Chapter 63

Ekaterina's POV

...Was that last line part of the ritual?

I'm still a little nervous about having an austere old man like Rozen kneel down for me, it's both awkward and picturesque.

It's a wonderful event that gets me super excited as a Rekijo (Japanese Female History Nerd). However, I'm so nervous that I'm already thinking that I'd rather be an observer in the corner instead of being in a position to offer my sword.

But that's not going to happen because I'm my brother's sister.

Only thirteen more to go! Hang in there, myself!

3rd POV

Despite Ekaterina's disappointment, the pledge of allegiance went without a hitch, and the ten new members of the Order officially became members of the Order of Yurinova.

At the end of the loyalty ceremony, when Alexei and Ekaterina had left, and it was just the Knights, the new members were welcomed by their seniors and were told that they were envious to be able to offer their swords to those two.

"You must be tired, Ekaterina, you should go to your room and rest for the rest of the day in preparation for tomorrow."

Alexei told her as soon as they left the hall, and Ekaterina shook her head.

"No, brother. I'm fine...just."

"Just?"

"I realized something. I'm...too weak......"

Ekaterina's POV

The sword was so heavy!

No, I think it's natural that it's heavy. It's a lump of steel with a blade length of 80 to 90 centimeters.

But I was shocked because I tried to hold the sword with the same feeling I had in my previous life, and was shocked to find that it was heavier than I expected.

I think I would have been able to hold it a little easier in my previous life. No, I hadn't held a sword in my previous life, but I'm sure I had more arm strength. Not only did I have more arm strength, but I also had more physical strength in my previous life. I was in the choir club in junior high and high school, so I had to build up my strength. I used to do a lot of running before competitions.

......I don't understand why the chorus and brass band clubs are treated as cultural clubs.

I've been working in a black company, which I joined because I was physically strong, and I died of exhaustion because I couldn't get out before exhaustion overpowered me.

"That is...of course. As a lady of Yurinova, you are not supposed to carry anything that heavy...I'm sorry to put you through that." - Alexei

"I'm sorry too, brother. As a noble lady of the Order, I just want to get my body and soul in good condition."

When I think about it, if I keep going on like this, there's no way I'll be able to train any physical or mental strength in this life. When I was imprisoned, I couldn't go out, and even after I got out of that state, I secluded myself, then even after remembering my previous life, all I did was escape by studying......

I, I think I should do something about it. We'll be having this event again next year after all.

"Brother, I would like to start doing some physical training, and I promise to do only what you consider appropriate for a lady of Yurinova. Would you allow me if I do so?"

......I suddenly remembered the other day when I decided to take advantage of the sickly setting in order to avoid being asked if I wanted to be an empress.

I don't mind using the setting, but on the contrary, I really don't want to be seen as sickly! If I stay like this, just catching a cold or something would definitely cause my brother too much worry and trouble. If I'm only sickly and fragile in my brother's eyes, but in reality actually a healthy child, that would be for the best!

Yes, that's it! Now that I'll be coming to this duke's mansion every week, I'd like to start learning something like horseback riding, vocal singing, or something that will train my strength within the "acceptable" ranges of a noblewoman.