Then Ryuel’s gaze turned to Aiden.

“I understand that today’s event is for fostering friendship between foreign envoys and young nobles of the Empire. If so, may I take your place and have a match with the young duke of Chelbon?”

Along with the question, his smile had a chilling quality.

“It seems like a good opportunity. To foster friendship.”

“……”

Aiden, looking at Ryuel, briefly exchanged glances with Aristie. After sharing opinions with his sister, he turned back to Ryuel and accepted the substitution.

“By all means.”

With Aiden stepping back, Maxian found himself in an awkward position.

This was a place where spectators had gathered. Given the situation, he couldn’t avoid dueling with Prince Icaryuel.

“Then I’ll learn from you.”

Maxian had no choice but to comply with the situation. Aristie watched the two men face off with a guilty heart.

In truth, she had witnessed her brother fighting long ago. But it was beyond common sense for a woman to intervene in men’s duels and call for a stop.

While at a loss for what to do, she spotted Ryuel wandering around her and urgently asked for help.

‘By help, I meant mediating the fight, not fighting in his place……’

Regardless of Aristie’s uncomfortable feelings, Ryuel looked at Maxian with a leisurely gaze.

“Please give me a sword as well.”

Maxian had an ominous feeling.

What’s with that relaxed attitude? Just how skilled is this guy?

“Hand him one.”

Maxian signaled to one of his followers. Understanding the implied meaning, the young man selected one of the arranged swords and passed it to Ryuel.

A smile lingered on Ryuel’s face as he received the sword.

What he held was not an ordinary sword. It was a practice rapier, narrow in width and lacking in durability. It was so petty that his intentions were obvious just from the weapon.

“A rapier……”

He could have protested and changed to a different sword, but Ryuel merely showed a meaningful smile. Moreover, he sneered coldly.

“How did you know that thin blade swordsmanship is my specialty?”

Aristie swallowed dryly. She learned for the first time that Ryuel could make such a cold expression. He looked like a noble silver wolf revealing its hidden claws before a hunt.

“Well then.”

The starting signal rang out. Simultaneously, Ryuel’s sharply refined sword rushed toward Maxian. Maxian couldn’t help but be flustered by such a swift opening attack, which he hadn’t expected.

Even so, thinking he could handle it, Maxian tried to counterattack but became even more confused. He simply couldn’t find an opening to counter.

When he thought they would clash, Ryuel swerved; when he thought Ryuel would slash downward, the blade twisted upward. Though it seemed like random swinging, all the paths Ryuel’s sword created were targeting Maxian’s vital points.

Chang! Chang! Kaang!

‘No way, what kind of swordsmanship is this!’

Maxian’s forehead was covered in sweat.

The thin blade swordsmanship he knew specialized in thrusting, with a characteristic slight break in flow when transitioning from attack to defense. He had planned to exploit those gaps.

But what on earth was that! That swordsmanship freely employing not only thrusting but also slashing, twisting, and wrapping!

It seemed like he was handling a whip rather than a sword. Maxian had never seen this style of swordsmanship before.

Attacks swirling like wind. Impenetrable defense. Ryuel’s offensive not only repeatedly blocked Maxian’s attacks but also forced him to continuously step backward.

The match was decided in an instant.

Chwaat─!

Ryuel’s upper body rotated diagonally, simultaneously tearing off Maxian’s front collar. Though he could have ended it with a thrust, he slashed diagonally to avoid drawing blood.

“Gasp! How is that possible!”

“My goodness……”

The spectators couldn’t close their mouths in amazement. Ryuel looked down at Maxian sprawled on the ground with indifferent eyes.

‘Damn it!’

Maxian’s face turned bright red with shame he had never experienced before. While his chest heaved continuously, Ryuel’s breathing wasn’t even disturbed.

‘Thank goodness…… Really, thank goodness.’

Meanwhile, Aristie, who had watched the duel with bated breath, finally relaxed when she saw Ryuel’s victory. She had hurriedly asked for his help, but she had been worried that he might get into trouble because of her.

She had no idea what level Ryuel’s skills were.

But with such an overwhelming difference in ability? The young duke of Chelbon’s skills couldn’t have been lacking.

Ryuel…… She had only thought of him as a kind and gentle man, but he also had such a cold side?

“I apologize for unintentionally damaging your clothes. I thought you would certainly dodge it.”

Ryuel’s sarcasm disguised as an apology made Maxian even angrier. But knowing that a loser showing anger would only look pathetic, he could only say it was fine.

“Now, who will challenge me next?”

With everyone’s attention focused on him, Ryuel’s purple eyes coldly surveyed the crowd.

“Defeating me would prove you’re stronger than the young duke of Chelbon. If you don’t want to miss that opportunity, step forward now. I’ll gladly face you.”

But everyone just hesitated, and no one stepped forward.

Not only did they lack confidence in winning, but proving they were stronger than the young duke of Chelbon meant standing against him.

Knowing this perfectly well, Ryuel pretended not to understand and waited for a challenger. His fine silver hair fluttered in the wind. When no challenger appeared, he dropped the sword on the ground with a thud and turned around leisurely.

“Seems there are none. Then I’ll be going.”

Though he only discarded his weapon, his sharp spirit remained intact, so no one dared to block Ryuel’s way. Thanks to this, only Aristie followed behind him.

“……Thank you. For helping.”

After exchanging eye greetings with her brother and leaving the place, Aristie walked in step with Ryuel and quietly conveyed her gratitude. She wanted to thank him somehow for helping her without asking for anything in return.

However, Ryuel returned to his usual kind features and merely smiled lightly.

“Not at all. It was a good opportunity for me to be with you.”

A voice that soaked in warmly like midday waves.

‘Why……’

At that moment, Aristie’s emotions welled up. She felt endlessly sorry and grateful but had no way to convey it. She felt utterly frustrated.

Perhaps that’s why. Though she opened her mouth with good intentions, her tone unintentionally sounded accusatory.

“Why do you give me so much like this.”

Ryuel responded with a face that didn’t understand her meaning.

“To whom?”

“To me.”

“What……”

“Everything.”

Why don’t you realize when you’re being so nice!

“You’re too…… too kind to me. Unconditionally. And I have nothing to give you in return.”

“……”

Ryuel stopped walking and looked down at Aristie. Somehow he seemed to understand her feelings.

He struggled to suppress the impulse to embrace her tightly and kiss her.

Would she fall for me if I shook her now?

Would she accept me if I burdened her a little more?

His eyes, darkened with desire, kept exploring the lips before him, but he deliberately raised his gaze. He feared that if he accidentally swallowed her lips, his body would burn up completely with heat.

“Then repay me.”

His voice came out hoarse from the restraint.

“How?”

Aristie asked.

“I’d like to be treated to a cup of tea. That would be enough.”

“Just……”

This was why she wanted to question him. If he had made an unreasonable request, her heart wouldn’t ache like this.

“Is that really enough for you?”

“It’s sufficient. If you enjoy the tea very slowly.”

“……I can spare about a day.”

“It will be a day worth cherishing for a lifetime.”

“Then……”

Aristie lowered her eyelashes and nodded slightly.

“I’ll set a date soon.”

The afternoon sunlight poured brilliantly over Ryuel’s head upon hearing her answer. He had found another excuse to meet her again.

Satisfied with that, Ryuel’s smile carried a strange emotion that seemed both happy and sad.

“I’ll wait for your contact.”

* * *

“Aiden stepped forward in front of people?”

“Yes. They say he defeated the young duke of Chelbon’s followers with incredible skill.”

Khalid, who had returned from an inspection outside the capital with Rhion, heard Zephyros’s report right after dinner.

Zephyros, who had dispatched personnel to the Chelbon ducal family for the protection of foreign dignitaries, had just relayed to the Emperor the incident about Aiden, which he had heard from his returning subordinates.

“For the gentle Aiden to get so provoked……”

He didn’t know Aiden had such a side. Perhaps even Aiden himself didn’t know.

Nevertheless, the fact that he stepped forward meant he must have received unbearable insults.