#102. The Token of Luck (4)
“It’s like a dream. Please, give me your token of luck filled with your heart.”
Hearing Ruslan’s words made Sasha more certain—what nonsense was this?
She and the Crown Prince had done nothing more than share a meal once, under the Grand Duke’s lead, with Pavel present too.
Whatever his intention was, she couldn’t let him talk more. She didn’t want people to doubt her, nor did she want Pavel to hear such things.
But before she could stop him—
“Your Highness. What are you talking about with my wife?”
Pavel’s voice cut in.
From the opposite side, he had come close without her noticing, standing between Sasha and Ruslan.
“Count Volkov.”
Ruslan spotted Pavel and didn’t bother to hide his annoyance.
According to etiquette, Pavel should have greeted the Crown Prince politely first, but instead—
“The match will start soon. I have things to say to my wife. Please step aside.”
His words were far from polite, even provocative.
“…Are you too busy to share a short conversation?”
Ruslan asked, his expression no longer calm.
Pavel nodded naturally.
“Even a little time with my wife is never enough. And besides, the match is about to begin.”
At those calm words, Ruslan rubbed the back of his neck with one hand, then looked Pavel in the eye.
“Well, I wanted to ask the Countess for a favor. If she accepts, I’ll step aside at once.”
Pavel barely held back the words that rose to his tongue. If he said them, Sasha would surely scold him.
Ruslan continued,
“Didn’t we promise to be like brothers? Since your wife would be like family to me as well, I hoped she could share her luck with me.”
That was too much. Pavel could not endure it anymore.
With a crooked smile, he answered in Sasha’s place.
“I’m sorry, but I’m not generous enough to watch my wife give luck to my opponent in the match. It’s the opposite.”
“The opposite? What do you mean…?”
“Yes. I’m greedy and jealous. I can’t stand it if my wife gives even the smallest piece of attention to another man.”
Pavel’s sharp eyes glared at Ruslan, his words slow and clear.
He looked like a beast baring its fangs before its enemy. The atmosphere around them grew icy, and people nearby shivered.
Ruslan, startled by Pavel’s intensity, stepped back.
“…That’s unfortunate.”
He gave Pavel a faint smile, then turned his eyes back to Sasha.
“Then, I’ll look forward to the next chance.”
“There will be no next chance.”
Pavel blocked Sasha from his view and spoke firmly.
Ruslan let out a small laugh. He knew Pavel was bold, but this was more than expected.
He shrugged his shoulders and turned away. Pavel kept his fierce gaze fixed on him until Ruslan completely disappeared.
After a moment—
“Sasha.”
Still staring at where Ruslan left, Pavel slowly turned back.
“Madam.”
He carefully checked her expression. Though a little troubled, she didn’t seem too uncomfortable. That was a relief.
Sasha opened her mouth.
“That was…”
She wanted to explain Ruslan’s strange behavior. To anyone else it might sound like an excuse, but Pavel was different.
She reached out her hand. Understanding her intent, Pavel removed his glove and took her hand.
Through the touch, Sasha’s feelings flowed into him—her only feeling toward the Crown Prince was discomfort, nothing more.
[So don’t misunderstand me, don’t think there’s anything between us.]
“I know,” Pavel answered at once.
Then he added,
“Let’s stop talking about others. I get jealous.”
“……”
Sasha’s eyes widened at how naturally he said it. Pavel felt her surprise and smiled.
“The match is about to begin.”
He slowly bent down on one knee.
Like a knight offering the greatest respect, he lowered himself before the woman he loved and swore—
“All my victories and honor, I dedicate to you.”
He kissed the back of her hand gently, then raised his head, his eyes shining clearly.
“Ah…”
An indescribable feeling wrapped around Sasha.
As she parted her lips, Pavel stood again.
Sometimes, words weren’t needed. Feelings could still be shared.
They knew this well.
Their tender gazes locked until the sound of the horn broke them apart.
“Pavel.”
Sasha called, and he came closer again.
She took out the handkerchief from her bosom. But this time, she wasn’t just showing it.
She unfolded it, folded it long, and tied it around his wrist. With all her heart, she asked—
“Don’t get hurt.”
“…Yes.”
“Really, don’t get hurt.”
“I won’t. I’ll follow your command.”
Smiling lightly, Pavel met her eyes one last time, then swiftly mounted his huge horse.
“……”
Sasha silently watched him ride away.
Her gaze stayed on his broad, grown back.
Pavel kept his promise.
Not long after the tournament began, it was his turn.
Since it was his first time, he had to fight from the preliminaries, climbing step by step.
This was unlike Ruslan, who as last year’s champion, started only in the later rounds, from the quarterfinals.
Sasha, worried he might get tired, carefully watched his first match.
Bwooo!
The horn sounded. Horses charged, and two lances aimed at each other.
Pavel’s lance struck.
Kwaaang!
The opponent’s lance broke, and the knight fell from his horse.
“Waaaaa!”
The crowd cheered in shock.
It had taken only one strike.
Just one.
The overwhelming victory made the crowd roar in excitement.
Sasha’s eyes shone brightly, even as she covered her nose and mouth with her handkerchief from the dust.
And Pavel kept winning.
Most matches ended with a single strike, and even if they lasted longer, they never dragged on for minutes.
Naturally, all attention turned to him.
“As expected of the Volkov heir.”
“In the harsh North, strength is everything.”
The nobles of the South, who had never even seen real battle or monsters, whispered in awe.
“Did you see Count Volkov kneel like a knight earlier?”
“Yes! I heard his words too. So romantic!”
“The Count and Countess must have a wonderful marriage.”
“People talked a lot about yesterday’s ball, but his vow today was even more shocking. It’s like a novel!”
“That’s true… but don’t you think the Crown Prince and the Countess’s talk was also unusual?”
Rumors and speculations spread everywhere.
Someone muttered,
“One thing’s for sure—the Countess is more attractive than people thought. Even the two greatest men of the Empire are paying attention to her.”
Glances fell on Sasha.
“……”
The stares burned, but Sasha remained calm. She had no room to waste energy on their meaningless gossip.
Fate’s trick—it was the final match, and Pavel’s opponent was Crown Prince Ruslan.
Pavel looked coldly at Ruslan across from him.
The final opponent was the Crown Prince.
From the beginning, Ruslan had provoked him, and now he had even dared to approach Sasha with shameless words.
Anger still boiled inside Pavel, but he didn’t show it.
He would answer with strength. He would crush Ruslan completely in Sasha’s sight, so the Crown Prince could never lift his head before her again.
The fact that Ruslan was Crown Prince no longer mattered.
The Imperial Family was far in the South, and the Volkovs of the North always stood independently.
Even if Pavel caused trouble here, no one could imprison or punish the North’s heir.
He was the only one who could stand equal to the Crown Prince.
Tightening the reins, Pavel’s horse neighed fiercely, sensing his master’s will.
The powerful steed stomped, eager to charge and crush the opponent.
Pavel stroked its mane in thanks, already imagining the fight in his head.
Ruslan was skilled, but Pavel was the disciple recognized by the great warrior Sergei.
A confident smile appeared on Pavel’s sharp face.
