In the familiar Training Grounds, I reminisced about the old days before I got involved with the Duke. My wife and I were much more 'innocent' back then, a part of us wishing for nothing more for a peaceful life and another tempting us to on adventures.

The world was fascinating and mysterious to us back then. There was so much we didn't know, but once we met the Duke, everything we knew got turned onto it's head. The world was boundless no more...

"Master." The words of a tiny maid with deep and unfathomable eyes woke me out of my daydream.

"Why have you sought me?" It was rare for my little apprentice to come for me for any sort of advice.

"Your son... Didn't accept my proposal."

"I know."

"Why...? Aren't I his sword?"

"You are not a sword. You've told me and the Duke many things, but have you still not come to terms with your existence? My son isn't the one you're looking for. He is a normal F Rank."

"Liar..." The little girl named Sylphy tried imitating a pouting face to show her displeasure at my words.

"You'll understand once you meet him." A smile curved onto my face as I looked at the new arrivals.

Both my son and daughter entered the Training Grounds, the former looked suspiciously at the Young Miss's Personal Maid while the latter jumped into my arms as soon as she saw my face.

As I was sitting on a rock, I adjusted the sword that was leaning next to me felt melancholy upon seeing Merilin's worried expression. Hah... How long will it be the next time I'll be able to see this face?

"Bother said we're going to grandma's house!"

"I know..."

"Daddy, you come with us as well!"

"Smart girl, don't act spoilt in front of me. You know I can't come with you. I am needed here..." I lightly pinched her cheeks. For some odd reason, she seemed emotional as she looked at me.

Knowing what was on her mind, I brought her close to me and spoke into her ear in a whispering voice:

"Does he still scare you?" This question caused her to noticeably shiver in my arms. Perhaps it was fortunate that I had my back to Simon and that he himself was a good child who could read the mood.

Yes, my son has always been obedient, hasn't he? It is a father's job to instil such virtues into his son while he's spoilt by his mother, the same way it is the opposite for daughter to be spoilt by her father.

Perhaps I am the only one who understands the this child of mine. Perhaps due to my natural strictness in my actions, even the daughter I showered with affection was an 'individual' I always kept an eye on.

Behind her silliness and cuteness, I could see a raw gem of a different nature than my son. If Simon was always relying on his instincts as a child, then my daughter was a master of relying on her 'intuition'.

She understood that this nature of hers wasn't a secret to me, but she still had the boldness to act spoilt in my presence. What a lovely child. Her timid yet 'bold' personality reminds me of her mother.

"I don't... feel scared."

"Then is this sunny day breezy to you? Let me give you a hug~ Should I get you some thicker clothes~?"

"Stop! Daddy, your beard...! It's tickling- Okay, I might feel a little bit intimated by Big Brother." She finally showed her true nature upon being teased so openly. Her atmosphere also slightly changed.

"Is it because of that incident?"

"I still have nightmares about it. Big Brother's eyes changed back then... as if he was someone else."

"Then why do you still act natural around him?" He was quite curious since she had always been honest.

What caused her to change?

I secretly glanced over glanced over my shoulder to see a very cold look in his eyes as he looked at my apprentice. This was probably what she meant, and I too do not feel any good feelings upon seeing this dehumanising gaze only meant for a true Warrior.

Sylphy didn't seem to notice his eyes, as if it was only natural for him to see her that way... Poor thing, she hasn't changed a bit. What am I supposed to do with her? How am I supposed to make her act her age?

"Daddy..."

"What's wrong?"

"I feel like... Big Brother is lonely... That if I don't forgive him and act natural around him, he'll turn into someone else. I don't want him to look at people that way anymore. I don't want him to feel sad...!"

"There there." I patted her head gently as her tears stained my clothes. No longer picking any faults.

She truly is a caring and innocent girl, someone not meant to stay in this Household. If she does, then I'm sure her innocence will one day fade in the face of the brutal reality of the scheming world of nobility. The same way ours did in the past...

"Simon." I called out to the youthful Personal Butler of the Young Miss rather than my dear son.

"Yes." He straightened his back upon hearing my strict voice. A feeling of nostalgia washed over me.

"Have you found an escort?"

"I got Mark to agree to taking us."

"Shouldn't you be calling him Uncle?"

"Trust me, I truly forgot to add that again."

"...No matter. I have a few things to ask you."

"Ask away." He spoke confidently in response. This baseless confidence was broken by my next words.

"...Are you the reincarnation of a God?"

"..." I heard no response from him for a while. Only the sound of him nearly tripping entered my ears.

"Then what about her." I pointed at Sylphy.

"Was she really your 'sword' in your past life?" I continued without much accusation in my tone.

"I'm sorry for replying this way, but... How much do you know? Does Mom know about it?" In response to this question, my eyebrows lifted in surprise for reasons quite different from what others thought.

He calls her 'Mom' now? I see he opened to her after I left. Maybe I should have held my displeasure back then. Wait... What am I thinking?! How can I show any signs of weakness? A father has to act manly!

"From the time this girl was born, she had always been fixated on you. Saying things about 'Gods' and 'Swords' no one could understand. As an orphan whose only mother died before her birth, she had always been treated kindly by us, but... Her fixation on you only grew stronger as time passed." The memories of my apprentice arose in my mind.

"No matter how hard we try, she had always been cut off from us emotionally. Only opening up to you. Not even her Master, our house's Young Miss, could get her to speak her mind. The reason I was disappointed with you has nothing to do with how you treat enemies, but how you treat friends." The burden on my chest finally lifted after saying that.

"...Do you even know what she said to me?"

"I don't. But I know what she asked probably wasn't something pleasant. Hence your attitude towards her." It would be strange if my usually dismissive son would glare at her for any other reason.

"Then why are you scolding me? She used her abilities to manipulate me! She tried to harm us!"

"Simon." My words dropped cold water onto his fiery anger that bursted forth at this moment.

"She told me everything."

"...Everything?"

"What she did and why you're angry."

"Then why are you defending her?"

"Because despite how strangely her mind works at times, she is STILL my apprentice. I know what happened between you two, but are you able to give her a second chance? Trust her one last time?"

"...I can't."

"I see..." I looked at Sylphy and found this foolish girl was clenching her fists, feeling wronged by him

Hah... I'm not sure why the House Master gave someone 'Attribute-less' the Aura Sharpening Sword Technique or what why she's like this, but I'm sure this girl also has a type of 'innocence' at heart.

She doesn't understand Humans and sees herself a tool, but in a different way from Ninjas like Anna once had. To tell you the truth, she can be considered to be more suited as a 'human weapon'.

Although it may not seem like it. I was actually the one who raised her all these years. Even spending time away from my actual family to teach her discipline and what it means to be a 'human being'.

I only realised my blunder after she confessed her crimes to me the day Simon killed that little Sleeper Assassin maid about what she had done to him and how she tried manipulating him. The look of fear on her face was mixed in with other foreign emotions.

Though I can teach her how a human is supposed to act, I cannot teach her 'humanity'. She has to learn that on her own. I clearly saw a fear of death on her face that day... If she finds a way to understand her feelings herself, she might truly grow properly.

"I've come to a decision. Sylphy will be going with you along with the Young Miss to learn from your grandmother."

"But-"

"Just think of it as keeping you friends close and those you consider your 'enemy' closer. Wouldn't you feel more at ease if she was within your view at all times? She can't scheme again if you're there."

"You're right..." Simon nodded his head.

"Anyway... Why are you standing so far?"

"I don't know what you mean." He feigned ignorance as his foot stopped secretly drawing circles on the floor. What a foolish son, does he think I was angered? I guess his instinct isn't all-knowing.

"Come here. It's really cold outside."

"It's isn't thou-"

"Yes, it is. Isn't it, Merilin?"

"Come here Big Brother!" Merilin hid her fears and called Simon, who was stiffly standing around.

My dearest son walked out from behind me to see what expression I had on my face, only to see that I truly WAS feeling more jovial than usual. Though despite knowing I was in a good mood, he probably felt awkward since I was always being strict before.

He looked at Merilin before looking at me, not knowing what to do since he was a lot larger compared to his tiny little sister. His arms opened up to give a hug but he didn't know where to put them.

"Oh come over here~" I grabbed him and rubbed his head, which messed up his hair. He didn't seem to mind though as he enjoyed this rare moment of being spoilt by his father, showing a rare smile from his heart. Though there was someone left out...

I noticed Sylphy looking at this touching moment with eyes filled with confusion, not knowing why Simon was smiling... and I couldn't help but slap my head after remembering that I left someone out.

"You come here as well."

{Understood.} A light bulb seemed to lighten in her head as Sylphy sat in the lap opposite to Simon and put Merilin on hers. Then she made a prideful face as if she had 'masterfully read the mood', which was the exact opposite considering even Merilin seemed unhappy from someone 'unrelated' sharing the only happy moment we'd have before they left.

"Why is she here?"

"Yeah, Dad, why is she here?"

"Firstly, she doesn't have a family to do these kinds of things with. Secondly, she is my apprentice."

"Hmmm, I'm fine with it then. Should I call you Big Sister from now on? Nod if I can call you that."

{Naturally.} Was what Merilin got from her face since my child still seemed to see her as a mute.

Though Merilin to like her, Simon was another matter entirely as he frowned in displeasure before getting up. Like I had expected, he didn't even wait for Merilin to notice him as he snuck away.

Sylphy once again looked at me in confusion as even someone as dense as her knew this would happen.

"Do you understand why I called you?"

She shook her head.

"You'll understand in time. I believe you can overcome your nature as a 'sword' and become like a normal human. Merilin, can you do me a favour and take care of her on your journey?"

"She wants to be friends with Big Brother?"

"That's right, but she doesn't know how to act."

"Okay, I'll help. Call me Miss Merilin then."

{Miss Merilin.} Is what Sylphy's eyes seemed to read considering my little princess showed a proud look after meeting her eyes. I'm not sure if I'm doing the right thing or not but I guess there's no other options. I can only hope interactions can help her.

Merilin got up and lead Sylphy away, causing me to sigh upon seeing their back. Martha and Anna seemed to overlap over them as I saw their back before they left. This time, I'll leave it to more subtle means to achieve the end I'm hoping for.