Chapter 427

Chapter Fifty

On this day, the capital city was decorated with red and green, with drums and music filling the air, as if it were a festival.

The news of Queen Elizabeth’s victorious return had spread several days ago, which was naturally the result of extensive palace propaganda. These past few days, no matter where one went, they could see many wandering bards singing songs of triumph, warming up the atmosphere in advance. When the silver-armored queen rode her noble white unicorn leading her troops through the city gates, half the city erupted in celebration.

This victory held significant meaning.

In the eyes of most citizens and nobles, it signified the stability and unity of royal power, meaning they no longer had to live in constant fear amidst the intricate struggles for power among the great figures. It meant that their country and their young queen had firmly secured their position on the throne. At least for a considerable period, they would no longer have to worry about being ruled by war criminals like the old duke, who cared nothing for the suffering of the people.

People celebrated and cheered from the heart.

That was because they clearly knew that this beloved Queen Elizabeth saw the needs of her people.

This was the peace, prosperity, and tranquility of Ethanbel.

I took leave from Professor Melville today.

As for the reason…

Of course, it wasn’t to join the crowd in the streets or to see Victoria immediately; absolutely not. I just felt that… once Victoria returned to the manor, Sharman would certainly tell her about what happened here, and then propose ideas for the upcoming renovations, seeking the queen’s opinion… the queen might also propose some ideas, and probably some rather embarrassing ones. Therefore, I must be involved, keeping an eye on them and loudly saying no.

I can’t let those two come up with any more mischief while I’m away…

Otherwise, the home might become dangerous…

Yes, that’s exactly it.

The weather today is very nice, and the manor is very quiet.

A few days ago, after the construction work on flower beds, pathways, and gardens was completed, the stonemasons and carpenters had already left. The courtyard was no longer so noisy, and I didn’t have to constantly pull the curtains in my bedroom. I could even dry clean laundry outside without hiding like a thief.

In the morning, I went out to the market to buy some ingredients and planned to cook dinner myself. So, I intended to inform Sharman that she shouldn’t arrange for food tonight, but I couldn’t find her anywhere. After asking a maid in the garden, I learned that she had gone to the palace early in the morning.

“Today, there will be a lot of work at the palace, and many things need the housekeeper’s arrangement. Here at the manor, only a few of us remain… Miss Silvija, please let me know if you have any requests…”

Hearing the young maid’s words, I thought for a moment and asked her, “When will Her Majesty return?”

“…”

She hesitated for a moment and then shook her head. “I’m sorry, Miss Silvija, I’m not quite sure… It should be in the evening…”

Evening…

I nodded at the maid with a smile.

She seemed somewhat surprised. “M-Miss, if you need to contact His Majesty, I can report to the housekeeper at the palace—”

“No need, thank you.”

Victoria has just returned, and there must be a lot of things waiting for her to handle… I don’t want to disturb her.

After waving goodbye to the young maid, I left the courtyard under her watchful gaze and returned to the inner quarters—my own inner quarters. I rushed upstairs to my bedroom, flopped onto the soft bed, buried my head in the pillow, rubbed it a bit, and settled down quietly.

It’s still a long time until evening.

What should I do…

After thinking for a while, I decided to continue practicing according to the book.

Yesterday, I practiced halfway through the basic force application. Today, I plan to do it for another two or three hours, repeating the same one or two movements until I am proficient… at least forming muscle memory. As for practical application, I need to find a suitable sparring partner… but that’s not urgent.

I got up from the bed, picked up the wooden sword leaning against the wardrobe, weighed it in my hand, and stood steady on the carpet by the bed. Gripping the hilt tightly with both hands, I assumed a false step stance, shifting my weight to the back leg. My mind began recalling the movements described in the book. I took a gentle breath, my eyes becoming serious. Suddenly, I lifted my elbow to block the sword, the wooden blade level with my eyebrows. My right foot extended forward, the toe turned outward, mimicking a posture similar to a backward parry. Then, I quickly twisted my waist and turned sideways, lowering the wooden sword as if deflecting an imagined strike, while simultaneously turning the tip upward, sweeping forward from below, “whoosh,” creating a gust of wind.

False step blocking sword.

This was a fundamental move every swordsman knew, primarily used for blocking. However, under the old master swordsaint’s modification, it had become a deadly killing move capable of piercing an enemy’s throat with skillful force.

Of course, this was still one of the simplest basic moves in the book.

Such moves were quite monotonous, especially for me, accustomed to overwhelming speed and brute force. Suddenly having to discard all my advantages and practice these subtle techniques alone was indeed tedious over time.

But I persisted. When I felt frustrated, I would eat something and then continue practicing until I mastered the essentials.

Because I know that these basic skills may seem useless at first, but once I master them and can use them in conjunction with brute force and speed, no matter what weapon I have in my hand—even if it’s just a vine— it will be much more powerful than what I have now with Captain Gray.

The core of Master Swordsman’s philosophy is to kill the enemy with one move.

No matter how talented or strong the enemy is, as long as I find their weakness and strike, it only takes one move to eliminate them. This is the ultimate goal he strives for; the main point is not about “using a sword” but “perfectly controlling every part of the body.”

To achieve this, there is no shortcut other than hard practice.

So I practiced over and over again, drenched in sweat, my muslin dress clinging to me, feeling so frustrated that I could explode, but after a brief rest, I continued practicing.

I practiced for the entire afternoon.

By the time the sky outside turned red, I put away my wooden sword, went to the bathroom for a shower, changed into a clean dress, and went to the terrace. The courtyard was still quiet, with only a few maids tending to the garden and fruit trees. No one else was around.

Victoria and Schalman hadn’t returned yet…

I leaned against the railing, propped myself up with my hands, and lightly jumped, putting all my weight on the railing, lifting my feet off the ground, swaying back and forth. I felt a bit bored, thinking they were taking too long…

My stomach was a bit hungry…

What should I eat for dinner…

I want cake…

After a while, I felt a pain in my chest from leaning on the railing, so I quickly got down, rubbed my chest lightly, and walked back into the house, a bit dejected. A few steps later, I couldn’t help but look back, and my hand, which was rubbing my chest, slowly moved to my stomach, continuing to rub, then I went downstairs.

I should make something to eat…

In the kitchen, I took out the ingredients I bought this morning from the cabinets and placed them on the stove. Rubbing my cheeks, I glanced over… There was cabbage, tomatoes, cucumbers, Jerusalem artichokes, peas, thistles, carrots, and other fresh vegetables, along with eggs and a large beef shank, but no meat and no sweets.

Except for oranges.

But oranges are sweet and sour, Victoria might like them…

As I thought, I started a fire, lit the stove, took out the pot, added water to boil, and began cutting the vegetables… The cuts weren’t very neat… But it didn’t matter, making a salad would be fine.

I set the salad aside, and by the time the water was boiling, I put the beef shank in to cook. Then I took out the pan for frying, observed it, and decided it was ready for cooking, so I poured in some oil and started. I cracked two eggs into a dish and stirred them together.

Just as the oil was ready and I was about to pour in the eggs, I realized I didn’t have a spatula, so I hurriedly searched through the drawers and found a soup spoon to use instead. During this, the pot overflowed, so I quickly lifted the lid and threw it aside, crouched down to lower the flame, but I pressed it too hard, almost extinguishing it. So I puffed my cheeks and blew, “Huu—” and my face was covered in soot.

But the fire reignited.

“Cough! Cough…”

I coughed a few times, wiped my face, stood up, and continued my hasty work, silently regretting why I never learned to cook properly before…

Soon, just as the tomato and egg stir-fry was ready, the sound of carriage wheels echoed outside the mansion.

It seemed someone was entering the mansion…

Could it be Victoria?

My heart raced, thinking I should tell her that I made dinner to celebrate her triumphant return. Without putting down the soup spoon, I ran out of the kitchen, “thump thump thump thump,” through the living room, pushed open the door to the inner chambers, and rushed out, only to feel the cold stone tiles under my feet, realizing I had forgotten to put on shoes. Just as I wanted to turn back, Victoria had already stepped out of the carriage.

She saw me immediately.

Beside the carriage, by the roadside, the magnificent queen wore a golden crown, a finely crafted silver armor, and a longsword adorned with sapphires hung at her waist. She stood not far away, gazing at me with a stern expression.

Uh…

Why are there so many soldiers behind her… Oh no! Does she think I look ridiculous… Why is everyone looking at me!

I looked at the soup spoon in my hand, shrugged, and immediately wanted to go back.

But then Queen Esterbel approached.

Her golden eyes fixed on me, her steps quickened, her hair fluttering. I stood there, hesitating whether to leave or stay, but when I came to my senses, Victoria was already in front of me.

I smelled her familiar scent.

“Hmm…”

Why do I feel a bit awkward…

“I, I made… food.” To hide the strange emotions rising in me, I waved the soup spoon at her, “Wait a moment, come here—”

Before I finished speaking, Victoria suddenly hugged me.

Immediately after, her beautiful face loomed in my astonished eyes, her warm breath brushing my face, followed by… a soft, moist touch on my forehead.

“Boop…”

Our lips touched briefly.

???

I covered my forehead, stunned.

It felt like my head exploded, my cheeks burning intensely.