Chapter 46
Chapter 46
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 46
Chapter Title: The Family Head's Sword Lesson
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“...Lady! Lady Lami!”
I was deep in a sound sleep when someone's voice kept echoing in my ears. I plugged my ears tight. Then someone started shaking me awake.
This was rare—almost no one woke me up this early in the morning. Still half-asleep, I frowned with my eyes squeezed shut, unaccustomed to the situation.
Wait, this touch...
It felt like the hand of a Carnivore Beastkin—soft yet rough, with sharp claws pricking my skin...
My eyes snapped open. Seeing Anna's face right up close to mine, especially her fangs and clear golden eyes, I jolted in shock.
“Uwaaak!”
“Kyaaak!”
I yelled and tumbled off the bed, making Anna scream in surprise too. Our morning racket drew frantic knocks from the servants outside the door.
Knock knock—.
“Is everything all right? I'm coming in.”
“No, no! Everything's fine, so don't come in!”
I shouted hurriedly toward the door and patted my pounding chest.
“Lady Lami, you scared me...”
Anna wasn't the only one startled; she clutched her chest and spoke in a pitiful whine. I gave her an awkward, apologetic smile, then hauled myself up from the floor.
“Ahaha, I'm just not used to a wolf waking me up.”
“Huh?”
“Never mind. What's going on this early?”
Having played with Ed late into the night, my body felt heavy as a waterlogged sponge. I hadn't even slept a few hours, and I never imagined I'd be dragged awake so soon.
To shake off the morning grogginess, I stretched vigorously.
Anna tilted her head, as if wondering if I'd forgotten.
“I heard the Family Head is teaching you swordsmanship today. Did you forget?”
My eyes widened like saucers.
Right—today!
How could I forget something this important? I'd lived so freely without a set schedule until now that having a fixed one still felt alien.
Spotting my expression, Anna realized I'd blanked on it and gaped in shock. Covering her mouth with both hands, she exclaimed in exaggerated disbelief.
“Oh my gosh, how could you forget a promise with the Family Head? As expected of you, Lady Lami. I knew you were no ordinary Beastkin, but you're even more amazing than I thought!”
Did she think forgetting the appointment made me some 'grand Beastkin who doesn't sweat the small stuff like promises with the Family Head'?
Ever since Anna became my personal maid, I never knew how to respond when she hyped me up like this.
“No, I think it's just because I'm slow-witted...”
“Come on, come on! We have to hurry if you don't want to be late!”
I tried to downplay it, but she brushed it off completely.
Despite her seemingly agreeable first impression, Anna had a knack for hearing only what she wanted.
She clapped her hands a couple times, fetched my wash water, and efficiently helped me get ready to go out.
I had to fend off her attempt to wash my face herself, which left me sweating bullets, but after that, things went smoothly.
For someone in her mid-teens just starting as a maid, she handled everything with sharp precision.
I was glad I'd chosen her as my personal maid. Slipping into the clothes she laid out, I was ready in no time.
“I'm off!”
I gave Anna a jaunty wave, opened the door, and stepped into the hallway. The bustling morning servants shot me wide-eyed glances.
Have I really been sleeping in that much?
I thought I'd been waking up pretty early lately. Passing maids in the corridor, the guards at Billy's office, even his aide Devon—all stared at me in surprise.
Having so many Carnivore Beastkin eyes on me stirred my old habits. I fought the urge to leap out the window and headed to the training grounds.
The cold bit at my nose, turning it red already. Sword lessons in this weather? I might freeze solid out there.
“You're up early.”
The training grounds were empty, so I strolled leisurely. Then a low, slightly husky voice rang in my ears.
It was a drowsy tone, yet instead of relaxing me, it made my fur stand on end.
“Uh...”
I turned to Billy behind me, but my voice buffered like a lagging video.
He was way too close.
Unlike me—bundled in thick clothes, earmuffs, and gloves—Billy wore light attire. His thin, season-defying shirt with a deep V-neck drew the eye.
“Aren't you cold?”
I'd meant to say I'd woken early for our first lesson, but 'aren't you cold?' slipped out instead.
Is it okay to show that much skin in winter?
This was the thinnest, most revealing outfit I'd seen him in. It was worryingly skimpy, no matter how you sliced it.
Then it hit—a warm sensation enveloped me, like stepping into a heated room. My earmuffs, gloves, and coat suddenly felt stifling.
“Huh?”
“It's easier to swing a sword in thinner clothes.”
As I blinked in confusion, removing my earmuffs and gloves, Billy smiled faintly. No explanation needed; he'd cast magic.
Wow... magic is the best.
I'd seen plenty of amazing spells, but this one made me envious. If only I'd possessed a body with mana.
Billy brought his hands from behind his back. In them was a plain-looking wooden sword, but its grain seemed exceptionally fine.
“Alright, let's see what you've got.”
“Just like that?”
“I see—you thought we'd start from basics.”
He explained that since I didn't have time for long lessons—like self-defense, we'd jump straight into practicals. Anyone with leisure could afford basics, but not me.
True. I'm only learning because I want Ed to protect himself someday.
I nodded, taking the wooden sword and examining it closely. Billy's initials were engraved small on the hilt.
“Is this yours, Billy?”
“It's the one I used as a kid.”
A flicker of loneliness passed through his eyes—so fleeting, I wasn't sure I'd seen it right.
I stared hard at the familiar straw dummy I'd seen days ago. Memories flooded back of striking it full-force in front of Ed and Billy, only for it to go thud.
Heat rushed to my face. Embarrassment peeked out just as—
Hold on. It's normal to suck at swordplay when it's your first time, right?
Show me someone who possesses a body and nails fancy sword moves right away. Straightening my slumped shoulders, I felt better.
After the brief strike session, I caught my breath and looked up at Billy. Fortunately, I'd made some progress.
Pouring all my strength into the swing had finally toppled the dummy.
“Good impact. Just as I thought...”
“As you thought?”
“Your form when you punched that chimp wasn't ordinary.”
I wasn't sure whether to feel flattered by praise like that.
They say before I possessed her, Lami beat up a lot of Beastkin. Does the body remember that sensation?
Suddenly, stories from my Morton mansion days resurfaced—tales of her roughing up servants and villagers.
“Now for the real lesson.”
Billy quickly taught me proper grip and how to handle a sudden assailant.
Mostly defense-focused; counterattacking in danger could backfire badly.
Besides, landing a solid hit on a trained foe was unlikely for me anyway.
“Now, let's simulate an assailant attack.”
“Like that guy who jumped me before?”
Billy paused mid-motion, then nodded. Come to think of it, I hadn't heard a peep about that man since.
I recalled Billy locking him in the basement dungeon for interrogation.
I figured he'd handle it and didn't follow up.
After blocking Billy's strikes as the 'assailant' a few times, I finally caught a breather. Seizing the moment, I asked about the man.
“Billy, what happened to that zebra? Still in the basement?”
My question darkened Billy's usual composed face. Clearly, something unpleasant had gone down.
“He's dead.”
“What?”
The abrupt death report left me gaping dumbly.