Chapter 22

Chapter 22

Hizen pulled out two swords in the blink of an eye. The seemingly non-human movement quickly crossed the dawn.

The sword in his left hand moved in a curious way, cutting through the air, and the tip of the sword in his right hand overflowed with white energy. It was an intangible sword. Leasis opened her mouth in admiration. It was the first time she saw him wielding such sword.

Neren was right. He had described Hizen as the Sword of the Empire. His swordsmanship perfectly blended with the sword. Hizen was a sword, and the sword was Hizen.

With a dull expression, Hizen wiped the sweat off his cheeks. The white bandage wrapped around his wrist smeared thickly.

Confused by the sight, she approached with a towel.

“Count-nim, a towel.”

He received the towel with one hand and wiped his cheeks. His blond hair that followed the light wind caught her eye. More beautiful than anything, his features were full of elegance.

A faint scar on half of his face and bandages wrapped on both hands stimulated her curiosity.

‘Yes, there was bandages in the books, too. But why do you wear bandages? And the scar…’

Leasis glanced sideways at him and stretched her imagination. Perhaps there had been tremendous events that the war hero had struggled with.

A dragon bigger than a castle breathing fire while he rescued his companions from the huge flames…

“Hey.”

“Ah… yes!”

She raised her head suddenly. Hizen’s indifferent eyes were on her.

“What are you thinking about?”

“That’s…”

She could not tell him the truth, so Leasis closed her mouth with a red face. Hizen looked down with a pathetic glance. Her hand holding the towel was funny. It looked like she had started wielding a sword a year ago at best. He had not seen her sword skills yet, but he could roughly evaluate them.

‘Maybe she’s a little bit talented in sword-wielding. That’s why Neren…’

“It’s done.”

After wiping Hizen’s sweat thoroughly, she smiled brightly. Her slightly loosened red hair fluttered. It was a beautiful red wave.

His blue eyes deepened. Hizen reached out without realizing it. His long fingers, imbued with the power of his swordsmanship, stopped in her red thread-like hair.

Leasis opened her eyes wide in surprise. His rough fingers touched her cheek. The quiet training ground was only filled with the sound of two people breathing. Stiffened, Leasis opened her trembling lips.

“C-Count-nim… What is… on my head?”

Hizen could not answer. Darkness had spread in his mind. He lowered his hand and slowly turned around.

“No… nothing. The training is over, so go back.”

“Oh… yes. Get home safe!”

He headed to the Commander’s office. Leasis, who was left alone, fanned her hands. Was she trying to catch a cold? Her cheeks were burning.

After a while, she shook her head. She had to pull herself together. There was no guarantee that this opportunity would come again. She copied Hizen’s movements inscribed in her eyes.

‘Count Dratius-nim just moved like this. Relax your hands.’

Her blood became hot. As a warrior, Hizen was an irresistible stimulus. Focusing all her senses on her hand, she corrected her posture.

Her red eyes flared up. She was like a different person. She moved like an experienced warrior holding a sword in both hands.

Strike!

A sharp movement cut through the air. It looked so real even though she was not holding any sword. She moved like a hungry beast.

Meanwhile, Hizen, who was watching through the window of the Commander’s office, narrowed his eyes. Her posture was very fierce and flawless for a beginner. He followed her with his eyes, but it was perfect. In a way, she was better than the members of the Imperial Elite Knights, who were the best on the continent. And even when wearing uncomfortable maid’s clothes.

In distress, Hizen glanced at his desk. There was a clean wooden box on it. When he opened the lid lightly, he saw that the box was full of wrapped macarons. He thought, opening each package of macarons one by one.

‘I have to watch a little more.’

*

“Well… Count-nim. If I did anything wrong…”

“No.”

Tack.

Hizen put down the silverware. Since this morning, Hizen’s actions had been weird, and Leasis had noticed it. It was a subtle difference, but she could tell. His voice was a little lower than yesterday, and he did not make eye contact with her. She wondered if he was uncomfortable with her watching him during his personal training. She had a sullen look.

Of course, it was a misunderstanding. The reason why Hizen was upset was because the macarons prepared by Max had disappeared. In a way, it might be a little bit because of Leasis. During the whole time he watched her training, he was eating macarons, and even after she went back, he could not stop thinking about her. As a result, the macaron box was emptied overnight.

Hizen, feeling complicated in many ways, needed sugar. He said, gracefully lifting the teacup on the table.

“Today’s work is over. I want you to return to the maids’ palace.”

“Yes?”

“And I’m not training tonight.”

“Hey… Count-nim. You’re not sick, are you?”

“It’s a useless question.”

Something was out of the ordinary. Leasis was suspicious, but she heard a commotion in the distance.

“Miss Leeeeeeeaaasis!”

It sounded like a goat. She looked up in surprise and saw a familiar face. It was Jason who had finished training. Jason, full of dirt, wiped his hands on his pants. His destination was Leasis.

“Jason-nim, Taker-nim, Bern-nim! Hello.”

“It’s fate to meet like this!”

Jason’s mouth caught people’s ears. The disturbance drew the attention of the nobles and knights who were eating around.

“Have you eaten?”

“Yes, of course.”

“Eating in the same place as Miss Leasis! Next time, I’ll be with you…”

Tack.

Hizen put down his teacup. He had the same expressionless face as always, but the sound he made was louder than usual. Taker and Bern saluted when they heard it. Jason, still tactless, grinned.

“Oh, Commander-nim was there, too?”

“Jason. Don’t make a fuss at the restaurant and just eat as you should.”

It was noisy. Frowning, Hizen got up to avoid the conversation. It was not worth listening to useless talk.

Taker and Bern bowed their heads, saying they were sorry. He was going to ignore the three of them, but he heard a joyful voice afterwards.

“Oh, Miss Leasis. Then do you have some time now?”

“Yes, Count Dratius-nim was very considerate.”

“Then why don’t you go for a walk to the Imperial Palace with me? I’m on duty on the floor of this palace again…”

A walk? Hizen stopped walking unknowingly. When he turned his head, he caught a bad sight. In front of Jason, who was acting like a fool, Leasis was laughing happily. She had a comfortable appearance, which he had never seen before.

What was so funny about his stupid jokes? Hizen stopped walking and frowned. He started trembling, covering his mouth with his hand, as if he were shy. His face was smiling, and he hated it.

Hizen did not even notice that he was blocking the path of the nobles. He glared at them with a ferocious look.

People next to him started talking in embarrassment. They had never seen that before. They suspected that an enemy had sneaked into the middle of the Imperial Palace dining hall.

Taker and Bern were startled by the terrible atmosphere. Pretty sensible, they poked Jason in the ribs.

“J-Jason… Don’t make it worse.”

“Jason-ssi, let’s eat now.”

Jason did not notice anything. He asked in a sly voice.

“Or would you like to have a cup of tea with me like before…”

“Get up.”

Hizen spoke, as he had returned to the table before he knew it. His eyes were fierce, and his voice was filled with displeasure. Leasis wondered for a moment ‘Did I make a mistake?’

However, there was no mistake even though she thought about it over and over again. She had never missed anything. Besides, he had said she had free time. She spat out a natural question.

“Count-nim, why?”

“Why?”

“…What?”

Leasis looked up at Hizen, with a face full of questions. Her face looked different from when she had laughed in front of Jason. Hizen said with cynicism.

“That’s funny. Has your will to become a knight already disappeared?”

“…No?”

“Listen. I am planning to do some special training for an hour from now on.”

What kind of special training? The unexpected words puzzled the knights. The Commander would not even do light gymnastics right after the meal. Even in front of the knights, Hizen spoke shamelessly.

“If you want, I’ll allow you to watch.”

“C-Count Dratius-nim, are you sure? You’re not kidding, are you?”

“I don’t joke around like that.”

“Wow! I’ll get you a towel and a bottle of water! Please wait!”

She jumped up, like a happy child. Now that she had an opportunity she had waited for so long, she had to catch it. She left the dining room in an instant.

“Wait, Miss Leasis! Wait a minute, please!”

Jason reached out his hand at her in vain. But his hand was blocked by someone.

Who dares! Jason’s golden eyes grew bigger as he was getting angry. Hizen was staring at him with such a hideous face that would even make the grim reaper run away. He spoke in a threatening voice as if he was asking for a duel.

“She’s my maid.”

“…What?”

“Jason. She’s not your maid, she’s mine.”

The noisy dining room became as quiet as a grave. Taker, who was drinking water, spat it out back into the cup, and Bern dropped the fork in his hand. Was it a dream? They slapped their cheeks with both hands.

Clap clap.

The tingling sensation came up on their skin. Even after rubbing their eyes, Hizen’s cold expression remained the same.

“Taker-ssi, this is not a dream.”

“I see.”

While everyone was watching with interest, Hizen was the only one who was serious. He firmly strengthened his neck.

“She’s my maid. If you’re going to order coffee and other chores, use your own money to hire your maid.”

*

There were only two people on the floor of the training ground where the heat was rising. Hizen was standing gracefully and Leasis was sticking to him like a gum.

Her heart was pounding at the unbelievable situation. Her red eyes sparkled. It was her first time watching Hizen’s training alone in broad daylight.

His face was almost pierced by the burdensome gaze. He could not stand it and turned his head. His blue eyes shook slightly.

‘I’m crazy. What did I do all of a sudden? Should I go to the temple?’

Hizen, who usually did not take a step toward the temple, thought a lot. He finally concluded that it was ‘a legitimate act of a broad-minded leader to stop his subordinates who defiled table manners’. It was awkward, but he could not help it.

Hizen was relieved inside. Fortunately, Max was not there. If Max were next to him, he would have been teased for the rest of his life.

‘But this isn’t it. Why did I do such a childish thing? Maybe it’s because I didn’t eat macarons in the morning…’

Hizen put his hand on his throbbing forehead.

“Where are you uncomfortable, Count-nim?”

“I’m not uncomfortable.”

“Then…”

“I’ve been thinking for a while. What kind of special training would be effective for you.”

“Wow! Count-nim is the best!”

Leasis was moved by the unabated lie. She held her hands together as if praying, in admiration.

‘No. I told her to give up on being a knight. Why do I keep lying to her…’

It stung him. He felt a sharp needle poking his conscience. Not knowing what was going on, she said with great excitement.

“Count-nim, Count-nim. Well, I wanted to see it in person!”

“What.”

“That, that!”

How can I know if you say that? Hizen stared at her with pathetic eyes. She clenched her hands tightly.

“I read it in a book! I heard you can cut down falling leaves with an intangible sword!”

“Yes. It’s easy.”

“Show me!”

Hizen was a swordsman to the bones. But he was not a monkey at the zoo, and he hated doing a swordmanship spectacle for others. He had also rejected The Emperor’s request for a celebratory performance when envoys from other empires had visited.

But for some reason, he wanted to provide a good sight today. Hizen understood it as a price for her hard work.

His first target was a leaf in front of his eyes. He pulled out his sword lightly and cut the leaves into four pieces at a faster speed than the wind.

Next was the leaf that was about to reach the floor. He stretched out his long legs and moved flexibly like a leopard.

The leaves he cut were too numerous to count. They were all finely divided into four pieces. Leasis opened her mouth at the unbelievable sight in front of her.

One last leaf fell behind Hizen’s wide back. He cut it perfectly without turning.

“Wow… wow!”

She was a strange woman anyway. He could not believe swinging his sword a few time could make her so happy. Hizen grinned without knowing and put his sword back into its scabbard.

Leasis’ heart was beating fast. She gazed at the scabbard tied to his waist with eyes full of envy. The splendid scabbard was shining brightly and seemed to call her.

“Count-nim!”

“What.”

“Can I… can I give it a try?”

Oops. Leasis regretted it right after uttering these words. A sword was as important to a knight as his own body. Of course, if a maid like her were to touch such a precious object to him, he would hate it.

Her shoulders drooped. Hizen had been good to her in the meantime, but she thought it would be over now.

“I’m sorry, Count Dratius-nim…”

“Take it.”

“Yes?”

It was very mysterious. No matter what she was thinking, Hizen’s voice struck her mind. The effect was much better than an alarm clock.

The expression on her face was unusual when she hurriedly received the sword. Her face was trying to hold back her smile, but she also looked like she was crying. Hizen smirked and said.

“Try it.”

“Oh, can I?”

“I don’t like saying things twice.”

Glitter.

A halo shone from Hizen’s back in the sunlight. Leasis, with a sword in her hand, shed tears.

“Count-nim, our Count Dratius-nim is the most handsome man on the continent, nice, handsome, and well-mannered…”

“You’re noisy. If you have time to speak, just take a proper posture.”

Hizen spoke bluntly with his ears slightly red.