Chapter 82

#082 The Knight's Honor and the Romance of Middle Age (6)

The exploding sphere turned into ash like flower petals and scattered in the wind.

"How refreshing!"

"Looks like the Blanquer brat finally met his match."

"If His Majesty had dealt with him, he wouldn't have been left alive."

"His Highness is indeed formidable. He's truly the little sun of the empire."

The chatter of the nobles applauding was clearly heard.

Several healing priests rushed towards the young Duke Blanquer.

Sir Elizabeth retrieved her sword from the floor and approached Prince Cedric.

The prince seemed unharmed, but it was best to check his condition just in case.

Ganael and Benezaim quickly packed their things, and Cristel left to assist the healing priests, apparently preparing for the need for clean water.

The audience fanned themselves and one by one called for their attendants.

"You two should go down first."

I said to Benezaim and Ganael.

They nodded and left the tiered seating. I turned around.

Sir Johann Haines stood quietly beside me, as if he were not there at all.

"Sir Velliar."

"The duel was like a cup of ade with pomegranate jam and lemon slices, refreshing to the core." There were many stories to tell. It seems we could write enough for a month based on today's events."

The old man in the back row snapped his notebook shut with a click and chuckled.

He seemed to have already noted the drink I was having.

I smiled wryly and offered my arm to the editor of the *Biweekly Liester*.

She gasped in admiration and readily accepted my escort.

The hem of her emerald dress began to rustle.

Sir Haines followed silently behind.

"How is your grandson?"

I asked cautiously.

According to what I heard at the palace temple, Sir Velliar had a young grandson who had fallen unconscious and had not opened his eyes.

Her green eyes widened slightly as she looked at me, a look of surprise.

"I didn't expect you to be curious about that."

"I didn't get to ask during the last interview."

My answer made her expression change subtly. Her wrinkled lips seemed to be carefully choosing her words.

"He's the same as always. But with the royal priest taking care of him personally... "

Her voice trailed off, and she didn't finish her sentence.

I didn't press further and walked with her down the stairs.

The servants hurried to escort their masters, and the attendants were busy tending to the unconscious nobles and discussing the duel, making the venue quite noisy.

I could feel the gazes of those observing and whispering about me, but I ignored them resolutely.

Turning my eyes to where the duel had taken place, I saw a pair of garnet-like, firm orange eyes looking at me.

Well done. I gave a casual smile, and he turned his gaze away.

"His Highness the Prince heard what the prince said."

Sir Velliar changed the topic as she put her notebook away. I struggled to respond.

"......He is wise. He understood that there was no need for unnecessary killing."

"Perhaps. From the young Duke's attitude, it wouldn't have been strange if he died today. I knew he was a brat, but I didn't expect him to be so disrespectful even in front of the royal family. It seems the rumors about him acting like a prince in his territory are true."

She quickly regained her usual tone and continued sarcastically.

The short staircase was coming to an end.

"For this issue, I plan to choose one of two angles. Our magazine's space is limited, after all. One will highlight His Highness the Prince, and the other will highlight Prince Yessar."

"......"

"Which one would you prefer, Prince?"

The old woman smiled and looked at me.

The small glasses perched on her nose indicated she was still in 'reporter mode.'

I had never intended to persuade or outmaneuver her, so I simply smiled back.

Even if I could convince her to write a favorable article, it would ultimately be a transaction, not a one-sided favor.

I didn't want to have such a complicated relationship with the press.

"I'd rather stay out of it...... It's up to you, Sir Velliar. I'll wait as a subscriber."

I stood firm and waited for her to finish descending the last step.

Sir Velliar looked at me with a twinkle in her eye.

She seemed to find me amusing.

"Be careful on your way back. I hope your grandson recovers soon."

"Thank you. May you also be blessed, Prince."

Her attendant immediately approached and escorted her away.

They bowed politely and departed.

Sir Haines and I then quickly made our way to the scene.

"Prince, are you alright?"

The brat didn't respond, as if it were a given.

His face and hands were unscathed. Yeah, who am I worried about?

Dukshim, who had been perched on my shoulder, flew over to his shoulder.

"Did Prince Yessar get hurt?"

"No, I'm fine. There was a barrier."

I answered Sir Elizabeth's question immediately.

Ganael, who had not gone to the carriage, stood beside her. He looked paler than before the duel.

The young viscount was being comforted by Sir Elizabeth.

"The young Duke's condition is..."

"You little brat, you'll regret not dying today."

I gasped and swallowed hard.

Our protagonist was sitting next to the young Duke Blanquer, who was being tended to by the healing priests, whispering 8-bit threats.

It seemed he was not there to help but to delay the healing.

His movements, even with the opera glasses, were extremely unruly.

The prince was openly turning a blind eye, and no one dared to stop Cristel.

Moreover, she was the only daughter of Duke Sarnes, the emperor's chief advisor.

The bloodied young Duke, lying on the ground, groaned and opened his mouth.

"Ugh, cough... Sarnes, Lady..."

"Does it hurt? I hurt too. Seeing someone like you makes me worry about the country and gives me a headache. A kid who hasn't even dried the blood on his head, learning only how to lose manners. You almost made Sir Elizabeth faint."

Yerang?

"Lady Sarnes, that's enough."

I lightly placed my hand on her arm.

Cristel looked up and smiled brightly at me.

"Oh, Prince! I was just saying goodbye to the young Duke to ensure you have a safe journey."

Not just goodbye, but almost sending him to the afterlife...

"Let's go to the carriage. If we stay any longer, we might end up as snacks for the nobles' tea time or dinner appetizers."

"Yes, I understand."

She stood up easily.

As the prince also showed signs of leaving, the healing priests stood up and bowed.

Then, my gaze met that of one of the priests, purely by chance.

"......"

"......"

The curly red hair under the robe shimmered.

The eyes that glared at me with resentment were a vivid sepia.

I was momentarily stunned by the intense emotion in her eyes and couldn't speak.

After a few beats, I recognized her.

"Blanquer Lady. Be careful on your way back."

"......I'll see you again, Prince Yessar."

The sister who had tied a scarf to the hilt of the young Duke's sword, Eva Blanquer.

She was a stunning beauty, but the look in her eyes was so fierce that no words could describe it.

I could understand how upset she must be about her brother's condition.

Of course, I saw it as self-inflicted, but as a family member, she couldn't accept this situation.

......I hope "see you again" isn't a double-edged statement.

"Alright."

I gave a slight bow to the bleeding young Duke and turned to leave.

I didn't feel sympathy for the one who threw the knife at me, but I didn't want Cristel and the prince's future to be affected by this brat, so I wished for his recovery.

The prince was already walking ahead with his attendant, David.

Cristel, Ganael, Sir Elizabeth, and Sir Haines walked with me.

"......Are you two close?"

Huh?

I paused for a moment.

Turning around, I saw Eva turning her head away from me without hesitation.

She bent down again to check on her brother. Did I hear wrong?

"The young Duke's right hand will never regain sensation. The holy fire burned the nerves, and it can't be regenerated by healing magic."

Cristel explained with a very satisfied tone.

As we walked to the carriage, the nobles bowed to the prince and stepped aside.

I didn't know the holy sword could be so selective.

It was well-behaved when I tied the handkerchief to the hilt, but it's almost like an ego sword.

"They say the blades embedded in his body were all heated, leaving both wounds and burns. If he's unlucky, he might lose a leg."

"You seem really happy, Lady."

"Is it that obvious? Am I smiling?"

"Yes, you look the happiest person in the world."

Cristel laughed heartily at my words.

There seemed to be a hint of affection in her gaze as she looked at the prince's back.

Sir Elizabeth kissed Ganael's forehead and opened the carriage door for him.

They really are close.

"Whoa!"

Ganael took a step back in surprise when he looked inside the carriage.

Sir Elizabeth, who saw the boy's reaction, also looked shocked.

I quickly moved to see what was going on.

"Why, Sir Velliar?!"

I instinctively took a step back.

The prince, who