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~Chapter 54~
Kassen, Piaze, and the nobles thought they were speaking privately, but Elcayan, Calix, and Johannes heard every word.
The first to get angry at Kassen’s words was Calix.
“What the hell is that bastard saying? How dare he speak so rudely about Lady Delphina with that big mouth of his?”
“Shall we go together, Sir Calix? I’m ready to step in anytime,” Johannes said.
“I’ll throw the first punch.”
“Then I’ll kick him. I already know Kassen’s weaknesses. We fought often at the Academy because he acted arrogantly toward Delphina.”
“Oh? So this pathetic-looking guy treated Lady Delphina badly even before this?”
“Yes. I made sure he paid for it back then.”
Calix smiled coldly and started stretching, ready to fight even in the Imperial banquet hall.
Normally, Calix and Johannes didn’t get along. Calix had constantly refused Johannes’s requests to be his mentor.
But today, they were perfectly in sync.
Calix looked at Johannes with a sharp gaze.
“Prince Johannes, I never realized you had such a strong spirit.”
“And your muscles are impressive, Sir Calix.”
At this point, Elcayan usually had to stop the two of them—he was the most reasonable one of the group.
Delphina had even warned him multiple times as she left with Ahin and Sestia.
“Please keep an eye on Sir Calix. I think… he might punch Kassen.”
“That’s very possible.”
“He’s noble and righteous, but… he doesn’t think much about consequences. The banquet hall might end up in ruins.”
Her worry was completely reasonable. What she didn’t know, however, was that Johannes would now side with Calix so easily.
‘I’m the only one who can control these reckless idiots…’
Because of Delphina’s request, Elcayan knew he had to stop them no matter what. But this time, he wasn’t sure he wanted to.
Calix leaned in toward Elcayan.
“So what are you going to do, Elcayan? Are we just going to listen to him insult her?”
Elcayan silently stepped forward, blocking Kassen and Piaze’s path.
‘I’m only doing this because Delphina asked me to.’
She had wanted to be alone with the High Priest.
“Kassen Fuat,” Elcayan said coldly.
Johannes followed.
“Stop spreading ridiculous lies about my fiancée. You’re pathetic and clingy. No wonder Delphina got tired of you.”
“What did you just say, Grand Duke? Are you saying Delphina is tired of me?”
Kassen gritted his teeth, remembering the humiliation he’d suffered in the North.
“Baron Fuat, my fiancée and I have a strong relationship. I didn’t think you’d spread such rumors.”
“Rumors?!”
“She has no lingering feelings for you. She loves me very much.”
Kassen’s eyelashes trembled. All eyes in the banquet hall turned to them.
Kassen and Piaze, who had been about to leave for the garden, froze in place.
Kassen couldn’t believe Elcayan and Delphina loved each other. They had only met for the first time in the North—how could they already be in love?
“How would you know that, Grand Duke? Do you think you know everything about your fiancée?”
“…”
“I’m the one who’s been with Delphina since childhood, not you.”
Elcayan stared at Kassen with a calm gaze. Kassen flinched and stepped back.
Elcayan had faced death countless times in the North; Kassen couldn’t match that presence.
Elcayan reached for his waist, but the sword he usually wore wasn’t there. He suppressed his urge to behead Kassen on the spot.
‘What a foolish and pathetic man.’
Kassen was a complete fool. Elcayan hadn’t known Delphina for long, but he already understood how warmhearted she was.
‘Even if she couldn’t cook, I would have liked her anyway.’
It might have taken longer, but the Northerners would have eventually opened their hearts to her sincerity.
Elcayan felt both pity and relief at the man standing before him.
‘Because of his greed, he gave up Delphina… allowing me to be by her side.’
Johannes clicked his tongue.
“Admit that Delphina isn’t interested in you. Look at Elcayan’s face—do you really think she’d choose someone else over that?”
Kassen shouted without thinking.
“Looks aren’t everything in love!”
Johannes smirked. That just sealed Elcayan’s victory.
Unlike Kassen, who was known for chasing after countless women, Elcayan had never been in a relationship before.
“That’s not what you usually say, Kassen. But even so, Elcayan wins in every way—his face, his character, his personality, his status.”
“Character?!”
“At least he doesn’t go around touching every woman he sees like you do.”
Johannes nodded to himself, satisfied with his own statement.
“So stay away from our Delphina.”
The noble heirs who had been watching exchanged glances.
‘Why does it feel like Kassen is the one who got dumped?’
‘You feel that too? This is weird… he’s acting like Prince Johannes.’
Kassen frowned in frustration. Johannes was making him look even worse.
He could feel the nobles’ cold stares. But before he could defend himself, Elcayan removed his gloves.
Then he threw them at Kassen’s face.
“Ugh!”
He had thrown them so hard that a red mark appeared on Kassen’s cheek.
“Ah, my mistake. I’m not good at hitting targets from a distance. My eyesight’s not great, you see.”
It was obvious he’d done it on purpose.
“How dare you! This is outrageous!”
“If you were unhappy, you should’ve dodged it, Baron Fuat. Or… were you too slow to avoid it?”
Elcayan’s mocking words made Kassen’s face turn red. He hadn’t even sensed Elcayan’s movement.
Elcayan was faster and stronger than he had imagined. Even Elcayan himself was slightly surprised at his own speed.
‘Kassen Fuat may be a jerk, but he’s still a skilled knight.’
Elcayan never doubted he could win, but his strength and speed were now almost unnaturally high.
Piaze wasn’t about to let Kassen be humiliated alone. He may have found Kassen’s behavior pathetic, but they were allies.
And if Kassen couldn’t even dodge a thrown glove, fighting Elcayan would only ruin his honor.
“Gentlemen, please stop. You both seem upset, but this is going too far. Baron Fuat spoke recklessly, yes, but this reaction is too much.”
Johannes replied firmly,
“I’m not upset. I’m always like this. And it’s not too much at all.”
