Chapter 9

It wasn't just the tutor that had changed.

"Hey, where's the usual teacher...?"

"Oh, young master, are you dissatisfied with me?"

"N-no!"

Harry's sword training had always been conducted by one of Hugo's subordinates. Last time, when Anna was also present, she and Floriana even cheered, and the subordinate, who usually acted as the instructor, showed an unusual enthusiasm. He had left the general's residence with great anticipation for the next training session.

But this week, instead of the muscular young man, an old man with a long beard and shorter than Harry appeared at the general's residence, looking like a kind old grandfather.

"I wasn't informed, so I was surprised... I'm sorry."

"No, no, I was also asked at the last minute. Heh heh, Hugo getting jealous... he has a cute side, doesn't he?"

Harry was taken aback by the old man, who smiled as if finding the situation amusing. "Well, I may look like an old man, but I'm still in top form when it comes to teaching. Come, let's start with your grip and stance. You've probably been swinging the sword without proper guidance, haven't you?"

The old man's eyes, hidden by wrinkles, sparkled, and Harry couldn't retort. Indeed, the previous teacher had only been a nominal instructor, forcing him to swing the sword with brute strength. The old man, who introduced himself as Donnelly, tapped his temples with bony fingers.

"You won't get strong without training your eyes and mind."

"Yes... please, teach me!"

"Ah, that's the spirit."

Heh heh, despite his playful laughter, the hardest training Harry had ever experienced was about to begin.

---

When the next general returned home, Hugo listened to Anna's cheerful report about the household in his absence in their room after dinner, though he remained silent and expressionless, nodding inwardly.

"By the way, sir. Harry's sword teacher has changed, hasn't he?"

"...Yes."

Hugo's eyebrows twitched when Anna brought up the topic he had been trying to avoid. To an outsider, his expression might have seemed threatening, but Anna simply smiled gently.

"What happened to the previous one? If he's injured, we should visit him, shouldn't we?"

"There's no need for that!"

Hugo hurriedly denied Anna's concern for the subordinate's well-being, almost shouting. Despite his outburst, Anna remained unafraid, looking puzzled. The general found his wife endearing.

"Sir?"

"He's fine! In fact, I want to push him even harder in training."

"Then why... did you think I was getting in the way of the training...?"

If that was the case, Anna felt guilty, but she couldn't imagine that the real reason was what the subordinate had said with a grin when he returned to the barracks: "The general's new wife is so cute." The change in tutors was due to the general's belated jealousy over the "wife meeting a young man while the husband is away" scenario.

While he didn't suspect Anna of infidelity, he didn't like the idea of a good-looking young man being near his beloved wife. He didn't want her to be seen by other men. However, he couldn't say that honestly. His pride as a man, even in his first love, was very delicate.

"No, it's just... Donnelly is my old master... he's a bit theoretical, but he's stronger than any of the young ones, and he's a good fit for Harry."

He had always intended to change the instructor, and he had been thinking about it for a while. Donnelly was the one who had corrected Hugo's brute strength in his youth and was a strict instructor. He had hoped never to see him again, but there was no choice.

"For Harry's sake! I'm glad. I also thought it would be good to teach him theory."

The real reason was that he could tolerate an old man more than a young one. It was a flimsy excuse, but Anna accepted it, even hugging him in gratitude. There was no problem at all.

"But, sir?"

"What is it?"

When Anna looked up at him with a reproachful gaze, Hugo's heart raced, fearing he couldn't hide his secret. Despite his usual stern face, his heart was beating rapidly, and Anna gently placed her fingertips on his chest.

"Sometimes, I think Father could help Harry improve more. I want to support a husband who can train his son."

If he looked cool, she would be even more enchanted. The general's return home would increase immediately.

---

【Bonus】

Since marrying Anna, the general had started coming home more often. The military subordinates, who had been tired of the constant presence of their stern superior, and the household staff, who had been anxious about the master's absence, welcomed this change. However, one person was not happy.

Floriana, looking displeased, tore at her breakfast bread. Harry called out to her.

"What's with the grumpy face?"

"...Father doesn't need to come home."

Harry heard something outrageous. He quickly looked around to pretend he hadn't heard and scolded his sister.

"Hey, Floriana."

"But when Father comes home, Anna Mother doesn't come to wake us up in the morning! Not today either!"

"Choke!"

A servant behind them burst out laughing, trying to hold back. Harry, who had choked on his drink, was coughing, but Floriana didn't care.

Since Anna and the children had become close, it was Anna who woke them up, not the servants. She would open the curtains, peek into the bed, stroke their cheeks, and sing, "Good morning, it's morning!" Sometimes she even sang a song. The children often pretended to be asleep, waiting for her to wake them up because they were so happy.

But on mornings when their father was home, Anna didn't come to wake them up. Sometimes she didn't appear until the afternoon. Floriana was certain that today would be the same, and she would bet her favorite ribbon on it.

"Even in the afternoon, we can't play together."

"Ah..."

"Father monopolizes Anna Mother, and that's not fair!"

Floriana puffed out her cheeks in frustration. For a young girl, the absence of Anna, whom she now called Mother, was a significant issue.

"Don't you think so too, brother?"

"Well, I guess... but..."

Harry, who somewhat understood the situation (or thought he did), blushed and mumbled, while the servants, who fully understood, looked down.

"I'm going to ask Father not to come home anymore."

"Hey, wait!"

Floriana jumped off her chair, and Harry, along with the shocked servants, rushed to stop her just as she was about to run out of the room. Suddenly, Floriana burst into tears.

"Because... because...!"

"Ah, yeah."

While calming his sister, the slightly wiser brother started to think about what to do.