To keep my promise to Greta, I was seated in a chair on one side of the knights’ training grounds early in the morning. No matter how powerful the Keppel family may be, they couldn’t place the main headquarters of their knight order in the heart of the capital.

This place was the capital branch where the knights guarding the head and direct line of the Keppel family resided, so both the building and the training grounds were on the smaller side. But even if it was small, it was still a training ground for knights. The knights surrounded the entire perimeter of the grounds, leaving no gaps.

“It looks like even the off-duty knights have gathered here,” Phillip said. Ian was too busy, so Phillip had come to accompany me instead. Greta was set to duel with Sir Leonard, one of Keppel’s knights, to prove her skills. The two of them stood facing each other in the center of the training ground, their difference in size immediately apparent. I swallowed hard.

“Are you worried?”

“…It would be a lie if I said I wasn’t.”

“There’s no chance she’ll fail, as His Grace recommended her.”

Despite Phillip’s assurance, I couldn’t feel relieved. Every time the gathered knights glanced at me, it felt as though I could hear their thoughts. They must be thinking it’s ridiculous to go to such lengths just to choose a maid for the duchess. I nervously fiddled with the brim of my hat.

“Even if Ian orders it, will the knights really accept Greta? It seems like there might be a lot of pushback…”

“Ah, you seem to have misunderstood something… Hmm, how should I explain this? I don’t think there’s a single knight here who believes Greta is standing here solely because of the duchess’s favor without having any real skills.”

I didn’t believe what Phillip was saying. I thought he was just saying what I wanted to hear. But Phillip continued explaining in a firm voice, as if he knew I didn’t trust him.

“The knights of the Keppel family are strong. They’re the strongest knight order in the Empire. The Imperial Guard? That place has long since turned into a place where younger sons of noble families who can’t inherit titles make their living; the real talent is all here. They’re here because they rose to this position purely through their skill, regardless of their background.”

Phillip raised his chin proudly. The duel had begun. The gazes that had been on me were now entirely focused on the center of the training ground.

I bit my lip, unable to shake my anxiety. I knew how strong the Keppel family knights were. They had fought alongside Ian on the front lines. That’s why I was worried. Greta couldn’t possibly win against one of the most outstanding knights among them.

“His Grace wouldn’t have excluded skill when selecting someone to cross the line of life and death with him. We trust His Grace’s judgment. The very fact that she’s able to take the entrance test without opposition is proof of that.”

“…Is that so?”

“Don’t worry. All the knights care about is skill.”

Ian had never crossed swords with Greta. When could he have possibly assessed her skills? I was still uneasy.

It was because I couldn’t fully trust Ian, nor could I fully trust Greta. Greta fought better than I expected, but it didn’t seem like she would win.

When Sir Leonard delivered the final blow, Greta was practically sent flying. She rolled across the ground, only stopping when she stabbed her sword into the dirt to create friction and managed to stand up again. At that moment, a whistle blew.

The duel was over. Even though I thought I wasn’t expecting much, I still felt disappointed when the test ended. Sir Leonard approached Greta, who was kneeling with her sword still in hand, and extended his hand.

Greta took his hand and stood up. Then, surprisingly, Sir Leonard signaled to Phillip that she had passed. I felt bewildered that Greta had passed, even though she had clearly lost. Phillip, standing beside me, spoke with admiration.

“As expected of someone from the Red Pub Mercenary Guild, she seems to have plenty of real battle experience.”

“Really?”

“To hold out that long against Sir Leonard… Look, the other knights can’t dismiss her either.”

“…That’s true.”

The knights approached, offering handshakes as if to congratulate the new member. Whatever they might feel on the inside, at least outwardly, they were all showing goodwill. Only then did I feel relieved. I had been worried that everyone would be disappointed because of something I had caused. After greeting the knights, Greta ran over to me.

“I passed!”

“Congratulations, Greta.”

Greta, overjoyed, hugged me. Even though she was about the same height and had a slim build like me, she easily lifted me and began spinning around. I couldn’t help but let out a shriek.

A shriek…

I can’t believe such a girlish sound came out of my mouth… I felt self-conscious and miserable… The knights were still watching…

“Put me down!”

Laughing softly, Greta set me down and shook hands with Phillip.

“Congratulations, Miss Greta. But don’t forget that it’s still a provisional status. You’ll need to perform even better in the official entrance exam.”

“Thank you, Sir Phillip.”

“Even if it’s a provisional mission, guarding the duchess is also part of the test, so you’ll need to handle it well.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Ah, that’s right, Phillip also had a knightly title. Watching him spend so much time pushing a pen, I’d mistakenly thought he was a civil servant through and through, but in fact, he had been Ian’s adjutant during the war. After all, the Empire was founded by knights, so for those born into noble families, having a knightly title was essential. If you didn’t have one, you would be looked down upon.

The emergence of a female knight might be an event that shakes the very foundations of this country’s perception of women. Greta will need to do well. If it were me, I would feel an overwhelming sense of pressure, but Greta seemed purely excited. Phillip left early, saying he was busy, and I walked through the garden with Greta for a stroll. I asked her anxiously.

“When is the official exam?”

“First, there’s a horsemanship test in a month, followed by strategy and tactics, and etiquette. And then there’s the investiture ceremony in the fall. There will be a test almost every month until then. I’m not too worried about anything except for the etiquette test.”

“I know a good etiquette teacher. Would you like me to introduce you?”

“That would be great. Who is it?”

“My mother.”

Yes! Another client for my mother.

I immediately took Greta to see my mother. It was lunchtime, so my mother was in the middle of teaching table manners to the wizards. Instead, my mother-in-law greeted us.

“Liv, I’m so glad to see you healthy.”

My mother-in-law teared up as she hugged me. It seemed she had just come from her bedroom, her curly blonde hair loosely gathered to one side, and she was dressed in a simple indoor gown with a robe thrown over it.

“Have you been well?”

“…Well? How could I be… I… I…”

She began to sob. Greta, reading the situation, helped her to the sofa. I sat beside her and handed her a handkerchief. After dabbing at her tears, she took a deep breath and grasped Greta’s hand.

“I heard you helped Liv.”

“Pardon? Oh, yes…”

“Thank you so much. I always prayed that Liv would have good people around her. It seems the goddess heard my prayers. Thank you, Miss Greta.”

“No, I haven’t done anything… No, thank you.”

Greta, uncharacteristically flustered, blushed as she responded. Even the mighty Greta couldn’t help but be overwhelmed by my mother-in-law’s stunning beauty. More than that, considering she knew Greta’s name and the circumstances, it seemed she was in regular contact with the butler. I was puzzled as to why she had left home. She had claimed to be busy, but judging by her appearance, she didn’t seem busy at all.

“I’d like to invite everyone over sometime to show my gratitude. Oh, yes. Liv, this is something you should do.”

“Me?”

“Yes, you should host a party and invite those you are grateful to. That’s the proper thing to do.”

I was taken aback. A party…? Greta also smiled awkwardly and said,

“Ha ha, we’re not really the type of people who fit in at parties.”

“There’s no need to feel pressured. You don’t have to prepare anything. Liv will take care of everything. Isn’t that right?”

It was unexpected, but when I thought about it, giving a gift or cash might not be appropriate, and hosting a gathering with good food and drinks wouldn’t be a bad idea. I started mentally listing the people I would invite. Bill, Greta, the mercenaries, Betty, the old woman from the apothecary…

“I’ll do it. It’ll be fine, Greta. It’ll just be a small party among us.”

“A party?”

As soon as I responded, a voice came from the door. My mother was entering the parlor.

“That’s a great idea. Then why don’t we invite my students as well? It would be educational.”

“Mother…”

I made a troubled face. Of course, I wanted to support my mother in every way, but I feared that it would turn into something much bigger. As I hesitated to answer, Greta suddenly stood up and greeted my mother.

“Hello, I am Greta Hill, an apprentice knight of the Keppel family. I am here to request etiquette training from you, madam!”

Her greeting was loud and vigorous. My mother, who had been startled by Greta’s loud voice, quickly put on a graceful smile and bowed.

“Nice to meet you, Miss Greta.”

That’s her business smile. That’s definitely her business smile. Watching my mother’s perfect and elegant demeanor,

I inwardly marveled. She held Greta’s hand and made eye contact as she spoke.

“I’ve heard about you. Thank you for helping my daughter. Though it might not be enough to repay you, please feel free to visit anytime without worrying about the training fees. I will make sure you become a perfect socialite.”

A socialite? That would be incredibly burdensome for me, but Greta grinned and responded energetically.

“I will do my best not to bring shame to your honor, madam.”

“You’re already on the right track. It won’t take long.”

They were getting along exceptionally well. As I watched them in a daze, my mother suddenly turned to me and said,

“This is perfect. Now that Greta is also my student, wouldn’t it be nice for the students to bond with each other? It might be a good idea to host about twenty parties.”

TL NOTE: Visit dusk blossoms for more advanced chapters and stories