A Request to Grandmother
"Father, Mother, have you calmed down?"
Father asked the two of them.
"I'm sorry for startling you, Grandfather, Grandmother."
"Ah, it's fine now. Sorry for losing my composure."
"I'm sorry too, Joan dear. I was just so surprised."
Afterward, everyone resumed their tea time together.
"Mmm, this dried fruit is delicious."
"Yes, it really is. And these cookies made with the dried fruit are delightful."
"Does eating something this tasty really have such an effect?"
"It does. Look forward to tomorrow morning."
"Huh? Grandfather, are you staying over?"
Brother Noel asked.
"Ah, yes. Not only for today but all the way through the New Year."
“”"Yay~~~!””"
My brothers and I shouted in unison.
"Oh my, the three of you, I understand you're happy, but please calm down."
Mother said with a smile, though her eyes didn't match her cheerful tone.
“”"S-sorry.””"
We apologized together.
If they’re staying until the New Year, then I have some time, don’t I? Maybe I should try asking her, even if there’s little chance.
"Um, Grandmother?"
"Yes, Joan?"
"While you’re staying at the mansion, could you please train me, even just once?"
[Huh?]Everyone else was startled.
"Why me, Joan?"
"I heard you were part of the royal guard assigned to the former queen and were very strong. I want to become as strong as you, Grandmother! Even among the personal guard, there are people without magic who work hard. I feel like using my status as a noble or having a Null attribute as an excuse is just me being lazy. I think it’s wrong to rely solely on others to protect me. Is that not a good reason?"
"Joan dear, you really are someone with memories of a past life. Even at five years old, you’ve thought this through and understand what actions to take. Very well, I’ll teach you. But my training is strict, you know?"
"Mother, you can’t be serious, right?"
"Oh? Stanley, of course I’m serious. How could I refuse my adorable granddaughter’s request?"
"But, Mother, your training is... it’s too much for Joan... (That’s not training; it’s hell.)"
"Nancy, how far has Joan’s training progressed? You’ve been overseeing it, haven’t you?"
"Yes, Madam. Currently, Miss Joan’s regimen consists of ten laps around the training grounds, 100 push-ups, 100 leg-raise sit-ups in three sets, and 50 swings with a one-handed sword on each arm."
[What!?]"Jo-Joan, you can already do all that?"
"Yes, Father. I still get out of breath, though."
“”Haaah~~~~!!””
Brother Noel and Brother Gene exclaimed in shock.
"Compared to my brothers, I’m still far behind!"
I pouted.
"No, no, no. At five years old, that’s not normal! I could only manage that right before entering the academy!"
"I didn’t even get to that level before I enrolled."
"What? But Nancy said you two were already doing it at five…"
The three of us turned to Nancy.
"My apologies. Miss Joan has remarkable potential, so I may have pushed her a bit too hard…"
Nancy looked away as she spoke.
“"””Nancy…”””"
The adults all sighed.
"Well, no matter. At least the basics are there. We’ll start the day after tomorrow, on Light Day."
"Thank you, Grandmother!"
"You’re welcome. Of course, Noel and Gene, you’ll join in too, won’t you? It’s winter break, after all."
"Wait, what? (Why me too?). Oh, o-okay, Grandmother."
"Me too? (Seriously?) ... Understood."
"Yay! We’ll all train together. (Though my brothers seem a bit unenthusiastic, but oh well!)"
While I was excited, Brother Noel and Brother Gene were both slumping their shoulders.
Meanwhile, I thought of the junior members of the personal guard, blissfully unaware of their impending fate.
((If you’re going to resent someone, resent Joan.))
***
Tap, tap, tap.
Bang! "Here I am~~~"
"Oh, hey, Missy. You’re in a great mood, huh?"
"Yeah! Starting on Light Day, Grandmother will train me!"
"””Hah~~~!!?”””
Abe, Arthur, and my master were all shocked.
"Missy... Please don’t tell me you asked her yourself?"
"Huh? How’d you know? But yes, I did."
"You’re kidding me!"
"Missy… you’re fearless, aren’t you?"
"Why?"
"Miss, trust me, don’t do it. That’s not training—it’s hell."
"But I want to get stronger. It’s natural for it to be tough, isn’t it?"
"It’s not just tough—it’s beyond imagination."
"Miss, will it just be you and Old Madam training together?"
"No, everyone will be there. Grandmother said my brothers and the junior members of the personal guard would join in too."
The three exchanged glances.
"””Ah~~~~~”””
"They’re dead."
"A mountain of corpses."
"Poor souls."
"Oh, if Master and Arthur want to join the training too, I can ask Grandmother for you!"
“”Nonono.””
They both shook their heads rapidly.
"Really? You don’t need to hold back. Grandmother won’t get angry, you know?"
Regardless of their reluctance, I was thrilled. After all, in my past life, I’d never had the chance to try martial arts, despite wanting to. Now that I’ve been reincarnated, I’m determined to do all the things I couldn’t before.
Sure, I’m a noble lady, but I’ll manage somehow!
What do you think about this chapter?
