After sending Veronica to the lounge, Dantellion leisurely turned around.
There stood a man glaring at him with a menacing gaze. Dantellion smirked and asked,
“Do you have something to say?”
“…”
Cedric glared back at him, lips tightly sealed. His gaze was far too disrespectful to be directed at the Empire’s Crown Prince.
“No. Nothing at all.”
Cedric replied through gritted teeth and turned sharply away, as if he couldn’t stand dealing with Dantellion any longer.
“Hold on.”
“…”
But just as he began to walk away, Dantellion spoke in a low voice. Cedric froze in place.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
“…Must I report that to you?”
“…”
“…”
The two silently locked eyes. An invisible and fierce tension clashed in the air between them.
“Going to the young lady?”
“That’s none of Your Highness’s concern.”
“Of course it is. I saw her arm swell up thanks to you.”
“…”
Dantellion spoke in an even tone. His voice was so calm, there wasn’t a hint of reproach.
And yet, the sheer intensity radiating from him made Cedric’s entire body stiffen. He stared at Dantalion, tense.
“There seems to have been a misunderstanding.”
“A misunderstanding?”
“Yes. I merely wished to speak to my wife in private for a moment…”
“And is that how one speaks to someone? By dragging them off like a dog?”
“…”
Cedric’s brow furrowed deeply. He replied in a tone laced with irritation.
“Dragging her like a dog? Even if you’re the Crown Prince, your words are too much…”
“Then how else should I describe someone who dragged her off like a dog?”
“…”
Dantellion tilted his head, looking genuinely puzzled. His expression was so innocent that even the other watching nobles couldn’t help but let out awkward laughs.
“…Your Highness, are you picking a fight with me?”
“Oh? Does it look that way?”
Dantellion answered Cedric’s sharp question with a gentle smile, clearly enjoying the situation.
“If it does, then feel free to think so.”
“Your Highness…!”
“What’s wrong, Marquis Lionel, the one who dragged the young lady off like a dog.”
“…”
The atmosphere grew increasingly tense. The nobles around them flinched and began to back away.
The distinct pressure between the two Swordmasters clashed violently again. Those with weaker constitutions trembled uncontrollably.
“Even if you’re the Crown Prince, you cannot insult me like this.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes.”
“Then if not the Crown Prince, who can insult you? Would it be possible if I become Emperor?”
“…!”
The air froze at Dantellion’s remark. It sounded light, but the words carried serious weight.
Dantalion, the ill-fated Crown Prince who should have ascended the throne upon reaching adulthood but was blocked by the Empress Dowager’s power.
The nobles couldn’t lift their heads. It felt as if he were mocking them for constantly watching the Empress Dowager’s mood.
“That joke is in poor taste.”
“It wasn’t much of a joke.”
“…”
“…”
Their eyes clashed once again. The tension in the air was explosive—one wrong move and everything could ignite.
“What is the meaning of this on such a joyous day?”
“…!”
A gentle voice cut between them. The nobles turned toward the sound.
“…Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager.”
Cedric was the first to bow politely to the Empress Dowager. Her sunset-colored eyes held a look of satisfaction.
“Raise your head, Marquis Lionel.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Cedric lifted his head, his earlier fury gone as if it had never been there.
The Empress Dowager turned to Dantellion, who stood with a crooked posture.
“Crown Prince, what is this disgrace on a day meant to honor you?”
“Disgrace, you say.”
Dantellion let out a soft laugh, as if he had heard something amusing. His eyes swept over the Empress Dowager.
With her luscious red hair styled high, she looked far younger and more beautiful than her age. It was said her holy power, as a former saintess, kept her from aging. Truly a convenient ability.
Maintaining his gentle smile, Dantellion continued,
“The one who disgraced this day was not I, but Marquis Lionel.”
“What did you say?”
The Empress Dowager’s eyes turned back to Cedric—then to Gloria, who trembled beside him like a leaf. Her gaze darkened.
Quick-witted as she was, she grasped the situation. She bit her lip ever so slightly.
“Still, today is meant to celebrate the Crown Prince. Please forgive the Marquis’s rudeness, for the sake of the occasion.”
“Your Majesty…!”
“Quiet.”
“…”
Though her tone was gentle, it was firm. The Empress Dowager might appear the picture of grace, but Cedric knew all too well that she was not to be crossed. He lowered his head.
“Ah, right. Today is supposed to be my day.”
“Indeed, Crown Prince. So please—”
“In that case, surely you’ll understand my decision, won’t you?”
“What do you mean…”
Dantalion cut her off and strode forward.
The Empress Dowager looked at him in alarm. Dantellion walked straight to Cedric.
“Marquis Lionel, I do not intend to forgive your rudeness.”
“…!”
“I hereby challenge you to a duel.”
Dantellion removed one glove and placed it on Cedric’s shoulder, smiling. Cedric stared at him in stunned silence.
“A duel? What in the world…!”
As the nobles gasped and murmured in confusion, Duke Winston finally realized the gravity of the situation and rushed over.
Out of breath, he reached out to stop Dantellion.
“Duke, please go to the young lady.”
“What? You mean Veronica?”
“Yes. I’ll explain later.”
“…”
Despite having just thrown down a gauntlet in a duel between Swordmasters, Dantellion remained oddly calm.
Duke Winston bit his lip and turned.
“Understood, Your Highness. But please explain this to me afterward.”
“I will.”
Watching the Duke leave the banquet hall with Vincent and Brandon in tow, Dantellion turned his head again.
‘Is he insane?’
I muttered internally after hearing the Duke’s report.
What was he thinking, challenging another Swordmaster to a duel?
All because Cedric dragged Veronica off?
‘As expected from someone destined to become a tyrant.’
Well, that violent nature doesn’t just disappear.
Even if he hides his claws and pretends to be kind, a beast is still a beast.
For a moment, I had forgotten what kind of character Dantellion originally was—an unrelenting tyrant who butchered people without a second thought.
“You should’ve stopped him, Father!”
“But…”
Like me, Veronica shrieked in horror. The Duke looked helpless.
From what I heard, Dantellion acted on his own while the Duke was away, so it wasn’t his fault.
The question now was: what should we do about this?
‘Backing out of a duel once it’s been issued isn’t a good idea.’
That would damage the imperial family’s authority—or more precisely, Dantellion’s authority.
The nobles and citizens would mock and scorn him. That would hinder his path to the throne.
But if Dantellion wins the duel…
‘Then he can crush the Empress Dowager’s faction and ascend the throne more easily.’
Perhaps that was exactly what he had in mind when he challenged Cedric.
Still, it was far too reckless. Even though they were both Swordmasters, Cedric had reached that level earlier and had much more battlefield experience.
Plus, Cedric was the male lead of this novel. Defeating him wouldn’t be easy.
“For now, let’s just watch. I’m sure His Highness has a plan.”
“Even so…”
“Now, now. The royal physician is here. Let’s treat your wrist first.”
“Sigh…”
Led by an attendant, the physician stood awkwardly by, watching their exchange. Veronica sighed and nodded.
‘A duel between Dantellion and Cedric, huh.’
This might actually be something I can use.
Silently, I narrowed my eyes and allowed a sly smile to creep across my lips.
