Bran stood confidently next to Arcadia, looking down at me.
He hadn’t noticed me earlier in the medical tent due to the multitude of soldiers.
In my previous life, Bran became the Deputy Commander of the Northern Knight Order five years after Arcadia’s death.
‘It seems in this life, you won’t have the chance to become Deputy Commander since Arcadia is alive.’
I unwittingly smiled in relief, but Bran’s brow furrowed.
“Are you mocking me?”
His voice, full of youthful confidence, was directed at me.
Oh no.
I had forgotten that my disfigured face might appear as if I was mocking when I smiled. He shouted,
“Even as a mere squire, I can beat a skinny thing like you with my eyes closed!”
“Wowwww!”
The knights cheered again.
Bran, your impulsive nature hasn’t changed.
Born a citizen of a fallen nation, absorbed into the North that subjugated your land, you were manipulated by me to rebel against the Northern Duke.
I’m relieved to have met you so early in this life.
“Do you have a sword?”
Arcadia’s question caught me off guard. The white sword given by Medea was abandoned when I left the South.
The only sword I had was the blue-handled one left by my mother, a precious treasure too valuable to reveal here.
“I’m sorry, I don’t have one.”
Arcadia signaled to a soldier with a displeased expression. The soldier handed me a standard sword used by them.
A steel sword, longer and slightly heavier than ordinary ones, made of silver steel unique to the North, known for its durability and elasticity.
It was my first time handling it.
I gently caressed the blade, then my eyes met those of the master blacksmith Ergo, who had been watching me.
The gaze measuring my face.
The reward promised by the Duke if I proved my usefulness.
A new ‘half-mask’ to reveal my true face, hidden by the disfigured side.
I must win. Just enough to prove my usefulness.
Arcadia addressed everyone.
“Estelle, you have three chances in this duel. Win and you can fight the next opponent, lose and it’s over. And.”
He looked at me.
“If you show commendable skill, the Duke will bestow upon you a different ‘half-mask’.”
“A different half-mask? What’s that?”
The knights began murmuring.
Arcadia tapped Bran’s shoulder.
“Begin.”
Bran, with a light expression, stepped down and stood firmly opposite me, a slightly mocking smile on his lips.
Duke Belphegor watched me.
‘Sorry, Bran, the squire. I intended to go easy, but I think I need to do quite well in this ‘proof’.’
I looked at the brown-haired man among the knights, likely my second opponent.
Maybe I’ll beat him.
Bran raised his sword towards me.
“Let’s start!”
Bran called out.
‘Alright, come on.’
It seems harder to win than to lose. I don’t know the skill of the second opponent, but he must be stronger than Bran, likely a newly knighted or a senior squire.
So, I have to beat Bran quickly, revealing as little as possible, and then lose to my third opponent, Arcadia.
Bran charged at me, well-grounded, fast, and strong.
‘Sorry, Bran.’
He leaped into the air, extending his right hand straight. He thrust his sword horizontally towards my shoulder. Standing still, I admired his excellent posture.
‘Good posture, but you had an injury on your left side.’
From his stance, I could guess where he had been treated.
Slightly twisting my upper body, I let his sword slide past me. There was no need to move my legs.
Normally, this would be a straightforward counterattack. But a horizontal strike is difficult for a beginner to counter.
I decided to perform just above a beginner’s level.
Bran’s arm, unable to stop due to his extended force, passed by my side. I hit his arm with the back of my sword, then tripped his back leg towards me.
Bran spun in the air and landed on his left arm.
Oops, his side.
“Ouch!”
He seemed to feel the impact in his side, curling up.
Suddenly, silence enveloped the surroundings.
What’s with this quiet?
After a moment, Bran looked up at me angrily.
“What the? You’re supposed to clash swords properly!”
He sprung up, aiming his sword at me again. I stepped back, countering his overhead strike, then quickly lowered my body and struck upwards.
My sword hit Bran’s hand, making him drop his weapon. I knocked his falling sword away.
“Boom!”
The sword embedded in the soft earth.
I should have moved my arms and legs more.
I glanced at my legs, barely moved from where I stood.
Well, I’ve already won this one.
“Estelle wins!”
A soldier raised a flag in my direction.
Beyond the disheartened Bran, the inscrutable Duke Belphegor was visible.
“The second duel will be against the third battalion commander, Knight Emils!”
The announcer called out the tall, brown-haired knight.
This is too much of a leap. From a squire to not just a knight, but a commander.
I glanced resentfully at Arcadia. He, like the Duke, was expressionless, but one eyebrow was slightly raised.
What? Why?
If I stopped at just beating the squire, it might take too long to stand by the Duke’s side.
I intend to become his trusted aide, pushing the Duke to greater heights.
Male lead is a clingy little husband
One-line summary: The male lead is initially an arrogant, noble, love-deprived brat, later a cute, clingy, scheming little jealous one.
Introduction:
One day, Lu Yuner’s soul transmigrates into a female-dominant world. She enters the Imperial Academy and takes up the position of a doctoral instructor, teaching classes and grading schoolwork.
One day, she encounters the young prince Su Qingwan secretly skipping class from the male academy.
As a result, Su Qingwan is punished.
From then on, Su Qingwan sees Lu Yuner as a “thorn in his side”.
But before long, this “thorn” becomes the person he cherishes most, and he goes to great lengths to win Lu Yuner’s affection.
Mini scene 1:
One day, the sun is high in the sky but Su Qingwan still hasn’t gotten up for class.
Servant Xiaoyuan: “Young prince, it’s time for class. You’ll be late otherwise.”
Su Qingwan says arrogantly: “I’m not going. I am the esteemed prince, my status is so noble, why should I suffer this hardship? Besides, isn’t learning all this just to please women? Hmph, they’re not worthy!”
Mini scene 2:
After Su Qingwan falls for someone, he completely changes. He no longer skips class and diligently learns how to be a good husband and father. But he discovers that Sister Yuner is always surrounded by admirers.
Drunk and overcome with jealousy one day, he clings to Lu Yuner, crying beautifully like a pear blossom in the rain.
Su Qingwan: “Qingwan likes Sister Yuner.”
Lu Yuner: “Young prince, you’re drunk.”
Su Qingwan: “Qingwan isn’t drunk. Qingwan likes Sister Yuner, likes you so much, likes you to bits…” Before he can finish, Lu Yuner’s eyes flash with emotion and she leans in closer.
[Reading Guide]
1. The female lead is gentle, gracious, humble and polite but not weak. The male lead is initially an arrogant, noble, love-deprived brat, later a cute, clingy, scheming little jealous one.
2. 1v1, a bit torturous in the beginning but definitely sweet later on.
_____
Please help me, I want to bring you the best possible things.
If you find any chapter or novel with poor translation and editing quality, let me know by commenting directly under that novel or chapter. I will retranslate it as soon as possible.
[Touch the gear icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to move to the next chapter if you want.]
