CHAPTER 55………………………………………….
“Ah, so that’s why people are running.”
It was rare for such a crowd to gather even at a tournament, and now I realized it was because the fight was between siblings.
After all, a duel between siblings fighting for victory was far more interesting than a match between ordinary knights.
There’s a certain thrill in watching someone else’s family quarrel, after all.
The Betriche family’s children were already famous throughout the capital.
The eldest daughter, born female but exceptionally skilled, belonged to the crown prince’s guard, while their son, raised with noble privilege, lacked comparable ability.
It was exactly the kind of story that made for perfect gossip, and I smiled, asking:
“Coming all this way, isn’t it a shame to leave so soon?”
Persephone and Damien both fixed their eyes on me.
The Valstein family, also renowned for swordsmanship, would naturally be curious about the Betriche tournament, and Persephone would certainly be interested in a tournament where his subordinate was participating.
“Shall we go watch?”
I preferred staying longer anyway, to receive more attention in the capital with Persephone.
“Woooo!!”
The stadium erupted with cheers as the tournament began.
“Let’s go in, Your Majesty.”
When I said I wanted to watch, and because Persephone would accompany me, Damien led us to a completely different seat from the other spectators.
Inside, we were in the VIP section, where the crowd couldn’t enter.
They sat and watched the knights’ duel.
I realized why gladiators fighting lions in ancient times were so popular.
“Sir Betriche is entering.”
At Damien’s words, my gaze shifted smoothly to the arena.
I wondered: was he referring to Sir Adonis or Adolf?
“You’re hoping Sir Adonis will win this sword tournament, aren’t you, Your Majesty?”
“Of course. And he even said he would dedicate the victory to me.”
“……”
“I didn’t expect Sir Adonis to care about a tournament like this.”
I had never heard of him participating in a sword tournament since joining the guard.
“I wonder why he suddenly changed his mind.”
Persephone’s gaze met mine.
It was as if he already knew I had visited the Betriche estate to meet Sir Adonis.
I couldn’t say a word to the golden eyes staring at me.
“By the way, whoever drew this bracket is cruel.”
“Setting siblings against each other like this… seems deliberate.”
It was clearly a ploy to grab the public’s attention.
At that moment, the referee lowered his raised hand, and Adolf rushed at Sir Adonis.
“Impatient,” Damien muttered, clicking his tongue, and I looked again at the two of them.
I knew little about swords, but it was clear that Sir Adonis’ skills were extraordinary.
Though she was female and might be overpowered physically, it didn’t seem so—she skillfully deflected Adolf’s aggressive strikes.
Even without knowing swords well, watching Sir Adonis and Adolf was like seeing a cat play with a mouse, so I expected the match to end quickly.
“The match will be over soon.”
Sir Adonis probably didn’t want to waste time unnecessarily.
Immediately, with a sharp clang, Adolf’s sword flew across the arena.
It embedded into the floor, while Sir Adonis’ blade was pointed at Adolf’s neck.
“Sir Adonis Betriche wins!”
In the stunned silence of the arena, only the referee’s voice echoed.
Sir Adonis, glancing indifferently at a flushed Adolf, wiped her forehead roughly with the back of her hand and turned to meet my eyes.
“Sir Adonis!”
I called out, and her eyes widened.
Realizing the crowd was watching, she quickly approached the VIP section.
“Lady? And Your Majesty, why are you here?”
“I suggested we come watch.”
She cautiously accepted the handkerchief I had received from her small bag.
“I didn’t realize Lord Valstein was also here.”
“I came with Your Majesty’s guard.”
“I hope it’s not because of me… I apologize, Your Majesty.”
“There’s no need for that.”
Persephone’s lips curved into a proud smile.
He seemed confident his knight would win, but seeing the victory with his own eyes had doubled his pride.
“I was hoping to see the Valstein swordsmanship today, though. It’s a shame.”
“It’s not suitable for a festival,” Sir Adonis replied lightly, and Damien responded briefly.
The Valstein style was rarely seen at such celebrations.
If the Betriche family’s swordsmanship represented knightly orthodoxy, the Valstein style was entirely different.
It was a style for survival.
That explained why, at the academy, students disliked sparring with Damien.
“Is this the end of your match for today?”
“Yes. We’ll wait for the next bracket to be drawn.”
I suddenly wondered who the next opponent would be.
Since Damien wasn’t participating, the strongest contender would likely be Sir Adonis.
I also wondered if she could truly claim victory—and what single wish she might have once she did.
Would it be about receiving a new estate, as she mentioned at the Betriche residence, or something else entirely?
But for now, I had something more immediate to say.
“Congratulations.”
Sir Adonis looked at me as she wiped sweat with the handkerchief I had handed her.
The droplets on her eyes made her teal-green gaze resemble leaves glistening with dew.
She seemed slightly puzzled by my congratulations.
…Did I congratulate her inappropriately?
Even in a tournament, isn’t congratulating the winner standard courtesy?
“Why are you congratulating me?”
“Because you won.”
“No, not in that sense.”
Then in what sense?
Since I bore no ill will, congratulating her was only natural.
“You defeated your younger brother.”
What am I even saying?
I chuckled lightly.
“What does that matter? Everyone enters a tournament for their own reasons.”
Indeed, Sir Adonis had allowed Adolf’s strikes to pass a few times, while Adolf hadn’t reciprocated.
“Even Sir Adolf, as the younger sibling, was focused on defeating Sir Adonis.”
“Exactly. So congratulations are in order.”
Persephone nodded, agreeing.
“Congratulations, Sir Adonis.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Her cheeks flushed red—not from the match, but from receiving praise.
“The matches are over, so let’s return to our seats, Your Majesty.”
“If we return, I will escort both of you to the palace.”
Damien spoke.
This concluded today’s schedule.
“Let’s go by carriage.”
“Do you want to ride with us?”
After escorting Persephone and Adonis back to the palace, I asked Damien as he was about to pass by me.
“I don’t think we’re close enough to ride together just by seeing each other.”
“Why not? Before the rumors spread, we were pretty good friends, weren’t we?”
Since he thought I was April, he visibly frowned at the word “friend.”
“And don’t you want to finish the conversation we were having earlier?”
“……”
Damien, who had tried to brush past me, paused to look at me.
If he wanted to find me—or Irina Devin—my final words couldn’t be ignored.
“You really want to find the real April, don’t you?”
“You bring up April so freely in front of me.”
I let out a small laugh.
With so many eyes in the royal city, rumors might spread that April and Damien had suddenly become close again.
And perhaps Damien didn’t want to ride in my carriage precisely because he didn’t want such rumors.
With a displeased expression, he climbed into the carriage, and I followed, slamming the door shut.
“To the Valstein estate.”
