Chapter 10

### Celebration of the Tenth Chapter

Thank you to everyone who has read this far.

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* *Kiiin*.

A clear sound rang out, and a man stood between Cordelia and the bandits.

He was a man with black hair tied at the nape of his neck. He wielded a long sword, clashing with the bandits who had attacked.

Unable to intervene, we held our breath, and it seemed that the man was gradually gaining the upper hand. One or two shallow cuts were made on the bandits' bodies, and blood splattered into the air. Realizing the unfavorable situation, the bandit swung his sword broadly. Taking advantage of the man's momentary dodge, the bandit quickly fled into the forest.

"……………Are you hurt?"

The man sheathed his long sword and turned to Cordelia and the others. He had black hair that seemed to be condensed from the night, and eyes as deep blue as ice that seemed to contain the night. His expression was cold, and his stern beauty stood out.

The handsome young man who had protected Cordelia and the others with his sword made a striking entrance, like a scene from a play. His appearance was so striking that it could rival that of a stage actor. Cordelia let his name slip from her lips.

"Prince Zayd, why are you here………?"

He was the half-brother of Leonhardt and the crown prince.

"Since you recognize my face, you must be a noble. What are you two young ladies doing alone in such a place?"

Without answering the question, Zayd countered with another question. His arrogance was well-practiced, and he was the type of person who understood that his arrogance was one of his charms.

(He's like a personification of confidence and pride. He doesn't seem much like Prince Leonhardt at all.)

While offering a greeting as a subject, Cordelia analyzed him.

"My name is Cordelia of the Guenberg family. Our boat almost sank during a boat ride, and we landed here with the young lady who had fainted."

"A boat ride, huh? Sounds like fun."

"Leisure and socializing are part of a noble's job."

"Then, if you're not talking to anyone, you're neglecting your duties, aren't you?"

"Perhaps it's like taking shelter from the rain. I was feeling quite disheartened by the rain of malice."

"Quick with the tongue, aren't you?"

"Thank you. By the way, may I ask why Prince Zayd is here?"

Zayd's gaze shifted to the depths of the forest.

"Sometimes I enjoy hunting in this forest. I was about to shoot a fox when I heard your screams, so I came to your aid."

"I see. Thank you for saving us from such a dangerous situation. I would like to express my gratitude again."

Even as Cordelia bowed, Zayd snorted.

"Thank you for saving us, huh? You don't seem to be at all shaken or frightened."

"I'm suppressing my panic and trying not to show an unseemly appearance to the Crown Prince."

"A textbook answer, and a rather uncharming one. I heard my brother is infatuated with you, and I thought you'd be a charming young lady."

"I'm sorry to disappoint, but I haven't done anything to make Prince Leonhardt like me as a woman."

"From the looks of it, that seems to be the case. It seems my brother has poor taste in women."

Cordelia did not respond to the obvious provocation. She was already used to such insults from Priscilla. Maintaining her ironclad smile, Zayd frowned irritably.

"You really are an uncharming woman. Perhaps that's why you caught Catherina's attention and she sent bandits after you."

"Perhaps, who knows?"

"Making an enemy of Catheria and the Duke's family could be troublesome. Our meeting here is a kind of fate. If you submit to me, I can persuade the Duke's family to back off."

He said this as if he expected her to kneel, but Cordelia declined.

"I'll pass."

"………What do you mean?"

Zayd's voice grew even colder, and a menacing light flashed in his deep blue eyes.

"Why do you refuse my offer? I'm offering to help you, you know."

"Because, Prince Zayd, you're lying."

"Are you trying to insult me?"

"Then, may I ask why you mentioned Catherina's name just now? I haven't mentioned her name to you since we met."

"……………Damn, you're clever."

He spat out a curse.

"Think about it. It's well-known that Catherina is hostile toward you. I just made a likely guess, and it happened to be true."

"A coincidence, you say. But when a coincidence happens twice, it becomes a certainty. Earlier, you were fighting the bandits, but neither of your sword strokes had much force. It looked like you were deliberately avoiding deep wounds, as if you had agreed on it. Is this also a coincidence, and are you saying that two coincidences happening at once is just a coincidence?"

"………For a woman, you're quite skilled with a sword. You really are an uncharming woman."

"Swordsmanship is a pastime for young ladies."

It was a big lie. Only the oddballs among the Liobelborn young ladies studied swordsmanship. Cordelia had no knowledge of swordsmanship, and her comments were just guesses and bluffs to unsettle him.

Cordelia's follow-up left Zayd speechless.

(I was suspicious from the start.)

Zayd, with his sword, arrived just like a hero in a play, right when they were being attacked by bandits.

(But such a theatrical event happening in reality is just too suspicious.)

To begin with, even if Catherina disliked her, they weren't in a full-scale feud. Setting a trap that could lead to Cordelia drowning and sending bandits seemed like an overreaction. Even if the Duke's family could cover it up, there was no reason to take such a risk just for harassment.

(But if this wasn't just the Duke's family acting alone, and Prince Zayd was involved behind the scenes, it wouldn't be so strange.)

Zayd's mother was the sister of the current Duke of Arber. It wasn't strange for Zayd and the Duke's family to collaborate. If Zayd, as a prince, was involved in the plan, it would be difficult for Cordelia to sue without solid evidence. This explained why the harassment was so physical and dangerous.

"Prince Zayd, you must have known everything from the start. I don't think Catherina intended to have me killed by bandits. Her goal was to instill fear and harass me. And your goal was to save me from the bandits and make it look like you were doing me a favor, wasn't it?"

"An impressive deduction, but do you have any proof?"

"I think the fact that you can't deny it is the answer."

Zayd smiled faintly.

"Ah, perfect. I heard my brother was infatuated with you, and I wondered how good you were. It seems your mind is sharp. I was right to check for myself."

"………So, you were testing me. That was your motivation?"

Cordelia frowned inwardly. She didn't want to be involved just because Leonhardt was interested. Rumor had it that the relationship between Zayd and Leonhardt, as royal siblings, was cold.

(I don't want them to fight in my presence.)

Unaware of Cordelia's inner complaint, Zayd reached out his hand.

"You pass. I might even take you as my concubine. If you become my wife, silencing Catherina would be easy."

"I'll pass."

Cordelia quickly stepped back from the approaching Zayd. His mood plummeted rapidly.

"You, not once but twice, are refusing my hand?"

"I can't join hands with someone who tries to ambush me."

It was troublesome to incur the displeasure of Prince Zayd, but she couldn't take his hand. Her rationality warned her against teaming up with someone who involved others in danger and showed no remorse. Additionally,

(………He reminds me of Priscilla?)

It was just a gut feeling. Despite their different genders and personalities, Zayd and Priscilla felt similar to her. This feeling whispered to her that she shouldn't take his hand.

Just as she was maintaining her distance from the approaching Zayd, a voice rang out.

"Cordelia, are you alright?!"

A golden-haired prince arrived dramatically.

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It was a moment that felt like a scene from a play.

Cordelia, seeing Leonhardt standing protectively in front of her, felt an oddly fitting thought.

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So, from the next chapter, it will be Leonhardt's turn.

I plan to gradually retrieve the lines from the summary, so I hope you enjoy it.