Deep into the night, the unexplained anxiety persisted. Odelia, struggling to sleep, finally woke up before dawn.
Her body was screaming for rest, but her head was noisy.
'It's all because I'm so comfortable.'
Odelia urged herself. The fact that her thoughts kept coming back was only proof that she was relaxed.
"...Let’s just train.”
Odelia, who had kicked the blanket away, picked up her sword.
As she headed towards the backyard of the mansion, the early morning air still felt cold and engulfed her.
Odelia took a deep breath and slowly drew her sword. The sound of the blade being drawn rang through her ears.
"Let's clear our heads."
Firmly plant her toes and lower her center of gravity. Then, start the first movement.
Choaak! A sharp, cutting sound tore through the silence. The sword traced a gentle circle through the air. The cold dawn air split at her fingertips.
As the movement was repeated once, twice, three times, strength built up in her shoulder and arm muscles. The cool morning air touched the hot heat on her forehead, gradually cooling it to lukewarm. Her breathing became increasingly ragged, and sweat trickled down her neck and spine.
Her heart pounded wildly, sweeping away each complex thought. For a moment, only breath and the trajectory of the sword existed.
"Lady Odelia...!"
A cautious voice sounded from behind her. Odelia took a deep breath, and slowly sheathed her sword.
A maid rushed over and offered her a towel. Her eyes were filled with worry.
"If you train like this in the morning, your body will be damaged. The war is already over, so is it really necessary to go this far?"
Odelia took the towel and roughly wiped her forehead and cheeks.
"If you want to express your thoughts... your body has to suffer. No matter how hard you try not to think, when it's no use, your body has to get tired for the idle thoughts to disappear."
Just as the maid was about to open her mouth in embarrassment, a heavy knock came at the mansion's front door.
“I’ll go out and see.”
Odelia put down her sword, strode out of the backyard, and immediately flung open the front door.
A servant wearing a uniform bearing the Emperor's emblem stood there. Odelia quickly knelt down.
"Lady Odelia, His Majesty has summoned you. You are to be brought to the palace immediately."
Odelia's eyes widened slightly. The Emperor's own attendant had appeared in person, and so early in the morning.
"His Majesty, what is this?"
"Yes..."
Odelia took a short breath and nodded as if she had made up her mind.
"All right."
As she stepped forward, the servant's gaze quickly swept over Odelia from head to toe. Her trousers were stained with mud, and her poet shirt was creased here and there from training. Her hair was strangely out of place, and a few stray strands clung to her body in an unruly manner.
"...Would you like some time to change your clothes?"
Odelia secretly lifted her arm and sniffed. There was no pungent smell of sweat.
“No, it’s okay.”
As she got into the carriage without any hesitation, the imperial attendant's expression became slightly embarrassed.
Odelia chuckled to herself at this. Then the door closed, and the wheels began to slowly roll.
***
In the middle of the palace garden, on the neatly trimmed lawn, Liam, the ministers, and nobles were gathered and enjoying a game.
Liam's elegant swing of a long stick seemed like a leisurely upper-class gesture, but it was full of the superiority of power.
Next to him stood Calix. Calix, who had been watching Liam's crouches with a numb expression, widened his eyes slightly at the sight of Odelia entering the palace through the main gate.
"Ah. Our hero has arrived."
Liam put down the stick and gave him an interested look. A lighthearted smile played on his lips.
At the completely unexpected appearance, a faint surprise crossed Calix's expressionless face. Odelia, too, noticed the change. Seeing Calix flustered like that was quite unfamiliar to her.
Even though it wasn't Odelia's fault because of him, he felt guilty for no reason, as she was someone who never showed her emotions.
Liam, who didn't miss that subtle reaction, raised the corners of his mouth as if he were pleased.
"Haha, I called you in a hurry to surprise my little brother. The rumors are so widespread."
He took a step closer and asked softly.
"Really, you put Calix on your bazaar list? You, Calix, you really do go out when you're told to! Hahaha!"
For a moment, Odelia's gaze flickered to Calix. A brief exchange of glances took place between him and Odelia.
When Odelia nodded without saying anything, Liam chuckled at the silence.
"Ah, silence is consent! How bold!"
Then he playfully clapped his hands and shouted at the nobles and ministers.
"To put the Crown Prince up for auction? Isn't that truly outrageous!"
A whisper spread among the nobles. Some were exaggeratedly shocked, while others snickered and covered their mouths.
Liam's gaze was the same. She was just a plaything, a woman of humble origins who had been rolling around somewhere, enjoying watching her antics.
Odelia felt uncomfortable with the gaze, but she lowered her head and said nothing. A strange smile played on Liam's lips.
"Haha, that's interesting, I'd like to see how far you can surprise me."
Liam rolled the croquet stick the servant had politely brought with his fingertips before handing it to Odelia.
"Take it, have you ever played the games played by the nobles? Oh, you might be a little unfamiliar, having grown up with a butcher's mindset."
The ministers and nobles reacted to those words.
"Do you... Really know the rule?"
"This isn't something that can be done with strength alone."
"I hope you don't become a laughing stock for no reason..."
His tone seemed worried, but there was a subtle sneer mixed in.
Odelia met their gazes calmly. And without a hint of hesitation, she politely accepted the crowbar from Liam.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
"The key is to send the ball smoothly, neither too weak nor too hard. Of course, it won't be easy for someone like you."
Odelia said nothing. Instead, she gathered strength in her fingers, gripping the stick tightly, and slowly lowered herself. Her toes planted on the grass, her center of gravity sinking deep into the ground.
The nobles' hushed gaze followed her every move. Calix, too, quietly observed Odelia's back.
And, whee!
With a sharp gust of wind ripping through the air, the tip of the stick struck the ball.
The ball leaped with such force that an ominous crack ran from the handle. Immediately afterwards, the handle shattered into pieces, sending shards of wood flying into the air.
The white ball shot up powerfully, drew a line in the air, then lightly flew over the fence in the distance of the garden and disappeared out of sight.
The grass was strewn with broken pieces of the handle and dirt that had been swept away by the feet.
"...!"
"Did you see that?"
"That's ridiculous, what kind of brute force is that! And by a woman!"
"No, that stick was made by a royal craftsman. How could it break in one swing?"
Calix's eyes seemed to flutter slightly, and he soon burst into a small laugh. Instead, the ministers, as if they had seen something they shouldn't have, met Calix's eyes, pale and horrified.
When Calix, who had burst into laughter, tilted his head and smiled crookedly, the ministers quickly looked away.
Odelia stood motionless. She simply pushed the remains of the broken stick away with her toes, as if nothing had happened, and then bowed calmly.
"I'm sorry, Your Majesty."
Her voice was quiet but firm.
"I am humble and did not know the rules of the game. I am truly sorry for breaking your precious stick. Please forgive me."
For a moment, the garden fell completely silent. The nobles stood frozen, unable to even catch their breath. Even the slight sound of the croquet ball slowly sliding from Liam's fingertips and rolling across the grass was unusually loud.
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