Chapter 59: Deputy Commander Philipp Mayer (2)
It had been nearly a month since Third Prince Edwin had joined the knight training.
Unlike the beginning, he now seems to be remarkably proficient in exercises.
While he was running among the knights of the third unit, one of them said to him:
“Well done, you're keeping up with us.”
Edwin shyly passed his index finger under his nose, and as soon as the rest of the knights saw this, comments came in:
«Right. "At first you barely followed our shadows."
“Your performance has improved a lot compared to the first day.”
“At this rate, you might as well become a Knight of Gloria, Your Highness.”
"good. “When His Highness joins, please leave.”
“What did you say, you impudent?”
Edwin laughed softly at their joke—a sight he could not have imagined on the day of their first meeting.
All credit to Catherine.
He remembered the day Katherine first came to the barracks, about a week after he began his training.
She had come with Rachel.
It's understandable for Rachel to come, but so is Katherine?
As for Rachel, she looked annoyed, as if she didn't want to come at all.
Catherine said lightly, waving:
“Oh hello... Hello, knights! It's clear that you're working hard!
Edwin was not the only one who was surprised; Knights - most of whom were commoners - rarely met those belonging to the court, and here were two women from the palace in front of them. While the men of the third unit began to act as bachelors, they were led to the mill:
“Oh, I almost forgot to introduce myself. "I am Catherine Vale, serving His Highness the Third Prince."
She placed her hand on her chest with a graceful bow, then took the large basket from Rachel and revealed what was in it:
“I brought some snacks for you to eat. Here you go!”
The basket included chopped smoked meat, apple pie, and milk. The knights' faces immediately lit up.
“As His Highness the Prince ordered, I have prepared plenty, so eat until you are satisfied~!”
Then Edwin tilted his head in confusion; Because no such order had ever been issued by him. He almost objected, but Catherine smiled and waved at him discreetly, “Don’t say anything,” while Rachel was next to her, raising her finger to her lips to indicate silence.
While the prince remained puzzled by these signs:
“Thank you, Your Highness!”
The knights chanted in unison, filling the training arena.
Perhaps this was the moment when the knights' gaze began to change towards the prince.
After that, Catherine began visiting the cavalry squad day after day, carrying meals, and Edwin's popularity among the members of the third unit increased day after day.
“Your Highness... is that lady seriously involved with anyone?”
“What lady?”
“The ivory-haired angel.”
“Oh, you mean Katherine?”
"Yes!"
“I'm not sure, but probably not.”
-Waah-
No sooner had he answered them than a strange cheer rang out; Catherine's popularity, in turn, was rising rapidly.
"correct. Thanks to her, I now eat so well that I feel like I’ve gained weight.”
"Yes! Deputy Commander! When did you arrive?
While they were immersed in chatter, Philip had followed them from behind.
“Add ten round trips.”
«Ahhh! Deputy Commander! This much—!”
The knights returned to running, wailing, and Edwin sighed and was about to join, but Philip stopped him:
“His Highness the Prince.”
“Will you give me a minute of your time?”
Unexpected request; Edwin stared with wide eyes, but he did not refuse:
«H? A-Yes, of course.”
“This way.”
Philip turned, motioning to follow him. Rarely would anyone outside the Third Prince's Palace summon him.
Between anxiety and anticipation, Edwin followed him until they reached the deputy commander's office.
The prince hesitated a step: Is he fed up with my training method? He's going to tell me not to come anymore?
He said in a trembling voice: “Why did I come here...?”
“Here, take this,” said Philip, opening a drawer.
“Huh?”
Contrary to his expectations, he did not scold him or expel him; He just took something out of the drawer and presented it to him.
gloves?
Edwin took the gloves: dark brown leather with a distinctive shine.
“They're wyvern gloves. Use it when climbing stairs.”
“Ah…”
Edwin looked at his palms; Small, white hands covered in bubbles and thick skin from the rigors of training.
“But... I'm the only one who receives something like this...”
“There is no need to worry about the rest of the Knights of the Third Unit,” Phillip said.
These people have undergone years of training, and their hands never leave the hilts of the swords. It cannot be measured by the palms of an angry prince.
“You can even get better gloves if you want. If you don't like this, throw it away...”
«No! I will never throw it away!”
Edwin's voice rose suddenly, and he put it on carefully.
His eyes sparkled as he looked at his covered palms - a sparkle that almost burdened the viewer.
“...Did you like it?”
"Yes!"
He shook his head, smiling radiantly—like little buds finally waking up.
“Thank you, Sir Philip!”
"…No thanks necessary."
Philip watched the prince move his fingers playfully, and felt strangely embarrassed: He ate this for gloves? Has he never received a gift before?
As if Edwin had read his thoughts, he turned to him with a pure smile:
“This is the first time I have received a gift from someone other than Emma!”
"…What?"
“Oh, and Leo too. You are the third, Sir Philip!
Philip was startled. No matter how poor he is, he is a prince. How did he not receive gifts like other princes?
“Really?”
"What? Are you the third?
“No, I mean it's the third gift of your life.”
"Yes, correct." He thought for a moment, then said confidently: “This is the third gift I have received directly from someone.”
- Gifts to princes are usually presented hand in hand by the giver, unless they come from a distant country...
“…I’m happy to be the third, then.”
Philip suppressed the many questions crowding in his chest, then he watched the prince in silence as he played with the gloves, not knowing what to do, before he said:
“…His Highness Prince Edwin.”
"Yes?"
“If there is nothing to prevent…” Philip raised his gaze and his eyes met the prince’s eyes: “Do you allow me to teach you the art of swordplay?”
“Master Philip, you say?”
"Yes!"
I looked at the excited Edwin flatteringly. He was more active than usual after returning from training.
“Sir Philip said to me: If you want, I will teach you the sword!”
He leaned towards me, almost falling from excitement:
“Can I learn fencing? Please!"
Despite his strict table manners, he was extremely enthusiastic, contrary to his habit.
Was he so eager to learn the sword?
I only sent him to the Knights to build up his fitness; I expected that no one would accept teaching him sword arts at all.
Moreover, it is not permissible for me to teach him my style; The sword style of killers is known at first glance.
If a prince's hand were defamed in such a way, everyone would point to him.
It is an art whose purpose is only to kill; No elegance or adornment, just a knockout.
And so is everything I learned from “the organization”: a mentality that does not care about a method, and techniques for effective killing without effect.
These things…
I looked at the little boy clinging to my sleeve with sparkling eyes: I cannot teach this to him.
Philipp Meyer... a common knight and deputy commander of the empire's most powerful legions. His choice is not bad.
I remembered the man I had met accidentally in the corps: a reserved, solid man—from such a quality comes honest mastery, who knows no tricks. A perfect teacher for this boy.
“Great opportunity,” I nodded to Edwin, who stared at me pleadingly. “Do as you please, Your Highness.”
"truly? truly?"
"Yes. But it is better for no one to know.”
In the palace, many people would not like Edwin receiving training in the sword—like the second consort who wants her son to be emperor.
“I will speak to Mr. Philip.”
"Good!"
He shook his head enthusiastically, then happily indulged in his food...but his face quickly turned pale as time passed.
“…oh…”
Finally, after a mouthful of the last of the soup, he dropped the spoon, panting.
“I thought you were used to it,” I said coldly, “but it seems the opposite.”
He turned to me in horror, and I continued: “It is desert scorpion venom.” How does it taste?