Chapter 39

Reinhardt, biting his lips hard, asked in a pale voice,

“If I lose? Is there something you want from me?”

“Then apologize to me.”

“For what should I apologize?”

“I’ll tell you after we cross swords and the result is decided.”

Her voice grew sharp on its own. 

‘Are you really going to marry Princess Theresia? Then what am I, your mistress? Why didn’t you say anything, why didn’t you even come to see me? Was your confession to me just that shallow?’

There were so many things Alexandra wanted to throw at him, but she held back. If she lost, she wouldn’t need an apology anyway—she just wouldn’t have to see his face.

She knew she was acting irrationally, but Alexandra didn’t intend to stop. Did people always have to act logically and rationally? Couldn’t she just follow her heart for once?

All her life, she’d been careful with her words and actions because she was a commoner, because she was a woman, ever since her academy days and even after becoming a knight. She hated when people said nasty things to her, so she lived carefully. Even after she became an aura user no one could mess with.

But now, she didn’t care about any of that.

Shhh! Her sword was drawn with a deadly sound. The gleaming blade looked as if it truly wanted to strike. Alexandra stared at Reinhardt with her sword drawn, and he met her gaze with a somber face. At last, he slowly drew his own sword.

Alexandra pressed her lips into a straight line. Her sword flickered like a yellow flame, and the knights’ murmurs grew louder. Challenging the Captain to a duel was one thing, but drawing aura meant she was fighting for real. Some wondered if someone shouldn’t stop this, but a knight’s duel was a sacred ritual that couldn’t be interrupted.

Reinhardt closed his eyes briefly, took a deep breath, and manifested his own aura. The pure white aura resembled him—clean and upright. Alexandra’s, on the other hand, was like fire, lively and unrestrained.

“……!”

Without anyone moving first, they both sprang forward. Not long ago, these two had clung to each other, desperate to feel the other’s warmth, but now they collided with all their strength.

Clang, clang! The sound was deafening. Each time their swords clashed, their auras roared as if trying to devour the other.

Alexandra pressed forward, forcing Reinhardt back, then lowered her stance and slipped inside his guard. Reinhardt parried her upward strike and took several steps back. Alexandra quickly closed in, her sword moving frantically. She bared her teeth and spoke just loud enough for Reinhardt to hear.

“Don’t dodge, don’t hold back.”

“Do we really have to do this?”

“Yes. This is the only way I’ll be satisfied.”

When Reinhardt’s sword snaked in for her arm, Alexandra blocked and pressed even closer. Then, raising her left elbow, she struck Reinhardt’s chin. Smack! The sound was loud as Reinhardt staggered back.

Alexandra, sword lowered, charged again. Though Reinhardt had taken a hard hit, he quickly regained his stance and blocked Alexandra’s powerful overhead slash.

Their blades screeched as they scraped together. Squeak, squeal. It might have started in grief, but now Reinhardt was caught up in the thrill of battle. His emerald eyes shone intensely. Alexandra grinned and shoved him back with her sword.

Their swords clashed dozens, hundreds of times. Throughout the fight, Alexandra recalled the past. Her first spar and shocking defeat against Reinhardt, the days they secretly trained together, the evaluation match where she first saw his aura… Alexandra had never forgotten a single moment.

‘Just as you couldn’t forget me… honestly, I’ve never forgotten you either.’

She’d only buried it and turned away. Reinhardt had always taken up a huge space inside her, popping up again and again. And he’d left a big mark on her life as Dear, without her knowing.

Maybe, deep down, she’d always wanted Reinhardt to be Dear. From the moment she first saw him, she’d been smitten, wanted to get closer to that prince-like boy… Wanted to beat him and become unforgettable to him.

But now, wishes weren’t enough. As much as he desired her, she desired him. She couldn’t share him with anyone, and if she had to, she’d rather leave and never see him again.

So today, Alexandra had to defeat Reinhardt.

Her sword grew sharper. Even when she aimed only for vital points, Reinhardt showed no fear.

Alexandra left her left side open. 

‘Come here, Reinhardt.’

Like an invitation. No swordsman could ignore an opening, and neither could he.

As Reinhardt’s sword thr*st in, Alexandra spun along with it. She laughed to herself. Would he remember? She’d lost to him in this exact way before, felt despair as her sword was cut by his aura.

At last, Alexandra got behind him. There was a gasp from all around. Even with his back taken, Reinhardt didn’t panic. Of course, he turned to defend himself. She’d known he wouldn’t fall for this easily—he hadn’t last time, either.

But this time, she would win! Instead of attacking his neck, Alexandra dropped low and quickly hooked Reinhardt’s leg.

“Oh…!”

Someone, unable to hold back, shouted in surprise.

Reinhardt’s body wobbled. That was enough. Moving as nimbly as a cat, Alexandra slipped out and, seeing the opening, thr*st her sword at Reinhardt.

Then both froze.

The tip of Alexandra’s aura-filled sword stopped at Reinhardt’s throat. She breathed heavily, her eyes shining with genuine joy, and declared proudly,

“I… huff, huff, I won. Reinhardt.”

At her words, Reinhardt slowly lowered his sword and cautiously stepped back. Surprise, joy, and fear all flickered in his eyes. To see Alexandra finally defeat him, and still love her so much even in defeat—that was just like Reinhardt.

He slowly sheathed his sword and admitted defeat.

“I lost.”

At the Captain’s declaration of defeat, the knights immediately erupted in noise.

“D*mn! The Captain really lost!”

“Did you see Dame Lindau’s last move? So bold…”

“Wow, what an incredible match.”

Alexandra paid no attention to the noisy knights. Her eyes remained fixed solely on Reinhardt.

She caught her breath and sheathed her sword. Then she strode over to stand before Reinhardt. His blue eyes burned as he looked at her, and a faint smile appeared on his face.

“You said I had something to apologize for?”

“Yes, Reinhardt.”

The sudden switch to informal speech made the knights’ eyes go wide. Even as academy classmates, they’d always kept strict formality; now everyone looked utterly confused.

Alexandra exhaled, then grabbed Reinhardt by the collar. She spoke clearly and loudly.

“You’re marrying Princess Theresia, aren’t you?”

“What… that’s…”

“Don’t pretend you haven’t heard the rumors. If you’re marrying the Princess, then apologize to me.”

The spectators’ faces became truly indescribable. Was Alexandra really grabbing the Captain by the collar? And what did that last statement mean? They couldn’t make sense of the situation. What did Alexandra have to do with Reinhardt marrying Princess Theresia…?

Reinhardt was just as shocked as everyone else. But unlike the other knights, he understood immediately. Instantly, he knelt before Alexandra.

“Eek…!”

The strict Captain not only lost the duel, but now knelt—faces went pale. The knights realized they were witnessing something they’d tell stories about for the rest of their lives.

No matter what the others thought, Reinhardt shook his head and gripped Alexandra’s hands tightly. His eyes quickly reddened.

“There’s no way. I told you you’re the only one for me. That will never change.”

“Then why didn’t you come that day? Why did you come out of the office with the Princess, what did you talk about… Why didn’t you even explain it to me?”

The more Alexandra spoke, the more she realized how much anger she’d been holding back. Reinhardt just coming by and spending a little time with her wasn’t enough.

What Reinhardt needed to do wasn’t just spend a pleasant moment—he needed to explain exactly what was going on.

“You said you like me, but you lied?”

“Absolutely not, Alexa. I… have nothing to do with Her Highness the Princess. I swear it’s the truth. I’m truly sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. It’s entirely my fault.”

He confessed his feelings to Alexa once again, his voice clear and strong.

“From the moment we first met, there’s only ever been one person for me—Alexandra Lindau. I love only you.”

Alexa stared at Reinhardt, biting her lips hard. She felt like she might cry. She couldn’t understand how Reinhardt could openly confess his love for her in front of all these people… and yet, she found him so lovable.

‘D*mn, I’m doomed!’

Alexa had to admit she was completely taken by him. If she hadn’t liked him from the start, she would have dropped everything and run away when rumors about marrying the Princess started. The whole scene she’d caused was, in a way, her way of publicly declaring Reinhardt as her man.

Before she knew it, Alexa’s tense face softened and a faint smile appeared. Reinhardt slowly stood up, then grinned and asked,

“Since you beat me… can we finally stop being ‘just friends’?”

“Uh… I guess that’s how it works?”

With that, Reinhardt grabbed her wrist and strode out of the training ground. The stunned knights panicked and called out, “Captain, Captain!” Reinhardt raised his voice to the anxious knights searching for him.

“There’s no need to keep today’s events secret! Dismissed!”

At his words, Alexa couldn’t help but burst out laughing. Leaving the bewildered knights behind, the two of them exited the training ground. Their steps quickened, and before long, they were both running.