"A duel, Lady Lombardy?"

  Eventually, an Imperial Knight came out as if trying to stop me.

  "No. That’s a good idea."

  However, Astana, who smiles profusely, quickly got stuck.

  He looked up and down at Ramona standing next to me.

  Astana’s face, drunk and smiling, was mean.

  "The loser apologizes to the opponent. With all sincerity."

  "Yes, that’s good."

  Astana nodded his head without thinking too much about what I said.

  "Sir Sloan, be my agent and have a duel."

  Astana said, calling the most senior of the four escorts.

  "What? But, Your Highness……"

  The Knight, called Sloan, sweated as he alternated between me and Ramona.

  "A duel for honor should have the same skills as the agents."

  It wasn’t a word of malice.

  Perhaps that Knight Sloan is a man with a pretty high title.

  So, it would be difficult to fight for the honor of the Prince against the young lady, who seems to be in her early twenties.

  I glanced at Ramona.

  Ramona was uncharacteristically faceless and only looking straight ahead.

  She seemed very angry.

  I sneaked a question to such a Ramona.

  "What do you think? They say that."

  Ramona looked stiffly at Astana and Sir Sloan and said.

  "If you’re not ignoring me, proceed to the duel, Sir Sloan."

  "It’s absolutely not like that……"

  Sir Sloan, who seemed embarrassed to talk, finally sighed with resignation.

  "Don’t let it slide, Sir Sloan."

  Astana once again whispered to Sir Sloan with a fishy smile.

  I can hear you at least.

  Sir Sloan looked at me with a very uncomfortable face and asked.

  "Are you sure you’re all right, Lady Lombardy?"

  Now it’s a little annoying.

  It’s good to be considerate, but Sir Sloan’s words and actions are nothing but ignoring Ramona.

  I answered with my arms crossed.

  "What is your exact name and position, Sir Sloan?"

  "Yes, I am Edian Sloan, Vice Commander of the Third Knights of the Imperial Family."

  "Oh, I see. I heard the Imperial Knights have been very in-depth training in Imperial Swordsmanship, right?"

  "Yes, Lady Lombardy. I’ve been training in Imperial Swordsmanship for 15 years since I joined at the age of 20."

  Quite proud, Sir Sloan replied, tapping his chest.

  "Yes."

  It said that the more versed in Imperial Swordsmanship, the weaker he was in front of Ramona.

  Sure enough.

  Ramona’s face, which had been hardened, was slightly loosened.

  "Let’s proceed."

  There was no Caloga liquor anymore, so he was looking for a glass of wine somewhere and sipping it.

  "Hello."

  Sir Sloan spoke to Ramona in a polite voice.

  "What’s your name? I think I should at least know."

  "I’m……"

  Ramona answered, looking straight at Sir Sloan.

  "My name is Ramona Brown. You can call me Lady Brown."

  It was worth seeing that Sir Sloan’s eyes were shaking as if there were earthquakes.

  * * *

  "Have you heard? There’s going to be a duel!"

  "Duel?"

  "Yes! I heard it’s also His Highness the First Prince and Lady Florentia Lombardy!"

  Rumors were spreading rapidly among the nobles.

  "Why all of a sudden?"

  "Well, His Highness the First Prince told Lady Lombardy……"

  It was before the aftermath of the Brown family’s reappearance after decades.

  "Oh, my God, this banquet is the best!"

  "What a series of interesting things to happen!"

  The nobles gathered in groups shouting cheers and rushed to the place where the duel would take place.

  "Aren’t we going to have to go, Your Highness?"

  Tedro asked Perez impatiently because he was too excited.

  Ramona was a close colleague who spent six years together at the Academy.

  He wanted to go there without missing a moment at the scene where such a close friend finally took the first step toward achieving her family’s long-cherished wish.

  "That’s how it should be."

  Perez began to take a leisurely step.

  Soon after, Perez and the trio reached a grassland where people gathered in a circle.

  When he arrives, people whispered and make their way to the Second Prince, the Fiancee of Florentia Lombardy.

  "They are already ready for a duel."

  Lignite said with a small whistle.

  It’s not common for a duel to take place on the same day without setting a separate day to decide.

  It was even rare for a duel to begin immediately without hours of preparation.

  "Your Highness seems to have no intention of stopping it."

  No, he can’t stop it.

  As such, the insults that the First Prince uttered were tremendous.

  Emperor Jovanes was sitting at the front and watching the duel.

  Next to him were Lulak Lombardy and Gallahan Lombardy.

  They were witnesses to a massive duel.

  "He can’t get away with it."

  It was all thoroughly planned, so perhaps it was natural.

  Lignite murmured quietly as he watched the gathered nobles, the First Prince with a confident face, and the two knights facing each other holding the sword.

  "What a scary person is Your Highness’ fiancee. What a piece of work all this is."

  At the words, Perez slowly looked back at Lignite.

  It’s like saying something obvious.

  "It’s Tia."

  Then he looks at the duel again with his eyes full of anticipation.

  His sparkling eyes also contained his affection toward Tia.

  "You two are the same. The same."1

  Lignite shuddered slightly.

  * * *

  "It’s an honor to face a person of the Brown family with a sword."

  Sir Sloan looked at Ramona and said softly.

  It wasn’t an empty word.

  Not only Sir Sloan but also the Knights of the Imperial Knights gathered after hearing the news, all had the same face.

  "……Thank you."

  Ramona replied, trying to hide her complicated feelings.

  Then Emperor Jovanes rose from his seat with a slightly stiff face.

  It was a duel that would not benefit Jovanes no matter who won.

  He feel like he want to throw Astana, who had made things like this, somewhere right now.2

  Emperor Jovanes spoke briefly to Ramona and Sir Sloan.

  "If you’re ready, start."

  In the Crowd, two knights greeted each other while looking at each other.

  Sriing! Sriing!

  Two swords appeared with a cool sound.

  The nobles, who rarely saw the Knights’ true duel, concentrated with sweat.

  Ramona and Sir Sloan began to move slowly, pointing their swords at each other.

  It was heavy and prudent, as each step could lead directly to victory or defeat.

  Then, Sir Sloan moved ahead first.

  It was a movement not to drag the duel long.

  One-step, two-step.

  The distance between the two quickly narrowed as they took a stride.

  "Hoot!"

  With short mettle, Sir Sloan swung his sword at Ramona.

  It was a simple, yet seasoned, perfect digger.

  But Sir Sloan’s sword was blocked by Ramona’s sword, who struck it briefly.

  Ramona’s subsequent attacks were also formidable.

  Shruuk!

  In an instant, she climbed up Sir Sloan’s sword upside down.

  The sharp tip of the sword was aimed at Sir Sloan’s neck.

  Tring!

  Without embarrassment, experienced Sir Sloan unwinded Ramona’s sword.

  It was a technique frequently used in Imperial Swordsmanship, using the opposing power to move directly from defense to offense.

  However, an unexpected situation occurred after that.

  Crang!

  A sharp metal tone rang and Ramona’s sword was once again threatening.

  "……Huh!"

  Sir Sloan swallowed his breath and leaned back.

  Thanks to this, he was able to cut off Ramona’s offensive, but there were deep wrinkles between his brows.

  He couldn’t understand.

  He’s sure his technique worked.

  Ramona’s sword moved in a moment as if ignoring the flow.

  "Uh uh……?"

  The same reaction came from the Imperial Knights watching the duel.

  "There’s something just……"

  All the sword-handling nobles who attended the eve showed the same appearance.

  Surely, Sir Sloan was the dominant duel, and Ramona’s sword quickly turned it over.

  "Ha!"

  As soon as Sir Sloan found the center of his body, he attacked again.

  Clang! Clang! Clang!

  The sound of two swords striking was fierce.

  Ramona, in particular, clenched her teeth against Sir Sloan’s heavy sword.

  However, the difference between physical strength and age was inevitable.

  Ramona began to push back little by little.

  "Ah……"

  Sad exclamations were heard everywhere.

  At the same time, a fishy smile spread over Astana’s face.

  He foresaw his victory.