* * *
To say anything more about such a self-sacrificing mindset would be overstepping.
Instead, Lowell did what he could without interfering with the other’s decision.
“I wouldn’t dare claim to understand His Highness’s intentions, but… may I speak simply as someone who has feelings for another?”
“Of course.”
“If you truly care for someone, you’d want to share their burdens willingly. Because seeing them quietly give up and feel disappointed would be far more painful.”
As Lowell draped the blanket prepared by the knight over his shoulders, he studied Robin’s reaction.
Robin, evidently caught off guard by Lowell’s words, slightly parted his lips in surprise.
“While you’re here in Nix, why not try joining the training? There’s no one watching you here, and no one who knows your true identity.”
“Aren’t I just an attendant?”
Robin, hearing the unexpected suggestion, hesitated uncharacteristically. Lowell chuckled lightly.
“That’s just in name. Besides, Nix isn’t as strict as Phoebos. You’re just an attendant helping out by my side, so if you say you’re learning swordsmanship, no one will question it. If anyone asks, just tell them the Grand Duke ordered it. They’ll understand.”
“I’ll think about it. Thank you.”
Seeing Robin’s pleased expression, Lowell nodded.
As Felix had warned, the training hall, being so spacious, was noticeably colder than other indoor areas.
While knights, accustomed to warming up through training, would find it tolerable, those merely sitting and watching would feel the chill.
Pulling his clothes tighter, Lowell handed one of the blankets he had requested in advance to Robin.
“Huh? I’m fine, really.”
“Your face is slightly red. Maybe because I’m also from Phoebos, but I find the cold much harder to bear than the people of Nix.”
“You’re kind, Lowell.”
Lowell almost replied, “Aren’t you the kind one?” but held his tongue.
Just then, faint murmurs rippled through the hall as Felix and the Crown Prince stepped in.
Their mere presence made the vast training grounds feel smaller.
Lowell, momentarily entranced, forgot to respond to Robin and focused solely on Felix’s every move.
Felix, seemingly sensing the weight of Lowell’s gaze, glanced toward him while adjusting his grip on his sword.
Lowell instinctively smiled.
A gaze that was stolen away.
A pulse that quickened.
A heart that unraveled, impossible to conceal…
It was a sight that painted his affection as if it were a portrait.
“You really love the Grand Duke, don’t you?”
Robin, finding the flustered Lowell endearing, spoke softly.
Lowell, feeling the heat creep up his neck, subtly adjusted his seat, realizing he had made his feelings too obvious.
“Does it seem that way?”
“Yes.”
“Well… that’s a relief, then.”
Despite his reddened face, Lowell didn’t shy away from acknowledging his feelings.
Rather, he wasn’t afraid of letting them be seen.
Of course, inwardly, he thought, ‘Since I can’t mark him, I have to show it through my actions,’ but to Robin, he seemed remarkably courageous.
“Oh, I think it’s about to start.”
Oblivious to the fact that Robin was impressed by him, Lowell kept his eyes locked on the training grounds—or more precisely, on Felix.
Robin also turned his gaze toward the Crown Prince.
To others, the Crown Prince’s appearance might differ, but in Robin’s eyes, he remained a manifestation of sheer beauty.
“The first duel of the day will now begin!”
The first and most anticipated match.
Those unfamiliar with the situation were eager to see how badly the new knight would get beaten by Felix.
“Begin.”
At the signal, neither the Crown Prince nor Felix moved.
Their gazes, sharp with calculation, analyzed each other, gauging their opponent’s opening move.
It was the Crown Prince who struck first.
“He’s not as slow as I expected.”
Standing behind Lowell, Charis casually remarked to Tia.
“He’s probably just warming up. Even His Highness is moving cautiously.”
As Tia pointed out, the two tested each other, their swords clashing tentatively.
Despite their measured pace, the sheer force behind each strike sent deafening echoes through the hall.
“Damn. They’re not even using sword aura, and it’s making that kind of sound?”
“My hands hurt just watching.”
Listening to the knights’ murmurs as if they were commentary, Lowell leaned forward.
The duel gradually intensified, their speed increasing with each exchange.
At first, Lowell had no trouble following their movements, but soon, his eyes could barely keep up.
The blades seemed to connect, only to separate in an instant, then clash again.
“They’re covering an impressive range.”
Tia muttered in admiration.
Felix and the Crown Prince moved seamlessly across the training grounds, altering their rhythm to prevent their opponent from reading their attacks.
“Whoa…”
It wasn’t just Lowell’s guard, but all the onlookers who gasped in awe.
The supposed underdog, expected to be overwhelmed, was not only keeping up with Felix but matching him blow for blow.
Lowell swallowed hard.
He could barely see more than afterimages now, yet he couldn’t tear his gaze away.
Then, it happened.
The Crown Prince, having deflected a powerful strike, suddenly dipped out of sight and reappeared behind Felix, his sword raised high.
The blade was aimed at the back of Felix’s neck.
Having just made a large movement, Felix seemed vulnerable.
‘He’s in danger!’
Lowell, unable to process anything else, saw only the Crown Prince’s sword rising.
The blade nicked Felix’s neck, drawing a faint line of blood.
In that instant, Lowell sprang to his feet without thinking.
But his worry was unfounded.
Felix spun in a swift motion, using centrifugal force to knock aside the Crown Prince’s sword.
The sheer strength of his counter sent the Crown Prince staggering.
Unable to recover in time, the Crown Prince dropped his sword as Felix pressed his advantage.
“Ah…”
Lowell, unable to follow the exact moment Felix counterattacked, felt his legs give out as he sank back into his seat.
Robin clicked his tongue in mild disappointment but then turned to Lowell with a knowing smile.
“Do you know why His Highness suggested this duel?”
“I’m not sure.”
Exhausted, Lowell exhaled a deflated sigh. Robin chuckled.
“If they had used sword aura, things might have turned out differently. But… I’ve heard that the Grand Duke considers him the only one he’s never been able to defeat with pure swordsmanship. That’s why, whenever something important comes up, he spars with him to assess his own condition.”
Intrigued, Lowell straightened up to listen more closely.
“Most opponents aren’t a real match for him, so he can’t properly gauge his state. And he dislikes being uncertain.”
There were very few who could stand against the Crown Prince, the youngest Swordmaster on the continent.
If sword aura had been allowed, Felix might not have won so easily.
Of course, if magic had been in play, the outcome could have been entirely different.
Comparing duels to real combat was ultimately meaningless.
“I see. Thank you for telling me.”
“No problem! I just figured you’d been wondering about it.”
As expected of someone with an innocent smile yet keen instincts.
Thanks to Robin’s explanation, Lowell was able to fully appreciate Felix’s victory.
“The duel is now over!”
Felix wiped the blood off himself absentmindedly, as if he had no intention of continuing the training.
Then, he started walking in Lowell’s direction.
* * *
