I Became a Swordsmanship Instructor in a Romance Novel

In the blink of an eye, Silia peeled Soi away from her like a leech and plastered on a business smile, ready to greet the newcomer.

However, the black-haired girl ignored her completely, as if she wasn’t even there, and walked straight towards Soi.

“Hmm…”

As if she intended to memorize every detail, the girl held Soi’s chin and scrutinized her face.

Soi was flustered, but more than that, a strong sense of déjà vu washed over her, freezing her in place.

She couldn’t take her eyes off the girl.

She felt like she had met her recently.

No, maybe even much longer ago…?

While Soi stared at her, speechless, Silia stepped between them, her face flushed.

“Excuse me?”

“What do you want…? If you’re here to buy bread, you’re welcome, but… if you have other intentions, please leave immediately.”

She had a feeling they were targeting Soi from the start.

Judging by her reaction, it didn’t seem like Soi knew them.

And behind the girl stood a woman with a massive physique, her sharp gaze scanning the surroundings, making the bakery feel cramped!

Having already dealt with loan sharks, Silia couldn’t just stand by and watch.

“Sister, wait. She’s not dangerous…”

But Soi stopped Silia.

“…Huh? Do you know her…?”

“Yeah… maybe…?”

Soi’s voice trembled as she spoke.

She was currently using her ability to read emotions.

Tears welled up in Soi’s eyes as she empathized with the girl’s feelings.

‘But how can she have such a blank expression with these emotions?’

She felt a deep and lingering sense of guilt, longing, nostalgia, and a mix of apology and gratitude.

It was a confusing mix of emotions, but at least there was no hostility.

‘…Who is this person to make me feel this way…?’

Soi felt like there was definitely something there, but unable to unravel the mystery, she decided to ask directly.

“…Do you, perhaps, know me?”

“Hmm, I do know you.”

“Have we met before?”

The girl nodded calmly, affirming Soi’s question.

“Yes.”

“When?”

“Ah, you don’t recognize me because your hair and eye color have changed.”

Snap

The girl snapped her fingers lightly.

Suddenly, her hair transformed into a brilliant golden hue, and her eyes shone with a golden light.

An aura of elegance and sanctity emanated from her.

“…Huh…?”

“…G-Gold…?”

Soi and Silia’s eyes widened at the transformation.

Not just anyone could have golden hair and eyes.

It was a symbol of nobility.

Even commoners understood the significance of gold.

Unlike Silia, who automatically bowed her head, Soi only looked surprised, not bothering to lower her head.

Well, Rosnante also had golden hair.

Although it was a bit more yellowish than this.

Instead, it was the large woman who had accompanied the girl whose complexion changed drastically.

“Hmm, now you’ll know who I am… Mmmph!”

Whoosh

With swift movements, the large woman used the black robe she was wearing to completely cover the girl’s upper body, almost like she was kidnapping her.

“Mmmmph!!! Mmmmph!!!!”

“I told you it would be dangerous to reveal your hair color…!!!”

“Mmmph!! Mmmph!!!”

“If you’re going to be so careless, I’ll send you back!!! And you two! Forget what you just saw!!”

As the large woman barked, Soi and Silia nodded their heads as if hypnotized.

But it bothered them.

The girl, her upper body completely enveloped in the huge robe, flailed her arms pathetically.

She struggled for a while, her arms waving in the air.

Poof!

Finally, she managed to poke her head out from between the folds of the robe.

She glared at the large woman and coughed.

“Ahem. Ahem.”

The overwhelming atmosphere had vanished with the recent commotion, but

Lillie, as if nothing had happened, put on an elegant expression and asked Soi,

“…So, do you recognize me now?”

As Lillie stared at Soi with her golden eyes, Soi finally seemed to realize something and gasped.

“Ah! That, that time!!”

Lillie nodded slightly, satisfied with Soi’s reaction.

“Yes, I am the one who owes you her life…”

“The one who was taken hostage!”

“…Huh? What the…?”

Lillie’s legs almost gave way.

Soi quickly rushed to support her.

Then she whispered in her ear, keeping the incident a secret from her sister.

“Oh, a-are you okay? We couldn’t help it back then… The instructor took you hostage… And I was lying on the floor, unable to move because of something…”

“N-no, what the… That’s…”

“Hehe, I was watching everything with my eyes slightly open. You… are the Princess of the Ira Duchy, right? You must have been very surprised to be caught up in such a sudden incident. I’m glad you’re healthy.”

“…Y-yes… I’m fine.”

“I’m really, really, really sorry about that day.”

“I-it’s okay…”

Lillie was flustered.

‘This, this isn’t right…’

Soi’s rapid-fire words left her unable to say anything but “it’s okay,” like a broken record.

But from Soi’s perspective, she had no choice.

‘She must be here to hold the instructor accountable for that day! So I have to apologize!’

For now, it seemed like the Princess of the Ira Duchy held deep goodwill towards her for some reason.

But she wasn’t sure if that goodwill extended to Zeke as well.

‘I’m curious about the reason for her goodwill, but I can’t get my priorities mixed up. I have to protect the instructor.’

So, if she could use the goodwill directed towards her to lessen any hostility towards the instructor, it would be a win.

Before bringing up that day again, she had to give her something.

But even all of her possessions would be a pittance to a Princess like this.

As Soi racked her brain, an idea struck her.

Iriel absolutely loved her bread!

Recently, with Soi’s improved skills, Iriel had even started pre-ordering freshly baked bread from Hillaise Bakery, offering extra money.

Since this person was also a Princess, she wouldn’t say anything bad about her bread, at least.

“…Do you, perhaps, like bread?”

“B-bread…?”

“Yes! The bread here is really, really delicious!”

“Huh? Huh?”

Silia, who had been standing by, bewildered by the whispering, was startled by Soi’s call and replied,

“G-give her all the freshly baked bread we have. She’s a noble lady.”

“Huh…? But we need that for the evening sales…”

“I’ll pay for it from my allowance! It’s a gift from me!”

“O-oh… Okay.”

While Silia stammered, Lillie found herself holding a mountain of bread.

“Is this… your pure goodwill?”

Soi asked with a bright smile.

“…Y-yes. Thank you.”

Lillie nodded hesitantly.

“It’s really delicious, so please share it with the person next to you.”

“Yes, I understand.”

“So… about that day… Could you perhaps… be lenient with the instructor?”

Soi quickly added, despite having just said it was pure goodwill.

“…Y-yes. I’ll do that.”

Overwhelmed by the rapid turn of events, Lillie mumbled a promise like an automaton.

“Thank you!!! Please come again next time!”

Soi smiled brightly, shaking Lillie’s hand.

“W-well then, we’ll be going.”

“Yes! Goodbye.”

Creak

Thud

***

“Haa, I’m exhausted…”

Back in the carriage, Lillie collapsed onto the seat and gazed at the clouds drifting across the sky through the window.

“Your Highness! What are you doing?! Munch munch. You must hide your hair! Munch munch. I told you that over and over again! Munch munch.”

“…Be quiet. That child is a good child.”

Karen nodded as if agreeing with her denial.

“Gulp. That’s true.

Giving away all the freshly baked bread…

Indeed, there’s no such thing as a bad person who shares food.

By the way, this is incredibly delicious! I’ve never tasted anything this good!”

Karen, who had already devoured over ten loaves of bread, pondered her next choice before suddenly bursting into anger.

“Damn those Southerners!

They’ve been enjoying this bread all to themselves!

I wondered how they could keep eating such tasteless meat, but it’s because they have this bread! Your Highness, would you like to try one?”

Lillie glared at her maid, Karen, with wide eyes.

Not only had her maid already started eating the food she had received, but she was also gobbling it down.

Sigh

Letting out a short sigh, she turned her gaze back to the sky.

“No, I wanted to show her the real me. Even though I couldn’t say anything I wanted to say…”

“Huh? Munch munch. What did you munch munch say…?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

“Gulp. By the way, you said you wouldn’t bring any escorts when you meet the swordsmanship instructor tomorrow, right?”

“Yes, I won’t budge on that. You wouldn’t be able to enter Ramielli Academy anyway.”

“Hmm… Yes, well… I understand.”

Karen’s eyes flashed sharply for a moment before returning to their innocent state as she picked up another loaf of bread.

Munch munch

“But this is really delicious. I wish we had bread like this in the North.”

“Don’t eat them all, leave one for me.”

“…”

Munch munch

“Hey!”