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Chapter 169
“Schneider.”
Leroy stopped Schneider with a low voice.
Only then did Schneider seem to come to his senses, realizing his mistake and shutting his mouth.
Thinking quickly, he immediately shifted his demeanor and began scolding his subordinates.
“How long has the lady been here, huh? She must be tired, and you make such unreasonable requests! You selfish fools, always thinking only about yourselves. This is not how I raised you.”
After handling the situation, Schneider glanced sideways to gauge Leroy’s reaction.
Leroy didn’t seem entirely pleased with Schneider’s response, but he also didn’t try to reassert his authority.
Leroy’s attention was directed elsewhere, not at Schneider.
“Your Grace?”
Upon hearing Schneider’s command, Iona stopped her attack and, upon noticing Leroy, smiled warmly.
Iona quickly sheathed her sword and walked towards him.
Her graceful movements starkly contrasted with the knights who appeared defeated and weary.
Leroy was momentarily silent, unsure how to interpret the situation.
Iona asked calmly, as if nothing unusual had happened.
“Did your conversation go well?”
“Conversation?”
“Ah, I heard you went in to discuss something important. I was waiting for you to finish.”
“…While sparring?”
“Is there a problem?”
Was it his imagination, or did Iona’s face look particularly cheerful?
Upon closer inspection, it seemed unfair to blame just the knights for challenging the lady to a duel.
It occurred to Leroy that Iona might have been the one to suggest sparring in the first place.
If that was the case, it made more sense to chastise Iona than the knights, but thinking about it, there was no real reason to make an issue of it.
After all, Leroy himself often sparred with the knights for training.
Although it was a bit concerning that such a situation had arisen only two days after arriving at their new home.
“…No, there’s no problem.”
After a brief consideration, Leroy concluded leniently.
It was perhaps a bit unfair to the captain, who had received a stern look for merely wanting to spar with Iona.
However, hearing Leroy’s words, Schneider’s face lit up instead.
Schneider quickly stepped forward and extended his hand to Iona.
“Nice to meet you, my lady. I am Schneider Lam, the knight captain.”
“Nice to meet you.”
Iona reached out to shake his hand but hesitated.
Her hand was sweaty from gripping the sword for so long, making her self-conscious about her first impression as someone’s spouse.
While she hesitated, Schneider eagerly grabbed her hand, his eyes shining.
“Even though it was brief, I watched your sparring closely. I hope I didn’t interrupt and cause any inconvenience.”
“Inconvenience? Not at all. I was merely warming up while waiting for the duke. You interrupted at just the right time.”
“Your swordsmanship is textbook perfect. Were you holding back out of consideration for my subordinates, or is that your usual style?”
Schneider’s keen question made Iona smile sheepishly.
Heuser, who had first taught Iona swordsmanship, was a former mercenary.
He taught practical swordsmanship geared toward survival, and that was what Iona had become accustomed to.
However, aware of her position as a knight, she always used textbook swordsmanship during duels.
Since this was a virtue pursued by the Royal Knights, Iona deftly deflected the question instead of revealing the truth.
“You’ll find out if you push me to the point where I can’t afford to hold back. Then you’ll know which answer is correct.”
It was a skillful reply, based on the common sense among martial artists.
Schneider laughed out loud at Iona’s combative response.
“Oh…! I didn’t expect the Duke’s partner to have such a bold charm!
Great, just great! If given the chance, I’ll do my best as well. But don’t lump me in with those idiots; I’m on a different level, haha!”
Schneider kept glancing at Leroy with an expression that said he was itching to draw his sword immediately.
It seemed he was ready to start another match right then and there if Leroy gave the nod.
Watching this, Leroy felt utterly dumbfounded.
To schedule a sparring match right after introductions—were all knights like this?
It was no surprise that Schneider, whose head seemed filled with muscle, would behave this way, but he hadn’t expected his own wife to be so open to this kind of insubordination.
In the end, it was Leroy who stepped in to defuse the overheated atmosphere.
“I’d like to address my wife’s reason for seeking me out first.”
“Oh.”
Schneider reluctantly stepped back, remembering Iona’s earlier words, looking visibly disappointed.
Yet, his lingering gaze suggested he was determined to realize his wish soon.
Leroy stepped between Schneider and Iona, pretending not to notice.
Fortunately, Iona also seemed to prioritize her spouse, as she readily accepted Leroy’s escort.
As they moved away from the crowd, the knights’ cheers echoed behind them.
“My lady! You must come again!”
“You were amazing today!”
“From today, my dream is to be you, Sir Iona!”
“Woo-hoo! You’re awesome, my lady!”
Feeling Iona subtly quicken her pace, Leroy felt a bit relieved.
It was comforting to know he wasn’t the only one wanting to ignore the embarrassing behavior of the knights.
***
The place where the two headed after leaving the training ground was a nearby garden.
Although there was an official entrance, a small path behind the training ground led to a paved walking trail.
Matching his stride with Iona’s, Leroy soon led her to a bench.
Whether it was because he frequented this place often or knew the layout well, his guidance was natural.
Given that Leroy had lived here all his life, it was no surprise.
Iona glanced back at the maids who had followed them, thinking how nice it would be if she could guide guests like this someday.
“I’m thirsty from all the exercise. Could you bring some cold water?” she asked.
“Yes, my lady.”
“And all of you, take your time coming back,” Iona added, softly emphasizing the last three words.
Understanding the hint to give them privacy, the maids bowed deeply and retraced their steps.
Iona watched their retreating figures intently.
Finally, Leroy revealed the curiosity he had suppressed in front of his subordinates.
“So, what brings you to find me?”
They saw each other every night in the bedroom, so she didn’t need to go through the trouble of coming out here.
Thinking something might be wrong, Leroy’s expression turned serious.
Matching his seriousness, Iona replied, “Actually… the maids are acting strange.”
Leroy’s face showed confusion at the unexpected topic.
He had discreetly asked the head maid, and she reported that most of the maids were happy to welcome the new lady. Was that not the case?
When Leroy first met Iona, he had been wary of her, thinking she was a tool of the Crown Prince. Perhaps some still felt the same.
Leroy asked seriously, “Have the maids been rude?”
“No.”
“Then, have they caused trouble? Ruined clothes or food?”
“No, it’s not that…”
Glancing around, Iona leaned closer to his ear and whispered cautiously, “They’re all being too nice.”
“…”
Leroy remained silent, waiting for Iona to continue.
But Iona just watched his reaction with a troubled expression.
Leroy looked at her with eyes that seemed to ask, ‘What’s the problem with that?’
An awkward silence ensued.
Unable to bear the growing silence, Iona spoke again.
“I know you instructed them to be considerate. I understand your intention, but it’s overwhelming. I’ve never received such detailed care from servants before…”
Iona’s voice trailed off, clearly uncomfortable.
Leroy finally understood what was going on.
In essence, the same kind of admiration and enthusiasm he had witnessed at the training ground was also happening in their private quarters.
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