The Young Male Protagonist Who is Destined for Ruin Fell for Me - Chapter 66

Was she asking me to avenge her cracked pride? Countless eyes sparkled with anticipation.

Princess Lien wasted no time handing me a wooden sword.

“I’ve heard there’s a saying in the Empire of Hail: ‘Bl00d is thicker than water.’ Since your relative is a genius with the sword, you must be too, right?”

“Well, I’m not sure who exactly you’re referring to…”

Lien gave a sly smile, as if telling me not to feign ignorance. Yet, I truly knew nothing about Amelia Diane’s relatives.

‘Let’s see what she’s plotting.’

When the Harmony Necklace was stolen, I had sensed something unusual. My Areté, ever-evolving since I first received it, now allowed me to glean even the hidden thoughts of those I indirectly touched.

A duel would certainly reveal what Lien was thinking. If I was lucky, I might even gain valuable intel like last time.

Feigning reluctance, I accepted the wooden sword she offered. Her meaningful voice echoed in my ears.

“Stall for time until the White Lord returns. The Empire of Hail only needs to guard against Lady Diane.”

‘Stall for time? For what?’

To uncover her schemes, there was no better way than engaging in a duel. Gripping the hilt with a reverent mindset, I suddenly heard soft sighs from nearby.

It was Vanessa and Steward Hild, their faces pale with worry. They hurried over and whispered to me in voices as soft as a mosquito’s hum.

“My lady! What if something serious happens to you? I hired ten times the usual number of guards for—ah, never mind that. Just please reconsider!”

“If something happens to Lady Diane, think of what it would mean for Chairde… and His Grace, the Duke!”

They avoided calling me “sister” because of the onlookers. Smiling, I asked Vanessa to tie my hair up high and shrugged.

“It’s just a duel with wooden swords. Surely, Princess Lien wouldn’t go all out against me?”

Even so, as an envoy from another nation, she would try her best to stage a beautiful and warm picture. Though even that staged scene might prove challenging for me.

Calming their worries just enough, I stepped forward to face Lien. Wooden sword in hand, she exuded an impressive aura.

‘…Let’s just avoid the embarrassing scenario of tripping backward and cracking my skull.’

Swallowing nervously, I glanced at the bracelet my mother had gifted me before my departure. The fact that I was seeking luck for a simple wooden sword duel seemed oddly ridiculous.

“It’s an honor to spar with someone bearing the Diane name,” Lien remarked.

“Please take care of me, Princess,” I replied courteously.

With brief formalities exchanged, our wooden swords clashed with a crisp sound. They met lightly at first, as if testing the waters.

“She hasn’t formally trained in swordsmanship? Should I go easy on her?”

After a few exchanges, I realized something. Lien had no intention of going all out.

This morning, her father had likely instructed her to distract the young ladies, not to pressure them to the point of jeopardizing diplomatic relations. Lien’s movements were relaxed, her grip on the sword loose, and her strikes devoid of intent to harm.

However, snippets of her inner thoughts bothered me.

“I need to wear her out so she doesn’t catch on to Father’s plan…”

“Being Ferchu Diane’s cousin might explain it, but this duel is unexpectedly enjoyable.”

A sense of foreboding crept in. Could Kyle be involved in this “plan”? I frowned, prompting Lien to quicken her pace slightly.

‘Wait… what? Ferchu Diane’s cousin? He’s not my cousin—he’s my father!’

It seemed Lien had thoroughly misunderstood my family relations. Correcting her could wait; uncovering her father’s plan was more pressing.

“Princess, are you distracted? Your mind seems elsewhere,” I teased lightly.

Lien’s expression turned peculiar at my provocation. Good, focus on the White Lord’s plan… huh?

“What’s this stance? As expected, the Diane family is unique.”

“This guard position… it’s exactly what our knights tried to imitate from Ferchu Diane!”

Her thoughts remained fixated on me and my father. No mention of Kyle, the White Lord, or any dark schemes.

‘Could it be that the legendary knight Lien wants as her mentor…?’

I was 99% certain. To confirm the last 1%, I delivered a dramatic line.

“My father, Ferchu Diane, seems to have taught me well. I never imagined I’d be sparring with the Princess of Keltman.”

The wooden swords clashed again with a clear, sharp sound. Lien’s movements noticeably faltered.

“Wait, what? Father? Ferchu Diane isn’t her cousin?”

“Did Father feed me false information on purpose?”

“No, that’s impossible. He knows how much I want to learn from Ferchu Diane!”

Lien’s thoughts spiraled rapidly, her focus scattering. Taking advantage of the moment, I advanced and knocked her wooden sword upward with a clean strike.

Thwack!

With a smooth motion, her sword spun into the air and landed on the ground with a dull thud.

Lien stared at me, dumbfounded, seemingly unaware she had dropped her weapon. Extending my hand for a polite handshake, I sought to wrap things up amicably. But then—

“Father must’ve kept me in the dark about Lady Diane’s family ties deliberately…”

“So, this is the kind of trap you set while pretending to cooperate. How foolish I was to trust you.”

“But still… if she’s Ferchu Diane’s daughter…”

Lien stared at me for a moment, her gaze lingering, before her cheeks flushed faintly. What was with this reaction? Hiding my growing unease, I maintained the handshake, but a sudden sting on my wrist made me flinch.

“What an incredibly delightful duel! I wish I’d had the chance to spar with you sooner. Is your father in good health? Oh my, you look a bit unwell… Shall we step aside and take a private rest? Just the two of us?”

“Ah…”

The gemstone in the bracelet my mother had gifted me had changed color.

Excuse me, Princess Lien, why are you harboring such unsavory thoughts toward me?

At the same time.

Kyle successfully brought down a deer with a flawless strike, eliciting cheers from the young knights and retainers accompanying him.

Even Kyle, who had been wearing a grim expression all day due to countless concerns, allowed a small smile. Though not because of the successful hunt.

Deer antlers are said to be beneficial for women.

His sister’s low stamina, a constant worry and source of frustration, often caused her to burn out faster than expected. According to an old text he’d read, a tonic brewed from deer antlers might be just what she needed.

“Make sure to set the antlers aside for medicinal use.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

With a single swing, Kyle flicked the rain and bl00d off his blade, then glanced up at the crimson-streaked sky. The interplay of dark clouds and streaks of red light made the heavens look like a depiction of hell.

When the sun sets, the temperature will drop even further. It’s time to head back.

Kyle’s gaze turned to the bags slung over his followers’ shoulders, laden with the day’s bounty. They had more than enough; it was time to descend.

A sudden memory of Amel waving enthusiastically as he rode out made him chuckle to himself.

…I wonder if the hunting grounds of the Chairde Duchy will bring her as much joy.

With mountains, fields, and seas aplenty at his disposal, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to take his time and enjoy leisurely outings in the future—especially if children came into the picture.

Didn’t the books Raising Children with Love and Becoming Friends with Your Child emphasize that the best education for a child was to let them experience nature?

Kyle looked forward to the day he could spend warm, peaceful moments with his family. Admiring the deer’s antlers, he smiled and said,

“Send the game down ahead to prevent spoilage. Those who are tired should rest below. I’ll finish tidying up here and follow shortly.”

In Keltman tradition, it was customary to express gratitude to nature for providing sustenance, making a thorough inspection of the surroundings a vital part of the hunt.

Following his instructions, the group split into two. Those too exhausted to continue sheepishly scratched their heads and began descending the mountain.

The younger, livelier members of Hail, grateful for even a moment more in the Duke of Chairde’s presence, eagerly clustered around him.

“Shall we, Your Grace?”

“…”

“Your Grace?”

Kyle frowned as he felt an unsettling gaze on him, one he couldn’t ignore. It was a feeling he hadn’t experienced since his childhood, back when his brothers sought his life.

“There could be danger nearby. Stay alert and proceed with caution.”

The terrain became more rugged, forcing them to dismount and continue on foot.

While Keltman’s tradition demanded a thorough exploration to express gratitude for nature’s blessings, Kyle didn’t see the need to go overboard. His instincts told him the White Lord was plotting something. A hunting competition like this was the perfect setup for a trap.

“The rain looks like it’s picking up. Let’s move quickly.”

As they crossed a muddy stream, something caught their attention beneath a towering pine tree.

Lying sprawled out like prey caught by a predator, a figure was gasping weakly for breath. Kyle approached and confirmed the person’s face, drawing his sword immediately.

So they truly meant anything could be hunted in this competition.

The figure under the pine tree, struggling to breathe, was a man—not prey. The way he’d been left there, as if on display, made it clear he hadn’t come here on his own.

They’re ruthless as expected. No hesitation in discarding what they deem useless.

Kyle frowned at the pitiful sight of the man writhing in pain, as though railing against the injustice of it all.

As expected, the human prey released by the White Lord for the hunting competition was none other than Count Gargoyle.