I Was Just Having Fun With The Time Limit - Chapter 104

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Mellin, Kiruen’s adjutant and childhood friend, asked her a question.
“Commander, what’s the occasion for using up all your leave?”
“Just want to see a cute kid.”
“Did you get a boyfriend?”
“I wish.”
“You’re not excited about a boyfriend, so why are you so thrilled?”
“Am I thrilled?”
“You’re clearly over the moon about something.”
Mellin narrowed her eyes. This was highly suspicious.
“If it’s a cute kid, is she younger than you? What does she look like? What’s her personality? Tell your older sister everything.”
“It’s not like that.”
Kiruen leaned back in her chair, pondered for a moment, then spoke.
“What does an eight-year-old girl like?”
“Ah, so you’re one of those famous doting aunts too?”
“Something like that, I suppose.”
The two women, who had spent their entire lives wielding swords as warriors, put their heads together and deliberated.
“Since she’s a girl, lightweight armor would be nice, right?”
“No. She’d be offended if she received that.”
“Offended? Why?”
“Don’t you remember? I got lightweight armor for my tenth birthday and cried terribly.”
“Oh, that’s right, I do remember. Why did you cry back then?”
“It felt like I was given it because I couldn’t wear heavy armor. I was offended and cried.”
“Ah…!”
Kiruen’s expression shifted to one of profound realization.
“Now that you mention it, that makes sense.”
“Think back to when we were young. What was the gift that made us happiest?”
Their eyes met.
As friends and comrades who had spent their entire lives together, their hearts aligned instantly.
They both exclaimed at once.
“The great saber we got for our eleventh birthday!”
“The massive great saber we got for our eleventh birthday!”
That great saber was actually far too large and heavy for an eleven-year-old to handle, so it had no practical use whatsoever, but regardless, it had been the best feeling ever.
“The great saber was a gift with style and prestige. It had an intimidating presence.”
“Right. That’s what we should do. Besides, for an eight-year-old, her growth is exceptional—there shouldn’t be much difference from when we were eleven.”
The two women gave each other thumbs up, declaring it a perfect conclusion.
* * *
Isabel was somewhat bewildered upon receiving the great saber.
‘They’re giving me such an enormous blade?’
Its appearance was so menacing that I didn’t even want to touch it.
And the name itself was “Great Saber for Slaying Horses.”
‘Still, she brought me a gift because she was thinking of me….’
Isabel, sensitive to others’ gazes, could read the light in Kiruen’s eyes.
What dwelled in Kiruen’s eyes was pure goodwill.
‘I should pretend to be happy.’
Rather than focusing on the gift itself, I decided to appreciate the heart of the person who had prepared it.
With that thought, my heart settled and joy flooded in.
“Thank you, sister. I can’t believe you prepared such a wonderful gift with me in mind!”
Watching Isabel’s reaction, Kiruen felt a sense of accomplishment.
This was indeed the privilege of giving gifts.
A Chamado was undoubtedly a gift with style and flair. Just look at how delighted she is.
‘Next time, I should give her a Chamado in extra-large size with a halberd.’
Having successfully completed the gift presentation ceremony(?), Kiruen tilted her head.
“But it’s quite an unusual combination, isn’t it?”
“My brother said he wanted to eat with you.”
Kiruen looked toward the Third Prince Kaman with a puzzled expression.
Kaman’s expression was far from pleasant.
“It doesn’t seem like the Third Prince usually does such things?”
“His expression is fierce, but his heart is actually quite warm.”
“…Is that so?”
“Yes. He really likes you very much.”
Kaman, still in a foul mood, sat in his chair with a slight frown.
No matter how I looked at it, his face didn’t resemble that of someone with favorable feelings.
Kiruen read that expression.
‘He must be suffering severely from the fifteen-year-old illness.’
It was certainly an age where that could happen.
He had always been cold, but today he seemed particularly distant.
“Still, it’s nice to see you after so long, Your Highness.”
Nod.
The Third Prince Kaman simply answered with a single nod.
Kaman was always like that, so it wasn’t particularly surprising.
“So you were my brother’s swordsmanship instructor, sister Kiruen?”
“That’s too grand a title. I only provided swordsmanship instruction for a few months.”
Watching Isabel send eyes that sparkled with ‘That’s amazing! Really, truly amazing! You’re the best!’ Kiruen felt an immense sense of satisfaction and contentment simultaneously.
This was undoubtedly the power of the Chamado.
‘I was right to give her the Chamado.’
Isabel continued speaking.
“I’m sure that was probably the best moment of my brother’s entire life.”
“…Don’t define my greatest moment on your own terms.”
Isabel refused to be discouraged by Kaman’s cold attitude.
“Let’s eat dinner together!”
“Why should I?”
“Because we’re family.”
Kiruen felt a pang of sympathy.
‘Family, affection—those are precisely the words Kaman despises most.’
It seemed Isabel was making considerable effort to grow closer to Kaman.
But from Kiruen’s perspective, her approach was fundamentally flawed.
Kaman was someone who had little appreciation for abstract values like familial bonds.
‘Still, it’s a growing pain she’ll need to experience eventually.’
The Villorian Royal Family was vastly different from ordinary households.
Family love, sibling affection—their bloodline was far too cold and ruthless to expect such things.
‘I hope Isabel doesn’t get hurt too badly from this.’
Whether Kiruen’s concerns reached her or not, Isabel spoke with a radiant smile.
“Yuri is preparing an excellent dinner.”
“….”
“It’s bound to be delicious, isn’t it?”
“….”
“You’ll probably regret it if you don’t eat.”
Isabel approached Kaman and seized his wrist, pulling him along.
“If it’s not tasty, I won’t bother you anymore. I promise.”
“….”
Kaman didn’t appear pleased, but he didn’t refuse either.
‘I have to eat anyway.’
From Kaman’s perspective, he could see the back of Isabel’s head as she walked forward with determination, her small hand gripping his wrist firmly.
Though she thought she was holding tight, her grip was remarkably delicate.
‘She’s so fragile it would be awkward to shake her off.’
Recalling how she’d tumbled backward earlier, he relaxed his body.
Feeling this, Isabel’s steps became noticeably lighter.
“Hehe, this is exciting.”
For Kaman, this was incomprehensible territory.
What could make this little girl so thrilled?
‘Is she really this passionate about food?’
* * *
Just as Isabel had confidently predicted, the meal Yuri prepared was exceptional.
It was easily comparable to the Royal Family’s own chef.
I could begin to understand why Isabel had been so excited.
Kaman wiped around his mouth with a napkin and spoke.
“Quite decent.”
The desserts served afterward were particularly remarkable.
Even Kaman, who rarely enjoyed sweets, found them memorable with their exquisite sweetness.
Isabel rubbed her stomach and laughed brightly.
“Ah, I’m so full!”
“Since our business is concluded, I should take my leave.”
Kaman disliked this sensation of being manipulated by Isabel. It felt like his innermost thoughts were being stolen.
“Brother, I’m curious about something. Did Kiruen teach you swordsmanship so well?”
“….”
Kaman looked toward Kiruen.
If anything, it was Kiruen who felt embarrassed.
“Your Highness, I merely passed through briefly….”
“Kiruen was an exceptional warrior.”
She had talent for teaching as well. Until she struck her superior, she was a promising talent.
“Then can I learn swordsmanship too?”
Since I couldn’t practice the Villorian sword technique, I wouldn’t be able to achieve the exceptional skill of an ordinary royal. But that didn’t mean I had contracted some illness preventing me from wielding a blade.
Wielding a sword was entirely possible.
“King Valkio will arrive in three days. Could you be my teacher just for that time?”
As Isabel said this, she gauged Kaman’s reaction.
To Isabel, Kaman was a fish.
‘Come on, take the bait!’
Kaman didn’t have many happy memories.
The few good ones he could recall were going on a picnic with his mother in childhood, and those few months of learning swordsmanship from Kiruen.
Those were his only cherished memories.
Isabel was touching precisely that tender spot.
“I’m not sure I’m worthy of teaching Your Highness… First, I think I need permission from the one who exclusively attends to Your Highness—I mean, Viscount Biatonn.”
Kiruen was already itching to play with her niece(?)
Kiruen sprang up from her seat.
“I’ll go obtain permission through calm discussion and agreement. Please wait a moment.”
It was unclear why her eyes gleamed with killing intent despite speaking of “calm discussion and agreement.”
Isabel quietly pretended not to notice that killing intent.
When Kiruen returned a few minutes later, she said she had obtained permission smoothly.
Delighted at being able to play with Isabel, Kiruen burned with passion.
“You’ve eaten, so shall we try some training?”
“Yes!”
Isabel also sprang up from her seat.
She spoke with excitement.
Until just moments ago, she hadn’t thought much of it, but suddenly it became fun.
The young body found every experience fresh and delightful. Isabel spoke with genuine joy.
“Brother, come with us too!”
“Why should I?”
“Because this is the first moment I’m holding a sword and learning.”
“So what?”
“It would be nice if the person with me at this first moment were family.”
“….”
“It will become a cherished memory, like a gift!”
Kaman furrowed his brow.
Her persistent pestering was quite bothersome, yet she resembled a baby sparrow.
“Won’t you join me? Hmm? Hmm?”
Perhaps more like a kitten.
That expression mirrored the old version of himself that once filled his diary—a self now consumed by flames and lost to time.
Though Kaman himself remained unaware of it.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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