Jeanette had learned karate long before her engagement to Claus. One of her father’s merchant friends who had stayed with them for a while had taught it to her. According to the merchant, the people from the Far Eastern country studied karate from a master starting when they were children. After hearing about it, Jeanette was fascinated and immediately wanted to try it too. Since she was a girl, she didn’t actually spar with anyone, but she learned how to do the “kata,” or “stances,” which she could practice by herself. The combat-like movements were exhilarating in a way that was different from dancing, and Jeanette had become obsessed with them.
How nostalgic! Whenever I did karate, Ariel always glared at me like I was some kind of monster! I’ve been so busy lately that I haven’t been doing it at all... But I love karate because it makes me feel stronger!
Perhaps the reason Jeanette was always running around on an inexhaustible supply of energy was because she had learned karate as a child and still practiced it on her own from time to time. That was why karate had been the first thing that had come to mind when she’d started brainstorming a way to build up Meltia’s stamina.
“Karate has many different stances,” she continued. “And each stance uses different muscles. It can be practiced at a suitable pace by people of all ages, from children to the elderly, so it’s perfect for you, Your Highness!” As she spoke, Jeanette’s fists never stopped, cutting repeatedly through the air. “Come on! Join me!”
The princess began uncertainly imitating Jeanette.
“L-Like this...?”
“Yes! That’s great! And with each strike, shout out from deep within your belly! Like this! Sei! Sei!”
“S... Sei! Sei!” Meltia thrust out her fists unsteadily.
Jeanette watched with satisfaction, and once again raised her voice spiritedly.
“Next is the Upper Level Punch! Aim upward! Sei! Sei!”
“S-Sei! Sei!”
The princess frantically tried to keep up with the exercise. The maids all exchanged a glance at the strange shouts resounding inside the room. But once they realized that Jeanette wasn’t going to stop anytime soon, they gave up and shook their heads.
From then on, Jeanette and Meltia continued practicing karate every day together. The more days passed, the more strikes they did, and once Meltia got used to that, they moved onto practicing the stances.
“Your Highness, please be aware of your center of gravity when you spin! That way, you’ll be able to do it smoothly!” Jeanette roared, thrusting her fist out after spinning. “By the way, this move is very effective in freeing yourself from a ruffian’s hold and breaking his clavicle!”
“That sounds a bit dangerous, doesn’t it?!”
“Well, it is a form of self-defense! But don’t you think it’ll be useful to you?!”
After all, Meltia was a princess. It was unlikely that anything would happen to her considering how peaceful their country was, but in the worst-case scenario, if someone did try going after her, her knowledge of self-defense arts could be very beneficial.
“That might be true...” murmured the head maid, who was watching them from the side. “Her Highness’s unparalleled beauty could attract some lawless miscreants, in which case this could be useful for her...”
“Right?!” Jeanette exclaimed, once more turning around and slamming her bare foot down onto the floor.
Another maid started muttering.
“And it feels like we’re watching some kind of oriental dance. It’s...kind of fun!”
“Right?!” Jeanette repeated, stomping on the floor again. “Not only is karate ideal for self-defense, it’s also beautiful as a performance! In other words, it’s the perfect type of solitary martial art!”
“I get it already, so can you go over this move again? I can’t remember it,” Meltia interrupted.
Jeanette hurriedly fixed her posture.
“Oh! Sorry, I got too excited and started rambling...! Anyway, I’m going to do it one more time, nice and slow!”
This continued every day, until bit by bit, the princess’s complexion started improving. Her aquamarine eyes gained even more of a sparkle than before.
Her eyes are like diamonds, but even brighter! Jeanette thought while observing Meltia.
“Your Highness, I feel like your punches are a lot sharper lately!”
“Really? To be honest, I agree,” Meltia admitted with delight, wiping the back of her neck with the towel Jeanette had handed to her. “And even though I’m moving about so much, I don’t feel dizzy. If anything, my body has become lighter. How strange... Before, even standing up was difficult for me. But now, I feel like I can keep going and going.”
“That’s proof of you building your stamina!” Jeanette replied with a laugh. “Isn’t it so much fun to be able to move your body around freely? And honestly, punching feels so refreshing!”
“Yes, it does. That’s a benefit you won’t find in dance,” Meltia pointed out with a smirk.
Jeanette laughed again.