Knee Pillow!

The two of them clashed for what felt like an eternity.

In truth, it was only a matter of seconds—dozens at most—yet to the onlookers it seemed like half an hour had passed.

“Lady Katarina! You can do it!”

“Your Highness! Don’t lose!”

Cheers erupted from both sides without pause.

The duel had firmly seized everyone’s attention, and no one could tear their eyes away from the stage.

At last, the two broke apart.

Perhaps their earlier exchange had drained too much stamina, for they both paused to catch their breath.

That gave us spectators a much-needed chance to do the same.

…To be honest, looking at it now, the situation wasn’t in Katarina’s favor.

Her speed was undeniable, but Prince Edwin’s reflexes were extraordinary as well, matching her pace almost perfectly.

And he was stronger.

Each of Katarina’s strikes was deflected with ease.

The real problem was endurance.

Because Edwin had mostly been defending, his stamina remained higher than Katarina’s, who had been constantly pressing the attack.

If this battle dragged on, her defeat was inevitable.

Judging by the grave look on her face, Katarina had realized it too.

Watching her there, drenched in sweat, my heart lodged itself in my throat.

“…You have to win, my lady!”

The words slipped out before I could stop them.

Perhaps she heard me, because Katarina turned in my direction and raised her thumb.

Her smile was bright—almost boyish.

For some reason, seeing that smile made my heart skip a beat.

…What was that feeling…?

But her grin was fleeting.

In the next instant, her focus returned to Edwin, and her expression regained its stern edge.

Moments later, both had recovered and readied themselves for another round.

Katarina crouched low, her wrist shifting fluidly.

Her wooden sword carved a neat semicircle through the air before stilling, her entire form brimming with sharp intent.

Then—her back foot pressed hard against the ground, and she vanished!

In the span of a single breath, she had slipped into Edwin’s blind spot, sword flashing in a ruthless horizontal cut.

Edwin moved to block on instinct.

But… it was a feint!

Like a phantom, Katarina twisted her blade at the last moment, slipping neatly around his defense.

“—!”

Her strike was about to land.

Yet Edwin’s figure… vanished.

No, not vanished—his drop to the ground was so swift it seemed he had disappeared.

Using the momentum of his fall, he kicked Katarina’s sword aside and rolled, regaining his stance.

In the same motion, he lunged toward her, clearly aiming to seize the advantage with a decisive blow.

Katarina braced herself in haste, gathering her strength.

It was clear: both of them intended to end it here.

“Haaah!”

“Hrrgh!”

Their wooden swords collided.

Though only practice weapons, I could swear I saw sparks erupt between them as if it were steel on steel.

…Who would prevail?

The training ground had gone silent.

No one dared breathe, every eye fixed on that final clash.

And then—

Crack! Crack!

Both swords splintered at once, breaking clean in two before the stunned crowd.

Yes.

Their combined power had simply been too much for the wood to withstand.

At the decisive moment of their duel—their weapons failed them.

The arena froze in stunned silence.

Even the fighters themselves stood dumbfounded.

Only after several minutes did Captain Eric, the referee, come to his senses.

“That’s enough!”

He stepped between them, declaring the match over.

“This bout—ends in a draw!”

“Ehhhhh—?!”

Gasps and protests rippled through the spectators.

No one was satisfied with such a conclusion.

…I couldn’t really blame them.

To fight so fiercely only for no victor to be named—what a cruel tease.

But the fighters themselves thought differently.

Katarina bowed to Edwin, who returned the gesture in kind.

“You’ve taught me well. You’re truly a formidable opponent.”

“As are you.”

…A royal prince bowing to a duke’s daughter—such a sight was unheard of.

The crowd quickly erupted again, this time in cheers.

And in the midst of the noise, the two clasped hands firmly.

“Ugh…”

That night, Katarina lay sprawled on her bed, listless and drained.

She was nothing like the radiant, vigorous girl who had faced Edwin that morning.

She must have burned through all her energy earlier.

That was my quiet conclusion as I tidied her desk.

“Ailena…”

“I’m here, my lady.”

“Come over here.”

“As you wish.”

I lifted the bed curtain and sat by her side.

“Didn’t I work hard today?”

Well, setting aside why a supposed date had turned into a sword duel, yes—she had worked hard.

I gently stroked her hair, my voice soft.

“Mm. You worked very hard.”

“Nyuu…”

She let out a sound like a spoiled kitten, melting under my touch.

But it wasn’t enough for her.

“Ailena… I want a reward.”

“A reward? Of course.”

Her gaze flicked toward my lap.

“…A lap pillow.”

“…What?”

Her voice was so faint I almost couldn’t hear.

“…”

Katarina suddenly fell silent, her expression shifting again and again.

At last, she seemed to steel herself.

“I want Ailena’s lap pillow!”

…A lap pillow, huh?

That wasn’t impossible.

Back in my old life, I often rested on my mother’s lap.

Surely this wasn’t so different.

I climbed onto the bed, kneeling beside her, and patted my thigh.

“Please, my lady.”

But Katarina puffed up her cheeks, clearly dissatisfied.

“Show your thigh.”

“…Eh?”

Surely I misheard?

When I froze, the golden-eyed pufferfish clarified:

“With the maid uniform it won’t be comfortable.”

…Tch.

Annoyingly, she had a point.

The maid uniform was thick, with frills that would make a poor cushion.

But still—exposing my thighs…?

That was mortifying!

Even though I had recovered my past life’s memories and adapted to living as a woman, the consciousness of my former male self remained.

Normally, I wore long skirts—whether in uniform or casual outings—to cover my legs.

Why?

Because baring my thighs was just too embarrassing!

“Nn… Ailena, can’t I?”

Her voice tugged me from my turmoil.

Katarina lay there gazing up at me, her small face tilted, eyes wide and pleading like a helpless little animal.

…She was too cute.

I clutched my chest, overwhelmed.

I had promised her a reward.

And a promise must be kept.

Shame be damned—I would endure it!

I lifted the hem of my maid skirt, revealing the pale thigh wrapped in white garter stockings.

A cold breeze brushed across my skin, making it impossible to stay calm.

My face burned as though aflame.

Still, I patted my thigh, signaling her to lie down.

She wasted no time, nestling onto my lap at once.

Her hair cascaded across my skin, her small hand resting lightly against me, tickling faintly.

“How is it, my lady?”

“Ooh… this softness…”

I felt her squeeze my thigh.

“…My lady?”

“…Ah, nothing, nothing. Ahem. It’s perfect. Soft and comfortable.”

“As long as you’re pleased.”

“It feels so nostalgic somehow…”

She must be remembering when the duchess gave her lap pillows.

Though truthfully… it stirred my own memories too.

In my past life, I once let my younger sister use my lap.

She scolded me after, complaining that my legs were too stiff and uncomfortable.

“Heheh.”

Resting on my lap now, Katarina wore a blissful smile.

I continued stroking her hair, savoring her loveliness.

Time became meaningless.

We simply basked in the moment.

I don’t know how long it lasted, but eventually her breathing grew slow and steady.

“Hmm…”

As expected—after going all out against Edwin today, she had reached her limit.

Carefully, I guided her head onto the pillow, afraid to wake her.

“You worked hard, my lady.”

I smoothed her bangs… and tried to stand.

But I couldn’t.

The reason was simple—

“…My legs are numb.”