Enemies Meet at the Engagement Ceremony

 

 

 

 

Jade instinctively covered his ears with his hands and frowned.

 

“Stop talking nonsense.”

 

At Jade’s annoyed response, which screamed of exasperation, Seffield licked his lips in satisfaction and stood up.

 

Jade narrowed his eyes at Seffield, who seemed to have just now decided to speak.

 

As they aged, the relationship between the two had evolved, no longer engaging in fistfights and sword clashes the moment their eyes met. The saying ‘familiarity breeds contempt’ perfectly described their situation.

 

However, the long history of growling and battling each other made it awkward to sit quietly across from one another like this.

 

Clearing his throat, Seffield finally spoke bluntly.

 

“Your daughter is here.”

 

“…..….”

 

The abrupt statement left Jade frozen in place, unable to respond immediately.

 

“You know I have sharp hearing, right? When I focus, there’s nothing I can’t hear in the imperial palace. That’s why His Majesty is always cautious, even whispering when I’m around.”

 

Being a Swordmaster wasn’t just a title earned by reaching the pinnacle of swordsmanship.

 

It was bestowed upon those who transcended human limits, their physical capabilities becoming inhuman in the process.

 

When Seffield focused, he could hear everything—from the sound of chefs sharpening knives in the imperial kitchen, the idle gossip of servants passing through the corridors, to nobles secretly conspiring among themselves.

 

Even private meetings between the Emperor and his shadow in some hidden location within the palace were no exception.

 

“If you want, I can relay the conversation to you.”

 

“…….….”

 

Jade remained silent for a moment at Seffield’s offer. To an outsider, it might have seemed like just an instant.

 

“The fact that Diana is at the palace means she has something to report to His Majesty as the shadow. I shouldn’t eavesdrop on such classified information.”

 

Jade rejected Seffield’s suggestion outright.

 

“I am Duke Gray. Even from a conversation between my daughter and the Emperor, I can extract information to benefit my family.”

 

This was almost a threat. While Seffield might have been superior in martial prowess, he couldn’t compete with Jade Gray in the political arena.

 

Jade’s demeanor also served as a warning, implying that Seffield’s goodwill could be leveraged for the Gray family’s interests if necessary. Seffield clicked his tongue in exasperation at Jade’s stance.

 

“You’re as sharp as ever with your rejections. That unwavering conviction of yours has always been a sore spot for your daughter.”

 

Recalling the constant clashes between Jade and Diana, Seffield remarked,

 

“Parents shouldn’t try to win against their children. The saying ‘losing is winning’ didn’t come out of nowhere, you know?”

 

“That’s rich coming from you.”*

 

Jade let out a sigh and continued speaking.

 

“I know my daughter better than anyone else. Diana disliked this part of me, but that’s precisely why she could leave Enoch in my care and walk away.”

 

To Diana, Jade was always a rigid and stubborn father, strict and unyielding.

 

Yet, it was for this very reason that Diana trusted Jade to do whatever it took to protect Enoch.

 

Even if he now wished to be a father who could yield a little to his child, Jade couldn’t bring himself to do so.

 

“I have no intention of showing a weaker side now and causing unnecessary worry.”

 

At Jade’s resolute words, Seffield clicked his tongue.

 

“Seriously. So, you don’t want to hear news about your daughter?”

 

“It’s not that. I’ve already heard everything.”

 

“I didn’t tell you anything, though.”

 

“How foolish. If Diana visited the imperial palace, it means she successfully completed her mission. Your offer to relay her conversation with the Emperor indicates she had a private audience with him without any other Shadows present. This alone proves how much her abilities have improved.”

 

From a simple statement about relaying a conversation, so many conclusions could be drawn. Seffield shook his head in exasperation.

 

“…Fine, you’re impressive.”

 

“I’m a Gray.”

 

“Annoying bastard.”

 

“Exactly, now leave.”

 

Jade crossed one leg over the other and gestured with a tilt of his chin for Seffield to leave. The arrogant and infuriating demeanor made Seffield look like he wanted to spit but instead got up with a scowl.

 

“Fine, I’m going! Damn bastard. I only came because Melsia wanted me to help mend fences.”

 

“Ugh. Unwanted goodwill is hardly welcome.”

 

“As if I expected gratitude from you!”

 

Seffield yelled, clearly irritated, before storming across the office toward the door. Just as he reached for the doorknob, Jade spoke in an unfamiliar tone.

 

“I didn’t want to owe Emblem any more than I already have!”

 

“……..…!”

 

Seffield turned around, startled, to see Jade still seated on the sofa with his back turned.

 

“Not only did you save her life, but just hinting that Diana had become a Shadow was enough to place Gray deeply in your debt.”

 

“Hey, if you were me, wouldn’t you have done the same? Talking about Gray’s honor and all, but you’d have done exactly the same, so what’s the point of acting all surprised now?”

 

Seffield unconsciously rubbed his arms, which were covered in goosebumps. Jade Gray expressing gratitude? That was unheard of.

 

Seffield even began to suspect this might be some elaborate scheme by Jade to torment him further.

 

But the truth was that Jade, too, felt uneasy. He tapped his crossed leg—a gesture he would never normally allow himself, considering it improper.

 

“You deliberately asked me to fall from power to protect Diana from the Empress’s scrutiny, didn’t you?”

 

“You knew all along?”

 

“Of course. Do you think I would have tarnished Gray’s honor just to make a point? Thanks to you, I can’t even face my father or grandfather in the afterlife.”

 

The downfall of Duke Emblem had been the first time Seffield and Jade worked together.

 

The Emperor’s determination not to fake Diana’s death after she became a Shadow had led to prolonged scrutiny from the Empress.

 

Using the animosity between Emblem and Gray as bait was the best way to divert the Empress’s attention from her relentless search for Diana’s supposed body.

 

The Empress, blinded by her obsession, never suspected that Diana was hiding near Seffield, who had been ousted and distanced from the imperial palace.

 

“…We’ve grown old.”

 

“Too old for fighting.”

 

Jade turned to look at Seffield, who had stopped rubbing his arm and met his gaze.

 

The eyes that once burned with fierce determination now carried traces of the years gone by, leaving only faint remnants of their old hostility.

 

“We should have realized this sooner.”

 

“In the end, our daughters were right.”

 

The deep rift between Emblem and Gray had been inconsequential in times of peace.

 

But now, with a great crisis looming over the Empire and the continent, the first to fall into the chasm of their divide was Gray’s heir. It was clear who might follow.

 

Seffield needed to protect Emblem, just as Jade had to do the same for Gray.

 

“Now that we’ve realized it, we have to set things right. Don’t you agree?”

 

“Of course. I’ve thought the same all along.”

 

“Lies. Says the man who wasted another one of Gray’s mountains.”

 

“That’s because you’re too insufferable.”

 

“Using the power of a Swordmaster for such petty purposes? You should’ve handed it over to me instead. Your undeserved strength is a disgrace.”

 

“Disgrace? If anyone’s a disgrace, it’s—”

 

But both men suddenly realized how difficult this process would be.

 

“Let’s stop fighting.”

 

“Easier said than done.”

 

 

 

 

🍓; *It means that the person speaking finds it ironic, hypocritical, or ridiculous that the other person would say or criticize something, especially because they themselves are guilty of the same behavior or flaw.