C90
As the knight from Castile approached the stands, everyone in the audience turned their attention to who would present him with his rose.
Until now, he has never delivered a rose. That was because there was no such thing as a target. There were no women in the Castilian delegation, and the only lady, the Princess of Castile, was absent from the tournament due to her young age and state of health. It would also be strange for him, a knight from Castile, to give a rose to a noblewoman from Sevran.
Who the hell…? While everyone was skeptical, the knight from Castile made his way to the central podium.
“To Princess Odelli, I offer you a rose.
The attitude of handing out roses with a forceful voice was too harsh for a gentleman. He couldn't tell if it was a performance as part of politics because of Sevran's friendship or if he really thought of Princess Odelli as a lady to whom he wanted to dedicate his victory.
Princess Odelli, who has received more roses than anyone in the Kingdom of Sevran, received the roses with a normal attitude even though her opponent is a knight from another country. All the spectators looked at them with racing hearts, but the two parties exchanged roses dryly, and the atmosphere of excitement cooled down in the meantime.
From a distance outside the arena, Jacob watched the battle between Gaspard and the knight from Castile, and murmured with a smile.
"I want my sister to marry now that Albert is engaged." But, that shameless and lazy woman will never get married.
The king adored Princess Odelli, who resembled the first queen.
Although there were many people who said that they would not accept the dowry from her, who is famous for her beauty, she did not even think of marrying them. That is why the king lived with her next to her. They all talked about it and thought that maybe he would keep her by her side until the day she died.
The first prince, Prince Gautier, also loved his only blood sister, so even if Prince Gautier becomes king, the situation will not change. Princess Odelli will remain in Sevran for the rest of her life without marrying.
But Jacob was different. He does ascend to the throne…. The corners of Jacob's lips twitched and turned up. That sister, who he thought was the prettiest girl in the world, was a thorn in her eyes. It was also because of the first queen that the king chose Prince Gautier as the next king without a second thought, so he couldn't like Princess Odelli who looked like the first queen.
Where should he sell her, even with an expensive dowry? To a place that is as low and humble as possible. The thought of the sassy Princess Odelli looking down at him humiliatedly made him feel better.
Although the loss to Zachary in this match will drown out this good feeling, it was a match that was fully taken into account from the very beginning. Jacob looked at Zachary next to him.
No matter what the Castilian knight did, his gaze was on his wife. The clear longing on his face was noticeable, as he always kept an indifferent expression. I didn't know I loved your wife so much... In addition to Jacob's liking for Bianca, he also expected Zachary's reaction to her when he seduced her and knocked her down. The corners of Jacob's lips lifted in a deeper arc than before.
But Zachary couldn't afford to worry about Jacob's plans. It was because he was busy watching what Bianca and Sauveur were doing.
She needed an escort to protect her from the fly-like minstrel who hovered around Bianca last time.
However, since Gaspard made it to the semi-finals, it was impossible to escort her, and Bianca didn't like Robert very much, so only Sauveur remained.
However, this time, he was worried about the relationship between Sauveur and Bianca. He felt a little jealous that Bianca and Sauveur had become so close without even realizing it.
Sauveur talked to Bianca all the time, and Bianca nodded silently as she listened to the story. She couldn't see Yvonne, who was always by her side, and their relationship seemed quite intimate.
He didn't feel so upset when Bianca was with Gaspard….
Zachary chuckled. What does he mean by not being upset? When Gaspard prepared to become Bianca's escort, he was sullen. He was only inwardly relieved by Gasper's attitude of drawing a line.
However, unlike Zachary and Gaspard himself, Sauveur was a good conversationalist. Bianca seemed to smile more often when she was with Sauveur.
Sauveur's advantage that he does not have.
Zachary had never compared himself to anyone else, and he never fell into feelings of inferiority. Others' strengths were accepted purely as strengths, and when there was something to praise, he selflessly praised it. However, at this moment, the negative emotions that were boiling within him repeatedly hit Zachary's heart.
That said, it was impossible to push Sauveur away and leave Bianca alone, so in the end there was no answer.
He would be disgusted with any man who was next to Bianca.
"As expected, I don't like it."
Let's win as fast as possible. That'll do.
Zachary was not aware that he was walking step by step to an obsession that bordered on the sick. But, even if he had been aware of it, it wouldn't have been much different since there was nothing he could do about it.
Zachary involuntarily touched the handkerchief Bianca had given him, which was on his forearm. The scarf touched by her glove was as thin as a cicada's wing, so it wouldn't have felt much, but to Zachary, her presence was greater than anything else.
Since Zachary's expression was serious, Robert, who was serving Zachary instead of a servant, became flustered.
Even before the war, Zachary didn't change his expression. In the bloody atmosphere around him, it seemed that whatever happened, something big was going to happen.
Robert wasn't the only one who noticed Zachary's unusual look. As the arena sprayed water to settle the dust after the match, Jacob led his horse alongside Zachary and said slyly.
“Just looking at Earl Arno's face makes me feel like he's going to kill me in this match. It looks fierce.
—…. How dare she have such a thought?
"Then it's a relief."
The reply was calm, but the eyes shone with murderous intent. Just because he doesn't intend to kill him doesn't mean she won't kill him. It was an impure look, but Jacob didn't even notice Zachary's expression.
Other than that, there were many, many materials to provoke Zachary. Despite Zachary's fierce tone, Jacob spoke quietly with a bright smile on his face.
“Now it is our turn, Count Arno. Let's have a good game with each other. Come to think of it, his wife… Was her name Bianca?
"I hope you don't say my wife's name in public."
Despite Zachary's blatant displeasure, Jacob didn't back down. He laughed again and smiled brightly. His smile was deceptive, to the extent that Jacob's handsome appearance had faded.
"Why is he so demanding?" I always think about it, but it's so direct. Aren't court dates a trend these days? Even Gautier is flirting with other ladies. He doesn't talk to other women and he doesn't let other men talk to his wife.
“…I have no intention of holding myself and others to similar standards. The prince is the prince, and I am me.
"Bianca thinks so?"
—……..
“If you intend to give Bianca a rose, whoever wins, Bianca will get a rose.
Although court dates were obvious, it was terribly disrespectful to go to each other's spouse and remind them. Zachary's mood calmed even more, and his dark eyes burned like a slow fire. Enraged, Robert raised his voice.
"You're going too far!"
“…O Sir Robert! She was there. I think I saw him yesterday on a horse…. I didn't notice because he was behind like a servant. As a spearman, I apologize for my disrespect. By the way, Count Arno is great. One of the honorable commanders acts as his servant.
The intention to distance the relationship between Robert and Zachary was transparent. At this point, it was more of an intention to annoy Robert and cause a disturbance. Robert knew it too. A sound leaked between his teeth.
"My honor is not in victory, but in taking good care of the Earl."
"Oh, an eloquent talker." Isn't he too good at talking for a gentleman?
(The word used is 청산유수로군, which literally means “the clear water of the stream that flows down the side of a green mountain.” It is an idiom for someone who speaks eloquently. Fact of the day)
He said it in a dismissive tone, as if he had to speak well because he had no skills as a knight. Zachary, who had been listening quietly, turned slowly to Jacob. Zachary's face, not yet covered by the helmet, was as still as a statue. Zachary asked quietly.
"Are you trying to provoke me?"
"It's too late to find out."
“There's no good reason to provoke me.
To the prince, her calm voice penetrated his ear like a whisper.
His savage response, predicting his own victory, was dry enough to be no different than the recitation of the breakfast menu. His eyes looked at him so calmly that he couldn't even tell if he was angry or annoyed at Jacob's words.
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