6. The Prince’s Birthday Party
The sharply swung sword aims for the neck. A fierce sword technique. It was a strike that most Swordsmen wouldn’t even be able to react to, but the opponent skillfully blocked it and counterattacked.
A technique targeting the weak points of human anatomy was used, causing the sword to slip from my grasp. If I hadn’t let go, my arm would have surely broken.
“Ugh-!”
“Haha, too bad, Young Master.”
Having dropped my sword, I slightly frowned as I looked at the Senior Knight. I lost. Again.
‘Still not enough…’
As I pondered this, biting my lip, the Senior Knight who had defeated me opened his mouth with a reassuring smile.
“Young Master, don’t worry. From what I’ve seen, your talent is genuine. I’ve never seen such talent anywhere else.”
“Really?”
“Yes. At such a young age, with an undeveloped body, if you’re already this good… I can’t even imagine how many people will be able to defeat you when you’ve fully grown.”
I couldn’t dismiss his words as mere flattery because the Senior Knight’s expression was filled with excitement.
These are knights. Knights who follow the Meyer Clan. Naturally, as their lord’s honor rises, so does theirs.
If their future master shows exceptional talent, it’s something to celebrate, not envy.
“Amazing, Young Master.”
Children my age would simply be delighted by such praise. But I wasn’t satisfied with just this.
‘Not enough.’
I’m still hungry.
I can become stronger.
Holding my sword again, I looked at the Senior Knight and said:
“One more round.”
“—Yes.”
The knight swung his sword as if he’d been waiting.
With each clash of swords, I gradually grew stronger.
A thousand swings make one Dan, ten thousand swings make one Lian.
Training means ten million swings.
Until ten million swings, there are 9,999,999 swings left.
* * *
There’s a story that gym-goers can relate to:
“Screw work, I just want to hit the gym every day.”
Unfortunately, no gym-goer has actually put this saying into practice.
Humans are social animals, and there are days when we have to do things we don’t want to.
I sighed deeply inside the rapidly moving carriage.
“I don’t want to go.”
“Kail… To be honest, I don’t want to go either, son.”
The Viscount said this with an awkward smile, looking as if he couldn’t help it either.
In a way, it was understandable. Today’s event wasn’t something a mere Viscount could ignore.
‘Why make such a big deal out of a birthday party?’
Today was the 10th birthday party of the Prince.
The day when all the nobles of the Empire gather.
The Meyer Clan, known as the Empire’s Guardian Sword and Guardian Knights, couldn’t possibly miss this event.
‘We don’t even celebrate my birthday at home.’
The reason we don’t celebrate birthdays is simple. Our family isn’t one to care much about formalities, and above all, my birthday is—.
‘The anniversary of my mother’s death.’
It’s not a day to celebrate. How could we celebrate the day our family’s mistress passed away?
Unless the Viscount took in a new wife or had a concubine, which he didn’t. He was a one-woman man, devoted to a single woman his entire life.
“But, Father.”
“What is it?”
“Why are they making such a big deal out of this birthday party? They didn’t do this last year.”
“Ah, about that…”
Another reason for my unnecessary grumpiness was that last year, the year before, or even once in my life, I hadn’t gone to the capital for the Prince’s birthday party.
If they were going to do it, why not every year? Why suddenly now?
The Viscount easily explained the reason.
“In these times, with advancements in medicine and the presence of Clerics, children don’t die as easily—but back in the day, most children didn’t live past ten.”
“Ah, so?”
“Yes. Whether royal or noble, children died in droves, so celebrating a child’s birthday before they turned ten was considered foolish. This became tradition, so the royal family celebrates their children’s birthdays grandly at age ten.”
The infant mortality rate in medieval times was extremely high. Out of three births, one child would die.
And this was true in this world as well. Even with nobles and royals having higher survival rates, one out of ten still died.
Of course, with the development of magic, holy healing, and medicine, infant mortality rates have hit rock bottom in modern times.
“We’re here.”
At the Viscount’s words, I reluctantly glanced outside the window.
In the distance, the Imperial Palace came into view.
And among the structures in the capital, the most majestic building stood out.
I couldn’t even begin to imagine how much money was poured into such an extravagant building.
‘Should I be happy that the country has so much money?’
Or should I be worried that the Imperial Palace has become ostentatious and indulgent?
Putting my worries aside, the carriage entered the capital.
‘Come to think of it.’
The Prince’s 10th birthday celebration.
A place where all the nobles of the Empire gather.
‘Will she be there?’
Thinking of my fiancée whom I haven’t seen in a long time, I imagined how much she might have grown.
I hope her smile has improved at least.
* * *
After arriving at the capital and changing clothes at our pre-booked lodging, we headed straight to the Imperial Palace.
Forcing myself into an awkward tuxedo that I’ve never worn in my entire life, past or present, made me want to tear it off immediately.
‘It doesn’t suit me at all…’
As I adjusted my tie with a slight frown, the Viscount carefully smoothed out the wrinkles on my outfit and spoke softly.
“Kail, you need to be careful there.”
“Watch what you say, right?”
“Yes. Well, if you stick with me, you probably won’t get into trouble, but…”
The Viscount muttered worriedly as he looked down at me. Seeing his expression, I inwardly chuckled.
I’m not a kid anymore, so what’s there to worry about?
‘Oh, right. I am a kid.’
Upon reflection, I was still a child.
Deciding to obediently listen like a good child, I grinned and reassured him not to worry.
I don’t plan on causing any trouble here either. In fact, I’ve never caused any trouble. The Viscount is just worrying unnecessarily.
The Viscount, still wearing a suspicious expression, led me to the party venue. After the knights at the entrance searched us, we finally went inside.
“The Empire’s Guardian Knight, Viscount Karl Meyer and his son, Kail Meyer, have arrived!”
At the doorman’s announcement, the gazes of the nobles inside immediately turned towards us.
Some quick nobles were already walking towards us.
The Viscount greeted them warmly.
“It’s been a while, Baron.”
“Oh, yes. Next time, I must visit your Marquis territory…”
“Yes, I understand. Regarding that matter—”
Standing beside the Viscount as he conversed with the nobles, I stood there smiling like a doll.
I couldn’t join in the adults’ conversation. To be honest, I couldn’t even understand what the nobles were talking about.
After standing there for a while, I spotted a child waving at me from afar.
“Father.”
“Huh, oh—Kail, what is it?”
“I’ll be over there.”
Pointing to where children of noble families around my age were gathered, the Viscount nodded approvingly.
Loosening the suffocating tuxedo slightly, I headed towards where the noble children were gathering. The child who had waved at me earlier immediately approached.
“Kail, long time no see.”
My fiancée after five years, Yuri Grace. She still greeted me with an icy cold expression.
Seeing my fiancée after so long, I laughed heartily.
“Oh, Yuri. Long time no see.”
“Yeah, long time no see.”
“So, have you practiced smiling a lot?”
“I sure did. Father even praised me.”
“Really? Let me see.”
As I grinned, trying to see how hard she had practiced, Yuri shook her head expressionlessly.
“No.”
“…Why?”
“Father said not to show it.”
Her words made me slightly puzzled. Could she be sulking because I hadn’t shown my face once in five years?
Even so, to prevent her fiancé from seeing her smile?
Fortunately, her reason for not showing her smile wasn’t that petty.
“…He said I shouldn’t show my smile to strange men.”
“But why am I a strange man? I’m your fiancé.”
“We’re only engaged, not married yet… He told me not to show it carelessly.”
“Oh.”
It was clearly revenge for what I had said at the end, something about not liking it or whatever.
Realizing this was all my doing, I sighed deeply while holding my face.
Even so, to hold a grudge this long?
‘This is why northerners…’
With my head bowed, I peeked at Yuri’s chest, which had grown. Sensing my gaze, Yuri subtly covered her chest and turned her body.
Although I couldn’t see her smile, seeing her growth was satisfying enough. Just then, someone spoke to us.
“What are you two talking about?”
Glancing sideways, a blond-haired, refined-looking boy was smiling at us.
While I tilted my head, unsure who he was, Yuri beside me seemed to recognize him and immediately bowed respectfully.
“Yuri Graces greets His Highness the Prince.”
“Ah, yes. Nice to meet you.”
Realizing the boy in front of me was the protagonist of this party, the Prince, I followed Yuri’s lead and bowed as well.
“Kail Meyer greets His Highness the Prince.”
“Ah, you’re…”
The Prince seemed to recall something upon hearing my name and started acting familiar.
Tilting my head at his reaction, the Prince grinned and began introducing himself.
“Bellion Diaros. The third prince, and we’re the same age, right?”
“Oh, then can we speak casually?”
“Eh, really?”
“We’re the same age, aren’t we? Aren’t we friends?”
Bellion, hearing my words, looked momentarily surprised before breaking into laughter.
“Hahaha! Alright! Let’s be friends, Kail!”
“Nice to meet you, Bellion.”
“Hahaha!”
He even grabbed my hand and shook it up and down. At this, not only Yuri but also the surrounding people started changing expressions.
Wondering why he was acting this way, only Bellion, who had just made a friend, burst into laughter.
