Chapter 51

Episode 51

“Why, do I look strange? That’s an expression I’ve never seen before.”

Realizing I had been impolite, I quickly stood up.

“I apologize. For a moment, I thought I was dreaming.”

“I’m flattered that you’re so surprised. I’m trying on the dress I’ll wear to the Imperial banquet. It was made by my favorite designer.”

“…I see.”

“Are you just going to stand there and stare?”

Lucia extended her hand.

What’s gotten into her today?

Her usual reserved demeanor was gone, replaced by provocative words. It couldn’t be because we were alone…

My racing heart calmed, and my mind cleared.

I needed to be careful, or I might end up being dragged back to the Dukedom for execution.

“My Lady, are you here to teach me to dance?”

“Isn’t that what we agreed on?”

“I apologize, but your attire seems a bit excessive.”

Lucia tilted her head questioningly. Don’t play innocent, you mastermind.

“We need to be careful of the servants’ eyes and ears. This isn’t the Dukedom it’s the capital. You must have noticed at the Caribe villa how loose-lipped people can be.”

She wouldn’t have put on that dress alone. Two or three maids must have helped her. Strange rumors could spread.

From my perspective, I had planned to make my move at the Imperial banquet, so it didn’t matter much. But until then, I couldn’t afford any variables.

“I don’t think it matters. Teaching my close aide to dance isn’t a big deal, is it?”

“Then, please give me the fourth mission.”

“What mission?”

“If you order me to break off your engagement, I’ll gladly learn to dance.”

It was the first time I had openly defied her. My tone was a bit harsh, but fortunately, Lucia took it with a smile.

“Sir Aubrey, the third mission isn’t over yet. The final report hasn’t been submitted. Isn’t it a bit premature to ask for the fourth mission?”

“Wasn’t the mission to escort you to the capital?”

“Are you in such a hurry to finish the mission and return to the Dukedom?”

“Of course not.”

“Alright. Let’s consider the third mission complete. I’ll give you the fourth mission.”

I knelt on one knee and bowed. Lucia extended her hand again and issued the fourth order.

“The Lucius Inspection Unit’s fourth mission is for Inspector Aubrey to dance with me right here, right now. How about it? It’s easier than the other missions, isn’t it?”

“…”

“You can’t do this either?”

“I cannot.”

I stood up straight in front of her.

I wondered if she had been drinking, but considering her background as the mastermind, she was clearly trying to tease or test me.

“As I said before, there are many eyes and ears in the capital. You need to be careful. And the Inspection Unit’s missions should be for the safety and peace of the people in the Dukedom.”

“I’m technically a person from the Dukedom too.”

“What’s not possible is not possible.”

Lucia covered her mouth and laughed. It was quite a big reaction for the usually reserved Lady.

“You sounded just like my tutor. That’s exactly what he says when I insist on learning more.”

“…”

Satisfying the Lady’s thirst for knowledge must be an extreme job. I wonder how long Edouard, who has been her tutor for years, can hold out.

“Let’s say you’ve tried on your new dress for today. Please return to your chambers. I’ll escort you.”

“It’s alright. The maids are waiting outside. I’m sorry for disturbing your rest. I realize now that I made an unreasonable request.”

“Not at all. You have every right to make such requests.”

Just then, Jericho appeared, holding a violin.

“Oh, my Lady. You look beautiful! Is this the dress you mentioned before? It suits you perfectly! Hahaha!”

“Thank you, Sir Jericho. But what should I do? I called for him, but Sir Aubrey refused to dance.”

No, I didn’t refuse!

Jericho looked at me as if I were an insect.

“Really? People would line up from here to the Dukedom for a chance to dance with the Lady, and you refused? What were you thinking?”

“No, Jericho, I didn’t refuse…”

“Get ready immediately. People will talk if they hear about this. The Inspection Unit is supposed to serve the Lady, how could you think like that? Tsk tsk!”

He started preparing his violin. As I tried to explain, another person appeared. It was Selendis.

“I called her. Selendis knows more about dancing than I do.”

At this point, there was no escape. Jericho seemed to be trying to escalate the situation.

He often said we looked good together. It was probably a subtle message to pursue a romance after breaking off the engagement.

But I had no such intentions.

I had lived a hard life in my previous world, and now I was possessing a game character. Couldn’t I have a normal retirement?

“Jericho. You and I need to talk later.”

“The Lady wants to see me privately later? I feel threatened.”

“Hey.”

I swallowed a harsh retort. Lucia was laughing, clearly amused.

Come to think of it, this might be the first time the Lady and the Inspection Unit members were all gathered like this.

The atmosphere wasn’t bad, actually.

“Alright, I’m ready. I’ve prepared Selvast’s dance music, which is popular in the capital right now. Feel free to dance to your heart’s content!”

“…”

At this point, I had no choice.

I took the Lady’s hand. My attire wasn’t suitable, but it wouldn’t hinder the dance.

“You’ve improved a lot. Selendis must be a good teacher.”

“I might step on Selendis’s feet, but if I step on yours, I might disappear like the morning dew on the execution ground.”

“Hehe. That’s an interesting joke.”

We moved to the light, upbeat string music.

Strangely, dancing with the Lady felt natural.

We moved in perfect sync until Jericho finished playing the entire piece.

I should have realized then.

The maids were watching this scene through the narrow gap in the door, holding their breath.

***

“I couldn’t believe my eyes yesterday! I’ve never seen such perfect dancing!”

“Was it that good? Oh, I missed it because I was cleaning…”

“That O’Brien, he’s quite handsome, isn’t he? I heard he’s a skilled inspector.”

“Yes, he’s just my type.”

“Do you think we might have a chance with an honorary knight?”

“Dream on.”

I was about to turn the corner when I heard the maids’ voices. My heart sank.

It seemed more people had witnessed our dance practice than I thought.

As expected, rumors spread quickly, and by now, everyone in the mansion probably knew.

I cleared my throat as I entered the corridor.

The maids all flinched.

“I have some serious advice for you. The Lady is here to greet Prince Arthur. What do you think will happen if strange rumors spread? If you don’t want to be dragged away by the Imperial Guard, it’s best to keep quiet.”

“Ah, yes… We’re sorry…”

“I’m not joking. Make sure to tell those who don’t know this.”

The maids bowed repeatedly and left.

I headed straight for the entrance. This morning, Selendis was scheduled to duel with the Azure Dragon Knights.

I went to the training ground.

‘Selendis’s reputation will change a lot after today’s duel.’

Selendis had taken the potion I gave her and raised her aura from junior level to just below senior level.

To be precise, between intermediate and senior level.

The knights who thought she was junior level would be shocked when they faced an aura of that magnitude. This information would spread through the knight order, and they would likely ask her to take the promotion test.

Either way, it was a good development. I had been a bit concerned that the Inspection Unit’s knight was only junior level.

If she became intermediate or even senior level, it would raise the Inspection Unit’s status.

“Are you ready?”

I asked Selendis, who was warming up. She sheathed her sword and saluted.

“Did you rest well, Master?”

“How could I rest? I still get chills thinking about what Jericho did yesterday.”

Selendis started to say something but stopped herself.

“What is it? You can speak freely.”

“It’s nothing.”

“Don’t hold back in today’s duel. End it quickly. It’s a shame there aren’t many spectators, but the Kalisto knights are watching, so uphold the dignity of the Inspection Unit.”

“Understood, Master.”

She saluted again and resumed her practice.

About an hour later, the knights arrived. There were three knights in total, and they were scheduled to duel one per day.

Sir Darius was the referee.

He must be curious too, about how skilled the Inspection Unit’s knight really was.

“Today, we have a duel between Selendis of the Lucius Inspection Unit and Sir Leblanc of the Azure Dragon Knights. Cross your swords and swear to a fair fight.”

*Clang!*

The two crossed swords.

“The rules for this duel are simple. Everything is allowed except attacks that threaten the opponent’s life. You may use your aura freely.”

“Vice-Commander, may I request a change in the rules?”

“Speak.”

It was Selendis who spoke, not Leblanc.

“Three knights requested to duel me. Instead of one-on-one duels, I’d like to face all three at once.”

“…What?”

“I want to fight all three Azure Dragon Knights simultaneously.”

Everyone was shocked, including Darius.

One-on-one duels were the norm because even without intent to harm, multiple opponents were extremely dangerous.

In a one-versus-many duel, it was common to use wooden swords or other practice weapons.

But Selendis hadn’t requested a change of weapons.

In other words, she was proposing to face three opponents with real swords.

“Lady Selendis, one of the important aspects of chivalry is to guard against arrogance. Are you overestimating your abilities? Or are you underestimating the Azure Dragon Knights?”

It was understandable that they were offended. Although Selendis hadn’t spoken flippantly, it could hurt their pride.

“In the Inspection Unit, we rarely engage in one-on-one combat. We’re always exposed to danger. This is to hone our practical skills. I would be grateful if you allow it.”

“Hmm… Sir O’Brien, what do you think?”

“I’ll defer to the Azure Dragon Knights’ decision. If the three of you agree, we can proceed with a one-versus-three duel.”

“Very well.”

Leblanc and the other knights agreed to the one-versus-three duel. Their expressions showed no intention of going easy on her.

Their pride had been wounded.

It might turn into a bloody fight.

“Let’s swear again. Lady Selendis and Sir Leblanc, Sir McKenzie, and Sir James, cross your swords and swear to a fair fight.”

The ceremony ended. Darius stepped back and raised his hand to signal the start of the duel.

*Whoosh!*

Selendis and the knights simultaneously raised their auras.