I Got My Engagement Annulled… Even Though We Were Never Engaged - Chapter 31

The rumor of such an anachronistic event as a duel spread through high society in the blink of an eye.

Despite scheduling it as early as possible to avoid a major commotion, the training ground owned by the Magic Knights was packed with spectators.

We couldn’t very well hold the duel in the middle of the city or someone’s private garden, which is why we borrowed the Magic Knights’ training ground but this might have been a slight miscalculation.

Even though Lord Fevan had forbidden uninvited guests from entering the training ground, a crowd of onlookers had gathered at the entrance and surrounding areas.

Among them were numerous journalists, and I felt myself growing exasperated.

They probably couldn’t take photos since they couldn’t get inside, but I wondered what kind of articles would appear in tomorrow’s morning edition.

Lord Fevan, Marquis Levesius, and Lady Tatiana had promised to apply pressure to prevent sensational newspaper stories, but honestly, it was hard to predict how effective their control would be.

Some gossip newspapers seemed almost self-destructive in their eagerness to publish aggressive articles that would make enemies of the nobility.

In the oval training ground’s spectator seats, I could see Lord Fevan.

He was sitting in the front row alongside Marquis Levesius and his wife.

Lady Tatiana and Lady Eliene were also seated in the front row.

My sister and Mariotte were near Lady Tatiana and the Duke and Duchess of Dauvergne. Earlier, the Duke had given me an encouraging smile and said, “You must win.” …I had absolutely no intention of losing, but what if I did?

Today’s referee was Lord Aubrey.

Apparently, the Crown Prince had expressed his desire to attend, just as Lord Fevan had predicted, but Lord Fevan managed to dissuade him, so he wasn’t present.

Standing neatly to Lord Aubrey’s right were two young griffon chicks. The two griffons, who recognized Lord Aubrey as their parent, apparently refused to leave his side for even a moment.

I heard they stayed with him constantly, whether he was working or in meetings, and had become something of a local attraction at the castle. Incidentally, Lord Aubrey, who adored griffons, was reportedly quite pleased with this arrangement.

Dressed in shirt and trousers, I had removed my glasses since wearing them during a duel would be dangerous, and was now doing warm-up exercises in the training ground.

As expected, Lady Adrienne had brought a representative—her brother, who belonged to the Knight Order and could use magic to some extent.

This brother, who doted on his sister to the point of having a sister complex, believed Adrienne’s baseless claims and saw Lord Fevan as a man who had taken advantage of his sister and abandoned her. I was the scheming woman who had stolen Lord Fevan from Adrienne. In other words, he deeply resented both Lord Fevan and me.

When we exchanged greetings earlier, he’d said whatever he liked—”Just a woman,” “You probably don’t even understand what a duel is, you fool,” “I won’t go easy on you just because you’re a woman.”

Before I could retort, my sister had snapped and shut him up with a smile, saying, “It would be quite embarrassing if you lost to that woman, wouldn’t it? Do try your best not to disgrace yourself.” I’d thought my sister would unleash sharper words, but she seemed to recognize that provoking him excessively wouldn’t be wise. Probably Mariotte had warned her beforehand.

“Adrienne, no need to hold back. Turn him to charcoal.”

My sister called from the spectator seats.

Mariotte hurriedly interjected, “Charcoal is going too far!” I agreed.

While it might be possible to reduce my opponent to charcoal if I used my maximum magical power, this wasn’t a fight to the death. I certainly wouldn’t go that far.

Besides, if I unleashed magic at maximum power, the spectators would suffer significant collateral damage.

“I won’t turn him to charcoal, but I’m glad my opponent isn’t a Magic Knight. Even if he can use some magic, if he failed the Magic Knights’ exam, he’s probably only capable of intermediate-level magic at best.”

“Viscount Canteloupe’s son can use intermediate-level wind magic. Other than that, he’s not much. However, his swordsmanship is quite skilled.”

Lord Fevan quietly informed me. If he specialized in wind magic, he could probably use supportive spells like speed enhancement. That would be quite compatible with knighthood.

Glancing across the field, I saw Adrienne talking with her brother, a smug smirk lifting the corner of her mouth. She seemed completely confident of victory, but I had no intention of losing either.

“In that case, if I can defend against physical attacks, it should work to my advantage.”

“…Don’t get hurt.”

It was strange to be told not to get hurt in a duel, but I couldn’t possibly say “That’s a bit much” to Lord Fevan, who looked so worried.

“I’ll do my best.”

“If you get injured, I’ll step in.”

“Anyone other than the duelists intervening means disqualification.”

“Then I should still—”

“That’s why I said no, Lord Fevan. Please hold my glasses for me.”

I’d entrusted my glasses to Lord Fevan. Since they had no prescription, I could see without them, but it felt unsettling. That’s why I’d asked him to hold them so I could put them back on immediately after the duel.

Lord Fevan’s father laughed and patted his son’s shoulder. Lord Fevan seemed even more unsettled than I was.

“Since you’ve been dragged into this because of us, I truly apologize. However, I have my own thoughts about their methods this time. Whatever the outcome, we won’t let anything bad happen to you, so please prioritize your safety above all. If you sense danger, forfeit the match. We don’t want our future daughter-in-law getting injured.”

“F-future daughter-in-law…?”

“Oh? Is that not correct?”

Marquis Levesius smiled mischievously.

The word “daughter-in-law” shattered my pre-duel tension, and I flusteredly looked at Lord Fevan. He responded with a serious expression:

“Father, I’m still in the process of courting her. I’ll report when I have her consent, so please don’t get ahead of yourself.”

At this, both Marquis Levesius and Lord Fevan received exasperated looks from the Marquise.

“What are you two saying at a time like this? She needs to focus on the match ahead, so don’t distract her with such talk. Adrienne, no need to hold back. For someone who defeated a griffon, this should be over in an instant. Make them regret challenging you to the very marrow of their bones.”

…Ahh! The Marquise’s expectations weigh heavily!

And it seemed she was more combative than I’d expected. She’d probably get along well with my mother.

Trying not to let my face twitch, I replied, “I’ll do my best.”

Lady Tatiana also didn’t seem to think I would lose, wearing a composed smile.

Though it was actually Lord Fevan who defeated the griffon, not me… but it seemed better not to mention that.

“Lady Adrienne Cambrelive, it’s about time.”

A Magic Knight serving as assistant referee to Lord Aubrey came to fetch me.

It seemed time had come.

“Well then, I’m off to do my best!”

I said it a bit louder to psych myself up, and began walking forward.