Chapter 84: The Impenetrable Handsome Man

“Hoo.”

The terrace of the banquet hall.

Normally, smoking here would be prohibited, but given the circumstances, Grandmaster was holding a cigarette in her mouth.

“It’s beyond what I imagined.”

With Isaac at her side, she mumbled in true amazement.

The deductive reasoning he showed just now had reached a realm far beyond mere sharp observation.

“I always thought your knowledge of the sword was as vast as a great mountain. The fact that you’ve never hit a wall in your training speaks to that. But seeing it in person far exceeded my expectations.”

“…You mean I’ve never hit a wall?”

Isaac covered his nose.

Seeing this, Grandmaster blew out a puff of smoke and, feeling embarrassed, put out her cigarette.

“You’re really giving me the hint outright.”

“Please quit. It’s harmful to your health.”

“It’s not as easy as you think.”

“I used to smoke in the past as well. You can quit.”

“Hm? Remarkable.”

She had quit it too.

Once upon a time, they both smoked together, but upon seeing Isaac quit, Grandmaster also stopped smoking cigarettes.

“There’s nothing like it to fill the emptiness.”

‘That’s just an excuse.’

Anyway.

“What do you mean by ‘never hitting a wall’?”

When Isaac asked, Grandmaster, who was regretfully tucking the extinguished cigarette back into her pocket, answered,

“Usually, as one grows, their speed of improvement naturally slows down. It’s true not only for swordsmanship but for all studies in the world, is it not?”

“You could call it a kind of curve. After you pass the initial stage of learning the basic concepts, you move on to more detailed and advanced parts.”

“Exactly. That’s why swordsmanship is difficult. If you just swing the sword with your body, eventually you’ll hit a wall. That’s when you need knowledge.”

With a grin, Grandmaster tapped her head ‘tok tok.’

“In that sense, you have no need for that sort of struggle. You already grasp it in your mind; all that remains is for your body to follow suit. You’ve never really felt like you hit a wall while honing your swordsmanship, have you?”

“Uh… Yes, that’s right.”

“That’s not normal.”

She wore a smile like a crescent moon.

Hearing that his knowledge was a constant source of growth, Isaac felt awkward but tried half-heartedly to deny it.

“I just assumed I hadn’t faced a real hurdle yet. After all, I haven’t been using the sword for that long.”

“If time alone made one a master, all old men would be experts. You’re already at a level where no one would find it strange if your growth slowed.”

“…”

“You might just be—”

Grandmaster looked at Isaac with keen eyes. As if eyeing a tantalizing fruit, she slowly licked her lips. Isaac had never felt such a gaze from her before.

“…W-What is it?”

“Nothing. More importantly, how about we cross swords for the first time in a while? I’m interested in seeing more.”

“Right now?”

They were still in the midst of dealing with an assassination attempt.

“The princess has arranged a private training hall exclusively for my use. Let’s go there and have a little match.”

Clearly excited, Grandmaster seemed slightly elated. Isaac followed her, letting out a small laugh.

“Please go easy on me. I’d rather not be knocked out in a single hit.”

“I don’t know how to hold back.”

As Grandmaster and Isaac walked along the corridor, a knight approached them cautiously from the opposite side.

“Baron Logan, may I borrow you for a moment?”

“No.”

He was on his way to spar with Grandmaster, after all. Unless it was urgent, he wanted to refuse everything else.

The knight glanced at Grandmaster before whispering into Isaac’s ear.

“Princess Adeline is asking for you.”

Isaac frowned.

He let out a sigh before nodding.

“Sorry, we’ll have to postpone our match until tomorrow.”

“Mmm. As you wish.”

Isaac then followed the knight to Princess Adeline’s bedchamber.

****

Meanwhile, in Princess Clarice’s bedchamber…

Having missed out on the spar, Grandmaster clicked her tongue in disappointment and removed her hat.

“Hoo… This is frustrating.”

Even with the princess’ endorsement, opinions of the transcendents were poor, so Grandmaster always kept her ears and tail hidden.

Dressed comfortably and stretching before going to sleep was the princess.

Her guard, Heyrad, noticed Grandmaster’s arrival and discreetly stepped back.

“Well then, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Mm, Heyrad. Thank you for your hard work.”

Because of the earlier incident, the guard had been accompanying the princess even in her bedroom. Now that Grandmaster was here, it was time for Heyrad, a male, to leave.

“You came back sooner than I expected? I thought you’d talk with Isaac a bit longer.”

Seated on the bed, the princess stretched her body. She seemed surprisingly carefree, considering there had just been an assassination attempt.

“Mm. Princess Adeline called for him, so he just left.”

Certainly, the knight whispered secretively to Isaac, intending to keep it hidden.

However, Grandmaster could easily hear a whisper from that distance.

“W-What?!”

Princess Clarice jumped to her feet. The leisurely atmosphere from just moments ago vanished in an instant as her urgency took hold.

“My sister called for him?! W-Wait! No way!”

“Hmm? What’s the matter?”

“I-I’ll explain later! I have to go see my sister!”

***

Adeline Seraphia Regardia

Unfortunately, Isaac had never seen her in his past life.

She had been assassinated.

Because of the chaotic state affairs and the death of her daughter, the current king passed away from shock. Only then did Princess Clarice belatedly inherit the throne.

Back then, calling it a kingdom was hardly appropriate.

‘This is troublesome.’

A woman letting a man into her bedchamber could be considered quite a thrilling situation.

Yet Isaac himself was skeptical.

‘Even so, a princess letting a man she’s just met into her bedroom like this…’

Technically, they had met during his baron coronation, but this was the first time they were really speaking.

‘I’d better keep my wits about me.’

He knocked, and a gentle voice inviting him to enter drifted through the crack in the door. As before, it was a voice that made one feel warm inside.

Seated on a sofa in the middle of the room was Princess Adeline.

She wore provocative silk nightwear that felt blatantly seductive. The fact that a princess of the realm would greet an outsider in such attire made Isaac all the more tense.

“You worked so hard today, Baron Logan. Please, have a seat.”

Facing her, Isaac took a seat. Smiling, Princess Adeline poured wine into a prepared glass.

“Will you keep me company? I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep unless I’m at least a bit drunk.”

“Considering today’s events, it’s understandable.”

She was a woman who awakened a protective urge in those around her. Even without a drop of alcohol, Isaac felt his heart flutter as if intoxicated.

“But wouldn’t it be better to have someone else—”

“You’re the one who protected me.”

Princess Adeline smiled gently.

“Because I was wearing a formal uniform instead of guard attire, they overlooked me.”

“Even so, it’s true that you protected me.”

Princess Adeline sipped her drink, smiling with her eyes. Matching her, Isaac also gulped down his wine—stronger than he expected.

‘Damn.’

He had already had several drinks at the banquet, so handling this stronger liquor was more difficult than expected.

Watching Isaac, Princess Adeline smiled softly.

“My, you’re weaker to alcohol than I thought?”

“Ahem, I’m sorry.”

“No need to apologize. In truth, I’ve heard a few things about you and wanted to chat more in-depth.”

With a tinge of regret, Princess Adeline whispered,

“Any idea why I called for you like this?”

“…I’m not sure.”

“Oh my? Are you really going to make a lady feel bashful?”

At some point, Princess Adeline had moved to his side. Perhaps while he was momentarily dizzy from the drink, she had crept closer.

Her hand settled on Isaac’s thigh. The touch was deft yet sweet—undeniably alluring.

“Become mine, Isaac Logan.”

“Your Highness’ man?”

“Yes, I beg you. Turbulent times lie ahead. Princess Clarice plans to marry into a foreign land, ceding royal authority to me.”

“…”

“I’m grateful to my sister for her faith in me, but I feel anxious. That’s why I need many trustworthy people by my side.”

Then,

“And you, please stay the closest of all.”

Isaac kept his lips tightly shut. As if to make him open up, Princess Adeline leaned in even closer, whispering into his ear.

“It didn’t work out with Rihanna, right?”

“…”

“I don’t know what kind of past you’ve had, but it’s fine. I’m different.”

Her soft touch eventually drew Isaac in. His cheek brushed her ample cleavage.

“Let me be your princess, and yours alone.”

Truly, it was sweet. A royal princess falling in love at first sight, baring her heart, and healing the hidden wounds of his past.

A temptation straight out of a fairytale.

“I’m sorry.”

Isaac politely but firmly pushed her away and stood up.

“…Baron Logan?”

A startled Princess Adeline looked up at him. In her eyes was a question: what went wrong in this perfect moment? Isaac gave a bitter laugh as he answered,

“I suppose the problem is that I don’t need comfort.”

Clunk!

“Sisteeeer!”

At that moment, Princess Clarice burst into the room in a panic. Gasping for breath as she grasped the situation, she quickly grabbed Isaac by the wrist and pulled him out.

“Ah, Isaac is off-limits! He has bigger things to do!”

“Oh my? And what could be more important than remaining at your sister’s side?”

‘She’s like a different person.’

Was this really the same woman from just moments earlier?

The sudden shift in Princess Adeline’s demeanor—so coy yet cutting—was startling.

Now slightly miffed by Isaac’s rejection, she addressed Princess Clarice curtly:

“Don’t worry, he turned me down just now.”

“…Really?”

Princess Adeline let out a sigh and nodded. She then motioned with her hand.

“Then could you both leave? Even a princess has some sense of embarrassment, you know.”

“Ah—yes! Come on, Isaac!”

With that, Princess Clarice led Isaac out into the hallway. As she watched him leave, Princess Adeline waved a hand in farewell.

“See you next time.”

“…Sleep well.”

“Hurry up, let’s go!”

Thud.

Once the door closed, they passed the knight who had been waiting outside and continued down the corridor. Only then did Princess Clarice finally speak.

“My sister—Princess Adeline—has an appetite for talent. On top of that, she’s very perceptive when it comes to people.”

“…”

“That’s part of why I’m willing to yield the throne to her. I’m not particularly good at leading or managing people.”

After all, being a king or queen isn’t about personally excelling at everything but about governing those who do.

“In that sense, my sister really is the better fit to become queen. She recognizes what someone lacks, then provides comfort or fulfillment to make them her ally.”

“Hm, so that’s what it was. But wasn’t she a bit too forward?”

Having a princess in nightwear inviting a man for drinks at night was rather shocking.

Princess Clarice nodded in agreement.

“I was surprised too. It’s the first time I’ve seen her openly seduce someone like that. She must really like you, Isaac.”

Then, as if joking, Princess Clarice added with a grin:

“Well, your deductive skills earlier were kind of…sexy.”

“...”

“Usually, when my sister sinks her teeth into someone, they end up devoted to her. They can get so blindly loyal it causes its own problems.”

“Hmm.”

Now it made sense.

The knight’s expression when summoning Isaac hadn’t been exactly welcoming.

“That’s why I was surprised too. My sister came on to you so openly, yet you turned her down! Wow, Isaac—so this is what sets you handsome types apart?!”

“…”

That’s probably not why.

If he had to put it bluntly…

She just hadn’t been enticing enough to make him go weak at the knees.

Since ancient times, women were likened to flowers.

And the one widely deemed the most beautiful among flowers is the rose.

He’d resisted her seduction for a truly simple reason, nothing more or less.

– – The End of The Chapter – –

 

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