My Child Is A Villain - Chapter 58
“What an interesting situation.”
Selexion had known for a long time that Amanda had feelings for Lucas. But those feelings were wasted. Though it was surely hurtful inside, Selexion had no intention of comforting her. There’s nothing as pathetic as sulking over something one couldn’t achieve.
Instead, he became more interested in the situation. Both Lucas and Heirn were outstanding individuals. Many elites in society had feelings for both of them, yet here they were, fixated on one person.
Fascinating.
“Can I hear how things are unfolding?”
Deper, who had been bowing his head in a state of disarray, hastily spoke up, “Your Majesty!”
Selexion looked at Deper at the loud voice. “Hmm? Who are you again…”
At that moment, a guard who had followed Selexion earlier whispered to him, “He’s Sir Deper, a knight of the 1st Order of the Imperial Knights.”
“Ah, the blockhead.”
Unlike the guard, Selexion didn’t seem to have any intention of hiding his words.
“Your Majesty,” the guard groaned, but Selexion paid it no mind.
“Right, I remember now. There was a knight like that in the Order. So, what is it, Sir Dabber?”
He got the name wrong too. That must have been intentional.
What a spiteful person.
Adele noticed that Selexion was different from the emperors she often encountered in novels. Well, it couldn’t be helped. In novels, emperors often appear as sinister antagonists. While it was other families that had brought about the downfall of Leon’s family, it couldn’t be said that the emperor had no part in it. Otherwise, a dukedom wouldn’t have disappeared so easily.
Seeing the emperor acting this way, Deper seemed to feel something too. He hesitated, unable to easily speak up.
“I’ll ask again. What do you want to say?”
Deper’s complexion was now turning pale. Still, as a knight, he eventually spoke, “I’ve received a challenge to a duel from Sir Lucas.”
“Sir Lucas wouldn’t challenge without reason. And your clothes are burnt.”
“I did that,” Heirn casually interjected.
“Sir Heirn wouldn’t harm someone without reason either.”
No, he harms and leaves.
After talking with Ronschka, Adele had some insights about Heirn’s character. He once tried to burn down people Adele knew from the village. If there hadn’t been someone to stop him, who knows what would’ve happened.
“Alright, then tell me. What’s the reason?”
Deper said through clenched teeth, “It’s all because of that woman!” At the end of his pointing finger stood Adele.
Who started the quarrel anyway? If this weren’t such a world, I’d have already retaliated in self-defense. Then I would’ve called the police.
“Ah, that woman?” Selexion smirked, but it didn’t seem like a good-natured laugh.
“Yes, Your Majesty. This disturbance is because of that woman.”
Lucas was holding the intact glove in one hand. And Heirn seemed to be frowning.
I don’t know why Heirn is like this.
Anyway, Deper the knight not only had a bad attitude but also lacked awareness.
Regin, who had been quietly standing by, spoke, “I’ll explain the situation, Your Highness.”
“Ah, Sir Regin. If it’s from you, I’ll trust it.”
Selexion’s attitude was different from when dealing with Deper. Regin calmly explained what had happened so far.
“…So that’s how it happened.”
It was a neat conclusion deserving of applause.
“So, basically, Sir Deper insulted Sir Lucas’ fiancée, leading Sir Lucas to challenge him to a duel. And then the rash Sir Heirn got involved, right?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
There was no mention of Adele’s child in the story. It seemed like Regin’s thoughtful omission.
“Clear enough. Then there’s a simple solution, isn’t there? They’ll have their duel.”
“But Your Majesty, today is a party for Princess Amanda.”
“Then let us get permission from Amanda. Is that okay, Amanda?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Stepping back, Amanda accepted the duel. Deper, now forced into a duel under the imperial family’s supervision, contorted his face, but it was short-lived. Soon, he regained a confident expression and called for his squire to bring his sword.
“Do you have a sword?” Adele approached Lucas quietly.
“I don’t.”
Weapons were not allowed in the palace except for the palace guards. Moreover, it was a party day; there was no need to bring weapons.
“Then borrow mine. It may be different from what you’re used to, but it should work just fine.”
“Then I’ll borrow it for a moment.”
After calling a young man, Regin handed Lucas the sword he brought.
In an instant, a space cleared, and people watched the dueling ground with curious eyes.
“Adele.”
“Yes?”
“How much of a thrashing do you want to give him?”
“Can it be adjusted?”
“Of course,” Lucas replied with a smile.
Adele found herself instinctively raising her thumb and then turning it down. “Give him a thrashing he won’t be able to get up from.”
“Alright, I’ll do just that.”
Soon, Lucas stepped forward for the duel, but there was no worry. Adele knew he was a knight highly regarded even within the empire.
His stance with the sword was confident. And finally, they faced each other.
The witnesses were the emperor and the princess. Regin took on the role of mediator. Deper seemed displeased, but he couldn’t say anything more. It seemed Regin had quite the reputation.
“Let’s begin the duel.”
With a clear bell sound, Deper charged forward like a bull. He swung his sword, but Lucas easily deflected it without moving from his spot.
“Hah!”
Deper continued to attack relentlessly, but Lucas remained unmoved, blocking every strike effortlessly.
“He’s truly remarkable.”
“Sir Deper’s skill is impressive, but he still can’t surpass Sir Lucas.”
“He never seems to give up, always showing determination against Sir Lucas.”
“Perhaps it’s because of his affection for Princess Amanda.”
“Oh, are there any knights who don’t admire Princess Amanda?”
The murmured conversation sounded oddly clear in Adele’s ears.
Amanda. The only princess of the empire.
Adele glanced at her for a moment. She was someone beyond comparison with herself.
Even if I were a man, I’d have been tempted.
Then, how would others feel? Of course, they would be captivated.
Did Lucas feel the same way?
That was unknowable. But one thing was certain. At least, Amanda clearly had feelings for Lucas.
Throughout the duel, Amanda’s gaze was fixed on Lucas, and her trembling hand gripped his tightly. It was evident where her heart lay.
Can I really stand by Lucas’ side?
In truth, Adele knew. Lucas had shown her a lot of consideration, but it wasn’t purely out of kindness. He must have had some benefit in bringing Adele here.
Wouldn’t it be better to meet someone more suitable than this kind of relationship?
Suddenly, Adele worried about Lucas.
“Do it properly, fight properly!”
Deper’s anger was evident as he mocked Lucas for merely defending himself.
“Do it properly, he says!” Finally, Lucas stepped away from his stance. “Alright, then I’ll do it properly from now on.”
He smiled just as before, but his eyes were chillingly cold. With each swing of his sword, Deper staggered back. But if he tried to step out of the duel area, Lucas’ sword was there to stop him. Deper couldn’t leave the arena and was humiliated.
Clothes tore, wounds multiplied. It was like a cat toying with a mouse. Several times, he seemed to try to say something, but the words never left his lips. Each time, Lucas’ attacks relentlessly pounded him.
“Enough, enough!”
The duel ended long after. Deper was already in tatters, while Lucas stood tall alone.
Storyteller Wook's Words
My Child Is A Villain is now included in my Wook's Ko-fi membership program. It's a cheaper alternative for advanced chapters, bundled together with other Wook's creations. Starting August 2024, this novel will update twice a week: [SUN] & [THURS] UTC+8. Advanced chapters price has also been adjusted just a tiny bit...
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