The Abandoned Princess, Yet She Is Loved - Chapter 75

The princess smiled sweetly at Grace.

 

“If possible, I’d like one with your design.”

 

“You mean… a handkerchief for Your Highness?”

 

“Yes. It’s embroidered with such care—it’s very tempting.”

 

“I… I’m honored. Of course, I’ll make one for you. As many as you’d like.”

 

Grace swallowed hard as she responded. Her heart was pounding.

 

The princess had asked her to make a handkerchief. That meant she liked Grace’s design—it was the highest compliment she could imagine.

 

“I’m glad. I’ll look forward to it.”

 

Rayleigh smiled brightly at Grace.

 

“And I heard you’re close with the Crown Princess. Would you also spend time with me occasionally? For tea, perhaps?”

 

“Call on me anytime. I’ll be there.”

 

Grace answered politely and respectfully.

 

‘Why again… Why is the princess favoring that girl…?!’

 

Diana and Sarah’s faces twisted into scowls as they overheard the conversation.

 

As if it weren’t enough that the Crown Princess was on Grace’s side, now the princess too? Was she trying to win over every royal?

 

So what if she could draw a little? Was that really such a big deal? Why was everyone making such a fuss?

 

“She really is talented, isn’t she? Capturing the attention of everyone like that.”

 

“Incredible, really. A duke’s daughter with such skill…”

 

The voices around them only fueled their irritation. That girl was an illegitimate child! A lowborn, shameful bastard. She wasn’t even truly part of the duke’s bloodline. She had no right to be recognized. And yet she acted like some noble lady, like the duchess herself—

 

Such arrogance!

 

They had to summon superhuman restraint to keep themselves from screaming. It wasn’t the right time. Not yet.

 

“Haa…”

 

Even though they trembled with fury, it changed nothing. Diana and Sarah ground their teeth, glaring daggers at Grace, who continued speaking with the princess.

 

 

“Let the energy flow… like it’s drifting. Then release it and let it fade into the air. Stronger and stronger. Then softer. And pull it back in.”

 

Grace followed Marquess Saidin’s instructions, repeatedly releasing and retrieving her energy. He had told her that using the same amount of energy each time wasn’t ideal. Sometimes she needed to use it weakly, sometimes strongly—mastering both endurance and effect was key.

 

So for the past few days, she had been practicing energy control.

 

“Well done.”

 

At last, he gave his approval.

 

Grace let out a deep breath. Her head throbbed from intense focus.

 

“You’re getting better at both controlling and withdrawing attacks. With more practice in adjusting intensity, you’ll be perfect.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

“It seems you’ve already learned how to use quantum directly…”

 

“……”

 

“Now we need to see if you can convert that quantum into individual elements. Let’s start with water.”

 

Why water first?

 

“We start with water because it’s usually the easiest to learn. When energy users first begin training, the Aquans typically start with water. For this session, I’ve brought the most skilled Aquan fighter to train you.”

 

Marquess Saidin stepped aside. A short, middle-aged man appeared behind him and gave Grace a warm welcome.

 

“This is Count Oliver. I expect he’ll be a very good match for building rapport and improving your skills.”

 

“Yes, thank you.”

 

“Hello, Lady Grace.”

 

Count Oliver greeted her with a smile.

 

“I’m Count Hobert Oliver, an Aquan. I’m here to teach you how to control water.”

 

As he finished speaking, a large mass of water suddenly formed in his right hand.

 

“Water is the gentlest of elements, but also the most unpredictable. It constantly changes shape—ice, steam, mist.”

 

“Yes…”

 

“That’s why water manipulation allows for diverse attacks and defenses.”

 

As he spoke, the water in his hand changed shape—becoming ice, then snowflakes, then vanishing into the air.

 

“Grab my wrists and close your eyes. Try to feel my energy.”

 

Grace did as instruct.

 

She remembered how Armento had said something similar before, though she hadn’t felt anything back then. But he had said she would eventually begin to sense it.

 

As she focused, she felt something flowing through her fingertips. She concentrated all her awareness there.

 

“It feels like something’s flowing.”

 

“That’s the energy of water within me. How does it feel?”

 

“Umm… cold, soft… and like it’s moving all over.”

 

Grace described the sensation as honestly as she could.

 

“Try to take that feeling and recreate it.”

 

Grace fell silent for a moment.

 

“It might take a while. Honestly, I’ve never seen someone transmute quantum into an element before.”

 

Count Oliver seemed to think she was hesitating and reassured her.

 

“Give me a moment. I need to focus.”

 

She closed her eyes again and tried to align her energy with his. Her quantum and his water energy felt somewhat similar, yet still quite different.

 

Water… I need to recreate the sensation of water energy.

 

Somehow, she felt like she could reproduce the exact feeling she had when she touched his wrists. Grace concentrated once more.

 

“…Ha.”

 

A damp sensation at her fingertips made her open her eyes. Count Oliver was staring at her, wide-eyed.

 

“Congratulations. You’re already able to control water.”

 

“I think it’s because I’ve finished all the basic training…”

 

“You really were born with quantum talent.”

 

“I’m not sure about that… but thank you.”

 

Grace accepted the compliment, a little embarrassed but genuinely pleased.

 

How amazing.

 

When she first discovered her power, no one had been sure if it could transform into elemental forms. No one had given her any clear answers.

 

“Um… is it normal to hold someone’s wrist or something to exchange energy?”

 

“Yes. Among the Armento, we can sense each other’s energy and even borrow it from those stronger than ourselves through resonance.”

 

“Ah…”

 

“However, you can’t reinforce someone else’s energy if your element types are different.”

 

There was still so much she didn’t know. Grace reminded herself to learn slowly, step by step.

 

“Now, try changing the shape of the water. Like this… or like this.”

 

As he moved his hand, the water once again transformed into snow, ice, and steam.

 

“Hmm…”

 

But Grace shook her head gently.

 

“I don’t think I’m there yet. I can’t manipulate it that well.”

 

“Sounds like you need a bit more practice. Got it.”

 

He chuckled cheerfully.

 

“Once you learn to control the other elements, too, that’ll be something. An Armento who can wield all four elements—truly unprecedented. You’ll go down in history. I’m jealous.”

 

“Haha…”

 

Grace gave a bashful laugh. She had a feeling it would take a lot of practice before she could master all four elements and control them freely.

 

“I’ll do my best to show you my progress.”

 

“Take your time. Growth isn’t a race.”

 

“Yes…”

 

There was a long road ahead. She had to master all four elements, learn their strengths and weaknesses, and train until she could use them effectively in combat.

 

I’ll just have to work hard.

 

She’d heard even mastering one element was tough. But she had to command all of them. It wouldn’t be easy—but Grace encouraged herself.

 

 

Time passed quickly, and the day of the horseback tournament arrived.

 

The early winter air was quite chilly. Everyone entering the arena pulled their coats tightly around them.

 

“Will last year’s champion win again?”

 

“You mean the young heir of Marquess Vergil? But Duke Winstaine is here this year—he might take the crown.”

 

“Who knows? We’ll have to see.”

 

There was a buzz of conversation even at the entrance. Frederic’s name was occasionally mentioned as well.

 

“The Duke of Winstaine is definitely the talk of the town.”

 

“Yes… seems like it.”

 

Aris, walking beside Grace, said with a smile. Grace gave a small nod.

 

“Now then, who do you think today’s winner will be?”