WWDNND Chapter 27

[A Duel for the Ages! Sword Master VS Sword Master!]

[How Did Crown Prince Dantellion and Marquis Lionel End Up in a Duel?]
[The Truth Behind the Crown Prince’s Victory Banquet]

The day after the victory banquet, gossip columns flooded the capital.
It was all so predictable that I couldn’t even muster a reaction. I glanced away from the newspaper the maid had brought me.

“Our little lady, did you find something interesting in the paper?”

“Mhm.”

Sofia asked with a smile, assuming little Claudia couldn’t read yet.
I cheerfully pointed to the Crown Prince’s photo in the newspaper.

“Here’s the Crown Prince! The Crown Prince is cool!”

“Oh my.”

Sofia smiled fondly, clearly finding it cute that I was reading the paper just for a picture of the Crown Prince.
But unlike the real Claudia, I could read Imperial script. The real Claudia was still young and often sick, so she hadn’t learned to read yet.

I figured this must be part of the perks of being a reincarnator. I just smiled brightly at Sofia without much thought.
In the end, the duel between the Crown Prince and the male lead had become an undeniable fact. The Empress Dowager, who had looked flustered at the banquet, was now keeping silent—a tacit approval of the duel.

‘She must believe Cedric will win.’

To anyone watching, it was an obvious bet. Both were Sword Masters, but Cedric had more experience. Even the knights who analyzed the duel predicted Cedric’s victory.

‘Honestly, I’m not so sure though.’

For Dantellion to act so boldly, he must have something up his sleeve…
Still, just like I had the reincarnator buff, the protagonist buff wasn’t something to be underestimated. Even I thought Cedric’s chances of winning were higher.

‘Should I make Dantellion form a contract with the Jewel Demon?’

There were three Jewel Demons left. The red one was best suited for the main line of the family, but the black ones, which the first Duke had entrusted to his vassals, might be a good fit for Dantellion.

‘The question is, can I trust Dantellion enough to give him a jewel…?’

I hesitated, but then realized that since I was already trying to set him up with Veronica, it was a pointless worry.

Alright, let’s give the jewel to Dantellion!

With renewed determination, I jumped to my feet, full of fiery resolve.

“Young Lady, where are you going?”

“To the office!”

“Off to see the Duke again?”

“Mhm!”

Thankfully, no one found it odd that I often went to the Duke’s office without permission.
After all, in everyone’s eyes, I was just an innocent child going to dote on her grandpa.

So Sofia followed behind with a pleased smile, while I toddled along in shoes that squeaked with every step.

Squeak! Squeak squeak! Squeeeak!

“Huff…”

“Gasp…”

“…?”

As I passed by, the servants and knights bent at the waist, making strange noises.
Did they all develop arthritis from standing all day? The capital townhouse seemed to work its people harder than the estate.

Shaking my head, I kept walking until I reached the Duke’s office.

“Grampa!”

Without hesitation, I flung the door open. The Duke had never scolded me for barging in, so I had nothing to fear.

‘Huh?’

But something unexpected awaited me inside: unfamiliar people.

“My sweet Dia, did you come because you missed your grandfather?”

“Yes!”

“Haha, come here.”

Feeling shy in front of strangers, I hesitated at first but soon ran over at the Duke’s warm voice.
The squeaking of my shoes echoed through the now-silent office.

“You’re as adorable as ever, my Dia.”

“Mhm.”

As the Duke patted my head, I quietly observed the newcomers.
Two adult men with deep navy hair, and a boy slightly older than me. All unfamiliar faces.

“Introduce yourself, Dia. These are the head and heirs of House Gideon.”

“…!”

House Gideon.

One of the vassal houses of Duke Winston’s family, featured in the original story.
They had sided with Veronica and the Duke and eventually shared their downfall.

Because the first Duke had entrusted one of the black jewels to this family, their bond with the Winston household had always been strong.

“Dalton Gideon, at your service, Lady Claudia.”
The head of the Gideon family bowed his head. He was a handsome middle-aged man with neatly slicked-back navy hair.

“Derrick Gideon greets the young lady.”
The man next to him was Dalton’s younger brother, Derrick. I’d heard he stayed with the family to support Dalton.

Finally…

“Abel Gideon greets the young lady.”

“…”

Abel, the heir to the family and son of Count Gideon. He looked about ten or eleven—much older than me.
His broad shoulders were striking for a child his age.

“Mhm, nice to meet you all.”

“…”

I nodded politely, but none of them responded. A chilly silence filled the room.

What the? Did they only greet me because the Duke was watching and didn’t actually want to engage?

Maybe, like the townhouse staff, these vassals weren’t fond of me because I was Cedric’s daughter.

That would be a problem, since these people likely held the jewel I wanted to give to Dantellion. I needed to befriend them, fast.

Just as I was about to frown in frustration—

“C-cute…”

“Abel.”

“S-sorry!”

Abel, face bright red, bowed his head hastily and fidgeted with his fingers.

‘Oh?’

Turns out, it wasn’t dislike—it was the opposite. They were flustered because they were completely smitten with me.
Interesting. I might be able to use this to my advantage. I grinned slyly.

“Haha, yes indeed. Our Dia is adorable, isn’t she?”

“Apologies…”

“Would you like a closer look?”

“…Pardon?”

Abel lifted his head in surprise at the Duke’s suggestion, his face lighting up with anticipation.

“W-would that be alright?”

“Mhm, I like Abel too!”

“…!”

When I nodded enthusiastically, Abel hesitantly stepped closer.
Up close, he was even more handsome than from afar.

His deep navy hair shimmered like the night sea, and his dark eyes reminded me of the deep ocean.
With genuine admiration, I beamed at him and declared:

“Abel, you’re pretty!”

“…!”

Abel’s face turned even redder. I didn’t think it was possible for someone to blush more.

Amused, I watched him… until something felt off.

‘Hmm?’

I lowered my gaze slightly.

A brooch…?

I felt something strange emanating from the brooch on Abel’s chest.
Fixated on the black gem embedded in it, I asked silently,

‘Demon, is this…?’

[Yes, no doubt! That gem holds a demon!]

‘…!’

I knew it.

Having already contracted two demons, I was beginning to sense the presence of others.
I gulped and reluctantly pulled my eyes away from the brooch.

Then, turning to the Duke, I shouted:

“I wanna play with Abel!”

“Hm…”

The Duke hesitated. Abel was the heir to a vassal family, and this was our first meeting. Leaving us alone might seem risky.

“Well, we still have things to discuss. You two go to the drawing room.”

“Okay!”

Of course, it wasn’t like we’d truly be alone—Sofia and the other servants would be nearby.
But that didn’t matter. All I wanted was to get close to Abel and obtain the jewel.

Smiling, I reached out to him.

“Abel, let’s go!”

“Y-yes, Lady Claudia.”

Despite his young age, Abel acted quite maturely. Like a gentleman escorting a lady, he took my hand—though his stiff movements made him resemble a robot.

“Lady Claudia, um…”

“Hm?”

As soon as we sat down and the maids began setting out tea and sweets, Abel—still bright red—opened his mouth.

“What is it?”

“Well, I…”

“…?”

What’s he trying to say?

I leaned in, curious, and finally, Abel blurted out:

“Am I… really that pretty?”

“….”

His face turned a shade of crimson rivaling a tomato as he squeezed his eyes shut.