One Day, My Fiancé Brought His First Love Along - Chapter 46

Aileen returned to the Khan Order’s training grounds after finishing her usual joint training session with Carlisle. As always, she spent the remaining time helping her fellow knights, passing on the techniques and strategies she had picked up during the drills.

It was then that Cylas and Siran approached her, bringing an unexpected pause to the session.

Both of them wore serious expressions, and the urgency in their stride made the knights automatically lower their weapons. Siran was the first to speak.

“Aileen, we need to speak with you. Now, if possible.”

Her tone was low but composed. Cylas stood just behind her, silent but equally tense.

Aileen handed her training sword to one of the knights and stepped away from the group, brushing strands of damp hair back from her forehead.

“What’s going on?”

Siran hesitated for half a second before answering.

“There’s a summons from the palace. It’s… official.”

Aileen’s eyes narrowed slightly. “From whom?”

“From His Majesty.”

That gave her pause.

The knights nearby, who had been listening with one ear as they resumed their practice, tensed again.

It wasn’t common for a knight of her rank—especially one recently released from a royal engagement—to be summoned personally by the Emperor.

Aileen crossed her arms, keeping her voice steady. “Did they say what it’s about?”

Cylas shook his head. “Just that it’s urgent. And that you should come immediately.”

For a moment, Aileen said nothing. The sunlight filtering through the training grounds painted long shadows on the floor, and the noise of sparring seemed distant now.

“Alright,” she said finally, brushing dust from her tunic. “I’ll go.”

“Should I escort you?” Siran offered.

Aileen gave a small shake of her head. “No need. I’m sure it’s nothing… alarming.”

But her gut told her otherwise.

Judith’s engagement to Carlisle had already begun to make waves in the capital. The nobility was buzzing with rumors. She had no doubt that her name, too, was still being whispered in corners—tied to scandals she no longer cared to dignify.

Whatever this was, it wouldn’t be about her anymore.

At least, she hoped not.

“The tournament schedule has been set. It’ll begin in two weeks. The preliminary rounds will be held unofficially, with the main event taking place as a formal competition.”

Cylas, the commander of the Khan Order, finally announced the opening of the long-awaited swordsmanship tournament.

An event so significant that the Emperor himself had personally visited the training grounds to make the announcement. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to earn recognition and make a name for oneself—if one could win.

The knights around them began murmuring with growing excitement.

“As you know, there’s a limited number of participants. The list will be posted this afternoon. That is all.”

With those final words, Cylas stepped away—but the chatter only grew louder.

“Finally, it’s happening. I wonder who’ll be chosen.”

“Doesn’t matter to me if I’m not. No way I’d win anyway. Better off focusing on the subjugation drills.”

“Same here. If the Sel Order’s commander is entering, isn’t the winner already decided?”

“Hey, don’t go crushing everyone’s hopes already! We could win, you know!”

“Yeah, keep dreaming. You’d better just train harder.”

While the opinions flew back and forth, Siran approached Aileen and Tanil and gestured for them to follow.

“The commander’s asking for you.”

The three of them entered the command office, where a strange, tense stillness hung in the air. Only four people were present.

Cylas stood with his arms crossed, backlit by the window as he began to speak.

“The tournament is just around the corner. Your names are on the participant list.”

It was expected. Aileen listened calmly, her expression composed. Tanil, on the other hand, stiffened with a mix of nerves and pride.

“This also means you’ll be representing the Khan Order.”

He was right. Their performance in the tournament would reflect directly on the Order’s strength.

Which meant—

“That’s why I want you both to step back from joint training until the tournament is over.”

Aileen and Tanil both widened their eyes at the sudden decision. So abruptly?

“This tournament holds more weight than you realize. Of course, joint training won’t be scrapped entirely—we’ll assign other knights to take your place.”

Behind them, Siran stood with her hands clasped behind her back, her usual faint smile on her lips. Aileen, too focused on the unexpected command, didn’t notice.

“Commander, with all due respect,” Aileen began, “Tanil and I have led joint training from the start. It’s not just us—it’s the others who’ve grown used to this structure.”

“But it’s still just a matter of passing along what you’ve learned, isn’t it? Once the others are trained enough, they’ll manage. If they’re knights of the Khan Order, they should be able to handle it.”

Cylas was firm. Aileen bit her lip subtly, frustrated.

In truth, she wanted to continue the joint training. At first, Carlisle’s presence had made it difficult—but now, that tension had eased. She was so immersed in the training that any awkwardness had faded.

And learning new techniques had undeniably improved her individual skill. Even if it wasn’t directly tied to the tournament, the gains were real.

To ban it now…

Perhaps because it was the first major inter-Order tournament, Cylas was taking it more seriously than expected. But she wasn’t going to give in so easily.

Aileen straightened and spoke again, more resolutely.

“The techniques we learn during joint training may be specialized for northern subjugation, but they’re still useful in one-on-one combat. I’ve experienced it firsthand.”

“…”

“I won’t neglect personal training. But can’t I still participate in joint training too, Commander?”

“What matters most right now is the swordsmanship tournament. You know there’s no time to waste.”

“…”

“The other Orders will be giving it everything they have. They’re likely reserving their strongest fighters for the main rounds. I want you to increase your personal training.”

It was clear now—Cylas was placing his hopes on Aileen and Tanil. Their skills were among the best in the Khan Order.

But still—there were other capable knights. And it wasn’t like a little extra solo training would dramatically change the outcome at this point.

“I also plan to minimize public exposure of our selected participants until the tournament ends.”

So that was it. He didn’t want to reveal their abilities to Carlisle—his rival—in advance.

Cylas’s cool eyes lingered on Aileen’s face, as if trying to gauge her resolve.

Just when the pressure was starting to suffocate her, he finally spoke again.

“Continue joint training only through this week. After that, you’ll stop. I’ll speak to Sir Carlisle myself.”

What a stubborn man!

Aileen’s smooth brow twisted in frustration. Tanil, beside her, barely held back a sigh. Only Siran, as usual, smiled with quiet amusement.

Having made his decision, Cylas waved a hand toward the door, clearly dismissing them. He wasn’t going to entertain further argument.

The two of them, practically pushed out of the room, only waited until they were far enough from the command office before unleashing their complaints.

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