Chapter 22: The Duke’s Daughter and Her Mother’s Strength

Chapter 22:
The Duke’s Daughter and Her Mother’s Strength

 

WHILE IRIS ATTENDED the meeting of nobles at the capital upon invitation from Queen Ellia, her mother, Merellis, was at House Anderson—the sparring grounds of House Anderson, to be more precise. The Andersons prided themselves in their esteemed reputation as a strong military house, so the sparring grounds in the mansion courtyard rivaled even that of the royal palace. Originally, the space had been used by personal bodyguards of House Anderson to train. Now it was reserved for those lucky few deemed worthy to train with the hero General Gazell.

The most skilled fighters in the kingdom stood there in awe as Merellis practiced—no, actually engaged in a true duel—as they watched.

“Hey, did you see the way she just moved?”

“No, it was too fast.”

They were stunned by her fighting prowess, her uncanny swordsmanship. She moved so quickly, it was almost as if she could see the future moves of her opponents before they happened. They fell before her, one after another.

“What is she?!” someone cried out as he watched the fights.

Two men heard that—Kreuz, the lieutenant general of the kingdom, and Shrey, the captain of House Anderson’s guard—and they exchanged amused glances.

“I don’t blame him for being surprised,” Kreuz murmured.

Shrey nodded. “It’s unbelievable, isn’t it? We know the story, but look. Even people who’ve seen her train before are frozen.”

“Her intensity is completely new. Before, it was clear she just trained to keep in shape.”

“It makes sense. General Gazell himself recognized her skills. Although you’d never guess it to look at her.”

“True.”

Merellis had a slender frame, so delicate a man might be afraid he’d break her if he held her too tightly. And she was beautiful. Her physical appearance just didn’t align with the unabashed fighting spirit she displayed as she wielded her sword.

“Honestly, I’m more shocked that she’s General Gazell’s daughter, and a noblewoman to boot!”

“Same…” Shrey chuckled wryly and agreed.

The pair had first met Merellis back before she made her debut into high society. She had been training with the guards ever since she was a little girl, under the name “Mer,” telling everyone she was Merellis Reiser Anderson’s body double and bodyguard. They learned later that it had been her decision to conceal her identity. Back before her debut, the only people who’d known Merellis’s face had been her family and a handful of servants. So of course, when they met Mer, neither Kreuz nor Shrey had any idea who she actually was. Not to mention, the way she’d spoken and carried herself had been a far cry from the proper decorum of a noble girl.

And anyway, what daughter of a noble could train with a fighting spirit that rivaled their own? They only discovered the truth of her identity quite some time after they had all begun training together. In fact, not many people here now knew who she was, including the Anderson family guards, but especially the members of the military. In truth, her identity on these grounds had been kept a closely guarded secret to this day.

It wouldn’t have done Merellis’s reputation any favors if people found out that the wife of a duke was wielding a sword, but her main priority was hiding her unusual strength.

“She’s even better than before.”

“No… I think it’s more accurate to say she’s just back to where she used to be.”

Even as a child, she had been known for her exceptional prowess. She had tirelessly devoted herself to her training, determined to avenge her mother.

“She said it wasn’t enough.”

“Wasn’t enough?”

“Mm. She said, ‘I’ve been pretending everything is peaceful, but it’s not. Because you never know when someone can threaten your peace.’”

“Ah, she’s talking about the duke,” said Shrey.

Kreuz looked surprised. “You know about that?”

“I got the gist from the marquis.”

“Ah, I see. She feels right terrible about it. She said, ‘When I saw my husband had been attacked, I was so upset, I made a grave mistake. I should have interrogated the culprits to learn who was behind it.’”

“True. It was a regrettable error.”

“You’re being pretty hard on her.”

“If it had been anyone else, I’d be impressed and say, ‘A job well done, protecting the duke!’” said Shrey. “But when I take her strength into consideration, I would expect nothing less from her. After all, she killed the attackers in an instant. But if she had left behind one or two, they certainly would have talked. There’s no way they wouldn’t have been terrified of her, after seeing her fight.”

Kreuz smiled dryly, nodding in agreement.

While they were chatting, the next duel began. Once again, Merellis faced off against several soldiers at once. She fought one mock battle after the other, yet she showed no signs of fatigue. In fact, her movements became sharper with each one.

“It gives me chills just thinking about the way she fought.” Shrey had a faraway look in his eyes as he remembered, like the image had been burned into his mind. He was thinking of the days they’d spent fighting by her side. The ferocity of Merellis’s inner fire gave him goosebumps. She was daring and courageous, inspiring those who followed her in the depths of their souls, pushing them to be like her. And when she was covered in blood, she had an unapproachable aura—a kind of fleeting, heroic beauty.

“Back then, she was just a wild beast. Now she fights like a beast with experience, and that’s far more fearsome. If she keeps this up, she’ll be back to her old self in no time.”

No one here knew her meritorious deeds or just how well she could fight. The only ones privy to that information were the very upper echelons of the top brass in Tasmeria: her father, General Gazell, the late former Duke Armelia, and the current Duke Armelia, her husband. A handful of others knew, such as her personal soldiers who’d sworn allegiance to the Anderson family, like Shrey; and Kreuz, who had served as Gazell’s right hand man since Merellis’s time in the field. Not even the queen dowager, who held the true power and influence in the kingdom, knew the entirety of Merellis’s strength and achievements. These accomplishments had either been kept secret or had been credited to the general, never meant to become public.

They would certainly never dare reveal that the daughter of a marquis—the daughter of the general—was a mighty warrior herself. Thus, her true identity had always been shrouded in secrecy.

“Lieutenant General.” A soldier hesitantly approached Kreuz, who flicked his gaze toward him. “Who in the world is that woman? She’s making me lose confidence in my own abilities…” he said weakly.

Shrey burst out laughing. “Don’t worry. Everyone who comes to train here has had to go through this. She’s the ultimate weapon of House Anderson—General Gazell’s number-one student and one of the strongest warriors I know. I won’t say to fight like her, but you’d do well to carefully study how she moves.”

“Y-yes, sir.” The soldier seemed even more bewildered at Kreuz’s serious answer. That made Shrey laugh even harder.

“Shrey.” The subject of their conversation suddenly interrupted them. It seemed Merellis had finished. She had won every match, of course. “I’ve finished up with the soldiers. Next I’d like to take on the members of House Anderson’s guard.”

“H-hang on a second, Merell—I mean, Mer. You’ve been sparring all day! Why don’t you think about taking a break?”

“I’m only doing as much as I used to.” Merellis tipped her head to the side. She knew that Shrey was well aware of her old regimen.

“That’s true, but…” Shrey glanced around and saw the House Anderson guards take a step backward. They’d trained on these grounds since the start of their service, so they knew just how strong she was. Since she seemed to be even stronger now, it was no wonder that they were apprehensive.

“Oh, Mer! I didn’t realize you were here today.” Luckily, General Gazell happened to appear at the most favorable moment, saving Shrey and Kreuz. Earlier, the general had been obligated to step away for a bit due to business, and Merellis had appeared during his absence. This was the first he’d seen of her today.

“Yes. Thank you for allowing me to do so, General. You’ve trained a number of strong soldiers here.” Merellis answered her father, speaking to him not as his daughter but as “Mer.”

“Good, good. By the way, there’s something I need to talk to you about. Will you come with me?”

“Of course. If you’ll excuse me.”

The pair walked away together, leaving Shrey, Kreuz, and the rest of the soldiers watching after in astonishment.

 

***

 

The moment Merellis entered the general’s private room, she dropped her “Mer” facade and spoke to him as his daughter.

“Are you sure you shouldn’t be back at the mansion today?” her father asked.

“I’d still be worried about Iris. I’m embarrassed to admit that my husband saw how uneasy and restless I was, so he suggested I go move around to clear my head a bit,” Merellis said with a deep sigh.

“That’s just what I’d expect from Louis. He knows you well.”

Training was part of Merellis’s daily routine. She found it much easier to concentrate during it, and it calmed her to have a sword in hand. “He does. It’s just like Louis to tell me that. It reminds me of why I fell in love with him in the first place.”

The general chuckled heartily as his daughter gushed. “How is he feeling, by the way?”

“He’s much better than before.”

“I’m glad to hear it.”

“I’m sure. But he’s saying he wants to return to work. It’s all I can do to stop him at this point.”

“Is that right? Well, as long as he’s feeling better, what’s wrong with it?”

“True,” she admitted with a sheepish grin.

“Anyway, I’ve got some good news for you. Second Prince Edward, as well as all House Marea and their followers, have been taken into custody.”

For a moment, Merellis froze. Then she let out a deep sigh of relief. “I see… So it’s finally happened. Prince Alfred has claimed victory, at long last.” She smiled softly, a hint of expectation in her voice.

“Mm. We’ve finally acquired the power to ensure the kingdom will stabilize as soon as possible. The next step is resecuring the domains, but at the very least, His Highness has very capable people working for him in the castle. I don’t know the details myself, but according to Louis, most of the recent governing decisions were coming directly from the prince already.”

“That’s what it sounds like. Then Prince Edward and House Marea made such obstacles of themselves… He had to pull a number of strings behind the scenes to remain unnoticed, and it seems there were times when his hands were tied and he couldn’t take the actions he wanted. Now that the tides have turned, I’m certain he’ll have all the power he needs.”

“He needs to succeed as soon as possible to minimize the chaos and confusion. I hope he uses that capable power of his to do so.”

“Have there been any signs of movement from the enemy?”

The general frowned at Merellis’s question. “Has Louis been looking into it?”

“Yes, although he hasn’t told me explicitly. Iris has come to the same conclusion, has she not?”

“Iris… She has a brilliant mind,” the general said. “Almost too brilliant.”

“Doesn’t she? We ought to tell Dida, Lyle, and Tanya that they need to keep an even more of a watchful eye on her. After all, the people who attacked my husband were from that kingdom. We can’t be certain that Iris isn’t in danger.”

“Are you sure about that?”

“Call it a hunch. They dressed themselves like bandits, but I could tell they’d been properly trained. They all wielded their blades in the exact same style. That’s just my instinct as someone who’s crossed swords with their compatriots before. And the people standing most stolidly in their masters’ way—and the way of Prince Edward and House Marea—are Prince Alfred, my husband, and perhaps you. Although I can’t say who’s really pulling the strings behind the curtains—our enemies abroad or right at home.”

“I see. Then you’re right, and we need to warn Iris’s bodyguards.”

“Of course. Also, if things get dire, I’m going to fight too.” Merellis said, choosing her words carefully.

The general’s eyes widened. He saw the strength of resolution in her eyes, along with a gleaming fire that he hadn’t seen for some time. He let out a small sigh. “Very well, then. There’s no one you can’t face, after all. I know you can play it by ear if a fight arises. Merry, can I ask you something?”

“What is it?”

“Why didn’t you ever teach Iris and Berne how to use a sword?”

Merellis chuckled to herself. “Well, the first reason is because neither of them wanted to. You can’t make progress in something you’re not willing to learn, and you’ll never get truly stronger that way either.” Merellis was very strict when it came to training, but she knew training only worked if a person had the resolve to put themselves through the stringent demands required. “It was partly my selfishness as well.”

The fighting spirit that had burned in her eyes just moments ago vanished, replaced by a sadness. “In the beginning, the reason I picked up the sword was vengeance. The moment I realized that wish wouldn’t come true, I made another wish: that there would never be another who felt the pain I had—the pain of having someone you protected taken from you, followed by the hatred that drives you thereafter. That was why I continued wielding my blade, coating my hands in blood.

“My children don’t know any of this. They don’t know how it feels to want to take a life or the hatred that comes with it. They have had no reason to know such things; they are the ones who have been building our future. Why should they pick up a sword in times of such peace? Not to mention, as members of House Armelia, they are expected to prioritize their studies. You put all that together, and I imagine that’s why I never asked them to carry a blade.”

“So in other words, you didn’t want them to.”

“Ha ha ha… Yes, I suppose that’s the more concise way of putting it. But as I said, if they had truly wanted to learn swordsmanship from the bottom of their hearts, I would have allowed it.”

“I see.”

“But it turns out that even though they haven’t directly bloodied their hands, they’ve ended up responsible for a great many lives, due to their positions.”

“That’s true,” the general agreed with a knowing smile.

“Well, I should be going now. Thank you for informing me of Prince Alfred’s victory—and Iris’s.”

“Certainly. Be careful on your way home.”

“I will.”

With that, Merellis left House Anderson. After a few minutes, the carriage brought her back to the Armelia mansion in the capital.

“Welcome home, Your Grace.” Her servants greeted her as she walked inside. She headed straight to her husband Louis’s room, her footsteps light. She was more pleased than she’d let on regarding Iris’s victory.

“I’m home, darling…” Merellis entered his room but saw he was asleep in bed. She went quiet and walked over to him to sit by his bedside. His complexion looked much healthier than it had before, which naturally elicited a deep sigh of relief.

Louis had always worked too hard. His was such a high-stress, high-demand job that those around him always worried. It was such a precarious thing, like watching someone walk a tightrope strung across a deep chasm. If the rope snapped, or if one little thing made him lose concentration, he would fall into the depths.

Merellis had often been beside herself watching him grow overworked amidst such circumstances. Similarly, several times, she’d been so worried about Iris that all she’d wanted to do was rush to her side and help. She had been unable to. She didn’t dare think about leaving her husband’s side when he was in such a delicate position, especially of late.

The battle for power within the castle had intensified. Louis worked tirelessly to ensure that the government still ran smoothly, despite all that. Merellis often wanted to tell him to just quit and take care of himself, but she suppressed the urge. It was all for the sake of the kingdom and its citizens. So many of them had suffered due to the floods and the counterfeit gold coins. If not for Louis and his men, as well as Count Sagitalia and Prince Alfred, the kingdom might not have endured.

Many officials had taken the authority that Queen Ellia and Marquis Marea offered and abused their power; a good chunk of the governing positions within the kingdom were now occupied by the corrupt. Most didn’t even know the true purpose of their jobs. They did nothing but fill their own pockets and interfere with Louis’s work as much as they could. They had been instructed to do so by Queen Ellia and Marquis Marea themselves.

If they let the government stagnate like this, they would only be punishing the citizens. If worse came to worst, sooner or later the kingdom would either end up destroying itself, or it would succumb to an attack levied by another kingdom. It was neither a figure of speech nor an exaggeration to say that the kingdom wouldn’t last.

These were the circumstances under which Merellis’s husband had been working. She smiled at him, a smile with a hint of sadness. “Iris must have inherited her sense of obligation from you, darling,” she murmured.

All of a sudden, he opened his eyes slightly. “You’re home, Merry?”

“Oh, I’m sorry! Did I wake you?”

“No… Where’s Iris?” He spoke with concern, his voice hoarse.

“Don’t worry, dear. Prince Alfred secured his victory. That puts House Armelia in a favorable position as well. So in other words, Iris won too.”

“I see… I’m so relieved to hear that.” Louis let out a deep sigh, then closed his eyes once more.

Merellis continued watching him for a while, her heart twisted with worry. When his breaths became deeper and more even and he fell back to sleep, she chuckled to herself and wondered if she worried too much. Ever since he’d been injured, every time he closed his eyes, she feared that he would never wake up.

Merellis bent down and kissed Louis on the forehead, then left the room out of a different doorway than the one from which she’d entered. At first glance, it didn’t look like a door at all. It was fashioned to look exactly like part of the wall. If one didn’t know it was there, it would go completely unnoticed. Hidden doors and passageways that led to secret rooms such as this were everywhere in noble mansions. In fact, there were several in this one, as well as in their main house back in Armelia.

The room Merellis was headed to now was so small it could hardly be called a closet. It contained neither ornate furniture nor decorations. A single round table stood in the center of the room, along with a chair. Merellis took a seat in the chair, which was the ordinary wooden sort that one would find anywhere, rather than the lavish, cushioned seats found elsewhere in the mansion. Once she sat down, she reached out and picked up the sword that lay on the table.

It was a plain sword, plain like the room and its sparse furnishings. She drew it from its scabbard. It was well used, but one glance told the observer that it was also well cared for, and that it would be a deadly blade in battle.

Merellis took a deep breath. She leaned her forehead toward the blade and closed her eyes. She was questioning her own resolve, but it looked as if she were praying.

“I had this made especially for you. Will you become a warrior worthy of this sword?”

Every time she came here before this blade, she thought of the words her father had said to her, and she questioned her commitment. Would she be able to keep the vow she had made back then?

Merellis opened her eyes. With that, the oppressive feeling that had weighed on her was gone.

 

***

 

“You told her that?”

General Gazell shrank from his son’s sighs. “No, I didn’t. But you know Merry. She just knew.”

“And I know you, Father. You just brought it up like it was nothing, didn’t you?” Pax was the current head of House Anderson and the son of General Gazell, who was shrinking back even more. “Well, I know she’s sensitive to the scent of approaching battle. She probably felt it in her bones anyway, so there was really no point in trying to hide it from her…”

“That’s exactly right! So why are you trying to blame me for it?”

“That’s a separate matter. Anyway, I’m not blaming you, Father. You’ve got the same wild instincts when it comes to battle as she does.”

The general wondered what his son was doing if not trying to blame him. “It’s better she found out from me than hearing scraps of information from someone else. Who knows how she would’ve reacted! Ever since she was a young girl, she always rushed to action. Do you have any idea how many stomachaches that gave me?”

“Her personality hasn’t changed much these days.”

“I know. That’s why I thought it would be better if she heard the whole story from me, rather than inaccurate scraps from someone else. Information is a lie, after all. If it gets twisted and you get hold of bad intelligence, it could lead to war. The more accurate information you get, the more your chances of survival increase. Besides, it was for my own peace of mind.”

“I understand. I only fear that she’ll be dragged into the chaos, now that she knows, whether she likes it or not,” Pax said bitterly.

The general inwardly agreed.

Despite Pax’s gentle appearance, his personality was very much like the general’s. Beneath the calm exterior lay a ruthless cold—they would do anything to accomplish their goals. While the general looked every bit the beast his nickname suggested, Pax resembled his late mother. At first glance, you wouldn’t guess what lay beneath. In fact, since he looked so calm and gentle, the truth within became all the more terrifying once it rose to the surface. It did so now because he worried for Merellis; that was clear in his speech and tone.

Pax had always doted on his sister, ever since they were young. A smile crossed the general’s face at the thought.

“By the way, Father, if we go to war with the enemy, will you go into battle?”

“I can’t say at the moment. But…I think it’s very possible. I know the lay of the land, and pardon me for saying it, but I’m our best option for boosting morale. Most of all, taking the state of the kingdom into account… Well, you know.”

“Luckily, the prince has himself quite a following among the soldiers from his time as ‘Dean,’ so he knows the major players. I just hope the confusion is kept to a minimum.”

“True. Will you go to battle?”

“Of course not. You know I’m no good with a sword.”

“Maybe not with a sword. But I’ve never seen a better tactician,” General Gazell said with a laugh. Pax didn’t respond; he just gave his father a tight smile. “Well, no matter. If I do end up having to go into the field, I’ll entrust you with everything back home.”

“Of course.”

“Take care of Merellis too.”

“I doubt she’ll need help from me.”

This time Gazell gave his son a tight smile. “Oh, don’t say that. There can never be enough help when times are rough. There’s no denying her strength, but that’s precisely why she needs soldiers who are loyal to only her. I’ve trained some of the duke’s men, but it remains to be seen whether they’ll truly follow her.”

“You have a point. Even so, you’re an awful soft touch with Merellis, Father.”

“You’re one to talk. And you’re the only one who would ever say that. Shrey and Kreuz compared my parenting to a wild dog pushing his young into a bottomless ravine!”

Pax couldn’t help but laugh. “I can’t blame them, after seeing how you train your students. Perhaps that’s how you show you care, now that she’s married into another family.”

“Of course it is. No matter what family she married into, it can’t change the fact that she’s my own flesh and blood. Do you feel differently?”

“No. She’s still my beloved little sister, just as she always was.”

“I see. Well, at any rate, I’m counting on you.”

“Yes, Father.”

 

***

 

“You came to train again, eh?” the general said to Merellis with a sardonic smile.

“Yes, I did. I feel like I’ve recovered my skills, more or less, thanks to everyone here.” Several men lay on the ground behind Merellis. She had not a scratch on her—not even a speck of dirt on her clothing. The only sign that she had even fought those men was the sweat that beaded her forehead.

“Miss Mer, may I please be nex—ah, General! Pardon me for the interruption.” Soldiers were lining up to spar with her, brimming with enthusiasm. At first her overwhelming strength had frightened them. Now there was no longer any hint of defeat in their eyes. Instead, they looked at her with admiration and respect. This was proof that she had won their trust without having to use her name to do it. Gazell heard that lately, soldiers who Merellis sparred with had been coming to her asking if she would train them. Not only that, but the number of men who wanted to spar with her had exploded.

He chuckled quietly to himself. He expected nothing less from his daughter. “Well, that’s good. Just take it easy.”

Just then, one of the elderly servants from the mansion rushed over to Gazell. “Master, a messenger of Lord Messi has arrived!”

“What? I’ll be right there.”

Merellis watched from nearby with a sharp gaze as the pair spoke.

The general noticed and looked over at her. “You come too.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

The three of them went into the parlor, where Baron Messi’s messenger was sitting on the sofa. He leapt to his feet when the three of them entered the room.

“No, please—make yourself at home. I’m sure you must be tired from your long journey.”

“Thank you, General!”

Gazell sat across from the man, with Merellis standing behind him. The messenger glanced at her with hesitancy and a bit of confusion in his eyes. “Pardon me, sir, but who is this woman?”

The general dismissed his question with a wave of his hand and said firmly, “Think nothing of her. Deliver Lord Messi’s message.”

“The kingdom of Tweil has made a move.”

“In a military sense?”

“Yes.”

Neither General Gazell nor Merellis seemed surprised at the news. In fact, they were strangely calm, as if they’d been expecting it. That surprised the servant, because putting the general aside, Merellis looked like a delicate woman. Shouldn’t she be on the verge of fainting due to shock? He had expected as much and therefore pressed the general about the appropriateness of her presence before he delivered the news.

Yet she wasn’t shocked at all; instead she asked him calmly, “How did His Highness react to the news?”

“The baron thinks that perhaps he had already received the information via a different route. My master sent another messenger to deliver the report as well.”

“I see. Do we know anything about Tweil’s plans and the speed at which they’re advancing?”

“It’s the same marching orders from the last war. We’ve heard they’re moving faster than anticipated. They should reach Tasmeria’s border within ten days.”

“Mm. I’ll go to the castle and prepare for battle immediately. Ah, that’s right—bring Lord Messi a message for me. ‘Hold down the fort until I get there.’”

“Those are very reassuring words. Thank you.” The tension left the messenger’s face as he bowed his head.

“Mer.”

“Yes!”

“As I said, I’m headed to the castle, and after that, most likely straight to battle.”

Merellis silently nodded.

“You don’t need to prepare for a fight, but I don’t know what will happen. After all, that’s the nature of war.” Gazell’s serious gaze pierced through her, but she didn’t falter. In fact, she stared back at him just as fiercely. “Do you remember your vow?”

Merellis’s eyes widened slightly, and she smiled. Her vow. It was the vow she had made when the general had given her that sword, the one she kept carefully sharpened and hidden in the Armelia mansion.

“I vow on my name to take pride in the training given to me by my father and those who came before, and in the swordsmanship they have bestowed upon me. I vow to wield my sword with responsibility and to never besmirch that pride.”

Merellis had made that vow long ago, but she had never forgotten it.

“Of course. But I keep that sword for a different reason than I did back then.”

“What do you mean?”

“Some things are more important to me than my own pride—the people I love. I would cast aside all honor in order to protect them; I’d even become a demon on the battlefield, if I had to.”

“I see…” The general’s serious expression cracked for a moment, but he regained his composure. “I’ll be leaving now.”

“Godspeed.”

Once the general left, Merellis again returned to the Armelia mansion.