Chapter 95
‘…Huh?’
But Risefield was nowhere to be seen. He had left as soon as Maya’s appointment ceremony ended.
“Excuse me….”
Looking around, Maya’s eyes met Serren’s. Serren gave a slight nod.
“If you have something to say, please send it by letter later.”
Since everyone already knew that she had awakened, there was no longer any reason to hide her ability.
Maya stepped forward, listening intently to the sounds around her, searching for where Tristan was.
Tristan, who had been planning to leave with the wyvern, had two reasons for following Risefield’s order.
As soon as Maya departed, Risefield’s servant had appeared, clearly waiting, to convey his master’s will.
Though it was phrased politely, the gist was simple:
Go duel for Maya’s sake. And show that the Northern Knights are knights in name only.
The fact that both Alec and Tristan’s presence were demanded made Risefield’s confidence obvious—that they could not refuse the Emperor’s order.
Yes, in Tristan’s position as Arthur, for Maya’s sake and for his own future status, he couldn’t reject it.
‘But to step into a duel for that reason is far too dangerous.’
He hadn’t changed into his true form today, so appearing in front of others carried enormous risk.
But in the end, what swayed him was the casual remark from the servant:
“The Northerners must feel quite burdened. Don’t worry too much. His Majesty seems to be considering stepping forward himself….”
The servant had felt pity for the foreign boy suddenly dragged into a duel. Tristan’s pretty face only added to it.
“…His Majesty himself intends to step forward?”
When Tristan asked, the servant nodded.
“He was once renowned for his sword. It will be a good opportunity for the new captain. He seems to favor her greatly.”
Tristan knew well enough that Risefield wanted to draw Maya to his side.
But would he truly step forward himself for that?
Or was even this part of some calculated scheme?
‘I shouldn’t go.’
But if Maya really had to duel Risefield?
Even knowing it was the slimmest possibility, Tristan couldn’t think rationally.
Because he knew Maya felt uncomfortable around Risefield.
A close duel between the two—that was something he desperately hoped would not happen.
He thought deeply. Even imagining the worst-case scenario, his worry was always for Maya.
Because in Tristan’s life, Maya had become far too important.
He knew he was hopeless. But if he could do anything at all, wasn’t it worth it if it spared Maya from discomfort?
So Tristan ended up boarding the carriage with Alec.
“To be able to watch Maya’s appointment up close.”
He felt more expectation about witnessing this important moment in Maya’s life than worry about things that hadn’t even happened yet.
“Aren’t you afraid of dueling? If it’s Maya, she could beat us bloody and more….”
Alec had mixed feelings about dueling her.
He was excited, but also trembling because he knew how frightening Maya’s sword truly was.
“I like it.”
Having seen her fight many times, Tristan knew she was much stronger.
And since he was in the form of a boy rather than his true self, the difference would be even greater.
“But it’s my first time crossing swords with her.”
Tristan rested his chin on his hand and laughed.
…But when they arrived—
‘Truly, the gods do not favor me.’
Once led away by the servants, Tristan quickly knocked them all unconscious. The small room with a cot was cramped, but enough to rest in.
‘I need to get out quickly.’
It was lucky he had already summoned the wyvern.
And lucky he had transformed only after knocking them out.
‘This armor is far too tight.’
The difference in chest size was too much; he couldn’t wear it.
He stripped the armor off. Being nearly half-naked was awkward, but luckily there were shabby training clothes—an old shirt and pants—in the wardrobe.
Tight, but wearable.
‘Good enough.’
Everyone seemed distracted by Maya’s duel; he sensed no people nearby.
Tristan opened the window.
He planned to leave the moment the wyvern arrived.
‘…Someone’s coming.’
No one should have come to this room, yet he sensed unfamiliar footsteps.
It wasn’t Maya. Her breathing and steps were completely different.
‘A man.’
If not Alec, then who?
There was no escape. The window was too narrow, and there was only one door.
And it wasn’t just one man.
One stood in front, and three more followed behind.
‘I’ll have to knock them out.’
He would strike the moment they entered.
Just in case, he covered his face.
Using the servant’s handkerchief, Tristan wrapped his lower face and hid behind the door, holding his breath.
Creak—The door opened.
Tristan’s hand shot forward, striking the solar plexus, just as Maya had once done to him.
“Urgh!”
The man stumbled forward, lifting his head.
The man—Risefield’s eyes—met Tristan’s.
“You—”
But he never finished.
Because he collapsed instantly.
“Your Majesty!”
The men behind him shouted, but Tristan slammed the door shut.
“Your Majesty! Are you all right?!”
They pounded the door, but Tristan braced it with his whole body.
Looking down at Risefield sprawled on the floor, Tristan brushed his hair back.
‘…Should’ve hit harder.’
He sincerely regretted it.
He had held back because Risefield was technically a civilian, but there was no reason to show mercy.
Still, the fact that Risefield had come all this way was surprising. Surely not out of concern for Arthur—likely to confirm something.
‘He has good instincts.’
No wonder he had ascended to the throne.
Outside, the clamor of knights moving urgently grew louder. More people were getting involved.
He needed to set up the scene carefully.
‘Best to make it look like an attack.’
He’d have to explain Arthur’s absence later anyway.
So Tristan struck Risefield’s solar plexus once more, then lifted his head.
“Argh! Ugh! Ack!”
“Ugh!”
The sounds of knights screaming echoed.
Tristan opened the door.
There stood Maya, dusting her hands off, with all the knights sprawled unconscious at her feet.
“Maya.”
“Tristan!”
Seeing Risefield on the ground, Maya let out a breath of relief.
“I was worried something might’ve happened. I’m glad you’re safe.”
“How could I let anything bad happen on your appointment day? You were incredible. The duel was fun, too.”
Tristan smiled and embraced her. Though she had fought three duels, Maya hadn’t broken a sweat; she radiated a refreshing scent.
At his sugar-sweet voice, Maya’s lips curled into a soft smile.
There had been good moments today, but facing Risefield and standing before the crowd had been exhausting.
She had to play the role of the “Maya” everyone expected.
But Tristan knew the real Maya. There was no need to disguise or burden herself with him.
Receiving people’s recognition was good and made her happy, but…
‘When I’m with Tristan, I’m happiest.’
The more time they spent together, the firmer her feelings grew.
Even if everyone turned their back on her—if Tristan was there, she would be all right.
As long as she had him.
‘…Could I really leave?’
Would it be so wrong to just stay, to become a better person and stay by his side?
Blushing, Maya lowered her head, then lifted it again, clenching her fist with determination.
“Shall we deal with this situation first?”
“Of course. I was thinking we should make it look like a robbery.”
“Then we’d better rough him up more. Take off his jewelry, mess up the room.”
At Tristan’s words, Maya’s eyes sparkled and she nodded.
“You should be the one to hit him.”
“All right!”
Maya eagerly set to beating Risefield. Making sure not to wake him, she struck just enough while stripping him of rings and bracelets.
To end her appointment day by thrashing Risefield—what a perfect conclusion.
“Oh, Tristan, we should spar again sometime.”
Her eyes gleamed with excitement as she spoke. Tristan couldn’t look away from the passion that always shone when she faced what she loved.
“If it pleases you, anything pleases me.”
Tristan pressed a kiss to her forehead.
Maya beamed.
“Go on ahead. I’ll handle things here.”
At least one of them had to stay behind to support their cover story.
“I’ll be waiting—with dinner, just for you.”
Tristan kissed her hand and murmured.
It was a romantic day.
