Chapter 64
Chapter 64
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 64
Chapter Title: The Crown Prince's Request
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Alfred, the crown prince of the Deford Empire, hated parties. But this one was hosted by Duke Northmond, a staunch supporter of his, so he had no choice but to drag his lesson-weary body there.
If he became emperor, he could brush off party invitations without a second thought. But for now, he was still just the crown prince. The moment he arrived, though, something incredibly entertaining unfolded right before his eyes.
A duel. Of course, duels weren't rare among nobles. Young noblemen often fought over a lady's affections.
Alfred, however, only attended major noble gatherings outside the palace in his capacity as crown prince, so witnessing one firsthand was a rare treat. For a noble to boldly start a duel at a party with the crown prince present? His eyes sparkled at the thought.
"Very well. I'd like to see it myself."
"His Highness Crown Prince Alfred and His Grace Duke Northmond have arrived! Make way!"
With the crown prince's permission granted, his loyal knights formed an ironclad escort, parting the crowd of nobles. The nobles chatting in the venue widened their eyes in shock at the sudden appearance of the crown prince and duke, hurriedly bowing their heads in respect.
True royal blood, something even the self-proclaimed highborn nobles couldn't aspire to, took their obeisance for granted without so much as a glance.
"Glory to the noble one!"
"Glory to the noble one."
This applied to Viscount Loban and Lenia as well, so the two locked in a staring contest quickly bowed their heads the moment Alfred appeared. Kyle, quick on the uptake, did the same.
In that instant, the party hall fell so silent you could hear a fork drop, every noble awaiting Alfred's words.
"I hear a duel has been proposed. Who are the participants?"
At Alfred's question, a noble who had witnessed the quarrel between Loban and Lucas from the start stepped forward and bowed hastily.
"Viscount Loban and Viscount Lucas. Viscount Lucas's side challenged Viscount Loban, Your Highness."
"The reason?"
"Well..."
As Viscount Loban opened his mouth to speak, Lenia lifted her bowed head and looked straight at the prince.
"Viscount Loban insulted me and my family to avenge Count Sarisa. Viscount Lucas, as a vassal of our house, couldn't stand by and challenged him to a duel."
Lenia explained the situation while locking eyes with Alfred. But the content didn't register with him. He only heard her voice.
She's beautiful.
"Your Highness?"
Alfred snapped back to reality only after the duke spoke, feeling as if he might drown in her turquoise eyes. Though brief, being so entranced by a woman as crown prince embarrassed him. He cleared his throat and averted his gaze from Lenia.
"What format will the duel take?"
"Typically, the witnesses decide that..."
Alfred's eyes lit up at Viscount Loban's words.
"In that case, would it be acceptable for me to serve as the witness for this duel?"
A wave of vehement opposition erupted.
"No, it can't be! Absolutely not, Your Highness!"
"How could a noble personage like you stoop to witnessing a mere duel!"
"It would tarnish the royal dignity!"
The nobles collectively rejected the idea of royalty—let alone the crown prince—acting as a duel witness. It wasn't about the royals meddling in noble affairs; they genuinely opposed it to protect the royal prestige.
Especially for a duel between mere viscounts. It was far beneath the crown prince's station. Alfred looked displeased at their reaction, but the nobles wouldn't budge. Amid the commotion, Kyle's eyes subtly observed the crown prince.
The crown prince just wants an excuse to watch our duel.
He knew how grueling and busy the crown prince's life was, even without seeing it firsthand. Take Joseon as an example: even the crown prince and king rose at dawn and slept late, their schedules so punishing it was a miracle they didn't die of overwork.
He didn't know the exact details here, but the reactions suggested it was similar.
"Your Highness, may I say something?"
As Alfred grew visibly irritated and the nobles kept protesting, Kyle—one of the duelists—spoke up, drawing all eyes to him. The crown prince, still frowning, replied.
"Speak."
"Our duel is nothing grand enough to warrant Your Highness's presence."
"......"
Alfred started to retort, but Kyle continued.
"However, if Your Highness would grace us by observing, it would lend unquestionable legitimacy to the duel. If it pleases you, would you honor us with your presence?"
Alfred's displeasure vanished. This burly noble had scratched exactly the right itch.
"If that's your view... ahem... I'd like to hear what the others think."
"Well..."
"On second thought, just observing a duel shouldn't be a problem, right? Even His Majesty before ascending..."
"For a fair duel... and at the challenger's request, refusing would be..."
As the nobles shifted to agreement, Alfred—finally with some entertainment after so long—beamed and clapped Kyle on the back.
"Haha! What was your name again? Viscount Lucas? It's nobles like you with such loyalty that make my day!"
"Lucas Kyle, Your Highness."
"Ah! Kyle! I'm Alfred. You look... about my age..."
It was just exchanging names, but most nobles eyed Kyle with envy. The crown prince sharing his name personally signaled favor. Who in the empire didn't know his name anyway?
They had no idea Kyle might have kept calling him "Crown Prince" otherwise.
"Twenty-five."
He'd turn twenty-six soon, but age mattered little here. Rank did. Alfred nodded contentedly.
"Older than me! I'll remember your name, Kyle!"
"An honor, Your Highness!"
It was practically "I'll have your back if things go south." Kyle bowed deeply in thanks. Who could've guessed inviting him to this duel would connect him to someone as inaccessible as the crown prince?
As Kyle smiled at his sudden stroke of luck, Alfred's gaze flicked to Lenia beside him. He glanced at her face again and flushed slightly.
"Ahem... And what might the lady's name be?"
"Lenia of Cligrove, Your Highness."
"Cligrove...?"
"Daughter of Count Cligrove. The one recently embroiled with Count Sarisa..."
Duke Northmond's addition jogged Alfred's memory, and he nodded knowingly. It was a clash between counts, and the shocking incident had stuck with him.
"Ah, yes... I've heard of it. Lady Cligrove..."
He wanted to steer the conversation to chat more with this beautiful lady, but his wish was thwarted. The emperor's knights burst into the venue, urgently seeking Alfred.
"Your Highness! Crown Prince!"
Sudden summons from the emperor. Such was the crown prince's fate. Just before being dragged off by the knights, he grabbed Kyle's hand with an earnest look.
"When the duel date is set, call for me. Without fail."
****
[The duel will be in two days at the swordsmanship club. No armor—pure swordsmanship.]
The date and format were settled quickly. We coordinated via letters and witnesses without meeting. Viscount Loban, confident in his swordsmanship, proposed no armor and pure blade work through his witness.
No reason for me to refuse, so I accepted. Now, I was training for the duel.
"Impressive."
Edward said with an expressionless face, belying his words.
"Haha... really?"
Ever since I saved him at the count's castle last time, Edward had grown oddly friendly. He was sparring with me now. Lenia had done it initially, but with party invitations pouring in, she couldn't.
"You've improved vastly since last time, my lord. You were decent then, but now I can feel how diligently you've trained."
Our previous even match felt like a lie—Edward's skill was exceptional. As expected of a count's knight commander.
I hadn't trusted him at first, but after he admitted to letting his guard down last time, we sparred again. He wasn't lying; he pressed me relentlessly now.
"Let's rest a bit."
After nearly an hour of sparring, we collapsed onto the garden floor. Other nobles would call it unseemly, but this secluded palace corner meant no prying eyes.
As I wiped down my sword during the break, I recalled yesterday's events. I'd brushed it off then, but Viscount Loban's words had nagged at me.
'Even the count's lady can't escape that blood.'
'Isn't the lady originally of that bloodline?'
Not of that blood? It sounded like she wasn't the count's true daughter. And the surrounding nobles had let it slide as if they all knew.
"Sir Edward."
Unable to contain my curiosity, I called out.
"Rested?"
I shook my head. That wasn't the issue.
"One impertinent question."
"Impertinent?"
"Truly impertinent, so please keep it from the lady."
Edward eyed me curiously, then said firmly.
"If it's impertinent to the lady, don't ask."
Was this right to ask? What if it wasn't true? What if it was just Loban's trash talk? The fallout didn't bear thinking about. Even if it were someone else, this was a tough question.
Asking another noble "Did your parents adopt you?" would earn a fist before an answer.
"......"
In the end, I swallowed the question. Or tried to. If Edward hadn't spoken up.
"Damn it... What has you groaning like that?"
Curiosity killed the cat. But...
"Is the lady not truly of Cligrove blood?"
How could I hold that back?