I Got My Engagement Annulled… Even Though We Were Never Engaged - Chapter 30

“A duel? This isn’t the century before last—how did things come to this? Besides, Adrienne isn’t a knight but a delicate woman, isn’t she?”

Setting aside whether I’m delicate or not, even I don’t really understand what’s going on.

When Lord Fevan heard that I’d been challenged to a duel by Lady Adrienne, he left work early the day after the tea party and rushed to my home.

Even the unflappable Lady Eliene was flustered upon learning that Lady Adrienne had issued the duel challenge, but since it had already been issued, I have no choice but to accept.

The reason being that if I don’t accept this duel, it could escalate into another crisis between factions.

Since Lady Adrienne declared she won’t apologize unless she loses the duel, the only way to settle this as a personal dispute is for me to accept the duel and defeat her.

When I explained this, Lord Fevan groaned deeply.

“That’s true, but it still doesn’t sit right with me. This whole situation started because of my broken engagement, didn’t it? If I hadn’t mixed up Adrienne and Adeline when breaking off the engagement, none of this would have happened.”

He’s right, but if that were the case, I never would have had the opportunity to speak with Lord Fevan in the first place, and we wouldn’t be seeing each other like this now.

“Well, there’s no use saying that now. So, what are you going to do? Women’s duels often use representatives. Should I step in if you’d like?”

“That won’t do… This is a bit embarrassing, but, well, the women at that tea party are convinced that Lady Adrienne and I are fighting over you in this duel. If the person we’re supposedly fighting over shows up, it would likely cause complications.”

“Extremely reluctantly, I have to admit you’re right. But then what? Should I ask our order commander? The griffin egg hatched safely, and the commander is very grateful to you. I think he’d agree if asked.”

If Lord Aubrey were to fight the duel, my victory would be certain, but that would be somewhat dishonorable. Lord Aubrey isn’t my relative or anything.

I don’t know who Lady Adrienne will appoint as her representative, but if I were to appoint one, it would be reasonable to ask my sister’s fiancé Mario or one of my cousins. However, if I may say so, I’m stronger than any of them.

Therefore, I have only one option.

“I won’t appoint a representative. I’ll fight myself.”

“What?!”

“Actually, it’s more advantageous if I fight.”

I’m stronger than any potential representative, and if I fight personally, the other side won’t have any grounds for complaint.

Others will also recognize that I’m serious if I fight myself. If the other side uses a representative while I don’t, public opinion should side with me.

Whatever the circumstances, when someone breaks off an engagement to choose another woman, many people imagine betrayal or theft. If Lady Adrienne makes a fuss, it only worsens matters.

Therefore, it’s better to make as favorable an impression on the public as possible.

Additionally, if I fight and win, Lady Tatiana’s reputation should improve somewhat.

It should also benefit Lady Tatiana, who wants to curb Lady Eliene’s faction’s momentum.

So, I have my own calculations and considerations, but Lord Fevan didn’t seem convinced.

“What if you get injured?”

“It’s fine. I’m good at defensive magic.”

“But the duel allows either martial arts or magic, right?”

“Yes, but I can counter physical attacks with magic too.”

Well, against a true expert, in a one-on-one clash between martial arts and magic, magic is at a disadvantage because it requires time to cast. If attacked during that time, you’d be finished.

That’s why magic knights exist—they excel at both magic and martial arts, leaving no openings.

If they bring a magic knight or a true martial arts expert, I might struggle or even lose, but even then, my chances of winning are higher than if I asked Mario or any relative.

If I lose, the public will perceive Lady Adrienne’s claim—that I stole Lord Fevan using underhanded methods—as correct, so I must avoid that at all costs.

“It’s fine. Magical items aren’t prohibited, and I plan to prepare many ways to protect myself.”

“But…”

“I too have things I can’t compromise on.”

Yesterday, Lady Tatiana protected me, but I was also irritated by Lady Adrienne’s claims. It’s galling to be treated as the villain when she’s the one who tried to obtain Lord Fevan using underhanded methods.

Though I was surprised when challenged, if I think of it as an opportunity to legitimately crush her, it’s not so bad.

…It seems I’ve truly inherited my battle-loving mother’s blood.

Incidentally, my sister was even more excited than me, saying, “Crush her completely!” My sister is also hot-blooded.

Mario held his head in his hands, looking at my sister and me, muttering, “Why are you two like this…?”

“I understand your determination is firm. Then at least, may I come watch on the day?”

“That’s fine, but what about your work?”

“If I say my lover is fighting a duel, even His Highness would give me time off. Actually, His Highness might want to come watch too.”

“That would be a bit…”

“Of course, if that happens, it would cause a huge commotion, so I’ll do my utmost to stop him.”

“Please.”

Hearing that he would prevent Crown Prince’s attendance, I breathed a sigh of relief and patted my chest before looking at the calendar and taking a deep breath.

The designated duel date is three days from now.