Chapter 11
Who Will Win?
“I must be crazy, seriously.”
Eliana grabbed at her hair in frustration.
She must really be lacking sleep if her judgment is this bad.
A sword match with Richard Norbert?
She wouldn’t win—in fact, it would be lucky if she didn’t break something.
“You were the one who agreed, so just accept it calmly,”
Milla said while tying the end of Eliana’s training uniform sleeve.
“There’s no way the Duke would seriously fight you. He’ll probably just swing lightly, like playing with a child.”
“If I get hit by that kind of swing, something will definitely break,” Eliana muttered.
“Oh my, the woman who swept all the swordsmanship competition prizes in the Eastern Principality is now saying such weak things?”
Back when she studied abroad, Eliana entered every martial arts tournament held in the principality under the excuse of relieving academic stress—and she won them all.
She even earned the nickname “The Red-Haired Swordswoman in a Mask.”
But this time, her opponent was Richard.
“I really don’t have any confidence.”
“Then just cancel the promise. Didn’t he say you don’t have to come if you don’t feel like it?”
She remembered Richard’s smug face as he casually said those words.
If she didn’t show up, he would definitely tease her about it for the rest of her life.
Her olive-colored eyes lit up with determination.
“No. I’ll win.”
“You really think you can win?”
“Do you want me to lose?”
“I just don’t think you’ll win.”
“Milla…”
“All done,”
Milla said with a gentle smile, lightly pressing Eliana’s shoulder.
“Let’s go to the training hall, my lady.”
“You’re coming too?”
“Yes. I even got permission from the head maid so I can step in right away if anything happens.”
“You’re just using this as an excuse to slack off, aren’t you?”
Milla grinned wide instead of answering.
Clink—creak.
As they stepped into the training hall, the sound of clashing swords rang loudly in Eliana’s ears.
“You’re leaving your lower side open. Swing the sword straight,”
In the center of the hall, Richard was training with the knights using practice swords.
He moved smoothly between them, quickly thrusting his sword.
Every time his hand moved, it made a sharp sound cutting through the air.
“Shall we just go back to the room?”
Milla whispered without using her voice too loudly.
“Ah, the lady’s here!”
Richard spotted Eliana among the knights who had gathered to watch and waved at her.
Every eye that had been on him now turned to her.
“Let’s stop here. The guest we were waiting for has arrived.”
“Yes, sir!”
The knights surrounding Richard dispersed one by one.
Their backs were soaked in sweat, and their faces looked completely drained.
Richard, on the other hand, didn’t look tired at all—he just wiped the sweat from his chin with the back of his hand, looking like he’d had fun.
Eliana handed him a towel.
“Thanks, Lady Eliana.”
“You’re already tired before our match even starts? And you didn’t even sleep properly.”
“Don’t worry. I still have more than enough energy to play with you.”
Play with her?
“Oh, right, Lady Eliana. The knights here want to make a little bet. Can I get your permission?”
“A bet?”
“They want to place wagers on who will win.”
Eliana scanned the group of knights with annoyance.
All of them avoided her gaze and pretended to look elsewhere.
“Was it you who suggested this, Duke?”
“No, it was Gerard.”
Richard pointed to Gerard, who was trying to hide among the knights.
Eliana slowly turned her head toward him.
Like the sea parting, the knights around Gerard began stepping away.
Under her sharp stare, Gerard flinched.
“My brother must have a lot of free time on his hands.”
“Don’t be too harsh. At least he bet on you. Just one gold coin, but still.”
“My lord…!” Gerard cried out in protest.
“So, will you allow the bet?”
“A bet where everyone obviously puts their money on the Duke—what’s the point of that?”
“You underestimate yourself, Lady Eliana. Quite a few people actually bet on you to win. Especially that guy—he put an entire month’s salary on you.”
Richard nodded toward a man whose hair was a light brown that almost looked blond at first glance.
When Eliana’s eyes met his, the young man’s fair face turned red.
Putting his salary on a bet he had no chance of winning—it was clearly rooted in quiet affection.
Looking at the face of a man drowning in his own feelings naturally reminded her of Albert.
“Tell them I won’t be responsible if they lose money. They’re on their own.”
Eliana sharply turned her head away.
But even as she said that, she was already thinking—if that man lost money, she’d repay him quietly.
Because she knew, for some people, that money was their lifeline.
“You all heard her, right? The Lady gave her permission, so enjoy your betting.”
A loud cheer echoed through the hall.
For these knights who spent their days endlessly practicing swordsmanship, a bet between the Duke and the Lady was like a refreshing rain in a dry routine.
The place buzzed with activity as they rushed to collect bets.
“Who should I bet on, my lady?”
Milla asked as she handed Eliana a practice sword.
“You’re betting too?”
“Of course. There’s money on the line.”
Milla’s narrow eyes curved mischievously.
Eliana looked around carefully and whispered,
“Bet on me—on me.”
“Are you going to win?”
She couldn’t bring herself to say yes.
Eliana let out a deep sigh.
“I’ll pay you back if you lose.”
“Well, if that’s the case—gladly. Be careful out there.”
Milla clenched her fist in support and then walked quickly over to where the knights were.
Eliana stepped into the ring.
Richard, as if he’d been waiting, drew a small circle around himself on the ground.
“If you can push me out of this circle, let’s say you win.”
“Are you sure you’re okay with that?”
The circle wasn’t even wide enough for a full step.
“Don’t tell me you were planning to fight me head-on without any conditions?”
“I don’t plan on risking my life in this match.”
If Richard hadn’t set a condition, Eliana would have.
But she never imagined he’d suggest something this unfair.
“Shouldn’t we make the circle a bit bigger? It looks too small to even stand comfortably.”
“I’m fine with it. Let’s keep it this way.”
“But still…”
“You seem pretty confident. You must be more arrogant than you look.”
Why did this man always have to provoke people?
Eliana furrowed her brow and lowered her stance.
“If you lose right at the start, don’t complain.”
“Don’t worry. I’m not petty enough to go back on my word.”
The flag signaling the start was raised.
As the blue cloth fluttered, Eliana rushed toward Richard and thrust her sword.
The blunt-edged practice sword flashed under the sunlight.
Clang!
A clear sound rang out.
He easily blocked her sword.
“You really are strong, just like you said.”
“I’m glad you noticed.”
Eliana swung her sword again.
This time too, Richard blocked her strike.
Clang—clang—ka-kang!
The sound of metal clashing filled the training hall.
Even with Eliana’s fast and sharp attacks, Richard didn’t budge an inch.
When she aimed for his side, he turned his blade to block.
When she tried to stab his shoulder, he struck the base of her sword to change its direction.
He had no openings.
“You’re putting too much strength into your grip,”
Richard flicked his sword.
A heavy vibration traveled from the tip of her sword through her whole body.
The force made Eliana stagger.
“If you hold your sword like you want to end the fight in one blow, you won’t last long. And when you attack, don’t just watch the tip—watch everything.”
Richard spoke flatly, like a strict teacher.
His amber eyes looking down on her glowed sharply, as if ready to crush his opponent.
It was the same face he wore when dealing with knights—something that slipped out unconsciously after holding a sword again.
Realizing this, Richard quickly changed his expression.
“Still, your skills are just as good as any decent knight. You look tired though—don’t be too hung up on winning or losing…”
That’s when it happened.
Eliana, adjusting her stance, suddenly came in close.
Richard blocked her sword again—just as quickly as before.
But this time, her sword was lighter—maybe she took his advice.
Her eyes, which had been focused only on his blade, now locked directly onto his face.
As Richard started to predict her next move, Eliana twisted her body to the side, dropped her sword—and grabbed the front of his shirt.
“Hiyah!”
With a loud shout, Eliana flipped Richard’s world upside down.
Thud!
A puff of dust rose from the sand.
Richard’s feet had clearly stepped outside the circle.
He looked up at the clear sky—and saw red hair hanging over it.
A bright, satisfied smile greeted him.
