Chapter 97
The Flower That Bears a Sword - Chapter 97
Translation: godsn
"It was a miscalculation. I was perfectly capable of supporting myself, you see."
Though her current life couldn't compare to the opulence she enjoyed as a duke's daughter, Rosalin had been living quite comfortably. She had carefully laid out plans for her future—all of which had now become utterly meaningless.
"In the end, I was dragged here by my father's knights, while my husband and infant daughter remain imprisoned somewhere to this day. That happened last year. To the outside world, it's known that I merely left for health reasons and have since returned."
Rosalin clenched her trembling fingertips.
"It was only after being brought here that I understood why my father needed me. Sir Yurien, he needed a woman to send to you."
"......Was it necessary for that woman to be you?"
"I was the best choice. A woman who could marry you without loving you. One who was always prepared to betray you, yet could never betray my father. Isn't that right? After all, he had hostages."
"Don't tell me... even releasing you and your husband temporarily was part of the duke's scheme?"
"I don't know. I'd like to think he wouldn't be that ruthless. Though it's impossible to say for certain."
Rosalin twisted her lips wryly.
"One thing is clear, however. Even if His Highness the Crown Prince trusts you, my father never could. That's why he chose me as your leash."
It was a shocking revelation. The Holy Sword in his mind let out an exasperated sigh. Across from Yurien, Rosalin's face contorted as if swallowing back a surge of emotion, her cheeks flushing red.
"I... had given up on everything. As long as I married you and obeyed my father's orders, he promised my daughter and husband would be safe. If I behaved, he said I might even be allowed to see them occasionally..."
She let out a shaky breath before biting her lower lip. Tears welled in her eyes as she gazed at Yurien.
"Sir, I'll do anything. So please... return my husband and daughter to me."
Yurien suppressed a sigh. Now he understood why Rosalin Diasant, sent as his fiancée, had spoken from the very beginning as if she wanted the engagement broken, and why she had been prepared to demand a price. Even as she waited quietly, she had shown interest in Echinacea Roaz, gathering information about her, testing Yurien—yet never making any move to meet Echinacea directly.
The noblewoman had been clinging to hope. The hope that if Yurien rejected the engagement, she might reclaim her family.
With unwavering resolve, Yurien answered her.
"I will rescue your husband and daughter and ensure they can live safely. This I swear, as both the leader of the Azure Sky Knights and the sovereign of Agenka."
Rosalin's lips trembled. She bowed her head deeply. A voice thick with tears reached his ears.
"Thank... you. Truly, thank you, Sir Yurien."
Within the Great Temple of Agenka, there were several detached residences reserved for distinguished guests. The temple had refurbished one of them to serve as the Saintess's private manor. Carefully selected maids maintained the household, while priests skilled in various fields were assigned to instruct the Saintess. And overseeing it all was Chief Priest Aaron, who directly assisted her.
On June 14th, Echinacea met with Shai and Teresa together on the terrace attached to that very manor. Fortunately, Shai's dress had been properly made into something lovely. Unfortunately, the priests had failed to secure a dance instructor for the Saintess.
Of course, as a twelve-year-old girl—and the Saintess at that—Shai wouldn't have many occasions to dance. But even so, attending a ball without knowing a single step was problematic. Especially since this ball essentially served as her debutante, albeit with vastly different implications than those of noble young ladies entering high society. For a debutante, dancing at least one opening piece was practically mandatory.
When Eki pointed this out, Aaron had simply assumed that Teresa, as her chaperone, would teach Shai how to dance. But Teresa only knew men's steps and hadn't even considered the idea of giving dance lessons. So Eki arranged to meet with both Shai and Teresa—to teach Teresa the steps while showing Shai at the same time.
Eki gazed at Shai seated at the tea table. The once gaunt and haggard Sol tribe girl had gained much healthier complexion under devoted care. Her gray hair, which had previously resembled a tangled spiderweb, was now neatly braided down with lace ribbons.
"You don't need to learn too much yet, Shai. Let's start with just one basic Central-style waltz step."
"Yes, Sister."
Shai nodded eagerly. The girl, who had never experienced formal study before, brimmed with curiosity and enthusiasm for learning itself. Eki smiled at the bright-eyed child before turning her attention to Teresa.
"And for you, Dame Teresa, let's cover the three major waltzes along with the foxtrot. If we have time, we'll try the Imperial-style minuet as well."
"Understood."
Eki was quite skilled at dancing. In hindsight, it made perfect sense—her keen dynamic vision, ability to mimic movements instantly, and natural bodily control were all extensions of her swordsmanship talent. Therefore, Teresa too should have no trouble learning. Rhythm might pose a slight challenge, but a Master-ranked knight could hardly be uncoordinated; she already possessed more than enough foundation.
On the terrace, maids had prepared a phonograph and a box of music records. The large brass horn bore gilded inscriptions praising the gods in ancient script—likely borrowed from the temple's collection.
Eki sifted through the box filled with hymn records until she found the waltz most commonly played at balls and placed it on the phonograph. As the needle turned, triple-meter music flowed forth. Though small and slightly grainy compared to live orchestration, it sufficed for practice.
"First, let me show you the waltz, Shai."
Today, Eki wore a pale pink dress adorned with dark brown lace and white frills, her hair partially braided up with chocolate-colored ribbons. Gathering her skirt, she extended a lace-gloved hand toward Teresa.
"Shall we dance a piece, Dame Teresa?"
Teresa, clad in her Blue Sky uniform, blinked before chuckling softly. She rose, placed a hand over her chest, and gave a slight bow.
"With pleasure."
Teresa took Eki's hand. To the lively, graceful music, they waltzed together. Shai watched them slack-jawed. The sight of the pink-clad woman and the golden-haired knightess spinning hand-in-hand to the rhythm seemed plucked straight from a fairy tale.
As the music ended, Eki and Teresa faced each other and bowed. Shai burst into applause, her cheeks flushed as she babbled excitedly.
"So this is a waltz? It's so pretty! So elegant, the music's lovely, and—just really, really beautiful!"
"Now it's your turn, Shai. I'll guide you through it. Dame Teresa, if you would?"
Teresa nodded and extended her hand toward Shai. The white-clad girl hesitated, stealing a glance at Eki before finally placing her small hand atop Teresa's. Eki reset the phonograph, and the same waltz began anew. Teresa, accustomed to leading from her frequent role as the male partner at balls, guided Shai with ease. The girl giggled shyly.
Eki occasionally paused the music to correct Shai's posture and steps. As the most fundamental dance, the Central-style waltz was simple enough that Shai grew accustomed to it quickly.
Once somewhat proficient, Shai longed to learn more, but the Saintess's pre-debut schedule was packed—literacy lessons were especially urgent. They agreed to cover other dances another time, and Shai departed for her calligraphy class.
Teresa remained, learning additional waltz variations and the foxtrot under Eki's guidance. True to form, Teresa mastered them swiftly. Her prior knowledge of male steps made it even easier.
Since they had some time left, Eki had planned to demonstrate the Imperial-style Minuet, but she found herself slightly flustered. Teresa, being from Antuar, had no knowledge of the Imperial-style Minuet at all.
"It's true that in the original minuet, partners hardly make contact except when holding hands, but the Imperial-style Minuet is a bit different. The characteristic feature is the posture when stepping apart and then coming back together."
"Like the waltz?"
"No, it's different from the waltz too. Hmm, it would be best if I could show you, but I don't have a partner..."
"Well, if it's a partner you need, I'm right here. I may not know much about dancing, but our Captain is a different story."
A cheerful voice rang out. Dietrich Sarua appeared on the terrace, dragging Yurien along with him. Yurien looked thoroughly disconcerted. The moment Teresa saw Dietrich, she openly scowled.
"Dietrich, you again—"
"Frowning will ruin that pretty face of yours, Teresa."
"Mind your manners, Junior Knight Dietrich Sarua!"
"Understood, Dame Teresa. Ar Sebat-tiem."
Dietrich grinned and playfully gave an Agenka-style salute. Teresa looked thoroughly exasperated. And Eki—the moment she saw Yurien, she froze.
When did he return from the capital? She wasn't mentally prepared to face him again yet. The telegram stuffed in the back of her drawer, the Lady Diassant staying at the knight headquarters, and Yurien's face—flushed red as he glared down at her—all flashed through her mind in rapid succession. Eki avoided his gaze.
Yurien studied Eki, who was stiff with tension. During their mission together, she had grown comfortable enough to act naturally around him, but now she seemed desperate to avoid him again.
He had been out for a walk to clear his head after finishing the remaining tasks following his dinner with the Lady Diassant. Unconsciously, his steps had led him toward the Great Temple—because he'd heard reports that Echinacea would be visiting the Saintess today with Teresa.
Half-listening to the Holy Sword's nagging about where he was going, he had been heading toward the Great Temple when he ran into Dietrich, who had the same destination in mind. Yurien had been about to slip away, but Dietrich had dragged him all the way here.
Dietrich had already picked up on Yurien's feelings during the Node incident. So the moment he heard Eki's voice while approaching the terrace, he barged in and shoved Yurien forward. When Yurien shot him a sidelong glare, Dietrich elbowed him in the ribs and whispered:
"If you back out now after I've set the stage like this, you're an idiot, Yu."
Dietrich didn't know the complicated circumstances between them. The political situation surrounding his friend's engagement wasn't even on his radar.
That stiff bastard is probably agonizing over it himself anyway.
So the only thing Dietrich could do for his overly cautious friend was to push him forward without a second thought. And, in truth, it helped.
Yurien took a quiet breath, steadying himself. He suppressed his trembling nerves and stepped toward her. She seemed uncomfortable around him, just like before. But unlike before, he now knew one thing for certain—she didn't dislike him. And...
"If it's the Imperial-style Minuet, I know it well. Do you need a partner?"
...his own feelings had changed.
He extended his hand toward her. The elegant melody of the minuet, playing from the gramophone, filled the air. Eki stared blankly at his outstretched hand. A dream she'd once had flickered briefly through her mind—a dream of dancing with someone in a banquet hall filled with dazzling colors. The details had been too hazy to make out clearly, but the partner had been dressed entirely in white.