One Day, My Fiancé Brought His First Love Along - Chapter 50

Today, for the first time in a while, there was no joint training. It was because the opening ceremony of the tournament would be held tomorrow.
The actual preliminary matches wouldn’t begin until the day after, but tomorrow’s schedule included a celebratory event and a banquet to mark the start of the competition.

Aileen headed straight to the Khan training grounds.

“It’s not even the actual parade today—why’d you grease your hair like you’re going to a royal ball?”

“My uniform’s a little messy. The collar folded.”

“Anyone would think you’re the one competing.”

Voices filled with excitement rang out from all directions.

Aileen thought the atmosphere was so giddy it tickled even her heart, and she made her way over to Tanil.

“You’re here early, Tanil.”

“I couldn’t help it, Aileen. I’m more nervous than I thought.”

“But it’s not your first parade, is it?”

“Well, I’ve done a few, but this is the first time I’m marching ahead of a tournament this big.”

As he said that, a light flush rose on Tanil’s cheeks. Aileen let out a quiet laugh.

They continued chatting and adjusting each other’s uniforms with cheerful chatter, until—

Bang. The door swung open, and Caylus and Siran entered.

“Attention.”

With two loud claps, Siran brought the room to silence.

“There’s been a sudden announcement, just a day before the tournament.”

Caylus stepped forward. His expression was noticeably more rigid than usual.

Something had happened.

Everyone, Aileen included, stiffened instinctively, tension crawling up their spines.

Caylus got straight to the point.

“Magical beasts have been appearing in several regions. Under normal circumstances, they should still be deep in the forests. But an abnormal case has occurred.”

“……”

“As a result, we need additional personnel to handle them.”

He paused, as if giving the knights time to absorb the news. Murmurs rippled quietly through the room.

Only after the commotion settled did he continue.

“Several knights originally scheduled to participate in the tournament will be reassigned to the subjugation unit. I’ll now read out their names. Listen carefully.”

Normally, subjugating magical beasts was the responsibility of the Sel Order.
But since over half of the joint training had already been completed, Emperor Edys issued a new directive: both Khan and Lil were to contribute a few knights for the mission as well.

It was a direct imperial order. They couldn’t send just anyone—but they also couldn’t send everyone from the tournament list into the field.

So, a revised roster had been prepared.

With each name called, someone would cheer quietly, while another groaned in dismay or grabbed their head in frustration.

“That’s all. I know it’s unexpected, but do your best for Khan’s honor.”

“Yes, sir!”

“Now, let’s move on to the parade preparations.”

Caylus left the room first, and Siran stayed behind to ease the unease in the air.

“Yeah, yeah, I get it. But hey, we’re knights—we do what we’re told. Just try your best to stay alive out there, all right? Our commander’s going too, so don’t be too scared.”

Whether that was meant as comfort or sarcasm, no one could say for sure.

The swordsmanship tournament was no less important than the beast subjugation.
That’s why the Khan and Lil Orders retained some of their key talents on the tournament roster.

After much deliberation, only three top-ranking knights from the three knight orders would compete: Carlisle, Ashite, and Siran. Just the three of them.

Unfortunately, the commanders of both Khan and Lil would be away on the subjugation mission, so only the vice-commanders would represent them at the tournament.

It seemed like a shaky plan, considering how high the stakes were—but then again…

There was no choice. The lives of imperial citizens were more important than a mere spectacle.

Besides, many quietly believed that Sel would dominate the tournament regardless.
That Carlisle would win no matter what.

That belief surely helped curb complaints.

Aileen, unaffected by the chaos, focused on preparing for the upcoming parade rehearsal.

And the parade to be held tomorrow?
It would be perfect.

Every knight who completed the rehearsal walked away with the same thought:

“How do you all manage to keep your lines so sharp?”

“I know, right? It looks incredible.”

“Let’s give it our all tomorrow. I may not be on the tournament list, but just the thought of heading out to hunt monsters has me fired up. I’ve been dreaming up ways to kill them.”

“We’re knights, after all. Can’t go our whole lives without killing at least one monster. I agree.”

Surprisingly—or perhaps not—the knights selected for the subjugation mission weren’t concerned about the uncertainty of life and death. Instead, every single one of them seemed filled with anticipation.

They said they’d use this chance to vent all the stress built up during training.

“Well then, I’ll be off. See you all tomorrow.”

After the parade in the morning and the celebratory banquet in the evening, some knights would compete in the preliminaries, while others would leave the capital to subdue monsters.

Aileen watched the latter group a little longer before being the first to leave the training ground.

The long-awaited day arrived quickly.
Aileen woke early and prepared diligently, then set out for the Imperial Palace with Ashite.

“Red is absolutely the best color for a uniform.”

Ashite, sitting across from Aileen in the carriage, casually brushed off his chest as he glanced at her.

“Red makes you look like a villain. A clear, dignified blue suits the Imperial Knights better. Obviously.”

Aileen turned her gaze to the window and replied with mock seriousness, making Ashite snort in disbelief.

“You really would’ve fit right in with the Lil Order, Aileen.”

“There are too many shady knights in Lil. Doesn’t really suit me, you know? Ah—excluding Sir Setar, of course.”

“And who are you calling shady?”

“Oh, you, Ashite. And Haller, for one…”

The moment Aileen mentioned Haller’s name, Ashite’s relaxed expression vanished. His gaze darkened, sharp as a predator ready to pounce.

“That bastard’s been trying every trick in the book to get into this tournament. If you get the chance, take him out, Aileen.”

“I planned to, even if you didn’t ask.”

“He’s vile and cowardly. You’ll need to be careful. The useless ones are always the first to try something sneaky, squirming like worms.”

Ever since the unpleasant incident between Aileen and Haller, Ashite had bared his teeth at the man.

How dare he cross his little sister? Ashite wouldn’t have tolerated it even if it had been just words.
If Aileen hadn’t stopped him, he would’ve half-killed Haller—even if it meant being expelled from the Lil Order.

“I only held back because you said you’d deal with him yourself. Do you have any idea how hard it is not to smash his face in every time I see him at the Order?”

“I do, Ashite. I feel the same way.”

Aileen smiled sweetly as she spoke, her voice calm as ever. But that calmness sent a chill down Ashite’s spine.
She’d always been a little scary, even as a child—especially when she smiled like that.

“Anyway, don’t expect me to go easy on you this tournament.”

“Have you lost your mind? I’d never go easy on you!”

“Well, I would’ve gone easy on you.”

“We’ll see about that, Aileen. Don’t come crying when we meet in the arena.”

Ashite raised his eyebrows in warning, but Aileen only burst into laughter. His face was far too handsome to be intimidating.

As the two siblings teased and bickered, the carriage arrived at the palace.

“See you in a bit, Aileen.”

“Take care, Ashite. Don’t mess up during the parade.”

“You little—!”

Aileen’s laughter rang out, crisp and clear beneath the dazzling sky.

The deep blue sky above the Diert Empire was especially clear that day, as if it were offering its blessing.

The knights waiting for the parade stood in formation, their hearts beating fast with a mix of nerves and excitement, as they waited for the Emperor’s arrival.

Nobles had already filled the seats, and the citizens lining the outskirts looked on eagerly, hoping to catch a glimpse of the splendidly dressed knights.

“His Majesty, Edys Diert, the Sun of the Empire, approaches!”

Not long after, the Emperor made his entrance.

His brilliant golden hair gleamed under the morning sun, and his deep green eyes, filled with warmth, exuded a composed and radiant energy.

Duke Revart and the Emperor’s supporters applauded enthusiastically.
Meanwhile, the opposing faction—led by the Marquess of Hessiden—forced polite smiles onto their faces and gave half-hearted claps.

Swallowing his irritation, the Marquess of Hessiden barely managed to maintain a composed expression. Watching Edys stride in arrogantly, basking in the nobles’ greetings, made his insides churn.

Edys had been the first to strike.

—“Marquess, I hear the orphanage project is progressing splendidly.”

—“It’s going smoothly. At this rate, we might even finish ahead of schedule.”

—“I knew you were capable, but this exceeds expectations. I’m glad I entrusted the project to you.”

—“You flatter me, Your Majesty.”

—“By the way, about the upcoming swordsmanship tournament… I’d like you to oversee the renovation of the arena as well.”

Recalling the private conversation, he’d had with Edys not long ago, the Marquess’s brow twitched ever so slightly.

At first, when he got involved with the orphanage, he thought it would just require a financial donation.
But for some reason, Edys had suddenly insisted that the Marquess personally oversee the construction.

He had said it would be meaningful to show support for the late crown prince by backing a public project in his name—especially one that benefited the people.

And ever since Duke Revart joined forces with the Emperor, Edys had grown even bolder.
The Marquess, forced to maintain the image of a gentlemanly opposition leader, couldn’t strike back openly—and Edys kept pushing the boundary.

He had even considered sabotaging the project, but that would’ve only given Edys more leverage. So he played along only to be ambushed again like this.

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