“Lord Luke…!”
Princess Olivia recoiled as if frightened by Astoria.
He’s an imprudent boy who would unleash attack magic in a fit of anger, after all.
I, too, was subjected to violence by my father in my previous life, so I understand her feelings well.
People who use violence to make themselves look big or force their will are scary.
That’s why I felt compelled to protect Princess Olivia.
“Brother Astoria, wasn’t Princess Olivia requesting me as her dance partner?”
“Luke, you bastard! How dare you, without knowing your place, try to wedge yourself between me and the Princess!?”
“I have no such intention, but the Princess seems frightened of you.”
Princess Olivia was completely intimidated and didn’t seem to be in a state where she could dance with Astoria.
“Don’t be ridiculous! Princess Olivia and I are in love!?”
“Huh…?”
This is a political marriage, but Astoria seems to be quite fond of Princess Olivia.
But, in love? What’s he thinking?
“After all, I demonstrated my Unique Magic [Star Arrow] to prove my greatness! No girl who has seen that has ever resisted me! Now, get out of the way!”
T-This is more serious than I thought. I’m getting a headache.
He shot the bird with his Unique Magic to show off his strength?
Princess Olivia was speechless with shock.
I feel even more sorry for her now.
“…Then, Princess Olivia, shall we?”
“Yes.”
I ignored Astoria and took Princess Olivia’s hand.
Once the dance starts, he wouldn’t dare to interfere in front of everyone.
“Wait, Luke! Damn you, it’s a Duel!”
However, Astoria took an unexpected action.
He threw a glove at me. This is a formal declaration of a Duel for nobles.
“Excellent, Astoria. To have your honor sullied in such a public place would be a disgrace to the Orleans Dukedom for generations to come!”
A noble lady in a lavish dress—Empress Rose, Astoria’s mother—shouted in a resounding voice.
“Luke, you shall Duel my son Astoria!”
I was dumbfounded.
Empress Rose’s family, the Orleans Dukedom, is a family of warriors with the strongest knight order in the Empire. I understand that they value honor and reputation above all else, but…
“…Isn’t this supposed to be a reception party to entertain Princess Olivia?”
Ignoring the guest of honor and starting a family squabble would ruin the diplomacy.
Does Empress Rose understand the situation the Empire is in?
“I will not allow you to escape. I command you in the name of the Third Empress Rose!”
I see. Like mother, like son. There’s no reasoning with her.
If I refuse the Duel and they spread rumors that I ran away, it will be disadvantageous in the upcoming battle for the throne.
I have no choice. I’ll have to end this quickly.
“Then, Brother Astoria, shall we have a Duel in the courtyard now? Princess Olivia, I apologize. We’ll dance later…”
“L-Lord Luke…!”
“Good resolve! I’ll tell you now, we’ll be using real swords. And there are no restrictions on magic.”
Astoria grinned maliciously.
“You seem to be getting carried away because Father praised you as having the makings of a general, but I’ll teach you that the most important thing for a man is his skill with the sword and magic!”
“…Well, I don’t particularly disagree with that.”
In these 10 months of training, my swordsmanship has become comparable to Master Gaine’s.
I could easily defeat Astoria with swordsmanship alone.
“Lord Luke, no! I’ve heard that Lord Astoria has received a full license in Orleans swordsmanship. You’ll be killed!”
Princess Olivia turned pale and tried to stop me.
Astoria’s aim is to kill me in the Duel, as I’m an eyesore.
I’m underestimated because I can only use [Dark Edge] and have only been learning swordsmanship for less than a year.
“Please rest assured, Princess Olivia, I’ll be back soon…”
“Astoria, you fool!”
As everyone watched with bated breath, Emperor Alvaise’s roar thundered as he entered.
“I returned from the front lines to hear that you almost crushed Princess Olivia under a tower. Do you intend to nullify the alliance between the Empire and Macedonia?”
“Father! T-That was… the bird, it ruined my reputation…!”
Astoria trembled.
“Silence! And now, a Duel at a banquet, completely out of place. Are you even of my blood!? Know your shame!”
“…Hiee!?”
“Y-Your Majesty!?”
Even Empress Rose was overwhelmed by the Emperor’s power and gasped.
“Princess Olivia, my unworthy son has been rude. I hope you can enjoy the party?”
“T-Thank you, Your Majesty.”
“Now, everyone, continue the banquet. Musicians, play the music!”
The Emperor clapped his hands, and the musicians began to play, changing the atmosphere.
To smooth things over so well, as expected of Emperor Alvaise.
“Luke, I heard you saved Princess Olivia’s life. I commend you.”
As he left, the Emperor threw those words at me.
This guy is a cold-blooded man who will eventually plot to assassinate my mother… but he’s also surprisingly fair.
“Heh heh, a Duel because he had his princess stolen, without even considering the situation…”
“The knightly family of Orleans has fallen so low.”
“Trying to save face, incurring His Majesty’s displeasure, and ruining their own reputation, it’s truly the height of comedy.”
Some of the nobles began to whisper among themselves.
Probably those from the First and Second Prince factions. I think they’re trying to spread Astoria’s bad reputation by currying favor with the Emperor here.
The three princes are fighting for the throne behind the scenes.
“…!”
Astoria and Empress Rose, who had been completely humiliated, were biting their lips.
“Hmph, hmph, Father stepped in, so Prince Astoria was saved. If he had Dueled Brother Luke, he would have been utterly defeated and greatly embarrassed.”
Diana added fuel to the fire.
“Y-You! Are you trying to make a fool of me!? I won’t forgive you, even if you’re Father’s favorite!”
“If you’re so upset, how about you Duel me, Diana, with real swords and no magic restrictions? You’re welcome anytime.”
“Guu…!”
Astoria, knowing Diana’s strength, turned pale.
“Diana, stop it. What did we promise in the beginning?”
“Yes, Brother!”
When I stopped her, Diana snuggled up to me.
“Y-You bastard. I will never forgive this humiliation. Let’s go, Astoria!”
“Eh, but Mother, I haven’t danced with Princess Olivia yet…?”
“To be second is the same as admitting you’re inferior to that brat. Is that what the rightful prince of the glorious Empire should do? We’re leaving!”
Empress Rose spat out those words and left in a bad mood.