Chapter 5
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 5
Chapter Title: Northern Grand Duchess's Secret Friend (1)
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Lying collapsed on the ground, I didn't bother getting up right away, instead gauging the situation. At least while I was down, my father wouldn't swing his sword.
'It'd be great if he caught on soon...'
Unfortunately, the carriage was still far off in the distance. Not even the sound of hooves reached me, let alone the rumble of wheels.
So what could I do? All I could manage was to hope the carriage arrived quickly as I hauled myself to my feet.
"Haaah—!"
Kicking off strongly with my foot, the flow of power surged from my waist through my shoulder and arm, building in intensity.
That power gathered at last in my sword, unleashing into the world as a single strike...
Tak—!
But Father blocked it effortlessly. The limits of a nine-year-old's body were all too clear.
Not to mention I'd only started sword training a month ago—what was there to say? Right now, I was worth less than some nameless webnovel grunt.
"Luke, your spirit's improved."
Caught off-balance by the recoil of my heavy attack, my side was suddenly exposed. His sword shot toward it like lightning—belying his casual tone.
I yanked my sword back toward my body in a panic, barely managing to block. But the numbing jolt that raced through my hands? That I couldn't fend off.
My hands trembled violently, screaming at me to drop the sword already.
Squeeze.
I gripped it tighter. To a swordsman, the sword was life itself.
But thinking it over, wasn't something off here?
'I'm not a swordsman... I'm just a servant...?'
Maybe I didn't need that swordsman's mindset after all.
Unfortunately, such thoughts didn't last long. Father gave me no reprieve, pressing the attack relentlessly.
Tak—! Taak—! Tudatak—!
The wooden swords clacked sharply in the quiet air, the sound dragging on.
I gritted my teeth and parried desperately. Let my focus slip even for a moment, and a nasty bruise would bloom on my body.
Of course, Father was going easy on me, but even that was tough for a nine-year-old's frame to handle.
It was then.
'Mistake...'
Before the thought could finish, Father's sword slammed mine aside. My grip failed, the sword flying from my hand, leaving my body wide open.
Where this time?
Side? Shoulder? Thigh? Surely he wouldn't hit the same spot twice—that'd be brutal.
I tensed up, bracing for the impact. Maybe catch it with my knee or elbow? Nah, no chance—I gave up on that.
For a brief moment.
'Huh... what?'
A sharp sting should've come, but no matter how long I waited, nothing happened. I was fine.
Had I taken a bad hit to the head and died...?
As grim thoughts swirled, I slowly pried open my tightly shut eyes. There was Father, staring not at me, but off somewhere else.
"Luke, forgive me."
"Pardon...?"
"Just as you said, the Frozenheart Ducal Family's carriage is approaching. I'm sorry for dismissing it as a lie."
I turned to look in the same direction as Father.
There it was—the Frozenheart Ducal Family's carriage, barreling toward us. Much closer now than the last time I'd checked.
"Luke, let's head inside and freshen up quickly."
"Yes, Father."
I rushed into the manor and changed out of my dirt-caked clothes into clean ones.
I'd have loved a cool shower, but no such luck. A ducal carriage was on its way, after all.
Still, no complaints. Thanks to it, I'd taken fewer hits today. A bit of grime? I could endure.
I hastily wiped my face with a damp cloth and stepped outside, just as the carriage pulled right up.
Father, Mother, and I stood there, waiting for it to arrive.
What about my brothers and sisters?
Brothers were off in the military, too young for it. Sisters had already married happily.
Still beats my brothers' lives. Digging ditches in the army sounds worse than outside, or so they say.
As those thoughts crossed my mind, the carriage halted.
The door opened, and who stepped out was...
'Elena...?'
My future mistress.
Two knights with swords at their waists and one servant followed her down.
That was it—no sign of the duke I'd expected.
"It's an honor to meet you, Lady Elena."
"Pleased to meet you, Nineheart Baron."
Father's courteous greeting was met with Elena's own polite response. Softer in expression and tone than at the banquet hall.
"Lady Elena, if I may ask one thing?"
"Yes, of course."
"Has the duke not come with you?"
"Father had urgent business on the northern front, so he couldn't."
"Then, to what do we owe the visit to our humble abode...?"
Elena's gaze slowly shifted from Father to me. Her blue eyes reflected my face.
Why? What? I haven't done anything...
"To see the one who'll become my secret f— I mean, my exclusive attendant."
"My apologies. Please, right this way to the drawing room."
Father promptly escorted Elena to the drawing room. Naturally, I stayed by her side. She'd come for me, after all.
Soon, we sat across from each other at the table, alone. Two steaming teacups sat between us.
'What's this all about...?'
I racked my brain, but nothing came up.
Our first and only meeting had been at the banquet. All that happened? We became secret friends, and I teased her about her runny nose.
An awkward silence stretched until she took a quiet sip of tea and set her cup down gently.
"Luke, you said you were looking forward to the next time we met, right?"
"Yes, I did."
Was my expression weird then...? Or did I mess up somehow...?
Her serious face dredged up nothing but negative thoughts.
This would ruin our hard-earned secret friendship...
"So... when is the next time...?"
She'd come all this way just to ask when we'd meet next?
Then why the grave face?
I considered it noble roundabout speak, but no—her father, the Frozenheart Duke, was blunt as they come.
Next after our last meeting...
"The next after that would be today."
"Today...?"
"Yes. You've met me today, haven't you, my lady?"
"Uh, u-uh? Then what did I come all this way f-for...?"
Elena's eyes shook wildly.
Her reaction nearly made me burst out laughing, but I held it in. Dodged a bullet for my servant career there.
Anyway, was this sharp-tongued Elena? She seemed like any ordinary nine-year-old kid.
Elena sipped her tea and regained her composure.
"Luke doesn't have any friends, right...?"
Her innocent words stabbed like daggers into my chest.
Was she trying to kill me with words?
"Yes, aside from you, my lady, I have no friends."
"I'm not a friend—I'm a secret friend."
"Then I have zero friends."
Each reply twisted the knife deeper.
Wait, why are there tears...?
"Me too...! I don't have any friends either...!"
Elena beamed brightly. Just thrilled we were the same.
Her childlike purity was impressive, but also pitiful. No friends because she lived at the edge of the north.
"My lady, your secret friend will always be by your side! You don't need regular friends!"
"Right! No need for friends!"
"Secret friends are the best!"
"Secret friends are the best!"
Elena and I bonded perfectly. Both friendless—we just clicked.
'This'll be fine... right?'
Worries hit late, but I shoved them aside. Spilled water can't be gathered.
Plus, she'd make friends soon enough. I could vouch for that—I'd read the original story.
We kept chatting after. About the manor's pretty garden, a servant tripping while cleaning—mundane stuff.
She'd gloom when her mother came up, but soon smiled again.
Time passed until the teacups' shadows stretched long.
A servant entered the drawing room and bowed deeply.
"My lady, it's time to go."
"Can't I stay a little longer...?"
"The family head wouldn't approve."
"Ugh..."
Elena's face fell.
I got it, but couldn't help. A lady outranks many, but not a duke. No sense earning his ire.
"My lady, I'll see you to the carriage."
"Okay..."
I stood first; she hopped down reluctantly.
We reached the carriage soon after.
That reluctant pout—like a duck. Any longer, and she'd quack in protest.
"I look forward to our next meeting."
Elena hesitated, mouth working like she had words, but boarded silently.
What lingered unsaid behind those sealed lips?
I had no clue back then.
Elena arrived at the manor as evening fell.
At dinner with her family, she could barely swallow.
Why bother explaining? Her secret friend, left behind, danced in her mind's eye.
The Frozenheart Duke watched her with concern.
"Elena, is something wrong?"
"No. I'm fine."
Normally, he'd end it there. Probing unwanted talk—even from his daughter—was rude.
But not tonight. He'd seen Luke Nineheart change her with mere words at the banquet.
"Tell me freely. I'm just worried."
"It's..."
Elena hesitated, lips working. Baring her honest heart wasn't easy.
Especially after her mother's death severed their talks.
Finally, she mustered courage in a quiet voice.
"Can I bring an exclusive attendant...?"
Elena wanted her secret friend by her side.
Right now.