3.4

Pavel overseeing a sparring session… I’ve never seen that before.

Although she had heard about it often, there were few opportunities for a noblewoman to witness knights sparring with one another. It was a new experience for her, and she found herself looking forward to it.  

Sure enough, the sparring area was crowded with knights. Larisa quietly positioned herself at the back of the gathered knights. Those who noticed her turned around, their eyes widening in surprise.  

She raised a finger to her lips and playfully gestured for them to stay quiet. Then she focused her attention on the two knights wielding swords in the center of the group.  

Pavel, of course, looked magnificent. His jet-black hair was slightly damp with sweat. Even with a sword in hand, his relaxed demeanor was captivating enough to make anyone fall for him. Larisa felt a sense of pride knowing that this sharp and imposing man had blushed and faltered before her on numerous occasions.  

But as her gaze shifted, Larisa’s expression momentarily stiffened.  

‘A woman?’  

The person facing Pavel with a sword was a female knight with short hair. Larisa had known that female knights existed. While not overly common, they weren’t exactly rare either. She had simply never paid much attention to their presence before.  

Her eyes narrowed briefly before she regained her usual composed expression.  

Swords clashed and clashed again. The female knight barely managed to evade Pavel’s blade, which grazed dangerously close. She retaliated with a thrust, but Pavel effortlessly blocked it. Using the opportunity, he launched a counterattack that exposed her weak point.  

Unconsciously, Larisa tightened her grip on her parasol. Even though she knew Pavel wouldn’t get hurt, seeing him wield a sword like that made him seem perilously close to danger.  

In an instant, Pavel maneuvered behind his opponent. It didn’t take long for his blade to reach her neck. The female knight froze in place before lowering her sword and declaring,  

“I concede.”  

The knights erupted into cheers. Larisa let out a sigh internally. Even though she knew they wouldn’t train recklessly enough to cause injuries, she couldn’t help but feel tense.  

Pavel and the female knight stood facing each other. After exchanging greetings, Pavel said something to his opponent. It seemed like he was pointing out areas for improvement during their sparring.  

Larisa stared intently at Pavel’s face, which seemed to shine. It was a look she had never seen before—a face that appeared refreshed, relieved, and slightly softened with a faint smile…  

Her stomach churned. Without realizing it, Larisa bit her lower lip.  

“Looks like no one can beat the Commander today either.”  

“I thought Teodora might stand a chance this time, but I guess not.”  

“Right? Seeing that stubborn girl swing her sword like her life depends on it just to beat the Commander…”  

“That’s why the Commander cherishes her so much.”  

All she could hear were comments that grated on her nerves. Larisa immediately understood. 

That knight named Teodora… certainly…  

At that moment, Pavel burst into laughter. 

Hahaha…

His laughter echoed through the training grounds. A playful smile spread across the face of the female knight, Teodora, standing before him.  

‘What? He can laugh like that?’  

Just moments ago, Larisa had felt proud, thinking she knew sides of Pavel that others didn’t. But here, she was the one seeing a side of Pavel she didn’t know. And it felt like she was sneakily spying on him, like a little mouse hiding in the shadows.  

Then, Pavel reached out and ruffled Teodora’s hair roughly.  

“Ah, Commander!”  

Teodora shouted in protest. Larisa could clearly see the expression on her face.  

Her insides felt like they were turning upside down. Larisa couldn’t bear to stay there any longer. She turned on her heel and hurried away. In her current state, she felt like she could destroy everything in her path.  

You said you only liked me. You said you weren’t interested in anyone else but me.  

Then what was that face just now? Why are you smiling like that at someone else instead of me?

She stormed out of the Knights’ Order building, barely aware of her surroundings. She couldn’t even remember if she had properly greeted anyone on her way out. She didn’t know how she managed to reach the carriage.  

“Take me home immediately.”  

The icy tone in Larisa’s voice was the complete opposite of the cheerful one she had used when leaving the townhouse earlier. The carriage quietly departed from the palace.  

Meanwhile, after sparring with a few more knights, Pavel heard that Larisa had been there.  

“What? When?”  

“She came while you were sparring with Sir Teodora. But at some point, she left, and we didn’t see her again.”  

If it was during his sparring with Teodora, that had been an hour and a half ago. Pavel felt a wave of regret as he headed to his office. He thought she might still be waiting for him there. But when he arrived, the office was empty.  

If he had known she was there, he would have postponed the sparring session. But she was already gone.  

Unable to leave the Knights’ Order immediately, Pavel sent a messenger to her townhouse with a message: 

May I visit you this evening?  

However, the response he received was: 

It would be best if you didn’t come until I call for you. 

And for over a week after that, Larisa didn’t summon Pavel.  

***

“Bring me another one.”  

Nothing pleased her. Larisa was already on her sixth attempt at choosing jewelry to wear out.  

The maids, puzzled by their lady’s unusually irritable and fickle demeanor, silently obeyed her orders without a word. Larisa wasn’t particularly harsh, but she wasn’t an overly kind mistress either. None of them wanted to risk being scolded for saying the wrong thing.  

Larisa’s frustration continued to build. For some reason, none of the jewelry seemed to suit her today. Neither rubies, diamonds, sapphires, nor emeralds looked right to her.  

In the end, she chose pearls. They matched well with her navy dress, which was delicately embroidered with white thread. But even then, Larisa wasn’t satisfied. A surge of irritation bubbled up within her.  

“Call the carriage.”  

“Madam, wasn’t the Duke of Ainsley supposed to visit later today?”  

At Bailey’s words, Larisa smiled brightly, but her eyes narrowed sharply as she looked at her. Bailey immediately realized that something was seriously off with the young lady’s mood.  

Oh dear…

She silently thought to herself that Pavel was in for trouble. When Larisa was in one of her twisted moods like this, she became even more mischievous than usual. She would smile more beautifully, more brightly, all while mercilessly scratching at the other person’s nerves.  

It was almost surprising that she hadn’t acted this way toward Pavel before. Whenever Larisa had thrown one of her tantrums like this in the past, the men would eventually throw up their hands and leave.  

Could Lord Pavel Ainsley endure this side of Lady Larisa?

Bailey silently prayed for him, picturing his calm yet kind face. 

Please, withstand our lady’s temper. 

As soon as the carriage was prepared, Larisa climbed in and left for the party venue she had planned to attend today. Pavel arrived to pick her up just 15 minutes after she had departed.  

Pavel looked puzzled as he stared at Bailey, who had opened the door for him.  

“Um, Your Grace.”  

“Is the lady upstairs?”  

“Well… the lady, she… left in the carriage earlier.”  

“…I see.”  

He didn’t ask what had happened or why. Pavel simply bit his lip for a moment and replied that he understood. Bailey, now even more flustered, clasped her hands together nervously and kept bowing her head repeatedly.  

“I did ask her if you were coming, Your Grace, but for some reason today, she…”  

“It’s fine. You don’t need to worry so much.”  

Bailey looked at Pavel, who nodded calmly.  

Surely, he must have been confused or upset, but Pavel didn’t show any signs of it. He simply turned and climbed back into the carriage he had arrived in. Bailey bowed deeply as he departed.  

I hope nothing serious happens…

She muttered to herself internally.  

***

Inside the carriage, Pavel was lost in thought. 

Why had Larisa left on her own, knowing I was coming?  

Did she have prior plans? If so, with whom? Did she have other arrangements I didn’t know about? A gathering with other women? 

But as her “lover,” Pavel had come to learn that Larisa didn’t socialize much with other noble ladies.  

Then… a man? 

Though he dismissed the thought, a cold unease crept into Pavel’s chest.  

Could it be that someone else had caught her eye?  

Now that he thought about it, he hadn’t seen her since she had visited the Knights’ Order. 

During that time, had someone else entered her heart? Had she grown tired of me?  

‘No, that can’t be it.’  

Pavel repeated this to himself, but the uneasiness wouldn’t subside.  

Their relationship had started lightly, after all. Though they were officially together, Pavel himself had told her, ‘If you ever truly fall for someone else, I’ll let you go.’ 

Memories of the banquets they had attended together flashed through his mind. Faces of the men Larisa had glanced at, even for a moment, came to him. 

Was it this one? Or that one? 

When he thought about it, there had been no shortage of men who had shown interest in Larisa.  

If one of them had managed to win her over…  

Pavel’s fists, resting on his knees, clenched tightly.  

If Larisa were to leave me…  

‘Could I bear it?’