Ellowyn was thankful that the duke didn’t try to make a single conversation on the way back to the dining hall. Her hands were still clenched. It distressed her that she had let her guard down enough to vulnerably reveal her emotions to the duke. ‘If I want to become the strongest knight in the East, I must work on myself first so that I can properly help others.’

“Ellowyn, dear!” The duchess, Helda Vestein, clapped in delight as her husband and elder daughter entered. Dishes were already laid out across the table, yet the silverware remained untouched and clean. “Where were you both? We’ve been waiting.”

The duke sat himself down at the head of the table, and she followed suit, sitting next to Florencia. Although she knew her family wasn’t the type to point it out, she still felt slightly self-conscious about her body odor. In the end, she had yet to change out of her training clothes.

But her trivial worries soon dispersed at the smell of the food before her. The servants must have luckily brought them out right before she arrived, as they were still steaming hot. After the duke picked up his fork and knife, the rest of the family took that as their cue to begin eating as well. Ellowyn did not dare meet his eyes all the while. If she did, she was afraid that the whole table would hear the racing of her heart. The last thing she wanted was for her mother to concern herself with her wellbeing.

Fortunately, the duchess did not seem to notice anything strange about the silence coming from her husband and daughter. In between bites of her salad, her eyes flitted back and forth between her children. Her expression was as warm as the spring sun. “Ellowyn, my lady-in-waiting has been telling me about your diligent training. She says you can beat multiple of our knights at once!”

Her cheeks warmed at the duchess’ praise. “It’s nothing… I have yet to control my aura powers. I fear it will combust and injure several men one day.”

“My, don’t say that. Your father took more than a decade to hone his skills. He only managed to strike down a sea monster in his mid-twenties, and that’s early for most swordmasters!” Helda grinned. “You still have many years to learn ahead of you, Ellowyn. So take all the time you need.”

“I will keep that in mind, Mother.”

“And Florencia, what about your studies? You want to be admitted into the arts department, don’t you?”

Florencia set down her silverware and gracefully wiped the corners of her mouth with a napkin. “That’s correct. Although I’m confident I’ll pass the entrance exams, I am restless at the thought of seeing Prince Calypse face-to-face for the first time in ages.”

“Hmm, is that so?” It must have been her imagination, but Ellowyn swore she saw her mother’s smile falter for a split second. “I’m sure he’s excited to see you as well. He’s going to be attending the academy for the second year, right? I hope you make lots of good friends, my child.”

She didn’t dare gaze at her sister, since it was obvious that she hadn’t yet told their parents about her worries with the prince yet. But it seemed Florencia was fine for now, as she was talking about him so freely like this. ‘Maybe the prince finally sent her a letter that assuaged her worries?’

“Of course. I’ll also send letters to the duchy often.” Florencia beamed, and the duchess was no more than pleased.

“Ellowyn, are you sure you don’t want to attend the academy along with your sister?” She turned back to her.

After swallowing her forkful of steak, she answered, “I’m truly fine, Mother. My future will always lie with the duchy.” If she were to attend now, she would have to take the entrance exams and enter the knights’ training department. She knew Florencia wouldn’t mind and would even be elated if she were to go with her, but what would be so different from her training here? The only purpose of her going to the academy would be to find companions or even marriage prospects, but Ellowyn would rather her parents choose one for her peace of mind. Her birth father had married for love once, and that led to him betraying the duchy. She did not want that situation to repeat in her generation.

“Think about it more, Ellowyn,” the duke suddenly added, snapping her out of her thoughts. “If Florencia goes through with her marriage to the prince, you will become the next duchess. It would be good for you to make some connections there.” He seemed ceaseless about pushing her to think not only of her family, but the entire East. She, of course, agreed with his views as she had a responsibility being a Vestein, but what pushed him to be so insistent about it? She had still yet to know.

She kept herself from meeting his eyes. “If it reassures you, Father, I will.”

“Solon,” said Helda. The duke and duchess knew that there was not a single thought of competition between their children, which was why he never bothered to officially announce who his heir would be to the world. Still, that matter was still too serious of a topic to bring up on a random day’s dinner. “Ellowyn is already a most virtuous, upstanding lady. I’m sure no matter what our daughters choose to do, they will always remain the pillars of the East.”

“Will I really?” Her sister interrupted. It seemed she had long finished eating and was tired of waiting for their small conversations to end. “Father, do you still not want me to marry the second prince?”

“Florencia…” Ellowyn said her name nervously. He’d just suggested making her the next duchess, so surely he must have made peace with the idea by now. Back then, it took a lot for her sister and mother to convince him to let her get engaged to the prince. He absolutely soured at the thought of participating in the capital’s politics.

“It doesn’t matter what you want or decide, Father.” But Florencia did not wait for anyone to reply. “I wish to leave Whydstell in a week’s time so that I may get accustomed to living in the capital earlier. Please do not stop me, as I have already begun packing.”