Am I Really Wanted by Anyone? - Chapter 8

When I was young, my commoner mother passed away, and since my father was a noble, I was taken in by him and became a noble myself.

Being taken in was one thing, but I was constantly bullied by my stepmother and half-siblings, often getting injured and having my meals withheld.

I had no means of escape and could only endure each day. If I tried to run away, I would be beaten and denied food again.

Such painful days continued for years.

One day, a tea party for high-ranking nobles was to be held at the royal palace.

At this time, sons and daughters of similar age were invited to decide the fiancée and aides for the second prince.

Though my stepmother complained, I was fitted with my finest suit to maintain the dignity of the ducal house and attended the tea party.

At my first tea party, I didn’t know the etiquette and was giggled at. I slipped away as if fleeing and spent time alone by the fountain in the depths of the courtyard.

There, I became the target of the sons’ teasing.

Calling me the child of a mistress, the sons my age laughed at me and were about to push me into the fountain when a little girl appeared before us.

I was nine, so she must have been five at the time. I still remember her as a child with lingering innocence.

“I heard there was a beautiful fountain here. What are you all doing?”

“Hah. The Bergier girl? Brat, we’ve got no business with you. A weak girl like you should scram.”

When one of the sons spoke to her mockingly, she giggled.

“Me, weak? How amusing! Shall we test that?”

Far from crying, she was smiling, ready to challenge them. It must have been the recklessness of youth.

The sons here were aiming to become the second prince’s aides. Some aspired to be knights, and even those aiming for civil service had some training in swordsmanship.

A small girl like her stood no chance against them.

“Huh? If you don’t want to get hurt, get lost.”

As one of them spoke, she replied with a smile.

“But I’ve never met anyone stronger than me. I bet you’re all weak too, right?”

I never imagined such a small girl would pick a fight with the sons. Just as I was about to step in to stop her, she flashed a broad smile and moved.

“Here I go—!”

With those words, she moved swiftly and knocked down the sons in one go.

Though young, she used magic to enhance her body and effortlessly took down opponents larger than herself, then looked puzzled.

“Oww!! Let’s get her!”

But no such words were heard.

That little girl had instantly knocked them unconscious. I couldn’t even comprehend her movements and was utterly shocked.

“Are you okay? You’re cool, big brother. But I think you’d be even cooler if you trained a bit more.”

“Young lady, so this is where you were? Let’s head back now.”

A servant who had been looking for her spoke with an exasperated expression, urging her to return to the courtyard.

“Okaaay! See you!”

With that, she spun around and left, hand in hand with the servant.

For her, it might have just been a test of strength.

But for me, not understanding her movements was a shock.

They were far from the movements of a young girl.

Incredible.

That such a small, cute girl could take down boys bigger than her in an instant.

My whole body trembled.

I still remember being unable to move for a while after she left, stunned by the impact.

Soon after, I told my stepmother about the shock I’d experienced and said, “I want to know more about her. I want to be by her side.” She laughed and replied, “Once you’re stronger.”

If I aimed to become a knight and trained, could I move like her?

I want to be strong.

That thought took root, and from the next day, I humbly approached the teacher who had mocked me and began practicing swordsmanship as if I were a different person.

Doing the same as others wouldn’t let me catch up to her.

Of course, I studied desperately too. During my student days, I was labeled “a boring man not worth teasing,” but my classmates’ opinions meant nothing to me.

For years, I gritted my teeth and chased her shadow relentlessly, eventually managing to join the Royal Palace Magical Beast Knights, rumored to gather the strongest warriors in the kingdom.

As I grew stronger, the people around me began to see me differently.

By this time, my stepmother and half-siblings no longer laid hands on me as much, limiting themselves to snide remarks.

Joining the Magical Beast Knights made me realize how small my world had been.

I can’t stay like this.

I must become a stronger man.

With that resolve, I asked the captain to let me serve on the front lines of magical beast subjugation.

The captain, who was close with my father, made a sour face but granted permission, saying, “If you’re that determined, go train first in the southern border count’s territory.” I was assigned there for six months.

“Father, I will be stationed in the southern border count’s territory for about six months for magical beast subjugation.”

“…I’m worried. If it’s what you wish, I won’t stop you, but don’t push yourself too hard.”

“Of course.”

Every time I hear rumors of her achievements, I ask myself, “Have I become a man worthy of her?”