It was a completely different part from where I had been reading, but I kept reading anyway, fearing it would be obvious I was flustered if I flipped back immediately.
Then, as if nothing had happened, I naturally turned the page.
‘Oh?’
Something was tucked between the pages.
Looking closely, I saw a single crepe myrtle flower that had been beautifully dried.
Afraid it might crumble at the slightest touch, I couldn’t bring myself to turn the page easily.
As I sat there blinking, wondering what to do, the coachman and the knight outside were busy fixing a carriage wheel that had been misaligned for a while.
Even during all that, I could feel Locke’s gaze constantly fixed on me.
I tried not to be conscious of it, but it’s hard to ignore the fact that someone is staring at you; even the tips of my fingers felt stiff with nerves.
As night fell, we decided to stop the carriage and stay overnight at a nearby inn.
Once we passed the village, we would hit a forest where monsters appeared; normally, we should have cleared that area before evening.
However, the wheel repair delayed us, so we missed our timing to pass the forest and ended up falling far behind the Viscount’s carriage.
Locke, the knight, and I stopped in front of what looked like the largest inn in the village.
The coachman went to park the carriage in the inn’s garage, and we followed the knight inside.
The interior was already filled with the heat of the crowd.
The sounds of clinking glasses and loud laughter were rowdy.
“Hahaha, this isn’t even a challenge! Now, who’s next?”
A few people had pushed a table aside and were engaged in a petty duel in the center.
Just then, the fight seemed to reach a conclusion, and a triumphant fellow climbed onto a chair.
He raised his glass, then looked at us as we entered through the door.
His attire was unmistakably that of a noble.
“I heard there is only one room left in this inn, so we were deciding who gets to stay through a duel. If you want the room, you’ll have to cross swords with me. What do you say?”
He spoke while scanning me from head to toe.
At the man’s provocation, the knight stepped in front of me to block him.
I told him there was no need for that and had him step back.
“This isn’t the only inn, so is there really a need for that? Besides, we need two rooms.”
Just as I was about to turn away, the knight held me back and spoke.
“The night roads are dangerous. Jack and I, who are capable of fighting monsters, will go and look around.”
He gave a short bow and headed toward the garage where Jack, the coachman, was.
I looked around and spotted an empty seat in the corner, then grabbed Locke’s wrist and pulled him along.
“Let’s sit there and wait, Locke.”
Once seated, I took out a handkerchief to cover my nose.
Having always stayed in places that smelled pleasant, the stench of booze and sweat was nauseating.
I even thought I smelled vomit somewhere.
As I sat there, the man who had hopped down from the chair spoke again.
“This is the only inn in town with rooms left. If you don’t grab it now, you’ll have to ride all night fighting monsters until you reach Sordel Village. Or you can sleep in your carriage.”
It was absurd.
He should have said that before the knight left to find another inn.
I looked at the man with slight displeasure, sensing his intention to deliberately play a trick on us.
“If you had informed us a bit sooner, my knight and coachman wouldn’t have gone on a fool’s errand. What a shame. And as I mentioned before, we need two rooms. So, we shall wait for my subordinates while hoping for the Sun’s protection.”
“If the next guest to arrive beats me, even that one remaining room will be gone, won’t it?”
Just then, the clattering sound of hooves was heard from outside the inn.
Looking out the window, I saw another carriage entering the garage.
If there really were no other rooms, we might truly have to try and sleep inside the carriage just as he said.
“If you take your time being leisurely, you’ll find yourselves greeting the morning from inside that carriage.”
I had heard from Ciel that there is a nasty custom among nobles to pick on newcomers to social circles by finding fault with their lack of familiarity with the culture.
Even so, since there is such a thing as status, they supposedly kept it within reasonable bounds depending on the person.
However, due to the implicit atmosphere, it was said to be difficult to openly argue or take issue with things even if one suffered something unfair.
Apparently, if you didn’t assert your status in the social world where everyone else blends in naturally, you’d be perceived as too pathetic to belong.
Judging by his clothes, he was clearly a young noble lord.
He likely guessed my status roughly from my appearance as well.
Since a noble he had never seen before appeared, he was likely trying to conduct that famous social initiation rite.
It seemed my social debut started right here.
Despite the man’s rudeness, I maintained as gentle an expression as possible.
“I have a weak body from a long illness, so I have very little experience holding a sword. If I were to face someone like you, who just claimed victory, the result would be obvious. How about a different wager? Like drawing straws.”
“Hahaha! If you’re a man, you should answer with a duel. Why do you speak so weakly? It’s not like I’m going to do anything to you. Meeting while traveling is a form of fate, so let’s share our rhythm through a duel. Don’t refuse so coldly; think of it as entertainment.”
“Since he’s a sickly young lord, how about setting a handicap?”
Someone chimed in with a suggestion. The man nodded, saying it made sense.
“Then, let’s do this. If the young lord can stop my movements even for a single moment, I will give you the remaining room plus one of the rooms our side has already secured. That would make two in total. How about it?”
“And what is it that you want?”
When I asked, the man fluidly spun the sword he was holding and pointed it at my chest.
“I will take that badge.”
Only then did I realize the man’s intention.
The rascal had seen through the fact that I was from the Hestian family from the very beginning.
He intended to take it and bring shame upon me.
I felt like I finally understood why he could provoke me without hesitation despite being a fellow noble.
If they were nobles with quick information, they would already know.
The fact that the sickly young lord of the Hestian family was set to appear at Marquis Albret’s banquet.
Cedric was terminally ill, and Ciel had no interest in the position of family head.
Thus, they must have fixed Cassian as the next head long ago.
In such a situation, if rumors spread that I was not on good terms with Cassian, I was bound to become a target for his acquaintances or those seeking to curry favor with him.
It didn’t matter.
As for the brooch, as long as he didn’t cut my wrist, I could protect it simply by clutching it.
It was just that their rotten personalities were displeasing.
I stood up from the chair before it got any later.
I had no intention of entertaining the man’s provocation, but I thought it wasn’t a bad idea to secure the rooms just in case.
“Fine. I accept those terms.”
Whoa!
Inside the inn, cheers and jeers broke out alternately, creating a small battlefield.
I let out a sigh and gripped the hilt of the magic tool embedded with the mana stone Locke had given me.
Just as I was about to enter the dueling area, Locke stepped in to block me.
“If it is a duel for the purpose of claiming a room, may I not do it in your stead? I understand it is custom for a family knight to face an opponent on behalf of their master in a swordsmanship duel if necessary.”
Even though he wasn’t officially a knight, his words about being a member of the Hestian household made my heart swell for a moment.
I would be lying if I said I wasn’t fluttered by the friendship of a friend who stepped forward to face humiliation on behalf of someone who had never handled a sword.
However, just as he tried to protect me, I also had a strong desire to protect my own person.
If Locke stepped forward here, I would become a laughingstock, and Locke might suffer even more shameful and painful things.
I suppressed the emotions rising to my throat and spoke calmly to Locke.
“I’ll do it myself.”
“You have never even held a sword before.”
Locke whispered quietly.
His hot breath tickled my neck, making me almost flinch despite myself.
However, because many eyes were on us, I tried my best to maintain a dignified posture.
“You haven’t properly held a sword either.”
I whispered back softly.
“But…”
“The fact that he is wearing such expensive clothes and holding a magic tool means he is a noble too. That means even if he hurts you, he won’t be punished. But I am different.”
He was smart enough to understand what I meant with just that much.
Having finished my preparations, I pointed my sword at the man standing opposite me.
Eventually, having given in, Locke took the handkerchief I was holding and tied it to the hilt of the magic tool.
“I am tying this towel in case you cannot declare defeat vocally. Don’t hold out too long; just play along roughly then throw it and come back.”
I wondered how Locke knew the rules used in swordsmanship duels between nobles, but hearing the sound of the next guests opening the door and entering, I turned away quickly.
“I appreciate you saying that because you’re worried about me, but if I can’t stop that guy’s movements, the four of us are headed for the carriage.”
“I can sleep anywhere.”
“…I can’t.”
He doesn’t even know my heart is trying to make sure he sleeps in a good place.
It’s not like I enjoy fighting. I replied bluntly and took my stance.
“I am ready.”
The duel was conducted with the swords kept in their scabbards without drawing the blades.
This was to prevent injuring one another.
Even so, being hit by a heavily swung club couldn’t possibly not hurt. Feeling a bit nervous, I swallowed hard.
“Then, let us begin. Surrounding objects may be used, but magic or intervention from others will be considered a loss by foul.”
The man, taking an offensive stance, looked at me as I stood awkwardly holding the sword hilt firmly with both hands, and he pulled one corner of his mouth into a smirk.
He seemed to anticipate a quick victory.
Clang—!
“Ugh.”
His sword, swung as he immediately rushed forward, collided violently with mine.
Juhu 🎉 finally a chapter!! Thank you for the translation