Chapter 40: Practical Training
A faint sunlight shines through the curtain in the early morning.
The fuzzy head that comes with lack of sleep is filled with the sincere voice of William-sama from yesterday.
(No matter how much I think about it, it doesn’t feel real at all. Why did William-sama do such a thing…?)
As I get up from bed, I begin to think that perhaps everything that happened yesterday in front of the dormitory was just a dream.
(I’m just so tired that I can’t distinguish between dream and reality, it must have been a hallucination)
Thinking this, I open the curtains.
As I reached out my hand to grab my spear to start my morning training, I noticed a small wrinkle etched near the waist of my knight’s uniform.
This wrinkle unmistakably indicates that what happened yesterday was not a dream, and I was unable to move for a while as I stared at it.
(Could that have been a way for William-sama to show his affection through his words?)
I consider this possibility. However, his behavior was too sudden and his voice was too sincere.
The more I think about it, the more the fact that “William-sama confessed his love to me” becomes undeniable, and my head becomes more and more confused.
Before I even know what face to make when I see William-sama, time passes by quickly. And before I know it, it’s time to go meet him, but surprisingly, the problem that has been plaguing my head is resolved without much fuss.
William-sama, who greeted me in the morning, acted as if nothing had happened yesterday, and I did not have the opportunity to mention the events of yesterday.
My lord, who was perfectly behaving as usual.
I was both confused and relieved by this behavior.
(I’m still not caught up with the sudden event in my head. If William-sama wants me to pretend that nothing happened, then I will do so)
Thus, I pretended as if nothing had happened, unaware that this choice would later bring deep regrets.
“I will distribute the materials for the mountain and forestry survey practice. Make sure to check for any missing pages when it arrives.”
The temperature has become somewhat comfortable in autumn, although there is still lingering summer heat.
Those who have entered the third year, including William-sama, are receiving explanations about the mountain and forestry survey practice, which will be implemented immediately after moving up to the third year, from the botany professor.
Since accompanying servants are allowed for this practice, I am also listening to the professor’s story alongside William-sama.
“The mountain and forestry survey practice is a practice with the purpose of acquiring the correct knowledge for vegetation surveys. It is extremely important to have the skills to understand vegetation when returning to one’s own territory. These skills are directly related to the ability to properly manage and use land.”
The professor says this with a serious face as he arranges the materials.
“Also, those in a position of power must survive in any situation. If those in power die and the government collapses, many people will be left in confusion. “Surviving in any situation” is part of the training to have everyone live on their own during the practice using their own strength.”
As I glanced at the students who were buzzing in excitement at this, the professor lightly tapped the podium to call for silence.
“Please be quiet… In the explanation, first let’s start with page 5 of the materials…”
The professor’s detailed explanation continues, and silence returns to the lecture hall.
Only the voice of the professor explaining the materials echoed in the lecture hall.
“Ah… finally finished… It can’t be helped because the practice is accompanied by danger, but the explanation was really too long.”
Finlay, the crown prince, slumped down on the bench and Charlotte chuckled.
“Oh, is that so? Although the story was certainly packed with a lot of information, I was excited to listen. It’s wonderful to be able to go to the mountains and conduct a vegetation survey!”
“Charlotte, that might be because you’re someone who studies botany. I was also tired after listening to the long story…”
William-sama sighed.
Finlay, the crown prince, also nodded in agreement with William-sama’s words.
“I completely agree… Well, but learning how to survive in the mountains is something to look forward to. It’s like a dream or something like that.”
“Hmm… I don’t know if it’s a dream or not, but I was impressed by the idea that we need to survive in any situation for the people. As someone in a position of power, I want to learn how to survive.”
“That’s not what I meant… What Will is saying is very correct, but it’s not like that…”
William-sama tilted his head with a confused face at Finlay, the crown prince, who hung his shoulders in disappointment.
As William-sama kept his head tilted and moved his gaze, our eyes met.
William-sama smiled as he looked at me.
(Forget about that, and just like before… as usual…)
I moved my facial muscles and returned his awkward smile with a smile of my own.
