Chapter 126
Aiden was the one who answered.
“That’s right. Let’s go watch together with Raylenne that day.”
Caverion chuckled softly and said, “I’m not sure if the knights here will welcome my presence.”
“The knights have accepted Raylenne as a member of the family. I can’t guarantee the same treatment for you, but at least they won’t show any overt hostility.”
Raylenne agreed. The knights might not greet Caverion as warmly as they do her, but at least they wouldn’t show their dislike openly.
So watching the competition should be fine.
Still seeming uncertain, Caverion remained silent for a moment. His blue eyes absently scanned the table. Then he slowly raised his gaze to look at Aiden.
“Will you be participating in the competition as well?”
“I plan to.”
“It’s solely a sword-fighting competition, right?”
Aiden nodded, as if it were obvious. Caverion, who had been quietly observing Aiden, asked, “Then how about I participate too? It might be an interesting spectacle for the people.”
Raylenne’s eyes widened. “Brother…!”
“Don’t worry. I don’t have any ulterior motives. I just want to have a sword match with Aiden.”
“But it’s too public an event. And the location…”
The sword competition was a rare occasion when the castle was opened to the public, allowing the domain’s residents to attend. As such, not only the residents but also all the knights would be watching the tournament.
Moreover, this wasn’t the Ergen duchy, but the Bedeusian duchy.
If he lost, people would mock the Ergen ducal family, and if he won, they would treat him as an unwelcome guest and criticize him. It would be an awkward situation whether he won or lost.
“I’m participating precisely because it’s a public event. As you know, Raylenne, many people still think the peace between the Ergen and Bedeusian families is temporary. So I think it would be good to use this competition as a friendly match.”
That was a familiar story.
Because the cold war between the two families had lasted for so long, many people viewed the peace treaty as a fragile piece of paper that could be torn at any moment.
Even though they had gone so far as to draft a peace treaty in the presence of nobles, people still couldn’t easily feel at ease.
“People will clearly see that the reconciliation is not just for show. When they see the heads of both families fairly crossing swords and congratulating each other’s victories, won’t they feel the sincerity?”
Raylenne found herself nodding in agreement to this quite plausible logic.
‘Well… A knight’s duel carries the meaning of mutual respect, regardless of the outcome.’
Aiden seemed to feel similarly to Raylenne.
“That’s a good idea. As you say, if we use this sword competition well, it might help melt away the lingering anxiety of those who are still skeptical.”
“That’s right.”
Caverion raised the corner of his mouth as he picked up his teacup. After moistening his throat lightly, he spoke again.
“Of course, that doesn’t mean I intend to have a half-hearted match. I will definitely defeat you.”
Aiden had been maintaining an expressionless face for a while, but there seemed to be a subtle fighting spirit in his eyes, as if they held a small spark.
“Likewise.”
* * *
The news of Caverion participating in the sword competition caused a stir throughout the duchy.
Of course, the knights’ quarters were the most tumultuous.
Thanks to Aiden conveying the intention well, there was no one opposing it, but everyone sharpened their skills, training intensively, saying they couldn’t lose to someone from Ergen.
Even though there were less than two days left until the competition, so it wouldn’t have much impact anyway.
On the other hand, Caverion looked incredibly peaceful, as if he were waiting for a casual stroll, despite this big event approaching.
“Aren’t you nervous, brother?” Raylenne asked Caverion as they strolled along the lakeside behind the ducal castle.
It was an appropriate time for such a private conversation, as Aiden was away checking the sword competition arena built behind the training grounds.
“What reason is there to be nervous? Would you be nervous before a race with a child?”
To refer to the Bedeusian knights as children… Of course, she could understand his confidence.
Despite being an Awakened, he never neglected his sword training, and he was an excellent swordsman and powerful Awakened who had led wars to victory.
Not only was he skilled in formal duels, but he also had extensive real combat experience, making him truly formidable.
But his overwhelming skill could only be displayed against ordinary knights or soldiers.
Could Caverion maintain such a calm attitude in a match against Aiden, the protagonist of this world?
Raylenne asked in a subtle voice, “What about Aiden…? Is facing him also like competing against a child?”
Caverion suddenly stopped walking.
He had quite a serious expression on his face. Or perhaps it even looked grave.
“Raylenne.”
His low voice calling her name made Raylenne hesitate for a moment.
‘Did my question offend him?’
Raylenne glanced at Caverion. He spoke with a serious face.
“I have never lost a sword match against Aiden. Not in practice, not in war.”
The practice he mentioned seemed to refer to the time when they received education together as children. After all, the children of the imperial family and high nobility often learned swordsmanship and etiquette together.
‘Right, he might have won back then.’
But there was one thing she couldn’t accept. It was his mention of winning in war.
“During the war, you were already an Awakened, weren’t you, brother? So of course you would win.”
“I didn’t use my Awakened powers then. When I crossed swords with Aiden, it was in the latter part of the war, and I was already exhausted to my limits.”
Hmm… Raylenne narrowed her eyes as she looked at Caverion. Seeming to feel her gaze, Caverion raised one eyebrow.
“How long have you been married, and you’re already taking your husband’s side?”
“I’m not taking sides. I’m just curious about the truth.”
“Your curiosity will be satisfied at tomorrow’s sword competition. So don’t be hasty in your judgments.”
Raylenne nodded in agreement.
They resumed walking along the lakeside. The sound of leaves rustling in the wind and small birds chirping was pleasant to hear.
“Are you satisfied with your married life now?”
Caverion broke the silence with a question. His baritone voice, harmonizing gently with the sounds of nature, was pleasing to the ear.
Raylenne closed her eyes softly, as if savoring his voice, and answered.
“Yes, I’m very happy. So much so that I wish days like today would continue forever.”
“I see. That’s good to hear.”
His response was filled with sincerity. Raylenne opened her eyes to look at Caverion, touched by the warmth in his reaction.
“How about you, brother?”
“My days aren’t bad either.”
Whoosh. The wind blew. Raylenne’s long hair fluttered in the sky. When the wind died down, her hair fell back into place as if nothing had happened.
Caverion gently tucked a strand of Raylenne’s hair that had fallen in front of her ear back behind it.
“The Ergen ducal castle without you feels unfamiliar, and sometimes lonely.”
Caverion wore a faint smile, but Raylenne’s heart felt heavy.
It must naturally feel lonely and desolate at times, being left alone in that huge castle as family members disappeared one by one. His days might be packed with work, but that’s a different matter from feeling lonely.
“I’ll visit often.”
“It’s alright. I just need time to adapt. I shouldn’t have made you worry unnecessarily.”
“It’s not unnecessary at all. You’re one of the people I should care about the most, brother.”
Raylenne said this while lowering her gaze. A hint of emptiness flashed across her long eyelashes.
Caverion sometimes cared for her, his sister, to a heartbreaking degree.
‘Just as Caverion is my only remaining family, I’m the same for him.’
Perhaps it was also atonement for the past when he hated Raylenne.
But whatever the reason, Raylenne now wished for Caverion to find his own happiness too.
No longer bound by anything.
“You don’t need to make that face. My original goal was to oust Father from his position and protect you. And I’ve achieved both.”
“…”
“I’m just in a lull for now. There’s plenty to do in the domain, and as I go about handling those matters, the day will come when I find another purpose.”
Caverion met her eyes. His eyes curved in a gentle arc.
“So I don’t want to think hastily just yet.”
Raylenne knew that Caverion’s words now were not meant to comfort her.
‘That’s right…’
After all, one must find their own purpose in life.
Raylenne could only pray silently.
If her brother were to find a new purpose, she hoped it would be something vibrant and warm this time.
Raylenne, who had been wearing a somber expression, composed herself and said in a bright voice,
“I’ll still visit the domain often! I like the view from that cliff.”
Caverion stroked Raylenne’s hair.
“Come anytime. The ducal castle and I will always be there.”
