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Chapter 23
Lost the Duel
Shouting grandly, I raised the wooden sword with all my strength in both hands.
Thanks to my training in stamina and muscle building, this wasn’t too hard anymore. The sword was just about to point to the sky when…
Thunk!
The wooden sword, which had been going towards the sky, instantly rolled on the ground. He had struck my wooden sword with the wooden sword he was holding.
Honestly, who would have thought he’d swing a sword properly like that against a five-year-old kid? I felt indignant and wronged. What could I do with this weakened body?
If only I wasn’t five years old, I’d face him with lethal martial arts…
It was at that moment, as my pride as a special forces soldier crumbled, that I heard the sound of a wooden sword being dragged behind me.
I turned around to see Andy had already come up beside me.
Hey! When did you get here? And when did you even pick up that sword?
“Hyun-nim, duel me. And remember this—if you win, we will leave quietly. But if you lose, then this young lady will be yours forever.”
I got the gist of what he was trying to say. And then, it took him, what, maybe 0.3 seconds?
Thunk!
With the sound of the wooden sword hitting the ground, everything fell silent. Even the birds, which had been chirping nonstop, seemed to understand the atmosphere and quieted.
Now all that was left was to leave. I’d said everything I wanted to, and the duel was over.
I turned to check the knights’ expressions.
They looked like they were about to grab my skirt and cry, begging me not to go.
But what could I do?
“Andy, we lost, so we have to leave.”
“Andy’s leaving.”
The moment I grabbed Andy’s hand, the knights dropped to one knee and cried out in unison.
“My lady, please trample over us as you go!!!”
Oh come on, was that really necessary?
When people meet, they also eventually part.
Honestly, Andy didn’t have to go, but what does he know.
“Andy’s going with Sister in-law.”
His voice was firm and steady. Surprisingly, Andy seemed more determined than I was.
And at that moment, the knights shouted again, their voices echoing across the training field.
“Please take our heads and go!!!”
Good grief, how intense!
It was a heartrending and tearful cry. Some were losing their pride, and others were ready to give their lives to protect someone, but even in the midst of it all, Rikael’s expression didn’t change.
His lips stayed tightly shut, like the gates of a fortress, unbothered and silent. It was the same cold and indifferent expression described in the original story.
I was overwhelmed by how true to character he was.
‘Breaking off the engagement? Don’t make me laugh.’
“I lost, so I will leave the training grounds.”
“Andy’s leaving the training grounds too.”
It was not like I said where I was going. Leaving was leaving.
As I spoke, the knights’ faces blossomed like morning glories. And at the same time, a gust of sand kicked up, and a path opened toward the entrance like Moses parting the sea.
“Andy, let’s go.”
“Andy’s going.”
My back felt hot with all the attention, and it was honestly embarrassing—but still fine. Anything was better than leaving the duke’s estate.
I vowed to repay this humiliation someday, and marched forward.
***
After sending Andy into his room, I returned to my bedroom. My face still felt hot, but it’s not like I was wrong.
You’ve got to mentally win even if you lose, or your pride will never survive. So I chose not to overthink it.
But where had Jake gone? Was he in his quarters? I felt like I owed him an apology, so I headed back out.
Lisa scolded me for leaving again so soon after returning, but I didn’t care and ran out.
When I arrived at the annex entrance, a carriage was waiting.
And just in time, I saw Jake coming out.
He had a leather bag slung over his shoulder, and he wasn’t wearing training clothes, it looked like he was headed somewhere.
I rushed over and apologized first.
“Sorry. I was wrong.”
Jake just looked at me silently. His eyes drooped, and his shoulders sagged. He looked so down and gloomy, I felt heavy just looking at him.
“Where are you going?”
“To the central shopping district in Brinton.”
“Ooh, to clear your mind? I’ll go with you.”
Yeah. When something bad happens, the smart thing is to go shopping and distract yourself.
Thankfully, he didn’t seem like the brooding, sulking type.
“My lady, where are you going? You can’t go!”
Lisa practically jumped in front of me. Madam Peltro, who had been standing near the carriage, stepped in to help.
“Little master, how about informing the vice-captains and going out with their permission?”
“I’m just going for a quick trip. I’m not even alone, look, there are knights here.”
Six knights stepped out from behind the carriage.
Six knights for a quick trip into town?
And just when I thought that was a bit much, Jake turned and said,
“Don’t follow me.”
“But I want to go with you.”
I gave him my most pleading puppy-dog eyes, but Jake, who had already climbed into the carriage, just stared ahead.
Two knights joined him, and the other four mounted their horses to escort the carriage from front and back.
There was one seat left, no reason to leave it empty.
I climbed up without hesitation. As soon as I stepped on the footrest, a knight gently helped me into the seat. The knights seemed delighted that I had boarded.
Jake, meanwhile, continued to stare out the window.
“Madam, we’ll be back. Lisa, wait for me.”
I waved to Lisa, who looked baffled, then the carriage rolled off.
We soon passed through the grand iron gates of the estate. The northern mountains receded into the distance, with the sun hanging above them.
This was technically my first outing, so I was a little excited as I looked outside.
There were connected roads, and glimpses of villages and houses. They were different from the ones I’d seen on TV, but still fairly modern, with lots of orange triangular roofs.
As I was looking out, I felt a strong heat on my face, so much so I couldn’t ignore it.
Turning, I saw two knights staring at me like I was a miracle. Their mouths hung down, and their pupils were practically dilated.
“What’s your names?”
“Dalton, ma’am.”
“Hansen, ma’am.”
“Dalton, Hansen. Nice to meet you.”
I waved with my little hands. Just a simple greeting, and they looked like they were about to cry with joy.
I was no longer surprised by the way knights reacted to me.
“We’re honored to meet you, my lady.”
“It’s a privilege to serve such a brave young lady.”
These guys were hopeless. Seriously. Still, I snuck a glance at Jake sitting across from me.
He kept his gaze firmly out the window.
Since his thoughts were clearly elsewhere, I didn’t bother making conversation.
Eventually, the carriage entered a bustling area. Along the well-paved road were candy shops, bakeries, cafés, flower stores, and more. I made a mental note to visit the candy shop later.
Just then, the carriage stopped in front of a store. Through the glass window, I saw teddy bear-like toys—it was a toy shop.
Jake got off the carriage and told the knights not to follow him.
“I don’t want to bother the owner. Just wait here.”
“But young master, we must protect you.”
“It’s a toy store. What danger could there be? I’ll be quick. Don’t follow.”
Despite Dalton’s protest, Jake was firm. He repeated himself once more and then went inside alone.
“I’ll go check on him.”
I meant to reassure Dalton, but he looked even more worried, maybe more about me than Jake.
I smiled awkwardly and pretended not to notice, then followed Jake in.
The toy store was huge. There were blocks, dolls, and strange things I couldn’t even name lining the shelves. Children and adults alike browsed the displays.
I quickly chased after Jake, who was already deep inside. With all the tall shelves, I might lose him if I didn’t stick close.
“Jake, let’s go together.”
“I want to look around alone.”
“I won’t bother you. I’ll just look around too.”
Jake gave me a disapproving look but sighed and headed for a corner.
I wasn’t particularly interested in toys, I just trailed behind him.
But Jake was acting a little strange. He said he came to buy toys, but he didn’t seem interested in them at all…
