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Chapter 23
Holding Hands, Princess
Once she arrived at the knights’ order, Tesia no longer saw Viktor as a fiancé candidate. In her eyes, he was nothing more than a comrade with whom she could share the sword.
“Then, Sir, where did you train with the sword?”
“I was taught by a wandering swordsman in Tiranaban. Later, I joined the royal knights of Tiranaban Castle.”
“And how did you end up here?”
“My patron recommended me. I volunteered.”
“Sir Erkin?”
Viktor nodded.
“Yes, Princess.”
“Why would you…?”
Tesia trailed off regretfully. To her, bringing in these fiancé candidates was nothing more than wasting their time. Why waste their efforts on such unproductive matters? Not only that, but it also robbed Tesia of her own time. The only redeeming thing was that Viktor at least made up for it by sparring with her like this. Viktor gave a faint smile.
“To us knights, Your Highness is like a legend. I simply wished to meet you in person.”
“…Me?”
Tesia’s eyes went round. Many had come to the order just to catch a glimpse of her before, but never had anyone gone this far just to see her.
“Since I was knighted, I have heard of your deeds. They say you have never lost a battle. And more than that, you care deeply for your subordinates. You are skilled in strategy as well. Wouldn’t any knight dream of serving such a commander?”
Tesia swallowed hard.
“Am I… really like that?”
Of course, she had never thought herself lacking. But hearing praise spoken aloud from someone else’s lips—especially from someone not family—was terribly embarrassing. Her cheeks flushed red.
“Yes, Princess,” Viktor answered reverently. His expression was harmless, as though it contained not a shred of falsehood.
“So I begged my patron. Fortunately, my patron had ties with the Queen of Tiranaban, so I was able to come here. Could you keep this a secret from the Prince?”
Honesty was a virtue. Tesia nodded. If Luwenhart knew Viktor was sent at the Queen’s recommendation, he might feel slighted. This wasn’t lying, just omitting words. That was fine.
“I’ll keep it.”
“Thank you. I heard Her Majesty herself was rather troubled by the request.”
“Even so, you still wanted to see me…? Goodness.”
Tesia scratched her cheek and laughed.
“Am I really that great…?”
Her shoulders lifted sky-high. Just then, a familiar voice slipped into their conversation.
“Princess.”
“Ah, Hart?”
Tesia spun around and greeted him.
“What are you doing at the training grounds, Hart?”
“…I was waiting for you here. And it’s important to train the body in order to wield magic well.”
“Ah, I see. Oh! This is Sir Viktor Erkin. He came from Tiranaban.”
“Tiranaban, you say?”
“Yes. It just turned out that way.”
“Ah…”
Neither Tesia nor Viktor added anything more, but Luwenhart quickly grasped it. This was Tiranaban’s attempt at keeping him in check.
‘So they think I’m a threat to the royal family.’
Though he was presented as part of a loving family, from beginning to end Luwenhart was an outsider to the royal house. If he were to marry Princess Tesia of Estonia, he would gain immense power. And should the Emperor of Estonia decide to open a new throne, Tiranaban would have no choice but to follow. So naturally, they would try to hinder this “path” that had been smilingly allowed.
‘They intend to hold onto my ankle to the very end.’
But as always, Luwenhart betrayed nothing.
“I see. Sir Erkin, I am Luwenhart.”
“An honor, Prince.”
“Hart! Sir Erkin says he’s seen you before. But is this your first time meeting him?”
“As the prince of Tiranaban, many know me whom I do not know in return.”
“That makes sense.”
Tesia nodded. She herself was caught in the same cycle.
“Then, Sir Erkin, what brings you here?”
Luwenhart kept his eyes fixed on Tesia as he asked.
“Ah, I came to spar with Sir Erkin. I thought it better than going on a date.”
“I see. I’m glad to see you looking even a little happy, Princess.”
Luwenhart’s smile narrowed, carrying the unspoken meaning: Don’t forget our promise. Not that it reached Tesia in the slightest.
“Haha! Hart, you must like Sir Erkin! Maybe it’s because you’re both from the same homeland?”
“…Yes, something like that.”
Luwenhart swallowed a sigh. His “let’s talk with our eyes” skill was too high-level for Tesia. Keeping his smile, he stepped back.
“Since you’re sparring, I’ll excuse myself. I’ll wait, Princess.”
“Do you have something to tell me?”
Tesia tilted her head.
“Yes. But not right now.”
“Hmm. Well then… once we’ve filled Helios’s scheduled ‘date time,’ I’ll come. Just wait a bit, Hart.”
“Yes, Princess. Sir Erkin, I leave Her Highness in your care.”
Normally, such words would make Tesia blush and protest that he needn’t worry. But Tesia was, as always, different.
“What’s this, Hart? Shouldn’t you be asking Sir Erkin to take care of you instead?”
By now, Luwenhart was used to Tesia. He countered smoothly.
“I worry for the Princess more than for Sir Erkin. Of course, I know you are strong. This is only my needless concern.”
“Ahem. Hart, you really do worry too much.”
Luwenhart’s smile stayed perfectly drawn. No matter how he looked at it, the road ahead was long. Very long.
Of course, Tesia won the sparring match. That outcome was natural. Viktor returned promptly once his allotted time was over, which only increased Tesia’s favor toward him.
“Whew. Hart, did you wait long?”
“Not at all. Waiting for the Princess is my joy.”
“Oh, Hart! You’re so sweet.”
Tesia patted his shoulder.
“So, what did you want to say?”
“Ah. I’ve thought of a new rule.”
“A rule…?”
“Yes. A rule for our pretend romance.”
Tesia nodded seriously.
“Say whatever you like. If it’s within my power, I’ll do it.”
Just the other day, hearing something ridiculous like banana kick, she was reminded again how precious Luwenhart was. Tesia was prepared to pour her very soul into this contract engagement. If it meant stopping Helios, she would do anything. With a solemn expression, she clasped Luwenhart’s hand.
“Hmm… I realized I forgot one of the most important rules. Princess, what do you think is the most important thing between lovers?”
“Hmm… umm…”
Tesia puffed out her cheeks, lost in thought, while Luwenhart gazed softly at her. She was like a small animal that made others lower their guard, even though he knew full well she was truly a predator at the top of the food chain.
“Bedroom matters?”
She said it with a bright smile, as if she had found the answer.
“Yes, exact… Wait, what?”
Luwenhart’s eyes flew wide. Tesia beamed innocently.
“I heard that if a couple’s nights are unsatisfying, their relationship eventually grows distant.”
Did he hear that right? Luwenhart doubted his own ears. Unless “bedroom matters” had a different meaning in Estonia, she was clearly referring to the intimate relations between men and women. She wasn’t wrong—but for Tesia to say it left him reeling. Thinking back, she had been awfully leisurely in his bed that morning… Maybe she didn’t have much dating experience, but she was surprisingly knowledgeable about such things.
Barely keeping his composure, Luwenhart replied,
“…Indeed. That is similar to what I was going to say.”
“Haha! Eldora told me. She’s my friend, and she’s usually right. Was I wrong?”
“No, not wrong.”
He was the one in the wrong. He had thought Tesia’s lack of romance experience meant he could take things slowly. But she was already far ahead of him—and suddenly intruding into his space like this. Perhaps she was even disappointed that he, her contract fiancé, hadn’t acted bolder. As a man, that was a grave mistake. He needed to step up.
“So what was it you were going to say, Hart? You said it was similar.”
“I meant that physical affection is important too.”
“Ah, I see.”
Originally, Luwenhart had planned to suggest things like introducing each other as “lovers” or giving each other pet names. Since he was already called “Hart,” he had wanted to ask for a nickname in return. But this opportunity felt far more important.
“So? What should we do first?”
Luwenhart smiled gently, his gaze growing a little more suggestive. Whether Tesia noticed or not, this was one of the social skills he had carefully honed. If she was strong in the ways of the night, then he could show her the sweetness of daytime romance. Adding freshness to a relationship, making the other’s heart flutter—that too was a skill.
He slowly pulled Tesia’s hand closer. Her palm was rough with calluses befitting a swordswoman, yet the spaces between her fingers were still soft. He deliberately intertwined their fingers, slow enough for her to feel every motion.
“Holding hands, Princess.”
Luwenhart smiled like a well-fed predator.
