Heavy, ragged gasps echoed from within the private chapel. Even through the thick heavy doors, they didn't escape the notice of Remedios, who was standing guard outside.
The young woman immediately hammered on the door, her voice laced with anxiety. "Your Highness! Your Highness, are you alright?"
"I'm fine!" Calca cried out, her voice straining as she knelt on the floor, trying to regulate her breathing. "Come in!"
Remedios pushed the doors open instantly. Her eyes landed on Calca, who was still on her knees recovering, and she reflexively closed the door behind her as she entered.
"Your Highness!" Remedios rushed forward to help Calca up.
By now, Calca's legs had gone completely numb.
That last strike had been aimed directly between her eyes. If she hadn't hit the "exit" button fast enough, she likely would have unlocked yet another new way to die. The sensation of being on the brink of death was, frankly, a bit too exhilarating.
Seeing Calca's state, Remedios quickly guided her to a chair and sat her down. She then began using the massage techniques she had learned in the military to help loosen the muscles in Calca's thighs.
Good heavens—this was something Calca hadn't expected. It was a delightful surprise.
A moment later, the young queen was letting out a series of wails, caught in that strange territory between agonizing pain and blissful relief.
Once the initial wave passed, the numbness in her legs vanished, replaced by a strange vitality. Calca stood up and took a few steps; she actually felt lighter than before.
"That's amazing. Remedios, where did you learn that?"
"Your Highness, as a warrior, we must learn more than just combat techniques. We must learn mastery over the body. Excessive training leads to physical wear and tear, so knowing how to maintain oneself is a vital skill."
Remedios stood with her hands on her hips, speaking with such confident authority that for a fleeting second, Calca saw a shadow of her sister's brilliance in her. They were siblings, after all.
Calca looked at her and gave a knowing smile. "Then I'll be counting on you for my future training, Remedios."
"Yes, Your Highness!"
Remedios snapped to attention, her voice ringing out. "May I ask if Your Highness has decided on a weapon for training?"
She asked with a hint of hesitation. She didn't know what had caused the Queen's previous indecision or why she had suddenly made up her mind, but that wasn't for her to question. Her job now was to confirm the weapon and design a training regimen.
"The spear!" Calca said decisively, recalling the encounter.
She had proven that within that space, both magic and the spear could be manifested through her will. Though the spear had been pathetic against Surshana's cross-vouge, it was only the beginning. The sensation of the shaft snapping still echoed in her heart.
Given time, there was no reason her spear couldn't knock that cross-vouge aside.
"Our goal is for me to master spear combat. If you need anything, tell the maids and have them prepare it. If they say they can't do it, Remedios, you come directly to me."
As she spoke, Calca stepped closer to Remedios, looking up at her with a beaming smile.
"Of course, besides all that, there is one more very important matter."
"What is it, Your Highness?" Remedios straightened her posture, her expression solemn, looking as though she were ready to charge through a mountain of swords or a sea of flames without a second thought.
"Good!" Calca patted Remedios on the shoulder appreciatively. "From now on, in private, do not call me 'Your Highness.'"
"Just call me Calca."
"Eh?" Remedios froze, her look of steely determination instantly dissolving into shock and confusion. "But... Your Highness, that... that wouldn't be proper..."
"Now, now, why wouldn't it be?"
Calca cut her off decisively. Taking advantage of the girl's distraction, her hand—previously resting on Remedios's shoulder—slid down like a clever little snake, pulling the knight into a full embrace.
However, due to the height difference, Calca had to strain on her tiptoes, looking for all the world like she was trying to hang herself off Remedios's body.
"Your... Your Highness?"
Remedios didn't know whether to laugh or cry. She reflexively lowered her stance to make it easier for the Queen.
"I said, don't call me Your Highness. Just Calca is fine," Calca said, steadying the almost-crouching Remedios. "More than a Guardian Knight, I consider us friends now. Are friends not allowed to use each other's names?"
"Of course they are, but..."
"Then that settles it!" Calca interrupted the conflicted knight and began half-pushing, half-leading her toward the bedroom. "Unless you're saying you don't consider me a friend?"
"I certainly consider Your Highness a friend!" Remedios explained hurriedly, completely failing to notice she was being ushered toward the sleeping quarters.
"Then it's decided. No more 'Your Highness' in private. Just Calca."
Faced with such relentless momentum, the defenseless Remedios could only yield.
"Cal... Calca."
"Excellent! Then tonight, we shall move on to step two of being friends!"
"Step two?"
"That's right. You're staying with me tonight. I'm going to teach you some... interesting things!"
"Eh?!"
Interesting things? What does that mean?
Remedios looked at the smiling Calca. The Queen looked as gentle as ever, yet every one of Remedios's warrior instincts was screaming a warning.
"No... that won't do, Your Highness!"
Remedios instinctively tried to retreat, but alas, there was no escaping Calca's clutches.
With a definitive thud, the bedroom door slammed shut.
The girl's protests were cut off, leaving only Calca's mischievous laughter echoing behind the wood.
The following morning, Kelart arrived at Calca's living quarters as promised, books in hand. Led by a maid, she soon reached the drawing room.
Warm sunlight streamed through the stained-glass windows, illuminating a white sandalwood table set with freshly brewed black tea.
However, behind Kelart's usual graceful smile, a hint of confusion lingered.
By all rights, her sister should have been awake long ago. Why was she nowhere to be seen?
Kelart immediately dismissed the idea that her sister had woken up and simply neglected to greet her. While her sister could be a bit reckless, she was genuinely fond of her younger sibling.
Thus, Kelart surmised that her sister was either delayed by some business or had simply overslept.
If it was the latter, that would be quite entertaining.
A small smile played on Kelart's lips. She was very curious to know exactly what could have caused her sister to oversleep.
Just as various theories were popping into Kelart's mind, the door burst open. A figure darted into the living room like a startled cat.
The newcomer turned and leaned against the door, looking like a survivor of a narrow escape. Her face was flushed with a lingering hint of heat and embarrassment.
Seeing this, Kelart's smile slowly faded. Her delicate nose twitched slightly.
The scent of a cat.
A little thief cat!
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I'm not the Queen Greatsword. (70 Chapters, Ongoing)
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