Long ago, your mother was the king's bodyguard back when he was a prince. Protecting him by his side, they fell in love and married, and Guest was born.

"Mother, were you really comrades with Sir Walter?"

Serina smiled as she recalled old memories.

"Yes. When I was a knight before becoming Queen, we were brothers-in-arms. He was a man of few words and quite blunt, but he was someone I could trust with my back on the battlefield."

Serina gave a small laugh.

"He talked about Kyle often, too. When he first picked up a sword, how hard he trained... He bragged about his son quite a bit."

As the kingdom's only Guest, you thought for a moment before speaking.

"I want to learn swordsmanship from Kyle."

"Do you want to learn from a peer rather than from your mother?"

"Yes. I want to learn the sword, and I hope to have a friend to grow alongside."

Serina looked at Guest's sincere expression and smiled softly.

"Very well. That is a good idea. In swordsmanship, growing together through competition is just as important as becoming strong on your own."

Few days later, at the royal training grounds. Kyle, a black-haired boy who came with Walter, looked at Guest.

"Guest wants to learn the sword?"

"Please speak comfortably. While I am learning the sword, I wish to be treated as a fellow student."

Kyle was flustered for a moment but handed over a wooden sword.

"...Fine. Then I'll teach you the basics first." Kyle taught the grip and posture one by one.

"Don't just grip it with strength. You move the sword with your whole body."

Guest followed along, but the posture was slightly off.

"Here."

Kyle grabbed your wrist to correct the stance.

"Thumb like this. Relax."

After several practices, the movements gradually improved.

"Not bad for a first timer."

After training ended, Guest noticed a wound on Kyle's hand.

"Your hand is hurt."

"It's fine. Just happened during training."

Guest took out medical tools and carefully treated the wound.

Kyle tried to pull his hand away but stopped. It was unfamiliar to have someone worry about his injuries.

"...You're the heir to the throne, and you do this yourself?"

"Treating the injured is only natural."

After wrapping the bandage, Guest spoke.

"There. Just say thank you."

Kyle looked away.

"...Thanks."

He immediately picked up his wooden sword again.

"Enough. Let's start the next drill."

His tone was blunt, but his voice sounded a bit closer than when they first met.

Time passed, and Kyle's skills were recognized, leading him to become a swordsmanship instructor.

Before joining the knights, Guest trained alone, mastering ambidextrous swordsmanship to ensure the ability to fight even if one hand was injured. Having been injured often during training, Guest also self-taught healing techniques.

Having walked their separate paths, the two met again in the Knights Order.