0&1 Ch 10.4

I shrugged my shoulders. “That’s right.”

Edward seemed truly discouraged now. Why is he acting like that?!

It was an inefficient way of communicating, having to read the other person’s expressions when you had language as a means of communication.

I wish he would just say something. If I knew what the problem was, I could at least try to fix it.

“Would a more precious horse be better?”
“No.”
“You don’t like it? You’re not happy with it?”

“No…” Edward replied. He was stroking the horse with his hand and looking at it, but I couldn’t tell what was wrong. I didn’t think he hated it.

“If I accept this, what will you get out of it?” Edward asked.

What should I say to make you happy?

“On my birthday… You might give me a present?”

Edward was surprised. “Do you want a present from me?”

“No, you don’t have to.” What kind of present would you give me? It would be like squeezing blood from a stone.

But you can’t put broken pieces of a cup back together, and the same goes for words.

“I’ll think about it,” he said.

What?

Edward stroked the horse’s mane and examined it carefully, as if checking its health. The stablehand explained that it was a healthy horse with shiny fur and no wounds.

Edward seemed to agree. “It’s a nice horse. Thank you.” He smiled sadly.

I’m going crazy.

“Edward, you don’t really like it, do you? Do you prefer a white horse or a black horse? Or do you just not like horses?”

“No. I wanted a horse. I didn’t know until you showed it to me, but I guess I do.” Edward said something strange. He smiled faintly, but it was similar to his reaction when I gave him chocolate earlier. “Joffrey, thank you. I’m really happy.”

Really?

It didn’t sound like a lie, but it didn’t sound completely true either.

Was the gift wrong? Did it just remind him of the time he lost his horse because of Joffrey?

There was one thing I knew that Edward really wanted. 

“Apple pie. The kind my mom bakes.”

So it was Lady Rosé, after all.

“I’ll think about your birthday present.”
“I really don’t need anything. I was just joking earlier.”
“But you always give me things.”
“Do you want to give me something?”

“Yes.” Edward spoke kindly. He knew the law of equivalent exchange.

“Then will you help me with sword training?” 

I thought of something Edward could do.

“Joffrey, do you practice sword fighting?”
”There’s someone else who’s enthusiastic about it.”
“Then can I spar with you?”
“Sure. It would be helpful to experience a real fight.”

Edward was perfect in many ways, and sword fighting was one of them. He was skilled at horseback riding, though I didn’t know where he learned it, so I figured he would be good at sword fighting too.

In fact, I thought he could do anything better than me.

“Can I bring my sword? When should we do it?” Edward was unusually enthusiastic.

But he was going to bring his sword?

“Do you have a sword?”
“Yes.”
“Who gave it to you?”

Edward stared at me blankly. “My father.”

Does the king care about Edward? I still don’t understand this family, which feels like a daytime soap opera.

“Is it a real sword?”

“Of course.” Edward replied as if that was the most natural thing in the world. This kid is dangerous.

I just said I would prepare two wooden swords. Edward tilted his head, but said he understood.

He seemed to have no idea why wooden swords were necessary for sword training.

He really was dangerous.

Grey followed us again. “Where are you going?”

“Huh? Sword training.”
“Just the two of you? … If it’s not too much trouble, can I watch?”

Edward, who didn’t think anything of it, answered all of his questions and looked at me when he asked the last one.

I just nodded. Watching? It’s more like surveillance.

When I looked at Grey with a gentle smile, he frowned. “What is it?”

Nothing, just watch closely.

Ever since I heard from Grey that Joffrey had been bullying Edward, I couldn’t bring myself to be harsh with Grey.

Not that I was ever harsh with Grey before that.

As soon as we arrived at the training ground, I picked up a wooden sword and held it up to Grey. It was a blunt wooden sword that couldn’t possibly hurt Edward.

“This is a wooden sword.”

Grey replied reluctantly. “Yes, I see that.”

“Edward and I will each take one.”
”Yes, of course. I’ll be watching.”

Edward took the wooden sword. He lifted it to shoulder height with one hand, as if to gauge its weight, then slowly lowered it to his level.

I gripped the wooden sword with both hands. I felt the tip of the sword pointing at the center of my forehead.

If Sir Baumkuchen had seen this, he would have praised me for my correct posture.

“Shall we begin?” Edward asked.

“Okay. The one who says ‘stop’ or ‘surrender’ first is the loser. Don’t aim for the head or vital points.”

“Where are the vital areas? Does that include the solar plexus?” Edward asked.

If I say no, I’ll probably get hit in the solar plexus first. But if I know where he’s aiming, it’ll be easier to block.

“No. I mean the groin.”
“Got it.”
“Please go easy on me.”

I bowed first. Edward stared blankly for a moment, then returned my greeting. “Please take care of me.”

Edward’s eyes fixed on me, turning pale.

I felt like I was about to be devoured.

But Edward was too small to intimidate me. I wasn’t scared of children.

Joffrey was smaller than Edward, but I was more mature, so I had the advantage.

Five minutes later, I collapsed, clutching my stomach.

I had been hit hard. The pain was so sharp that I couldn’t breathe. As I lay with my head on the floor of the training ground, Edward and Grey rushed over.

It wasn’t painful enough to kill me. I didn’t seem to be injured.

But I couldn’t breathe, and I felt like I was exaggerating.

I waved my hand. I’m fine.

Grey breathed a sigh of relief and stepped back. Edward was still in front of me.

“Joffrey, are you okay?”
“Edward. Where did you learn to fight?” I asked, opening my mouth, which had been closed. Just making a sound made my stomach muscles ache. Wow, I feel like I’m going to die.

“I didn’t.”
“You’re a beginner?”
“I’ve tried practicing alone.”
“Self-taught, huh.”

My body was getting used to the pain. Just like a smell, you can get used to pain. All you have to do is keep exposing yourself to it.

“You’re strong.” I complimented Edward. 

He hesitated. “Thanks.”

He must have wanted to say I was weak. I was grateful he didn’t.

“Want to try again?”
“Are you sure?”

Don’t ask me that. It hurts my pride. We just sparred for five minutes.

I nodded.

Edward stood back and looked at me. His blond hair covered his forehead, and his blue eyes stared straight at me. Edward, holding his wooden sword, was not dazed as usual.

“Please take care of me.” He greeted me.

Was it customary to greet each other before clashing swords?

I didn’t know, but since Edward was being polite, I followed suit. “Please take care of me.”

Crack!

Edward’s sword struck my side. I couldn’t react. It wasn’t just the speed, but the power!

I gritted my teeth and held on. When I took a step back, Edward easily closed the distance.

His wooden sword aimed at my arm. I moved the hilt.

I don’t know why, but I thought I could block it with my hand. Panicked people usually come up with stupid solutions.

My hand took the full force of the blow. I felt a groan escape my teeth. I almost dropped the sword, but I clenched my fingers around it.

I glared at Edward. Ah. I just want to hit him once!

“Should we stop?” Edward asked.

It felt like fire was burning in my chest. “No. Let’s keep going.”

“Maybe we should stop.”
“Are you surrendering now?”

Edward shook his head and took a stance.

His next move targeted my wrist again. I swung my arm, and Edward’s wooden sword struck mine, sending it off in an odd direction.

There was no way to react. The sword struck my face.

“Ah!”
“Prince Joffrey!”

I was stunned. My head was ringing, and my eyes burned with pain.

Even though I wasn’t sitting in the carriage, the ground was shaking, and I felt like I couldn’t keep my balance. I felt like I was going to vomit.

Joffrey’s eyes. I hope I didn’t hurt him. My heart sank.

With my eyes closed, I heard Joffrey’s heartbeat in the dark world. The first person who came to mind was the Queen. Then Edward. All the moments I had been so afraid of. Accidents like this.

Then the world brightened again.

“… Your Highness!” I heard Grey’s voice.

He was supporting me. I stood leaning against him, clutching my face. Edward stood in front of me, looking dazed.