Chapter 65: The Knight Tournament

Tired of persistently asking where they were going, Bliss had resigned herself to whatever would come. She’d find out eventually anyway, so she’d just wasted energy asking him to tell her in advance.

“There seem to be more people than usual today.”

She had noticed it earlier while walking with Latte, but hadn’t thought much of it since they were at the imperial palace. However, as they left the palace, instead of decreasing, the crowd only grew larger, causing Bliss to stop walking.

“What’s wrong?”

“Are we heading to where that crowd is gathering?”

“That’s where we’re going. And they’re not just gathering. They’re forming a line, in their own way.”

At Caelan’s words about ‘their own way,’ Bliss looked again. Though people were clustered here and there, there was indeed something resembling an unbroken line.

“What kind of line is it?”

“Look at the people carefully.”

Following Caelan’s instruction, Bliss observed the people. No familiar faces, mostly men though some women were scattered about. The air felt particularly sharp, perhaps due to the armor bearing different crests on their chests…

“They’re knights.”

Now she understood. Seeing that her answer was correct, Caelan started walking again.

“Registration starts today. Some line up to register themselves, while others send representatives.”

She could guess who these representatives were. They were the ones standing confidently among the knights, seemingly unaffected by the intimidating presence of the armored warriors before and behind them.

“Of course, neither royalty nor nobles move themselves. Until last time, I too sent my butler.”

While kindly explaining this to Bliss, Caelan gradually approached the line and finally took his place at the end. People who had been aware of his presence since earlier showed surprised expressions when they saw him joining the line.

“If you sent your butler last time, why are you lining up now?”

“Because of you.”

“I didn’t even know how to register. Isn’t it unfair to act like I told you to line up yourself?”

Bliss hadn’t told Caelan to register in person. It would be better to go home now for various reasons. The stares were increasing. Even the official handling registrations was now craning his neck to see what was happening.

“I’ve already been quite the spectacle today.”

From the materials she’d used to each stitch of her embroidery being evaluated, she’d given people plenty to feast their eyes on.

“That’s too bad.”

His voice showed no sympathy at all while expressing sympathy, making Bliss’s eyes narrow. Anyone listening would think they weren’t close at all.

“Yet here you are, standing in line with me.”

That meant he hadn’t listened to anything she’d said. She understood now what it meant to laugh from exasperation. While Bliss created something resembling a smile with just her mouth, her eyes remaining unchanged, Caelan smiled back as if in response.

“How can you smile right now?”

“Let’s talk until our turn comes.”

Caelan’s hand, which had moved past Bliss’s back to grip her shoulder, came down. For a moment, it seemed he might let her go, but instead he took her hand.

His touch tickled from her fingers to her palm and then her wrist, making Bliss flinch and look up at him.

“I want to show you everything about this knight tournament, from beginning to end.”

Finally, his hand wrapped around hers firmly. Her heart seemed to have relocated to her hand, pounding strongly.

“This would be that beginning.”

When Caelan, who had been looking ahead, turned to meet her eyes, Bliss felt breathless. Though she was clearly breathing, her chest felt tight and her throat constricted.

“Bliss?”

When Caelan looked at her strangely, Bliss felt her face heating up and turned away. She fixed her gaze ahead and spoke in short bursts.

“We’re going straight back after registration. If you suggest going somewhere else, I’ll walk back alone even if I have to…”

Running out of breath before finishing her sentence, Bliss regretted her response.

‘That was so childish.’

It would have been better to just keep quiet.

Wanting to take back her words, Bliss avoided looking at Caelan. Though there were still many eyes on them, it didn’t bother her anymore.

“If today is the first day, how long will they accept registrations?”

“Seven days. And the tournament starts right the next day.”

“That soon?”

“If not, we couldn’t make the schedule work.”

“Anyone who hadn’t prepared in advance would be surprised.”

As Bliss shook her head and clicked her tongue, Caelan chuckled.

“The knight tournament always starts on the same date. It’s meant for people to know and plan ahead. If anything changes yearly, it’s just adding more award recipients when there are more participants.”

“Seems I’m the only one caught off guard.”

Everything felt like it was moving too quickly, but thinking about it, she might not have known before because she hadn’t been interested. Just as she’d learned about embroidery through explanations, she naturally wouldn’t have known much about the knight tournament.

‘And… in Bliss’s memories, there are only fleeting glimpses.’

Bliss’s eyes grew distant. Since only what Bliss remembered seeped through, she often didn’t know what she wanted to know.

By now, she wondered how much more would surface.

‘I must be becoming Bliss.’

“Bliss.”

“Yes?”

When she suddenly raised her head at the sound of her name, Bliss met Caelan’s eyes before she could sort out her belated thoughts.

“Would you like me to explain how the tournament works?”

“Yes.”

Bliss’s eyes sparkled with interest.

“Matches are held every other day, and only winners continue to the next round. It’s a tournament format, but once you reach the quarter-finals, even those who lose need to prepare for the next match to determine rankings.”

She fidgeted with their clasped hands while listening to his words. She had responded reflexively when called Bliss. It wasn’t about becoming Bliss anymore – she already had.

‘Bliss… Adrian.’

It was her name.

***

“The capital is already buzzing even though the tournament hasn’t started yet.”

Princess Jasmin gazed out the window. Though the registration area wasn’t visible, she stared endlessly as if sensing its excited atmosphere. Perhaps finding this distasteful, Princess Jenesha took issue with it.

“You seemed uninterested before, but you’ve changed your mind this time?”

Princess Jenesha spoke sarcastically, though indirectly due to the Emperor’s presence.

“Indeed.”

But Princess Jasmin responded nonchalantly. Though she surely understood Princess Jenesha’s hidden meaning, her response remained indifferent. Displeased by this, Princess Jenesha pouted. She thought Princess Jasmin was doing it deliberately. She had been composed since showing off the fabric she received from the Emperor during their earlier gathering.

“Father, is that why you gave that precious fabric only to sister? I’m very interested in the knight tournament too. I also do embroidery with sister, so why didn’t you give me any?”

Princess Jenesha’s face, as she muttered about feeling left out, lacked its characteristic sharpness.

“You should have asked. I’ll give you some separately, so don’t feel hurt.”

The Emperor found Princess Jenesha’s childish behavior endearing. As he offered to give her the same thing, her sulky expression began to soften. Soon regaining her smile, Princess Jenesha drank her tea with a happy face, and the Emperor turned his attention to Princess Jasmin.

“I did find it strange when Jasmin asked for that fabric. Perhaps you’ve found someone you’d like to give it to?”

He didn’t hide his surprise, as this was unlike Jasmin who had never made such requests. He wondered if she had found someone she wanted to give it to.

Princess Jasmin shook her head at the Emperor’s question.

“I haven’t found anyone that appealing yet.”

“Then take this opportunity to look around. It’s about time you got married.”

“I suppose so.”

It was an ambiguous answer, neither expressing dislike nor desire for marriage.

“Don’t you feel anything even after seeing the captain? Even though it was an arranged marriage, he gets along very well with his wife.”

“You mean Marchioness Adrian? Yes, that’s true.”

Princess Jasmin nodded, recalling the Adrian couple she had seen at a previous luncheon.

“They seemed stable somehow. Yet there was also a subtle excitement about them?”

There was a gentle look in her eyes that made even Princess Jasmin’s fingers tingle as she watched them. If she felt this way as an observer, how much more must they feel?

“I wouldn’t mind getting married if I could have such a relationship.”

“That’s wonderful. Take this chance to look properly. If you find someone you like, let me know. I’ll personally oversee your marriage.”

“Thank you.”

While the atmosphere grew even warmer with Princess Jasmin’s thanks, Princess Jenesha alone was displeased. She too knew about the recent luncheon.

‘Bliss Adrian.’

Originally, she would have just endlessly talked about collections. Princess Jasmin’s interests had changed all because of that woman. Thanks to her, she’d even taken away Father’s attention, making jealousy boil up inside Princess Jenesha.

‘Just you wait and see.’

There would be plenty of opportunities to vent her frustration.