* * *
Clang—
“……”
As a result, I was proudly watching the knights’ training in the drill ground.
And now, Klen was sprawled spectacularly on the floor of the drill ground.
For a moment, a gasp of admiration almost escaped me.
It would be great if he showed a talentless side that was completely beyond redemption.
Yet, as if to torment his opponent with false hope, he continuously made mistakes at crucial moments.
Fabian Hyung-nim, who stood beside me, gently tapped his arm with a finger.
He was clearly the one suffering the most from this torture.
‘If I just teach him a little more, he’ll be fine. If only he had moved faster there…’
Such regret was plastered all over his face.
Despite this, Klen also took advantage of the moments when people weren’t looking to slack off.
He was already giving basic training to a man who had defeated a gargoyle, and sparring with an individual who was completely mismatched for his skill level.
He must be thoroughly annoyed.
‘How long does he plan to keep this up?’
Judging by his personality, he’ll likely stop once the tide completely favors Fabian Hyung-nim.
The other knights training occasionally glanced in our direction.
Specifically, they were looking at me.
Their expressions suggested they wanted to say something, full of curiosity.
Was it strange for me to be standing under this awning, watching the training?
No, there was clearly another intention mixed in.
Even without meeting their eyes, I already knew what it was.
But I was afraid that if I met those gazes, my restless body would move on its own.
I intentionally avoided their eyes and turned my head sideways.
“Um, Fabian-nim…”
“You are married to Klen. You may call me Hyung.”
He cut me off and said casually, as if that thought had been bothering him all along.
“Ah… Ah, yes.”
My eyes involuntarily darted around.
But when his eyes, which had been fixed on the far side of the drill ground, turned toward me, I realized it was no time to hesitate.
“…Fabian Hyung-nim.”
It was a title I had called him countless times in my mind, but when I finally spoke it aloud, it sounded awkward.
‘That’s strange.’
I have three older brothers.
Only then did he nod slightly, motioning for me to speak.
“Hyung-nim, when will you spar again?”
The reason I came to the drill ground was partly to observe the state of the knights, but also because I was curious about Fabian Hyung-nim’s skill level.
I barely remembered what I saw before. I needed to see it more closely and clearly.
That would help when planning.
In case of an emergency, it would also help me decide whether to assist the Count or Hyung-nim.
“……”
“…?”
However, Fabian Hyung-nim, who was looking at me, widened his eyes in surprise.
Before I could ask why, Neser, who was standing next to him, suddenly lunged forward.
He subtly drew the sword from his waist and took a threatening stance.
“Adrian-nim. If you wish to challenge Fabian-nim, you must first defeat me.”
“What?”
His voice rang out loudly, penetrating every corner of the drill ground.
The movement of the people and the sound of clashing swords momentarily vanished, and even the heat seemed to cool down, as if a sudden downpour had struck. I could definitely feel that all eyes were now focused on us.
“What is going on, Hyung-nim?”
Klen, who must have been training on the far side, pulled me behind him, shielding me.
To others, it might look ridiculous, like ‘Can you even protect anyone?’
But I was different. I knew his skill.
A tingling tension ran through my fingertips, and I swallowed hard.
A chilling aura seemed to be subtly rising around Klen, who was smiling broadly.
Was he planning to let the effort he’d put into his performance go to waste?
If I take one wrong step, it might create a scene where the two brothers confront each other.
While I absolutely wanted to avoid that, I quickly spoke, gently gripping the hem of the man who stood in front of me.
“It seems there’s been a misunderstanding… I didn’t say I wanted to spar with Fabian Hyung-nim; I meant I wanted to observe his sparring with my own eyes.”
Klen glanced back.
His eyes seemed to ask, ‘Why would you want to watch Hyung-nim spar?’
Was that important right now?
“Neser. That was rash of you. Apologize.”
Despite Fabian Hyung-nim’s reprimand, Neser had the most aggrieved expression in the world.
Even Hyung-nim, who seemed so resolute, was surprisingly lenient toward his own knight.
The reason the fellow was becoming increasingly arrogant was because things like this were continually overlooked.
Shouldn’t this be corrected before the situation worsens further?
“…Fabian-nim.”
“Do you not think it was your fault?”
Neser frowned.
He seemed to have the intention to apologize, as his sword was properly returned to its scabbard.
But it was clearly not coming from the heart.
I did not need an apology that was merely a reluctant movement of the lips.
“It’s alright, Hyung-nim.”
I said with a bright smile.
Then, I took a step sideways, stood next to Klen, and extended my hand toward Neser.
“I will accept your apology after the spar.”
“…!”
I had overlooked his rudeness several times.
But now was the time to properly teach him a lesson.
If I let this continue, would the knights even listen to me on the battlefield?
I needed to show them that I was a suitable person for them to follow.
What was needed for that was outstanding leadership or strength.
What I could display here was the latter: strength.
Neser judged that it would be dangerous if I showed that side of myself, but Klen and I were different.
No matter how outstanding the spouse’s skill was, it was only enough to create a slight ripple in a calm body of water.
I could not become the storm that would shake Fabian Hyung-nim’s position.
“Adrian. Are you sure about this?”
Klen’s face, as he placed his hand on my cheek and looked at me, was full of concern.
But I felt it clearly.
This was an act.
This action was for everyone else to see.
Not a speck of worry resided in his eyes.
He knew me.
He knew well that there was no reason for me to challenge Neser to a spar and then collapse.
Although I was rumored to be frail and chronically ill, I was also the winner of the hunting competition and the master of Levatein.
He knew that I would not showcase a mediocre skill set in a place like this.
“…!”
Someone firmly grasped the hand I had extended.
No, the opponent was obvious.
I subtly turned my head, and as expected, Neser was holding my hand with a frown.
He looked between Klen and me, then sighed, looking disgusted.
“……”
“……”
I quickly understood the meaning.
Hiding my flushed face, I took a step to the side, and Klen’s hand, which was still holding my cheek, naturally dropped away.
He gave a dissatisfied glance but said nothing else.
Neser and I lightly shook hands and let go.
With this, our spar was confirmed.
“Please don’t overexert yourself.”
Klen’s tone remained gentle and full of concern.
He stared at me for a moment, then turned his body to face Fabian Hyung-nim.
“Hyung-nim, I’m going to change my clothes.”
“Why?”
“If Adrian happens to collapse, I need to take him to his room immediately.”
Hearing his words, the surroundings murmured.
* * *
