Chapter 68: The One Who Holds the Duke’s Crest

‘So Karhen was the person Princess Jenesha was talking about.’

What others had realized long ago, Bliss only just understood. Even when meeting Princess Jasmin yesterday, she had deliberately avoided discussing what happened at the gathering to prevent any unpleasantness. Besides, she had just discovered where the black ink would work best.

Feeling caught between Karhen and Princess Jasmin, Bliss leaned back slightly. It was her way of expressing that she didn’t want to be involved in their almost-argument. However, Princess Jasmin pushed her back, returning her to her original position.

As Bliss blinked in surprise, the peculiar standoff between Princess Jasmin and Karhen continued.

“Why would I have reason to be displeased?”

“Then why do I feel like you are?”

“Count Nebula must be imagining things.”

“Could it be because I once asked Your Highness to part with one of your collections?”

“Did such a thing happen? Ah, now I remember. You spoke such honeyed words, but in the end, you just wanted my collection.”

“I didn’t ask you to give it to me, but to sell… ahem.”

Caught between Princess Jasmin and Karhen’s confrontation, Bliss recalled her conversation with Duchess Blast from yesterday.

[“Do you think that bet was right?”]

[“Yes. They say Marquis Adrian proposed it. How could he…”]

Seemingly remembering the conversation, Duchess Blast’s face flushed and her tightened lips grew thin. Watching her expression change with displeasure, Bliss asked with calm eyes.

[“You asked His Grace to get the dagger from the Princess. Though you explained why you chose my husband, he had no reason to accept.”]

Though Duchess Blast’s gaze grew increasingly sharp, Bliss continued steadfastly without wavering.

[“Yet you demanded it as if retrieving something entrusted to you.”]

[“I suppose it could be seen that way. I was going to offer proper compensation.”]

[“What compensation?”]

Seeing Duchess Blast’s expression harden, it was clear the compensation was just empty words.

[“That’s for His Grace to know.”]

[“Then did you stop me without even knowing what compensation you’d offer? Or do you wish to present it now and pretend the bet never happened?”]

Bliss already knew how Duchess Blast would answer. It was the Duchess herself who had subtly spread rumors about what kind of bet was made. The reason why was obvious without asking.

Bliss hid her thoughts behind a smile and said.

[“That’s impossible. How could we erase a bet that’s already been made? Unless you prostrate yourself, apologize, and hand over the dagger.”]

Duchess Blast snorted as if that was out of the question.

[“Then why did you stop me?”]

[“To warn you.”]

A cold glint passed through Duchess Blast’s eyes.

[“If Marquis Adrian wins, you might keep the dagger. But you’ll lose much more than that – I wanted to specially inform you of this. You should think carefully. Consider whether you can live well in this empire after turning your back on the Duke’s family. Now that I say it, this wasn’t a warning but concern.”]

Bliss quickly covered her mouth at these words that were nothing short of threats beyond warnings. Not out of fear, but because she felt like laughing.

The reason Duchess Blast had spread rumors about the bet first.

Caelan aims to suppress the Duke with his sword. Though it’s just a small bet now, he might try to bring down the Duke later.

Adding such meaningful words to the rumors, she was saying they could lose everything including their marquisate just to protect the dagger. Bringing her to the gathering and threatening her under the guise of concern not to challenge the Duke’s family – it was all because they thought Caelan would win.

‘The Duchess deliberately waited.’

She clearly waited to bring this up in case they might try to cancel the bet and withdraw from participation. What she wanted, no, what the Duke’s family wanted must be for Caelan to bow down completely.

While thinking this, the conversation between the Princess and Karhen interrupted her thoughts.

“So why exactly is Your Highness so angry?”

“When did I say I was angry? Is it your hobby to corner people like this?”

‘They’re still not done.’

Bliss let everything she heard pass by, having given up. Though she didn’t know how their voices had escalated, their fight seemed somewhat entertaining.

“Why are you acting like this?”

As the fight intensified, Karhen beat his chest in frustration before suddenly noticing the handkerchief he was clutching.

“This was the start. This was made by my mother. She even embroidered my name on it. Embroidery is her hobby.”

Karhen looked at them as if no further explanation was needed, though regret was evident in his face for not mentioning it earlier. The sudden turn of events left Princess Jasmin at a loss, while Karhen showed no signs of backing down without an apology.

Princess Jasmin tried to force open her reluctant mouth. Bliss’s voice, who had been sitting quietly until now, cut between them.

“It’s starting.”

The first preliminary round of the knight tournament had begun.

***

Knights climbed onto each small stage for their matches. Some appeared proudly wearing their family crests, while others confidently ascended in simple light armor. With everyone dressing as they wished under the title of knight, there was fun in trying to guess who they were.

And among them, once she spotted Caelan, the other knights became invisible. She fixed her blind gaze on him as if he was the only one she would watch.

“Keep staring like that and you’ll burn a hole through him before he even draws his sword.”

“Does he think people won’t recognize him just because he’s wearing unmarked armor? He should just wear the imperial armor magnificently. How handsome he’d look fighting with a red cape flowing.”

Princess Jasmin teased Bliss while Karhen picked at Caelan’s armor. As the topic shifted to Caelan, the two quickly enjoyed the match in their own ways as if they had never fought.

“They’re using real swords from the preliminaries.”

Bliss’s gaze, which had been scanning Caelan from head to toe, stopped at his sword.

“That’s because they fight with their own swords.”

“But there’s a rule against killing opponents, so they’ll have to control themselves.”

Princess Jasmin and Karhen spoke in turn while Bliss silently watched only Caelan. Though she had watched his training for an hour at the practice grounds, seeing him actually standing on the stage made worry start to well up.

After showing courtesy to his opponent, Caelan turned his head toward where Bliss was before the match began. She wondered if he had just happened to turn and spot her, but there was no change in Caelan’s expression.

Caelan stared intently at Bliss. Caught in that heavy gaze, Bliss had to stare back at Caelan without turning away.

‘Watch me.’

As Caelan’s eyes whispered that, Bliss nodded slightly.

‘I’ll watch only you. Don’t get hurt.’

It’s okay to lose, just please be safe.

“Then begin!”

With the judge’s resounding shout and the flag’s descent, Caelan’s opponent charged. At the sudden development, Bliss’s eyes widened as she helplessly watched the sword swinging down toward Caelan’s head.

‘No.’

She had wished so much for him not to get hurt, but surely not from the very start…

“That’s Caelan for you.”

The situation reversed in the blink of an eye. Just before the man’s sword fell, Caelan’s body shifted slightly sideways as his hand moved. The first match ended with him holding his sword – which no one had seen him draw – to his opponent’s neck. Though no blood was shed and everything ended before a single breath could be taken, Bliss froze completely from the shock of that brief moment.

As the judge announced Caelan’s victory, all strength left Bliss’s body. Perhaps because of the sudden weakness, her body swayed even while seated, and two hands grabbed her arms.

“Bliss, why are you about to collapse when Marquis Adrian won?”

“Looks like she was startled.”

Thanks to being held up by both arms, Bliss didn’t fall, but she blankly stared at the sky, realizing she would have to watch the matches with a nervous heart from now on. She suddenly felt how peacefully she had lived until now.

“Will my heart survive?”

“Watch more and your heart will grow stronger.”

At Karhen’s comforting words delivered with a smile, Bliss could only heave a big sigh. And another being watching this situation – Echo of the Demon King – wished it could sigh like Bliss if it were human.

【This really won’t work.】

If she was this startled by a match where not a drop of blood was spilled, could she really accept its conditions?

While deciding to watch other matches until Caelan returned, Bliss’s eyes caught someone.

‘Leonard?’

She could clearly see Leonard’s expression as he climbed onto the nearest stage. His expressionless face seemed unfamiliar compared to how he used to smile kindly at her and ask her to call him like she used to when they were alone.

Though she was surprised to see a familiar face, it wasn’t particularly special considering even Count Karhen Nebula was participating. Being close enough to see Leonard’s eyes, perhaps he could spot Bliss too.

As she leaned forward to look more closely, Bliss stared at his sword with eyes more surprised than when she had first spotted Leonard.

The crest engraved on the scabbard. It bore the hawk and markings that symbolized House Blast.