It's been a month since I was kidnapped, and things... Are going okay. Nothing bad has happened, I haven't had any dreams, and I've been jogging and swinging swords with Lynn. We've not got onto the actual forms of sword fighting (It's more complicated than you'd think), but I'm already seeing a little improvement.
I've also managed to improve things with Lynn. At first, she was shy, and a little cloying, but once I'd made it clear that it's important to me to eat healthily, even if I'm not fond of the food in question, and exercise, and generally treat myself well, she opened up.
"Okay, Miss Lettie, three more laps and we can take a break!"
"H-...Hhh-... How many times... Do I have to... Hhhh... Say it, Lynn? It's... Hhhhh!... It's just Lettie!"
As it turns out, if you've only been jogging for a month, and you're being pushed to your limits so you can improve, you have a hard time talking near the end. Unless you've already been through this hell, and consider 10 laps of the mansion a good morning jog.
I can see why Lynn was considered the most promising knight. She was, apparently, already athletic, and she took to exercise normally meant for older squires like a fish to water.
"You can do it, Miss Lettie!"
"Go get 'em, Miss Lettie!"
"That's our Lady, going strong!"
I wave tiredly to the knights, who've made it their habit to watch our morning training. Now that I know they exist, I've managed to talk to a few, and they're surprisingly supportive.
Well, I say surprisingly, but even though the knights here are mostly men, it turns out this is just probability at work. Because, oh, hey, women can do things here! Another example of my previous world's prejudices, combined with the fact I haven't actually learned that much about the world... Well, not biting me on the ass, but it could have. So yes, women can be knights, hold titles without a husband pretty easily, run guilds... I have to hand it to the Goddess, even though I'm still pissy about that revelation, people have developed, overall, better here.
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Overall, anyway.
God, my legs are on fire. But I can do this. Everyone's cheering for me. I can... Huh, why is the ground coming up so fast?
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"Are you sure you're not being too hard on her, Lynn?"
Ah. I must have blacked out. That's mother, and I can see the ceiling of my room.
"Oh, no, my Lady, this was only the second time this has happened! If the training is too tough for someone, they'd be fainting a lot more..." Lynn's voice turns a little thoughtful "...Although I really should have accounted for it being hotter today..."
I groan, just to let them know I'm awake, and instinctively throw up my hands. Mother still hasn't been weaned off bone crushing, asphyxiating hugs, but I've recently learned that the possibility of her bosom falling on my hands is a good deterrent.
Can't really blame her, that's embarassing. But sorry, mother... It's just as embarassing to me to be hugged the way you hug me. As such, I give her an apologetic look, and let my somewhat exhausted throat get a workout.
"Mama, I think... I think it was because we weren't drinking enough water. Just like Lynn says, it was hotter than usual today, and it's not her fault."
"But Lettie, sh-" I hold up one hand, and she listens.
"I know, I worried everyone. But I'm doing this so I don't have to worry people later on, and this is just going to keep me to bed for the day. Isn't that right, Lynn?"
Lynn nods. "That's right, Mi- Er... Lettie, rest for today is best. I'll go get a glass of water for you..." She walks off, and, as she opens the door, she smiles gently.
She's a good girl, Lynn. Mother's still looking concerned, so I stretch out my arms. "It's okay, mama, here, I'm strong enough for a soft hug."
Yes, I'm shamelessly playing on my mother's desires. But I don't want her to blame anyone, not even herself.
...
...I can't even pretend that I'm not resentful she's so big, though. And I also can't pretend I'm not worried that I'll get that big, somewhere down the line. I've seen her underwear, and her bras look like they were made by Isambard Kingdom-Brunel.
The rest of the day was pretty quiet, and I asked mother about various things in the world, while the sun shone through the window, and I sipped my water, as Lynn sat watching, and occasionally weighing in. Mother especially likes talking about history, a side of her that, honestly? I'd not seen before.
It's a shame I fell asleep at some point, but she'd still told me a lot. And when I woke up, very early in the morning, I saw a glass of water on the bedside table, and a little note.
"I'm proud of you, Lettie, for doing your best. I know we're going to have a lot of fun when it comes time to teach you more about the country. - Mama."
If sudden tragedy befalls my family, Goddess, I'm going to punch you in your face twice. They're lovely people.