Translator: 549690339
Prince Topaz had never hated someone so much before.
Now though, as Veraâs delicate hand was within reach, the half-elf prince had no choice but to turn his gaze to the man who had vocalized his oppositionâ Viscount Colin Angler.
Upon hearing Colinâs voice, a glimmer of vitality returned to Veraâs pale face.
Her deep blue eyes focused resolutely on Colin, filled with hope and trepidation, yearning for her own redemption.
âColin, why are you opposing this marriage?â Duke St. Hildeâs voice was chillingly cold.
Colin stepped out from the crowd, approached Duke St. Hilde with calm and composed expression.
After showing respect with a bow, he replied determinedly, âMy lord Duke, I have long admired Miss Vera, so I earnestly ask for a chance to fulfill this long-held desire.â
Before Duke St. Hilde could respond to Colinâs remark, Prince Topaz burst forth like a provoked wild cat:
âA duel then! Viscount Angler! Let us determine who is worthy to marry Miss
Vera in a manâs way!â
With that, a white glove was thrown at Colinâs feet.
Colinâs eyebrow arched â Do all you nobles carry white gloves around?
This was the second time he had been challenged to a duel.
The last time it was that crazy Cynthia.
Back then, Colin did not pick up her glove.
But this time, Colin knew there was no room for retreat.
Just when he was about to bend down and pick up Prince Topazâs glove, Duke St. Hilde reminded him, âColin, think it over. Prince Topaz is a third-order knight.â
Half-elves, being the progeny of humans and elves, could choose the human-exclusive bestowed professionâKnight, or the elf-exclusive bestowed professionâ Ranger.
But given the current world situation, where the humans had established the flourishing Lord of Glory Empire while the elves had vanished deep into the Bright Moon Forest, it was pretty obvious what choice most noble half-elves made.
Majority of them chose to serve the Lord of Glory, so it was no surprise for Prince Topaz to be a knight.
But, a third-order knight!
For a half-elf prince of his age, that was undoubtedly a rarity.
However, Colin was not intimidated.
He too was at the third-order!
Moreover, he had an immortal body, which was a huge advantage in a duel.
So, a smirk crept onto Colinâs face. âMy lord Duke, I have thought about it, I accept Prince Topazâs challenge to a duel. For Miss Vera, I am willing to risk life and limb! â
Just as Colinâs hand was about to touch the fallen white glove, Vera abruptly stopped him:
âNo! Colin, donât do this!â
Although Colin believed he could defeat Prince Topaz, others did not share the same confidence.
Especially Vera.
In her memory, Colin was merely a first-order knight. Therefore, it was natural that she did not want Colin to accept Topazâs duel invitation.
That was like courting death.
âMiss Vera, do not worry for meâ¦â
Despite trying to reassure Vera, she was far from convinced.
This naive sorceress even genuinely believed that Colin was willing to die for her.
After all, Colin had risked his life in the Battle of Ben Liu River before.
Thus, with a heavy heart came a sudden resolution from Vera.
This time, she decided, she was going to save her knight!
âFather, I agree to marry Prince Topaz! Please stop this meaningless duel!â Hearing her words, Colin, who had just picked up the white glove, froze.
Could you please have a little bit of faith in me?! !!
Colin roared inwardly.
âGood.â At last, a smile crept onto Duke St. Hildeâs face.
Prince Topaz was also ecstatic.
This half-elf princeâs emotions had undergone a roller-coaster ride, with ups and downs.
But in the end, Vera had chosen him.
Magnanimously, as the victor, Prince Topaz didnât wait for Duke St. Hilde to stop him, but immediately addressed the stolid Colin who held the white glove:
âViscount Angler, your courage has already conquered me. And so, letâs say youâve won this duel.â
A strong sense of humiliation shrouded Colin.
The otherâs patronizing attitude completely outraged him.
He took a large step forward, closing in on Prince Topaz, and demanded harshly, âWhat do you mean âletâs say Iâve wonâ? If I win, donât you have to voluntarily give up your pursuit of Vera?â
âCertainly not. Miss Vera has already made her choice, and I, of course, respect her choice.â
âBullshit!â Colin directly threw his white glove in Prince Topazâs face, âIf youâre a man, duel with me fairly and squarely!â
Prince Topaz immediately became furious as well.
Facing the insolent Colin, he also took a step forward, confrontationally crying out, âFine! Letâs have this duel, Viscount Angler!â
âNo!â Vera suddenly rushed out, standing between the two men that were about to fight like cocks.
Interestingly enough, she was facing Colin, not Prince Topaz, her newly chosen fiancé.
âColin, donât do this. Iâm not worth your sacrificeâ¦â
Colin intensely gazed into Veraâs eyes, asking gravely, âDonât you trust me?â
âIf you trust me, please step aside. Actually, Iâm also at the third order!â Colinâs confidence, in Veraâs eyes, was filled with a tragically heroic air.
âNo! I will not let you!â
Even Prince Topaz who was behind Vera at this moment was about to go crazy with anger.
Even if he was dull, he now realized that his fiancée had chosen to marry him just to protect Colin.
They hadnât even got married yet and he was already wearing a metaphorical green hatâ¦
Prince Topaz, who couldnât stand such humiliation, cried out immediately: âMiss Vera, please get out of our way! Let us men settle this matter between ourselves!â
âEnough!â
A stern voice interrupted the ongoing love-triangle melodrama.
Duke St. Hilde strode up to Colin and questioned him, âViscount Angler, is your loyalty still with me?â
Faced with this question, Colin was forced to kneel on one knee and reply, âOf course, it is, my lord Duke!â
âWell! Now, I appoint you as the envoy to escort Vera safely to the Half-Elf Kingdom to marry Prince Topaz!â
Colin felt his heart flutter and became silent instantly.
He had also realized by now that the Duke was determined to marry Vera off to the Half-Elf Kingdom.
The reason why?
Obviously, the death of Marquis Adams made the Duke scared.
He couldnât rule out the suspicion that it was his own brother, Marquis Garcia, who caused this. His intension was to get rid of the heir before Vera, so Vera could become the future leader of the North Territory.
So, the Duke must send Vera away now.
Get her away from Winterfell City, preferably marry her off to a foreign land, bear a child from a different race, so she could finally lose her right to the Dukeâs title!
As for Veraâs feelings, they were obviously not considered by the Duke.
Perhaps, to him, Vera was just a tool for making alliances.
Seeing that Colin kept silent for a long time, the Duke questioned again, âViscount Angler? What about your loyalty? What about your unconditional obedience?â
The Duke kept close on Colinâs heels. Colin had no choice but to suppress his anger, lowered his head, and said, âYes, my lord Duke, I will ensure Miss Vera arrives safely at the Half-Elf Kingdom!â
Now, Colin could not suppress his anger anymore.
What a goddamn duke!
What a goddamn loyalty!
All he wanted to do now was to burn down this place of conspiracy and ruthless cruelty completely.
You want to win over the Half-Elf Kingdom?
You want to ruin Veraâs right to the Dukeâs title?
Tsk!
I just wonât grant you your wish!
Colin suddenly looked up at Marquis Garcia, who was sitting on the high platform, coldly watching everything.
Their eyes locked, as if they finally reached some tacit understanding.
(End of the First Volume)