WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: Ceaseless
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
◈ The Northern Grand Duke’s Mad Son-in-Law ◈
Chapter 64: Ring and Gauntlet
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‘She can make an expression like that, too.’
Galahad muttered softly as he looked at Adrianna.
Adrianna was usually expressionless. Even when something happened, only her eyebrows moved. Even that movement was incredibly subtle.
Galahad had to be facing her directly to notice it.
Yet Adrianna was glaring fiercely.
It was what people called an axe-eyed glare.
If even Adrianna was making such a glare, she had to be quite angry.
The reason was...
“Was this not someone else’s gift? Giving it to someone else... That is wrong.”
Adrianna spoke firmly.
She was angry because he was disregarding someone else’s gift. It was so like Adrianna.
She was right, too.
But...
“I never said I was giving it to you.”
“...!!”
Adrianna’s eyes widened. Her glare vanished.
“You have quite a high opinion of yourself.”
Galahad clicked his tongue, and Adrianna froze. He could not even hear her breathing.
Seeing her remain stiff, Galahad added,
“I’m telling you to use it in the duel.”
Only then did Adrianna let out a deep breath.
Her eyebrows moved again. The inner corners lowered while the outer corners rose. It was not that fierce glare this time.
“A duel is sacred. It is not right for other factors to intervene in a contest that should be decided solely by the sword.”
She was right again.
Adrianna’s face returned to its usual blank expression.
Her cheeks were a little red, though.
“Is there a rule that says you cannot wear a ring in a duel?”
“...There is not.”
“Then what makes you say it is wrong?”
Adrianna opened and closed her lips. Soon, her brows furrowed slightly as though she were deep in thought.
“Are you not using the sincerity behind the gift to provoke its giver? This...”
“This?”
“It does not violate the rules, but...”
“But?”
“...”
Adrianna pressed her lips together. She seemed at a loss for words. Her blue eyes trembled slightly.
“The Princess will be wearing one too. That ring carries various blessings. If the Princess wears such a ring while you do not, would that not be unfair?”
Adrianna’s eyebrows shook sharply.
Then she slowly nodded.
“That... makes sense.”
“Then why are you refusing?”
“Even so...”
“Even so?”
Adrianna shut her mouth tightly.
“As you know, I am at stake in this duel. If you lose, that Princess will take me away without question.”
“You two seemed close.”
“Are you jealous?”
“...What?”
“The Princess is a terrible superior. If I follow her, there’s a high chance I’ll die.”
“What do you mean by that?”
Adrianna’s expression instantly turned serious.
He was exaggerating a little, but it was not a lie.
Instead of answering, Galahad put a cigarette in his mouth. Adrianna did not press him.
After a moment, Adrianna let out a low sigh and removed her gauntlet.
Her white, slender fingers were covered in calluses. Adrianna put the ring on her little finger. It was slightly loose.
“It does not fit. Put it on your ring finger.”
“No.”
Adrianna’s voice was firm.
Her fierce glare returned, and Galahad cleared his throat softly.
“I will not have to use the ring.”
Adrianna spoke in her usual indifferent voice.
That had nothing to do with Adrianna’s will, but there was no need to say so.
“Her Highness the Princess is looking for you.”
Galahad nodded to Adrianna and walked away.
Adrianna stared blankly down at her hand for a moment.
She could not understand why she was wearing the ring the Princess had given Galahad.
The situation had become somewhat strange, but...
She would be wearing her gauntlet anyway, so no one would see the ring.
With an inexplicable tightness in her chest, Adrianna readjusted her grip on her sword.
* * *
“The north is all shit, but the liquor is decent.”
The Princess was reclining on a sofa.
The room was rough and northern, but the Princess’s splendid appearance made it feel like a banquet hall in the capital.
Empty bottles littered the area around her. The room reeked of strong alcohol.
Frowning, Galahad snapped his fingers.
The thick smell of alcohol scattered away on the wind.
The Princess stretched out her long legs. The side of her extravagant dress had been torn open. She had clearly ripped it because it was uncomfortable.
“Why did you come?”
“Did I not say I came because I wanted to see you?”
Galahad’s eyes narrowed at the Princess’s carefree answer.
She was being needlessly relaxed. He put a cigarette in his mouth.
When he lit it, a fragrant lemon scent spread through the room.
“You’re in a hurry.”
The Princess grumbled softly as she looked at the cigarette.
Galahad ignored her and took a deep drag.
Only then did the Princess sit up properly.
“Challenging the Grand Duke to a duel was an idiotic choice.”
“Seeing you made it a success.”
Her voice was full of sincerity.
The Princess truly believed it had been a success.
Annoyingly, the Princess knew Galahad well.
From the moment she gave him the finger, she had become a card he had no choice but to save.
Still, she had made too much of a mess.
“This will be difficult to clean up.”
“Has my life ever been easy?”
Galahad smiled faintly. The lemon scent spread through the room.
The Princess, a member of the imperial family, had challenged the Grand Duke to a friendly duel.
If she lost, the Princess would be dealt with under the pretext that a sacred member of the imperial family had been harmed.
Winning would also be a problem.
Galahad had no intention of leaving the north.
The way to resolve it was...
“Marry the prince of the Barten Kingdom.”
The Princess furrowed her brows at Galahad’s words.
The atmosphere instantly turned cold.
Galahad did not care and continued.
“Now that the finger is gone, the Third Prince will not be able to act carelessly. If Your Highness marries the prince of the Barten Kingdom, you can break the deadlock.”
“That is reasonable. You are clever, as expected.”
The Princess’s lips curved upward.
It was a false smile.
The mad Princess smiled when she was angry.
She cried when she was happy...
“Fine. I understand. But I have a condition.”
“I refuse.”
Galahad immediately shook his head. There was no need to hear it.
“You have not even heard it yet.”
“You’re going to ask me to be your lover, aren’t you?”
“That is right. Become my lover.”
The Princess pointed at Galahad with a long finger.
The Princess knew her own worth very well. Her splendid appearance and status as a Princess were valuable assets, and the most expensive way to use them was through a marriage proposal.
For the Princess to offer him a place as her lover meant she was offering herself at the highest price.
Sadly, proposing that he become her lover was the most romantic thing the Princess could say.
“No. There is a woman I intend to marry.”
“I have a man I intend to marry as well. We are equal.”
Her logic was rather sound, and Galahad found himself speechless for a moment.
Then the tip of his cigarette fell with a soft tap. The Princess sighed quietly.
“My answer remains the same.”
“You’re a stubborn bastard.”
The Princess picked up her glass and shook it. Clicking his tongue, Galahad snapped his fingers. Liquor rose from the barrel beside them and flowed into the Princess’s glass.
The Princess drained the glass without pausing, then smiled.
“It is perfectly cool. The liquor you pour is still the best.”
Galahad crushed out his cigarette. Regret appeared on the Princess’s face.
After tossing it away, Galahad turned around without hesitation.
The Princess opened her mouth as she watched his cold back.
“Even if that day came again, I would choose you.”
Just before leaving, Galahad paused.
“Say it properly. You did not choose me. You did not trust me.”
Galahad left the room just like that.
The Princess clicked her tongue at Galahad, who had vanished without giving her time to respond.
He was right.
That day, the Princess had not trusted Galahad.
“That is a little unfair.”
The Princess muttered softly.
She knew better than anyone how capable Galahad was.
But...
“Even if it was you, how could I overlook you declaring rebellion?”
The Princess laughed aloud to herself.
* * *
‘The Third Prince, the finger, and the Princess...’
“Well, if it isn’t my arrogant junior.”
A sharp voice interrupted Galahad’s thoughts.
A man in a white cloak stood before him. The white cloak was the symbol of the White Magic Tower, while the golden thread embroidered upon it proved he was an upper-ranking mage.
He was clearly the mage who would face Galahad in the duel.
“Junior? Have we met?”
The man’s face immediately twisted at Galahad’s question.
“Ha, pretending not to know me.”
“I’m sorry, but I do not remember useless things. You called me junior, so you must be from the Imperial Academy. Then...”
Galahad studied the man’s face. His sparse eyebrows looked rather familiar.
‘Ah, he was one of the Crown Prince’s lackeys.’
Memories of his Academy days surfaced after a long time.
When Galahad enrolled, the Crown Prince had been in his graduating year. He had only seen the Crown Prince in passing.
The Crown Prince disliked Galahad for breaking his record and enrolling as the youngest student.
Of course, he did not touch Galahad directly.
The Crown Prince was a noble member of the imperial family.
He only said that Galahad irritated him somewhat.
That was enough for the Crown Prince’s lackeys to make Galahad’s life difficult.
This man had been one of them.
“Ah, one of the men who followed the Crown Prince around. Your name was... Chimpanzee?”
“It is Bunch, you bastard! You are only pretending not to know me.”
Bunch grinned smugly. His behavior was closer to that of a thug than a mage.
“Ah, Bunch. That was your name. Chimpanzee has a better ring to it, though. Nice to see you.”
Galahad held out his hand as if by habit. Bunch frowned and did not take it.
He was fairly wary.
Waving his staff, Bunch laughed.
“Ha, what a strange fate you have. Being hated by His Highness the Crown Prince was not enough, and now Her Highness the Princess has taken a dislike to you too.”
Bunch sniffed and laughed. He seemed to be trying to provoke Galahad, but it was true.
Galahad nodded readily.
“I agree. It is a tiring life.”
“You have become quite rude. You had a certain charm back at the Academy.”
“I’m sorry, but I was taller than you even then. Were you not short even back then?”
Bunch’s staff trembled in his hand. Galahad looked him over again.
‘An upper-ranking mage of the White Magic Tower...’
The White Magic Tower was prestigious enough to be considered one of the four great Magic Towers.
One could not enter the White Magic Tower through skill alone. Bloodline also mattered.
That meant Bunch was a mage with both a distinguished family and formidable ability.
‘He was capable enough to stay beside the Crown Prince.’
He did not seem to have the best character, but the Crown Prince was worthy of the throne.
The Crown Prince valued talented people. Competition to stay near him was fierce. Simply having been at his side was proof of Bunch’s ability.
Of course, the Crown Prince had disliked Galahad for breaking his record, but he was not the only one.
Most mages had disliked and envied Galahad.
That was the unavoidable fate of a genius.
In any case, if Bunch had been able to remain beside the Crown Prince, his abilities were guaranteed.
He would be a troublesome opponent.
Then a question came to mind. Bunch had clearly followed the Crown Prince, so why was he here?
“Ah, judging by how you have attached yourself to the Princess, have you cut ties with the Crown Prince?”
“What?! You dog...”
Galahad had asked politely, yet Bunch got angry. Galahad clicked his tongue softly.
“You are still uncultured.”
Then familiar music began to play. The noisy surroundings instantly fell silent.
As the music swelled, a woman in red slowly emerged.
It was the Princess, dressed in a gown.
As though she did not feel the gazes pouring in from all directions, the Princess walked with ease.
Bunch quietly stepped back when she appeared.
“I will correct your manners later. I will remind you of your Academy days.”
“Like your magic, even your threats lack creativity.”
“Grr...!”
Bunch stepped back slightly when the Princess looked at Galahad.
The Princess naturally headed for the highest platform. She sat as if reclining against an enormous chair and gestured. A knight brought her a drink.
A horn sounded harshly. Instead of cheering, the knights stomped their feet.
Boom!
Heavy footsteps sounded amid the stomping.
It was the Grand Duke.
The moment the Grand Duke appeared, everything fell silent.
Everyone watched the Grand Duke carefully.
Soon, the Grand Duke stepped onto the platform opposite the Princess.
At that moment, Adrianna approached Galahad. Sweat covered her forehead, so she appeared to have been practicing with her sword until just moments ago.
She truly was a knight.
“Do you know that person?”
Adrianna asked, pointing at the distant Bunch. Galahad nodded.
“We attended the same Academy.”
“Ah, I see...”
“The ring?”
Adrianna hesitated for a moment at Galahad’s question, then nodded.
“Which hand?”
“What? I put it on my right hand.”
Adrianna waved her right hand. The gauntlet hid it from view.
Galahad subtly shifted his gaze. The Princess was looking down from above.
Her gaze was fixed on Galahad.
Those large red eyes made Galahad...
“Give me your hand.”
“...What?”
“Ah, do not take off your gauntlet. I’m in a hurry.”
At Galahad’s urging, Adrianna held out her hand.
She wore a gauntlet, but that would not matter much.
Galahad placed his hand over Adrianna’s. A faint warmth seeped through the cool gauntlet.
Adrianna’s eyes widened. She hurriedly tried to pull her hand away.
Galahad urged her softly.
“Stay still. This is necessary.”
Adrianna froze.
As if she had broken down.
Galahad glanced at the Princess.
The Princess...
Was smiling very broadly.
‘That worked.’
Galahad touched his cool neck.
Then he felt someone’s gaze.
Turning his head, Galahad was slightly startled.
A high-ranking Monster was glaring at him.
No, looking more closely, it was the Grand Duke.
The Grand Duke was glaring at Galahad.
This time, even Galahad had no choice but to avoid the Grand Duke’s gaze.
He did not let go of Adrianna’s hand, though.
It was necessary...
Thump.
‘Low-grade egg, stay still.’
The Egg of Pain trembled in protest.
* * *
‘Why am I overseeing this...’
Theodore, who had been made responsible for officiating the duel, rubbed his dry throat.
‘The order is... Liam, Galahad, then Adrianna.’
Originally, it had been Galahad, Liam, and Adrianna, but Liam had requested to be moved to the front.
He claimed he would seize the advantage by going first.
The order had been changed at Liam’s request.
Adrianna’s opponent was the Princess. It would be best if they did not have to reach Adrianna’s match.
‘It would be best to end this cleanly with Liam and Galahad.’
Liam’s skill went without saying. Galahad worried Theodore, but he had even killed Demonkin, so there was no way he would lose.
If the two of them won, Adrianna would not have to fight. Nothing good could come from getting involved with a member of the imperial family like the Princess.
Theodore looked at the Grand Duke for a signal.
The Grand Duke’s gaze was fixed elsewhere.
Theodore turned his head and was slightly horrified. Galahad and Adrianna were openly holding hands.
No, to be precise, Adrianna looked as though she had been caught.
Galahad sat at ease...
‘His nerve is truly impressive.’
Even if she wore a gauntlet, he was holding Adrianna’s hand in front of the Grand Duke. Theodore was sincerely impressed by such mad courage.
The Grand Duke’s shoulders began to twitch.
If he did nothing, the Grand Duke would surely tear off Galahad’s head.
Theodore hurriedly opened his mouth.
“Now, the first duel will be...”
“I will go.”
A cool voice came from somewhere.
When Theodore turned, the Princess had risen from her seat.
The Princess’s bearing was different from before. Her red hair spread in every direction like the tines of a rake, while her eyes curved into beautiful arcs.
She was smiling with her eyes, but there was something strangely cold about it.
The Princess was already standing in the center. An imperial knight hurried over and handed her a sword.
It was an elaborately decorated rapier.
“Come out.”
The Princess pointed her rapier at Adrianna.
Her voice was full of laughter.
Adrianna, who had been chosen...
Was still frozen.
“Adrianna, she is telling you to come out.”
When Galahad released her hand, Adrianna blinked.
Soon, she came to her senses, rose from her seat, and headed to the center.
Facing the Princess, Adrianna let out a deep breath.
Adrianna returned to her usual expressionless face.
Unlike Adrianna, who was heavily armed, the Princess wore a dress.
“Will you not wear armor?”
At Adrianna’s question, the Princess raised a corner of her mouth.
“There is no need. Your sword will never reach me.”
“Then we cannot proceed with the duel.”
Adrianna spoke seriously, and the Princess’s eyes curved further.
“You are troublesome.”
The Princess grabbed the collar of her dress and tore it open.
Theodore was startled by the outrageous act.
Armor lay beneath the torn dress. It was richly gleaming red armor.
The armor clung tightly to her body, like the skin of a reptile.
‘This makes the proceedings...’
Theodore screamed inwardly at the suddenly tangled order.
The two had already stepped forward.
He had no choice but to proceed.
Theodore gestured to the side.
The soldier with the horn in their mouth nodded vigorously.
The horn sounded harshly, announcing the start of the duel.
At the same time, the Princess moved.
No, she vanished.
Clang!
A sharp sound rang out a moment later.
Their swords had already crossed.
“Left side, one point.”
At the long mark carved into her gauntlet...
And the Princess’s deepening smile...
Adrianna grew flustered.
Footnotes:
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