Chapter 7
As soon as morning came, I went to see Ahak.
After all, I was the one who had saved him, so I felt responsible for him.
Hmm… He’s still handsome.
Before I knew it, I was simply admiring his face as if I were looking at a work of art.
How can someone look like this?
If Ahak went to Earth, he could easily become a Hollywood star based on his looks alone.
Maybe this was what it felt like to see a top actor in person.
If he had debuted as an idol, he would have been the visual center of the group without question.
He looked so unreal that I poked his cheek with my finger.
I could clearly feel the softness of his skin.
He wasn’t a doll.
He wasn’t a statue.
“Ahak.”
I called his name.
There wasn’t the slightest sign that he would wake up.
“Ahak.”
I called him again.
Why do I keep repeating his name?
It wasn’t even a difficult name to remember.
The truth was…
His name had already been engraved into my memory the moment I first met him at the Holy Church.
It might be a shame if Ahak’s eyes ever turn red.
After quietly watching him for a while, I stood up.
I threw chunks of meat to the guard hounds I had released the previous night.
Each one was as large as a grown man.
Their black fur made them look especially intimidating when gathered together.
To me, they were all loyal dogs.
A knight approached and bowed respectfully.
“My Lady. As you ordered, we investigated. House Osbaldun of Blood’s castle and territory have both been destroyed. They are still burning.”
The sun shone brightly overhead.
The grass beneath my feet was still wet with morning dew.
I gazed toward the fog-covered forest while tossing another piece of meat to the hounds.
They rushed forward and tore into it.
“There were no survivors?”
“It is believed the entire family perished. However, the heir, Lord Ahak, is still listed as missing. House Catobleta of Mist slaughtered even the servants, so very few people escaped alive.”
“If any knights, attendants, or maids survived, bring them here.”
“Quietly.”
“As you command, my Lady.”
The knight bowed and turned to leave.
Or at least…
He would have.
BOOM!!
The castle wall exploded apart.
I frowned.
They dared destroy my castle wall?
The woman who appeared was Sharehin.
The fourth daughter of the former head of House Catobleta of Mist—
The very man I had killed.
She was now the younger sister of the newly appointed twenty-third family head, Lucentan.
“Lady Letiana? I heard rumors you were recovering from an illness. So they were true. You’ve been hiding away in such a remote place.”
Sharehin smiled sweetly while speaking with fake politeness.
Like all members of House Catobleta, she had black hair and gray eyes.
She possessed an elegant, Eastern-style beauty.
Unlike most noble families that favored dresses or military uniforms, their clothing style was different.
Her hair was tied up with an ornamental hairpin.
Her outfit resembled a kimono.
She’s two years older than me.
In one hand she held her famous crimson parasol.
Seeing the poison assassins lined up behind her instantly ruined my mood.
Their faces were hidden beneath black hoods as they silently examined every corner of my castle.
“What an incredibly rude entrance.”
She wasn’t even worth speaking politely to.
“The gates were closed. I would have happily entered through the front if I’d been invited, but your knights refused no matter how many times I requested a meeting. Breaking the wall was my only option.”
“If the gates are closed, you should’ve taken the hint and left.”
I glanced at the broken pieces of stone clinging to the tip of her parasol as I walked toward her.
How much is rebuilding that wall going to cost again?
Still smiling beautifully, Sharehin replied,
“Such harsh words, Lady Letiana. I only came hoping we could become friends.”
“Friends?”
I laughed in disbelief.
Even from a hundred meters away, it was obvious she’d come searching for Ahak.
She knows he disappeared somewhere around here.
I hid the coldness in my eyes.
Throughout every one of my regressions…
House Catobleta of Mist had always been the favorite to win the Imperial Succession Tournament.
The current twenty-third family head, Lucentan, had won every tournament in my previous lives.
House Catobleta was the strongest family among the Noble Faction.
House Osbaldun of Blood had always stood at the center of the Imperial Faction whenever a new Emperor was chosen.
Their brutal massacre had been nothing more than a political warning.
A complete example to terrify everyone else.
They won’t rest until Ahak is dead.
Three years ago, the Emperor still possessed considerable authority.
Now…
His power had been weakened so badly that the Imperial Succession Tournament had begun two months ago—
Even though the Emperor was still alive.
If Ahak survives and becomes Emperor… Catobleta will be destroyed.
After all…
Once someone whose entire family had been massacred took the throne…
There was no way he would spare House Catobleta.
Ahak had even lost his parents.
History was different, but it reminded me of Yeonsangun, who descended into tyranny after learning the truth about his mother’s death.
From Sharehin’s perspective…
Of course she would desperately hunt Ahak down.
Too bad.
I’m going to protect him.
“You’re still standing in my way? Since when has House Stelshernin become bold enough to oppose our family?”
“You’re terribly behind on the news. Sorry, but I became independent from House Stelshernin quite a while ago.”
“You can tell just by looking at this castle.”
“Assuming your eyes actually work.”
“…You truly are impossible to speak with.”
“I simply hear the news faster than you.”
I smiled.
“Congratulations.”
“I heard that foreign noble you were so desperate to marry recently broke off the engagement.”
I was certain that was the prettiest smile I had ever worn.
At last…
Sharehin abandoned her fake smile.
Her face twisted like the witch from Hansel and Gretel.
I watched the hand holding her parasol tremble with anger.
“Let’s get to the point.”
“If you’ve seen Ahak, hand him over.”
“I’ve never seen him.”
“Then why did you release your guard hounds into the forest yesterday?”
“My subordinates suffered serious injuries.”
“Enough games.”
“If we search this castle and find Ahak…”
“House Stelshernin of the Sun will become our next target.”
“I already told you.”
“I’m no longer connected to House Stelshernin.”
Our eyes collided.
Neither of us looked away.
I had always been confident in contests of will.
Of course…
I was even more confident in actual combat.
As long as Ahak qualifies for the Imperial Succession Tournament…
House Catobleta won’t be able to touch him anymore.
The tournament had to remain absolutely fair.
Attacking an official participant was considered blasphemy against the gods.
I only have to keep him hidden until then.
That was all.
The guard hounds sensed the tension.
They began barking fiercely at the poison assassins.
House Catobleta was my enemy as well.
House Stelshernin had belonged to the Noble Faction, so unlike House Osbaldun, they hadn’t been exterminated.
But during my first life…
We had practically lived as half-slaves.
Even after their family head died, they’re still so arrogant.
Well…
The current head, Lucentan, was much stronger than the twenty-second head I had killed.
He was one of the greatest swordsmen on the continent.
He also possessed one of the legendary swords—
The Shadow Sword.
And the woman before me, Sharehin…
Was known as his beloved younger sister.
“According to the laws of the Twenty Great Houses…”
“I challenge you to a Duel of Life.”
I couldn’t help laughing.
A Duel of Life…
A duel where both families agreed beforehand that even if one participant died…
There would be no retaliation.
Just like her brother favored her, Sharehin herself was also an extraordinary swordswoman.
A sharp blade extended from inside her crimson parasol.
I looked at it calmly.
“You sound very confident that you’ll win.”
“Do you honestly believe House Stelshernin can compare to House Catobleta?”
Her face overflowed with pride.
Would you still dare talk like that if you knew I was the one who killed your father?
I kept the thought to myself.
There was no reason to provoke her.
Instead…
For the first time in a long while…
I felt my heart race.
“If I win…”
“Get out of my castle.”
“And before you leave, pay for my broken wall.”
“Agreed.”
“But if I win…”
“We’ll search every inch of this castle.”
As my answer, I slowly drew the Rose Sword.
Under the sunlight…
Crimson roses bloomed beautifully along the blade.
If I died in this Duel of Life…
House Stelshernin would have no right to protest.
And the moment they searched my castle…
They would find Ahak chained beside my bed.
House Stelshernin might truly be destroyed.
I can’t believe I’m going this far to protect someone.
But once I made a decision…
I never took it back.
Besides…
There was no future where I lost.
I shifted the Rose Sword into my other hand.
Sharehin opened her crimson parasol to shield herself from the blazing sun.
For a brief moment…
Neither of us moved.
Then…
I raised my sword.
