Chapter 52

The bustle of that day was intense.

I went to the Colosseum in the palace with my mother-in-law. It seems that commoners can buy tickets to watch today, and the entrance for them was incredibly crowded. Food stalls lined up, and it was a scene of great prosperity, like a festival.

From the outside, the building looked like a bland, circular structure, but as we got closer, it was quite impressive. The entrance for the nobility was open, and after getting out of the carriage, we walked down a long, gently sloping, dimly lit corridor with occasional candlestands, all the way to the exit at the end.

I couldn't have a proper conversation with Sir Percival last night, and the scratches and bruises on his face and body were visible even through his clothes. I didn't know how to approach him during the dinner, and I ended up facing today with that uncertainty.

However, when I saw him off early this morning, he noticed my worried face and gently patted my head with a smile. I still feel the warmth of that gesture.

He just said, "Watch," and left. It's my first time seeing people fight, but even though battles in my imagination and books float in my mind, it's my first time seeing actual sword clashes, and I'm also afraid.

I decided not to look away and came here with my mother-in-law.

At the end of the corridor, just before the exit, I saw silver hair glowing in the backlight and stopped for a moment. My mother-in-law stepped forward protectively and bowed like a lady. I followed suit, though I was confused.

"Please, raise your head. Today... I apologize for my rudeness, but I was waiting to convey something to Miss Mimosa."

I raised my head, signaled to my mother-in-law, and looked straight at the voice's owner, Prince Frey, whom I had been waiting for.

"Today, Percival and I will definitely face each other in the final. The draw is arranged so that we won't meet until the final, and it's a strange coincidence. I won't hold back. I will definitely win. That's what I wanted to say."

The rudeness towards me was indeed too much, even as a joke, but from what I heard from Sir Percival, Prince Frey was looking at Sir Percival, not me.

I had already given him a piece of my mind the other day, so it was settled, but Prince Frey came to declare that he wouldn't deliberately lose, which seemed to be important to him.

Sir Percival didn't say he would definitely win. He just said, "Watch." I know how hard Sir Percival has worked up to today. So, no matter the outcome, I will watch.

"Prince Frey... Yes, I am Sir Percival's wife. So... I can't cheer for you, but I think Sir Percival also hopes to fight you with all his strength."

"I see."

"I will support Sir Percival. I want him to win... not for the sake of the prize, but for the sake of all his efforts up to today. But... Prince Frey, Sir Percival also hopes to fight you with all his strength. So, um..."

It's odd to say "try your best" to support Sir Percival, and I stumbled over my words, but it seems the prince understood my intention.

"Yes, I, and Percival, are different from when we were children. We will fight with all our strength."

With that, he disappeared down the corridor.

"Mimosa, did Percy tell you to watch?"

After Prince Frey left, my mother-in-law asked, and I nodded, feeling curious.

"Yes, it seems that... he understands that Mimosa is strong, and I'm glad. Come, let's go. The inside of the Colosseum is amazing. We have seats in the front row, so the action is very intense. Of course, the sword blades are blunted, so serious injuries or deaths are rare, so you can be at ease."

Hearing that, I felt a little relieved, but the fact that it's rare means there's still a possibility, and my body tensed up again.

"Um, rare means..."

"It's hot, isn't it? Wearing armor makes it even hotter. We have seats under parasols, but some commoner spectators who bought tickets with their last money collapse from dehydration. So, people walk around distributing water. So, you can be mostly at ease now."

I felt a bit let down by the answer, but I realized my mother-in-law was trying to ease my tension and smiled at her.

"But, even under the parasols, don't be careless. Cold tea will be served, so make sure to drink it and stay hydrated while watching the matches."

With that, my mother-in-law and I entered the brightly lit entrance of the Colosseum.