By Zephyria 
The social season officially began with the debutante balls. The nobles held parties and balls every day.
In contrast, the atmosphere inside the palace was more serious than usual. This was not a place for frivolous fun. They were being more cautious than ever in the important matter of selecting the knights.
Cecile had come out in a simple outfit for a change. He was excited, as he had promised to start swordsmanship lessons today.
He was waiting in front of the Saint Palace as previously notified. As soon as the clock struck, the gates opened, and an unexpected person emerged.
Claude approached Cecile and gave a brief nod. It was strange that he stood there instead of just passing by after greeting him.
Cecile looked up at Claude with a sour expression.
“We meet again, Sir Vandell.”
“Yes.”
“Do you have something to say? I’m a bit busy.”
He gestured for Claude to leave, but Claude shamelessly blocked his path. With his hands clasped behind his back, he spoke.
“I heard you will be starting sword training today.”
“That’s right.”
“Please follow me. It is the Crown Prince’s order.”
Claude turned his back first. As the captain of the knights, he walked ahead with a disciplined stride.
“Hmph.”
Sighing, Cecile followed him for now. After all, it was an order from Alexis, so he had to comply.
They arrived at the training ground. The vast open space was already packed with men.
The disciplined knights were all newly selected trainees. They were all shouting slogans in loud voices as they engaged in training.
Cecile stood there for a moment, dumbfounded. He couldn’t understand it at all. Where had Alexis, who promised to teach him swordsmanship, gone? Why had he been pushed into this training ground?
Just then, Claude handed him a blunt wooden stick.
“Take this.”
“What is this?”
“Can’t you tell? It’s a practice sword for beginners.”
“Are you giving me a sword that kids use?”
“A sword should match one’s skill level.”
Cecile took the practice sword, looking bewildered.
“…You’re not going to teach me swordsmanship, are you?”
“The Crown Prince is busy. If you want to learn from him, you need to have a certain level of skill first. I will teach you the basics, so just follow me.”
“This isn’t what we agreed on!”
“I’m not that free either. I’m just following the Crown Prince’s orders. If you don’t like it, shall I assign you to another knight?”
Ah, I really can’t stand this guy. Cecile squeezed his eyes shut and swallowed the curse that was about to escape his throat.
He firmly gripped the hard handle of the practice sword. His eyes, now wide open, glinted fiercely.
“If you’re going to teach me, do it properly.”
“Don’t worry. I have no intention of giving you special treatment.”
Claude snorted dismissively. Taking a deep breath, he issued his characteristic command.
“From now on, we will begin cutting straw! Start!”
It was a repetition of striking, stabbing, and cutting. Every time he hit the poorly shaped straw figure, yellow straw fell everywhere. Cecile had been doing this for two hours.
His palms were numb, and his shoulder joints felt like they were dislocated, creaking with every movement. Wiping the sweat that dripped into his stinging eyes, he briefly turned his gaze away.
A little distance away, the trainees were in the midst of their training. They were also sweating profusely from the exertion.
But at least it was better than this. What a disgraceful thing to be doing with straw.
As he pouted his lips, a wooden stick came flying at him without fail. It struck him sharply on the crown of his head, and Claude glared at him with wide eyes.
“Hey, where are your eyes wandering?”
“How dare you hit a member of the royal family?”
“Trainees do not distinguish between high and low. Even Crown Prince Alexis was hit and learned when he was young.”
Damn Claude. If I ever learn to wield a sword, I’ll stab you first.
Cecile gritted his teeth, adjusting his stance. With a furious swing, the straw figure shook violently.
When the tedious basic training finally ended, Cecile threw down the practice sword and collapsed onto the dirt floor. The thought that he had to get through this gate to learn from Alexis made him seethe with anger.
“There are many eyes watching, so keep your composure.”
“…Composure, my foot.”
You should be grateful I’m not cursing at you right now. Cecile muttered to himself as he wiped his sweat-soaked face.
Damn it, my arms are shaking so much I don’t even have the strength to wipe my sweat.
“Then I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Claude glanced at the exhausted Cecile before turning away. Did he think I would enjoy this childish training? His indignant steps headed straight for the Saint Palace.
Once again, he brushed off the attendants’ attempts to stop him and barged into the Crown Prince’s office.
“Our captain of knights is quite fast, isn’t he?”
Alexis greeted him casually. He had been looking outside just moments ago, resting his elbows on the window sill.
“Did you enjoy the show?”
“It wasn’t bad.”
“Can I quit?”
“Is it that terrible?”
“Can I be honest? You’re worse than Yuria.”
Alexis burst into laughter at the merciless critique. He had seen it for himself.
Cecile’s shoulder strength was as weak as a woman’s, and he seemed to have no talent for wielding a sword. It was only natural, having been pampered and raised in the royal family.
“You were the one who taught Yuria how to use a sword, Claude. I thought you had quite the talent for handling children.”
“Well, that depends on who the opponent is.”
“Since you’re at it, don’t hold back. It wouldn’t be bad to nip any desire to learn swordsmanship in the bud, since you won’t last long anyway.”
Claude quietly gazed at the stern face of the Crown Prince.
He thought Cecile’s wariness had eased, but it seemed he was still on guard. Remembering the Crown Prince’s intentions, he unconsciously rubbed the back of his neck.
“What if he really gets serious and puts in the effort?”
“Then I’ll have to deal with him.”
A faint smile spread across Alexis’s lips. He was certain that would never happen.
“I have no intention of breaking my promise.”
Alexis turned his body again. Outside the window, the view of the palace, including the training ground, was clearly visible. The exhausted Cecile was still lying on the ground, while his attendants were anxiously pacing around him.
His face, devoid of laughter, looked dry. Afterward, Alexis slammed the window shut.
* * *
Two weeks later, the straw had turned into logs. The basic movements remained unchanged. It was a tedious, boring task that only resulted in more blisters, but Cecile came to the training ground every day, swinging the practice sword hundreds of times.
Claude looked slightly exasperated. At this point, one would expect him to be worn out and drop out, but Cecile Adrian had not missed a single lesson. As expected, he was not an ordinary person.
With the Crown Prince’s orders, he was consuming his precious time, but now he was reaching his limit. Claude racked his brain for a clever solution.
“From today, you will train with the other trainees.”
“Why?”
“You need to learn other sword techniques, don’t you?”
“Can’t I learn that from the Crown Prince?”
“You’re still far from it.”
Cecile glared at him in silence. He planted the practice sword into the ground like a cane and exhaled angrily. His bangs, matted and stiff with sweat, didn’t even budge.
“Be honest with me. You’re just trying to torment me, aren’t you?”
“…That’s not true. It’s all part of the process. I’m just being very faithful to the basics.”
“Alexis also received personal lessons from Sir Wellington! It would be one thing to set up a separate training ground, but you want me to mix with the trainees? You must be trying to insult me.”
“If you dislike my method, you are free to quit at any time. Don’t you enjoy having tea parties in a well-kept garden? No one is forcing you, Sir Cecile.”
Claude spread his palm, pointing to the exit. His intention to guide him down an easy path was obvious.
“Who said I’m quitting?”
Cecile lifted the practice sword and slung it over his shoulder. His head tilted at an angle, he gestured dismissively.
“Lead the way.”
Mixed in with the trainees, Cecile was like a swan among ducklings.
His slender frame stood out among the burly men, and his pale skin contrasted sharply with the tanned bodies around him, drawing attention.
The trainees were intimidated by Cecile. They had never expected to see royalty so closely. Being told to engage in rough training while bumping shoulders with him made them feel honored, causing them to hunch their shoulders.
“Are you all not standing properly!”
At the sharp command of the captain of knights, everyone straightened up into position. Claude, standing on the platform, shot eagle-like sharp glances.
As everyone bowed their heads, Cecile alone raised his pale face. He looked every bit the noble royal. Claude scanned the dazed faces and almost sighed when his eyes met Cecile’s.
Ah… Your Highness, why on earth did you assign that person to me?
Though he felt a surge of resentment toward Alexis, he composed his expression like a seasoned knight. Then, in a solemn voice, he shouted.
“From now on, we will begin training in casual swordsmanship!”
“Yes!”
As it was a routine training, the trainees quickly formed ranks as soon as the order was given. With no one to guide him, Cecile had to move on his own instincts.
With a loud shout, they began demonstrating 16 different attack methods. Glancing at Claude, who was demonstrating in front, Cecile swung the practice sword. The old, dull wooden stick only made a rough slicing sound through the air.
“……This is really infuriating.”
Cecile picked up a stone from the dirt floor and threw it in frustration, revealing his true feelings. His limbs felt heavy as if weighed down by iron, yet his eyes shone with fierce determination.
Claude’s sword techniques were honestly impeccable. Even though he was an unpleasant person, his skills were undeniable.
The problem was that his body couldn’t keep up. Having spent most of his life like a potted plant in a greenhouse, his stamina was terrible.
He stumbled and fell frequently, and his movements often went awry. Of course, no one said anything, but every time he disrupted the flow of training, he felt strange gazes on him.
Cecile trembled with humiliation, experiencing a feeling he had never encountered before. It was only the second week, so it was natural to be clumsy, yet he couldn’t stand his own ineptitude.
When a brief break was given, the trainees stripped off their sweat-soaked clothes and walked around half-naked. It was a way to cool off. After all, the training ground was filled with men, and they were all accustomed to each other’s nakedness.
They poured cold water from a bucket over themselves, shaking their wet hair and upper bodies like dogs. The muscular men were busy showing off their well-built bodies under the blazing sun.
However, when they passed in front of Cecile, they suddenly became modest, as if they were delicate ladies. With their arms crossed to cover their chests, Cecile couldn’t help but chuckle in disbelief.
“Do they think I’d like them just because I’m a man?”