Three days have passed since my sister came to the mansion.
In the end, she left the mansion shortly after that day. She had come for the training of new soldiers, after all. She said she would come back once she finished, so we have been preparing ever since.
And last night, a messenger arrived, informing us that she would come to meet us tomorrow morning.
The moment of truth has finally arrived.
"Wh-what do you think? Can we do it?"
"Don't worry. Let's go with confidence."
"Y-yes, you're right."
In the courtyard of the mansion,
Jurgen was preparing his halberd. Of course, it was for practice, but he would be using it in the duel.
His opponent, of course, was my sister.
The goal was to duel with my sister and have her acknowledge that he had the minimum required strength. That was the plan.
"From the last exchange, it's clear that my sister doesn't dislike the Duke. In fact, she seems to like him. So, if we show her our strength, there shouldn't be a problem."
I encouraged Jurgen with these words.
This matter involved the Emperor himself.
The outcome here would determine the progress of the marriage proposal. However, if he failed, Jurgen would lose a significant opportunity. That's why he was a bit nervous.
We've come this far, and I really want him to seize this chance. In fact, I need him to seize it.
If the marriage proposal goes through, my family's issues will be more likely to be brought to me for consultation. I am merely a collaborator in the struggle for the throne, not a direct participant, so Father can use me more easily. While I'd rather avoid troublesome matters, it's necessary for things to go smoothly.
I really need to earn Father's trust.
Jurgen and I have a common interest.
"You don't need to win. If you show your strength, she will acknowledge it."
"Yes, that's true."
Just as Jurgen said this, footsteps approached from the entrance.
With a steady gait, my sister, Lise, appeared.
Seeing Jurgen standing in the center of the courtyard with his halberd, she sighed in exasperation.
"I had a feeling you wouldn't be here to greet me... again?"
"Again, Your Highness."
"You never learn, do you?"
As she said this, she took the practice sword prepared by the butler.
After testing its balance a few times, she held it casually.
"Come. Show me the results of your efforts."
"Yes!"
It was like a teacher and a student.
Considering that this was a marriage proposal and that she had already rejected it, it was quite a peculiar situation.
For a man and woman in their mid-twenties, it was surprisingly devoid of any romantic tension.
However, you never know when the spark might ignite, and it's my job to light it.
"Then, I'll give the signal. If Jurgen can land a single hit on you, the Duke of Reinfeldt wins, agreed?"
"Fine. Though I doubt it will happen."
"Carelessness isn't like you, Marshal."
Jurgen, unusually, flashed a provocative smile.
Given the gap in skill, I had suggested he provoke her.
Jurgen was initially hesitant about such tactics, but I convinced him it was part of the strategy.
And it worked beautifully.
"Is that so? Using words like 'carelessness' against me suggests you're quite confident."
"It's not confidence, but a calm judgment, Your Excellency."
"Very well. If you say I'm careless, prove it. I'll fight with my non-dominant hand."
With that, Lise switched her sword to her left hand and placed her right hand behind her back.
I almost did a fist pump. Knowing my sister's competitive nature, I was sure she would accept a challenge and set a strange condition.
Even the strongest fighter would be slightly impaired by using one hand, especially the non-dominant one. While the skill gap between Jurgen and my sister was still significant, the chances of Jurgen landing a hit increased, and it would be easier for her to acknowledge his strength.
If she struggled even a little, she would have to acknowledge it, and she's not the type to blame the handicap she set herself. Though she might not give him any sweets.
"Sister, just to confirm, if the Duke of Reinfeldt lands a hit that satisfies you—"
"Of course, I'll acknowledge it. If he has grown into such a man, I'll marry him."
I had secured her word.
I nodded and placed my right arm between them.
Once both were ready, I gave the signal.
"Begin!!"
"AAAAAAHHHHH!!!"
As soon as the match started, Jurgen launched a full-power strike.
My sister didn't dodge. Using her non-dominant hand and a lighter sword, she attempted to block the strike.
A loud clash.
The halberd was perfectly blocked by my sister.
"Is that all you've got?"
"Of course not. I expected you to block it. You don't run away, after all."
With that, Jurgen pushed with both arms.
Even my sister, who was formidable, seemed to be at a disadvantage in a pure strength contest. Using her whole body, she managed to block the initial strike, but once she was in a rigid state, Jurgen used his weight to push her back.
"Hmph! Al's idea, I see? You've become more tactical."
"What will you do about it?"
"Think you've cornered me? Remember, you're most vulnerable at the moment of attack."
With that, my sister suddenly released her grip and spun her body.
Without anyone to support the weight, the halberd fell straight to the ground. In the same motion, my sister delivered a strike to Jurgen.
Not good.
Just as I thought that, there was another loud clash.
Jurgen had managed to block her sword with the handle of his halberd.
"Hmm?"
"I didn't choose this weapon just for its weight."
"Quite the improvement. But are you satisfied with just blocking an attack?"
They both stepped back.
Jurgen began to spin his halberd slowly.
He was likely planning to use the centrifugal force to deliver a powerful strike, knocking her defense away.
My sister, wary of this, stayed out of his range.
However, Jurgen didn't allow this and gradually closed the distance.
"Skillful with that spin."
"I've become heavier myself. It's easier to handle."
"Strange. Do you really want me to be your wife that badly?"
"Of course not. I just want to be by your side."
"Isn't that the same thing?"
"Unfortunately, it's quite different. If you can't see that, Your Highness, you still have a lot to learn."
"Hmph... Cheap provocation."
As she said this, my sister stopped retreating.
She was ready to accept Jurgen's challenge. Typical. Even though her future was at stake, she was placing herself in a disadvantageous position.
If she were commanding an army as a marshal, she wouldn't do something like this, but this was a personal duel.
So, she stuck to her principles.
She really knows my sister well. Impressive.
"HAHHHHH!!!"
Jurgen spun his halberd and closed the distance.
He controlled the spin and shifted into a thrusting position.
Clever.
He had completely caught her off guard.
Or so I thought.
"Too predictable."
My sister suppressed the tip of the halberd before it could gain full momentum.
A masterful display of precision.
But how did she read it as a thrust?
He had emphasized the halberd's power and weight, and he chose it for those very reasons. Knowing the background, she should have predicted a powerful strike, not a thrust...
"Why..."
"Hmph, you should be speechless."
"Could you... have feinted?"
"No such nonsense. I read you. You're a romantic. I knew you'd come with a thrust, the very thing I once dismissed as too light. Just as you know my character, I know yours."
"Damn..."
Jurgen stepped back again.
His expression told the story. That was his ace in the hole, and it had been completely neutralized.
He had no more moves left.
"It's over. I win again, Jurgen."
"...Yes, I lost..."
Jurgen hung his head in defeat.
My sister smiled and gloated.
"Not bad, though."
"Does that mean you're satisfied?"
"That's a different matter. You didn't land a satisfying hit. So, the marriage proposal is off."
My sister said this cruelly.
Jurgen looked stunned.
"Sister...! What don't you like...!?"
"What? You're taking his side?"
"I am. He's worked so hard. Please don't dismiss him so easily. I can see that you like him. If there's a reason, please tell him. It's unfair to the Duke to keep him hanging."
After I pleaded, my sister thought for a moment and then smiled sadly.
It was a type of smile I had never seen before.
She nodded slightly.
"You're right... Jurgen, listen carefully."
"Yes..."
"Stay away from me. You're a nuisance."
She said the unthinkable.
For a moment, I doubted my ears.
What did she just say?
Jurgen also looked shocked.
But...
"...Is that so... I'm a nuisance...?"
"Yes."
"...I apologize for overstepping. I won't propose marriage again."
With that, Jurgen bowed deeply.
For a moment, I felt irritated and looked at my sister, but the irritation quickly dissipated.
She had a look of deep sadness on her face, one I had never seen before.
"I'll take my leave. Al, take care of Jurgen."
"Huh? Wait! Sister!"
My sister walked away with a dejected posture.
When I turned back, Jurgen was on his knees, in a daze.
What is this situation!?
Who should I look at!?
I wished Leo were here, but I compared the two for a moment.
Then, I followed my sister.
I was sure there was a reason.
If she really found him a nuisance, she wouldn't have that expression.