30 - Flawlessly
Steel rang sharply across the training grounds.
Aguerico moved first. His body blurred forward with explosive speed, silver aura bursting around him like a comet streaking across the courtyard. The force of his step alone cracked the stone beneath his boots.
The watching knights stiffened. A Swordmaster's full speed was something rarely witnessed. His blade came down in a powerful diagonal strike aimed at Zafiel's shoulder. CLANG. Zafiel blocked it effortlessly.
The Crown Prince did not even shift his footing. His sword rose casually, catching the strike with such perfect timing that Aguerico's momentum dispersed like water hitting stone. For a moment, their blades locked.
Zafiel smiled. "Good."
Aguerico's brows furrowed. Then he twisted his wrist and launched another strike-this time faster, sharper, the blade aiming for Zafiel's ribs. Clang. Parried again. A third strike. Clang. Fourth. Clang.
From the outside, the exchange looked evenly matched. The courtyard echoed with rapid collisions of steel as Aguerico pressed forward relentlessly. His sword moved like lightning, each attack stronger than the last.
Yet Zafiel moved with relaxed ease. He parried. Redirected. Deflected. Every motion economical. Every movement precise. His expression looked... amused.
The surrounding knights whispered. "They're evenly matched..."
"Incredible..."
"A Swordmaster truly is on par with a Sword Saint..."
But not everyone believed that. Far from the training ring, hidden behind the shade of a tall stone pillar, another pair of eyes watched quietly.
Alistair Elidi la Vernon.
Aguerico's younger twin. Unlike his brother, Alistair possessed a far quieter presence.
His pink hair-inherited from their mother-blended easily with the shadows and his sharp red eyes observed every movement with unsettling focus.
And what he saw made his stomach tighten.
They're not equal.
Not even close. To the other knights, the duel looked balanced. But Alistair noticed the details. Zafiel hadn't moved his feet. Not once. Aguerico attacked again.
His sword erupted with aura, a crescent of silver energy slicing through the air toward Zafiel's side. Zafiel tilted his head slightly. Then his blade flicked. CLANG. The attack shattered instantly. Aguerico's eyes widened.
Zafiel smiled faintly. "You're fast," the Crown Prince said lightly.
Then he moved. It happened so suddenly that several knights gasped.
Zafiel stepped forward once. Just once. But that single movement broke the entire rhythm of the fight. Aguerico's instincts screamed. He raised his sword defensively. Too slow. CLANG.
Their blades collided again, but this time the force behind Zafiel's strike was completely different. Aguerico staggered. The difference in power felt like a mountain crashing down on him. His arms trembled. He pushed back with a growl, aura surging wildly as he launched a desperate counterattack.
His sword danced in a storm of silver light. One strike. Two. Five. Ten.
The attacks came so quickly that the watching knights could barely follow them. Yet Zafiel parried every single one. His movements remained smooth. Relaxed. Almost playful. Aguerico's breathing began to grow heavier.
Sweat rolled down his temple. Meanwhile Zafiel looked.
.. entertained. The Crown Prince's amethyst eyes gleamed.
"Your swordsmanship is impressive," he said calmly while blocking another strike.
Clang. "But you rely too much on force.
" Aguerico gritted his teeth and lunged again. Zafiel's sword flicked.
Aguerico's blade was knocked aside. And suddenly, Zafiel's wooden practice sword stopped an inch from Aguerico's throat. Silence fell across the courtyard. Aguerico froze. He hadn't even seen the final movement.
Zafiel lowered the sword slightly. Then, with a soft tap-thud. He tapped Aguerico's chest. A finishing blow. Aguerico's sword slipped from his hand. Clatter. The Swordmaster dropped to one knee, panting heavily. His chest rose and fell rapidly as he struggled to catch his breath.
Meanwhile, Zafiel hadn't even broken a sweat. The Crown Prince rested the practice sword over his shoulder again. The watching knights stood in stunned silence. Even they could now see the truth. The gap was enormous.
Zafiel glanced down at Aguerico with a faint smile. "You're strong."
Aguerico let out a breathless laugh. "... coming from a Sword Saint, I suppose that's praise."
Zafiel chuckled softly. Then he turned away casually, the duel already forgotten in his mind. "Let's stop here."
The knights slowly began murmuring among themselves again. But in the shadows, Alistair had already disappeared.
-
Inside the Grand Ducal estate, a servant walked quietly down the marble hallway before stopping at a large oak door.
Knock knock.
"Enter." The door opened. Alistair stepped inside.
Grand Duke Maximus sat behind a heavy desk piled with documents. His imposing frame filled the chair like a mountain draped in noble robes. Standing near the window was another young man. Tall. Elegant. With the same golden blond hair and ruby eyes as the Grand Duke.
Eirwen Himesh la Vernon. The firstborn son of the Vernon family. Future Grand Duke. Eirwen glanced toward the door as Alistair entered. "Well?" he asked calmly.
Alistair closed the door behind him. "The duel is finished."
Maximus leaned back slightly. "And?"
Alistair spoke without hesitation. "Aguerico lost."
Maximus grunted. "That was expected."
But Alistair continued. "He lost flawlessly."
That made both men pause. Eirwen's eyes sharpened. "Explain."
Alistair folded his arms. "To the other knights, the duel appeared balanced." He walked closer to the desk. "But that was an illusion."
Maximus leaned forward slightly. "Go on."
Alistair's gaze darkened. "His Imperial Highness never fought seriously." Silence filled the room. "He allowed Aguerico to attack repeatedly," Alistair continued. "Parried everything effortlessly. He only moved once to end the duel."
Maximus's brows slowly furrowed. "... only once?"
"Yes."
Eirwen's expression grew thoughtful. "A Sword Saint indeed."
Alistair nodded. "But not just that." He paused briefly. Then spoke quietly. "He was amused."
Maximus's fingers tapped the desk once.
Eirwen turned toward the window, staring out at the estate grounds. "So the rumors were true," he murmured. "The Crown Prince is not merely talented... he's a monster." Alistair said nothing. After a moment, Eirwen looked back toward his father. "We cannot allow Mariana to remain near him."
Maximus exhaled slowly. "I was thinking the same."
If Zafiel grew interested in Mariana, the consequences could become dangerous for the entire Forebros household.
Eirwen spoke calmly. "Send her away."
Maximus raised a brow. "Where?"
Eirwen smiled faintly. "Anywhere beyond the Crown Prince's reach." He folded his arms. "A long trip."
"A distant estate."
"Or perhaps... the countryside."
Alistair nodded in agreement. "Distance is the safest solution."
Maximus leaned back again, deep in thought.
Meanwhile, completely unaware of this strategic family meeting, Mariana was happily finishing the last bite of her breakfast. And mentally celebrating her upcoming trip to the modiste. Her brilliant escape plan from Crown Prince Zafiel was progressing perfectly. Or so she believed.