Home/I confined you, but I have no ill will/ch 34

34.

"Hmm—I think I get it."

Ibelin had no idea what he understood, but Leonhardt seemed to sense something.

"Good!"

Leonhardt sprang up from the sofa.

"I'll manage the afternoon on my own—Uncle, spend time with your fiancée!"

"You know that's nonsense, don't you?"

"It makes sense if it's the Emperor's command. Go enjoy some time together—I'll lend you the greenhouse."

"If it's the Emperor's command, I can't refuse. But instead of a greenhouse, I'd prefer the training ground."

At Kite's words, Leonhardt looked puzzled.

"Why the training ground?"

Indeed—why? Ibelin clasped her chest, her face pale, because she could clearly read Kite's intent.

---

Ibelin followed Kite like a cow being led to the slaughter. Behind them trailed Lucen, Alex, and Seren, who had arrived at the palace after finishing his business.

"By the way—why are we heading to the training ground?"

Alex whispered to Lucen.

"His Majesty ordered our lord and his fiancée to go on a date."

"Then why the training ground?"

"Lord Kite said he wanted to date there."

"So he borrowed the entire Imperial Knight training ground?"

"That's right."

"I don't get it."

"I don't really get it either."

Seren shared Alex and Lucen's sentiment.

"What are you thinking, my lord?"

When asked directly, Kite answered.

"I want to see how well my love fights."

"Usually, people aren't curious about that."

"I am. I like strong people."

I don't! Ibelin shook her head quickly—but as always, her opinion was ignored.

The training ground was empty. It was quiet, as if everyone had been cleared out. There, Ibelin faced Lucen.

"Why am I first?"

Lucen glared at Alex and asked—but Kite answered.

"Unlike Alex, you show restraint."

Alex, who wielded a sword of unusual size and weight, tended to get excited during fights. Lucen, in contrast, was always calm and suitable as a first opponent, skilled at adjusting to his partner's level.

"That's true."

"Like hell it is!"

Alex flared up at Lucen's prim reply, but it passed quickly—such exchanges were common between them.

"Then I'll yield the first move."

Lucen lowered his rapier and spoke to Ibelin. Since she hadn't wanted to fight in the first place, the gesture didn't mean much to her.

"Thank you."

Still, she bowed properly and raised her sword—also a rapier.

Taking a deep breath, Ibelin looked at Lucen. He was a knight of House Gracias, known for gathering formidable warriors—and among them, he led a squad.

And yet.

Strangely, she didn't feel like she would lose. Why? She wasn't that exceptional.

Ibelin stepped forward and thrust her sword naturally. Lucen moved back slightly to dodge the quick strike.

After dodging several times, Lucen finally raised his rapier.

Remarkable.

Ibelin's swordsmanship was different from a knight's. If anything, it resembled an assassin's. To her, the sword was a means to harm, and she didn't hesitate to incorporate other methods—lowering her stance, kicking at legs, persistently targeting vital points.

Occasionally, her hand twitched—she was accustomed to holding another weapon in her other hand.

He had heard that Baron Frillie was remarkable, but what had he taught his granddaughter?

So he really was from Intelligence.

In the Intelligence Department, due to the nature of their work, many were closer to assassins than knights. And Baron Frillie had stood out even there—so his abilities must have been extraordinary. If he couldn't easily beat his granddaughter, what would it have been like to face him?

Just as Lucen thought that, he flinched and jerked his head back—her rapier had come for his throat.

How many such dangerous exchanges did they share?

"I surrender!"

Ibelin leaped back and declared surrender first.

"Why?!"

Lucen cried out impulsively, and Ibelin smiled sheepishly as she lowered her sword.

"I'm out of stamina."

Indeed, she looked exhausted. Only then did Lucen realize the difference in their physical capacity. With her smaller frame and less muscle, Ibelin was bound to tire first.

"I see—thank you for the spar."

"Thank you as well."

No sooner had she spoken than Ibelin collapsed on the spot and gasped for breath.

"Already tired?"

As Kite clicked his tongue, Seren spoke.

"It would be best to stop here for today."

"The birthday banquet starts tomorrow."

"Yes—so you'll need to rest now to prepare at dawn. You must prepare thoroughly this time, Lord Kite—no running away."

"But it's such a bother."

"Even so—this is your first public appearance with your fiancée, isn't it?"

"I suppose."

It seemed there was no escape from the maids this time.

Kite approached Ibelin, who still couldn't stand, and lifted her in his arms.

"Ah!"

It was the classic princess carry. Ibelin struggled in alarm, but Kite silenced her with one remark.

"If you keep that up, I'll kiss you."

"...I'll pass."

Ibelin went limp and declined.

Now he just needed to carry her to her room. A passing knight had witnessed their affectionate display before, but no rumors had spread—so all he needed was more witnesses.

Kite thought lightly and carried Ibelin out of the training ground. Lucen followed with a flustered expression—since he was Ibelin's escort for the day.

"Uh—so do I clean up the training ground?"

Alex, left behind, asked with a pout. Skilled swordsmen could deduce what had happened from the traces left behind—so it was best to erase them.

For that reason, Alex pulled a mop from the cleaning supply chest.

"I'll help."

Seren, feeling sympathetic, also took a mop.

"Aren't you busy?"

"Two of us will clean faster. I won't be late afterward."

"Thank you. By the way—Lady Ibelin is impressive. I'd like to spar with her next time. She fights so well—and she has another specialty."

"She said she's better with ranged weapons."

"Why do you think Baron Frillie taught his only granddaughter such things?"

"I can't say. Even in Intelligence, he was known for being eccentric."

The two cleaned the training ground while chatting—the topic being the mysterious Baron Frillie.

---

She had moved too much after so long—she was tired. Ibelin, forgetting she was in Kite's arms, began to doze off. Her mind drifted back to old memories.

"Grandfather—why do I have to learn this?"

"Because the world is full of dangers. Look—even our back mountain has bears."

"So this is self-defense?"

"In a way."

It felt excessive for self-defense—she understood learning to deal with bears and boars, but she also learned how to handle humans.

"Ibelin—when you go outside, there are wicked people too. Like bandits!"

"Bandits!"

"Or robbers!"

"Robbers!"

"Wouldn't it be better to fight back than to stand there and lose your money and your life?"

"Would it?"

"Yes."

Her grandfather smiled cheerfully and put a weapon in her hand.

"First, let's find a weapon that suits you."

The one that suited her best was the gun.

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