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Chapter : 4
At that moment, Tris’s voice was heard.
“Is that all the strength you’ve got in your legs?”
Irritation seeped into his tone. Peta let out a long breath and took his hand off the sword hilt. Thank goodness. It seemed Tris had clearly figured it out—that Took was no match for him. The way he was now snapping like he was nagging proved it.
Took, breathing roughly, burst out in anger.
“Shut up and come at me!”
That bastard. He was deliberately trying to provoke him. As proof, Took’s arms were stained with blood, yet there wasn’t a single deep wound. Every strike had pulled back at the very end.
With a roar, Took charged. Clang! Tris easily deflected his sword, then calmly slid his own blade back into its scabbard.
Took screamed at the top of his lungs.
“What the hell! Are you scared? You think I’ll spare you if you do that?”
“Who would be scared of threats from a loudmouthed fool?”
Huff, huff, huff. Damn it. This had never happened before. He had believed that unless it was a knight as experienced as Bart, no one could be stronger than him. He had always been praised, admired, and showered with expectations. And now he could see it all shattering so miserably. And to someone like Tris, no less.
Bart, who was watching from behind, frowned. To his experienced eyes, the outcome was already clear. Locke, watching from the other side, was probably the same. Locke was seen leaving with a satisfied smile.
Damn it. Bart ground his teeth. This was bad. Duke Kisling wouldn’t stay quiet about this… And then—
“Perhaps Took isn’t feeling well today.”
The moment Bart turned around, he hastily bowed his head.
It was Lukra Kisling, the beloved daughter of Duke Kisling. Always mysteriously beautiful to behold. As expected, sighs of admiration flowed from all around.
Duke Kisling and Took both had yellow-brown eyes and sandy, dry-colored hair, but she was different. Gray eyes, silver hair, and translucent skin. She was delicately beautiful to the point of seeming unreal, and clever as well.
Even Duke Kisling, who didn’t regard women as people, cherished her dearly, saying an angel had descended upon this land. Unfortunately, her body was very weak. That was why, even past twenty, she had not been married off.
No one had ever imagined she would appear in a place like this.
“You shouldn’t come to such a rough place, Lady Lukra,” Bart said.
Lukra smiled faintly.
“I was curious about what Took was up to.”
Bart stepped in front of her.
“Please go back. If the Duke finds out, I’ll be scolded.”
“I’ll explain it well to Father.”
Bart replied politely,
“No. Sir Took wouldn’t like it either. You know that.”
Of course he wouldn’t. He was about to show everyone his defeat. Still, it was about time someone crushed that arrogant pride of his. Otherwise, he’d never grow any further.
Just then, a sudden shout erupted. Bart and Lukra both turned their heads at the same time. In an instant, Tris trapped Took’s right arm against his own arm and side and snapped it.
“Aaagh!” Took screamed, but it was useless. This time Tris grabbed Took’s leg. Peta and Bart rushed in at once.
“Tris, stop!”
“Please stop!”
Tris snorted, tossed away Took’s leg, and stood up. Everyone rubbed their own arms unconsciously. Chills ran down their spines. It was insane—to be able to do that to someone while smiling…
Then Tris spoke.
“From now on, whenever you feel like stretching out your filthy hands, remember the pain you’re feeling right now. There isn’t a single woman in this world that a bastard like you can lay a hand on.”
Having vented his anger, Tris left without looking back. Peta hurried after him, then suddenly stopped. His gaze had fixed itself without him realizing.
Hair the color of moonlight, mysterious gray eyes, skin pale to the point of translucence, and eyes that looked sorrowful.
He knew at once who she was—Lukra Kisling. She was far more beautiful than the rumors said. He had heard she couldn’t marry because her body was too weak… His heart felt like it was melting. He had never seen such a beautiful woman before. Without realizing it, her image was engraved in his eyes and carved into his heart.
“What are you doing? Hurry up!” Tris called.
Reluctantly, Peta followed after him. But his heart had already been stolen by Lukra. Ha… A long sigh escaped, filled with regret.
The onlookers who had been sneaking glances also tucked their tails and fled, afraid that Took might hold a grudge and take it out on them.
Now only Took, Bart, and Lukra remained.
Lukra narrowed her eyes. She had expected Took to lose, but she hadn’t imagined he’d lose his arm so easily. If they hadn’t stopped it, even his leg would have been broken. And to do that knowing how important an arm was to a knight…
Her eyes flashed sharply. Tris Eike. She wouldn’t let him get away with this.
Lukra strode forward toward Took. He was lying on the ground, groaning, clutching his broken arm.
“Are you okay?” she asked.
Took ground his teeth and said nothing. Lukra bent down and examined the broken bone ends. Thankfully, it was a clean break. It would probably heal in about two months. That only hurt his pride more—now she knew just how far beyond imagination Tris’s strength was.
Lukra spoke calmly.
“Think of it as a lesson learned.”
“Damn it. That bastard used a trick.”
She looked down at the grumbling Took. He looked like he wanted to grab anyone and vent his anger. But before that, she needed to know everything.
“Bart.”
“Yes, Lady Lukra.”
“We’ll need soldiers to help Took up.”
“Understood.”
“That’s enough! I can stand on my own! That damn bastard! I’ll chew him to pieces!”
But Took couldn’t get up. The ankle Tris had grabbed, even if only briefly, was badly swollen.
“Aaagh!” Took screamed in frustration. He had never suffered such a defeat, not even in his dreams. To think a moment of carelessness could lead to this… It drove him mad.
Lukra signaled to Bart with her eyes. Bart carefully left the training ground.
Once only the two of them remained, Lukra’s voice changed. It turned cold.
“Took, tell me exactly what happened in the hall.”
“What do you mean, what happened?”
“I know you deliberately harassed Idella. But what I want to hear is what happened in the hall.”
“In the hall…?”
“Yes. From when you ran into Emblin, from beginning to end, don’t leave anything out. That’s the only way I can prepare for revenge.”
“You don’t need to meddle, sis.”
“Don’t be mistaken. I’m thinking about the honor of our family that you’ve dragged down. I won’t let anyone look down on House Kisling.”
Her voice was so icy that Took’s mouth opened on its own.
“I had a few drinks, and in the hall, Emblin…”
As she listened, Lukra’s eyes suddenly flashed.
“Wait. So you’re saying Tris protected Emblin?”
“That’s not it. I ran into him then. It didn’t seem like he was showing any chivalry. Would a freak like that even have such a thing?”
Tris’s nickname was “the pureblood freak”—a madman obsessed with the sword. It came from him mingling with lowly people without even knowing his place and trampling noble dignity underfoot. Duke Eike tried to keep things quiet in his territory, but unless he killed people, rumors were bound to spread.
Lukra smiled and said firmly,
“No. He did show it. The two have been like that for a long time.”
“What are you talking about?”
She smiled faintly.
“Something you wouldn’t understand. Anyway, then what?”
“After that, it went just like you saw.”
“Took, I’ll give you one piece of advice.”
“What?”
“From now on, pretend you’re not in pain.”
“Are you crazy? My bones are broken, and you want me to act fine?”
“That’s the only way you’ll get through this safely. Otherwise, Father won’t leave you alone.”
Ah… Took’s face turned pale. Duke Kisling…
Lukra said coldly,
“Now, get up. Walk with your own strength.”
Took obeyed. No one knew Duke Kisling better than Lukra. If she said so, he could trust it. Cold sweat poured down. With every step, the pain shot all the way up his spine. Limping, but he didn’t stop.
After falling several times and getting back up again, he finally saw Duke Kisling approaching from ahead. The Duke’s expression had been blank, but when he saw Took walking toward him under his own power, drenched in cold sweat, it softened a little. Lukra had been right again.
Only after entering the chamber granted by the king did he earn the freedom to pass out.
While watching Took being treated, Lukra spoke to Duke Kisling.
“Father, there’s something I’d like to say.”
“If you’re going to take Took’s side, forget it.”
Lukra bowed her head in thanks.
“You’re so generous, as expected. I believe Took has learned a great deal this time.”
“If only that boy were half as capable as you, I wouldn’t be this worried.”
Lukra smiled gently.
“That’s why I’m by his side. Don’t worry. And there is something I’d like to ask.”
“What is it?”
“Can you break off Emblin’s marriage?”
