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Chapter 28
As soon as she finished breakfast at the Star Estate, Melisa headed over to the Grand Duke’s residence.
The sparring session that began in the morning didn’t last long.
The condition was the same as yesterday:
Within five minutes, Dayton had to either launch an attack first or be forced to use both feet.
Just like yesterday, the duel ended in Dayton’s victory.
Dayton, sweat beading across his body, ran a hand through his hair.
The training ground of the Grand Duke’s residence was filled with lively, noisy energy.
“Tomorrow, we’ll definitely win, Commander!”
“I still don’t understand how you can not move a single step.”
“Hey, how can you compare us to the Commander?”
“Still, it’s not like we even have to win—just make him attack or use both feet…”
The knights were excited rather than discouraged.
Even though they still hadn’t managed to land a proper attack, Dayton’s movements were already noticeably smoother than yesterday.
“Does the Colin Knight Order seriously lack talent? How can they not even win under such easy conditions?”
While the knights discussed and reviewed their mistakes, someone responded from beside her.
“Strictly speaking, it’s because the Commander is simply far superior, Princess.”
“If you use him as the standard, everyone looks weak.”
“Exactly, Jenny. Compared to the Commander, no one in the Empire would be different.”
Danny laughed heartily, and Jane beside him nodded in agreement.
As she watched the sparring, Danny and Jane—standing next to her—explained Dayton’s defense in detail.
It was less an explanation and more like praise.
‘That was a block.’
‘Ah, that angle was difficult to defend. That’s why those guys—oops, sorry. The knights are cheering.’
What started as stiff explanations at first gradually became more and more enthusiastic as the duel continued.
They even chimed in and asked questions, growing comfortable as the match went on.
Danny, who had been talking excitedly, finally scratched the back of his head a little awkwardly.
“Princess!”
It was Lena’s voice, just as excited as Danny had been.
She suddenly held out a stack of bills.
It was Lena.
“We made this much, Your Highness!”
“Already that much?”
“Yes! The knights bet on the Grand Duke losing!”
A cheer broke out in the background.
Lena handed over half of the winnings.
Since she’d joined them, today she looked the happiest she’d ever been.
She left quickly, saying she’d set things up properly in advance in case tomorrow’s sparring continued as well.
“Wait… you placed bets on me?”
A cold voice came from behind as he counted the money.
Dayton lifted his head.
The shocked Grand Duke stood there with a towel in hand.
Inside the carriage
Inside the moving carriage, Dayton tried his best to keep a neutral expression as he looked out the window.
He didn’t want his complicated emotions to show.
Even if they did, Princess Melissa probably wouldn’t care. No—actually…
‘No, she would care. Just so she can tease me.’
He could already imagine her smiling as if she knew everything.
Suppressing a dry laugh, he kept his gaze on the window.
From the moment he woke up today, everything had been strange.
He had clearly fallen asleep holding the Princess’s wrist, his forehead resting against her shoulder.
He had jolted back in surprise, making the bed shake, but fortunately, she didn’t wake.
Yet the soft sensation of her wrist remained in his hand—completely different from his rough skin.
After breakfast, he hadn’t been able to stop her from coming to the Grand Duke’s residence, so he had ended up bringing her along.
‘And now betting, of all things.’
Even though they bet on him winning… the fact that she chose that while knowing his condition felt strange.
It was a rational decision, since he currently couldn’t properly fight…
But it still stung his pride.
Did she not even expect him to recover?
“Eating breakfast and sweating feels refreshing, doesn’t it?”
“You didn’t do anything except watch, Princess.”
He had intended to stay composed, but the words came out sharper than expected.
But Melisa remained calm.
“Spouses are one.”
“We’re not married yet… more importantly, even so, you still bet on the side where I wouldn’t attack?”
“I can’t bet against you when I know you can’t attack them.”
She blinked as if it were obvious.
“…That’s true, but…”
Dayton fell silent, unable to argue that spouses should naturally be on the same side.
“Right?”
She smiled.
“Lena was the one who organized the betting. She’s quite bold.”
He wanted to ask if she had no hope that he might recover and attack again—but the words wouldn’t come out.
Then Melisa suddenly tapped the carriage wall.
“Ah, here! Driver, stop for a moment.”
“Yes, Your Highness!”
The carriage stopped at her command.
Outside the window was the entrance to Grandis Market, the largest market in the capital.
“I heard from Knight Danny that there are very delicious crepes here.”
Her maid added quietly from the side.
“This place is dangerous.”
“It’s fine. I have you, don’t I?”
Before anyone could stop her, Melisa had already stepped out.
The market was bustling with people.
Even though there were no escort knights visible, Dayton slowly nodded.
‘You have me.’
That wasn’t the only reason.
He reached under the carriage seat and pulled out a hooded hat.
“Please wear this. There are too many people, so just in case—”
Bang!
The carriage door slammed shut abruptly while he was bent over.
“…Princess?”
It couldn’t have closed on its own in the wind.
“Eh…? Eh!? Princess!”
“S-someone help!”
The driver’s panicked voice and Lena’s scream came from outside.
Dayton quickly opened the door.
What he saw outside made his mind freeze.
“Ahh—wait—!”
“Kyah! Help!”
First, he saw Lena, the Princess’s maid, screaming while hitting a man in shabby clothes with her bag.
Her neatly cut light brown bob swayed wildly with each movement.
“W-wait, please—!”
The man trying to block her got hit squarely in the face and clutched it in pain.
Rather than fear, Lena’s screaming seemed more like battle cries.
Thud.
A painful groan followed.
Dayton shifted his gaze forward.
A weak-looking boy was lying on the ground, and the Princess was on top of him.
She had already pinned him down using her body weight.
The boy struggled desperately, trying to escape, but he couldn’t break free.
His hand, once clinging to the carriage steps, was kicked away by her foot.
The carriage door had likely slammed because he had fallen while grabbing it.
“Hngh!”
Princess Melisa let out a short grunt as she skillfully hooked her leg around one of the boy’s arms.
“Ahh! It hurts! Let go!”
Dayton, as a warrior, was genuinely impressed.
Despite being smaller than the boy, the Princess’s unusual grappling posture was highly effective.
The boy screamed but couldn’t free his arm.
“My arm—my arm’s going to break!”
“Kids like you are ruining the capital streets!”
Melisa clicked her tongue.
“We’re not—ahh! I’m sorry! I’m sorry!”
Ignoring him, she twisted her leg further.
“Aaaagh!”
The boy thrashed in pain, but she showed no mercy.
“Help me! Please help!”
The boy reached out toward Dayton desperately.
People around the market were already gathering and murmuring.
“That carriage… isn’t that imperial?”
“And that silver hair…”
Dayton stepped forward and pulled the hooded hat over Melisa’s head.
“Ah, my hat.”
Only then did she release the boy and pull it down properly over her head.
Dayton tied the strap tightly for her, then grabbed the boy by the back of his neck and lifted him up.
The boy, still clutching his twisted arm, stiffened like a caught animal.
He seemed to realize who Dayton was.
And fear finally settled in his eyes.
