"Um... Your Majesty..."
"Tell me," said Queen Magentano.
"Please forgive me for saying this, but it looks like everyone is in deep shock."
"They should be." The corners of her lips rose.
Lloyd sighed and took in his surroundings. He noted the heavy silence in the conference room of the House of Peers. Despite that, the space was quite crowded with people, and it was difficult to spot any open seats. Everyone was packed inside like they were college students gathered in a classroom for a lecture from a popular professor.
Tsk. I always see the same sight every time I come. That is, the sight of everyone in a shocked state of silence.
Lloyd put on a wry smile as he could clearly relate to their expressions of complete bewilderment.
It's understandable. Everyone would have assumed this was just another visit from the queen to discuss something with them.
They would have likely expected it to be a normal day. Her visit would have been nothing particularly special until she emerged with her hand tied to one of Lloyd's.
I hope no one is going to frame me as a traitor who deserves to be killed.
Of course, no one would do that since they would likely be raising issues with the queen, not him. And his prediction was proven right a few seconds later.
"Y-your Majesty! What is this?" Duke Toscano, the first one to come to his senses, stuttered, breaking the heavy silence amongst the shocked nobles in the room.
She then replied, "I understand that all of you are terrified to find me and Lloyd Frontera like this. But there is nothing to be surprised." In a more confident voice, she added, "I am informing you right now that we will spend the next two months tied together by our hands. However, this is nothing romantic and only a part of our training to pave a new path of sword mastery."
After exchanging glances with the others, Duke Toscano finally said, "But Your Majesty," as he wiped the perspiration from his face with a handkerchief. "Please forgive me for saying this, but the long-standing tradition and law of the kingdom dictate that an unmarried queen must follow proper formalities and procedures when choosing a partner-"
"Duke Toscano," she growled as her eyes grew serious. "I did clearly mention that this is not an act of romance, did I not?"
"Oh..." Duke Toscano sealed his lips.
"Do you not trust my words?"
"That is certainly not the case, Your Majesty."
She then observed the room. Her mouth eventually curved into a smile. "Did I go too far against common sense?" She, too, could understand the dismay on their faces. After all, she and Lloyd Frontera were not married. To anyone with common sense, the declaration to spend the next two months holding hands would be ill-received and interpreted as a behavior between a couple. Feeling the need to stress that this was just training, she emphasized, "I see what your concern is. Even if I say it is training, it will not be received the same way in the outside world. This is something you are worried about, correct?"
Duke Toscano was glad that she understood. "Your Majesty is truly wise. That is what we are worried about." "Are you also worried about the diminishing dignity and status of my royal house outside the country?" she asked again.
"Truly yes, Your Majesty," replied Duke Toscano as he hung his head down. The other nobles looked like this concern was universal in this room.
But she simply chuckled. "Let them do so."
"Your Majesty...?" Duke Toscano winced in surprise.
"Their worthless opinions do not matter to me because I believe that improving my sword skills is the only practical power to save my royal house. I could care less about how people outside my kingdom perceive me because they cannot interfere with my kingdom's affairs." She spoke in an adamant voice.
"But Your Majesty..." Duke Toscano stopped short before finishing.
"Do tell."
"Words fall short of my gratitude to you, Your Majesty. I fully understand your will. I have no inkling of doubt as well that your betterment will strengthen the prowess of this kingdom. But Lloyd Frontera is..." "What about him?" she asked.
Duke Toscano stole a glance at Lloyd before speaking. "It is undeniable that he is a very talented man. However, when compared to your exceptional skills..."
"What?"
"I dare say... he cannot help you with your swordsmanship training at his skill level..."
"You are worried about the fact that this sword level is not at the level to help me, yes?"
"Yes, Your Majesty," the duke said, lowering his head further. The others lightly nodded as if they shared his sentiment. There was no doubt that she was training; that much was clear. But that Lloyd Frontera was assisting her in her training? They thought he was too weak to help her.
She chuckled as she scanned everyone and grinned contentedly. "Oh, I guess the news has not reached you yet. I tell you now. Lloyd Frontera has become a swordmaster." She smiled as if the accomplishment were hers.
There was another ripple of shock in the room. Everyone fell into silence.
Lloyd Frontera has become a swordmaster?
Their stupefied gazes traveled to Lloyd.
How?
The whole situation defied basic reason. Swordmasters were extremely uncommon, and throughout history, aristocrats and knight families made every effort to raise their offsprings to be swordmasters. However, their success rate was pitifully low and their efforts never proportionately translated to that level of mastery.
A whole family could prosper with wealth and fame just by nurturing one swordmaster... That is how powerful and rare of an existence they are.
Swordmasters were so important that the mere presence of one deterred invasions from other nations, and the presence of several even outshined the strength of a regional military.
Lloyd Frontera has become a swordmaster?
It was shocking news as no one had ever heard a rumor or hearsay about Lloyd's swordsmanship before. They could not believe it, even though the announcement had come from the queen.
"Lloyd Frontera," called Queen Magentano as if she read their minds. "Prove yourself."
"Your words are my command." Lloyd then awkwardly took the sword that she handed to him.
Just then.
Fwoooosh! A brilliant ray of light appeared and wrapped around the sword like a torch on fire, and Queen Magentano spoke to put the matter to rest once and for all. "This has to be proof of Lloyd Frontera's mastery in sword fighting and the veracity of my words. Does anyone still wish to voice out their opposition?"
Of course, there was no one. Since Lloyd Frontera was now confirmed to be a sword master, it would be the same as insulting the queen's authority if they tried to dispute and argue against her. Everyone lowered their heads in quiet, and the corners of her lips showed on her face.
"I am delighted to be acknowledged by all of you. I deeply appreciate that you are on board with me."
Her words felt like a gavel hitting the board to give a verdict to a matter in their ears, and this declaration was non-negotiable. Just like that, along with the announcement of yet another sword master in the Magentano Kingdom, the contentious and ebullient training between Queen Magentano and Lloyd began.
♣
"Your Majesty," said Lloyd, "Take a deep breath."
"Like this?" Hmph!
"Excellent, Your Majesty," commented Lloyd humbly as he concentrated.
Ziiing! His right hand thrust the amplified mana from the manaheart into her left hand as one mana circle spun.
Great. I see it.
This allowed Lloyd to see and feel the mana circulation flow in her left arm.
It's worse than I thought.
Lloyd swallowed dryly. Her left arm was in a more serious condition than he expected upon examination.
The mana isn't circulating from below her shoulder.
While the rest of the circulatory system, including lymph flow and blood flow, was within normal limits, the mana's circulation path was either obstructed or clogged, and Lloyd had no idea what was causing this, but he could foretell the consequences.
Once the mana supply is cut, the arm will start to die. That will lead it to paralyze and decay.
With a sense of relief that he was familiar with the Asrahan Core Technique, he infused her arm with additional mana and set about clearing the obstructions.
"Ouch." She pulled her arm a little as if the process stung.
Lloyd's gaze turned worrisome. "Please do not move, Your Majesty."
"How about talking like this?" she asked.
"That is fine, Your Majesty."
"Why is that?"
"Because the key here is that you do not move your left arm."
"So, smacking your head with my right arm is not a problem?"
"That seems to be a grave problem, Your Majesty."
"Why is that? Did you not say that I can move any part of my body other than my left arm?"
"That will hurt my feelings, Your Majesty."
“...”
"Hahaha..." Lloyd laughed awkwardly.
“...”
"Please do not kill me."
"It is enough that you are self-aware of your wrongdoing. Tell me, is this supposed to hurt?" asked Queen Magentano.
"Does it hurt a lot?" asked Lloyd worriedly.
"Hmph, I would say it stings rather than hurts. It feels like a hot nail is being drilled into my bones."
"That sounds easily worse than a sting," observed Lloyd.
"My patience and strength do not permit me to fuss over such a sensation like this."
"Hmm... How about this, Your Majesty?" Lloyd then gave her some more mana.
"Ack!" she screamed in agony, but her humiliation was clear: her cheeks turned scarlet and her eyes gleamed with a threatening menace. "You must want to die."
"Please forgive me, Your Majesty," Lloyd said politely, but he was hesitant to back down so quickly since this was his only opportunity to annoy the queen of a kingdom lawfully.
"Ouch!" She winced again.
This is all a part of treatment, so please forgive this lowly servant with your endless generosity and virtue. I shall then be overwhelmed with gratitude and obey you even more than before."
"Ouch!!"
Lloyd pumped more mana into her arm with a wide grin. Each time he did, her frown deepened. However, his triumph was fleeting and limited to the daytime he spent treating her. The tables turned at night, and the queen emerged victorious.
"Sign them."
“...”
The night was long. They untied their hands for a moment to bathe and change into pajamas. From that moment, a hellish mountain of paperwork was waiting to be signed by Lloyd. With his right hand tied to the queen, he was forced to awkwardly write with his trembling, left hand.
"By the way, Your Majesty?" called Lloyd.
"Yes?"
"Come to think of it, there is something strange," expressed Lloyd.
"What is it that you find it strange?"
"Why do you take pleasure in teasing me?" asked Lloyd politely.
"You are curious about that?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Hmm. That is a very simple question."
"Could you please enlighten me?" asked Lloyd.
"That is no problem. I find you truly annoying."
"Your Majesty?" Lloyd looked at her, clearly surprised to hear her.
"Even right now. I feel spiteful seeing those round eyes of yours. I am nearly overcome with the desire to hit the back of your chestnut-shaped head."
Shocked, Lloyd looked away.
"And when you look away in surprise just like now, I wish to challenge you to a duel."
“...”
"Now that I am seeing you focus on the paperwork, clearly regretting your choice to ask, I suddenly want to harass you until morning and deprive you of sleep."
“...”
"Are you bored of signing papers? I can see that your hand is not moving fast."
"...!"
Scribble! The night turned to morning as Lloyd's fingers worked at the speed of light. But when the sun went down again, he was compelled to sign the bundle of documents once more. In an instant, two months went by, and finally, they started to see the results of their training.
