Fakes Don’t Want To Be Real Chapter 9

Chapter 9

 

“Calm down, Lenox!”

 

Lillian clung to him, her voice quivering, as he stamped and fumed, as if ready to throw his teacup.

 

“Lenox!”

 

Yzhar, caught off guard by the sudden scene, narrowed his eyes but it was already too late.

Even with the true daughter’s return, the commotion at Silkisia, known for its tranquility, made the onlookers’ eyes sparkle.

Conscious of the crowd, Yzhar hissed under his breath, teeth clenched.

 

“Sit.”

“But brother!”

“Sit immediately, or it’s a week in confinement.”

 

For the wild young stallion that was Lenox, confinement was the harshest punishment so he could only grind his teeth, and flopped into a seat.

Yzhar’s gaze swept coldly over the room, warning his sibling not to act rashly. Those who met his eyes quickly looked away, though their ears remained alert.

Feeding troublesome hyenas was out of the question. Leaning toward Psychke so others couldn’t hear, Yzhar lowered his voice.

 

“We’ll discuss the rest back home.”

“No. I wish to settle this here.”

 

Psychke’s tone was icy as she watched the man rise, disregarding her. She had no patience for wasting time over trivialities.

 

“You said I lacked the right to use the dueling hall. Very well, then I’ll prove it.”

 

Yzhar’s expression twitched faintly.

 

“I will spar against the soldiers appointed by you. If I win, it will prove I’m worthy of the dueling hall.”

“Psychke!”

 

Yzhar’s shout of anger fell silent as he realized they were not in Silkisia’s mansion.

Seizing the moment, Psychke drove her point home.

 

“I’m merely following your instructions, older brother.”

 

She was simply stating she would earn the right by her own hand. Had Yzhar cited any other reason for denying her the hall, it would have been easier but unable to retract his own words, he ground his teeth.

Noticing the intrigued noble spectators, he finally clenched his jaw and conceded.

***

“What are you going to do about your disappointment?”

 

A few hours after parting from Psychke, Verndia frowned at Isolet’s teasing tone as he led the way.

 

“Didn’t you always say it? That the duke’s ideal is—”

“Isolet.”

“A lady who wields a sword. Not just pretending to fight, but actually sparring—”

“Enough.”

 

Isolet fell silent, though only briefly before his sharp tongue spoke again.

 

“After over ten years of training, surely she could spar with the duke?”

 

That is ridiculous.

Ten years ago, when Verndia was still underage, he had defeated the captain of one of the two royal knight orders, Adental. It wasn’t an official duel, and the captain had underestimated him but his skill had shone nonetheless.

Had he been of age, he would have become the captain but appointing a minor to the position was impossible, so it ended quietly.

Verndia didn’t mind.

He wished to fulfill his duties as duke, not as a knight. Holding both titles might have distracted him from overseeing his lands so having the honorary knighthood was satisfactory.

Ten years ago, he had been that capable, so now…

 

“Are you saying the lady could become a swordmaster?”

“No, it’s just a figure of speech.”

 

Isolet muttered under his breath, casting a sidelong glance at the Swordmaster Duke, whose expression took the joke seriously.

 

“I heard everything.”

“Yes, your hearing is excellent.”

 

Isolet fell silent, vowing to quit before succumbing to breakdown and grumbled internally.

How did he end up serving such a temperamental superior?

Verndia, unaware of Isolet’s thoughts, recalled the moment hours ago when he held his fiancée’s scarred hands.

 

‘If left untreated, those scars could remain…’

 

He stopped abruptly, realizing his own thought then Isolet behind him raised an eyebrow.

 

“Is something wrong?”

“… It’s about Lady Psychke.”

 

After a pause, the reply came.

Isolet frowned, wondering why they were back on the topic but as unaware as Verndia was, he spoke seriously,

 

“It seems she’s changed her strategy.”

“What strategy?”

“To catch my attention.”

“Excuse me?”

“Otherwise, a person wouldn’t change overnight.”

 

Isolet reflected on Psychke, both today and the days prior.

Indeed, the girl who had once clung pitifully was gone. Rather, she now asserted herself confidently, paid no mind to others, and had removed her gaudy jewelry and elaborate dresses.

But was this her strategy to attract his attention especially after signing the annulment contract?

 

Isolet spoke the honestly, “Perhaps she’s just lost interest in you, Duke.”

“Overnight?”

“Yes. If some fall in love at first sight, surely others can lose interest in an instant. Or maybe she had been growing distant and finally reached her limit.”

 

‘So that’s why she was so eager to annul the engagement…’

 

Verndia stroked his chin thoughtfully.

 

‘Indeed. It seems odd for it to be merely a ploy for attention.’

 

A recent report from his loyal subordinate, Crow, had left him unsettled.

From the ore merchants to the blacksmiths, and even the Magic Association today, Psychke hadn’t merely said she’d assist; she acted. The Crow also added that she hadn’t done anything to threaten Lestir.

 

“That’s why I told you not to harass so much.”

 

Half-joking, Isolet murmured.

Verndia, snapping out of thought, replied incredulously.

 

“Who is harassing whom?”

 

Isolet muttered something in disagreement, but Verndia ignored it and barged into the Magic Association upon arrival, paying no mind to the rules of waiting for a response after three knocks.

 

“My, my, Duke!”

 

A panicked assistant cried out.

Typically, wizards were proud and would refuse requests or meetings if regulations weren’t followed. But Verndia, the northern madman, ignored all that. Isolet, feeling his life being shaved off, hurriedly followed.

 

“What brings you here, Duke? And you, aide?”

 

The pink-capped mage in the lobby was clearly displeased. Had it been anyone else, magic would have been unleashed to drive them out. But antagonizing Lestir brought no benefit, so only the expression betrayed his disapproval.

 

Verndia spoke indifferently, “I’m here to see Lia.”

 

The temporary suppression of the heart-flame; a blessing and ability handed down in the Lestir family, could only be crafted by one person: Lia Coltman, known even among ice-elemental mages as an eccentric.

 

“Lia is currently away on business.”

“Then the earliest available day.”

“She has a prior engagement. Ah, with your fiancée, Duke. It says here she wish to meet regarding Lestir’s territory. Weren’t you aware?”

 

The mage, flipping through the association registry, spoke in a flat tone.

Verndia frowned at the unexpected comment. They couldn’t enter the association so Crow’s report didn’t mention what Psychke had requested.

 

“No, I wasn’t aware.”

“Ah.”

 

The mage went pale, realizing they had revealed a client’s secret but Verndia was puzzled.

 

‘Why meet an ice-element mage for a northern matter, and not a fire one?’

 

Using ice magic on northern monsters was taboo as they often grew stronger in the cold.

 

‘Could she be trying to grow the monsters further?’

 

Was delaying the annulment her real plan?

Though skeptical, he needed confirmation. He ran his hand through his hair, and clicked his tongue.

 

“I must go to Silkisia.”

“Excuse me? At this hour?”

 

It was well past dinner. Even if they left immediately, they would arrive in the dead of night.

 

“I need to see lady Psychke.”

“Why suddenl– Duke! Wait, just a moment!”

 

Isolet barely managed to stop him. He seemed suspicious that the lady wanted to meet an ice-element mage, but his concerns were exaggerated.

 

“You think too much. She’s probably just consulting about the monsters.”

“You haven’t noticed, have you?”

“Noticed what?”

“She is not someone to be underestimated.”

 

He didn’t understand his lord’s intent but one thing was certain: seeking the lady at this hour was a grave breach of etiquette.

 

“Please, let’s go tomorrow. I’ll notify her.”

“No, don’t.”

“Excuse me?”

“I don’t know what she might prepare.”

 

Verndia assumed that if warned, she would ready an excuse. So he decided to visit unannounced, even if not today.

Isolet struggled to comprehend his inexplicable behavior regarding Psychke to highly when she’s rumored foolish.