Virgin Knight Who Is the Frontier Lord in the Gender Switched World

Reckenber was sometimes kind, sometimes strict.

No, that’s a lie.

Was there ever anything strict?

Was there anything strict in what Reckenber had given me?

Even when my hands were full of calluses from training with swords, spears, and bows.

Even when I was injured by a blunt sword.

Could that truly be considered strict?

Everything was done desperately in her spare time to train me.

Oh, Reckenber.

I still don’t understand your affection.

Flashback.

I reminisce about the first time we met.

“My name is Claudia von Reckenber. You are Katarina, the Third Princess.”

“Having me as your Advisor won’t bring you any good.”

Reckenber, 15, and I, 5.

The meeting was overseen by the elderly Minister of Military Affairs.

“Excuse me for saying this, but I heard that it’s difficult to understand your emotions, Princess Katarina.”

“I understand ‘logic.'”

“Is that so?”

For some reason, Reckenber gently patted my head and then knelt down to meet my gaze.

“Then, I will continue to teach you logic. Along with that, let’s learn about emotions.”

“Can ’emotions’ be learned?”

“Well, I don’t understand it well either.”

Her characteristic narrow eyes.

With eyes narrow as threads, Reckenber smiled.

“Well, let’s try!”

“Huh, well, do whatever you want.”

For some reason, I nodded unenthusiastically to Reckenber, who seemed motivated.

An unadorable child.

That’s how I felt logically at that time.

At the same time, ah, Reckenber was already being Reckenber back then.

That’s what I thought.

And that since then, the Minister of Military Affairs had been plotting to make me queen.

Recognizing Reckenber’s talent and intending to educate me.

I remembered that.

Days pass.

They pass by.

Childhood passes by.

Eventually, Reckenber, with her abilities, always distinguished herself in battles against neighboring countries of Virendorf and always won at the knights’ tournaments.

Everyone had to acknowledge her abilities, and before long, she became the captain of the knights.

When I was 10, and Reckenber was 20.

Reckenber got married and had a child.

Since it was the birth of my Advisor, I visited Reckenber’s residence after some time had passed.

Or rather, Reckenber quickly called me over.

“This is my child. Her name is Nina. Nina von Reckenber.”

It was a baby.

Of course.

“Please hold her.”

Yes, the baby was handed over from Reckenber, who was lying in bed, and I took her.

It was nothing special.

Just a baby.

“Do you feel nothing?”

“I don’t.”

The usual question from Reckenber.

With every action.

With every opportunity.

Reckenber would ask.

“Do you feel anything?”

The answer was always the same.

“I feel nothing. But”

“But?”

Reckenber, somehow leaning forward from the bed, brought her face closer to me.

My answer.

“I’m glad this child didn’t become a matricide.”

I’m glad she didn’t end up like me.

To kill the mother at birth, hated by the father, bullied by the sister.

Glad she didn’t become such an existence.

Glad that Reckenber didn’t die.

“Is that so? Is that all?”

Reckenber nodded with a deeply disappointed face.

I understand logic.

That’s because Reckenber strictly educated me.

In this case, I should offer congratulations.

“Reckenber, congratulations on your childbirth.”

“Yes, Onee-chan is happy for you, Nina.”

“Onee-chan?”

Strange words indeed.

There is no blood relation between Nina and me.

“Like sisters. You are my child too.”

“I am not a child of Reckenber.”

“Close enough. I have intended to raise you since you were five. That father and sister of yours are utterly useless.”

Reckenber mutters with a displeasure that seems quite intense.

“So, in their stead, I consider myself your family. Do you dislike it?”

“I don’t know if I dislike it or not.”

“Then, from today, we’re family. It’s decided.”

Did you even listen to what I said?

I said I didn’t know.

Reckenber ignores everything and forcefully declares me as family.

No matter what I say, Reckenber sometimes forcefully proceeds with things.

Assuming I would not resist anyway.

Taking action based on that assumption.

Indeed, that is the case.

“Nina von Reckenber. Become strong. Like your sister.”

Reckenber soothes a baby.

Am I strong?

Facing Reckenber, I can hardly feel conscious of my strength.

Well, if one can take even one out of ten at that age against Reckenber, it’s something to be proud of.

That’s what the old woman, the Minister of Military Affairs, said.

The Minister of Military Affairs would sometimes appear before me and Reckenber, checking on us.

As if the future of Virendorf depended on the two of us.

No.

In fact, I became queen, and Reckenber a hero.

The Minister must have seen it all coming.

Such a recollection.

Memories are endless.

I wish to indulge in them forever.

But, time passes.

Ah.

Right.

The rose bud.

I finally remember what Faust von Polydoro wanted to say.

Continuing the recollection of those times.

“Lady Katarina, what are you looking at?”

“The rose bud.”

“Hmm?”

With narrow eyes.

The face with eyes narrow like threads peeks from behind me.

At this time, I was 12 and Reckenber was 22.

By then, Reckenber had already started making a name in the subjugation of nomadic tribes.

Rather, she had begun a unilateral slaughter.

By now, Reckenber had already solidified her position as a hero, with an aura that allowed no room for complaint.

Eventually, I would, in an inheritance duel, follow Reckenber’s dictates.

To kill my sister, and incidentally, my father too, becoming the queen of Virendorf.

My sister and father were incompetent.

Their existence was already a harm, merely consuming the stipend.

This country must be succeeded by me, or it would come to nothing.

Currently, the high-ranking nobles, the former Advisor and a duchess who is a relative, are serving as the proxy for the royal family.

But to leave the throne vacant for seven years is too long.

Reckenber works tirelessly, showing talent in politics, military affairs, and on the battlefield, barely managing because she repels external enemies.

Especially against the northern nomadic tribes, without Reckenber, progress is impossible.

That’s what she should concentrate on.

But Reckenber says my education is not yet complete.

“Indeed, it is a rose bud.”

“Will it not bloom yet?”

“It will not bloom yet.”

Reckenber mutters.

Continuing, while staring at my face for some reason, he mutters.

“It’s not yet time for it to bloom.”

“When will it bloom?”

“Probably, it won’t. That out-of-season bud.”

Haa, Reckenber exhales.

Her breath is white.

It was winter.

“It might be difficult at this temperature. At the very least, if you don’t bring them inside as cut flowers…”

“Indeed.”

“Flowers and humans are the same. If the environment is wrong, they won’t bloom. On the other hand, if the environment is right, flowers will surely bloom. Yes, I’ll make it bloom.”

Reckenber mutters with a determination in her expression, but then, as if realizing something, she hesitantly asks me.

“Um, Lady Katarina, by any chance?”

“What?”

“Do you want to see that flower bloom?”

Reckenber asks with serious eyes.

Want to see the flower bloom?

Come to think of it, why have I been staring at this rosebud for so long?

“I want to see it.”

Why was I obsessed with a rosebud at that time?

It doesn’t matter.

Everything in the world is vague, terribly muddled, my father’s hatred, and my sister’s harassment are all irrelevant.

That’s how it was supposed to be.

Yet, in this ambiguous world, only Reckenber persistently involves herself with me.

Eagerly, insisting that you will be queen, she conducts education for the next queen.

It’s not that it was annoying, but as a competent student, I silently complied.

And there was nothing inconvenient about my life.

Yet.

“You want to see it, don’t you?! Really want to see it!!”

“Uh, yeah.”

Reckenber, grabbing and shaking my shoulders excitedly.

Her face is somehow happy, and I nod, overwhelmed by his enthusiasm.

“Then, shall we steal it?”

“What?”

This isn’t logical.

Even if it belongs to the royal palace’s garden, Reckenber, you can’t just steal it.

Wasn’t it you who taught that one must not take others’ belongings without permission?

Strictly speaking, this belongs to the royal family, not my personal property.

Suddenly stealing the rose would surely trouble the gardeners.

“Let’s steal all the branches of this rosebud. Then, let’s fill Lady Katarina’s room with roses.”

“Wait, Reckenber?”

No, I don’t want it that much.

A single flower would be fine.

I was just curious whether this out-of-season rosebud would bloom.

Stealing a single flower along with its branch probably wouldn’t be noticed, and that would be…

“I’ll gather Lady Katarina’s personal guards. Let’s all work together on this.”

“Um, Reckenber?”

If we do something so grand, it’s bound to be discovered.

Is she really planning to plunder every flower in the rose garden?

“In a warm room, beautiful roses will surely bloom. The room will be filled with beautiful roses. It will be a wonderful sight.”

“No, no.”

Reckenber is completely set on the idea.

What moved her heart so much?

I don’t understand.

“Let’s go, this Reckenber is all fired up!”

How did it come to this?

To sum up the outcome.

Reckenber and I were reprimanded for ravaging the court’s garden roses, and somehow we ended up being severely scolded by the Minister of Military Affairs responsible for us.

Well, that old woman was probably the only person brave enough to scold Reckenber.

Ah, I remembered.

Even while being scolded, Reckenber was laughing terribly.

Grinning, as if she couldn’t contain her happiness.

Why?

The answer to that.

I wonder if I could understand if I asked.

※

“Faust von Polydoro,”

“Yes?”

The scent of roses.

As it wafts from the cut flowers at my bosom, I inquire.

“You said you were aware of the commotion caused by myself and Reckenber. The presentation of roses must be because of that. I understand the intent. Thus, I ask you. Why did Reckenber steal the roses at that time?”

“You do not understand?”

“I do not.”

Answer me, Faust von Polydoro.

Lord Polydoro falls silent for a moment, then responds.

“I heard that Lord Reckenber stole the roses because Queen Katarina begged her to.”

“Well, it’s slightly different but not incorrect. I did not expect her to steal an entire corner of the rose garden.”

“Lord Reckenber was probably delighted.”

Delighted?

Delighted by what?

“Queen Katarina, have you ever begged anything from Lord Reckenber?”

“That is…”

Nothing.

Not a single thing.

The palace provided everything necessary for life.

And anything else not necessary for living, Reckenber provided as gifts.

Even if they’ve become useless junk now, I still cannot bring myself to throw them away.

“To want, is one of the emotions. Lord Reckenber was…”

As I fall silent, Lord Polydoro continues speaking.

“Overjoyed. That is what I believe. Therefore, she would commit such an act as stealing an entire corner of the rose garden, no, perhaps it is just my assumption, but if I may continue?”

“Continue.”

I let Lord Polydoro keep talking.

Guesses are fine.

I want to know what Reckenber was thinking at that time, even a little.

“Lord Reckenber wanted to make Queen Katarina laugh.”

“Laugh?”

“A foolish act of stealing an entire corner of the rose garden, something not to be done, a foolish thing, that kind of laughter.”

Lord Polydoro’s guess.

Ahh.

There was a meaning to Reckenber’s actions at that time.

“Fully expecting to be scolded together later on. She did something foolish, knowing full well the consequences. I believe that was…”

There was meaning, wasn’t there?