[IHTTMBW] Chapter 48

“Please let her learn the sword.”

“Huh?”

I dropped my dessert with my mouth still open. It was like a bolt from the blue. What did I just hear?

“I’d like to teach Myrthi how to use a sword.”

It was during one of our visits to Gelbart’s garden. Normally, I would stroll hand in hand with Euphil to the estate, where he would train with the sword, sweating profusely, while I enjoyed watching, sipping on refreshing strawberry soda.

But this time, something strange caught my ears. Euphil, drenched in sweat with his hair sticking to his face, leaned against his sword, catching his breath from his intense training. His ruby-red eyes gleamed sharply through his honey-coloured hair. Sweat trickled down his nose and cheekbones, making his face seem like it was adorned with jewels. He looked beautiful, even when he was exhausted.

Well, a handsome face really does make all the difference. But that wasn’t the issue. Just as I was cheering him on with a half-hearted “You can do it, you can do it,” Euphil suddenly said something completely unexpected.

“Huh? You want to teach the princess the sword?”

In this country, princesses weren’t taught many things. The fact that I had gained such a reputation at the academy for my studies was already considered quite abnormal. And now a sword, which was almost exclusively for men?

I tilted my head, wondering why Euphil was saying such things.

‘Could it be… he’s planning to use me in a duel and accidentally kill me?’

A sudden chill ran down my spine, and I shook my head vigorously to dispel the thought.

Seeing this, Euphil approached and gently stroked my hair with his hand, which had become rough and calloused from sword training. He spoke,

“There are no princes or princesses when it comes to learning.”

“Well, that’s true... but why the sword?”

Wow. I was impressed by Euphil’s words. Yes, there shouldn’t be any distinction between princes and princesses when it comes to learning. But that kind of thinking wasn’t exactly common in this kingdom. 

Even Gelbart nodded in agreement with his statement. Once again, Gelbart’s wisdom shone through. However, he too raised an eyebrow in confusion. Why the sword, of all things? Surely, there were many other things to learn.

At that moment, I noticed Euphil’s eyes flare up, glowing red like fire. I flinched, startled by the intensity of his expression. He looked as though he were staring down an enemy. I had never seen him like that before.

Then Euphil recounted the conversation between me and the king from the day before to Gelbart.

“He threatened Myrthi with a butterfly.”

“With a butterfly? In front of her fiancé?”

“Yes.”

“That... scoundrel, what has he done?”

‘What?’

That was Gelbart’s reaction. He had already been frowning with a throbbing vein on his forehead as he listened, but once he heard the full story, he could no longer contain his rage.

“What did he do to his own daughter?”

‘Wow, such creative insults.’

I applauded silently in my mind. I had never heard anyone curse the king so fervently.

‘You’re amazing, Grandpa!’

But despite my admiration, the situation was serious.

Gelbart fell into deep thought.

“He threatened to kill his own daughter… and in front of the prince of a neighbouring country.”

Gelbart even referred to the crown prince of the neighbouring country as a ‘kid.’ As for the king, well, let’s not even get started on him. I casually took another sip of my strawberry soda. The fizzy drink made my throat tingle, much like Euphil’s nagging voice.

“Focus, Myrthi.”

I sulkily nodded and shuffled closer to Euphil. Gelbart watched us with a serious expression.

“Well, in that case, it wouldn’t be a bad idea for her to learn a bit,” he said, gently stroking my hair with a worried look. His eyes seemed to wonder if a girl could truly master the sword.

But I wasn’t worried.

How old was I again? I might look like a ten-year-old on the outside, but inside, I was a full-grown adult. The only thing I needed to learn swordsmanship was muscle. I already had maxed-out comprehension skills.

Most importantly, I had the best teachers by my side—Gelbart and Euphil. The fact that Euphil had brought up the subject meant he was planning to help and teach me earnestly.

‘I have two of the best teachers right here.’

I couldn’t help but feel a little excited.

Swordsmanship! The sword! It was the perfect skill to protect myself.

Of course, I knew the fate of the kingdom’s greatest knight—to lose his life at Euphil’s hands—but maybe, just maybe, things could change. If I could learn to wield the sword and survive on my own, I could reduce the danger I faced.

‘Alright! I’m learning the sword!’

Gelbart gently asked me,

“Do you want to learn the sword, too?”

“A sword? Like the one Euphil uses?”

“That’s right. You’re quite clever.”

Just mentioning the sword earned me a compliment. This was how I was living these days.

Feeling proud, I smiled brightly and decided to play coy, pretending to be an innocent ten-year-old who didn’t want to do anything difficult.

“Why should I learn the sword?”

“To protect you.”

“Hm? Isn’t Euphil going to protect me?”

I tilted my head.

Of course, it was possible that Euphil wouldn’t protect me but instead might cut my head off. But that was something nobody knew yet.

With my finger on my cheek, I made a puzzled face. Euphil, his golden hair shining brilliantly, looked resolute. His eyes were intense, almost frightening.

“I’ll protect you.”

“Huh?”

“No matter what anyone says, I’ll protect you.”

“But still…”

“You should still learn the sword.”

He looked at me with determination in his eyes. There wasn’t the slightest hint that he was willing to give up on me. As I found myself captivated by that gaze, Euphil spoke again.

“Take the sword yourself and aim it at what you don’t want.”

His eyes remained fixed on mine.

He raised the hilt of the sword he was holding and extended it to me. My small hand, guided by his, moved to grip the hilt.

‘It’s warm.’

Perhaps it was because he had been holding it just moments before. The sword he handed me, telling me to protect myself, was full of warmth.

‘Take the sword myself and aim it at what I don’t want.’

It wasn’t a bad suggestion. In fact, I liked it. I didn’t know how much I could do with my ten-year-old body, but it was another way for me to protect my own life.

It was also a valuable tool, especially since I knew I’d eventually be separated from Euphil.

I gripped the sword.

To protect myself,  

To become more than just a fragile butterfly—to become Myrthi Raize.