The duel was a traditional one-on-one method of conflict resolution widely accepted not only in noble society but also among civilians.

However, since it involved risking one’s life, situations where conflicts led to duels were rare.

Even if one was lucky enough to survive a duel, it was common to end up with permanent disabilities.

Anyone who valued their life and future would seek to resolve conflicts through means other than dueling.

Tolman, too, did not want to risk his life in a duel. Under any circumstances.

‘A duel…! Has this bastard truly gone mad!’

Tolman was dumbfounded. He is a legitimate prince of Lakia, second in line for the throne. It was obvious what a huge problem it would be if someone like him became disabled or lost his life in a duel with an imperial duke.

…No, come to think of it, it would only be a problem for the Western Alliance of three countries. The empire had nothing, absolutely nothing to lose.

The Cartes Empire had abundant resources due to its vast territory, no industries dependent on trade, and a population more than seven times that of the Western Alliance.

Moreover, the Emperor of the empire, Veratir Barbaroc, was even immortal… At this point, there was no country in Astra that could survive opposing the empire.

‘…In the end, I have no choice but to back down.’

Tolman clutched Jurgen’s glove with trembling hands. The position of alliance leader that his father had maintained for 10 years was already shaky due to recent natural disasters and droughts.

If he, a prince, caused problems in this situation… This time, the other two countries of the Western Alliance, Covent and Elderhill, might try to seize the position of alliance leader.

‘Right, what does my pride matter? I should beg Jurgen. Please forgive me…’

In the end, Tolman threw away all his pride and dignity and knelt before Jurgen.

People gasped at this shocking development. Even Vanessa widened her eyes in surprise. She hadn’t expected Tolman to go this far.

‘I thought he would keep making excuses, unable to let go of his pride even if the situation turned catastrophic.’

On second thought, he seemed slightly less of a human trash than Leroy and Arno. Well, people are multifaceted beings after all…

“Please forgive me, Duke Drake. I committed a great rudeness knowing that Her Highness was your fiancée.”

To Tolman’s apology, which didn’t particularly feel sincere but was at least his best effort, Jurgen silently looked down at him without saying a word.

In fact, Vanessa, who hoped that this issue wouldn’t grow any larger, wished that Jurgen would back down at this point. Thinking of the relationship between the Western Alliance of three countries and the empire becoming strained, with herself at the center of that storm — it gave her a headache just imagining it.

But Jurgen…

“I’ve already thrown down the gauntlet, so I can’t take it back. Stand up, Tolman de Lakia. His Majesty the Emperor is here to witness, so let’s settle this here and now.”

…didn’t seem to have any intention of letting it go easily. It seemed he wouldn’t be satisfied until he cut off at least one or two of Tolman’s fingers.

Jurgen’s attitude was as indifferent, calm, and cold as ever, but Vanessa could sense that he was strangely on edge. It seemed that he… was angry.

‘So he was indeed displeased.’

It seems he was quite upset about having his established territory invaded. Thinking it was somewhat like a cat’s behavior, she inwardly clicked her tongue, when a heavy voice was heard from a short distance away.

“Right, it would be boring if things ended without even drawing swords after throwing down the gauntlet. As a man, you should naturally accept the duel and see it through to the end. Tolman of Lakia. You think so too, don’t you? As a prince of Lakia who knows honor.”

The owner of that voice was the Emperor. He was sitting in an improper posture on the golden chair on the platform, looking down at the banquet hall like a god.

His face, with a faint smile, seemed benevolent at first glance, but his eyes showed not a hint of warmth.

The only time his eyes held warmth was when looking at Jurgen. It was such blatant favoritism that even a fool could notice. Vanessa rolled her eyes, already feeling nauseated.

With even the Emperor urging him on, Tolman had no way to avoid it anymore. Thus, in a space that should have been a dance floor, the duel between Jurgen and Tolman began.

In Vanessa’s view, this duel was Jurgen’s victory without question. Probably everyone else thought the same.

In the end, the purpose of this duel was nothing more and nothing less than to make an example of Tolman and warn other royals and nobles.

“Well then— begin.”

As soon as the Emperor’s command fell, Jurgen and Tolman simultaneously drew their swords. Jurgen’s stance was so relaxed it belied the fact that he was in a duel, while Tolman was visibly tense and dripping with cold sweat.

The two circled each other slowly, facing each other, and surprisingly, it was Tolman who rushed in first, initiating the real confrontation.

Despite his spirited charge, Tolman continued to struggle throughout, while Jurgen gradually tightened the noose, toying with Tolman as he drove him back.

‘I knew this would happen, but…’

Vanessa sighed secretly. It wasn’t that she felt sympathy for Tolman. If he had been aware of his position from the start and acted with dignity, this wouldn’t have happened.

“Aaargh!”

The duel ended in Jurgen’s victory without further ado. Tolman, who had dropped his sword and fallen to his knees, groaned while clutching his left leg, which was dripping with blood.

Judging by the location of the cut, there was a high possibility that he had injured a tendon. He might even end up lame. Vanessa clicked her tongue softly and turned her eyes away from the cruel sight.

“The winner is… yes, Jurgen. Congratulations.”

The sound of the Emperor clapping his hands echoed mercilessly. The people who had been standing like statues until then soon awkwardly smiled and applauded towards Jurgen.

There seemed to be few who genuinely congratulated his victory. Most just moved their hands like automatons, gripped by fear.

This banquet hall was a microcosm of Astra. The all-powerful Emperor and the young duke who enjoyed his favor. The royalty and nobles of vassal states, lowering themselves out of fear of catching stray sparks.

Vanessa clapped her hands lifelessly, feeling somewhat pessimistic. To her, the Emperor urged, pretending to be oblivious.

“Since Duke Drake has won— why don’t you congratulate him as his fiancée? Vanessa.”

“……”

In other words, it meant to offer congratulations ‘as his fiancée’ instead of just clapping.

Vanessa almost made a face as if she had bitten into rotten meat for a moment, but she restrained herself and calmed her mind.

Figuratively speaking, the reason Jurgen had fought this duel was because his fiancée, herself, had been insulted… It would look more convincing if she did something.

Having made this judgment, Vanessa moved her reluctant feet. Throughout her approach to Jurgen, he just quietly stared at her with an expressionless face.

‘…Prince of an allied country or not, he actually crippled him. What a vicious man.’

She once again keenly realized that one should not incur the enmity of a madman like Jurgen. …Though it was already too late for her.

Finally reaching Jurgen, Vanessa stood on her tiptoes and lightly kissed his cheek.

At that moment, Jurgen’s body seemed to stiffen, but when she pulled away her lips and looked at his face, it was as cold as ever.

The dance floor where blood had flowed was cleaned in the blink of an eye by the skilled hands of the imperial servants.

Tolman left with his injury, and those who had slandered Vanessa trembled in fear, worried they might suffer the same fate.

Although the atmosphere was hardly conducive to continuing the banquet, the band played dance music, and people, conscious of the Emperor’s gaze, had no choice but to come out one by one to the dance floor and dance.

And Vanessa, too, was compelled by the Emperor to dance with Jurgen.

“I’m feeling a bit dizzy, so could we just dance one song and then leave?”

Instead of simply complying with the Emperor’s order, she feigned a little illness. Jurgen was unlikely to fall for it, but it was worth a try.

Due to the many events of the day, Vanessa was extremely tired and wanted to collapse into bed and rest right away.

“Endure for 30 minutes. Then His Majesty will allow you to leave.”

“Do I have to keep dancing like this for 30 minutes…?”

“…One dance is enough.”

“I don’t want to mingle with people, can’t I just stay in a corner?”

“Just stand quietly beside me.”

“Hah…”

Vanessa, feeling irritated, stepped hard on Jurgen’s foot. However, Jurgen only raised one eyebrow slightly, showing no sign of pain at all.

Vanessa continued to the next move, pretending not to notice his glare. This time, she was considering at which timing to step on his foot again.

Meanwhile, in a corner of the banquet hall where Vanessa so desperately wanted to go, a young lady who had arrived late to the banquet was overwhelmed with shock.

Her name was Agnes Turnia.

She was the infamous ‘Mad Princess of Turnia’ who had once passionately loved Jurgen one-sidedly and even tried to pounce on him.

She eagerly followed with her eyes the beautiful couple dancing under the chandelier light. The two looked very well-matched and seemed to be in good spirits.

The woman kept stepping on Jurgen’s feet, but it seemed to be mistakes made out of fatigue. Jurgen didn’t seem particularly angry either.

Above all, the sparks flying between their eyes were so intense that it seemed they would head straight to the bedroom as soon as the banquet ended.

‘I can’t believe what I’m seeing. That Jurgen Drake…’

That impotent bastard who couldn’t get it up even when he saw me n*ked…

To look at a woman with such desire filled in his eyes.