The Fight, and Settling the Matter.
A week had passed since I asked Lizbeth to duel with me, and now it was dusk.
The entire Baldyk Empire was wrapped in celebratory mood to enjoy the start of the new year, and the citizens were all hopeful for another great year……….or maybe they were not. I don’t actually know.
In the first place, the only times I have left the Imperial palace is when I went to the Fahlcrantz house, and that’s it.
Well, basically, I was just an ignoramus.
But, since I was but a simple villager in my previous life, I remember how with the coming of every new year, I’d get all giddy and excited, ask my first crush out to spend the eve with me, get rejected, and spend it alone with a broken heart………I should stop remembering.
All that aside, it really is cold during this time of the day huh.
Well, or night, I should say. It might even snow tonight by the looks of it.
I exhaled on my hands to warm them back up.
“Ah………I can hear the music playing.”
It would seem, the new year’s eve party organized by the Imperial household has already begun inside the Zodiac Palace in the centre.
Ahahaha………some of the servants might be searching for me in a panic right about now as well.
I doubt they ever even thought that the fourth prince might skip out on it.
While I did normally leave these parties early, I did make sure to attend them at first at least.
Because these were the only moments I could see my mother.
Well, now that I have the memories of my old life now, I have stopped caring about all that though.
While lost in such thoughts, I smiled wryly.
It was then.
“Apologies for the wait.”
“Lady Lizbeth………..”
A stark contrast to a lady who should have been attending the party as well, Lizbeth appeared in the training area, carrying a spear on her shoulders and dressed in her training attire.
Of course, it was to have the no holds barred duel with me.
“I think this is the first time I have seen you today, no?”
“That’s certainly true.”
Indeed……….just for today, us two had not seen each other even once before this.
Well, that was in part also because of just sheer nervousness but also, we both felt that it would better to be this way.
On the other hand, it did make me feel a little……no, quite a lot lonely.
“fufu……….even though I am to duel you soon Prince Rudolf, I can’t help but break into a smile.”
“Well, I’m the same.”
We both looked at each other, and made ourselves break into a smile.
Seeing Lizbeth be of the exact same opinion as myself, made me really happy.
Furthermore, in regards to today’s duel, there was only me and Lizbeth here in this training area.
Marquis Fahlcrantz was probably attending the party himself right about now, and Maya was currently waiting on standby in Lizbeth’s room.
Right now, this place was reserved for only me and Lizbeth .
“………I do not know why or for what purpose did Prince Rudolf ask me for this duel. However, when it comes to my own personal strength, that is one thing I will not concede so easily to anyone else.”
“Yeah.”
“That’s why………I will be winning this duel.”
Lizbeth lowered her waist lightly, and took a stance with her sword.
But I too, had no intentions of conceding anything when it came to my strength as well.
All so that I can protect my most precious person in the whole wide world, who is bound to be hit with sparks borne from simply staying by my side, the future tyrant.
So that I can pierce these feelings through to you.
That’s why.
“I will win against you! I will be victorious, just you watch!”
I too matched the edge of my wooden sword with Lizbeth’s spear.
The Marquis said that I had a 1 in 100 chance of winning this.
Then I simply have to make this…….that one chance.
“…………………………..”
“……………………………”
Lizbeth continued to stare at me intently with a stern expression but, I think I was making a similar expression at her as well.
This is my guess but………..I think the battle will be decided in a single strike.
I lowered my centre of gravity, and took an even lower stance.
Since Lizbeth’s weapon was a spear, I was at a huge disadvantage when it came to reach.
Not to mention, I was only about 160cm tall, more or less the same as Lizbeth.
Then, to enter the effective range of my sword, I’ll need to pass through her spear and rush in towards her.
Of course, she also knows that very well.
That’s why, I had all my nerves at maximum focus as I lay in wait.
So that I can end it, with a single thrust.
“suu………”
My gaze never left Lizbeth as I breathed out.
“HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!”
And then with a roar, I kicked off the ground and lunged at Lizbeth with all my might.
“fuh!!”
As if she was waiting for it, Lizbeth aimed directly for my forehead, and the thrust out her spear within a single breath.
It was the same one strike that she kept on practicing over and over, it was simply………beautiful.
But.
“!!”
“!?!”
I bent my leg further forward, and then put all my strength into my other leg to kick ahead with even further momentum.
I wasn’t even thinking of dodging her strike, I was simply aiming to shorten the distance as quickly as possible.
The tip of the spear scratched my cheek, and I could feel a burning sensation across my face.
It was then.
“………..This is, my loss.”
The tip of my sword had already reached and then stopped right before Lizbeth’s slender neck as it trembled with emotion before she finally, and quietly, declared her defeat.