Marquis Cyrus was enjoying the rare tension and joy together. Plus, a little bit of irritation. It was an annoying opponent who couldn't see his left eye.
If it weren't for one eye, I would have enjoyed this game more.
'But it's no use feeling sorry for the loss.'
There are things you can gain by losing.
'No, if you lose something and you don't gain anything, you'll get it because it's unfair.'
Cyrus thought so, and adjusted the strength and weakness by saying that he stole the power of his blade as soon as the blade of Eustaf came.
It was the first time in this way that I felt Eustaf's sword faltering. As he pushed ahead without missing it, Eustaf subtly adjusted the angle of the sword and slipped his sword. Cyrus pretended to lose the balance of the sword. I was going to ring as soon as I came in. However, Eustaf widened the gap.
Cyrus kicked his tongue.
'What's wrong with him?'
At that age, it's normal to come in recklessly if you think you won. But that's acting like a mercenary who's been rolling on a rough floor.
"It's not like I'm risking my life, is it fair?"
A cold smile hung around Eustaf's mouth as Cyrus grumbled. He didn't answer and ran into the sword again.
As soon as Cyrus tried to control the sword again, Eustaf began to control it first.
"What do you say?"
Cyrus's face was slightly distorted. Did you copy my skills?
'Then.'
Cyrus's sword quickly rose in strength and speed. Then Eustaf raised his strength as if he knew it. A quick battle ensued.
The gap between the two was barely distant, and they were close together. Usually, they don't fight like this when they swing a long sword.
Most of them were swordsmanship competitions in that form, which were attached and dropped, turned around and looked at again.
However, the two were fighting a battle that would make others feel tired of seeing.
As such, the game was also played quickly. In the meantime, Cyrus's sword touched Eustaf's neck and Eustaf's sword touched his side.
"It's a tie."
When Cyrus said and took off the blade, Eustaf shook his head.
"I lost."
The sword went in one late at the time.
Cyrus grinned at his word.
"Who did you learn from?"
"I learned from Baron Wild."
Blaine's father and former commander of the Blue flame Division.
"I see."
Then Cyrus beat the boot end with a blunt sword tip.
'At that age, I can't believe he's this young.'
Usually, there was no arrogance that was common among those with such skills.
No, I know I'm well, I know how to use it, but I'm not overconfident about it.
"Is there a dragonfly in there?'
Cyrus grinned as he thought about his youth.
"Then shall we have another round?"
"Sure."
Eustaf answered with a light shake at the tip of the sword, and the two were absorbed in the battle until the sun fell and they could not see it.
*******
Eustaf groaned low and immersed himself in a hot tub. Perhaps this was the last practice, so I pushed to the limit, and my body screamed. It's been a long time since I've worked so hard on the battle.
Blaine and other knights had similar patterns and predicted points because they had a long time to face swords.
But Marquis Cyrus was different.
Eustaf's liked his first-time pattern, first-time swordsmanship, and quite cowardly points.
Feeling his muscles languishing in the hot water, he swept up his black hair.
Three days later, it was a duel day.
'I don't understand it myself.'
A duel for the crown prince was such a big risk. It's not just about politics, it's about my life being in danger.
He is Lazia's head.
If your head is cut off, you can't function your hands and feet, so the captain must be careful.
However, he broke the principle by himself.
Biting his lips and smiling bitterly, Eustaf thought of the cause. He sighed because it seemed too direct and blatant.
What did your mother say?
-Don't ever believe in the saying of 'I love you'
I know that well.
-What if, what if, Eustaf. If you ever fall in love with someone...
In the madness of being betrayed by her husband and dying, her mother whispered that she would teach his a very good way.
-If you want to completely own someone "Kill her."
He muttered and laughed so coldly. My mother would have wanted to die with my father if she could. That's why he wanted to hold the title of Duchess of Lazia forever and completely.
Dipping deeply into the bathtub, he closed his eyes.
After being in the bathtub for a long time, the servant politely said, "The Lord is waiting."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"She said she'll wait."
After kicking his tongue, Eustaf quickly changed his clothes, his hair roughly turned and went out to the drawing room.
Ran, who was waiting for him, looks back to him and turns her eyes wide open. Then he glanced at her and said, "I didn't take off my clothes."
"What!?"
Lan jumped up.
"Somehow you seem to want to see it with that kind of eyes."
"No, I'm not!"
Seeing her face turning red with embarrassment, he thought it was amazing, too. It is also interesting that she maintains her position as a Patriarch while showing all her emotions.
She seems to deny the whole teaching she has learned since she was young.
Why don't you ask the disciple if they want to choose between themselves and Ran, except for their lineage? I wasn't sure.
And he couldn't tell herself whether he was displeased or not with that he wasn't sure.
What would I say if I told her what my mother said? Thinking about it, Eustaf asked.
"What's the matter?"
"Can't I come if something's wrong?"
When Ran spoke out of embarrassment, he answered without batting an eyelid.
"That's not how we are."
"That's too much."
grumbled and Ran asked.
"Did you do well?"
"Yes."
"Eustaf."
"Yes, Noonim?"
"Short answers don't help conversation."
"Yes?"
"Really?"
Ran lightly puffed her cheeks and sighed. And I talked about the business.
"While I was asleep, you took care of the paperwork. I just wanted to thank you."
"Don't mention it."
"But."
"Yes?"
"Why are you holding off on making water cars down the Timone River?"
Eustaf's eyebrows are slightly frown.
"Have you tried everything again?"
"Oh? No. That means we'll do it twice. It's not like I don't know Eus."
Ran, who blew her nose with a triumphant face, continued.
"But that's a problem I've been thinking about, so I was wondering why you've answered it so much."
"The river freezes in winter. It's hard to manage the water truck, and the water supply is too small to go back. Downstream of the Timone River is better off making beams."
"Oh, I see. Does it rain a lot?"
"Yes."
"Then a reservoir would be better. The Timone River must be smaller than I thought."
I thought of Han River because it's a river. ·····
'I can't figure out the entire geography of this town.'
Furthermore, her education was tailored to women, and it was not for such a patriarchal position.
It has somehow managed to match modern knowledge, but as expected, loopholes are revealed.
"Eus."
"Yes?"
"Grow up fast."
"..."
That way, I'll quickly hand over this troublesome task to you.
Ran laughed, thinking so, and then her face darkened again.
"Noonim?"
"No, I was wondering if you were okay with the duel. Is it actually worth it? I'd like to..."
"That's up to me."
Eustaf said straight away. Ran flinched at the words and said with both hands up.
"My apologise, I just made a slip of the tongue."
It was the worst thing I could say to a person who was fighting because of my work, thinking it was worth it.
Eustaf nodded.
"I accept your apology."
Ran spoke seriously while collecting her eyebrows.
"Don't get hurt."
"I'll be fine."
Saying so, he reached out and gently swept her cheek. Tickling, Ran shrugged and said.
"Eus, you do like physical affection."
"I don't like it."
"What?"
What are you talking about? When Ran looked at Eustaf, he smiled.
So, you're doing something you don't like to me? You don't want me?
Looking at Ran's mysterious face, Eustaf asked.
"Dinner?"
"It starts in 30 minutes."
"Okay. Did you tell the Marquis?"
"Yes"
Ran nodded. Unknowingly, she swept the cheek that Eustaf stroked, and Ran continued.
"Then get ready. I'm coming to escort you."
Eustaf asked, "Isn't that the opposite?"
Ran replied cheerfully.
"Sometimes there's opposition."
*******
'I was yelling so loud.'
Ran sighed. Then, Soda's touch with her hair stopped.
"I'm sorry. Lord, don't you like your hair?"
"No, it's okay. No, I was going to pick Eus up, but it's later than I thought."
Kara, who was holding a box of necklaces, grinned at the words.
"But waiting is task for a gentleman."
"That's right."
Soda made a quick touch by saying so. Dimodia finally tapped the blusher and smiled satisfactorily. Then Dimodia, who helped Soda put her hair up, carried a necklace box instead of Kara, and Kara hung a necklace around Ran's neck. It was a chain of slender platinum and diamonds alternately decorated with a diamond pendant.
"Oh, my God, it's the same color as your eyes."
"That's right. It suits you so well. The green eyes stand out more."
Hearing the praise, Ran smiled and stood up with Kara's help.
Her sleeves end at the wrist, but underneath, she is an engageante's style with layers of colorful lace, highlighting her white, thin arms.
When Ran went out to the drawing room, the waiting Eustaf gave a light silent salute.
"I was going to pick you up."
Ran grumbled and looked awkward.
"I'll look forward to it next time."
Eustaf said so and pushed his hand out.
Ran though he looked perfect in the way he handed his black hair back neatly and wore a banquet suit for dinner.
Ran whispered, putting her hand on his arm.
"But don't you usually escort Elise and the Marquis escort me at times like this?"
"She says she don't want to."
"That's true."
Laughing lightly.
"A good relationship is good."
Ran smiled pleased, confirming that Elise and Cyrus were on good terms.
The dinner continued for a long time. Ran, Elise and Cyrus were accompanied by wine, but Eustaf did not touch alcohol.
Cyrus nodded his head.
"No recovery."
It is customary for men and women to talk separately after meals, but the number of people was small and the four of them moved comfortably to talk.
There, Ran secretly drank champagne and began to get drunk. Fortunately, when the seat is closed, "It's a big problem." I guess I was drunk,' she said.
But you can never show your face in front of a guest or a friend!
It's not out of control!
Thinking so, Ran clenched her fist inside and saw Elise and Marquis of Cyrus off.
Then, as I was going back to my bedroom, Eustaf grabbed her arm lightly.
"You're drunk."
Ran shook her head seriously when he whispered.
"No, I'm not drunk."
"My eyes can't be fooled."
"A...a little bit?"
"I thought the speed of drinking was fast. Why do you do it so fast?"
In Korean, hurry up.
I suppressed that such a joke was about to pop out without realizing it.
"I guess it's your personality."
"Aren't people usually quick to give up?"
But why is it so persistent? Eustaf thought so.
He never returned home on vacation after entering the academy.
I just stayed in the dormitory and lived.
Then I always got a letter saying, 'Why aren't you coming this time?'
No, she always sent a letter. He didn't reply once.
She even came to visit three or four times during the semester.
I didn't go down to the visiting room then either.
His acquaintances looked tired of him, saying, "That's too much," but Eustaf did not budge.
Ran would then wait in the waiting room all day and leave.
In fact, I thought the second time would not come if I was so close to the door.
But two, three, four times, she came to visit steadily.
At the end of the day, I couldn't beat my acquaintance's rice and went to the visiting room. Over the window, I could see Ran reading a book.
Blonde sparkled in the sunlight and the eyes were transparent like glass beads under long golden eyelashes.
Ran looked up as she was looking for a long time because he looked unreal.
As her welcoming expression spread to her face, Eustaf felt like he wanted to run away from the embarrassment of being found to be watching, so he locked the door to the visiting room and left.
The visitor's room was a structure that locked the door outside, so Ran, embarrassed, opened the door and called him in, but he ignored it and left.
That was the last time I saw Ran. After that, it was my parents' funeral home.
"Really? I think I'm pretty good at giving up."
I'm not the type to do something. Ran snorted and said, "It doesn't look like that."
"Oh, no, it's not."
Holding onto Ran, who shook her head, Eustaf began to walk, and she began to walk lightly along him.
"But Eus?"
"Yes?"
"Can I confess one thing?"
"Say it."
"Eustaf was right."
"Of course, it is. But what do you mean?"
Ran laughed and whispered at the words he couldn't tell if it was a groan or joke.
"That I don't think of Eustaf as my younger brother."
Eustaf stopped stomping. Ran, whose arms were held, lost her balance and stumbled.
"Eus?"
"What do you think then?"