Chapter 90.3 - Interlude - Princess Knight (3)
The terrace with a view of the town was Sheela's favorite.
When scolded or when something unpleasant happened, she usually headed straight here.
As always, she was greeted by Dalia and took her seat at the table.
"Is there something the matter?"
Dalia asked while placing a glass of Akru fruit water in front of Sheela.
Dalia had watched over her since she was a baby.
No matter how much Sheila tried to hide her emotions, Dalia could always tell, as if it were second nature.
While gazing at the rugged landscape of Vokul with a stern expression, Sheila reached for the fruit water.
The tanginess of the Akru mixed with the subtle sweetness of Elmeri wine filled the air.
Several moments passed in silence before Sheila slowly began to speak.
"I've received a proposal of marriage. The suitor is the second son of the Keiten family."
"Is that so?"
Dalia replied with just one word and then fell silent.
Sheila sat up straight, still gazing at Vokul.
Dalia discreetly watched her.
It was only natural for her to be troubled, she thought, while superimposing the image of her benefactor onto the young girl.
Dalia had married a member of the Adventurers' Guild and retired from adventuring.
She had a child and enjoyed happy days, but they were short-lived.
Her husband and stillborn child had an accident.
Suddenly, she had lost everything and fell into a deep depression.
She lived listlessly, barely eating.
In her weakened state, her father-in-law, who had also been a guild member, reached out to her and found her a position as a maid.
At that time, a nobleman's daughter had recently married into the distant Keiten family.
Dalia was to serve as her escort to the castle.
Dalia thought she was just a nuisance, but she went as instructed, that's when she met Friede.
Her first impression of Friede was of a beautiful woman, but that impression was quickly shattered.
"You used to be an adventurer, right? Well then, let's have a duel."
Confused, Dalia lost.
She hadn't been a frontline fighter, but she had been known as a nearly C-ranked adventurer.
She couldn't lose to a noblewoman.
Unsatisfied, she challenged her again and lost once more.
As she continued to lose, a smile gradually spread across Dalia's face.
She wondered how many years it had been since she last held a sword. While staring at Dalia with a puzzled expression, Friede spoke.
"I'll hire you."
With that one word, Dalia took a new step in her life.
The eccentric master gently turned away her pleading husband and led knights and soldiers to fight monsters and bandits.
Dalia worked as a maid and occasionally carried a sword, fighting alongside Friede.
It felt like she had returned to her adventurer days, but now she had a master to serve and protect.
Even though she had lost everything, Friede became a source of salvation for Dalia.
Time passed, and her first son, Pike, was born, followed by Sheela. =It was a time filled with happiness. =Even though she wasn't at the center of it, Dalia felt fulfilled.
But she didn't forget.
She knew there was no such thing as eternal happiness.
A few days after giving birth to Sheila, Friede passed away.
It was so sudden that even Dalia, who was by her side, didn't realize it at first.
Once again, Dalia was left in shock and despair.
But then a small hand grabbed her trembling fingers, and the joyful laughter of a child filled the air.
Dalia cried.
Dalia continued to cry until her tears ran dry, and at that moment, she made a decision.
She would use the life saved by Friede for the sake of this child.
As Sheela grew older, she bore the weight of her mother's death and took up the sword.
She would protect Vokul in her mother's stead and everyone else.
Dalia continued to watch over her young back.
A benefactor's legacy—it had become a shadow over her child without her realizing it.
Sheela gazed at the Vokul landscape with a melancholy expression.
Dalia couldn't help but think that blood ties were undeniable.
Despite their different expressions, Friede had also enjoyed relaxing on this terrace, as far as Dalia knew.
It was just a brief episode from the past.
Lost in these musings, they suddenly heard rude footsteps approaching. Dalia turned her face and looked down the hallway.
Soon, a middle-aged knight appeared.
The knight noticed the two of them and broke into a broad smile.
"Oh, are you here?"
"Is there something with Father?"
Sheela sighed, and the knight waved his hand dramatically.
"No, not over there. Princess, my wayward son has returned!"
Sheela was surprised but gradually smiled.
The young man who appeared on the terrace a little later knelt gracefully.
"I'm Harvis Razefal. I have just returned from Selene."
"Welcome back, Harvis. It's been 5 years already."
Sheela's usually stern expression softened.
When she decided to protect Vokul in place of Friede, it was a boy one year older than her who had taught her how to wield a sword.
He was both her mentor and a trusted friend.
"It seems like you've improved quite a bit."
They had trained together, and Sheela had grown stronger than before. That's why she could tell Harvis had changed significantly since his departure.
Sheela smiled at her mentor's growth.
"You must have found it lacking, didn't you?"
In response to those words, Harvis chuckled, and for some reason, Razefal-kyo seemed embarrassed.
Unconsciously, Sheela and Dalia exchanged glances.
"That's right, Princess. This lad was defeated in the end!"
"Defeated…?"
Sheela couldn't believe her ears.
Five years ago, he had surpassed ordinary soldiers by far and could even hold his own against knights.
He had been defeated. The current Harvis was?
"As for that, it's a souvenir…"
Harvis paused and then deepened his smile.
"The opponent I lost to was Alter Les Reedwald, Princess's cousin."
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