The next morning, Stella woke up feeling uneasy. It felt like something was on her face, making it itch, so she gently touched her cheek with her fingertips.

“What is this?”

Even though her face usually swelled a bit in the morning, her skin had always been smooth.

But now, the sensation at Stella’s fingertips felt as rough as dirt. Shocked, she jumped up and hurried to the mirror.

Looking into the mirror, Stella was once again taken aback.

“What is this?”

In the reflection, she saw her face covered in mud.

“Who would do such a thing?”

Stella realized that the only ones in Verdura Castle who could pull off such a prank were the earth fairies. Angrily, she bent down to look under the bed.

However, the fairies’ beds were empty, and the carefully made beds she had prepared for them were a mess, covered in dirt.

“These little rascals!”

Although she was upset that the earth fairies had played a mischievous prank after she had given them a gift, she knew she had to wash up before Milla entered the room. She felt grateful that there was a bathroom attached to her room.

After washing her face thoroughly, Stella looked in the mirror and was surprised. Her complexion was much different than usual.

“Why is it glowing?”

Her skin shimmered like a pearl and felt as smooth as a boiled egg. Moreover, it was adequately moist and soft, so much so that she didn’t need makeup; her skin texture was exceptionally good.

“Could it be because of the dirt?”

The only unusual thing was the dirt the fairies had smeared on her face as a prank. She wondered if the dirt contained beneficial ingredients for her skin, but it seemed more likely that the fairies’ magic played a significant role.

Initially angry, thinking her face had been ruined, Stella felt her frustration dissipate completely as she saw her reflection.

“I should ask them when they come back.”

Feeling cheerful, Stella admired her face in the mirror when she heard a knock. She quickly put away the mirror and sat up straight.

“Come in.”

Milla entered the room and, as usual, began to explain the day’s schedule but paused to look at Stella intently.

“Why? Is there something on my face?”

“Nothing at all. Today is the day to complete the embroidered handkerchief for His Majesty for the hunting festival.”

“Ah… embroidery.”

Stella initially showed her dislike, but then, thinking about how she should practice sewing diligently to make blankets for the earth fairies, she suddenly felt motivated.

“Alright. I should start today, then.”

Milla, puzzled by Stella’s enthusiastic response—knowing she didn’t particularly enjoy embroidery—set down the basket she was holding and said, “Yes, Princess. The materials are prepared.”

Inside the basket were several silk handkerchiefs and colorful threads.

“The other princesses must be busy embroidering too.”

Everyone would do their best to catch the Emperor’s eye. But as soon as Stella saw the neatly squared handkerchief in the basket, she immediately thought it was the perfect size for the fairies’ blankets.

Of course, it might be a bit thin for a winter blanket, but if she layered two pieces and stuffed feathers or soft fabric in between, it would be enough to make a blanket suitable for winter.

“What if I fail?”

“It’s alright. We have plenty of extra handkerchief fabric.”

“That’s a relief. Oh, and leave the ones I fail on too.”

“Pardon?”

“It would be a waste to just throw them away, so I want to practice a bit more with them.”

“I can bring you more practice fabric if you need.”

“Thank you. But still, leave them.”

“Yes, Princess.”

Milla found it odd but assumed Stella was trying to compensate for her lack of skill through practice and left the room.

Stella began embroidering designs that suited each fairy on the handkerchiefs.

For Ark, the spring fairy, she embroidered yellow chicks and sprouts; for Esta, the summer fairy, cool raindrops and lush green leaves; for Oton, the autumn fairy, acorns and fallen leaves; and finally, for Iver, the winter fairy, a white snowman.

“What are you embroidering, Princess?”

Milla asked as she returned to the room with more handkerchief fabric, watching Stella, who was diligently focused on her work.

She had always thought Princess Stella had good concentration, but today she was exceptionally focused.

Her face appeared even more beautiful than usual, and her enthusiasm for embroidery was remarkably high.

In response to Milla’s question, Stella proudly showed what she had been working on.

“You’re expressing the four seasons.”

“Oh… so this is spring.”

Milla, being perceptive, noticed the yellow spot and pointed it out with her finger.

“That’s right.”

“The forsythia is beautiful.”

“It’s a chick.”

“Oh, then the thing next to it must be food.”

“It’s a sprout.”

“I see. You’ve done really well.”

Milla, unsure of what to say, decided to compliment her. She began to think that perhaps this princess was more suited to wielding a rough farming tool than a delicate needle.

“Is this a snowman, by any chance?”

Milla asked with a hint of curiosity while examining a handkerchief embroidered with two white circles on a white background. It might have been hard to notice at first glance, but Milla’s keen observation skills picked up on the subtle embroidery.

“Yes, it’s a snowman.”

Stella answered with a proud expression. Seeing this, Milla almost chuckled but quickly composed herself, thinking about how unusual this princess was.

***

Sparks flew as two steel swords clashed. The eyes of the knights watching the duel between the two greatest longsword masters in the Credion Empire sparkled with excitement, like those of eager students.

The sharp sound of well-honed blades meeting sent shivers down the spines of those observing the duel.

After a rapid exchange, the two swordsmen stepped back, each scrutinizing the other’s stance for any openings.

However, neither dared to attack hastily. Their defenses were so flawless that even a moment’s carelessness could result in a sharp blade pressing against their necks or chests.

“At your age, you should be showing some weaknesses.”

Kai’s teasing remark was met with a sly smile from Will.

“Your Majesty has improved quite a bit. You’ve managed to parry my sword five times already.”

“Not just five; I could parry it fifty times.”

“If you wish.”

No sooner had Will finished speaking than he found an opening and thrust his longsword forward. Sounds of sharp intakes of breath echoed around them. It felt as if even the sweat droplets falling from their brows were moving in slow motion.

At that moment, Kai spun his body clockwise, deftly avoiding the incoming sword. Simultaneously, his spinning blade swiftly aimed at Will’s neck.

Kai believed he had won until Will’s kick sent him sprawling to the ground.

“Ugh!”

When the emperor crashed to the ground in the training yard, the watching knights sprang to their feet.

Regardless, Will swung his longsword toward the fallen emperor’s chest, and the emperor quickly rolled on the ground to dodge the blade.

Will’s longsword embedded itself in the training yard’s floor, leaving him unarmed. By the time Will retrieved his sword, the emperor’s blade was already at his neck.

Everything happened so swiftly that the spectators struggled to keep up.

“I win, old man.”

“But you got injured.”

In response to Kai’s sly grin, Will cheekily pointed to Kai’s hand, where blood was beading on the back.

“When did that happen?”

Kai had no recollection of being cut. If this had been a real battle, he might have lost his right hand to Will.

“I’ll leave that as homework for you.”

Will casually replied, flicking away the blade touching his neck with his finger.

Despite his white-frosted beard, Will’s swordsmanship, stamina, and martial prowess rivaled those of active knights, making him a legendary figure among the imperial knights.

“To do homework, there should be a reward, shouldn’t there?”

“I wonder if this old man has anything to offer that Your Majesty doesn’t already have.”

“You know what I want.”

As Kai looked at Will with a serious expression, Will smiled kindly and patted his proud and beloved disciple on the shoulder.

“This old body is of no use. Just think, ‘Ah, he finally passed away,’ when you hear news of my death as I wander like the wind from place to place.”

“…Does living like that bring you joy?”

Kai’s expression was filled with a complex mix of emotions as he asked the question.

He felt torn between wanting to keep his mentor close and wishing to let him live freely. A part of him even wanted to follow Will into that freedom.

Kai wasn’t sure which desire truly represented his own heart.

“It’s quite enjoyable.”

“I’m envious.”

As Kai chuckled lightly and raised his hand, a chamberlain nearby quickly approached and respectfully took the swords from both Kai and Will.

The swords, made from Arenis steel, were among the few in the empire, and today, two of them were used in this duel.

For the knights, it was an unparalleled educational experience, and for the two, it was a rare, intense duel and a heartwarming exchange between mentor and disciple.

“How long do you plan to stay?”

Will was now a wandering knight, having retired and chosen to roam freely. It was a modest yet liberating retirement for someone who had dedicated his life to the empire.

If he chose to stay in the empire, he could lead a life of luxury, but Will persistently refused and wandered the continent.

Kai found vicarious satisfaction in the stories he heard about Will’s adventures. Someday, if given the chance, he hoped to wander freely—not for war or politics, but simply to go where his heart desired.

“I have something to check. Once that’s settled, I’ll be leaving soon.”

Will’s lips curved into a crescent moon shape as he answered.