Yuusha-sama no Oshishou-sama

Leticia’s mornings started early . A person of her status could choose to wake up when the sun was high in the sky and have an army of maids attend to her every morning . However, she did not do so . Instead, she rose before the sun, when the sky was still dark . She woke up before the bakers even began to bake their bread . Ever since meeting Wynn, she never failed to get up at this time .

She slept in a women’s dormitory at the Academy . Her room was dark, as it was every morning . Officially, while the academy did not discriminate based upon social status, those of n.o.bility still received private rooms . Leticia was given special treatment due to her admission as a special scholarship student . She was the Brave who had saved the world, and was also a duke’s daughter, so special treatment was a given . Only a handful of the other students received the same level of hospitality .

Leticia slipped out of her bed . The predawn air felt cold, to the point that she could see her breath . It would get warmer once the sun rose, but that wasn’t until later . Her golden hair shimmered in the moonlight . Using the mirror sitting on her dresser, she tied her hair and tidied her clothes . This was also where Leticia differed from other n.o.ble ladies . She preferred not to have a maid attend to her . She grabbed a small, carefully wrapped bundle from a shelf before leaving her room .

Magic tools illuminated the hallway just enough for her to be able to walk . The other students were still asleep, so she took care to step lightly . Her skill at concealing her presence was honed by having to hide from monsters as they pa.s.sed by . She had learned it with Wynn during their work as adventurers . Actually, Wynn learned it first, and he had to teach it to her .

She left the dorm building . It was silent outside; only the moon and stars lit up the sky, creating dark shadows on the ground under the trees . She headed towards the men’s dormitories, a block away from the women’s . Leticia slowly relaxed her body and took a deep breath . Then, she took off with light steps . Her surroundings streamed past, and the men’s dorms soon came into view . Slowing her feet, she peeped from behind a tree and saw Wynn swinging his sword .

He practiced each sword form slowly, paying careful attention to his stance and his sword . He concentrated all of his strength into the end of each swing . His technique didn’t rely on brute strength, but instead used his entire body to create quick movements . After going through all the basic forms, Wynn took a break to catch his breath .

At that point in his routine, he’d usually run to the Wandering Bird’s Roost, where he was needed to help with preparations, while also training his legs . However, Hannah hired a new worker recently, so he no longer needed to work there in the mornings . Since he no longer had work in the morning, he didn’t need to wake up so early anymore, but the habit had already been deeply ingrained into his body . Because of him, Leticia’s schedule was early as well . Leticia breathed in… then out .

You’ve got this! She pumped her fist to gather her courage . Her eyes fell to the bundle in her hand . She made sure it was there before walking over .

“Hm? Good morning, Leti . ”
“Morning, Big Brother . ”
Noticing Leticia’s approach, Wynn lowered his sword to greet her . She returned his greeting with a smile .  I hope he doesn’t notice anything off with my smile, she thought to herself .

“Wait just a moment . I’m almost done with my training . Oh, would you like to join in?”

“I’ll just watch from here . ”

Wynn nodded and resumed his training . As she watched, Leticia felt her nervousness melt away . Wynn’s blade flickered through the air effortlessly and gracefully . Wynn preferred to counterattack after dodging the opponent’s attacks, just like Leticia herself .

No, Leticia corrected herself, I’m the one who is using Wynn’s style of swordplay .  She could see the misty breaths from Wynn’s mouth as he danced across the ground . He was the one who had taught her the swordplay that had kept her alive through countless battles . Wynn’s blade swiped through the air horizontally, then stopped moving . The blade dance had ended . He relaxed, breathing heavily .

“Good work . ” Leticia met Wynn halfway as he tried to catch his breath .

“Oh, thanks . ”

“Are you done training for today?”

“Yeah, the sun is starting to rise . Why do you ask?”

“Um, well…”

Calm down! she told herself when she noticed her heart had started racing .

“What is it?”

“H-here . ” Leticia handed him the parcel .

“Congratulations on becoming a guardian knight, Big Brother!”

“This is for me?”

“Yup . ”

“Oh, thanks so much! Should I open it?”

Leticia nodded . Inside the parcel, he saw several books .

“Oh, amazing! Such expensive things…” Books were expensive . Some even went as high as a gold coin .

“They’re history books, as well as epics . I chose ones I thought you might like . ”

“I can’t wait to read them! Thank you so much! I’ll treasure them . ” Seeing Wynn flip through one of the books with such a big smile on his face made Leticia happy . “How can I ever make it up to you?”

I did it! Leticia made a celebratory fistpump in her mind . She had predicted this outcome from Wynn’s personality .

“I wonder what I should do…”

“Then… can you come with me on a shopping trip?”

“Shopping? Do you want me to carry your things?”

“Yeah, I’ve been wanting to get some new clothes . ”

“Can’t you buy that from your family’s regular merchant?”

“I could, but… I wanted you to help me choose . ”

“I don’t really know much about women’s clothing . Is that okay?”

“As long as you like it, Big Brother, I’m fine . ”

Even if you’re the only one who thinks so, Leticia added in her mind .

“Okay, got it . I was summoned by Cornelia this afternoon, but let’s go when I get a day off . ”

“That’s a promise, okay?”

Wynn smiled upon hearing Leticia’s cheerful tone . Suspecting that Wynn had seen through her completely, Leticia blushed .

“Oh that’s right, you’re going to start as a guardian knight today . Could you tell me why you became one?”

“Oh, that?” Wynn tilted his head as he thought . He recounted his conversation with Alfred, Cornelia, and Tiara .

“Something like that happened?” Unable to remember her first experience in battle, Leticia had happily listened to Wynn’s story, and was intrigued by the series of events . But when the tale turned to the discussion about becoming Cornelia’s guardian knight, Leticia’s face darkened slightly . “I see… Cornelia is the one Big Brother is supposed to protect…” she whispered quietly .

“You see, I’ve always wanted to become a knight, and I thought that Cornelia wasn’t a bad person to wield my sword for . That’s why… huh? Leti?”

“Hmph . I see . It’s because of Cornelia . ”

“L-Leti?”

Leticia looked at Wynn with upturned eyes, puffing her cheeks slightly .  Whoa, she looks cute, thought Wynn . Puffing her cheeks was a habit she’d had ever since she was young . Her cheeks would puff out when she was displeased . Seeing Leticia being jealous of Cornelia made Wynn crack a bit . He said, “Leti is also very important to me . ”

A smile threatened to break through her face, but Leticia continued to pout . Wynn patted her head . “Mm~, I won’t be tricked!” She let out a funny sound as she tried to maintain her angry glare .

“I’m hungry . How ‘bout we go get some breakfast?”

“Huh? Breakfast? Sure, let’s go!”

How simple… Wynn chuckled . Leticia’s bad mood instantly vanished upon hearing the word “breakfast” . The food at the academy wasn’t too expensive, but it was served in tiny portions and had a more refined taste . It didn’t make for a satisfying meal . Despite her n.o.ble lineage, Leticia had grown up while often eating commoner’s food, so she was more than happy to leave the academy to eat . Wynn was sixteen and she was fourteen . They were growing children, and they had been exercising all morning . Simply put, they were starving .

They greeted the guard, whom they had gotten to know, as they pa.s.sed through the academy’s gates . Merchants were hustling and bustling as they worked to set up their stalls on either side of the street . At one large intersection, there were many street stalls already open, hoping to sell a light meal to travelers pa.s.sing by . The appetizing smell of baked bread, herbs, and grilled meat lavished in spices wafted into their noses .

Wynn and Leticia ordered some bread from one of the stalls . Paying extra for b.u.t.ter, Leticia spread it on her bread slices and put meat and vegetables in between . Sitting down on one of the wooden chairs in the plaza, Leticia sunk her teeth into the sandwich . The flavor of the b.u.t.ter and juicy meat mixed in her mouth . Leticia’s face relaxed in enjoyment . Wynn ordered a citrus fruit from another stand . It came on a plate, cut in two halves . He handed one half to Leticia . The fruit’s juices quenched her thirst, and the sweet and sour flavor was refreshing .

“Delicious . ” Having eaten her fill, she grinned happily as she watched Wynn bite into his bread . She closed her eyes . Her body began to sway, and she started humming .

When they were younger, Wynn would always let Leticia eat first, and only when she finished would he then start eating . Now that they were older, they started their meals at the same time, but Wynn naturally ate more . As a result, even while taking smaller bites, Leticia would still finish eating first . Therefore, she would sing until Wynn finished eating . She sang songs she had learned from Wynn, as well as songs she had learned during her travels . Leticia loved to sing . She sang and sang, enjoying the warm, comforting presence standing beside her .

Before long, a crowd formed around her . Travelers in the midst of their journeys and shopkeepers busy with preparations all stopped to listen . No one realized that the girl they were listening to was the Brave herself . They were drawn solely by her enchanting voice, and stayed there, spellbound . The sun’s soft rays began to shine, as if called by Leticia’s clear voice . Only when she stopped singing did she realize that she had gathered an audience, and embarra.s.sment set in . Blushing furiously with teary eyes, she wanted to drag Wynn off to escape . Wynn looked on warmly, happy she was in a good mood .

There were various unsettling rumors coming from the border between Lemmroussell and Petersia that were spreading through the capital . Some of them talked about how the Brave had led the Empire to push back the detested Petersians . The song Leticia sang was one wishing for the safety of a loved one on the battlefield .

In truth, she’s just a girl who loves to sing .

Occasionally, the wind blew past her hair, causing her hair to brush against the back of her neck .

I was summoned by Cornelia, so I should leave soon, but…

Wynn had planned to arrive with time to spare, but he decided it would be fine to stay and enjoy the music for a while longer, even if he had to rush afterwards .