From the next day, I started my training. Swordsmanship wasn't easy—it required strength, posture, and endurance, all of which felt impossible at first. But I kept going. Something was coming, and I needed to be ready. Not just for myself, but for my family.
I trained on the same grounds as my brothers and father, making it feel like another family gathering. We all had our training sessions at the same time, and despite the exhaustion, I liked it that way.
"Ellie, correct your posture and swing," my mother instructed, adjusting my stance.
Of course, no one was better at this than my mother. She wasn't just a knight—she was one of the best in the country. Stronger, faster, and more disciplined than anyone else. My father often joked that northern people were a "special kind of human," and seeing my mother in action, I believed it.
"I have no more strength left," I groaned, collapsing dramatically onto the sand.
I had been testing my mother's patience a lot lately. It was entertaining, really.
"No more excuses, Ellie," she warned. "Unless you want your training to go from one hour to two… or maybe even three?"
I shot up immediately. "Alright, alright!"
As I resumed training, I sneaked a glance at my brothers, who moved with such ease that it made me wonder how they weren't dropping dead from exhaustion. And then my gaze shifted to my father.
"Handsome," I muttered under my breath.
My father trained daily, and it showed. His muscles tensed and flexed with every movement, and it was honestly unfair how effortless he made everything look. Without thinking, I blurted out, "Mom, why did you marry Dad?"
That made her laugh, drawing everyone's attention.
"Oh, Ellie, why are you talking about marriage now?" she teased. "Do you like someone?"
Immediately, my father and brothers stiffened. My mother loved teasing them.
"No, Mother," I huffed. "I just want to know why you married Father."
She smirked, looking at him with amusement. "Maybe I liked his handsome face."
I nodded. "Hmm, I don't blame you."
The training session ended after a while, and my brothers joined me on the way back.
"Baby, do you like someone?" Liam suddenly asked.
"Yeah," I answered casually.
I swear, they stopped breathing. "Who?" Liam pressed.
I grinned. "My brothers."
Liam let out a breath of relief, but before he could say anything, Father's voice came from behind us.
"What about me?" When did he even start following us?
"I love my Daddy the most!" I declared, throwing my arms around him and planting a kiss on his cheek.
Noyal shot Liam a murderous glare—clearly, he had been planning to make me admit I liked him best, and Liam had ruined his scheme. Meanwhile, my father smiled like he had won a grand battle.
"We have a painter coming today to do your portrait," Father announced. "It was supposed to be done for your fifth birthday."
I just nodded.
"I also heard that Grandfather is visiting," Liam added.
I had never met him before. This would be our first time.
Father took me back to my room, where I enjoyed the best part of the day—a warm bath after hours of cruel training. It felt like stepping into heaven. Anna helped me dress up; I had to look extra pretty today for two big occasions.
Not long after, the painter arrived. I had to sit still for what felt like an eternity, and I finally understood why everyone complained about these portrait sessions. It was pure torture.
Later, on my way to my mother's room, I suddenly heard someone shouting. The voice was loud and furious. Even my brothers, usually fearless, stood hesitantly outside the door.
"I don't know why you like that brat!" the angry voice boomed. "What do you even see in him?"
I didn't think. I just pushed the door open with force.
"Why are you shouting at my mama?" I demanded.
My mother, completely unbothered, calmly sipped her tea as if nothing was happening.
Only then did I take a proper look at the man standing there. He was old, with long white hair, sharp blue eyes, and glasses resting on his nose. His uniform was perfectly pressed, his posture rigid.
I ignored him and rushed to my mother's side. "Are you okay, Mama?" I was worried for nothing
She smiled at me. "Ellie, say hello to your grandfather."
I didn't say anything. No one dared to shout at my mother. She wasn't just my mother—she was the queen, the strongest knight, and the heart of this country.
"It's alright, Ellie," she said calmly, as if she already knew what was going through my mind. "Father and I simply had a disagreement about a certain matter."
I turned to the man standing before her. "Hello, Duke Ravenshire."
I saw the slight flicker of hurt in his expression when I didn't call him Grandpa. But he stepped forward, kneeling before me. His sharp blue eyes softened for a moment as he glanced at my mother.
"She's a stubborn one," he muttered, a small, almost nostalgic smile forming. "Just like her mother."
Then he sighed, shifting his gaze back to me. "I'm sorry you had to hear that, little one. I wasn't shouting at your mother. It's just… she did something I could never understand."
Curiosity sparked in me. "What did Mother do?"
Silence. Neither of them answered.
Then, my father spoke up, his voice light yet filled with unspoken emotions.
"Marrying me."
I turned to my mother, remembering what she had said earlier during training.
"Maybe I liked his handsome face."
My mother let out a quiet sigh, setting down her teacup. "I chose this," she said softly. "I knew what I was getting into."
Duke shook his head. "You should have had more."
"I have everything I need," she answered without hesitation. Her eyes flickered to my father, then to me. "Everything I could ever want."
For the first time, I saw something flicker in the duke's eyes. Regret? Pain?
Maybe both.
I didn't know what to say. I didn't understand everything yet, but I understood one thing—my mother had made her choice, and she had never once regretted it.
And from the way my father looked at her, I knew he would never let her regret it either.