Davey arrived with Winley and Baris at the Flanders Hall, the grand banquet hall of the Duchy of Felicity. It already seemed to be filled with people, and music was softly playing in the background.

“Welcome, Prince Davey, Prince Baris, and Princess Winley. I am the royal attendant of the Duchy of Felicity, Cram.”

“Thank you for your hard work, royal attendant.” As Baris arrived at the hall, he showed a friendly smile and greeted the servants and ladies-in-waiting who were lined up in a straight line and bowing their heads.

“We have been waiting for you.”

“I hope I’m not too late.”

“Not at all.” The attendant answered in a reverent manner and gestured to the entrance of the banquet hall. “Please enter. Most of the guests have arrived.”

“Then, please.”

“Leave it to me.” As the attendant responded calmly and gave a look to the servants guarding the door, they silently opened the door to reveal the banquet hall’s luxurious interior. At the same time, the eyes of everyone in the banquet hall simultaneously turned to Davey and the twins.

9. Battle

The age limit for the continental swordsmanship competition was 20 years old, so most of the attendees were on the younger side. Of course, the people accompanying the participants, like Davey and Winley, had a range of ages. But it still felt like the majority were young.

The sudden attention could have been a little overwhelming, but Baris walked forward with a friendly smile. He seemed easy and unaffected.

“Brother, shall we go?” Winley quietly spoke with a pretty smile.

“Sure.” Once Davey responded, they slowly followed Baris into the banquet hall.

‘Is this what having all eyes on me feels like?’

The appearance of the three drew curious looks from everyone. Among them, Baris received the most amount of attention, since—although he didn’t look like it—he was an intermediate expert, an astonishing level of skill for kids his age. They might not know exactly but have probably heard rumors about him. It was most likely a sign of interest since he was a competitor in a way, or for now, at least.

“Damn it, he’s got talent and the looks. How selfish.”

“Anyways, is that lady Prince Baris’ twin sister, Princess Winley?”

“She’s a real beauty!” Davey heard someone murmur from afar. The crowd was trying to speak quietly so that the twins couldn’t hear them, but Davey had pretty exceptional hearing. In fact, neither Baris nor Winley seemed to have heard them, and the twins were just awkwardly smiling.

“Greetings, Prince Baris. From the Marquis Colldium family of the Ferdisha Kingdom, my name is…”

“Nice to meet you. From the Count Boltis family of the Hushan Kingdom, my name is…”

They were still on guard, since this was still a competition, but perhaps they felt that Baris was worth becoming acquainted with. As the boys approached Baris from all sides with a friendly smile on their faces, Baris looked at Davey for rescue.

Of course…

“Winley, shall we dance?” Davey asked. Sometimes, completely ignoring someone may be a good choice.

“Bi… Big brother…”

Davey simply ignored the mournful voice of Baris, who seemed to be withering away.

* * *

As the music changed and those with a partner began to dance, the night of the banquet deepened. Smiling as always, Winley gracefully lowered her hand after the music ended. “This is our first time dancing together, right?”

“I guess so.”

“Well, I was still an eight-year-old little girl who hadn't made her debut into society when you fell into a coma.”

As most of the countries in the continent practiced, the social debuts of women of nobility or royalty were usually held between the age of fourteen and fifteen. For royalty, it was on the younger side, so Winley’s debut into society most likely happened when Davey was still in a coma.

‘To send this child into the outskirts to eradicate the Fire Gang.’

As if reminiscing about the old days, Winley smiled with her gaze fixed on the banquet hall. “I’m so glad. You are just recovering now, but one day, everyone will appreciate you.”

Davey couldn’t help but grin at Winley’s sincere smile. Baris and Winley were very friendly and affectionate for people born in the palace. Davey was curious how kids like them were born among the people in the palace of the Rowane Kingdom, who did not have an ounce of affection in them.

Like she remembered something she had forgotten, Winley glanced at Davey. “And also, you were very gifted in swordsmanship.”

“What use would a sword be now?”

“Don’t say that. You are still young, brother.”

“Isn’t it a little early for me to hear that from a 14-year-old little lady?”

“Hehe.” Winley giggled and drank her grape juice.

Just then, a honey-smooth voice rang out, “Princess Winley.” But if one were to not sugarcoat the description, the voice was just very cheesy and almost off putting.

Davey thought that most were paying attention to Baris, who was among the boys and girls of nobility, but it seemed that Winley was receiving a fair share of attention as well. It wasn’t odd that eyes were on her, since the crowd was mostly boys and Winley had quite a cute, dainty charm to her.

“Oh…” Winley seemed to already know who it was.

“I see that we meet again.”

“Ah… Yes, Prince Baltian de Boltis.” Winley sounded awkward. With a tense face, she stepped back.

However, the boy seemed to not be bothered and offered his hand. “Would you please spare me a moment of your time so that I can converse with you?”

Winley was usually friendly to everyone, but for her to look at someone with a look of detestation… Davey was curious to see who this person was.

“My apologies, Prince Baltian, but I was in the middle of a conversation with my brother.” It was not until Winley spoke that Prince Baltian turned his gaze to Davey.

‘Pretending to just notice me when you’ve seen me all this time, tsk.’ Davey thought, but he put on a smile. These damn nobles had to put on a smile by default, even if they wanted to beat the hell out of someone.

“Ah. Where are my manners? I am the Seventh Prince of the Boltis Kingdom, Baltian de Boltis.”

“Davey O'Rowane.”

Davey’s reply was brief, and his eyebrow twitched. ‘Sorry, but isn’t it too late for me to see you in a good light?’ He looked directly at Prince Baltian. Although it was only for a moment, he saw a look of disdain in his eyes. It was extremely rude to look at the royalty of another country like that, even if he was a prince, but Baltian didn’t seem to care at all.

“But what brings you here, Prince Davey?”

“I’m here to observe my younger brother’s competition.”

“I see. I hope you see something to your liking.” With a mysterious smile on his face, Baltian turned to Winley and chuckled with a cheesy expression. “Then, Princess Winley, I will give you the honor of the victory of this continental swordsmanship competition. Please look forward to it.”

As Prince Baltian spoke in a cheesy manner, Winley did not hide her face of detestation. Her feelings towards Baltian were clear as day, especially for her to frown like that. She usually conducted herself well in public despite her unruly personality, after all. Winley commented, “Do you know that your comment is quite rude to those who have gathered here?”

“Yes, but it wouldn’t be if it turns out to be true.”

“My twin brother is competing in this competition as well. I can only assume that you are looking down on him to say that in such a situation.” Winley coldly criticized Prince Baltian, looked up at Davey as if there was nothing more to hear, and said, “Brother, let’s go.”

“...” Davey remained silent. It wasn’t difficult to interfere, but Davey didn’t want to unnecessarily pressure Winley or Baris. The moment Davey turned away and was about to leave with Winley…

As Winley turned away, as if she couldn’t stand the sight of him, Prince Baltian, who still seemed to be hung up on her, quickly approached. He reached out his hand. “How dare you ignore me?! Princess Winley!”

‘I have put up with this for long enough. My personality as the student of the villain of the century has really grown soft.’ Davey grabbed Prince Baltian’s hand, and then…

Crack!

“Keuahh?!”

If an opportunity presented itself, it was only right to take advantage of it. Davey always thought that concealing his threats and playing nice didn’t fit him well, and tolerating rudeness that crossed the line wasn’t, either.

* * *

To be able to differentiate between business and pleasure was essential for nobility or royalty. As a noble, one had the responsibility to suppress their emotions regardless of joy or misery. To be honest, Davey thought it was just bullshit; it was just a convenient way to use people to their liking.

“O…Ow!” Baltian collapsed onto one knee and screamed out in pain. Thanks to this, everyone’s attention was drawn to this situation.

“Brother?”

“I don’t know about anything else, but you should be careful when laying hands on someone’s treasured sister,” Davey said calmly with a courteous smile.

Prince Baltian’s veins popped. “Keugh…”

“Consider yourself lucky; I didn’t touch the bone.”

“Keuhuk!” Once Davey loosened his tight grip and let go of his hand, Baltian rubbed his wrist and tried to catch his breath.

It wasn’t difficult to break this guy’s arm with just a light twist, but that would inevitably escalate the situation. It could even disqualify Baris. Whatever happened would be fine as long as there was no evidence left. Even if Prince Baltian made a big deal about it, he would recover soon, and he would then have nothing to complain about.

Prince Baltian, who was glaring at Davey maliciously, stepped back. His relaxed, cheesy expression was gone, and all that was left was a hot-tempered boy. Then, he took off his glove and threw it at Davey. “I challenge you to a duel!”

At this moment, even those who weren’t interested a moment ago finally turned to look at Davey. Almost everyone, including the young nobility and royals of each country visiting for the competition, and the few companions they brought along, were looking.

‘Oh… Everyone’s attention is too much… Ahem.’

When Davey glanced at the gloves on the floor and looked up at Prince Baltian coldly, Winley shouted out furiously.