Histania Hanna hated her father.


    Despihtmares.


    O talent.


    There was a time when she was proud of her father.


    When she set her life’s goal around bing like him.


    She took pride in his swordsmanship and the family’s history.


    Founding hero.


    A swordsman who fought to the end in wars.


    A family that produced the greatest swordsman.Jusraved with the Histania family crest.


    Regardless of her father’s neglect.


    Despite the contempt and scorn she faced.


    Even though she never heard a birthday wish, she believed that one day light would shine on her.


    Of course, that expectation crumbled.


    Sitting on her dorm bed, Hanna reminisced.


    It wasn’t even a year ago, but the memory was a turbulent period and an emotional explosion for her, making it feel long.


    She recalled the rain.


    It was on her worst birthday ever, a year ago.


    When the sky seemed to have holes as torrents poured, Hanna had made a painful request to her father.


    -Father… Today is my birthday.


    That day when she asked her father who always favored her brother for sword training, he coldly dismissed her.


    -Don’t you get tired of this, asking continuously?


    Her father had told her to give up the sword.


    He didn’t understand how many worries she overcame just to utter that difficult request for a spar. That day he uttered the usual words to drop the sword.


    That damn sword.


    Sword.


    Sword…


    Having been told shecked talent.


    Her father’s knowing expression and arrogant tone finally broke the wall of hope she had built over so long.


    Though she heard simrments often, it hurt more probably because it was her birthday.


    She expected it from her father, but having heard from her brother’s butler that she had talent, her father’s cold response stung even more.


    So that day, she ran away.


    It was her first experience of fleeing home, overwhelmed by life. More than a simple outing, she faced the harsh reality that there was no ce for her in that family and wandered the streets like a lost child.


    Had someone not stopped her then, she would have headed straight to the tragedy shown by the Blue Window.


    She definitely would have.


    That day, Hanna clutched at straws and sought out the butler working for the “viiness.”


    She missed the ttering lies the man used to say. Though she knew it was all false and his assurance about her talent was just a bold-faced lie, she went to his house.


    -Oh…? Come inside for now.


    The bitter tea he served, which was the worst she had ever tasted, made her cry because she liked its aroma.


    -How can a father act that way?


    She vented to someone she barely knew.


    -What did I do wrong…!


    And receivedfort from someone she barely knew.


    At that time, she didn’t realize that this man’s lies were the truth.


    She merely thought he was consoling her for money and ying along with trivial lies. iming she could beat Michail was absurd, after all.


    Nevertheless, the man called after her as she was leaving.


    -It’s raining heavily outside. Don’t you need a ce to stay?


    -It’s okay. I have a home…


    -Lies.


    He strove to make that lie a reality.


    -You’ll sleep at our mansion for a while.


    -It’s my mansion!


    -Hmm… You’ll live at the youngdy’s mansion.


    Drawn to the fool’s earnest efforts, Hanna began to mix in, charmed by his warmth and warm lies, she started to believe his lies.


    And on the day she felt those emotions peak.


    -Didn’t I say you have talent?


    -…sniff


    -Don’t cry. Happy bted birthday.


    Hanna felt the emotion of liking someone for the first time.


    I like never before, felt stuck on a photograph, unmoving but throbbing intensely.


    Hanna couldn’t forget the warmth she experienced that day. It felt as if she still held onto the cautious hug she received.


    What Hanna valued most wasn’t her father’s startled expression.


    Not the manifestation of the long-sought aura.


    It was the warm embrace that assured her someone believed in her.


    That was the brightest light in Hanna’s life.


    And.


    -Dad!


    Witnessing her worst nightmare rey in reality shattered the small remaining respect she held for her father.


    -Please save me.


    It cemented her reason for hating him and made her love someone more.


    A cold wind blew outside the window.


    As night’s spring breeze softly touched her hair, Hanna tucked it behind her ear.


    Though she wasn’t clear on what to do next, she knew what she wanted.


    “I want to see you.”


    She wanted to see him.


    her worries.


    For that, she had to work harder.


    With a small smile, Hanna nced at the sword leaning against her desk. It wasn’t the one her father gave her but the one gifted by Ricardo, smiling foolishly as she looked at it.


    “I really like you. So very much.”


    She couldn’t stop smiling.


    Like a fool.


    Receiving such a grand sword was delightful, especially since it was from Ricardo, making her smile endlessly.


    Among all the gifts she received, this was the most meaningful one, she thought as she stood up.


    ‘Let’s go.’


    To earn the right to stand beside him and be a deserving person, that was her responsibility.


    Hanna didn’t want to meet Ricardo in her shabby state. She disliked approaching him with teary eyes, hoping for miracles with foolish expectations.


    Some and headed to the training groundste at night.


    Facing the cold wind, she started to run.


    With a bright smile.


    Running vigorously towards the training grounds.


    Dreaming of a brighter future.


    “Huff… Huff…”


    Not forcing herself to practice but to wield the sword she truly loved, Hanna ran to the training grounds.


    She spotted two people there from a distance.


    ‘No one should be silver hair and nodded.


    “Michail-senpai.”


    Michail was swinging his sword again today.


    But who is that person beside him?


    Hanna wondered, seeing the man whose face was hidden in the shadows.


    The broad shoulders.


    The sword at his waist indicated he was a cadet here to practice, but his face remained concealed.


    Seeing he was sparring with Michail, he must be a friend of Michail’s…


    But why does it matter, she thought.


    It doesn’t matter who is there.


    As she approached the training grounds where Michail and the unknown man practiced.


    “Hello. Training again today…”


    She began to greet Michail lightly when the man’s face was slowly revealed from the shadows, and her body stiffened.


    “It’s been a while.”


    A gentle voice called out to her. The man’s waist held a sword with the Imperial emblem engraved on its hilt, and Hanna clenched her fist and looked up.


    “Daughter.”


    Seeing the person she hated most, she bit her lip.


    “Dad… No, Father.”


    *****


    Another day of drying the youngdy’s hair with exasperation.


    “Aah…”


    Olivia opened her mouth to the warm wind from the magical hairdryer.


    Drying her hair skillfully, I spoke to the youngdy with a pleasant smile.


    “The wind isn’t for eating, youngdy.”


    “I know.”


    “Then why are you doing it?”


    With a mysterious expression, she replied.


    “It’s fun.”


    “Oh…”


    “Try it, Ricardo. It feels good.”


    Giving her a thumbs-up, I said.


    “You’re wise as always. I will try itter.”


    Smiling, I continued drying her hair. The youngdy was always amusing.


    ‘Whizzz,’ went the sound from the hairdryer as Olivia took in the wind, her eyes lit up with curiosity and she looked at the brightly shining sun.


    “Ricardo.”


    “Yes.”


    “Going somewhere today?”


    “I told you yesterday, didn’t I?”


    Her question mark multiplied, expressing deeper wonder. Looking at her puzzled expression, I couldn’t help butugh and sighed before answering.


    “I’m going to the capital.”


    “The capital?”


    “Yes. The household head said he wanted to see you and asked you toe.”


    “My dad?”


    Affectionately calling her father a nickname ingeniously, I nodded and replied.


    “Yes, Darbav said so.”


    “Oh… Such a bother.”


    Disliking bothersome tasks the most in the world, Olivia proposed a radical solution.


    “Tell him toe here.”


    “It’s a good idea, but the household head is busy.”


    “I’m busy too…”


    She nced at the mound of part-time job tasks piled on her desk with regretful eyes. Looking at the barely profitable projects, I chuckled and added.


    “The household head said he would give you an allowance.”


    “Allowance?”


    “Yes.”


    “Does Ricardo get one too?”


    “No, I don’t.”


    “Hmm…”


    With a small smile, I shared a piece of news to the sulking youngdy.


    “Oh, by the way, I’m going to earn money too.”


    “Don’t work. I’ll support you with my allowance.”


    “Please just pay my back wages.”


    “But what are you going to do?”


    Sporting a wry smile, I replied.


    “I haven’t received my payment for thest job.”


    “Did Ricardo get scammed?”


    “Yes.”


    Thinking about the Academy in the capital made me smile bitterly.


    “They left in a hurry, saying it was urgent, but I still haven’t received any word.”


    End of Chapter