'Hahaha… how fun'
As the Duke sparred with Taylor, a sense of exhilaration coursed through him. Compared to the knights he had trained before, Taylor was truly a cut above the rest.
His talent was undeniable, a rare quality that shone through every move he made.
Despite his best efforts, the Duke couldn't help but marvel at Taylor's prowess.
While he may have had the advantage in terms of raw power, Taylor possessed a finesse and agility that surpassed his own.
With each deflection, dodge, and block, Taylor proved himself to be a formidable opponent, pushing the Duke to his limits in ways he had never experienced before.
It was humbling, to say the least.
Despite his years of experience and mastery of the sword, facing Taylor revealed the gaps in his own skillset.
It was a sobering reminder that there was always room for growth, always more to learn, even for someone as seasoned as himself.
In the heat of battle, the Duke couldn't help but reflect on the metaphorical significance of their encounter.
Like a student learning from his master, he found himself absorbing the lessons Taylor had to offer, each exchange a valuable opportunity for growth and self-improvement.
Yes, it was indeed a humbling experience.
But it was also immensely rewarding. For as much as he could learn from Taylor, Taylor too could learn from him.
And in that exchange of knowledge and skill, they both grew stronger, pushing each other ever closer to their full potential.
"Come on, is that all you've got, Taylor?" the Duke taunted, a smirk playing on his lips as he goaded his opponent.
Taylor's expression soured at the provocation, but he fought back with renewed intensity, his blade clashing fiercely against the Duke's.
As the battle unfolded, the Duke couldn't help but notice Taylor's strained expression.
'He's looking at my face right…?'
It seemed as though he was on the verge of nausea, but the Duke brushed it off, prioritizing the fight at hand.
Their exchange of blows continued, each strike fueled by determination and skill.
The Duke could sense Taylor's stamina waning with each passing moment, a fact that only spurred him on further.
He relished in the challenge, grinning in delight as he pushed Taylor to his limits.
Despite the intensity of their spar, the Duke couldn't help but find amusement in teasing Taylor.
It was rare to see the usually stoic butler show any signs of frustration, and the Duke reveled in the opportunity to push his buttons.
As the battle reached its climax, Taylor's expression grew even more irritated, eliciting a chuckle from the Duke.
It was all in good fun, of course, but there was a hint of truth to his jest.
Taylor's unwavering dedication to their cause often bordered on the extreme, and the Duke couldn't help but wonder if he ever allowed himself to truly relax.
'If I wasn't the Duke, this child would've been in prison right now,' the Duke thought to himself, acknowledging the lengths Taylor would go to protect his family's honor and his daughter.
Despite Taylor's actions often toeing the line of legality, the Duke, considering him akin to a son, chose to overlook them, much to the chagrin of some of his advisors.
The Duke had even tried to instill a sense of gratitude in Taylor for the private training sessions, but all he received in return was a disdainful glare and an air of seriousness that seemed to permeate every interaction.
Despite his frustrations, the Duke had learned to let such matters slide, at least for the time being.
However, his patience was soon tested as a familiar sensation washed over him, a feeling he could never forget when facing Taylor – the feeling of impending danger.
Before he could react, Taylor rushed at him with unexpected ferocity, catching the Duke off guard.
With a clang of blades, the two clashed once again, but this time, the Duke could sense a shift in Taylor's demeanor.
Gone was the playful banter and teasing; instead, Taylor's expression was deadly serious, a clear indication that he intended to end the fight right then and there.
Despite the intensity of the situation, the Duke couldn't help but grin.
It was rare to see Taylor in such a state, and while their spar had taken a more serious turn, the Duke relished the challenge.
He only made one move and the duke did manage to block the attack but the sense of danger still lurks.
It wasn't over yet.
The Duke's senses screamed at him to remain vigilant, warning that a single misstep could cost him dearly. His heart raced with exhilaration, relishing the rush of danger that Taylor's presence brought.
'Yes, this is it... show me the thrill of death that I've forgotten, Taylor!' the Duke thought, a wild grin spreading across his face.
Despite the impending defeat, he couldn't help but savor the intensity of the moment.
With a decisive strike from Taylor, the Duke found himself off balance, his hands raised in a futile attempt to ward off the onslaught.
He knew that defeat loomed near, but he refused to go down without a fight. Just one more blow, and their duel would come to a close, but the Duke couldn't allow it to end so easily.
Utilizing his exceptional acrobatic skills, the Duke twisted his body mid-air, his fist clenched tightly in determination.
As he aimed his punch at Taylor's seemingly unflappable demeanor, a sense of anticipation welled within him.
He awaited Taylor's next move with eager anticipation, eager to see what tricks the young man had up his sleeve.
Yes, he expected his fist to miss…
'But why does he seem so zoned out?'
Bam…!
With a resounding impact, the Duke's fist connected squarely with Taylor's chin, sending him hurtling through the air.
In that moment of unexpected success, the Duke's surprise was palpable as he looked at the scene with widened eyes, as he watched the young man soar away, propelled by the force of the blow.
"Taylor?" the Duke called out in disbelief, his voice laced with concern. Never in his wildest dreams did he anticipate such an outcome.
As Taylor descended, seemingly in slow motion, the Duke's heart clenched with dread. Rushing to Taylor's side, he shouted his name frantically, desperate for any sign of consciousness.
"Taylor!!!" His voice echoed in the air, filled with raw emotion and disbelief.
The Duke struggled to comprehend the situation unfolding before him. It wasn't just the fear of causing harm to Taylor that gripped him; it was the thought of facing his daughter, Stella, with the news.
'If Stella finds out about this…' The Duke's mind raced with apprehension.
He could only hope for the best.
"T-Taylor! Are you okay?" the Duke's voice quivered with concern as he rushed to Taylor's side.
Seeing Taylor's bloodied face, his bent chin, and the blood he coughed up ignited a surge of panic within the Duke.
He couldn't bear the thought of the damage he might have caused to the once handsome young man.
"Man! What were you doing? Why did you suddenly pause in the middle of the battle like that?"
The Duke's words spilled out in a rush, sounding more like an excuse to lighten the weight of his own actions.
Deep down, guilt gnawed at him as he struggled to come to terms with the consequences of his reckless behavior.
Yup his wife and daughter would execute him today….
….
Waking up, an intense headache surged through my head once again.
"Fuck… is this going to be the routine now?" I muttered to myself, trying to ignore the pain.
Glancing around, I realized I was back in my room.
The room was clean, as usual, which was good… but when did I get back here?
The last thing I remembered was dueling with the duke and… what happened again?
Haah… I can't even remember properly now…
Damn, this headache is really getting serious.
Did I accidentally drink poison when I went out drinking that night?
I looked at the clock next to me; it was 10:30… almost noon now.
I truly am a failure as a butler.
'The young miss should be awake by now…'
Scoffing, I got out of my bed and immediately went to my own private bathroom inside my room.
Washing my face, I looked at myself in the mirror.
My red hair was silky smooth and slightly curly as ever, my eyes looking cool as always, and my face still as handsome as ever…??? or so I thought.
'Wait, why do I have a huge chin now?'
There was a red bump under my chin, and a slight bruise on my cheek.
I didn't realize it at first, but now that I'm looking at it… touching it elicited a sharp pain.
"Ow," I groaned.
Since when did I get this?
Checking myself once again, my heart thumped in pain.
Oh no, this was bad…
As an honorable, dignified, and the best butler of this house, it was always a must to remain handsome.
'I can't let my young miss see this!'
Knock...!
Knock…!
And just as I thought the worst hadn't happened yet, a knock came outside my door.