The Abandoned Empress

Chapter 20: Chapter 20

Allendis was so pleased that he suddenly hugged me. Surprised, I detached myself from his embrace but patted him on the back quietly. Like me, he was trembling before practicing, but unlike me who wanted to learn voluntarily, he had to learn against his will, so he might have more fear than thrill.

I thought I should stay with him until he felt a little calm, but suddenly someone pulled me to his side. My father, who hugged me, with his eyebrows raised, said, "What are you doing now, Verita?"

"Oh, dear. I didn't mean it, sir. "

"That's enough. Do 30 laps around the training field track first before practicing. "

'Huh? I'm doing only ten laps. Why 30 laps for him? Is it because he is a man?' I wondered, but ran with him anyway. I was bothered when the knights and my father watched me, but it was the beginning of a refreshing day for me anyway.

"Huck, huck..."

"Ha... Ha..."

I was gasping for breath. After barely doing ten laps, I flopped down on the ground, unable to control my wobbly legs. I felt I might look funny, but I couldn't control my body. I knew I was weak, but had never realized how weak I was physically.

What should I do? I've just started. How can I learn fencing without any basic physical strength? Can I really learn fencing properly?

"Allendis, are you okay?"

"Huck, huck... I'm okay..."

After doing seventeen laps around the track, he almost fell and sat next to me, taking a breath.

"You guys are better than I thought. Hmm, today is the first day, so let me stop here.

"Thank you, sir..."

"For the time being, let me put you on a physical training regimen like this, Verita. After that, let me teach you fencing seriously. Tia, you are no exception. See you tomorrow. "

"Yes, dad."

My father, who lightly pat my shoulder, turned away. I could open my mouth only after I got my breath back.

"Are you okay, Allendis?"

"Whew! I'm fine now. What tough training on the first day!"

"Sorry. It looks like you're having a hard time because of me. "

"Don't say that, Tia. I'm okay. I told you yesterday. I have to pay the price to obtain a pretty and smart wife like you," Allendis smiled brightly at me and stood up.

"I think I have to stay with you for some time. Why don't you introduce me to your family's knights?"

"Oh yeah. Let's go."

I thought that as he and I had decided to learn fencing in the future, it would be inevitable for us to mingle with the knights, so it would be good to introduce Allendis to them. After I put my disheveled hair in order and adjusted my clothes, I approached a middle-aged knight overseeing the training to introduce him.

"How are you, Sir League?"

"It's an honor that you remember my name, my lady! "

I was not sure if the knight's name was right, so I felt relieved that he responded. As I got his name right by chance, I felt sorry for him. I wish I had memorized the names of my family's knights.

In the past, I had nothing to do with the army people, nor did I have any interest in them. I remembered the names of those servants and maids of my house, but I didn't remember all the knights assigned to my family as security detainees. As I was so busy learning the virtues befitting my status as the next empress, I neglected to learn the most basic martial arts, even though I was the daughter of the Marquis Monique family, the spear of the empire. I was very ashamed of it and at the same time angry with myself.