Chapter 6.1

“Sister, what are you doing?”

Johan’s small voice echoed as he approached Esha, who was seated in the center of the library.

She had been frowning in concentration, but the moment she heard his voice, her expression softened into a warm smile.

“Reading.”

“What kind of book?”

“A history book. About Atlan, your country.”

Johan tilted his head curiously.

“But you’re from Elendor?”

“Yes, but Johan, this is your homeland. I thought if I studied it, it might help us live together more easily in the future.”

At her reply, Johan’s eyes widened in surprise.

Atlan was a vassal state of Elendor. There were plenty of Atlanian children who studied Elendor’s history, but almost no Elendorians who bothered learning about Atlan. After all, why would the conquerors need to know the affairs of the conquered?

“And reading calms me down. When I’m angry… or sad…”

Johan sat down beside her, resting his back against the bookshelf. The empty library was as tranquil and still as a pond deep in the forest.

“Would you like to read with me?”

She held the book between them and turned the page. A map of Atlan filled the spread, and Johan’s face brightened as he pointed to a spot with his finger.

“This is where I’m from.”

“Here? Ah, this must be the capital.”

“Yes. That’s where the royal palace is too. There’s a grand ball every summer in Atlan. And the street festivals during that time are really fun.”

“Really? Have you been?”

“Yes. I begged my nanny to take me, and she finally agreed.”

Johan’s voice grew lively as he spoke of things familiar to him.

Seeing his delight, Esha pulled him suddenly and tightly into her embrace, locking her arms around him so he couldn’t wriggle away.

Realizing what she was trying to do, Johan struggled, but her grip only tightened.

“Aghh…!”

“Haha, you’re adorable.”

She ran her fingers through Johan’s soft hair, tousling his neatly combed hair into wild strands. His black hair stuck out in every direction like he’d been struck by lightning.

“Stop…!”

“Alright, alright.”

Johan’s face flushed crimson as she pulled him into her lap. Esha wrapped her arms around him and reopened the book.

“I won’t do it again. Will you show me the other regions now?”

“…Liar.”

“You little rascal.”

Esha pinched his cheek.

The two of them stayed tucked away in the library for quite some time, chatting quietly.

Esha made it her mission to show him how comforting books could be. And for the boy who still struggled with Elendorian, she personally sat him on her lap and taught him each letter, one by one. She couldn’t help but remember how, as a child, she’d been scolded for learning Atlanian slower than her sister.

Thankfully, Johan was quick-witted and learned easily.

His movements were surprisingly agile too.

To help him improve, Esha secretly hired a retired knight at great expense, ensuring Johan could train in swordsmanship away from Edmund’s prying eyes.

She remembered all too clearly how he had once been humiliated by boys his age in the training yard. She vowed he would never again be underestimated.

“You’re doing exceptionally well, Your Highness,” the knight remarked.

At first, Johan could barely hold the sword properly. But after three months, he was already displaying a skill far superior to boys his age.

“What do you think? Is he talented?”

Esha asked as she watched Johan practicing strikes against a wooden post a short distance away. The old knight standing beside her looked on with a proud smile.

“Without question. Most eleven-year-olds struggle to control the weight and speed of a sword even after six months of training. Many end up injuring their shoulders, but the young prince… he’s remarkable. Truly remarkable.”

“Really?”

Esha couldn’t hide the rush of delight swelling in her chest. What a student he was! Well worth every coin she had paid the old man! And to receive such high praise on top of that… it sparked a growing desire in her heart to shape this boy into a fine, splendid young man.

“Have you considered enlisting him in the Knights Order?”

The old knight asked.

“That’s… not something I can decide on my own, unfortunately…”