The Useless Duchess' Second Chance

The Sword of Alison

“Oh my … Lady Aria is so cute in this outfit ….”

After the girl get close with her maids, Ariana was finally getting used to hear compliments for whatever she was wearing. Ariana tries to do some stretching movements in her new clothes. Although the material and style of the clothes still look beautiful, Ariana can still move freely when she wears the new training clothes that her grandfather has specially ordered for her.

Initially, her grandfather made Ariana the clothes so that the girl could practice riding a horse. However, because Ariana never wanted to listen to her grandfather's words in the past, the beautiful clothes were left in the wardrobe without ever being worn even once. Just remembering it, was enough to embarrass Ariana. No wonder people called her a useless duchess in her last life. The old Ariana, was completely useless and only knew how to make the queen and crown prince happy.

“Lady Aria, practicing swordsmanship may seem easy at first. But if you really want to become a master of the sword, the practice itself requires perseverance and determination. Please do not take off your hand gloves during the training. Even if you are determined to take the path of the sword, I don't want you to hurt your beautiful hands in the process.”

Ariana's gaze softened as Valencia carefully put her gloves on. Valencia said that to Ariana, while the maid own hands were covered in callus from her secret practice of swordsmanship. Valencia's little concern reminded Ariana that she still had a mission to fulfill. For the sake of her family too, Ariana promised she would no longer throw away the hidden talents that grew up in her family.

“Valencia, come with me to the training room after this. I want you to watch my sword practice with your own eyes.”

Valencia's body stiffened as he heard Ariana's orders. “I can't do that, Lady Aria. Under His Grace's orders, you will practice the sword techniques belonging to the Alison family. The sword techniques that will be taught to you, are the core of the Alison family's swordsmanship that people have known all along. Even among the knights who swear allegiance to this family, only the head knight is entitled to learn the technique directly from the head of the Alison family. An ordinary maid like me doesn't deserve to be there to witness the training.”

“It's okay. With your sword skills, the Alison family's sword techniques can definitely be used to its full potential. I know your love for swordsmanship. To become a skilled swordsman, one requires perseverance and determination, right? You already have both. With a little practice, you will undoubtedly become the best swordsman in this family,” Ariana said calmly.

However, this calmness was inversely proportional to Valencia's face, which immediately turned pale. Valencia didn't know how Ariana had come to know she was secretly practicing her sword skills in her spare time. But the fact that a maidservant dared to learn a sword technique secretly, was enough to make her got a hanging sentence for violating the royal rules.

“I … I didn't mean to develop my sword technique, Lady Aria. Ah, no. I won't be learning swordsmanship again in the future. A maid like me … Has no right to learn swordsmanship like The Young Lady did.”

Ariana's eyebrows rose slightly as she listened to Valencia's words. “Who cares about those strange rules, Valencia? At least in this residence, I don't want people to continue to obey unreasonable rules. Male servants can practice swordsmanship, so why can't maidservants do the same? As long as they're willing to learn, even a servant like you can become a skilled swordsman.”

Ariana knew her words could get her punished for violating royal rules. But as long as people still knew her as a crazy girl because her brain had been damaged, no one would dare to say anything about this matter. After all, Ariana will start from Valencia first. Although she was indeed against the discrimination that occurred in this kingdom, Ariana knew she had to be careful in choosing the people she would help in the future. Ariana didn't know who would stab her in the back if she let her guard down. So for the time being, Ariana will only support Valencia, who has indeed proven loyal to her until the end of her life in the past.

While Ariana was thinking, Valencia who was in front of her started to cry while looking at her little lady. Even her parents, always regretted that she was born as a woman, even though her family was a family of knights. Valencia has always had a better talent than her two brothers. But she had to throw her dream away, just because she was born a woman.

Yet today, Ariana's words had raised her hopes again. As long as she was given the chance, Valencia promised that she would do her best to become a skilled swordsman that Ariana could be proud of in the future.

“I will study really hard, Lady Aria!” said Valencia excitedly.

Ariana smiled as she saw Valencia's spirit at her words. Now, Ariana just needed to think of a way to get her grandfather to agree that Valencia could join her in sword practice.

Getting Ariana to be allowed to use the sword might not be a difficult matter. But Valencia's problem, would be a different case. There was no strong reason why their family had to go against the rules of the kingdom, just to help Valencia become a swordsman. That's probably what Ariana would have thought too, if she hadn't seen Valencia's swordsmanship firsthand in her previous life.

Although at that time Valencia had never learned a proper sword technique from anyone, the girl managed to save Ariana many times from assassination attempts carried out by unknown people. Valencia shone the most when she held a sword in her hand. Ariana truly believed that her family had nothing to lose by supporting Valencia as a swordsman.

In the future, Valencia could become her sharpest sword if Ariana could sharpen it properly. Moreover, the girl know that her grandfather wouldn't ignore people with extraordinary talent. As long as Ariana can make Valencia prove that she deserves the help of the Alison family, the issue of allowing Valencia to practice swordsmanship is no longer a difficult problem for her.

“For now, you just need to pay close attention to what Sir Albert is going to teach me over there. But, it would be best if you can understand the lesson in a short time. You also have to prove that you are indeed worthy of wielding a sword if you want Grandpa to acknowledge your abilities. I will arrange everything. All you need to do is to train as hard as you can, and prove that you are capable of becoming the sword of this family in the future.”

Valencia nodded confidently after hearing Ariana's order. Valencia is ready to sacrifice everything, for an opportunity that will not happen again in the future.

“I will try my best, Lady Aria!” Valencia repeated earnestly.