【Mission: The Count’s Daughter Hides Her Power!

You have received a sparring request from Crown Prince Linus!

If you’re a heroine from a romance fantasy, you must overcome such hardships with hidden talents.

Accept the Crown Prince’s sparring request and achieve victory.

Let’s see if you have a talent for swordsmanship!

Success Condition: Be acknowledged for victory by a third party

Penalty for Failure: Expulsion from the Duke of Diart’s residence♥】

As soon as Shailyn finished reading the mission details, she shut her eyes tightly.

Ha, f*ck…

What talent for swordsmanship could this paper-thin body possibly have?

Linus, misunderstanding her daze as contemplation, spoke again to apply more pressure.

“Why, can’t you do it? If you truly like swords and want to learn, you shouldn’t avoid such sparring.”

“……”

“Or were you lying with some shady intent?”

Shailyn flinched subtly and let out a silent sigh.

Since the mission had been given, it was an unavoidable battle, so she resolved herself.

“I will spar with you.”

With things as they were, she had no choice but to confront it head-on.

Seeing the change in Shailyn’s gaze, Linus’s eyebrows twitched.

So, you’re willing to try against me.

Suppressing a laugh, he said.

“The sparring will be held here in a week. Any objections?”

“None.”

“Then, see you then.”

Thus, their sparring was set.

* * *

An hour into practice for the sparring…

‘At this rate, I’m screwed.’

I made a quick and accurate judgment like never before.

Since I didn’t know any swordsmanship, there was nothing I could achieve by struggling alone.

I needed a teacher right now.

Someone skilled in swordsmanship and cooperative with me…

‘Carl.’

There was no one but my bondservant.

I immediately went to find him, gripping my wooden sword tightly. I realized I hadn’t seen him since the first day.

I searched all over the Duke’s residence for Carl, but there was no sign of him or what he was doing.

Tired from walking, I shouted into the air.

“Carl, appear before me right now!”

Your master is desperately looking for you!

Unexpectedly, there was a response to my call, which I had made without much expectation.

“You finally came looking for me, Master.”

I looked up abruptly at the voice from above and glanced around.

On a high branch, Carl sat leisurely like a cat with his legs stretched out.

He stood up calmly and nimbly jumped down from the tree.

Thud.

Carl landed safely and stood before me.

I looked at him with a slightly dazed expression.

His once shaggy black hair was now neatly trimmed, revealing his deep-set eyes more clearly.

Even in a simple shirt, his features, as if carefully sculpted with a chisel, shone brightly.

He looked at me steadily with his dark eyes, which didn’t catch much light even in broad daylight, and whispered, bending slightly.

“I thought I’d been abandoned. I’ve been idle, waiting.”

“…W-what are you talking about? Why would I abandon you? Do I seem that heartless?”

I denied it, flustered. Of course, I had momentarily forgotten about Carl because of the mission and neglected him.

But I had no intention whatsoever of discarding my lifesaver, who lost his memory because of me.

“If you’re useless, you can be discarded. That’s not a matter of conscience but efficiency.”

Carl replied nonchalantly, running a hand through his hair.

With his thick eyebrows revealed, his impression became even clearer.

Who would throw away such a handsome face…

“I’m not really like that. I was busy and couldn’t come to see you. I’m sorry.”

“There’s no need to apologize.”

Leaning against the tree, Carl crossed his arms and added.

“Thanks to that, I’ve been living idly like a loafer.”

“Is that so? Then you must want to work a bit now? Your body must be itching to move?”

“No, not at all. Would you feel that way, Master?”

“Of course—no, I wouldn’t.”

As someone who knows the joy of idleness, I understood better than anyone.

It’s thrilling. Always new. Being unemployed is the best.

Just not a broke unemployed, but a wealthy one.

Carl, watching me with understanding, tilted his head slightly.

“I thought you came to check on me, but that wasn’t it.”

“Oh? Uh…”

“So, what work does my busy master have for me?”

“Well… ahem!”

Feeling embarrassed, I cleared my throat, as if I had become a wicked employer.

The kind that uses people only when needed and exploits them.

Staring at me intently, Carl chuckled.

“What are you trying to make me do?”

“…It’s very easy and simple.”

“What is it?”

“Teach me swordsmanship.”

Carl’s eyes widened. After a moment of surprise, he scrutinized me closely.

From head to toe.

Feeling strangely tense, as if being evaluated by a trainer, I straightened my back and corrected my posture.

“So, you weren’t just dressed like that for no reason, with a wooden sword in hand.”

“I need your help. There’s no one else who could teach me swordsmanship.”

“Why do you want to learn? It’s not a required skill for a noble lady.”

Carl furrowed his brow, puzzled.

I’m not learning because I want to, Mr. Bondservant.

With a deep sigh, I explained how things had come to be.

As soon as I finished my story, Carl spoke firmly.

“Just give up.”

“What? Why!”

“Master, you clearly don’t have the arms to wield a sword. It’s not something you can achieve with just a few days of practice.”

“How can you know without trying?”

“Only fools have to try to find out. Smart people judge beforehand to avoid wasting time.”

Carl gave a cynical smile.

This bondservant was excessively blunt and honest in front of his master.

“The thing I hate most is wasting effort on pointless things.”

If that was Carl’s personal belief, I couldn’t argue with it.

Some might agree with Carl.

‘…But you know what, Carl.’

You’re a bondservant, and I’m a lady!

“Teach me swordsmanship right now. It’s a command from your master.”

When I used a word he couldn’t refuse as a bondservant, Carl sighed, dragging his hand down his face.

“…Ha, you might as well have left me alone.”

He let out a sigh full of annoyance, then took the wooden sword from my hand.

“First, change the wooden sword to something lighter. It’ll be easier on your wrist.”

“Got it. And then?”

“Then—”

After a moment of contemplation, Carl slowly spoke.

“Run until you puke.”

A few hours later…

“Ughhh!”

I was actually puking.

It was the result of Carl pushing me to the brink under the guise of physical training.

Barely stopping the vomiting and straightening my back, he stood before me and said.

“Now, I’ll demonstrate, so watch carefully and follow along.”

Carl picked up the wooden sword and swung it slowly from above his head downward.

I watched intently without blinking and tried to mimic his movements.

“Your shoulder’s off.”

“R-really? Is this better?”

“Spread your legs more.”

Carl meticulously corrected my posture. This could take all night.

“Alright, now swing.”

“Now?”

“Yes.”

As I moved the sword up and down with all my strength, following his words…

Rip, tear!

Carl’s clothes, which hadn’t moved aside in time, caught on the sword’s edge and tore.

The ripped fabric revealed his solid chest and abs, composed of firm muscles.

It was our second encounter since the inn.

“Wow.”

Even after seeing it again, it’s like a sculpture.

I stared blankly, admiring it, then belatedly shut my eyes tight and turned away.

“Sorry! I-I didn’t see anything! I definitely didn’t see that your six-pack is more defined than last time…”

“What’s a six-pack?”

“B-belly muscles…?”

As I cautiously turned back, Carl stood frozen.

“Uh, maybe you should close your front…”

At my careful suggestion, he flinched and grabbed his collar shyly.

“Master, you…”

“Y-yes?”

“Did you do it on purpose because you didn’t want to—”

“N-no! It was an accident! You told me to swing right away.”

I just did as I was told.

As I raised both hands to assert my innocence, he sighed, covering his eyes with his palm.

Then, after checking his state, he quickly moved his legs, walking away without a word.

His ears were bright red as he rapidly distanced himself.

I shouted after him.

“Sorry, bondservant!”

Please don’t run away like this.