"…"
Eyes were locked, meeting in the air.
No matter how noisy the streets were, the tension between the two could not dissipate.
No one recognized her face. The 13th prince had not even made his social debut yet.
'Did he recognize me?'
Charlize was nervous.
If you look into it.
Of course, it doesn't matter.
'If I win, I'm going to make a wish for Heelu-herb anyway.'
I'm going to give Heelu-herb to the 7th concubine, who will begin to suffer extreme pain. A vacation interlaced with competitions. Charlize's identity as the participant named Reeze.
It's amazing that brilliant Dylan doesn't know.
I thought it would be in the space between the top of the competition stadium and the audience seat if our eyes met. Isn't it too coincidental to be a coincidence?
Why in this place at this time…?
But Dylan soon drew her attention. Charlize blinked her eyes. Dylan walked to another place.
Charlize stayed still for a long time, then slowly stepped back quietly.
Even though it was in the middle of the night, the people were enthusiastic because it was the lively eve festival. It was so loud that she couldn't hear anything.
'I'm going back to my lodging.'
Meanwhile, Dylan was walking to the betting board.
The names of the final 100 people selected, the odds, and the amounts of betting money at stake were being revised in real-time.
Dylan looked carefully at the sign and stopped looking at the 39th line.
After a while, Dylan smiled slowly. It was a colorful smile.
Soon the red lips opened.
"100 million gold for 'Reeze'."
*****
'I am indeed a genius, right?'
Akan thought. He continued to dwell on the difference in talent he felt as he fought with the boy named Reeze.
Was that the problem? Akan lost his concentration in the semifinals. He was considered a strong candidate to win but lost to Kahu.
It was fortunate that Kahu was a nobleman who was also considered a strong candidate likely to win. The referee called the winner's name. The Grand Duke left his seat as soon as Akan was gone.
'If there is a true sword genius, it is…'
The participant who has already reached the finals. It was Reeze.
"It's already the final!"
The cheers of the people are pouring in.
Charlize took a breath.
She has won in a row. Naturally, the match was decided. She just had to spend time and play. It was the final match when she was spirited.
At first, no one was interested in Charlize. It was because Charlize's swordsmanship seemed too easy.
Swing softly and win naturally. It wasn't strong enough to remain impressive.
Comfortable posture. An attitude that seems to be wielding carelessly and seems to be half-hearted.
It was just quiet.
In addition, no matter who saw it, Charlize was young. Even the big men were struggling with her slender body at this fencing competition.
"The power who appeared like a comet, Reeze!"
The referee shouted.
"Having defeated Akan, who was a strong candidate to win. The strongest candidate for winner! Young Duke Kahu of Delmon!"
Charlize's expression, which had been calm until now, was faintly cracked in front of Kahu.
He was… Charlize's fiance.
Since Charlize went missing before her return, the Ronan family has really done nothing to find her.
They didn't find Charlize, nor did they hold a funeral. They just passed it like a child who wasn't there before.
However, there was only one person who searches for Charlize for more than five years. It was Kahu.
[It's getting on my nerve. Even though you are not finding so hard so that I have to make you get in trouble, you've been persistent for years.]
I remember the emperor clicking his tongue at Kahu as if he was in trouble.
The emperor assumed that Kahu was Charlize's fiance.
However, Charlize did not understand Kahu.
Because.
Before Charlize went missing, she was made into Keira, and they didn't have any contact.
Charlize had never seen Kahu's face except for the engagement ceremony.
'Why?'
Why did he wander in search of Charlize? What did he know? She couldn't stand it without asking deep questions.
However.
"The match starts!"
Charlize shut her mouth.
And hesitated. She didn't even lift the sword properly and stayed still for a long time. It's a championship match.
Kahu looked carefully at Charlize.
Even after the match began, the confrontation was getting longer.
"It seems they can both show their full skill level in this match."
Hearing the relayman's words, Charlize stared only at Kahu. Yeah. I'm sure that the engagement relationship is very deep.
But this is no time to be swept away by emotions. Charlize had to win at all costs.
Charlize lifted both her hands holding the swords. Kahu approached as if he had waited.
Charlize couldn't show her power in this match. Because she was ridiculously considerate of Kahu.
'I don't want to hurt you.'
The swordsmanship had to be more cautious.
Of course, this was only Charlize's perspective.
If he had neither been careful of Charlize nor watched her closely, it would have been a subtle difference.
Finally, Charlize's sword was held against Kahu's neck.
"The winner is Reeze!"
The crowd went wild for the new star as the referee shouted. There were also people screaming and crying.
It was certainly a strange experience for tens of thousands of people to whistle and confidently give a standing ovation.
The knights of the imperial family were arguing about what the boy's identity was. They have to scout so they won't lose him.
Charlize went up to the podium for the winner, without revealing her family name.
The emperor, waiting by the podium, welcomed her with a benevolent smile. It's not cool, even as if there's much meaning hidden behind it.
Charlize was disgusted but tried not to show it.
"I am Reeze, I greet Your Majesty the Emperor."
Charlize bent down.
The emperor smiled gladly.
"I can't believe there was such a talented man hiding like you, Reeze."
"It is the glory of our Empire as well as Your Majesty's good luck."
Charlize replied without spirit.
The emperor shrugged and tried to see if he was drunk.
"Yes, what is your wish as the winner?"
This was what the crowd was most curious about: What will the winner wish for after 10 years?
Would you ask for the most beautiful companion in the world?
Will you ask for the title of nobility?
Or, like an ancient winner, would you ask to save a friend who is accused of treason?
Soon Reeze's lips opened. Everyone paid attention.
But the words that came out were beyond everyone's expectations.
"I'd like to have something. I just want you to know, Your Majesty."
There was a cry of regret in the audience. The emperor looked at Charlize with interest.
The emperor's worries were short.
"It was the initial intention of the fencing competition to listen to everything the winner wanted, yes, yes."
Charlize approached the emperor with permission. The emperor's expression changed strangely as she whispered in his ear.
The audience was curious. No secret whisperings were heard.
"…Is that all?"
"Yes."
Charlize, who stepped back with her hands politely, lowered her gaze. If she looked directly at the emperor, she thought she wouldn't be able to live.
'Heelu-herb.'
The emperor gave the winner a chance like this, that never comes back again for life. Of course, Heelu-herb was very rare.
A herb similar to a painkiller that helps to stop feeling any pain permanently. The sensation is alive, but only removes pain.
'Are there any sick people in your family?'
Well, it wasn't the Emperor's matter.
"I'll send it to you by today."
Only a small sigh came from the nervous winner. The Emperor saw the winner clenching his fists.
"But Reeze. Do you have any intention of being my direct sword?"
The emperor's offer was quiet for a moment. But soon there was a marvelous exclamation of awaiting in the audience.
The Emperor's direct knight. That's a big shot. It was a great opportunity to be part of the Imperial second Knights.
Charlize looked like a commoner boy on the surface. People looked at Charlize with envy. But.
"I'm sorry, but I can't. … I do not want my identity to be exposed, and I hope my life will remain calm in the future."
"Is that so?"
"It was a competition where I was told that the winner would listen to everything he wanted. I ask for your understanding. Your Majesty."
"I can't believe you missed your chance to be a popular man."
He seemed a little displeased, but he didn't show much of his face because of the way he was as an emperor.
Charlize knew he would try to get Reeze from behind, but she didn't care. There was no one in this country who could find Charlize.
*****
Charlize lit a candle at the quiet inn. The magic of the fairies had faded before she knew it. A little lower in height, a bigger chest, and longer hair.
Her hair and eyes have also regained their original color.
Charlize was called up as soon as she returned to the 13th Palace. She recalled the memory before her return.
'By this time of year, the Emperor had originally held a celebration party for the winner.'
Nominally. The real purpose was set aside.
In order to solidify the Crown Prince's position, he invited his other children of the Imperial family and the teachers who taught them.
'I have to go.'
Not as the winner Reeze. As Charlize, the 13th prince's teacher.
Mary was better than she thought. Charlize stared blankly at herself changing in the mirror.
Originally pretty, but more beautifully bloomed under Mary's touch. Mary, who put a flower crown on her head, seemed excited.
"I wanted to serve the noblewoman at least once."
It was vivid that she wielded a sword in the spotlight on the fencing competition. Dressed up like a Lady, it was so impressive.
No one would be reminded of the winner of the fencing competition when they saw Charlize Ronan.
Charlize dressed up in a sky-blue dress.
"Teacher of the 13th Prince, Lady Charlize of the Ronan family, is entering!"
Upon arriving at the party, Charlize slowly entered the hall.
As soon as she got in, people looked at her, but she looked calm.
Charlize quickly ran over to the interior of the party hall.
3rd-floor railing terrace. Hiding there would be the least noticeable.
She went there without saying hello to anyone.
It was when she was breathing alone.
The curtain was lifted.
"Ah…."
When she looked back at the sign of someone's presence, the person who faced her eyes hesitated and retreated. Charlize hardened.
The man had a familiar face.
Kahu, her fiancée before her return, who lost the final. The Young Duke of Delmon.
'Why are you here?'
Charlize was nervous. As expected, did he recognize her? She was close enough to hit the sword. Even if she was dressed as a man, he might have been suspicious.
But how…
Charlize's mind was muddled up. Kahu was ten thousand times more confused than she was.
"… Please come in."
Charlize said and stepped aside a little. Among the nobles selected for the sword competition, Kahu was ranked highest.
It stands out too much now.
It's not good for each other when there's a scandal, but it's better to talk about a fencing competition when there's only the two of us.
"Lady Ronan."
However, the words that came from Kahu were very unexpected.
"You, you were alive…?"
He didn't even enter behind the curtains, and he couldn't believe it.
Charlize's eyes opened wide.