Bonus Side Story

Bonus Side Story

“STALE! Sorry I’m late.”

I stood in the practice room, making my final preparations. I waved as Arthur jogged up to me. We’d been training together for a month already, but today was the first time Arthur had ever arrived so late.

“It’s fine,” I told him. “I was a bit late too. Did something happen to you, though?”

“When I told my mom I was goin’ to a friend’s place to train, she grabbed me and made me put on proper clothes,” Arthur said between panting breaths. He bent over, hands on his knees.

Arthur only ever told his mom that he was “going to a friend’s place,” but she must have caught on eventually that I was no ordinary friend. I mean, how many people had a practice room in their home? It probably came as quite a shock. I could see why she’d make him change out of the clothes he worked the fields in.

“We have Mother’s permission to train, so there’s no problem there,” I said. “Have you not told your mother that you’re visiting the castle?”

“If I did, I’d have to tell her everything, including about the cliff collapse and all that,” Arthur replied. “But I promised Dad I’d never say a word about any of it.”

“I see.” This whole thing would probably be quite alarming to Arthur’s mother, especially if she had to learn of the cliff collapse at the same time. “I’m sorry that you and the commander have to keep secrets for us. Is it much of a burden for you two?”

“Huh? We’re not doin’ anything wrong. Dad’s always hidin’ stuff anyway. Besides…” Arthur stood up straight, staring down at me with a piercing gaze. He gave my shoulder a bump with his fist. “A kid like you shouldn’t be so worried about someone else’s family. I come here because I feel like it, y’know? Mom doesn’t try to stop me from comin’ either.”

With that, Arthur picked up a practice sword and pointed it at me, prompting me to do the same.

“Then hurry up and become a knight already,” I said. “We’ll be able to live in the same castle that way, and it’ll be less trouble to see each other.”

I mirrored Arthur’s pose. He plunged forward first, but I blocked the attack with a quick parry.

“Oh, that’s right. My sisters told me they’ll attend your entrance exam next year to support your efforts in joining the order.”

“Huh?!” Arthur said. “Wait, hang on! You’re really gonna make me take that exam next year?”

I ignored his outburst, thrusting my sword at his chest. He leapt out of the way.

“I told you, didn’t I? I want you to become a knight as soon as possible. Don’t worry, there’s still plenty of time before then.”

“No, there’s not!” Arthur said, his voice slapping off the walls of the practice room.

It wasn’t worth it to argue, so I just bit back a smile and threw myself into the bout. Later, when Pride and the others arrived to watch us train, the faintest hint of a smile slipped past my expressionless mask.