The moment their swords first clashed, their strength was evenly matched. But when they separated briefly and collided again, Count Warden’s sword flowed like water, burrowing towards Yezar’s waist.

However, Yezar quickly corrected his stance and blocked Count Warden’s sword. The rapid sounds of swords clashing and deflecting pounded in their ears.

While Yezar defended almost perfectly against everything and pushed forward with strength, Count Warden counterattacked like flowing water, aiming for openings.

‘It’s my first time seeing swordsmanship look so elegant.’

Unlike Count Warden’s rugged body, his swordsmanship was surprisingly clean and beautiful. His clean movements without any excess and the sharpness with which he penetrated in curves were admirable.

“Eric is excited again. He’s like a fish in water, having found someone who can match him after a long time.”

“But Duke Perhaem is smiling too, isn’t he? It seems both of them love swords. They’re sparring so happily.”

“It feels like watching a swordsmanship tournament, so it’s enjoyable. Who do you think will win? What does Julieta think?”

At that question, I answered without realizing it.

“I don’t think winning or losing matters. Because the moment they share their skills must be very enjoyable.”

It was beautiful. Count Warden’s swordsmanship, with its clean movements fiercely targeting the opponent’s vital points, and Yezar’s swordsmanship, defending perfectly against all attacks while tightening the noose.

“But I think Yezar will win.”

The more they sparred, the more the outcome became apparent. Count Warden kept attempting attacks, but they were all being blocked by Yezar’s sword.

If even the slightest opening was given, Count Warden would be helplessly defeated.

And as I predicted, the moment Count Warden’s center of gravity wavered slightly, Yezar’s sword came in aiming for his neck.

He stopped just before making contact, and Count Warden laughed dejectedly as if admitting defeat.

“Well, it can’t be helped. I’ve lost. I think I understand why Duke Perhaem succeeded to the dukedom at such an early age.”

“Thank you for the compliment. Your swordsmanship is still beautiful. It’s a style I can’t imitate.”

It was nice to see them acknowledging the outcome and shaking hands. The thrill that rose from my toes and spread throughout my body made me think I had done well to watch.

“As Julieta said, Duke Perhaem won. Were you watching hoping for his continuous victory?”

“I’m sorry to Yezar, but I was watching Count Warden’s beautiful swordsmanship. It wasn’t swordsmanship that pushed and struck with force, but like a work of art, so I couldn’t take my eyes off it.”

At that, Count Warden, who was walking towards us, laughed out loud.

“Well, I’m honored that the Duchess has praised my swordsmanship. I wonder if Duke Perhaem isn’t jealous of me for this.”

“I don’t get jealous over such things……”

As Yezar spoke while turning his head away, Count Warden slapped his back hard as if he had seen something rare.

“Hahaha! The honeymoon is indeed hot. Leaving the jealous Duke Perhaem aside. Duchess, have you ever learned swordsmanship?”

Count Warden asked something unexpected. I hesitated for a moment. It wasn’t that I was trying to hide it, but I wondered if I should speak honestly.

“What if I say I have…?”

“Oh my. Julieta, you learned the sword?”

“Oh my. No wonder you easily guessed who would win in the duel.”

I lightly brushed off the ladies’ noisy reactions. I had no choice but to do so.

The man who had shown beautiful swordsmanship right before my eyes was asking me.

“Would you like to spar with me?”

To cross swords. When I was at the Orbetian County, I enjoyed swordsmanship merely as a hobby. I started it out of boredom, but unexpectedly found it to my liking.

The moments of moving my body, sparring and training were tough yet enjoyable, so I couldn’t stop.

After coming to the Perhaem Duchy, I became ambitious. It was after crossing swords with Yezar. Whenever I watched the swordsmanship of well-trained knights from the side, I wanted to learn more like them. I wanted to face Yezar more equally. That thirst arose and I couldn’t bear it.

“I want to spar. I’d like you to face me with real swords, not wooden ones, even if just for a moment.”

I had seen them opposing each other as tightly as drawing a bowstring. How could I stay still?

“Wait a moment, Julieta. Real swords? Eric is a muscle-head who can’t control himself midway! It’s definitely dangerous.”

Although Katrin tried to stop me, it didn’t reach my ears. Count Warden, who chuckled, shrugged and said,

“I don’t mind real swords, but I’m curious about Duke Perhaem’s opinion. Is it alright?”

The other ladies were aghast and quickly told Yezar to stop it. But Yezar, who had directly crossed swords with Count Warden, would surely understand my feelings.

My eyes met Yezar’s. He frowned but soon answered.

“It’s fine. However, as my wife is not a formal knight, please stop if it seems she might get hurt.”

Having sparred with me before, I knew he would say that. I was smiling with joy, but Count Warden seemed chilled by Yezar’s ominous gaze.

“If I accidentally injure her, the night streets will be scary.”

“Rather than the night streets, your future will become scary. Of course, I’m joking.”

For a moment, I wondered if I should not spar, thinking he was serious. Count Warden, who hesitated for a moment, scratched the back of his neck and then handed me the sword.

“Alright then. Duchess, let’s have a duel. Your hands were those of a knight.”

He was observant too. He had already noticed that.

“May I change into comfortable clothes? I’m in a dress now.”

At that, Katrin sighed deeply.

“I have clothes, but are you really okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine.”

Berry also looked at me worriedly.

“What if you get a scar on your face?”

“Count Warden will be careful.”

Finally, Sina said to me.

“I know you’re serious, but wouldn’t wooden swords be okay?”

“Wooden swords won’t do. I’ve already seen them dueling with real swords.”

Using wooden swords would be safer. But the beauty of the swordsmanship I saw would be diminished. I wanted to see it up close while exchanging blows with Count Warden. That’s why Yezar must have allowed it too.

Knowing that they couldn’t break this stubbornness of mine anyway.

***

After changing my clothes, I received the sword Count Warden gave me. I slowly examined the sword after drawing it from its sheath.

“It’s nice. A well-maintained sword.”

As I swung it with satisfaction, Count Warden said,

“I never imagined. That the Duchess had learned swordsmanship. Was it originally a secret?”

“It was a secret from my father. I didn’t learn swordsmanship with the goal of becoming a knight. At first, I started because it suited me. But then I just loved the sword.”

It was a hobby, but I wielded the sword passionately. I didn’t mind being tired and exhausted. Because I loved it.

“I see. I’ll spar as if training knights.”

“Yes. Thank you. Please do it to a degree that won’t worry the ladies watching over there.”

“Katrin treats me like a muscle-head, but if I can’t control even that much, I can’t be called a knight.”

He was taking a relaxed stance. A pleasant exhilaration covered my whole body. How beautiful would his swordsmanship be up close?

“Come, Duchess.”

He beckoned with his hand. I smiled and rushed at him. The swords clashed hard.

Clang―! The sound of the collision reached my ears like a beautiful resonance.

“Ugh. You’re stronger than you look.”

“I hear that a lot.”

I answered casually, but his pushing force was no joke either. My wrist was tingling. The moment the swords clashed again, a strong wind blew.

As I squinted one eye due to the sand wind, he lowered his stance. And like flowing water, his sword naturally aimed at me.

I had the illusion that the sword was bending. It targets the opponent’s weak points sharply while drawing gentle lines.

‘Ah, as expected. It’s even more beautiful up close. I’m enjoying this.’

The difference in build between Count Warden and me was considerable. I avoided the sword coming towards my head by bending my waist and neck, but some of my hair was cut. I heard the sound of someone gasping from afar.

“Eek. Katrin’s going to scold me.”

While he was surprised and looking to the side for a moment, I swung my sword. As I pressed down with force at a point where his posture wasn’t properly set, I felt him being pushed back. Dust rose in an instant.

“You should focus, Count Warden.”

At my cheerful voice, he gave a hollow laugh.

“Well, well. You’re not even surprised.”

“Hair grows back anytime, doesn’t it? I don’t even care about such things.”

As I leaped and swung my sword aiming for his neck, I saw him hurriedly blocking while tilting his head back. As I tried to push forward with force, he pushed back the sword.

I, who was pushed back a few steps, caught my breath.

“If I train you like I train knights, I’ll be the one in trouble.”

“It’s your fault for not concentrating, Count Warden.”

After catching my breath for a moment, I rushed in and pushed again. Attacking at a rapid pace like a whirlwind was my strength that even Yezar had praised.

“You attack at such a fast pace, yet there are no gaps between your movements. Did the Duke train your form?”

Count Warden asked playfully while smiling.

“Yes. He’s a competent teacher. So stop joking around, Count Warden. It’s not funny.”

At my serious gaze, he responded with his sword.