“Ngh…”
I awoke to something covering my face and a stimulating scent tickling my nose.
…I guess I fell asleep after all that.
But this soft sensation against my face—it couldn’t be…!
“H-hwaggggh?!”
Realizing what it was, I cried out at the top of my lungs. After all, that soft, pleasant sensation was…Melza’s chest!
“Ah… Ho-ho. Good morning.”
Melza, still drowsy, slowly opened her eyes and fixed me with a gentle smile.
“I-I’m so sorry!” I bowed earnestly, unsure what else to do.
To think I had not only shared a bed with her…but I had also slept with my face pressed up against her chest…!
“There’s no need for that. I should be apologizing for making you sleep in this cramped bed with me.” Melza bowed as well.
In response, I bowed even lower. “N-not at all! All of this is my fault!”
Then suddenly—
“…Oh-ho-ho!”
“…Ah-ha-ha!”
—we both broke into laughter over our shared awkwardness.
“Ho-ho. You didn’t eat anything yesterday, so you must be hungry. Let’s go and have some breakfast.”
“Oh. Y-yes…”
Melza rose from the bed and rang a small bell.
A maid appeared and said, “Good morning, Milady.”
“Hugh and I will have breakfast now,” said Melza. “Could you get everything ready?”
“Would you like it brought to your room?”
“No, the dining hall will be fine.”
“Understood.” With a polite bow, the maid withdrew.
“U-um… I’m really sorry, but…” Melza fidgeted nervously.
“…?”
Huh…? Is something the matter…?
“Er… I—I need to change clothes… So if you could go to another room for a few minutes…”
“Oh! R-right! Of course!”
“Wai—…”
Snapping back to my senses, I hurried outside—I didn’t even notice that Melza wasn’t done speaking. Before long, I had gotten utterly lost in the vast mansion.
“Uhh… Where the heck am I…?”
…I figured I had better start looking for someone to help me regain my bearings. With that thought, I started down the corridor in front of me.
“Ha-ha. Did you sleep well?”
The first person to cross my path was none other than the archduke himself.
“Good morning, Your Grace,” I said, quickly lowering my head.
“Mm. Morning. But what are you doing out here, my boy? I don’t see Mel with you…” He glanced about, searching for her.
“…Actually, Melza—I mean, Lady Meltreza—wanted to get changed, so I ran outside. But I think I got lost…”
“Ha-ha, I see. Perhaps you could accompany me for a bit, then?”
“S-sure…,” I said vaguely, uncertain of the archduke’s intentions.
“Mm. Then follow me.” Soon, he’d brought me outside.
“Is this…a training ground?” I asked.
“Indeed, it is. Let’s see… Given your build and stature… Yes, this ought to do.”
The archduke picked up a wooden sword leaning against a nearby wall and handed it to me.
“Um…”
“Since we’re here, I thought we might as well work up a sweat together.”
“A-are you sure…?”
Apparently, the archduke wanted to spar with me.
I was well aware that Archduke Woodstock was in charge of the Southenklein Empire’s military affairs and that despite his advanced age, he was still hailed as the realm’s greatest warrior.
I’m beyond honored…but I’m only familiar with the art of assassination.
I didn’t want to poison the archduke’s view of me by relying on underhanded techniques…
“No need to hold back! Come at me!” His Grace declared with a dauntless grin, arms spread wide.
It looked like I didn’t have much choice… I lowered my stance and placed my right hand on the sparring sword’s hilt.
“Hmm… Impressive.” The archduke’s eyes gleamed in recognition.
And yet…I can’t see even the slightest opening in his defensive stance.
Before either of us had so much as exchanged blows, it was clear that he was far superior to Kenneth, the knight whom I had so easily defeated.
“Here goes!” I shouted, and quickly closed the distance between us.
Swaying from side to side so as not to become a target, I lashed out at what I judged to be his most vulnerable point—his shins.
“Hmm… Assassination techniques, is it?” he murmured, brushing me aside as if shaking a twig off his jacket.
“Gah?!”
The next thing I knew, he’d struck me on the back with the hilt of his blade and sent me tumbling facedown into the ground.
“Ah…”
“Ha-ha. You move well, but attacks like that are far from appropriate if you wish to be my successor. From now on, Hugo, my boy, I’ll teach you how to fight like a true warrior. Now, stand up.”
Cautiously, I accepted his proffered hand. It was large and rough, and his grip was strong.
“Now, then… Watch and learn!”
“Yes!”
Again and again, I challenged the archduke only to be defeated each and every time. Over and over, he sent me crashing to the ground. Each blow was strong and severe, sending bolts of pain shooting through my bones. And yet…
“Hmm? Wh-what’s wrong?!” the archduke exclaimed.
“Ugh…!” Before I knew it, I had fallen to my knees and burst into tears. The old man rushed over in concern.
“…Hugh!” a girl’s voice called out.
Ah-ha-ha… And now Melza’s here…
“Grandfather! What in the world have you done to him?!” she demanded angrily.
“I—I don’t know…,” he said, bewildered. “I was simply giving young Hugo here some sparring tips…”
…But such a thing was bound to bring me to tears. After all, the archduke was earnestly trying to improve my fighting form. His every blow was harsh and sharp…and at the same time, so full of warmth and compassion.
“I-I’m sorry…” I sniffled. I’d ended up worrying both Melza and the archduke.
“N-not at all… Are you sure you’re all right, Hugh…?”
“Yes… His Grace was going easy on me.”
“H-he was…?” On hearing this, Melza finally breathed a sigh of relief.
“But why were you crying, my boy…?” the archduke asked with concern.
“W-well… I suppose…I’ve never had someone teach me like that before…strict, and at the same time gentle… I was moved to tears…,” I answered truthfully.
“I—I see… Well, if it’s training you want, I’ll give you as much as you need! I’ll turn you into the empire’s fittest fighter in no time!” The archduke flushed and gave me a hearty slap on the back.
Ha-ha… It hurts, but it feels good, too…
“Ah, m-more importantly… Is it okay for you to be outside, Melza?” I asked.
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“I mean… Aren’t vampires weakened by sunlight…?”
For what seemed like ages, she stared back at me with a puzzled look. Then she chuckled. “Ho-ho… Don’t worry. I have a parasol, see? And even if I am exposed, all it will do is burn me. My skin just turns red and stings, that’s all.” She flashed me a smile as if to say it was nothing.
“B-but if you’re going to burn, then you should go back inside!”
“Really, it’s no big deal…”