Chapter 48
Cheng—!
A sharp crack echoed.
It sounded like swords clashing several times.
When Elinor found Tedian again after he had disappeared, he was already pressing his sword against the neck of the opponent who had fallen to the ground.
“Waaah!”
“Prince has won!”
The match ended in an instant, and cheers erupted from the excited crowd.
Elinor was so surprised that she couldn’t close her mouth.
Matthias smiled lightly.
“Arc-Ten was my old nickname.”
“If you want to reclaim that nickname, why didn’t you participate in the tournament too, brother?”
“I think it’s time to leave that place to you all.”
The victorious Tedian waved cheerfully at the spectators.
Being the youngest of the Duke’s family, he had always seemed like a mere child, but, as Cornelia had mentioned, his skills were exceptional.
‘Still, how can someone knock down a person in an instant?’
Elinor couldn’t hide her astonishment as she looked down from the stands.
At that moment, she noticed someone familiar on the opposite side of the stage.
Half of the fencing tournament schedule had passed.
Tedian had proudly secured a spot in the main rounds.
At the street gambling tables, Tedian was being regarded as a strong favorite to win the tournament.
“Elinor, bet on me too! I’ll make you rich!”
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
“Argh! Why’d you hit me!”
Once the eight contestants advancing to the main round were confirmed, the Duke’s family held a banquet for them.
It was essentially a social gathering for the swordsmen.
It was an opportunity to make connections, and if relationships were formed, contracts could be signed under favorable conditions.
“In the past, some were specially recruited to the royal knights this way.”
Matthias spoke as he adjusted his attire in front of the mirror.
“But recently, it seems that money is valued more than honor, so knights don’t choose the royal service.”
“Are there more prestigious places now?”
“Places overflowing with wealth. Having excellent knights is a source of pride for nobles. If they aren’t interested, it’s probably the mage tower or the temple.”
Having finished preparing, Matthias turned around.
Today, as the head of the Duke’s estate leading the banquet, Matthias seemed particularly radiant.
Clad in a blue uniform, he looked elegant and dignified.
His spotless golden hair made him appear even more refined.
And yet, there was an almost dizzying charm to him—was it just his appearance?
‘A demon tempting people might look like that.’
Elinor stood momentarily entranced by Matthias.
Then, as if disappointed, Matthias asked,
“Are you really not attending the banquet?”
Elinor snapped back to reality.
“You already bought me a dress. The ones I couldn’t wear at the canceled tea party.”
“I don’t want to attract attention.”
She quickly lowered her gaze.
“Besides, this banquet isn’t only for the estate’s residents. People from all over the country are here. What if someone I know shows up?”
At the stadium, the large canopy had at least partially hidden her, but the banquet hall was different.
There was no need to reveal herself and the baby to everyone.
Especially since Charlotte was likely trying to manipulate the situation.
“I’ll wait outside and keep an ear out for any news about Charlotte.”
“…Alright.”
As Matthias left the room, he stopped suddenly.
“You know the glass greenhouse on the west side of the estate?”
“Yes. I do.”
“Even though there will be many outsiders in the estate today, the greenhouse will be quiet. It’s Cornelia’s personal space. So if you ever feel stifled, you can visit there.”
“Will the princess allow me?”
“I gave you a medallion; I think she’ll allow you inside. I’ll tell Cornelia myself. Go on then.”
“Ababa, baba.”
The baby waved goodbye on Elinor’s behalf.
Elinor approached the window, murmuring,
“Glass greenhouse…”
Since it was a private space cherished by the princess, it seemed perfect for meeting someone without interruption.
Elinor waited quietly.
Until the banquet atmosphere grew lively enough that no one paid attention to her.
“Did Elinor say she won’t attend the banquet?”
“Yes. She said she doesn’t want to attract attention.”
The chandelier’s lights gleamed in the banquet hall.
Matthias immediately informed Cornelia that Elinor might use the glass greenhouse, along with the news that she would not appear in the banquet.
Hearing that Elinor wouldn’t attend, Cornelia slumped her shoulders.
“I wanted to introduce her to my friends.”
“Was that a purely innocent introduction?”
“It was innocent.”
Cornelia raised her eyebrows.
“We already apologized and made up last time. Why are you asking that now? Are you trying to fight me again?”
“I’m just asking, just in case.”
“I already apologized to Elinor personally, and through our brother I showed my regrets again. So what exactly do you think of me… oh, hello, Dyke.”
They paused as people, including the duke and estate representatives, approached to greet them.
Cornelia subtly whispered:
“If our brother had just acted properly, there wouldn’t have been any problem.”
“Ha, now you’re blaming me?”
“I wanted Elinor to have more connections in the estate. If there’s even one familiar person in a strange place, it makes things easier.”
“Before that, let me ask you something, Cori.”
After shaking hands with one of the main-round contestants, Matthias leaned closer and whispered.
“Why did your attitude change suddenly? You originally disapproved of Elinor and the baby.”
The sudden radical shift was hard to explain simply as pity for the baby.
Cornelia stopped in her tracks and glared at Matthias.
“She’s far more delicate and wonderful than anyone else.”
“What?”
“Men can be so oblivious. Brothers, everyone, all useless.”
“What are you saying?”
“Never mind. There’s no point in knowing now.”
Her right arm was completely healed.
All thanks to the ointment Elinor had provided.
“I still dislike illegitimate children,” Cornelia murmured coldly.
“I dislike having a baby without being married. I dislike inappropriate relationships. I dislike anything that tarnishes the Duke’s family honor.”
“Cornelia…”
“So to fix that problem, our brother has no choice but to get married.”
“…What?”
Cornelia crossed her arms defiantly.
“Marry. Officially accept Elinor as your wife and the baby into the family registry. Then the tarnished honor can be restored.”
“Cornelia, are you sane?”
“I want to ask if you are sane. If you had the chance today, of course you should have introduced Elinor and the baby. Why did you just leave them in the room?”
Cornelia narrowed her eyes.
“Don’t tell me you locked them up again? Tedian said you did some awful thing before.”
“What are you talking about? Absolutely not.”
“Then you should have brought them along.”
“Elinor didn’t want to come out first.”
“Anyway! Since you didn’t chase them away, that means you plan to keep them. And since mother didn’t say anything, I guess you already have permission. So why haven’t you held the wedding yet?”
Cornelia didn’t know about the estate’s contamination problem, but even so…
Brother Matthias wanted to smack his forehead at the sudden aggressive shift of his younger sister.
But what followed would be an even greater shock.
“Elinor will start hearing strange rumors if you hesitate…”
