lie, but I love her, so what happens next?”
“What's next?”
When I made a puzzled expression, he clicked his tongue and said, “Tsk.”
“After that, every time you saw me, you felt nervous and frozen, compared to others...”
I tilted my head, unable to properly understand what he was muttering as a sigh.
Instead of speaking again, Lucio stared at me. The expression was as if he was asking me to tell him why.
"that it . … ".
I didn't know what to say in response, so I just wiggled my fingers.
Lucio sighed, probably because he was so frustrated.
For some reason, I felt afraid and my shoulders slumped.
Lucio narrowed his eyebrows slightly as he looked at me and asked.
“Is it because of what you said?”
“Yes? Huh....?”
“First I told you...that you weren't pretty.”
"Yes."
While I clearly remembered the memories of my previous life, I completely forgot those words, even though they happened recently.
In addition, I didn't know that he was thinking about that, so I looked at Lucio with unfamiliar eyes.
For some reason, Lucio had a stern expression.
"So that's why? Are you hurt?"
I realized I heard the same question a while ago.
I couldn't answer correctly that time, but this time I shook my head and opened my mouth slowly.
“I wasn't hurt and I didn't feel bad either.”
". …truly ?"
I just answered honestly as he said.
Lucio frowned and was lost in thought.
That's when I tilted my head to the side with a strange expression on my face. I don't know if he liked my answer or not.
Silly words flowed from his mouth.
“Then do you want to look pretty for me?”
* * *
On the training ground.
Although the weather was overcast, the knights' training was in full swing.
Tease/Tice, who was watching Jack and Allen's training from one side, clicked his tongue inward.
When I saw the two people gritting their teeth and enduring the training, I felt a sense of pride as a knight and a sense of pride as a teacher.
In particular, the more I looked at Jack, the more surprised I was.
I had felt it from the first moment I brought him in, but it was clear that he was a born genius with the qualities and talent to become a knight.
Allen, who inherited the blood of the Duke of Elad, had also had great talent from a young age, so much so that one wondered what happened in the year these two peers were born.
It might seem like a joke, but it wasn't even a joke, because a man who had only been holding a sword for a few months was already superior to knights who had been apprentices for three years.
Especially at the beginning of his training, Jack did not have much physical strength due to living in a harsh orphanage, but he went through all of his training without crying once.
As a not yet fully developed child he was able to complete the arduous training that adults found difficult, and for the first time in his life, I felt the need to make him an apprentice, so I gave in.
Even though several hours had passed since the start of the intense training, his sword swinging posture was still intact.
The only thing that has changed since I started is the sweat dripping from my forehead.
Although he was born with immense talent, he was persistent, loyal, and determined, so it was clear that he would become a knight who would make his name known throughout the continent.
Compared to Allen, there was a huge difference in the time period since he started learning the sword, but as the gap narrowed greatly, Allen's martial spirit also increased.
Taiz said, barely containing his excitement at the sight of the two people who would become the future of the Rexion Knights.
“This is the end of today's training, it looks like it's going to rain in the evening, so I'd better stop it.”
At those words, Allen looked up at the sky.
“It really is.”
The day was definitely cloudy.
Taiz thought the training was good for two people who were still growing, but adequate rest was also important.
“I think it would be best to skip training today.”
"Hmm! That would be a good idea."
For some reason, Allen was happy to hear those words.
Jack smiled to himf when he learned that Diana's class would end early today.
He was now certain that Allen would run straight to the princess's room.
Also, wouldn't he convince the princess who was about to run up to Leia and suggest they play together funny?
Allen always said: “Diana, just looking for Leia!” Because I was sad.
However, it was clear that the two would eventually head to the library together before long.
Leia would then close her surprised eyes and then smile brightly and greet him.
Jack's expression, which was about to relax, suddenly hardened.
Even now, I'm thinking about the person who would be sitting in the library with Leah, just like in the picture.
“Jack, you should go in now and get some rest.”
Tice said as he watched Allen run towards the main building.
Jack shook his head.
“I'll practice a little more before going in.”
Tess looked at Jack's calloused hands, the blisters that appeared and popped repeatedly from the hard training.
“You don't have to worry too much, you're doing great now.”
Tess, thinking that Jack considered Allen a rival, gently persuaded Jack.
And it wasn't even a lie. Because Jack was improving his skills faster than anyone else.
But Jack shook his head stubbornly again.
Tess had no choice but to pat him on the shoulder, turn around, and ask him to do so gently.
Jack, who was left alone, grabbed the wooden sword again, straightened his posture, and began f-training.
In contrast to his simple movements, his mind was complex.
As Allen said, Lucio, his elder brother and heir to the Duke of Elade, was truly a man of great skill.
His duke-like face was already perfect even at a young age, and it was said that he had never missed the grand prize in the academy, so he must have been an incredibly talented person.
I couldn't continue in any way.
“Ha.”
Jack let out a deep sigh and remembered the last time he met Lucio in the training hall.
When Jack entered the training hall to watch Lucio's fight, he couldn't forget the atmosphere that changed in an instant and the feeling of intimidation he felt at the same time.
I was blown away by a powerful energy that I had never felt before, even from my teacher, Taiz, and it diminished my competitive spirit.
Standing in front of someone with unfathomable skills, I felt an instinctive fear.
Allen's situation seemed to be the same, as his face, which had looked worried after whispering with Leia, suddenly turned pale.
Although he complained that it was too difficult, something completely different from the excitement he was looking for, Lucio didn't even blink.
However, the points and advice he gave were surprisingly sharp, so Jack had no time to be dissatisfied.
“I felt a sense of disappointment at the end.”
In Jack's opinion, he was a really strong person, allowing Leah, who walked around every day to work, to stay in a safe place called the library.
Jack thought about wanting to be like Lucio, not knowing exactly what he was feeling.
Someone strong enough to protect someone.
Therefore, Jack had no choice but to wave his sword again.
Because that's all I can do now.