Chapter 84: The Impregnable Handsome Man

“Huu…”

On the terrace of the banquet hall.

Normally, people weren’t allowed to smoke here, but given the current situation, they just turned a blind eye to the cigarette in the Grandmaster’s mouth.

“You surpassed my expectations.”

She muttered to Isaac—who was standing beside her—in almost an awe.

It was because of his deductive capabilities that he had just demonstrated. One couldn’t just dismiss it as mere ‘keen observation’ anymore.

“I knew that your knowledge of swords is as vast as a mountain, to the point that you won’t have any obstacles hindering you in building your skills, but… It seems like I still underestimated you.”

“…Won’t have any obstacles?”

Isaac asked, holding his nose.

Seeing this, the Grandmaster meekly put out her cigarette.

“Should just hint at it, no need to be so blatant about it.”

“You should quit. It’s bad for your health.”

“Easier said than done.”

“But it’s still possible. I used to smoke in the past too, and now I’ve quit.”

“Huh, really? That’s impressive.”

‘So, what are you waiting for? Quit.’ He asked with his gaze.

In his previous life, they used to smoke together, but after seeing Isaac quit, the Grandmaster also eventually quit smoking.

“But, there’s nothing that can come close to this to fill the void, you know?”

Excuses.

Whatever. That aside…

“What do you mean by ‘you won’t have any obstacles’?”

Hearing that question, she answered while putting the extinguished cigarette back in her pocket, wearing a regretful expression.

“Usually, as one grows, one’s pace would slow down. This is something that’s true for all studies in the world, not just swordsmanship. You know this, don’t you?”

“Yes, that’s why they called it ‘learning curve’. It’s because after learning the basic concepts, one has to move on to more detailed and advanced parts, and that takes significantly more time.”

“Correct. That’s why, swordsmanship in particular, is difficult. If one just swings with one’s own body, they’ll eventually hit a wall. That’s when ‘knowledge’ is needed, to help one get through that wall.”

The Grandmaster tapped her head and grinned.

“In that sense, you don’t need to worry about that at all. Your mind already has the knowledge, so your body only needs to follow along. So far, you’ve never felt like you hit a wall while training, right?”

“Ah, yes… That’s right…”

“And that’s not normal.”

A smile like a crescent moon bloomed on her lips.

Hearing the revelation that his knowledge was actually an endless driving force for his growth, Isaac felt a little awkward, but he still tried to deny it.

“I just thought it wasn’t time for me to hit the wall yet… I mean, I haven’t been practicing for that long…”

“If time really matters that much, those old geezers would be masters of the sword already. The truth of the matter is, you’re already at a level where it wouldn’t be strange if your growth slowed significantly.”

“…”

“You know, you might be—”

The Grandmaster looked at Isaac with gleaming eyes, a gaze that Isaac had never seen before. She licked her lips lightly, as if she was looking at a tempting fruit.

“…What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. Rather than that, why don’t we cross our swords? It’s been a while, isn’t it? I’m curious how strong you have become.”

“…Right now?”

While everyone’s still sorting out the assassination incident?

“Yes. The princess gave me a practice room I can use privately, so let’s go there and spar.”

Seeing how excited she was, Isaac decided to just indulge her while chuckling.

“Go easy on me. I don’t want to be knocked out in one blow.”

“That’s a problem. I don’t know how.”

As the pair were walking down the corridor, a knight-like figure cautiously approached from the opposite direction.

“Baron Logan, could you spare a moment of your time?”

“No.”

Since he was about to spar with the Grandmaster, he wanted to refuse everything but the most urgent matters, but…

The knight glanced at the Grandmaster, before whispering softly in Isaac’s ear.

“Princess Adeline is asking for you.”

At that, his brow furrowed.

He let out a sigh and nodded in understanding.

“I’m sorry. We have to postpone the duel until tomorrow.”

“Hmm? Do as you please.”

With that, Isaac followed the knight towards Adeline’s bedroom.

Inside Princess Clarisse’s bedroom.

The Grandmaster, disappointed since she couldn’t have her spar, licked her lips and took off her hats.

“Phew… Wearing that is sooo stifling…”

Though the princess had vouched for her, with how bad the sentiment people had towards the Transcendent Race was, she had to hide her ears and tail at all times.

Also inside the room, the princess, in her comfortable clothes, was stretching, about to go to sleep.

After seeing the Grandmaster arrive, Heyrad, the guard knight, quickly withdrew himself.

“Then, I’ll come back tomorrow.”

“Yes, Heyrad. Good work.”

Due to the recent incident, they stationed at least a single guard in every bedroom.

Since the Grandmaster arrived in the room, Heyrad, being a male, naturally left the room.

“I thought you’d talk with Isaac a little longer? Why did you come back so quickly?”

Considering the assassination attempt that had just occurred, the princess seemed quite calm.

“Ugh… Princess Adeline called for him, so I came back.”

Though the knight had whispered his words to Isaac, intending to keep them hidden…

The distance between them was still so close that the Grandmaster could still hear it clearly.

“What?!”

Hearing that, Clarisse jumped up.

Her calm atmosphere was instantly replaced by a panicked one, as if it was an urgent matter.

“My sister did what?! N-No way…?! There’s no way!!”

“Hmm? What’s the matter?”

“I-I’ll explain later! I have to go see her! Now!”

Adeline Seraphia Regardia.

Unfortunately, Isaac had never seen her in his past life.

Because she was assassinated.

Due to the chaotic state affairs and the shock of his daughter’s death, the king passed away soon after, and Clarisse belatedly inherited the queen’s position.

During that time, the kingdom was in such a bad state that it was difficult to even call it a kingdom.

What an awkward situation.

A woman inviting a man into her bedroom could be considered a joyful situation, but…

Isaac couldn’t help but feel skeptical about this whole thing.

For a princess to invite a man she just met into her bedroom like this…

Strictly speaking, he had seen her before, at the ceremony where he was bestowed his noble title, but this was the first time they had ever properly conversed.

I need to keep my wits about me.

After he knocked on the door, a soft voice seeped through the door crack, telling him to come in.

Just as he had heard earlier, it was a voice that made one’s heart feel warm and comfortable.

Behind the door, there was Princess Adeline, sitting on the sofa in the center of the room.

Wearing a nightgown made out of silk, it seemed as if she was trying to seduce him.

Seeing a princess of the country greeting an outsider in such attire only made Isaac even more guarded.

“You’ve worked hard today, Baron Logan. Please, have a seat.”

Isaac obeyed her and took a seat opposite her.

Seeing this, a smile bloomed on Adeline’s face. She then poured wine into glasses she had prepared in advance.

“Care to join me? I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep unless I get a little drunk.”

“A lot happened today. I can sympathize with that.”

She was a woman who could rouse one’s instinct to protect her, and Isaac was no different. He could feel a fluttering feeling in his chest, giving him the illusion of being drunk, even though he hadn’t taken a sip of alcohol yet.

“But surely, someone other than me—”

“You protected me.”

Adeline let out a gentle smile.

“Only because I was wearing formal attire, unlike the guards. They didn’t pay much attention to me.”

“Regardless, you were the one who protected me.”

Adeline took a sip with a smile in her eyes. Isaac followed, sipping some wine, which was stronger than he expected.

Oh no.

Since he had already drunk plenty at the banquet, keeping himself together after drinking such a strong wine was harder than he anticipated.

Seeing him like that, Adeline’s smile grew brighter.

“Oh my. Your tolerance to alcohol is weaker than I thought.”

“A-Ahem. Please forgive me.”

“No, it’s okay. I’ve heard a lot about you, so I’ve always wanted to have a proper talk with you.”

She whispered in a regretful tone.

“What do you think is the reason I called you here like this?”

“…I’m not sure.”

“Oh? Are you trying to embarrass a lady?”

Before he could react to it, the princess suddenly sat next to him.

She had quietly approached him while his vision was blurred due to the alcohol.

Her hand rested on Isaac’s thigh, with a touch that was subtle, sweet, and undeniably alluring.

“Isaac Logan. Become my man.”

“Your man, Princess?”

“Yes. We’re facing a turbulent time. You might’ve heard about this, but Clarisse is planning to marry herself into another country and push the royal authority to me.”

“…”

“I’m grateful to her for trusting me so much, but the anxiety in my heart still doesn’t cease. I still need many trustworthy people by my side.”

And…

“Among them, I want you to be my closest.”

Isaac kept his mouth firmly shut.

Perhaps trying to make him talk, Adeline moved even closer and whispered in his ear.

“Things didn’t work out well with Rianna, did they?”

“…”

“I don’t know what kind of past you had, but there’s no need to worry. I’m different.”

Before he knew it, he was being drawn in by her gentle touch. Her ample cleavage had come forward, touching his cheek.

“I’ll be your princess. Your own princess.”

It was a truly sweet moment.

A princess of the country falling in love at first sight, confessing her feelings while healing the man’s past wounds.

The temptation was so sweet that it felt like it came straight out of a fairy tale.

“I’m sorry.”

But Isaac rejected her politely before standing up.

“…Baron Logan…?”

Confused, Adeline looked up at him.

Her gaze seemed to ask what had gone wrong in the flow of things. To that, he just answered with a bitter smile.

“I don’t really need to be comforted, Princess.”

Clang!

“Sister!”

At that moment, Clarisse burst in through the door. She caught her breath and assessed the situation for a moment before quickly grabbing Isaac’s wrist and pulled him towards her.

“H-He’s off limits! This person has greater things to do!”

“Oh? What could be more important than standing by my side, hm?”

She’s changed.

Is this really the same woman I’ve just been with?

Suddenly, she carried a sly, even a little vicious atmosphere.

Seemingly a bit upset at Isaac’s rejection, she spoke curtly to Clarisse.

“Don’t worry, he just rejected me.”

“…Really?”

Adeline let out a sigh before nodding. She then gestured them out.

“Since that’s the case, you could leave now. Even a princess has a sense of embarrassment.”

“Ah, y-yes! L-Let’s go, Isaac.”

As Clarisse pulled Isaac out the door, Princess Adeline waved goodbye towards his back.

“See you next time.”

“…Please have a good night’s sleep.”

“H-Hurry up!”

Thud.

Only after they closed the door, passed the knight standing guard outside, and walked down the corridor did Clarisse finally open her mouth.

“My sister has a great appetite for talent. Not only that, but she also has a good eye for people.”

“…”

“That’s part of the reason why I’m trying to yield to her. I’m not very good at leading and handling people.”

Sitting in the throne wasn’t about being proficient in every single thing, but rather about handling those who were proficient in those things.

In that sense, Adeline was indeed a much more suitable vessel for queenship than Clarisse.

“My sister is good at seeing people’s shortcomings. She makes them her own by comforting or fulfilling those needs.”

“I see, I can see why she acted like that now. But still, wasn’t that a little excessive…?”

For a princess to invite a man in the middle of the night to have a drinking session with her while she was wearing a nightgown was indeed excessive.

Even Clarisse nodded in agreement.

“That’s why I was surprised. It’s the first time I’ve seen her seducing someone so blatantly. I guess that’s how much she’s taken a liking to you.”

“Although, I admit the way you deduct things earlier was kind of sexy,” Clarisse added jokingly.

“Usually, once my sister sets her sights on someone, they’d become hers. Sometimes, she’d even find it troublesome because they offer their blind loyalty and devotion to an excessive degree.”

“I see.”

So that’s why…

Isaac remembered the displeased expression of the guard knight who called him when he was with the Grandmaster.

“That’s why I was surprised! You rejected her even after she seduced you so blatantly! As expected of you! I guess handsome men are just different!”

“…”

That isn’t it…

If he had to say his opinion…

The princess just wasn’t enchanting enough for him to fall for.

Since ancient times, women had always been compared to flowers.

And among flowers, the most beautiful one had always been roses.

That was the reason why he didn’t fall for her seduction. Indeed, an extremely simple reason.