Everyone's attention was focused on the arena where Aiden and Oscar's intense battle was taking place. Suddenly, there was a commotion at the entrance of the arena, and when people turned to look, they saw a man being dragged in, subdued by Lysandro.
'Got you, you scoundrel!'
How could they move so predictably? I had already heard from Franz that suspicious individuals had made contact, so I used the guild and the guards to place surveillance personnel at every entrance of the arena, not knowing which direction they would approach from.
'I didnāt expect to catch them so easily.'
Following my orders, Franz pretended to sell information for money and informed me of everything. It turned out the opponent was indeed from Devlin and had planned to infiltrate the swordsmanship tournament arena. Franz's job was to safely bring him in through a poorly monitored entrance.
"They also approached the guild's deputy master, but it seems he handled it well."
"Casey too?"
"Yes, but you donāt need to worry. It seems he only received the money Devlin offered and spread false information."
I glared at the murmuring crowd. I didn't like how people changed their attitudes toward Aiden depending on the situation.
'One moment they praise him, the next they find him scary.'
If this is how they treat him when I'm around, how much do they ignore him when I'm not? People who didn't know that Oscar and Aiden often sparred and that Oscar had never won were excitedly watching the match. The dust from the initial clash had mostly cleared, and the two could now be seen with the naked eye, though their movements were so fast it was hard to follow. After a while, the two stepped back from each other. Oscar, who seemed unusually sensitive, frowned and moved his lips. Aiden smirked and replied, though I couldn't hear what they were saying from the distance.
***
"Donāt go easy on me, Aiden."
"I never did."
"Liar."
Oscar glared at Aiden with a challenging tone. Aiden shrugged, as if to say, 'Think what you want.'
'I didnāt go easy on you that much.'
I always fought him with sincerity. If I had used my full strength, Oscar might have disappeared from the arena. But this time, the fact that he could hold his own for so long was proof of his rapid improvement in swordsmanship. Aiden was secretly impressed as they clashed swords.
'This must be Mabelās influence.'
It had always been like this since they were young. When Aiden first became Mabelās guard, Oscarās top priority was always Mabel. He trained every day to protect her, ran to see her as soon as training ended, and read her a story before bed. Even though he had given up the throne without hesitation, it wasnāt an easy decision. Back then, I didnāt understand his dedication, but now I do.
'People probably think weāre both Mabelās fools.'
Years later, Aiden was living a life dictated by Mabel, just like Oscar. He couldnāt remember how it had happened.
'But it doesnāt matter.'
Aiden lowered his sword and looked at Oscar. For a moment, he thought about letting Oscar win to make Mabel happy, but quickly changed his mind. Winning would grant him a wish, and he didnāt want to miss that opportunity.
"Donāt go easy on me now, Aiden."
"Iām not."
Aiden smirked and charged at Oscar, sword in hand. His black hair fluttered in the wind. Clang!
"Ugh!"
Oscar gritted his teeth, blocking the heavy attack. His entire arm vibrated and went numb from the impact. Aidenās attacks continued relentlessly. Oscar realized Aidenās momentum was different from before. Clang! They clashed again. Exhausted, Oscarās sword emitted a faint aura. His arm muscles, already at their limit, felt like they were about to tear.
"Huff, huff..."
His stamina was reaching its limit. Oscarās gaze shifted to Aiden, who showed no signs of fatigue. The contrast made him feel inadequate, but he smiled. If he could fight such a strong opponent, he could become even stronger. Oscar gripped his sword tightly. His muscles screamed in pain. Instinctively, he knew this would be his last attack. Boom! A full-force strike erupted, the loudest sound of the match, shaking the arena. Dust clouds rose, darkening the view. The sound of clashing swords ceased. In that moment of silence, the winner of the semifinal was decided.
"Wow!"
Aiden was the one still standing. ...
'I lost.'
Oscar smiled bitterly and closed his eyes. He felt ridiculous lying there in the middle of the arena, but he couldnāt help but laugh. He had no regrets; he had fought with all his might and lost. But it was disappointing that he couldnāt do anything for Mabel again.
"Oscar!"
Mabelās teary eyes appeared as she struggled down the high steps. Oscar coughed, wiping his mouth. Blood welled up, indicating internal injuries.
"ā¦If you do this, Mabel will worry."
Aiden glanced at Oscar and replied.
"Sheās already worried about you looking like this."
"Still."
Mabel is lovely and precious, and I want her to see only beautiful things.
'Not a loser like me.'
This was a public tournament, so he had practiced his expression to look dignified, but now he was running and sobbing. Mabel looked truly adorable. Oscar took a deep breath and looked up. Aiden, who had defeated him, didnāt look happy at all.
"Aiden."
"What?"
"For Mabel, you have to keep your promise about the wish."
The only match left was the final. And his opponent was Viscount Vassili from the Vassili family, who had openly declared his intention to propose to Mabel.
'How dare an old man like him.'
He was just a young adult, but compared to Mabel, he was much older. Mabel was only nine. Aiden suddenly asked.
"If you win, what wish were you going to make?"
"Since I lost, it doesnāt matter."
"Iām curious."
Oscar laughed briefly, then winced in pain.
"Itās nothing. Just, never get married."
"ā¦?"
"Mabel will live happily with me forever."
Aiden closed his mouth tightly at the steel wall of a big brother. He had expected it to be difficult, but this was a real challenge. ***
"You idiot, fool, idiot fool!"
I scowled and hit Oscarās arm, but he just laughed, unfazed.
"Stop laughing. Why are you laughing?"
"Because Mabel is worried about me."
"What?!"
I glared at Oscar, fuming. Thanks to my healing with holy power, his wounds were gone, but the marks of the intense battle couldnāt be completely erased. His clothes were torn, and his body was stained with blood from internal injuries. Seeing him laugh despite his injuries made me feel drained. I was the only one getting angry.
"Sigh."
I sighed and sat down again. Oscar, who had suddenly sat next to me, was now fidgeting with my hand, drawing the attention of the nobles below.
"Anyway, fighting so recklessly was wrong."
"I understand. Iāll be more careful next time."
Just being careful, huh?
"What was the wish that made you fight so hard?"
"Itās a secret."
"A secretā¦?"
It was a contradiction that he kept it a secret from me, even though it was my wish. Oscar, still dazed, showed no intention of answering. I shook my head and looked at the arena, which was being cleaned up.
'He really made a messā¦'
Thanks to him, the cleanup crew was working overtime. Oscar, the cause of the destruction, looked at me with an innocent face, as if he didnāt know what had happened. The only match left was the final, but the interesting part was that no one was looking forward to it.
"Is Aiden going to win anyway?"
"How can that wimp beat Aiden?"
"Trueā¦"
I frowned, remembering the man who kept blinking at me, probably because something was in his eye. Maybe his standards were too high because of all the handsome men around. Anyway, the final match started quite a while later. The people who had been on the edge of their seats during the semifinals now looked bored and uninterested. The two finalists entered the arena. Aiden, despite the recent intense battle, was mostly unscathed with only a few scratches. In contrast, Viscount Vassili was visibly trembling.
"Isnāt it Vassili, not Vissili? Heās trembling too much."
"Hahaā¦"
It was true, but I couldnāt tell him to be careful. The two faced each other and bowed before the match began. Beep! A piercing noise rang out. I winced and covered my ears. In the next moment,
"Seize him!"
"Protect His Majesty!"
The knightsā shouts echoed as something flew toward me. Before I could identify it, my body reacted. A wide holy barrier protected not only me but also the surrounding nobles. The object hit the barrier with a loud boom. People screamed in fear and panic. I quickly surveyed the area.
'As expected.'
The object was a spell, and the caster was the suspicious man caught by Lysandro at the entrance. I hadnāt expected him to attack so recklessly.
"Subdue him!"
The knights split into two groups, one protecting me and the other subduing the attacker with magical restraints. My father hurriedly checked me for injuries.