My daughter, Carine, was kidnapped. When I heard the news, saying my heart sank would be an understatement. Even when I learned that she was safe, the news still affected me all the same.

Scolding Kyrat was my only way to find someone to blame for this whole situation, but I knew the one ultimately at fault was me, as I was the one who scheduled her visit to that village and even pushed it ahead of the schedule.

The only reason I even considered the village was the rumors of who they call the Bandit Killer residing there.

To think my Carine would be a target for a kidnapping. Just the thought of it sickened me.

Then, when I was still coming to terms with the whole incident, Kyrat had the gall to introduce me to a new potential student.

Feyt, the boy who was kidnapped alongside Carine. I didn’t know what it was Kyrat saw in that child, but I remained skeptical.

He was taught the basics of our sword style by Carine and then fought alongside her to escape together, at least, that was the story they told me.

To learn even the basics of our sword style needed at least a week of constant, grueling training. But that child was able to master it in a cave, with a rusty sword. It could mean that the boy was an excellent student as Kyrat said. Or that Carine was a great teacher, which I believed to be true.

Normally, I would happily train such a promising young child, noble or not. But then Kyrat began spewing this nonsense onto me: about how Carine acts quiet around Feyt, how her gaze lingers on him, how she stutters when she usually doesn’t around him…

Nonsense, truly nonsense. Kyrat must’ve hit his head during the scuffle with the bandits, because I refuse to believe Carine would even consider having such a child as her friend.

Whatever the case was, I was about to find out for myself.

It was the day Feyt arrived at our doorstep. I had one of our best maids, Eliza, made sure he was comfortable in the guest room and help him prepare. Not for his interview, no, but for his inevitable rejection from me.

Such a child would be a bad influence on Carine, I was sure of it.

When I arrived at the drawing room where the interview was going to take place, Carine was already seated there. I was slightly taken aback, I didn’t invite her here. When I saw that Kyrat greeted her casually, it was confimed that this was his doing.

I debated whether or not to send her back to her schedule, I didn’t need her to see that child. But then an idea formed in my head. This was the perfect chance to prove Kyrat wrong, that his assumptions really were just nonsense.

So, I kept silent to Carine’s arrival, sitting beside her with Kyrat beside me. Now, all that waited was for that child to arrive.

Kyrat drummed his fingers on the armrest of his chair, a habit he has whenever he is excited for something.

“Aren’t you excited, Carine?” he asked with a grin. “The boy should be here any moment. He’s come quite a way, you know.”

I shot a glare at him. Surely the only one excited about this was him.

"Yes," I said, trying to remain calm. “A long way. And I do hope it’s… worthwhile. If he proves to be a waste of time…”

“I have a good feeling about him, trust me. I don’t see why we shouldn’t give him a chance.” He glanced at Carine and said, “He’ll be in excellent company, after all.”

Even now, he won’t stop with that unlikely scenario in his head. That paralyzing agent must’ve messed with his head.

Oh well, there was no point in contesting him at the moment. After all, that child was about to arrive.

…

The door swung open, I spotted Eliza who directed a young child inside.

“Here we are, Sir Feyt.”

When the child finally stepped in, I caught a good look at his appearance. Despite being a commoner from the outskirts of our region, he actually looked presentable. Eliza outdid herself once more.

So, this is Feyt.

Physically, he looked well, for a commoner at least. His posture was also seemingly in order, which was unnatural to me. From the way he presented himself and the way he walked, it was as if he already learned how to walk like an aristocrat from somewhere.

Could Eliza be the one who taught him that? No, I hadn’t ordered her anything of the sort, in my original plan he is to leave in a day at max after all.

If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

Then where did he learn that technique?

“Ah, Feyt, there you are!” Kyrat greeted him with a wide smile, gesturing to the seat in front of us. “No need to stand there looking like a statue, take a seat!”

He was definitely not his usual self. Even when accepting some of our most promising students, he kept an air of authority around him. Was he doing this out of concern for the child, worried that formality would be too much for him?

I scoffed internally, if that was true, this child wouldn’t survive in our regular schedule. Our style wasn’t all about fighting and brutality, it was finesse and efficiency combined.

Kyrat began with his interview, portable quill in hand. But, before he could ask his first question, I decided to throw my own.

“Tell me, Feyt, what do you think of my daughter?”

The room went silent. Neither Feyt, Carine, nor Kyrat moved a muscle. I saw him stuttering silently, clearly unsure of what to say.

It was the most concerning question for me, something I needed an answer as fast as possible.

“Answer me, child.”

Amidst the silence, Kyrat turned towards me with a strained smile. “Reyna, I thought we agreed that would be the last question.”

True, it was a question we both agreed on that would be on the list though we each had our own reason for that question to be there.

But for the sake of the smoothness of this interview, I needed a clear answer from the child himself.

After a long silence, the child finally spoke up. “Uh… she’s an incredible swordsman,” He managed. “Focused, smart. And… well, she saved my life. I’d like to repay that kindness someday.”

I narrowed my eyes, processing through his words. They felt… stiff, but I couldn’t sense any dishonesty in them. Could his reason for accepting Kyrat’s offer be just to repay Carine’s kindness? Did commoners in this era have that sense of honor?

Kyrat looked at me with a smile. I instinctively pulled my gaze away, clicking my tongue. I let him continue the interview as he planned, my eyes were glued to Feyt, ready to spot any mistakes or slips of the tongue.

…

The interview proceeded as per every other interview we usually had. Kyrat was slightly more enthusiastic, and Carine was here to observe. Other than that, it was normal.

Then, the last set of questions arrived, and the first one…

“So far, so good, Feyt.” Kyrat set his quill down and smiled. “I just need a bit more to complete the picture. Tell me, why do you want to train with our family?”

Feyt remained silent for a second, but no nervousness could be sensed from him. Then, he took a deep breath before answering, “To grow stronger and protect those I love.”

A short answer. A simple answer. And a sound answer.

I hated it.

For it is the same reason why I took up a sword.

“Charming,” I interjected, making sure I was heard. “But are they just words? The Sareids don’t waste our training on anyone who won’t stand by their promises.”

Kyrat turned to me with a strained smile once again. “Reyna, he did protect Carine back then. Surely, that should count for something?”

“Hardly.” I shook my head. “For all we know, he only stuck around Carine just so he could save himself.”

I watched as Feyt opened his mouth, about to retort, but then, to my satisfaction, hesitated. He knew his own weakness, and for a moment, it felt like he’d revealed his true colors. His silence was the most damning confession he could have given me.

I felt my own eyes narrow. “See? Even his silence confirms it.”

As I watched with a quiet satisfaction, however, Carine leaned forward and tapped my shoulder, pulling my attention.

“Mother?” she said, with a surprising steadiness in her voice.

“What is it?”

“I just wanted to remind you of what happened in that cave. Feyt offered his help to me on his own accord. I don’t believe that he did it just to protect himself.”

There was a defiance in her tone, subtle but there. I felt a chill as she spoke, a rare flash of conviction… she wanted me to believe in this boy.

It was… a new experience. Never had I seen such conviction in her eyes.

I blinked, searching for fault in her words, but she stared back at me, sharp-eyed, the same eyes I saw in my reflection.

My heart began to grow worried. “Carine, my dear, why are you defending this child?” I pressed, hoping to break through whatever attachment she’d formed.

“I simply wish to tell the truth, Mother. I protected—I mean, Feyt… protected me and offered to fight alongside me, even when I told him to escape while I distracted the bandits for him.”

Hearing her words, I didn’t trust it, but she’d chosen to make it her truth, and for the first time, I felt the weight of her own determination. It was something I wished to instill into her for the longest time, but here she was demonstrating it proudly.

It was as if this was life or death for her. Could this boy really be that gifted? Or did Carine really see something in him?

I sighed, tapping my fingers on the armrest in impatience, but I knew when I’d been cornered. “Fine. Very well,” I conceded, though I made sure to lace my words with as much skepticism as I could muster. “You may train here, for now.”

Kyrat lit up with one of his infuriating smiles, but I caught his eye with a warning glance.

“But understand this,” I said, turning to face Feyt directly. “If you make a single mistake, if you show even a hint of carelessness, especially in how you conduct yourself with Carine…”

I held his gaze, pressing him to urge a stutter or two. But for once, to his credit, he didn’t shy away. I was almost impressed… almost.

“Do your best,” I said, trying to sound soft. “But know that the Sareids do not make allowances for mediocrity.”

With that, I gave Kyrat a nod and rose, glancing over my shoulder once more at Feyt, and at Carine, who was watching with an intensity I’d rarely seen in her. It was strange, but I could only hope that I won’t regret this decision.

Once I stepped out into the hall, I was greeted by Eliza. “Greetings, Your Grace.” She bowed deeply.

“Are you waiting for that child, Eliza?”

Eliza nodded, responding with her usual smile that could melt our toughest clients. “Yes, Your Grace. Following your orders, I shall attend to him for as long as he is here.”

I stood still for a moment and hesitated a bit. Then, I spoke, “Keep a closer eye on that child. Ensure you train him on proper etiquette in his spare time. Enlist a butler or two to help.”

Eliza widened her eyes, as if shocked. But then she returned to her usual smile and nodded. “As you command, Your Grace.”

Now that Feyt might stay here for a while, the least I could do was to have him act properly. After bidding goodbye to Eliza, I headed back to my office to handle paperwork I didn’t expect to do today. Feyt’s official registration as our student.

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image [https://i.imgur.com/RdC5Gde.png]