The Villainess Enjoys Her Seventh Life as a Free-Spirited Bride (hostage) in a Former Enemy Country - Chapter 57.1: The Future Knights
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Chapter 57.1: The Future Knights

Early in the morning, dressed as a man and wearing the uniform of a knight cadet, Rishe arrived at the still empty training ground.

The quiet training ground was brimming with clean air. It would be another hour and a half before the cadet training would begin.

It took me a lot of caution to slip out of the room, so Im five minutes later than usual.

After all, Arnold was in the next room. He was still asleep at this hour, but the slightest noise could have caught his attention.

After cleaning, I need to flex and start a quick warm-up. Okay.

She grabbed her broom with enthusiasm and swept the ground of the training grounds. She tidied up the wooden sword that was propped up against the wall, and then did some stretching exercises.

As she was stretching her body muscles, she saw a figure on the training ground.

Fritz!

!

This was also a scene every morning. She called him the same way she had called him yesterday, but Fritz freaked out and his shoulders quaked as soon as Rishe called out to him.

The smile on his face was somewhat cramped.

Oh, good morning, Lu.

Morning. Whats up, Fritz?

Huh?! Oh nothing! Actually, I didnt sleep very well last night!

Fritz shyly said shyly and scratched his head.

He got her worried for a second. He had come to the imperial capital from the distant port city of Siutena and was living an unfamiliar life while training. There was a chance that he could get sick at the slightest change.

Your complexion isnt that bad. Do you have a fever? Do you have an appetite?

I ate well in the morning, and I dont feel feverish.

Then, can you run your fingers under your eyes?

Err, like this?

She looked at the color of his mucous membranes, but unlike Kyle, he didnt seem to be anemic. However, shed like to examine them more closely.

Fritz, Im sorry for a minute

Owa?!

She took Fritzs wrist and gently placed two fingers where his thick veins were. The results werent good, so Rishe frowned.

Somehow, your pulse is very fast.

No, ah-!

Fritz hurriedly backed away, and smiled awkwardly.

I ran from the castle gates to here. I was just training!

What? Really?

Y-yeah! So, I just couldnt sleep, but Im full of energy. Its nothing, so lets start training!

Hmm

And it wasnt because I was sick that I couldnt sleep.

No?

Craning his neck, Fritz stared at Rishe, then covered his face with his hands in embarrassment.

I-I think I might have found someone I like

Heh~! Congratulations!

He said he was going to spend the afternoon touring the Imperial City, so she guessed he met the person there. Whatever it was, it was great to foster new relationships.

Good for you, Fritz. As an acquaintance of mine once quoted, A knight who is in love becomes stronger very quickly!

Y-yeah, right

After receiving Rishes blessing, Fritz looked strangely tangled. This was quoted by a certain countrys knight commander. Did it smell a little scandalous?

As she mulled over it, there were signs of people at the entrance to the training grounds.

This is the first time Ive ever seen anyone other than Fritz come in at this time of day.

Only Rishe and Fritz trained voluntarily every morning.

Eventually, a young man, a knight candet, appeared.

Lucius, you do always have morning training

Good morning, Sven.

He was the cadet who had cursed at Rishe yesterday during training.

Instead of responding to Rishes greeting, Sven kept silent. When Fritz saw the situation, he stepped in front of Rishe.

Yo, Sven. I cant believe youre here so early, this is a first.

Oh, its because of your rebuttal when you left last night that Lucius comes and trains every morning before anyone else!

Its a fact, see? Lu beat all of us hand-to-hand because hes been working hard like this.

Listening to the exchange between the two, she had a vague idea of what had happened after yesterdays training. She was certain, who seemed to have taken her under his wing, blurted that out without pretense.

Thank you, Fritz.

Youre my friend. Come on, Lu, lets get the days training started.

Sorry about that. Just give me a minute.

Rishe turned to Sven and asked, Would you like to train with us too, Sven?

What?

At her invitation, Fritz and Svens eyes widened.

Oh, what are you talking about? Whats in it for you to ask me out!

Benefit?

Yeah. Youd be a lot better off if you just leave me alone.

Rishe tilted her head as if she was told something strange.

The reason knights have to be strong isnt to be the best swordsman in the country, right?

Wha-what is ?

Its about protecting the people we want to protect. Thats why its meaningless unless everyone grows up. Theres a limit to the number of people you can protect if youre the only one getting stronger.

Svens eyes rounded and he stared at Rishe.

Rishe wasnt a knight in this life. But she could still remember what her former life had taught her.

Besides, Sven, you stayed here after yesterdays training and did some independent training, didnt you?

How did you know that?

T/N: Nyahaha, Rishe is giving Fritz butterflies ()