“I find this interesting. An incident where all three major ducal families are involved… For the sake of restoring the honor of the Mariantu Duchy, the Brandia Duchy stepped forward, ending up in a duel against the Bellato Duchy. We all come from honorable families and respect both our own honor and that of others.”
Selvin stifled a yawn. Yawning here could be seen as an insult to the Bellato Duchy. She vigorously pinched her thigh, struggling against the oncoming drowsiness.
“So, I want to propose something to Lady Selvin.”
Isabella took out a vial of blue liquid from her spatial pocket.
“This potion was researched and created by a water mage in the past.”
Pultua flinched.
“A water mage…?”
“That’s right. She was the former wife of Lord Heron. She now rests in a warm place with camellia flowers.”
“I’ve heard of her reputation. She was said to be the best potion maker on the continent.”
“That’s right. She was elegant and beautiful, a noblewoman of grace, and at the same time, the most skilled potion maker on the continent.”
Even in her drowsy state, Selvin became interested in the blue potion.
‘I wonder if it tastes good?’
If it did, she’d like to try it. With that thought, she managed to push away some of her drowsiness.
“Why are you showing us this potion?”
“As I mentioned earlier, I believe we need to respect each other’s honor. We, the Bellato family, cannot tolerate defeat in a duel.”
Pultua didn’t understand. What’s the connection between not accepting defeat and showing a potion?
“I understand the intentions of the Duchess. But what does this potion have to do with it?”
“Viola is a strong girl. You know her as a White Bellato, right?”
“Yes, we do.”
“But she’s not just a White Bellato. That girl is growing rapidly, to the point where she can rival the First Princess, even as a Black Bellato.”
At that, Selvin’s eyes widened and her sleepiness vanished completely.
“Really? Is Sister Viola strong?”
“Of course. You shouldn’t think of her just as a White Bellato.”
Isabella expressed her dislike for unfair competition. She said that the Bellato family was rational and always pursued fairness, mentioning the age difference between Viola and Selvin, who was practically another Black Bellato.
“A three-year age difference at their age can’t be compared to a three-year age difference for adults. That’s why we want to give you a potion left behind by a water mage for fair competition. It’ll lighten your body and make the flow of mana smoother. It’s a potion developed for the Brandia Duchy, so there are hardly any side effects.”
“What are the side effects?”
“Light diarrhea, or if you’re unlucky, a little weakness. But such symptoms will disappear within two days.”
Pultua accepted the potion.
“We’ll graciously accept the potion, but its usage will be under our jurisdiction, correct?”
“Of course.”
If possible, Pultua didn’t want to use this potion. He wanted to take it back to the Brandia Duchy and study it further.
‘I hope this child doesn’t get distracted during the duel.’
Pultua bowed politely.
“Indeed, it’s the Bellato way. The shield guarding the North. I once again feel that the reputation of the most honorable family is well deserved. Thank you for your consideration.”
***
Viola buried her face in the pillow and snuggled down. She couldn’t rest properly because she felt too uneasy in preparation for the duel.
‘Selvin… and the Brandia Duchy.’
If the Bellato Duchy protected the North from creatures coming down from ‘The Eye of the North,’ then the Brandia Duchy was the spear guarding against invaders from the Western Continent, coming across the Yellow Sea.
If you asked the people of the Western Continent which family they feared and hated the most, it would be the Brandia Duchy. The Brandia Duchy didn’t just stop at defending against invasions from the Western Continent. They occasionally advanced into the Western Continent to conquer numerous territories.
The Brandia Duchy had a strict rule. “Repay more than what you received.”
They had been at the forefront of the war with the Western Continent for centuries, and as a result, they had a wealth of experience and power in combat against humans.
‘Bellato is specialized in battling creatures, while Brandia is more accustomed to fighting people.’
Of all things, she had to fight against a Brandia noble. Viola had prepared and braced herself as best she could, but she couldn’t help feeling terrified and sorrowful. It was unfair enough to be trapped in a wretched romance novel, but to have to duel directly was even more unjust.
Zenon’s voice was heard asking, “Have you rested well, my lady?”
‘No! Could you rest if you were like me?’
But outwardly calm she replied, “Of course.”
“But Lady Selvin has shown exceptional growth for her age. I can’t find any tension in you at all.”
“There’s no reason for me to be nervous”
Viola had requested makeup (illusion magic) from Sebastian. Viola’s ominous aura was intensified and her dress perfectly concealed Viola’s emotional state.
Zenon extended a gloved hand.
“I will guide you to the dueling grounds.”
Viola placed her hand on top and began to walk.
‘Don’t get hurt.’
Zenon almost said it aloud. But it was honorable to be injured during a duel and being told not to get hurt would be insulting to Viola. So he just said it silently.
‘I hope the princess doesn’t get hurt. I think I would be very upset if she gets hurt.’
Although no one saw it, Zenon’s eyes darkened.
‘If by any chance Viola was to get hurt. Well then. I’ll just make sure it’s the same. If Viola’s arm is injured, I’ll cut off the opponent’s arm. If Viola’s leg is injured, I’ll cut off the opponent’s leg. I’ll do the same regardless of who her opponent is.’
Zenon smiled and walked away.
‘But I hope it doesn’t come to that. Truly.’
***
As the incident involving the three dukes of the empire unfolded, the continent’s attention was drawn. At the Winter Castle’s drill grounds, six specially authorized journalists from various news outlets were present.
“Look over there. The Sixth Princess is coming.”
Viola didn’t allow her face to be shown to the public. So while her face wouldn’t be revealed in the newspaper, they still captured Viola’s image with their magical recording devices.
“The rumors didn’t capture everything.”
“So true.”
The magazine reporters couldn’t take their eyes off Viola. Yet, they didn’t meet her gaze. There was a tense aura making them feel like they shouldn’t meet her eyes. Even for them, who had met numerous people and experienced various scenes, it was a strange atmosphere they had never felt before. Among them, one sensitive person felt chills all over their body.
“They said she had a murderous nature…”
A little later, Young Lady Selvin of the Brandia Duchy walked in. She was walking alongside Pultua, and her aura was quite different from Viola’s. The reporters exclaimed in admiration.
“So cute!”
If it wasn’t Brandia’s young lady, they would have screamed it loudly.
“What’s she eating?”
She was holding an egg tart in each hand, but the peculiar thing was that she had only taken one bite out of each.
“Amplify the audio. Let’s hear what she’s saying.”
When the audio was amplified through their magical recording devices, a clear voice could be heard without any distortion.
“I only took a bite because I didn’t want to waste it. I’ll buy more tomorrow. Really? How many more days can we stay here? I want to go eat lots of delicious things while we’re here.”
Her appearance was extremely adorable and charming. The reporters’ eyes were filled with favor. Unconsciously, they found themselves wishing for the victory of this incredibly cute Young Lady Selvin.
However, another remarkable figure appeared in this place. A Star Knight, one of the only 32 existing on the continent, revealed herself.
“I will take charge of mediating the duel.”
The reporters, who had been startled by Viola’s stern aura and melted by Selvin’s refreshing cuteness, couldn’t regain their composure.
“The First Princess, Medea!”
Although she was called the “Black Haired Red Eyed Witch” on other continents, she was never a witch. Enthralled by her mature beauty, the reporters pressed the camera shutters as if possessed. Three of the reporters were male and three were female, but gender didn’t matter. All six were completely captivated by Medea’s appearance.
“Pultua, do you also agree?”
“Of course. My heart feels much lighter knowing that a Star Knight will mediate the duel.”
Without even giving Viola a glance, Medea stood in the center of the drill grounds.
“I will now preside over the duel. This duel, arranged between the Mariantu Duchy and the Bellato Duchy, has been established with the participation of Young Lady Selvin as the Black Knight appointed by the Mariantu Duchy, and Young Lady Viola will personally participate on behalf of the Bellato Duchy. I inform you that Lord Leven of Mariantu is present to witness. This place is where sacred and honorable duels take place, and I, Medea, will not tolerate any act that defies the honor of the three families.”
After Medea finished speaking, Viola and Selvin walked forward. Viola could read the thoughts reflected in Selvin’s eyes.
‘I want to fight quickly!’
‘I’m excited!’
And so on and so forth. Her demeanor was somewhat similar to Vichen’s. Viola avoided Selvin’s gaze. To others, it seemed like Viola was ignoring Selvin.
‘Phew. Let’s just stick to the plan.’
Viola steadied her heart before the duel, desperately trying to hide her trembling legs. It was something she would experience more than once someday.
Medea said, “Young Lady Viola and Young Lady Selvin will now face each other.”
The two stood facing each other.
“Before the duel, I will give both of you the right to speak. Young Lady Selvin, please speak first.”
“I will stand in for the honor of the Mariantu Duchy… um, what was it?”
She gently scratched the back of her neck and sent a pleading look to Pultua. However, now that the duel had begun, Pultua couldn’t intervene, and Selvin mumbled vaguely.
“Anyway, I’m here to duel on behalf of Senna Mariantu.”
Medea shifted her gaze to Viola. Viola recited the lines she had prepared in advance.
“Young Lady Selvin. I have elemental magic too.”
She said it beforehand to prevent any backlash later.
“It doesn’t matter!”
Selvin seemed eager to get the duel started, fidgeting impatiently. There was yellow cream smeared at the corner of her lips.
Finally, Medea announced the start of the duel.
“Then let the duel begin.”
However, something that even Viola could not have expected happened.
—————————————————————
Translator Note:
This chapter was translated by Bree.
If you like my work please support us in Patreon. Next post will be released on Mach, 14.
Want to read more?
