We'll Meet Again in Four Months

Feeling the excitement that came after seeing Johan, I immediately returned home using Crow Cloak to avoid being spotted.

I entered through a secret hole near the wall adjacent to my room, if it was a normal day I would have gone straight back to the room but this feeling of excitement led me somewhere.

I stood in front of the practice room.

(There doesn't seem to be anyone around.)

After confirming that no one was around, I went straight in without noticing someone behind me.

...

Today too, I couldn't find a way to express Zend's bad nature to Mr. Aamon. As far as I've observed for over a week, Zend only insults the workers after that there's nothing special.

Zend's daily life was a little different from what I had imagined, in the morning until noon, Zend would sleep like a lazy man and then from noon to evening he would be in Mr. Aamon's office helping with the paperwork, after which they would have dinner together and then Zend would return to his room.

It's a lazy life that stays in the room.

"Hime-sama, we've been here for more than a week. It's time for us to go home, we can't bother the Wolfled family any longer."

Yukiko who returned from helping the maid here immediately asked us to go home.

"No way, I haven't found any evidence yet."

"But Hime-sama...."

Even so it's true, it would be rude to stay here any longer. For now I have to give in.

"Right, it's not good to stay here too long."

"Hime-sama!"

"Yukiko, make preparations to leave immediately. We'll go straight back in the morning."

After making that decision, my heart calmed down a bit. Although there are still many things I want to do here but there will definitely be a next chance, after all Zend's birthday is only 4 months away.

At that time I will come back here and reveal your true nature, just wait.

With that, I suddenly felt like taking some air outside.

"Yukiko, I want to take some air outside for a while. You don't have to follow."

"But Hime-sama..."

"No need to worry, this place is the safest place in the Wolfled territory, nothing bad will happen. So sit quietly here, understand?"

"Alright, if that's what Hime-sama wants."

Yukiko looked sad that I was left like a stray dog.

I went out of the room and breathed in the fresh air and saw the beautiful night view here.

(Come to think of it I haven't really seen the surrounding scenery well. The scenery here is very beautiful.)

I'm amazed at the beauty of the current moon coupled with the current snowfall.

While here I realized that I need extra clothes because the temperature here is colder than the winter in Xian City.

As I was walking around in this cold hallway, I heard the sound of a door opening.

(If I'm not mistaken, the room in front is the exclusive training room.)

Feeling curious, I approached the room. The place that was usually locked was currently open.

(If I remember correctly, this room cannot be entered by anyone other than the Wolfled family.)

Feeling nervous, I peeked into the room.

(What?)

I was very surprised and fell silent. There were the figures of Zend, my fiancé and a scum practicing swordplay. He started swinging his sword very smoothly as if he had done it a million or even a billion times.

(Zend practicing? People who belittle the efforts of others?)

It had become a daily occurrence to hear Zend insulting the hard work of the workers here but right now that person looked like he was trying really hard.

Even so, I kept watching Zend's movements as if stunned by them.

Although my family and I are not of knightly origin but at least we are quite adept at distinguishing whether a knight is proficient or not because Xian City is often traveled by great knights or warriors, and there is no mistaking that Zend is the youngest person who can be that proficient.

But I can feel that that proficiency doesn't come from talent but from decades of hard work.

(It's strange, why do I feel that his every move comes from decades of hard work.)

"Tsk!"

Zend suddenly clicked his tongue until it was heard even by me.

"Just as I thought, I have no talent in fighting..."

Although I'm not sure but as Zend said, Zend doesn't seem to have sword talent but if that's the case why is he so proficient in swords like an experienced?

(I don't understand!)

While saying such pessimistic thoughts, Zend drank some water and then returned to practicing once more as if the pessimistic thoughts didn't exist while smiling a little excitedly and muttering something.

"I will not lose to my student."

I'm surprised, Zend looked gloomy just now but why is he still continuing his training despite having no talent.

Then after that, I spent hours watching Zend practice non-stop. And in these 3 hours I understood a little and didn't understand the figure of Zend Wolfled.

"Huu...that's it for now, I have to go to bed soon'"

Zend seemed to be done with his training and was preparing to return, but suddenly his feet stopped.

"Who's there?"

(Did I get caught?)

"..."

"..."

"....It seems like I'm already too tired."

Then Zend walked out of the room without knowing I was beside him.

"...Why is that person..."

With so many thoughts running through my head, I staggered back to my room.

"You're finally back, Hime-sama. Where have you been- Wait, are you alright, Hime-sama?"

After seeing me stagger, Yukiko immediately came to me and hugged me. 

"I'm fine, I just had some thoughts."

"Thoughts? Did Hime-sama think of something silly again."

"Silly things?"

"Yes, like young master Zend."

"Eh?"

I was surprised to hear the name Zend from Yukiko's mouth, I who was previously a little calm again became a little shaken.

"Ah, is that right?"

"Ugh..."

"I want Hime-sama to open her eyes more, it's possible that young master Zend is hiding something. Did you forget what Young Master Zend told you when you were alone together."

Hearing Yukiko's words, I was instantly enlightened. That's right, there's no way that person is a good person. Maybe it was an act, or maybe he had actually realized my existence and was deliberately acting like that to deceive me.

"It's true that Young Master Zend is very handsome, but I want Hime-sama to think more about-"

(That's right, I was almost fooled by her acting. I will definitely dismantle your mask one day.)

"Did Hime-sama hear?"

...

"Ugh..."

Later in the morning, I coughed up blood as I stood up from my bed.

(Is my illness getting worse?)

Originally my illness would have killed me in 30 years but because I overexerted myself in the battle at Ruskelka Village, I ran out of a lot of life energy.

If I estimate it, I have at least 25 years left. I need to use some taboo, dangerous and horrible means to become as strong as possible. I have at least 1 year left...

Yes, at this rate I'll die of my own doing. I need to get the medicine before anyone finds out about my condition.

As I wiped my mouth with my handkerchief, there was a knock on the door.

"Young master, Lord Aamon calls you to his chambers."

"Yes."

(It's quite unusual for father to call me in the morning. Well, it seems like it's okay to go out today, I didn't sense the girl's presence ahead.)

After finishing changing and putting the handkerchief containing my blood into my pocket, just in case I used a perfume strong enough to hide from father's sense of smell.

I then entered father's study and met with Yoon Murasaki and his personal maid, Yukiko.

(Do they need to see you too?)

I then faced father who was with mother beside him.

"I came to fulfill the request of the head of the Wolfled family."

"You don't need to be formal, speak freely."

"I understand."

"I called you here because the accountant wanted to tell you some important news. Your fiancé seems to have to return to Xian city soon."

"What?"

"Sorry my son. I also just heard the news just now. I know you still want to make out with your fiancé, but it seems like they have to go home because of family matters..."

Mom started to explain how unfortunate the girl's departure was but I could only hear a miracle in my ears.

(Eventually the girl got tired too.)

"That's why I want to say goodbye today so you can be alone together."

"..."

(...)

....

The girl and I walked side by side in the same park on the day I was slapped.

"..."

"..."

Neither of us said anything, after all what kind of conversation do you want to have with someone you hate right?

"A-...."

"I turned back after hearing that girl trying to say something but suddenly stopped.

"If you have words you want to get out, just get them out immediately. This is why I-"

As I tried to use this opportunity to increase her hatred for me, suddenly a strong pain in my body appeared.

"Uhuk...uhuk..."

I immediately started coughing, but I quickly covered my cough with a handkerchief.

"Are you alright!"

The girl looked worried at me and I dismissed her hand sarcastically.

"I don't need your help, I can manage this on my own."

(This girl shouldn't have seen it, right?)

And that's how we parted ways, I hope that girl really hates me now...

...

"Hime-sama? What's wrong with you putting on such a serious face."

"No, it's just that I was wondering if there's a disease that makes one cough up blood?"