<Episode 27>
“Good morning, Chelsea.”
“…………”
With the sunlight behind him, Solomon-sama smiles.
The dazzle of his neat face is not enough, but his golden hair is a sight for sore eyes.
He had already changed his clothes and must have used the hot water. His wet hair played in the sunlight and shone more beautifully than usual.
Sparkling and glistening, Lord Solomon is like the incarnation of the sun.
“You look exceptionally beautiful today.”
I must have looked terrible, scrutinizing my eyes, ravaged by lack of sleep and exhaustion. I don’t need to look in the mirror to know.
And yet, Solomon-sama gazed at her with a debauched gaze and gave her lavish compliments, saying she was “cute” and “beautiful”. Even though he was many times, no, hundreds of times more beautiful than she was.
(I’m tempted to say he’s being sarcastic, but in Solomon-sama’s case, he’s serious. ……)
“I know I pushed you too hard yesterday, but are you feeling okay?”
“It’s not okay.”
I answer in a crass, awful voice.
There is no way that a frail nobleman’s daughter would be okay with being crushed in his arms all night long.
When I glared at him resentfully with jitters and half-lidded eyes, Solomon-sama lowered his eyebrows and made a puppy-like face.
“I’m sorry.”
Cute but don’t be fooled.
I won’t say that his apologetic face is a lie, but his blushing cheeks can’t hide the joyous color of his face.
“You’re not regretting it, are you?”
I reach out and pinch Solomon-sama’s cheek. He looks very happy, even though I put a lot of effort into it, not playfully, but rather seriously.
(cunning ……)
Looking at his delirious and debauched face, I felt somewhat silly for being angry.
I quickly let go of his hand and tried to get up, but Solomon-sama supported me. Without hesitation, I half-rise to my feet with the help of his hand.
“I have prepared both hot water and food ready for you, what do you like to do?”
“I will take a bath and then get ready, so please call the maid.”
“No, I’ll do it. Isn’t it a husband’s prerogative to take care of his wife in the morning?”
She looked up at Solomon-sama, who was smiling and trying to pick her up, with a troubled look on his face and lightly slapped his forehead.
We’re not a wife or husband yet, but there’s something that concerns me more than that.
“That’s enough about me, Solomon-sama, please get ready. I don’t know what time it is, but there isn’t much time left until the duel, is there?”
I’m pretty sure the mock match was scheduled to start at 10 o’clock.
From the brightness of the room, I guessed it was not morning yet. They probably don’t have time to take care of me.
“Yeah, It’s fine.”
What is okay?
Even though Solomon-sama who has just come out of the bath, doesn’t look like he’s finished getting ready.
“It’s already over”
“Huh?…”
The rest of the small talk is skimmed from my brain.
I was stunned to hear these shocking words.
As I froze with my mouth half open, Solomon-sama continued to speak as if nothing had happened.
“Oh, don’t worry. I won.”
“……??”
I can’t wrap my head around it even if you rub up against me with a “praise me” look on your face.
He put my hand on Solomon-sama’s head without permission and I was confused while stroking it as a conditioned reflex.
The duel is over, and did Solomon-sama win?
(What……? When did you go to ……?)
With a question mark above my head, I muttered a question in my brain that I was not directing at anyone.
I had been held in his arms until the early hours of the morning, and I woke up in the evening, not near noon, and I had no way of knowing at that time that the match was ended long ago.
* * *
*The following will be from the perspective of Chelsea’s friend, Lana Kimberly.
On that day, the training grounds of the Magic Knights were more crowded than ever.
Hearing that a mock match was to be held between His Royal Highness King Oswald, the leader of the Order of Magical Knights of a neighboring country, and Solomon Beardsley, the eldest son of our country’s first duke, the crowd was packed with people eager to catch a glimpse of the event.
I, Lana Kimberly, am one of them.
However, the purpose is different from men who are interested in a battle between two strong men, or young ladies who are excited to see two beautiful men.
“I see. Chelsea isn’t here.”
My friend Annabelle Alcott, sitting next to me, mutters with an anxious look on her face.
I probably would have the same look on my face as I nodded.
I was told by a source that this mock match was a duel over Chelsea.
There has been no public announcement, and normally I would dismiss it as a rumor with no basis in fact. However, it is not impossible for Chelsea to be a rumor, and that is what is frightening.
The Reed family, her family, have a special attraction to people of high rank. Chelsea is no exception, and the men who have feelings for her are all men of high status.
The first of these is Mr. Solomon Beardsley, the most popular socialite in the world, who, despite his infamous reputation, was never given a special place in anyone’s heart.
Perhaps this match was arranged because Chelsea had been discovered by His Royal Highness the King’s brother of a neighboring country, and Solomon-sama stood in his way to prevent it.
Otherwise, it would be unnatural for Solomon-sama, who does not belong to a magical knighthood, to be chosen as an opponent.
“I’m worried.”
My true feelings spilled out unintentionally.
I heard that Solomon-sama is strong enough to fight even with the elite of the knights, but he is not a knight. Besides, I heard a rumor that he has no magical ability to begin with.
His Highness Oswald, on the other hand, is the head of the Order of Magical Knights and is said to be a very capable man.
Is there really a chance to win?
“I don’t like the idea of not seeing Chelsea anymore.”
“I’m the same way.”
A discouraged Annabelle expresses her agreement.
If she marries into a neighboring country, the distance between them will be physically greater. Moreover, if she were to become the wife of His Royal Highness the King’s brother, she would not be in a position to meet us lightly.
Although she was unhappy with her marriage to Solomon, it was nothing compared to this.
“Somehow, Solomon-sama must win.”
“…… how?”
They both fall silent.
How could I compensate for the fatal flaw of not being able to use magic to win? Being neither a wizard nor a knight, I had no idea.
As we were silent with great anxiety, the hall erupted with a whoosh.
When I looked, I saw that someone had just entered the training area.
His Highness Oswald wore a white military uniform.
The gold trim, gold cords, and pure white robe seem as if they were never intended to be soiled, but the many medals adorning their chests betray this.
In fact, it is said that when he was the second prince, he commanded the front line and was a fierce fighter who cut his way into the enemy camp.
His appearance is not flashy, but he is eye-catching.
His imposing bearing would make it so. Although he is not a large man, his seamless appearance made him appear larger than he is.
My throat suddenly gulped without me realizing it.
Even a small girl who had never held a knife before could only guess that he must be strong.
Once again, the cheers reach my intimidated ears.
It was Solomon-sama who came in a little late.
He wears the uniform of our country’s Order of Magical Knights.
White shirt and blue tie. Over that is a black coat with silver trim.
The seemingly plain attire accentuated Lord Solomon’s gorgeous beauty. The audience roared with the scream-like cheers of the young women.
“…… Somehow, more than usual.”
“Yes … I wonder if it was that bad.”
Annabelle took over my muddled words. It was a horrible thing to say, but I don’t know what to say either.
I knew she was beautiful.
Even I, who pride myself on being reasonably good-looking, hesitate to stand next to Lord Solomon. She is a person of immense beauty, without makeup or any other tricks.
But the beauty of today’s Solomon-sama is not in that realm.
Softly narrowed amber eyes and thinly arched lips. He smiles with a full smile and a fragrant scent.
His skin is white as a sheet, not a blemish, not even a speck. His golden hair shines so brightly that each strand seems to radiate its own light.
The word “artificial” does not even begin to describe it. There was a beauty so complete that one could not help but admire it, as if it were an existence outside the realm of human reason.
“Wow.”
A drawling voice leaked out.
Without even giving a glance, Solomon-sama charms the ladies.
I could hear sighs and sobs coming from everywhere. I wanted to advise the daughter, who seemed to have lost her soul, to ‘give it up because you can’t handle it.
(Chelsea is really awesome.)
I am once again proud of my best friend, who stands on her own feet with dignity, without getting carried away by being liked by such a person.
By the time the clamor in the hall had died down, Chelsea had not shown up.
But since Mr. Solomon is so calm, it is probably to be expected.
Soon, with a command, the match began.
They draw their swords on each other.
Many magic knights have their swords covered with magic, but there was no sign of His Highness Oswald using magic. Was he just observing the situation, or was it out of consideration for Lord Solomon? If it was the latter, it was a joke.
(Just because you can’t use magic, it’s beyond insulting that you care now.)
A few seconds of silence.
It was Solomon-sama who moved first.
Solomon-sama rushed forward and closed the distance in an instant. As he slashed at him, His Highness Oswald met his sword head on.
They pull it in tight and play it back. They strike each other several times, and a hard sound echoes.
It was a fast enough battle, but you could see that neither side was serious yet.
But the tension was not broken. It was as if they were watching each other’s moves, as if they were looking for an opening to break each other down.
Slash in, deflect, block and cross swords.
It’s a monotonous movement, but it’s getting faster and faster. I couldn’t keep up with them, even though I was just watching them. It was too fast for ordinary people to understand what was happening.
There was a flashy, clanging sound rang out.
His Highness Oswald jumps backwards to keep his distance.
He exhaled and the corners of his mouth turned up slightly.
“I guess I don’t have to go easy on you.”
“Yes. Go all out.”
In contrast, Lord Solomon smiles smugly and exemplarily.
Despite his beautiful smile, his amber eyes held a dangerous light, as if he was trying to provoke someone.
“In that case, then I won’t hesitate.”
His Highness Oswald raises his left hand high.
Then several bodies of water floated above him.
Beads of water the size of a human face swirled and swirled around overhead. There are about ten of them.
As if following the instructions of Oswald’s fingertips, the water changes shape. As if it were a stick, the water freezes over at the edges.
It turned into a pillar of ice and moved as if it were aiming at Solomon-sama.
“I don’t want to hurt you. Just steer clear, okay?”
His Highness Oswald points to Lord Solomon with a declaration.
Like messengers obeying orders, the icicles were fired en masse toward Solomon-sama.
In contrast, Solomon-sama stroked the air as if he was paying with one hand.
A thick wall of flame is instantly deployed in front of him.
“??!”
(I thought you couldn’t use magic!)
As I stared in dismay, the icicle plunged into a wall of flame, and a flashy vapor rose with a sizzle.
One after another, they melted. The area around Solomon-sama became invisible, as if surrounded by a thick fog.
Something moves as if to cut through the smokescreen with a bang.
Perhaps using wind magic as a reaction, Solomon-sama closed the distance with His Highness Oswald with inhuman speed and slashed at him.
A heavy blow shakes His Highness Oswald’s stance slightly.
As Solomon-sama moved to corner him there, but Solomon-sama immediately jumped back as if he had noticed something. I looked and saw that His Highness Oswald was holding an ice knife in his left hand.
When one of them is cornered, one of them quickly strikes back.
We watched the breathless battle. The cheers that had been raised earlier disappeared, and silence enveloped the training ground. Only the sound of two men clashing swords echoed intermittently.
The battle lasted longer than I had imagined, and both His Highness Oswald and Solomon-sama were breathing heavenly.
Although neither of them was injured, I thought that both of then were at the limit of their strength and magic. In fact, both of them are actually decreasing the scale of their magic.
“Is that the limit?”
When His Highness Oswald, the creator of the long sword of ice, asks, Solomon-sama answers “No,” with sweat on his forehead.
It was an obvious bull, everyone thought so.
But Solomon-sama tilts his head in annoyance.
“The magic is still there, but it’s harder to fine-tune.”
“Huh……?”
“I guess you don’t have enough training.”
Saying this, Solomon-sama smiled extraordinarily beautifully.
His golden hair shimmers with light and flickers like a flame. Imitating His Highness Oswald, he raised his left hand high and several balls of flame floated above his head. Even the process of their transformation into long, slender, sharp shapes is identical.
I was astonished that it was possible to imitate them just by looking at them.
And it seems I was not the only one.
“Hahaha!”
Stunned, His Highness Oswald laughed out loud.
He was holding his stomach in a funny way and put down the sword he was holding.
“I give up. I’ve lost.”
Solomon-sama heard the declaration and squeezed the hand he was holding up.
With that, the mass of flames melted into the air with a shudder and disappeared.
The stunned spectators came to themselves after a few seconds’ pause.
After the referee declared Solomon-sama the winner, there was a crackling cheer.
“…… Chelsea’s husband, that’s outrageous.”
“I mean, I don’t think anyone other than Chelsea would be good enough for Solomon-sama. ……”
Annabelle and I look at each other.
I guess I have the same look on my face as she smiles with a tired look on her face.
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