Ch. 5

Brothers are not here at the moment, so for now, I'll deal with my biggest obstacle... Dad!

Sona thinks as she runs through the familiar hallway. Her eyes are full with confidence and determination. The blue sky dress flutters as she pulls the dress slightly so she can run without tripping. The servants and maids only sigh at their young lady since they've seen this lady runs around the mansions often for 13 years long.

"My lady!! Please slow down! How can you run everytime you get excited?!" Nia yells as she tries to catches up to her master, "please control your emotions! You cannot run around like that!"

"What do you mean, Nia~? I can control it just fine. It's only because it's you, that I can show myself freely~" Sona yells back as the reply. She smiles sweetly that makes all the workers's hearts melt in awe.

"It- it's not fair if you put it that way!" Nia pouts, not being able to fight the words Sona gave.

Some nobles might think that the servants are being to close the their master, but it's just because of Sona's personality and warm attitude that the people in the dukedom likes her very much. She is like the jewel for the Vallade Dukedom.

Once she reaches the office, the guards try to stop her and try to tell her to wait because of a reason that she isn't listening to, She just passes through them with the tiny body of hers, knocks the door two times and bangs it open.

reminder :

Fortunately she only shows this side of hers to her family and the servants who is close to her.

"Papa!! Perhaps I didn't show how... Much I... Eh...?" Sona who yelled, cuts her own words when she sees the duchess, along with the empress sitting and chatting with the duke.

She is in a shock state that she just stares blankly at them for a while, standing still at the door.

Did I just got karma for what I said? Did I got punished for thinking sarcastically back then??

(chapter 1, when Sona thought of something after The Princess barged in)

Sona thinks randomly.

Sona snaps out of it quickly when she glances at the empress who is also staring at her. She realizes immediately and greets The Empress.

"... Forgive me for my rudeness, I did not realize it sooner, but please accept my late greeting, Your Majesty, The Empress" She Curtsies switches to her normal public self, as if nothing happens. Acting like the 'perfect lady' that everyone who had met her, known.

The duke just sighs at his daughter's carelessness, while the duchess and the empress laughs at her adorableness.

The duchess and The Empress are very close, even closer than The Emperor with The Duke themself. They met at a tea party when they was only 15, and since then, they've always been best friend, they both are famous, known as the roses of the empire.

I've forgotten that my family has such relationships with the royals.... Now that I think of it, I am the weird one in this family, since I haven't met any royals until some days ago (met with the youngest Princess)...

"You have grown so much, Sona~" the empress smiles warmly. Sona nods her head with a smile on her face

If my memories serves me right, I've never met Her Majesty, though..

She thinks with a cold sweat.

"It's such an honor to finally meet you, Your Majesty." Sona smiles back as sweat as ever, trying to fix her image, while having some questionable thoughts in her head.

"Hahah, I should have visited you to whenever I visited Olly (Nichole's nickname for The Empress)." The Empress laughs.

"No, instead I should thank you to Your Majesty for treating my mother well." Sona replies, then glances at her father who is quiet.

"... Since I interrupted your meeting, I will excuse myself, please have a nice-"

"It seems that you have something to talk about to The Duke? I am curious in it too, it's related to your audience with The Emperor, correct?" The empress asks, right before Sona could escaped. Sona pauses for a while and fidgets her fingers again.

The Empress is sharp... but what if this is the chance for me to get The Empress' support? Dad and even mom won't be able to do anything right?? But there is an opposite respond to... if that happens... Whatever, It's not like I have a choice to begin with.

"... Very well." Sona replies, "... In the audience with The Emperor, I requested His Majesty's permission and He generously give me the permission. And now, I wanted to ask for yours, father." She slowly speaks, in order to gain herself.

"Father, may you give me the right to learn swordsmanship?"

"No." Geraldene answers it fast. It seems that he has known the request the start.

"... father." Sona stops herself for a while and glances a little at the empress, then continues, "... Is it because I have no worth to hold a sword?" She asks, wishing to give her father a difficult question, but unexpectedly, The Duke isn't effected at all.

"It's not it, I am against it because you are too delicate to be a swordwoman." Geraldene answers. His Blue eyes show his seriousness. and having his veins in her blood, Sona's eyes show the same.

"Honey, can't you think this through? What if you hurt your hands?" The duchess adds in as well.

This is bad. Mom is helping dad. Even with The Emperor's permission, I can't use it. The only hope left is for The Empress to support me, but...

"It maybe impossible for me to avoid injuries, but I promise you it will be worth it. It will not affect my studies. And I am also confident I can do well. Not only in swords alone, but also other martials. Father, Mother, please, have faith in me." She says, "I wish to compete against brothers, and I do not want to be left out, I wish to be the pride of our family." She exhales finally after she says that. Sona's eyes show determinations.

The room becomes quiet, The beautiful evening light brims through the window, illuminates the floor and walls, making shadows on the ground that stand perfectly still.

After some time, the empress suddenly laughs, making Sona and her parents confused.

"Haha, oh my. Even though she is quite different from what I heard, I like her manners. What did you guys teach to a ten years old girl? Hahah" the empress laughs delightfully. Her laughs is full of joy, yet still sounds majestic somehow.

"Ahem. It's not like you are the one to talk, Bel(a nickname of the Empress 'Bellenia')." The Duchess grins at her best friend, who has The Crown Prince as her son.

"Oh come on, I didn't teach my son to act like that, he did it on his own." The Empress leans her body to The Duchess. Her face changes, shows that she has had enough of The Prince's dull and stiff acts.

"I also didn't teach her to be like that." The Duchess sighs back, "but I think I should be grateful to have a free spirit daughter at home." Nichole's words makes The Empress pouts in envy.

The random conversation between them make Sona even more confused. Sona just watching how lovely the two women's relationship are.

"..."

"Sona, you have my interest and support. But actually why don't you become my son's wife hmm? I think you two will be the best couple in the world." The empress casually says. Sona flinches in shock and then flustered.

"... Your majesty, I..." She tries to say something and thinking on how to decline her offer. But The Empress interrupts her.

"Hahah, I get it. Don't panic~ but I do agree that you should give her a chance though, Nichole, Gerald. Even to be frank, she would also be a good duchess." The empress says, making my parents hesitate.

"... I wouldn't go as far as aiming for that spot, Your Majesty " She claims, before things got tensed. She is not interested in that kind of stuff either, since what she is truly wanted is to be some kind of a knight.

The Vallade couples are really having a hard time. They actually want to support their daughter too but at the same time, they don't want her to do any dangerous things.

"I'll be extra careful..." Sona says, trying to ensure her parents even more. She shows her pleading and puppy eyes, trying to gain their permissions.

"... Alright, you have 3 months to prove your skills as a swordwoman!" The duke sighs, "show me your potential in three months! And I will give it a test."

The Duchess is surprised as she stares at The Duke intensely. But after a second, she sighs and stares at her daughter again.

Three months are just too short, it's too cruel for a beginner, but, I am no beginner in someway, I have a memories of a general, so as long as I train my body, I think I will make it.

She thinks with a smile.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***