3rd POV
Alexei smiled when he noticed his sister’s gaze looking at him with admiration. He took a few steps away from Ekaterina and readied his sword. He looked at the space in front of him.
‘Ah!’
Ekaterina’s eyes widened when she thought she saw a magical beast similar to what had appeared at the training area in the space that Alexei was looking at.
Whoah! And then, after creating a sword wind, the sword was swung down.
The sharp flash of the sword struck down the head of the illusion of the magic beast.
“My, that was amazing, big brother!”
Ekaterina couldn’t help but applaud.
“If that magic beast appeared, and brother had this sword in his hand, he would have been able to defeat it with ease.”
“……You’ve understood well. That’s right, I’ve thought about that magical beast just now.”
“After all, it’s the safest to be at my brother’s side. I know exactly what you mean.”
Alexei smiled at his sister’s compliment.
She then looked down at the sword in her hand and muttered.
“I am a Master of the Order after all, even though I am not a knight…”
With that, Alexei dropped to one knee in front of Ekaterina, holding a drawn sword as an offering.
“Should any danger and harm approach you, I shall be your sword and shield, even if that would mean that I forsake the entire dukedom, my position as the head of the family, I would do anything for you are far too important of an existence to me that I would abandon even the world if the need arises. My Lady, Ekaterina, would you honor me to accept this sword and oath to you?”
“Brother…”
Ekaterina’s eyes widened at the unexpected words.
Ekaterina’s POV
What should I do, my dear brother?
A very handsome gentleman who is kneeling so devotedly in front of me is saying that he wants to offer his sword to me.
I’m dying. I’m going to die. My desire is coming to kill me.
No, that’s not the problem. Don’t let yourself get moe bombed!
“No, you can’t. Dear brother is the head of the family. As a younger sister, I am the one in a position to serve my dear brother.”
“Although I’m the head of the family, I am still lacking in many ways. I don’t feel like I can live without you, even though my entourage and my people support me so much. If you really do care about me, my welfare, me as a person, please accept……this sword.”
I’m sure you’re not the only one. I’m going to die instantly from moe!
3rd POV
Boldly, Ekaterina received the sword. She placed the blade of the sword against Alexei’s shoulder.
“I, Ekaterina, accept the Sword of Alexei, Duke of Yurinova, with love and loyalty. I thank you for the love and protection you have showered me, and I hope that we can continue to be together and support each other.”
She gently tapped him on the shoulder with the blade.
After offering the heirloom sword as per etiquette, Ekaterina returned the sword to Alexei’s hand.
….But even as Alexei accepted the sword, Ekaterina still kept her hand on it.
“Brother, please stand.”
Alexei stood up, prompted by his sister who was smiling mischievously. Then, Ekaterina took the sword from her brother’s hand, this time kneeling down herself.
“Ekaterina…?”
“Dear Brother, even though I am such a helpless person, I want to protect you in my own way. Therefore, please allow me to offer my sword to you, my dear brother.”
It makes me happy to be devoted to, but I also wish to devote myself to you!
That’s how I want it to be!
Ekaterina thought so.
“Ekaterina, but…..you are a noblewoman.”
“Indeed, I am a noblewoman. My dear brother, with love and loyalty, I offer you this sword. Would you please accept it as an expression of my devotion to you?”
Looking up at her brother, Ekaterina smiled.
