Chapter 87

A month had passed in the blink of an eye since Latisha's situation came to light.

Leohnhardt was as busy as ever, and Cordelia, as his fiancée, was also busily engaged.

In the midst of all this, she made time to study about Latisha's country, the Kingdom of Alphasar.

"Even though I had a general understanding of the major countries on the continent, there's still so much I don't know."

Cordelia murmured to herself as she flipped through a book about the Kingdom of Alphasar.

The Kingdom of Alphasar, being geographically distant, had a very different climate and culture.

Many of the northern countries on the continent, including the Kingdom of Lionel where Cordelia lived, had once been part of the Great Ertoria Empire.

As a result, the languages used in these countries were often Ertorian or derived from it, making communication easier.

However, the land where the Kingdom of Alphasar was located, in the southern part of the continent, had been outside the domain of the Great Ertoria Empire.

The primary language was entirely different from Ertorian, making it difficult for people from the Kingdom of Lionel to learn.

"Hello. We warmly welcome your visit."

Cordelia spoke the greeting in Alphasan.

She was trying to learn at least the greetings and simple daily conversations.

She had been practicing with a dedicated Alphasan language teacher.

Alone in her room, Cordelia furrowed her brow in concentration.

"I wonder if the pronunciation of 'you all' is off...?"

She muttered to herself, comparing her pronunciation with the notes in her textbook.

Learning a foreign language was difficult.

While reading and writing came relatively quickly, conversation was a bit more challenging.

Even though she understood the grammar and vocabulary, she struggled with reproducing the pronunciation.

(Now that I think about it, I enjoy listening to music, but I'm not good at playing it...)

She had heard that mastering the pronunciation of a foreign language required a musical talent.

She could read sheet music and had knowledge of famous pieces, but her sense of pitch wasn't great, and she was not skilled at playing.

Until she met Leohnhardt, she had spent most of her time dealing with her younger sister's whims and managing the earl's household, leaving little time to overcome her weaknesses.

"Meow."

"Meow, are you encouraging me?"

She stroked Nini, who had come to her feet, and then refocused her determination.

"The day after tomorrow, Princess Latisha and her delegation will finally arrive. I have to do my best."

"Meow!"

Nini chirped in agreement.

As Cordelia concentrated on her Alphasan language training, there was a gentle knock at her door.

"Miss Cordelia, Sir Bernhardt has arrived."

"I'll be right there."

Putting down her Alphasan textbook, Cordelia quickly tidied her appearance.

Bernhardt was a soldier from the neighboring Kingdom of Ertoria, appointed as the commander of the garrison.

Originally a ceremonial commander, he had earned his position and the respect of his subordinates by helping to solve the incident that had disturbed the capital a few months ago, alongside Cordelia and others.

Despite his busy schedule, his connection with Cordelia and the others continued.

As a young hero from a neighboring country and the future queen, their interactions were part of diplomacy, but Bernhardt's straightforward personality, rare among nobles, made their conversations enjoyable for Cordelia.

"Sir Bernhardt, welcome. Thank you for coming despite your busy schedule."

"Ah, I'll intrude."

Bernhardt, with his low voice, silver hair, and amethyst eyes, was a handsome young man who drew the attention of many young women, but he was dedicated to his military duties and found his purpose in battles with strong opponents.

Today, he seemed to be looking forward to meeting Leohnhardt, his worthy rival, at the Young Lion Palace.

"Unfortunately, Sir Bernhardt, Prince Leohnhardt is out today."

"...I see."

Despite his words, Bernhardt's cheerful demeanor remained.

Though his expression was usually neutral, Cordelia had recently become better at reading the emotions behind it.

"Is something good happening?"

"It's just my imagination."

Bernhardt answered briefly and succinctly, while his adjutant, Gail, chuckled and whispered.

"Sir Bernhardt isn't just here to see Prince Leohnhardt."

"Did you say something?"

"It's our problem, so you don't need to worry, Miss Cordelia."

"I see..."

People tend to become more curious when told not to worry.

Cordelia, inwardly puzzled, decided to change the subject.

"Last time, when we met, you talked about how to command the guards. ——"

Conversations with Bernhardt, who was dedicated to military service, naturally revolved around military and martial topics.

For Cordelia, discussions with a top-tier soldier like Bernhardt were both fruitful and valuable.

She had summarized her thoughts on the key points of efficiently directing the guards, based on the advice Bernhardt had given her last time.

"——So, I think it's best to move the guards inside the building. Do you see any oversights or potential weaknesses?"

"No, your explanation is clear and covers the essential points for directing guards. I heard you're not a specialist in this area, but you have a good grasp of it."

"Hehe, thank you."

Cordelia smiled.

Bernhardt didn't lie or flatter.

Her confidence, which had been worn down by practicing Alphasan, felt somewhat restored.

"Prince Leohnhardt taught me swordsmanship before. That experience might be helping me."

In the case of protecting important figures, it was often necessary to work indoors, so swords, which were easier to handle than spears or bows, were more commonly used.

Cordelia had some basic knowledge of swordsmanship, which helped her understand the nuances of directing guards.

"The sword training was for self-defense, but it's amazing how different experiences can come in handy."

"Ah, sword training is excellent. It not only helps you protect yourself but also gives you insight into commanding and moving people. If you like, I can train you as well?"

"Thank you for the offer, but I don't have the time this time."

When Cordelia declined,

"...I see."

Bernhardt, still expressionless, gave off a disappointed aura.