Chapter 49
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 49
Chapter Title: Eyes of Resolve
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'Thank goodness.'
She had feared the absolute worst—that Prince Joseph wouldn't even be able to participate in the tournament—but it seemed that catastrophe had been averted.
As expected, it must have been because his escort knights hadn't noticed the improvement in his condition.
Joseph's gaze upon Charlotte brimmed with a resolve unlike any she'd seen before.
Seeing that bold, unwavering look, Charlotte gave a small smile.
How proud it made her to know it wasn't the hollow, vacant stare from their first meeting—the one that had seemed ready to dismiss her at any moment.
Charlotte mouthed the words softly.
'Let's meet at the top.'
Did he understand?
According to the brackets she'd checked that morning, she and Joseph had been placed in different groups. Even if they both advanced through the preliminaries, they wouldn't face each other until the finals.
But Joseph simply stared straight through her.
'It's such a long distance; he probably couldn't make out what I said.'
As Charlotte started to give an awkward smile, Joseph mouthed back slowly, his eyes hardening with even greater determination.
'At the top.'
Charlotte beamed, finding him utterly adorable.
In that moment, Charlotte and Joseph exchanged a tension and vow that words couldn't convey, sharing it through their eyes alone.
At that point, Camilla rose from her seat.
"Swords to the sky!"
With the resounding command from Camilla Setia—the Duke of House Setia, who had bellowed orders across countless battlefields—over a hundred young participants drew their blades in unison and thrust them skyward.
The sight of more than a hundred polished sword blades gleaming side by side in the air was truly spectacular.
The imperial family and nobles gathered for the tournament retreated to the spectator stands, and the chairs along with ceremonial decorations were swiftly cleared away.
In an instant, the tournament grounds' dirt floor was neatly prepared.
Bwooo—.
The announcer strode to the center of the arena and blew hard on the massive conch shell in his hand.
- All preliminary round participants, please proceed to the waiting areas. Repeating once more...
Russell tapped Charlotte's shoulder.
"Let's go."
Those who had made it to the finals in the previous tournament were exempt from preliminaries as a formality, so Isaac wasn't participating.
Charlotte nodded and stood with Russell.
She had every intention of walking, but Russell casually scooped her up and started moving.
'Seriously? Even in the tournament grounds, he's treating me like a kid.'
A bit embarrassed at the thought of others seeing, Charlotte kicked her feet in protest, but Russell—who seemed even more nervous than she was—didn't notice her feeble resistance and just took long strides forward.
Shaking her head, she had no choice but to lean into his arms.
Well, honestly, it was comfortable. His wide strides got them there quickly, and the ride was stable.
But still, heading to the preliminary venue cradled in her brother's arms...
'This whole situation just doesn't feel real.'
Until Russell had asked her earlier, she hadn't given it a second thought. But now, with words like "brother" popping into her head—terms that felt so detached from reality—her heart was fluttering strangely.
She turned her head and met a pair of golden eyes watching her.
She waved to Isaac, signaling she'd be back, and he smiled, nodded, pointed at Russell, then drew a finger across his throat.
'...Is he telling me to kill my dear Russell brother?'
It was obviously just a playful "take him down in the tournament" gesture, but coming from Isaac of all people, it sent a chill down her spine.
Charlotte chuckled.
'Maybe he's just trying to get me to relax.'
Whatever he meant, she could tell Isaac was looking out for her.
Suuu—haaa—.
She took a deep breath in and out, then nodded firmly at Isaac with a grin before turning away.
Tournaments were plentiful in the martial world too.
Events to select the next generation of a clan's disciples, matches between clans to rank the young talents of the orthodox and demonic sects, and more.
Obsessed with strength as they were, people threw themselves into every such event with no less fervor than here.
Of course, even if there were no official restrictions on who could participate, that was just lip service. Someone like Dohwa, without a single recommender, could never have joined.
That had to be why. Every time she casually did something that had once seemed utterly unattainable, her stomach churned with emotion.
'Yes, claim more—greedily seize and enjoy everything your position entitles you to.'
Suddenly, Joseph's voice echoed in her ears.
Charlotte nodded to herself.
It wasn't fully natural yet, but if it was okay to be greedy, then she would. She resolved not to let go of what had fallen into her hands.
"I'm in Group 2, so this way. Group 3, just keep going down this hall. Want me to walk you?"
While Charlotte was lost in thought, they had arrived at a fork. She shook her head, watching the throng of participants pass by.
"What, I'm not a baby. I can handle that much."
"...Not a baby, huh."
"Don't cry to me after I beat you later."
Russell looked down at her in disbelief.
"Beat me? You'd have to make it to the finals first."
Charlotte shook her head.
She knew Russell was exceptionally skilled for his age, with formidable aura and strength, but seeing his tense face, she wondered just how much he'd be able to show.
"Brother shouldn't be worrying about others. Do your best."
"...Yeah."
"Don't be nervous. Huh?"
Still in his arms, Charlotte easily reached up, pinched his cheek, and stretched it before letting go. The smooth, beardless skin yielded softly and snapped back.
Russell looked stunned, but then he let out a deflating laugh and nodded.
His face visibly relaxed.
"Got it. If our little lady has the spirit to squish her big brother's cheeks, you'll do fine. See you soon."
"Yeah."
"Just get through the preliminaries, okay?"
"I'll handle it."
As Russell bent down, Charlotte hopped out of his arms. She glanced at him lingering with worried eyes, then headed right at the fork first.
It was the moment she stepped into the waiting area.
A burly man with purple hair much like the Empress's was leaning against the wall, striking every dramatic pose imaginable.
Were royals simply a bloodline where stunning men and women paired with equally striking mates?
Considering the role he played in the story, she couldn't see him as handsome, yet objectively, Ricardo had striking features.
His face had prominent lines from forehead to jaw, a manly chin, well-shaped ears, and neatly groomed purple hair.
Even decked out in jeweled hairbands and shoulder straps, he didn't look overshadowed by the accessories—his face was that dazzling.
Charlotte shook her head as excited girlish voices rose around her.
The last time they'd met, things between them hadn't been pleasant.
She had no idea why Ricardo—who wasn't even competing in the preliminaries—was blocking the entrance to the waiting area, but it was best to avoid each other.
Charlotte considered waiting for him to leave, then slipped into a crowd of nobles surging past him.
With nearly fifty noble kids gathered here, he probably wouldn't bother noticing her.
'Yeah... as if he'd recognize me. I'm Charlotte, the one who earned the nickname "Invisible Girl."'
It was just as she passed beside him.
"Hello, Charlotte Setia."
As if he'd been waiting, Ricardo called her name precisely.
'Eek! Prince Ricardo greeted her!'
'Didn't you hear? That wasn't for you—it was for Charlotte.'
'For Charlotte...? The prince...?'
Feeling the stares drawn by the bizarre pairing, Charlotte forced one corner of her mouth up and dipped into a slight curtsy.
"...Hello."
"Let's talk."
With that, Ricardo turned and walked off first.
'Oh my, are the two of them going off somewhere alone?'
'Prince Ricardo isn't in the preliminaries, right? Did he come to see Lady Charlotte?'
'Heavens, what mess has Charlotte gotten into now?'
A flurry of speculation chased after their backs.