NTR: Stealing Nobles and Wives in another world-Chapter 13: Martial Complications

"Your left foot is half an inch too far forward," Lady Keira says, walking around me like a predator. "Fix it."

I adjust my stance, trying to remember all the different positions she's drilled into me over the last six hours. The wooden practice sword in my hand feels super heavy, my muscles shaking from effort.

"Better," she admits reluctantly. "Now, basic guard position. Remember—"

"Blade vertical, off-center, weight balanced," I recite, moving into the position she's shown me twenty times. The late afternoon sun beats down on the courtyard, sweat soaking through my training clothes.

She nods once, the closest thing to approval I've seen all day. "You learn slightly faster than I expected."

"High praise, coming from you," I mutter, holding the guard position even as my arms burn in protest.

"Don't get cocky." She draws her own training sword smoothly. "Block these attacks. Don't think—react."

Before I can get ready, she launches a series of strikes—controlled enough not to hit me full-force, but fast enough that I can't block them all. The wooden blade hits my shoulder, ribs, and thigh in quick succession.

"Dead, dead, and crippled," she announces, stepping back. "But you actually tried to block the first one correctly. Progress."

My status window flickers in the corner of my vision:

[STATUS UPDATE]

COMBAT SKILLS:

- Basic Stance: Novice → Novice (Improving)

- Defensive Awareness: Untrained → Novice

- Weapon Proficiency (Sword): None → Untrained

- Combat Stamina: Novice → Novice (Improving)

Experience: +15 XP (Training Progress)

"Take ten minutes," Lady Keira says, noticing my exhaustion. "Drink water. Stretch. Your Enhanced Physique gives you better recovery than most beginners, but you still need to manage it properly."

I collapse onto a stone bench, gulping water from a clay pitcher someone thoughtfully left there. Every muscle in my body hurts in ways I didn't know were possible.

"So," I ask, "what exactly happened with House Ironmont?"

Her head snaps toward me, eyes narrowing. "Excuse me?" free𝑤ebnovel.com

"Earlier, with your husband... there seemed to be some tension about your champion status."

For a moment, I think she might actually hit me. Her hand tightens on her practice sword, but then she exhales slowly.

"Observation. Not completely useless." She sets her sword down and sits at the opposite end of the bench. "Five years ago, I was House Ironmont's champion. Undefeated in three tournament cycles."

She stares into the distance, her voice becoming detached. "Then came accusations of using transmigrant abilities during a critical match. Enhancement beyond what the tournament considers 'natural talent.'"

"Were you?" I ask.

A slight smile touches her lips. "Of course I was. Every transmigrant does. But I got caught." She flexes her hand, and blue energy briefly flickers between her fingers. "The Martial Domain is harder to hide than most. The scandal cost House Ironmont prestige, titles, and trade deals."

"And cost you what?"

Her eyes meet mine, cold and hard. "Everything. My position, my reputation... my freedom, in many ways."

Understanding hits me. "The marriage to Aldric?"

"Political damage control. He was next in line for champion, and his family has connections to the tournament judges." Her voice stays neutral, but I notice the slight tension in her jaw.

"House Ironmont contained the scandal, I kept my head, and everyone pretended to be happy with the arrangement."

"Except you."

"I'm alive, employed, and not publicly disgraced. Many transmigrants fare worse." She stands abruptly. "Break's over. Now we work on basic attack forms."

For the next hour, she shows me simple sword strikes, correcting my form with brutal efficiency. I notice she's using sexual comparisons more often now, and they continue to help me understand the movements better.

"Thrust from the hips, not the arms," she instructs, standing behind me to adjust my stance. "Power comes from the core, just like in sex."

Her hands on my hips create an unexpected moment of tension. I feel my Natural Charm ability activating automatically at the prolonged contact, a subtle warmth spreading from where her skin touches mine.

She steps away quickly, clearing her throat. "Again. Full sequence."

I run through the basic attack pattern she's taught me, trying to focus on the movements rather than the strange moment we just shared. To my surprise, the sequence flows more naturally this time, muscle memory beginning to form.

"Acceptable," she says, which from her is practically a standing ovation.

The courtyard door opens, and Ser Aldric returns, now with two other men wearing House Ironmont colors. His timing is perfect—right when I was finally making progress.

"Keira, my dear," he calls. "Lord Ironmont's representatives have arrived to discuss tournament seating arrangements."

Lady Keira's posture changes instantly, the warrior hiding behind a more formal facade. "Of course. I'll be right there."

She turns to me, lowering her voice. "Keep practicing the basic forms. Focus on keeping your weight centered and your movements fluid."

"When will we continue?" I ask, not ready to stop the training when I'm finally getting somewhere.

She glances at her husband, who's watching us with obvious impatience. "Tomorrow at dawn. House business takes priority tonight."

Something in her tone makes me think she'd rather continue training, but Aldric's expectant stance leaves little room for argument.

"Lady Keira," one of the Ironmont representatives calls out, "a pleasure to see you again. We were just telling Ser Aldric how fortunate House Westfield is to have borrowed your expertise."

"Borrowed being the key word," Aldric adds with a smile that doesn't reach his eyes. "My wife's duties to House Ironmont remain her priority, of course."

I watch the subtle politics unfold. Aldric stands slightly in front of Keira, speaking for her while the representatives address their comments to him rather than directly to her. Despite being the former champion and clearly the better fighter, she's being treated as an accessory.

"We've arranged a dinner with the tournament officials this evening," Aldric continues. "Your presence would be most valuable, my dear."

It's not really a request. Keira nods once, her expression carefully neutral. "Of course."

"Excellent! We should prepare. The carriage leaves in an hour." Aldric turns to me with a dismissive nod. "Do continue your practice, young man. Perhaps by the tournament, you'll manage not to embarrass yourself completely."

The three men laugh as though he's made a brilliant joke. Keira doesn't laugh, but she doesn't contradict him either.

As they turn to leave, she glances back at me. "Remember what I showed you. Practice until sunset, but don't strain your muscles past the point of productive pain."

They exit the courtyard, leaving me alone with my practice sword and aching muscles. I run through the forms she taught me, trying to follow her corrections, but frustration builds with each attempt. The interruption broke my rhythm, and Aldric's dismissive attitude left a bad taste.

After twenty minutes of increasingly sloppy practice, I hear the courtyard door open again. Expecting a servant, I'm surprised to see Lady Keira returning alone, now dressed in more formal attire—a deep blue dress that looks both elegant and restrictive.

"Your left elbow keeps dropping," she says directly, approaching me with purpose. "Like this."

She demonstrates the correct position, then adjusts my arm manually. Our closeness triggers my Natural Charm again, and I notice a slight flush creeping up her neck.

"I thought you had dinner preparations," I say, maintaining the corrected position.

"I do. But your form was pathetic enough to sense from inside the manor." Despite her harsh words, there's something almost like humor in her eyes. "I have five minutes before Aldric notices I'm gone."

She circles me critically. "The basic attack sequence again. Full speed."

I perform the sequence, focusing on keeping proper form throughout. It's still far from perfect, but noticeably better than my earlier attempts.

"Less terrible," she admits. "Tomorrow we'll work on combining defense and attack. For tonight, practice these forms until you can perform them without thinking, then rest. Your muscles need recovery time."

She turns to leave, then pauses. "And Daren?"

"Yes?"

"Don't mention our discussion about House Ironmont to anyone. Especially not to Aldric."

"Of course."

She studies me for a moment, as if trying to decide whether to trust me. "Tournament politics are dangerous. Houses have fallen for less than a whispered rumor. Remember that."

With that cryptic warning, she's gone, leaving me alone with my thoughts and aching muscles.

I practice for another hour until the sun begins to set, my movements gradually becoming smoother as muscle memory takes hold. Just as I'm about to call it a day, the courtyard door opens once more.

This time, it's Rosalind who enters, carrying a covered tray. The sight of her sends a jolt of recognition through me—our bond remains strong, though we've been apart since last night's... education.

"Master," she greets me with a small bow. "I thought you might need refreshment after your training."

She sets the tray on the bench, revealing a simple but hearty meal of bread, meat, and fruit. My stomach growls in response—I hadn't realized how hungry I was.

"Thank you," I say, putting down the practice sword. "How did you know I was still here?"

"I make it my business to know everything that happens in this house," she replies with a small smile. "Including the arrival of Lady Keira and her husband."

The way she emphasizes "husband" catches my attention. "What do you know about them?"

Rosalind glances around to ensure we're alone. "Their marriage was arranged after her disgrace in the tournament. He was second-choice champion for House Ironmont, but lacked her natural talent. Some say he orchestrated her downfall."

"Seriously?" I take a bite of bread, thinking about the implications. "Why would he do that?"

"Jealousy, perhaps. Or ambition." She lowers her voice further. "The servants at Ironmont Manor whisper that he resents living in her shadow, even now. That he ensures she remains employed by other houses to keep her away from Ironmont's training grounds."

My status window flickers, updating with this new information:

[QUEST UPDATE]

"The Trainer's Heart"

- Build trust with Lady Keira through training excellence (In Progress)

- Create tension in her marriage to Ser Aldric (New Information Acquired)

- Seduce Lady Keira using Natural Charm ability (Initial Contact Made)

Progress: 15%

"What else do you know about Lady Keira?" I ask, trying to sound casual.

Rosalind's knowing smile suggests I'm not fooling her. "She was once considered the greatest fighter in three kingdoms. Her technique was flawless, her instincts unprecedented. Many believe she could have become Champion of Champions if not for the scandal."

"And now she's reduced to training novices like me."

"A calculated humiliation," Rosalind agrees. "But perhaps also an opportunity."

"For her or for me?"

"Both, I would think." She begins gathering the empty dishes. "House Westfield stands apart from the political games between the greater houses. Lord Derek's invitation to train you came with certain... freedoms that House Ironmont could not offer."

I consider this as I finish my meal. "Freedom from her husband's watchful eye, you mean."

"I simply observe and report, Master." But her slight smile confirms my suspicion. "Will you need anything else this evening?"

The bond between us pulses slightly, and I'm tempted to explore more of what that connection entails. But my body is exhausted from training, and tomorrow promises more of the same.

"Just information," I decide. "Keep your ears open about Lady Keira and her husband. Anything that might be useful."

"As you wish." She bows slightly. "Rest well, Master. Tomorrow will be challenging."

As she leaves, I think about everything I've learned today. Combat skills, tournament politics, and the complicated relationship between my trainer and her husband. All potential advantages if I play it right.

I return to my room, muscles aching but mind racing with possibilities. Two weeks to become tournament-ready seems impossible, but two weeks to master the dynamics between Lady Keira and Ser Aldric? That might be just enough time.

My status window appears one final time before I collapse into bed:

[STATUS SUMMARY]

Name: Daren

Level: 2

Experience: 25/500

Class: Transmigrant Champion

ABILITIES:

- Enhanced Physique (Level 1): Active

- Natural Charm (Level 2): Active

COMBAT SKILLS:

- Basic Stance: Novice (Improving)

- Defensive Awareness: Novice

- Weapon Proficiency (Sword): Untrained

- Combat Stamina: Novice (Improving)

ACTIVE QUESTS:

- "The Trainer's Heart" (15% Complete)

Tomorrow will bring new challenges, new pain, and hopefully new progress. Both in combat and in understanding the complex woman who holds my tournament fate in her hands.