Chapter 18 - Someone was Digging Her Grave

Palace, Kingdom of Dusk.

Duke Gerald was in the study with the current king of the Dusk, King Weyman. They were leisurely talking when a servant announced that they needed to proceed to the banquet for it to start officially.

They both stood and headed towards the banquet hall. The two old friends walked shoulder to shoulder and Gerecountednting his adventure inside the Mystical forest because king Weyman was very curious about it.

"Those creatures exist in that forest, huh?" Weyman nodded when he mentioned the wolves that he encountered and even the snakes with wings.

He then continued.

"Even if I sent a battalion of knights, it would be throwing lives without getting something in return. So I cannot take that risk."

"You may have a chance if they are mages," Gerald suggested.

"That's right, I know that you are a very calculative person, but having no mage when you entered the forest is a bit..." the king paused for a while and peeked towards the Duke.

"Stupid." Gerald finished it for him, then casually shrugged his shoulder, "I know, someone told me that already."

"Ahem. I heard that your first daughter, Sylvy, was already cured, isn't that right?" King Weyman tactfully changed the topic.

"Yes, and I'm very thankful about that."

"Oh, was she already betrothed? I know it is quite sudden, but I'm currently looking for a woman that would fit for my son."

The Duke lightly coughed.

"I don't mind it, though, but as a father, I still wanted to have plenty of time to spend with my daughter, so..." Duke Gerald answered.

King Weyman laughed heartily. "I know you would say that. I've seen Sylvy only a few times, and I know that your girl was adorable. I just wanted to find my son a good wife, you see. Her mother was gone, so I this was a selfish request from a father."

Duke Gerald nodded.

"Oh, I also heard a rumor of you adopting a daughter. Is she here?" He asked with some curiosity.

Duke Gerald paused but quickly answered, "She is."

When they entered the hall, the nobles and royalties from another kingdom greeted them. King Weyman nodded his head and sat at his table with his current queen. Duke Gerald proceeded to sit with his family.

Louise and Sylvy were seated together while the other two siblings were sitting at the other side of their table. The husband and wife were sitting at the center.

King Weyman stood up from his chair and announced, "First of all, I would like to thank everyone for accepting my invitation. I know that some of you came from a faraway kingdom, and I appreciate it. Since we are here, we should enjoy the night. I want to ask suggestions from everyone of what we can do to enjoy the night further."

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Isabella suddenly stood up, walked to the center, and bowed to the king while sitting with her family.

"Oh? If I'm not mistaken, you are the future daughter-in-law of the King of Green. Please to meet you, Lady Isabella." King Weyman greeted her.

"Thank you, your majesty. Since you asked us for any suggestion, then what about a challenge of using magic?"

"That's a good one, but I don't like anyone to be hurt, though."

"No, your majesty. This battle is just a friendly one. I also don't want to hurt other people."

The king nodded his head and queried, "And seems like you already have in mind whom to challenge?"

Isabella nodded her head to acknowledged it before saying.

"I heard that Duke Gerald recently adopted a daughter, and a lot of nobles were quite curious about her. So I wanted to challenge her to a friendly duel."

Both King Weyman and Duke Gerald turned their attention to Louise. The King could only see her eyes because of the veil covering almost half of her face. Duke Gerald thought of it lightly and silently shook his head.

"Seems like someone is seeking for her trouble."

Every noble was already looking at Louise. Even Anishina was smirking and was happily enjoying the moment. Louise, on the other hand, was lazily looking at those faces while maintaining her straight posture.

Isabella then turned to Louise with a gentle smile and slightly bent her knees.

"I am Isabella Yander, daughter of Viscount Frey Yander from the Kingdom of Green. I was hoping to do a friendly duel with Lady Louise."

Then she maliciously added internally, "Though I cannot kill you, it doesn't mean that I cannot injure you."

"What can you say about it, Lady Louise?" King Weyman asked Louise.

The crowd anticipated her response but the latter, on the other hand, lazily spoke.

"No. I refuse."

The hall quieted down as if they would hear a pin once it fell.

King Weyman broke it by laughing out loud.

"Hahaha. That's the first time that I heard someone rejected a challenge right away."

Isabella was shocked as well but instantly recovered and spoke.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Lady Louise. I didn't consider if your magic matched with mine evenly. I apologize for suddenly issuing such a challenge."

Isabella spoke as if she was giving her a face. But in reality, she was telling the crowd that Louise was weakling. Duke Gerald almost spat his tea when he heard it.

"This girl was digging her grave."

Louise chuckled lightly and spoke.

"Oh, don't get me wrong. It's not that I cannot match with you, but I don't even have a reason to battle with you. That would be a waste of my magic, is it not?"

Isabella, though she was irritated, still smiled at her.

"If that's the case, then what about placing a bet? You could ask anything from me. If you win, then you'll have it."

Louise's eyes which were the only visible on her face turned into a crescent moon.

"If that's the case, then what about the necklace that you have? It has good material if I'm not mistaken?"

Isabella's face turned stiff. Not only her but even other nobles were well aware of where that necklace came from, and this thick face lady in front of them was casually asking it to be a bet on their duel.

Anishina wasn't able to take it anymore and stood up from her chair and shouted.

"That necklace was given to her by none other than Prince Roland of the Green Kingdom. All of the nobles here were well aware of it. So don't make it difficult for her."

"Oh, is that so? My apologies. I'm not aware of that." Louise played dumb upon hearing Anishina.

Then she added.

"Let's forget about the duel then. I'm not interested in it, to begin with."

Isabella was trying hard to maintain her composure though she was already feeling embarrassed. Then, suddenly, the crowd heard a male voice.

"Just place it as a bet." It was none other than Prince' Roland of the Green Kingdom.

Isabella looked at the prince but still felt indignant. On the other hand, the Prince just smiled at her as if they were the only present at the banquet. Louise almost rolled her eyes upon seeing it.

"But-"

"It's okay, "The Prince cut her off, "The winner will take the price anyway.

"The viscount's daughter just puffed her cheeks. "Fine. But if I win, you'll have to remove your veil in front of this crowd."

Isabella believed that the girl in front was trying to act mysterious. However, she had the feeling that behind the veil was an ugly duckling, and she wanted to reveal it to the crowd.

"Sure," Louise agreed readily.

King Weyman looked at the Duke, seemingly asking, 'Is this okay?' But he saw his friend shrugged it off.

"Just you wait," Isabella silently thought.

The supposed ugly duckling then stood up from her chair and slightly smiled.

"Then, it is settled."