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Chapter : 28
Although he didn’t usually exercise much aside from horseback riding, he had learned swordsmanship in his childhood.
“Despite how it looks, I’ve completed all the lessons from the Imperial swordsmanship master!”
He had never been formally told he was exceptionally talented, but neither had he ever been told he was lacking.
“Even if I’ve never been in real combat, my win rate in practice matches was quite high!”
By Ferdinand, the Second Prince of the Empire, who had been raised gently, there were always companions who catered to his moods.
They would spar with him according to his skill level, and Ferdinand would sometimes lose or win amid the many draws.
So in his memory, he was quite a skilled swordsman.
“If I hadn’t let go of my sword, that lowly fellow would have been defeated in an instant!”
As his confidence rose in the haze of distorted memories, a brazen, reckless courage emerged.
“You dare challenge a prince to a duel?”
Stabbing an imperial prince with a sword would immediately become a diplomatic incident.
Ferdinand puffed himself up, convinced that Enock’s sword could not harm him.
“Just you wait.”
As the drinking continued, now it was Agatha’s face that came to mind more than Enock’s.
“I need to clear up this misunderstanding.”
Agatha, who had been pretty as a child and even prettier as she grew up, was extremely cold.
Ferdinand believed it was all because she had misunderstood him.
“If she knew my true feelings, she’d abandon that fool and return to me.”
Repeating to himself several times that he was the man truly suited for Agatha gave him a decisiveness he usually lacked.
“I must see Agatha immediately.”
He staggered to his feet, and the servants, who had been waiting for him to fall asleep, were startled.
“Your Highness, do you need anything?”
“Shall I bring more wine?”
The servants who had served Ferdinand long enough realized that the prince’s drunken gaze held an unusual determination.
‘We must get him to sleep while he’s drunk.’
‘If we let him go like this, something terrible might happen.’
They tried in unison to divert Ferdinand’s attention, but the Second Prince’s goal remained clear.
“Where is Agatha?”
Every inch of him was filled with the determination to see her.
“The Marchioness has likely gone to bed. Your Highness, it’s late—please rest for tonight.”
“It’s not that late! I must see Agatha right now.”
Ferdinand, unable to keep his balance, still managed to fling open the door.
‘It’s infuriating, I can’t stand it.’
He had to resolve the burning impatience immediately.
“Agatha belongs with me.”
In any country, the castle’s layout was similar: guest rooms on the second floor, the lord’s chambers above.
Finding Agatha’s bedroom was not difficult. He only needed to notice decorations for the lady or signs of her personal maid.
“Your Highness, you cannot do this.”
“Please, maintain some dignity.”
The servants and royal knights of Mainucor, unable to touch the prince, shouted desperately from behind, their voices pitifully echoing down the corridor.
“Your Highness, the Second Prince.”
“What brings you here, Your Highness?”
The commotion alerted Aratus’ knights, guarding the lord’s chamber, who could not ignore the intrusion.
“If this is urgent, please wait in the reception room. We’ll send a message inside.”
The seasoned knights, hardened from years on the battlefield, were nearly helpless against such arrogant behavior from a high-ranking individual.
Ferdinand, unbothered, continued forward, ignoring their attempts to block him.
“Move! Do you know who I am?!”
Even sober, Ferdinand had a knack for reckless behavior. Drunk, he was even more chaotic.
“I have something to say to the lady! What right do you have to stop me?”
He shouted as he pushed past the knights, heading forward.
“Agatha!”
“Your Highness, this is problematic.”
“Agatha, come out for a moment! I have something to say!”
The ones trying to stop him could only stomp helplessly as Enock awoke.
The sound, muffled by the thick door, was enough for him to realize that an uninvited guest had arrived.
Before rising, Enock checked on Agatha in his arms. The woman, eyes closed, was in deep sleep. She showed no sign of waking.
If he could resolve the situation quickly, she would have an undisturbed night.
Without hesitation, Enock got up and opened the bedroom door.
“Move! Insolent fools! Must I cut off your wrists to make you obey?”
The faint noise became clear as he opened the door.
“My lord, you’re awake?”
Huber and the knights waiting inside met Enock with pale, shocked faces.
“The prince has arrived at the door.”
From the moment Ferdinand set foot on the island, his excessive behavior had left Enock not just angry but utterly dumbfounded.
What should I do?
While he gave a dry laugh, the commotion only grew. Enock glanced back at the still-sleeping Agatha, then opened the inner chamber door.
“Let go of me!”
Ferdinand, shouting as the door opened, lifted his head.
“Why are you coming out here?”
Enock noticed how his raised finger trembled and didn’t even bother answering.
‘Talking sense into a drunken madman won’t work.’
Then he would have to control those who could be reasoned with.
Enock looked at the Second Prince’s servants and royal knights, stomping behind him.
“Have you just been watching while the prince came this far? Do you think blind obedience is loyalty?”
The cold, piercing reprimand was completely justified, and they could not lift their heads.
Despite his people being embarrassed, Ferdinand’s drunken rant continued.
“Agatha! Agatha!”
All his focus went into shouting.
Enock, watching Ferdinand endlessly call for his wife, took action.
“Your Highness, you seem unwell, so I’ll assist you.”
Pretending to help, he covered Ferdinand’s mouth and twisted his arm to prevent resistance.
“Ugh, uugh…”
“Marquis Aratus! What are you doing to the prince?”
The royal knights drew their swords in panic, but Enock’s gaze was icy.
“Do you intend to escort the prince to his bedroom?”
“Well… um…”
“If you can’t, step aside.”
With the shouting for Agatha finally silenced, Enock felt slightly relieved.
“You have a schedule tomorrow; don’t overexert yourself. I will escort you to your room.”
Enock led the restrained Ferdinand down the stairs without any guidance, having memorized the location of his assigned room.
“If you continue causing a scene, it won’t be good for you, Your Highness. Quiet down.”
Despite occasional struggles, Ferdinand could not escape.
Each time he resisted, Enock twisted his arm to keep him moving.
“Ughhh!”
He seemed to cry out through his gag, but Enock ignored it, dragging him like a wild beast to his assigned room.
“There are urgent matters to discuss with me; do not enter.”
He blocked the royal knights and servants trying to follow, threw Ferdinand into the room, and shut the door.
“You… are you insane?!”
Ferdinand rubbed his sore arms and spat out threats that couldn’t reach Enock.
“How dare you drag me here?”
Enock clicked his tongue, noting Ferdinand’s flushed face and scattered wine bottles.
“You’ve completely lost reason. And yet you come to a lady’s bedroom in the middle of the night—how am I supposed to interpret your actions?”
To ensure Ferdinand could never do such a thing again, Enock moved closer.
Ferdinand, flaring in anger, was soon subdued by Enock’s threatening presence and fell silent.
“I do not welcome your attention toward my wife.”
Enock held Ferdinand’s shoulders firmly, ensuring he could see no one else.
“Do not pay attention to Agatha any longer. As you know, I am more skilled with the sword than words.”
“Are you threatening me?”
Instead of replying verbally, the pressure on Ferdinand’s shoulders intensified. He could no longer breathe properly.
“Think carefully on your own. And I hope you reach a good conclusion.”
It would have been easier if Ferdinand had formally challenged him to a duel. Words aside, Enock could have ended it perfectly in one strike.
Exhaling after restraining the struggling Ferdinand, Enock left the prince’s room. The royal knights and servants hurried over.
“Marquis Aratus.”
“Have you finished speaking?”
They were eager to check on the Second Prince immediately.
“Your Highness has fallen asleep.”
The Second Prince needed to reflect on his actions. Enock did not want anyone disturbing that time.
“We’ll wait until morning to enter.”
