One in a million odds (7)
Inside the wooden box was a long sword wrapped in blue velvet.
At first glance, it wasn't an ordinary sword.
The blue jewel embedded in the tip of the sword hilt was no ordinary object, but the key was the blade.
A pure white cold aura was emanating from the blade that was over 1 meter long. Every time Tails shook the wooden box, the cold aura rippled as if it were alive.
'It's pretty.'
I don't know about the sword's performance since I'm not a knight, but I like its appearance. Tails cold air and sharp appearance go very well together.
Tails suddenly shouted at me as I smiled contentedly.
"Do you know what this is?"
"It's sword."
"It's not just any sword, it's a cold sword! It's an ice sword made from the Grand Duchy of Romena!"
It was a type of iron that was only produced in the Grand Duchy of Romena and is extremely valuable due to its coldness.
I even heard that it is expensive to call it that because the production volume is extremely small.
How did Erica get her hands on this? That's amazing.
"Aha, I see."
"Aha, I see?"
Tails, who had been repeating what I said, closed his eyes tightly and took a deep breath. Soon, a suppressed voice flowed out from his lips.
"Why are you giving me this?"
"It's a gift."
"Who gives as a gift something that others keep as a family heirloom?"
"Me."
"..."
"Tails, wouldn't it be better to use a good weapon rather than keeping it as an heirloom? It would be a waste."
"Are you kidding me? That's not the point."
I couldn't help but laugh. I thought, 'He must have been going on for so long saying that he couldn't accept it because it was too expensive.'
Actually, I only paid the money, and I didn't check what kind of sword Erica prepared. Even if I saw the sword, I wouldn't know if it was good or bad.
But seeing Tails got so excited, I guess it's a much more amazing sword than I thought.
Well, it's a sword made of a rare metal called Hancheol, so its performance goes without saying.
'It's worth keeping a family heirloom... It looks like Erica took special care of it.'
I reached toward Tails.
"Tails."
Tails crumpled his impression and finally grabbed my hand. Our hands felt warm when they touched.
"Why."
"Grow stronger. Then you can protect the people you love."
"... I'm trying. I'll be stronger than my brother soon."
"Just trying isn't enough. Try to do what you can within the limits. Using good weapons is one of them."
"My brother reached his current even with an ordinary sword..."
"Why do you have to walk the same path as your brother? Tails is Tails."
"..."
After a moment of silence, Tails opened his mouth. His slightly trembling voice was filled with deep emotion.
"Why are you being so nice to me? I haven't done anything for you..."
It didn't have as grand meaning as Tails thought.
The guilt of not being able to grant his request in my past life, and paying it back with just money.
"I liked Tails."
I hid my feelings with a playful tone and smiled faintly.
Tails stared blankly at me, then suddenly turned his head. His round earlobes were tinted a light crimson.
"Can I protect Young Lady?"
"Yes?"
"Hey, if I grow stronger, will you accept me as a knight?"
"...Huh?"
Asking a noble lady who does not have the right to appoint knights to accept them as knights is the same as saying, 'I will be your knight for life.'
Does Tails know that he is proposing to me right now?
Tails continued to speak incoherently, leaving me dumbfounded and bewildered.
"I'll try my best. I'll work hard with the sword you gave me and become stronger, so please accept me as a knight. After I have my coming-of-age ceremony, I'll go straight to the capital..."
Before Tails could finish speaking, the bedroom door opened wide. It was Ian, who had come up to escort me.
He glared at Tails with narrowed golden eyes. Behind him, Rahon was seen laughing, holding his stomach.
"Come out."
"Brother, go out. I still have something to tell Young Lady."
"Come out before I drag you out."
"Brother!"
Ian entered the bedroom without hesitation and grabbed Tails by the back of his neck with one hand. and dragged him out.
"Oh, seriously, why is it like this!"
Tails who was being helplessly dragged by the fierce force, barely managed to keep his balance.
Ian's sharp gaze was fixed on him, as he tried to open his mouth again with a flushed face.
"You will protect Young Lady with that skill."
"..."
"Instead of talking nonsense, you should be training."
Ian covered Tails's mouth in an instant and slammed the bedroom door shut. The faint sound of Rahon comforting Tails could be heard.
Ian, who had been catching his breath while looking at the door, walked toward me.
"I apologize on behalf of my younger brother for his rudeness."
"Oh, no. I guess he was too young to know what it meant to be the knight of a noble lady/"
Ian looked at me, not knowing whether to laugh or get angry.
"Young lady doesn't know much about men."
"Yes?"
"No. We're ready to leave, so please come down."
"Ah... Yes, that's right."
I'm concerned about Tails, but... well, I guess it'll just go away with time.
My mind was already too full to worry about Tails.
In front of the castle, Duke Eldern and Armian were leading their employees.
As we went down, Duke Eldern, who was saying goodbye to Kalit, took my hand.
"Millenia, never forget that you are Eldern benefactor. Eldern is on your side."
"I will not forget Eldern either. Thank you for your concern, Your Highness."
Following Duke Eldern, Armian grabbed my shoulder.
"Come play again."
"I will, Armian."
I think I'll want to come and visit if only to hear that blunt tone of speech.
As I held her hand tightly and let go, I heard a calm voice behind me.
"Miss."
"Yeah, Vivian."
When I turned my head, Vivian bowed politely.
Looking back, I can't remember her ever skipping a beat with me.
She was polite not only in her words but also in her actions, even though she could easily become disheveled in front of someone who couldn't see her.
"It was an honor to serve you, Guardian."
"Don't talk like we'll never see each other again. We will meet again."
"I will wait for that day."
After saying goodbye to each employee one by one, I bowed my head to them one last time.
"Thank you all for making me stay warm and comfortable. Thank you."
"Take care, Young Lady!"
"Come play anytime!"
"I pray that God's blessings will be with you, Young Lady!"
The employees smiled brightly and waved at me.
When I first arrived at Eldern, all I felt from them was hostility, but seeing how they had changed made my heart swell.
I quickly got on the carriage because I felt like I was going to cry for no reason.
A pure white carriage bearing the seal of Eldern set off smoothly.
A hundred knights surrounded by a guard formation moved without a hitch and stopped in front of the castle gate.
The great gate slowly opened and the drawbridge lowered. At the same time, a cheer erupted.
"Waaaaah!"
They were the people of Eldern's territory.
It seemed as if they had heard of our return and had come out to see us. There were as many people there as there were during the festival.
The carriage crossed the drawbridge and entered the main street. The shouts of the people praying for a safe return poured out from both sides of the road.
"Goodbye!"
"You have to come again!"
"Next time, come in the summer, not in the winter!"
Everyone's expression was bright as they shouted these words.
Who said Northerners were blunt? They are people who show their emotions so clearly that it's overwhelming to watch.
I opened the carriage window and waved. The cheers of the people grew louder than thunder.
It was time to go home.
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