The Return of the Female Knight

CHAPTER 12

"Welcome, Father."

"Thank you,"

Alphord said briefly, then immediately walked towards Mirabelle. She looked at him cutely as she held onto the skirt of her dress and Alphord's hard expression gently. He gently patted his daughter's head with big hands.

"Are you okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine."

“Do you feel pain? “

"Suster took good care of me, so I feel a lot better now."

Mirabelle was the youngest child, and even her graceful answer was as beautiful as possible. Elena watched the two of them speak before her father's eyes turned towards her. He spoke with a slightly trembling voice.

"I hope your journey isn't too difficult."

Alphord nodded lightly. He couldn't breathe for a moment. Heart's full. He's got a father, he thinks he'll never see again.

"Have you eaten yet?"

"No. I think you're all waiting for me because I came later than expected. Let's start with food. “

With the Alphord made into the first dining room, followed by her three children. He often arrived at the castle late at night and would go to the dining room as soon as he arrived. No one knew how special this dinner was for Elena today. She walked silently behind him as she tried to hide the moisture in her eyes.

They arrived at the hall, the middle of which was a long table covered in white tablecloths. The table was large enough to accommodate twenty people, and was neatly decorated with candles and flowers. Before Alphord arrived, Elena had taken care of the arrangements.

As usual his father sat at the end of the table and Derek sat to his right, while Elena and Mirabelle sat to his left. The waiters began to bring food, and as soon as they finished their plates, the next dish would come. In the past when they celebrated Alphord's return, the family would enjoy dinner due to Elena's careful preparation, but tonight she had let out all the stops. No one would say it, but the large table was so full that it looked so small under the huge feast. Mirabelle muttered "There's something wrong" while Alphord and Derek were enjoying their meal quietly. Alphord that breaks the silence of the family.

"Are you going to participate in the sword competition this year?"

Everyone at the table knew he was talking to Derek. Derek was unable to enter the competition in the capital due to the injuries he sustained during the training session. Her father and brother didn't talk about it, but she knew Derek had deep regrets about being able to participate.

"Yes, I'm thinking of leaving this time."

"If you decide to participate, try and do well."

"I will."

Maybe that's the conversation between father and son. Elena smiled as she listened to the conversation between the two very similar men. In the past he had felt the conversation between the two loud-sounding men was uncomfortable, but now he was just smiling. As dinner progressed, Alphord turned his attention towards Elena.

"You're going to Glen's wedding, aren't you?"

"Ah yes."

“I heard you came home because your stomach was upset. I know you're trying to look after other people, but don't leave this place. You may have learned from this, but we need to learn how to manage our own lives. "

"If Derek participates in this sword competition, he might have to stay with me in the capital in the future, and you will have more tasks in this house. Do not pay attention to unnecessary things, and concentrate more on homework. ”

Elena was silent for a moment while holding the fork. After a while he replied in a calm voice.

"Yes, Dad."

"I'm glad Mirabelle's health is improving, but don't forget that you should always take care of your sister."

"…I'll."

“Your brother is a pillar of our family. He will follow in my footsteps later and lead the Fourth Order of the Knights of the royal family. As I have said, women are fine at home and with children. I'm not expecting a lot from you, but work hard at homework until you get married. "

He heard this the entire time in his previous life, but suddenly he did not know why these words were weighing heavily on his chest right now. Elena's expression turned grim, and Mirabelle exploded in anger.

“Why are only women doing all the homework these days? Although Father was against it, women could also practice swordsmanship and have professional jobs. ”

“Because those people did not come from a noble birth. You don't have to have such problems. "

"And can't you let a sister choose her own marriage partner?"

"You're talking nonsense. Elena, what did you teach your sister at home? ”

Elena glared at Mirabelle to stop. Then he answered to his father in a soft voice.

"I'm sorry. Mirabelle is young. "

"Mirabelle, don't go after your sister."

"… Oh."

Even with Alphord's resolute tone, Mirabelle simply sneered her lips. If Elena did this, she would be reprimanded within an inch of her life, but Mirabelle was never scolded because she was sickly and not expected to live long. As usual, Alphord looked at Mirabelle in a disapproving manner but quickly moved as if everything was fine.

Since Elena's childhood, she has had many responsibilities to fill her mother's absence – family care, family man care, and the care of her younger sister. It was all up to him, but he never felt dissatisfied with his life. He just lives his destiny. But tonight she felt disappointed by what her father said tonight. He had endured so much when his family died in the future, and there was some hope he could appreciate the tears and sweat he had given to this family. He is only as capable as his father.

Elena swallowed a bitter smile. It was like a dream to eat together like this. There is no end to human greed. He wants his family to not know about the life he is living, but at the same time he wants to be appreciated? Elena laughed inwardly at his selfishness. It's just fine. He doesn't want more than this. Elena swallowed the lump in her throat and tried to be fine with her food.

The dinner ended with a short chat with each other along with the roar of dishes. Eventually each family member dispersed into their respective rooms while Elena had to stay in the dining room to clean up. Although he did not work with his sleeves rolled up, it was his duty to distribute the work and supervise the servants.

After he finished his work and left the dining room, he saw a steaming cup waiting for him at the table. As soon as he saw it, he instantly knew there was sweet cocoa inside. It was the kind of gift Derek sometimes gave to Elena. Since she was a little girl, when she heard something that made her angry at a family meeting she would give her a sweet chocolate. Maybe dinner talk was on Derek's mind.

'… I have not received cocoa for a long time. Why have I not recognized my brother's kindness before? '

He warmed his hands around the cup, and that comfort seemed to seep into his mind.