Chapter 109 - North Korean rabbit

Episode 109

A Duel… No, a Sparring Match?

So suddenly?

The ladies, myself included, were taken aback.

The most shocked was the Duchess of Müzen, Aaron’s mother.

The moment she realized her son had challenged the Crown Prince to a spar, she rushed over to stop him.

“Aaron, what is this discourtesy to His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince!”

She half-blocked her son’s path and spoke to Arpad with a smiling face.

“This boy may be big, but he still lacks sense. Please forgive my son’s mistake, Your Highness.”

Arpad said nothing. It was the son who was defying his mother.

“It is not a mistake, Mother!”

“Aaron!”

“I requested a spar as a pure martial artist! If I can receive instruction from Your Highness, the inheritor of the dragon’s blood, it would be the greatest honor!”

For the first time, a proper answer came from Arpad’s mouth.

“I have no talent for teaching people.”

Just as the Duchess was about to feel relieved, thinking it was a refusal—

“It will be like a real battle. I won’t play childish games with a sword in hand.”

The Duchess’s face turned pale. Aaron, oblivious to his mother’s worry, was instead delighted.

“That is what I desire! I too, as a knight, do not wish to play games with a sword!”

“You may get hurt or die.”

“I already accepted that possibility when I was knighted!”

Amidst the unease and worry of everyone except the two men, an unexpected sparring match was about to begin.

* * *

Arpad had his own sword with him, but Aaron, having entered the palace, had entrusted his sword to the Imperial Knights.

Thus, by Arpad’s special order, Aaron’s sword was brought.

In the meantime, Arpad and Aaron removed their cumbersome formal outer garments.

Not only did they strip down to light shirts and trousers, they even unfastened buttons here and there so their clothing wouldn’t hinder their movement.

Thanks to this, the sculpted bodies of the two well-trained men were revealed.

Before their interest in who would win, the noblewomen were enthralled by the physical beauty of the young, handsome men.

“Indeed, His Highness the Crown Prince’s limb muscles are like sculptures as well.”

“And looking at that broad chest… I just… Ahem!”

The noblewomen, who had spoken instinctively without thinking, soon seemed to think they had spoken too freely in front of their master(?) and changed the subject.

I’m fine with it, why are they acting like that?

Isn’t admiring something pretty and handsome just human instinct?

Moreover, Arpad’s body was artistic enough to be mesmerizing even knowing the temperament housed within it.

‘Does that man not tan in the sun? His torso and limbs are the same pale white.’

Arpad trained frequently and, as Gerald, had been quite active outdoors.

Unlike Ludwig, who made a fuss about parasols and hats, claiming a pale face symbolized noble elegance, Arpad was different.

Yet, ironically, Arpad had much fairer skin than Ludwig.

Thanks to that, I admired Arpad’s body as if it were a work of art, a white marble sculpture with perfect proportions.

In contrast, the young Duke of Müzen, Aaron, was the complete opposite.

His body, at only eighteen, wasn’t even finished growing. Yet, it was noticeable how firm muscles densely packed his large frame.

Seeing the distinct blue blood vessels visible between the clearly defined muscles, I could hear the young maidservants attending them squealing.

“Look, do you see the veins bulging on his forearm?”

“And his chest… it’s enormous. The buttons look like they’ll pop, oh my! One really did pop!”

“Ah, what do we do!”

As Aaron did warm-up exercises, opening his shoulders left and right and expanding his chest, his shirt grew taut and one button popped off and flew away.

The maidservants unknowingly exclaimed ‘Oh my! Oh my!’ repeatedly before being scolded by their seniors or ladies-in-waiting.

But they couldn’t stop the light in the maidservants’ eyes. Some of them even sneaked off to pick up the flown button.

Normally, the Duchess of Müzen would have been proud of her son surrounded by such cheers, but she seemed filled with anxiety.

She approached her son, who was preparing, and tried several times to dissuade him.

“A real sword spar with none other than His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince, are you in your right mind? Stop this even now!”

From beside me, I heard Arpad chuckle softly.

“The Duchess seems to have overflowing confidence in her son’s skill. It appears she thinks he can even beat me.”

Her reproach towards her son stemmed more from worry about discourtesy to the Imperial Family than about his safety.

That’s how great her trust in her son’s ability was.

‘Even so, he’s no match for Arpad.’

No matter how much of a future Sword Master he was, he was no match for an Imperial Family member who inherited the dragon’s bloodline.

“That’s understandable. I heard he won a tournament at fourteen. He must be even stronger now.”

“Seeing her make such a fuss, worried he might even injure me, makes me a bit spiteful.”

If she were truly only worried about her son’s safety, there would be no need to proclaim beforehand to everyone how strong Arpad is.

She’s speaking diligently so that, in case he does win, she can brush it off as ‘It really wasn’t intentional, I had no idea this would happen.’

Just as the Duchess stood by her son, I too was by Arpad’s side.

Because I had to at least pretend to worry about my husband.

I spoke loudly enough for those around to hear, as if concerned.

“Please be careful not to get hurt.”

What I really wanted to say, I whispered softly.

“Don’t kill him.”

“I know. Even I have no intention of killing the heir to a ducal house.”

“You mustn’t maim him or inflict a major scar either.”

“…Wouldn’t somewhere unseen be fine?”

“No.”

Then Arpad clicked his tongue. “Tch!”

“The Duchess is someone who will become my Head Lady-in-Waiting. Besides, you only met the young Duke today, why are you so bothered by him?”

“He’s showing off.”

“…What?”

What kind of creative nonsense is this now?

“When his chest button flew off earlier, you also gave him your gaze.”

“That was out of surprise……”

Arpad lowered his head and whispered in my ear.

“I can do that too. Want me to show you?”

“That’s quite enough!”

Arpad laughed, a refreshingly clear laugh.

Then he extended his hand and spoke, differently from before, so that everyone around could hear.

“I shall dedicate my victory to my wife.”

His tone already held certainty of victory.

“It’s not a duel, it’s just a spar, what victory…”

I chided him but obediently gave him my hand.

Arpad left a kiss on the back of my hand, then took up his sword and advanced.

Towards the young Duke of Müzen, who was staring at him with a face full of tension and competitive spirit.

Finally, the spar began.

* * *

The spar proceeded after moving to the training grounds of the Crown Prince’s Palace.

Imperial Knights belonging to the Crown Prince’s Palace, having heard whispers and rumors, swarmed in to observe the match.

Clang!

The sound of steel clashing against steel cut through the air of the training grounds.

Crack—!

The floor, made of solid granite, split from a single kick, its fragments scattering in all directions.

Since the knights stepped in to block them, no one was hurt.

But people couldn’t help being astonished.

“Ah!”

“Da, dangerous……!”

Amidst the noblewomen screaming in surprise, Hilia watched with keen interest.

Opportunities to see knights of this level crossing swords were rare.

Moreover, before the regression, an event where Aaron and Arpad sparred or dueled never occurred.

Compared to the word ‘spar,’ the situation was much rougher, and quite a few among the noblewomen were surprised and frightened.

The knights guarding the perimeter were all watching the match with passionate gazes.

Lord Beltain was no exception. The man who always appeared solemn and calm was now visibly struggling to suppress his excitement.

For knights, watching a battle between outstanding knights is itself an excellent lesson.

Aaron Müzen, who was said to have won a tournament at fourteen and would soon ascend to the position of Sword Master. He was already called the strongest among ordinary humans.

And Arpad, an Imperial Family member who thickly inherited the dragon’s blood, who could be considered a Sword Master from birth.

The clash of these two superhumans was truly a dream showdown for the knights.

I felt pleased, hoping Lord Beltain would grow as a knight by watching this spar.

That’s when it happened.

A shadow fell over Lord Beltain’s face, which had been blooming with excitement and fervor.

What remained after the emotions that had flared up like flames had all burned out were dregs like ashes.

A sense of defeat, inferiority, and… distinct frustration.

I had known Lord Beltain for a long time, and could read his expression changes well because of it.

But now, I doubted if I had seen wrong.

Because it was an emotion so… unbefitting of the Lord Beltain I knew.

He was always straight and upright, the very model of a knight.

“…!”

I hurriedly turned my head.

For some reason, I felt as if I had seen something I shouldn’t have.

My heart pounded anxiously, afraid Lord Beltain might realize I had noticed.

Lord Beltain likely wouldn’t want me to see the negative emotion he had just shown.

That’s when it happened.

Clang—!

One sword broke, deciding the match.