Chapter 92
The way he walked felt familiar.
The upright posture, the graceful steps—there was a scent of déjà vu.
…But he shouldn’t be here.
Maya tried to steady herself, but it didn’t work.
Unlike Graham, who fought openly with his face revealed, this knight treated the battle with a seriousness that reminded her of Tristan.
Even though it wasn’t Tristan’s black helmet but a cheap gray one issued by the Imperial army.
I’m hopeless.
Even in places Tristan couldn’t possibly be, she thought of him.
Tristan had seeped into her life as naturally as breathing.
What else could she call this but love?
Maya gave a small laugh and tried to refocus on the duel.
“Your opponent is a knight from the North—Sir Arthur!”
At the words from the North, her suspicions turned into certainty.
That’s Tristan.
The helmet was just to hide his face.
Why is Tristan here?
He wasn’t someone who should be.
Before he left, he didn’t look like he had any intention of surprising me like this.
That would mean this wasn’t Tristan’s choice, but Lisefield’s independent scheme.
“Everyone seems to have quite high expectations for the Northern knights. So I personally brought one here.”
With those mocking words—discernible only to Maya—she finally understood why Lisefield had brought Tristan.
Everyone knew the North was where monsters were slain the most.
The more ferocious the monsters became, the greater the interest in the North.
Of course Lisefield knew this and must have been displeased.
And now, running into Arthur—Tristan—and Captain Alec of the knights in the West had given him a perfect card to play.
Manipulating public opinion came naturally to him.
Even if he stepped onto the stage with blood still on him, he was tireless when it came to reading the crowd and gathering allies.
That was why Maya had trusted him enough to serve him.
Of course, that had only been a façade—while purging anyone who might oppose him, he bent the Empire’s nobility to his will.
Still, Lisefield’s actions today were unexpected.
He hadn’t planned to summon Tristan until today.
Normally he would have sent a letter telling her to prepare, but Maya hadn’t known a thing until she departed.
Something must have stirred Lisefield’s emotions.
And Tristan, too. He wouldn’t just show up here for no reason.
He must have had his own motive.
Either way, it was obvious who would appear last.
It had to be Alec. First a knight from the North, and then even the Northern captain—Lisefield wanted to display the complete domination of the Imperial knights.
The Imperial Knight Captain, overwhelming the North.
That was the picture Lisefield wanted.
Not that Maya cared much about public opinion now…
But is this okay?
She worried that Tristan hadn’t once revealed his real appearance today.
He doesn’t look like himself right now.
Tristan silently drew his sword.
It would’ve been better if he had at least spoken. Was he being considerate of her?
…Strange.
Facing Tristan without any reaction from him left her with a strange feeling.
If we divorce, this will be reality.
Maya gripped her sword tightly. She hated such negative thoughts, so she forced herself to focus on something positive—
The fact that this was their very first duel.
We’ve never actually crossed blades before.
They had always fought side by side, never against each other.
When would such a chance come again?
As descendants of dragons, their physical abilities were similar.
She still remembered their keen eyesight and hearing that had worked in sync while hunting wyverns.
The only pity was that Tristan wasn’t in his adult form now, but still that of a boy.
His strength and stamina were surely different.
Maya hesitated, then spoke—loudly enough for all to hear.
“Please, give it your all.”
Though it could sound arrogant, it was laced with worry.
She didn’t want Tristan holding back for her sake.
“…That was never my intention.”
After a brief silence that betrayed his surprise at being recognized, Tristan replied.
Had he really thought she wouldn’t know? A sudden mischievousness welled up inside Maya.
How could I not recognize you?
As she sulked inwardly, Tristan muttered quietly—just loud enough for her to hear:
“Because I know giving my all is the best way to protect you.”
Her heart melted instantly.
Maya trembled to hide the smile tugging at her lips. Then she readjusted her sword.
“Let us begin!”
The herald, who had been waiting for them, cried out.
Their blades clashed.
Chaaang!
The sound was sharp and clear, unlike the earlier matches.
“Woooaaah!”
Cheers erupted. The difference from Graham was apparent from the start, and the crowd’s excitement swelled.
Maya’s strikes were swift and sharp, while Tristan’s were heavy and precise.
Without flair, without tricks—his sword went only where it needed to.
An honest swordsmanship that mirrored Tristan himself.
…He’s far stronger than anyone I’ve fought before.
Of course—he was the man who had once swept the battlefield under the black helm. She had expected strength, but not like this.
I’ll have to ask him for more duels in the future.
But such honest swordplay was vulnerable to unorthodox tactics.
Maya loosened her grip.
Tristan’s hand faltered at the sudden change, startled.
Showing herself openly at such moments was always Maya’s specialty.
The world of combat was merciless. Even if her opponent was Tristan, that rule didn’t change.
She lunged at the opening in his side.
Tristan bit down and swung.
Clang!
Their swords met again, and the crowd roared louder. Maya’s eyes widened.
She had underestimated him.
“Did I not say I would give my all?”
Tristan’s whisper was strained, his voice tight.
Even through the helmet that hid his face, she could feel the chill of his gaze. She shivered.
Feels like I’ll be scolded later.
She brushed off the uneasy intuition and focused again.
Their swords clashed and separated, slicing the air.
They moved so fast the crowd saw nothing but the wind whipping around them.
Even that was enough to prove their skill.
Lisefield’s eyes gleamed as he watched. As a seasoned swordsman himself, he could tell.
Though Maya still held the advantage, the young knight’s ability was remarkable.
The North’s strength is no joke.
He had only brought a common knight to diminish the North and gauge their skill.
But one who could match Maya?
…The North must be destroyed quickly.
His desire to crush them only grew stronger.
Soon it would be time to undermine the Grand Duke.
The Grand Duchess’s appearance here had been unexpected, but that wouldn’t stop him.
Where to begin…
First, Maya had to be prevented from fulfilling her duties as Grand Duchess.
She hadn’t fully sided with him yet, but if he continually recognized her skill and cared for her, she would eventually open her heart.
Sometimes petty emotions were easier to exploit than wealth or status—something Lisefield had learned through his brother.
She must be isolated.
For his plan to succeed, Maya’s happiness had to depend solely on Lisefield’s approval.
If she was even attending events in place of the Grand Duke, then their bond must be strong.
They needed to be separated.
I’ve never tried to seduce the Grand Duke before.
Perhaps sending an alluring woman to the North wouldn’t be a bad idea.
…Like Seren Baker, the socialite who had lately grown close to Maya.
At the same time, it wouldn’t be bad if Maya herself turned away from the Grand Duke because of an affair.
…Arthur’s face is perfect for that.
Those handsome features were the reason he didn’t bother to fully hide behind the helmet. Lisefield had no desire to see a Northern knight become the center of attention.
Arthur had feelings for Maya—making the seduction easy.
He would use them both.
It was time to shatter the romantic image of the Grand Duke and Duchess.
To tarnish it—and redirect the people’s unease onto a different target.
So that none of it would ever turn against him.
