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Chapter 10
At Kaiden’s question, I stumbled over my words.
“Uh… well. I guess they must have tried many different things to survive…”
I tried to drag out my answer, but honestly, I still had no idea what he was trying to say.
[He means Prince Lucas might try to seduce you with his face. And not just that. He’ll probably promise you all kinds of good things too. Kaiden really talks in circles like a noble.]
Bled’s words shocked me so much that I raised my voice.
“Wait, are you seriously saying Prince Lucas might try to seduce me? Romantically too?”
Kaiden looked surprised that I understood so quickly.
“For once, you understood immediately. Yes. That is exactly what I mean.”
“No, Grand Duke. Does that even make sense logically?”
Instead of answering, Kaiden simply stared at me.
He looked like he had a thousand things he wanted to say.
“Haah, Marion. Think about how you used to chase after Crown Prince Marius.”
The memories of my past self running around shouting about how much I liked the Crown Prince flashed through my head like a panorama.
Feeling guilty, I muttered quietly,
“…Still, me liking His Highness and an imperial prince trying to seduce me feel like completely different things…”
“You especially like handsome people who treat you kindly.”
“……”
I wanted to loudly deny it.
But I could not.
Back then, I froze around anyone with high status.
So if a handsome prince treated me kindly—
‘…I probably would’ve given him everything.’
Honestly, it was possible.
It was only because the Crown Prince became my first crush that things turned out this way.
If Lucas had approached me warmly first, I definitely would have liked both of them.
Thinking about how hopelessly obsessed with good looks I used to be made me want to reflect on my life.
Then Kaiden spoke quietly.
“There is only one thing I worry about.”
What was he worried about?
“Marion, I do not want you getting dragged into a power struggle and getting hurt because of it.”
His sincere words touched me deeply.
“Grand Duke…!”
So he really did care about me after all these years together…!
I looked at him with emotion in my eyes, but then he suddenly said something strange.
“It is time for practice.”
“…What? Practice?”
“Yes.”
With a serious expression, he leaned closer toward me.
It looked like he was about to share a secret, so I unconsciously leaned in too.
Then he spoke.
“If Lucas offers you a title, what will you say?”
“…Huh?”
“Repeat after me. ‘No.’”
“……”
What was this?
I stared at him blankly.
But Kaiden repeated himself with complete seriousness, like he was teaching a child a simple input-and-output lesson.
“Again. If Lucas offers you wealth and honor, what should you say?”
I answered in disbelief.
“Why are you talking like you’re teaching a child not to follow strangers who offer candy?”
“Yes. Because it is poisoned candy. Now repeat after me. ‘No.’”
I finally exploded.
“What?! Am I a child?!”
“You are not leaving this office until you repeat it.”
“Seriously?!”
I shouted in frustration.
But Kaiden kept insisting that I say “No.”
* * *
“Sir Marion. Are you training with that injured hand?”
I turned around at the voice behind me while swinging my sword furiously in the training grounds.
Lucas stood there holding a sword.
“Yes. If I don’t swing a sword, I feel like I’ll explode from anger.”
As I ground my teeth, Lucas widened his eyes.
“Did something happen?”
“Well, the Grand Duke kept—!”
I quickly shut my mouth.
After all, the reason Kaiden lectured me so much was because of the man standing right in front of me.
‘Ugh. I actually said it out loud. How humiliating.’
I glanced at Lucas.
He really was beautiful enough to tempt anyone.
But after Kaiden’s brainwashing-level lecture earlier, I had started feeling wary around him.
This was why forceful education was terrifying.
“It’s nothing. Why did Your Highness come here…?”
Lucas smiled brightly.
“Would you allow me the honor of sparring with you?”
“…What?”
I looked at him in shock.
Lucas lifted the sword in his hand as if to remind me that he was also a swordsman.
“Please give me the chance to spar with a Swordmaster. Since your left hand is injured, it will be the perfect handicap for me.”
“But sparring with a prince…”
I looked around for someone who could advise me—a butler, etiquette teacher, anyone.
I genuinely did not know if it was acceptable to spar with royalty.
Seeing my hesitation, Lucas stepped closer and spoke softly.
“Even if I get hurt, I will not hold you responsible. Please.”
“Hmm…”
At that point, refusing him would have been rude.
I lightly spun my sword once and answered reluctantly.
“Fine… let’s keep it light.”
* * *
Clang!
The more Lucas crossed swords with Marion, the clearer one thing became.
‘She’s playing with me.’
Not once had he managed to land a proper hit.
Even when he aimed for openings in her defense, she blocked him every single time.
Marion deflected his sword as smoothly as flowing water while attacking at the same time.
If this had been a real battle, Lucas would have died dozens of times already.
“Hah… hah…”
“Should we rest a bit?” Marion asked.
“Haha, yes.”
Lucas lowered his sword at her suggestion.
During their sparring session, the butler and Mrs. March had arrived after hearing the news.
They had quickly prepared a shaded tent nearby with drinks and snacks waiting for them after training.
Seeing it, Marion grumbled,
“Thanks to Your Highness, I get a feast right after training.”
“Haha. So they normally do not prepare things like this for you?”
“Nope. The Grand Duke told me not to bother everyone and to go to the kitchen myself if I wanted food.”
“Haha. The Grand Duke really knows how to care for the people under him.”
After sparring together, Lucas noticed Marion treating him much more comfortably now.
Lucas himself had also changed his opinion of her after personally experiencing the level of a Swordmaster.
Swordmasters truly were priceless.
“What do you think of my skills?” Lucas asked.
“Your Highness? Well, Your Highness is…”
Lucas gently shook his head to stop her.
“Sir Marion. There are many princes in the imperial palace besides me. Could you call me by my name instead?”
“Ah…”
Marion looked flustered for a moment but soon nodded.
“Alright. Then please speak comfortably to me too, Lord Lucas.”
“Should I?”
Marion’s eyes widened.
She clearly had not expected Lucas to suddenly speak casually.
She looked like a startled rabbit.
Naturally, Lucas continued,
“So, Marion, what did you think of my skills?”
“…You are quite skilled.”
Marion’s ears had turned red.
She was obviously embarrassed by the sudden casual speech.
Lucas noticed immediately and smiled even more beautifully as he subtly moved closer to her.
He was a man who knew exactly how to use his beauty.
And throughout the Gratier Empire, everyone already knew the rumor that Marion liked handsome men.
Lucas deliberately tilted his head and smiled softly.
“But I still could not compare to you.”
“Th-That’s because I’m a Swordmaster…”
Marion stuttered with flushed cheeks.
Lucas decided this was his chance.
“If it’s alright with you, then tomorrow—”
“Marion.”
At that moment, Kaiden’s low voice cut Lucas off.
