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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Mod7
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As I stepped onto the training ground, a transparent barrier rose around us, separating us from the spectators.
It was meant to protect them from stray attacks and prevent drawn-out sparring matches.
Not good news for me, considering my protracted duel with Leon.
The princess watched me, a look of annoyance on her face.
“Why are you hesitating? You’re going to lose anyway.”
“You’re right.”
“Even if you deny it… What?”
She’d expected me to argue, and my immediate agreement seemed to surprise her.
“I will lose to Your Highness. So I was thinking about how I should lose.”
“…Do you really expect me to believe that someone as arrogant as you would think that way?”
“I’m well aware of my limitations.”
“I’m glad you’ve finally learned your place. I wish you’d realized it when we first met.”
Ah, she was talking about that. Our first encounter had been… unpleasant, to say the least, especially for her.
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Princess Kiana was ecstatic. She’d finally convinced her father to let her attend the academy!
She’d been raised in a strict and sheltered environment, with few companions her own age. The academy, where everyone was supposedly equal, regardless of social status, was a chance for her to make friends and experience freedom.
Her first day, however, had been a disaster.
‘What is this man’s problem? He’s so annoying.’
She’d arrived early, eager to start her new life, only to be accosted by a drunkard.
“Come on, just one drink with me… hic…”
“Let go of me. You’re a student here, aren’t you? Drinking is against the rules.”
“Who are you to lecture me? Do you know who I am?!”
“…Who are you?”
“I’m the second son of the renowned House Reinhardt!”
She was annoyed. Her first day had been ruined by this drunkard. House Reinhardt was one of the most prestigious families in the empire. And their second son was drinking in broad daylight?
He didn’t seem to recognize her. Was he always this disrespectful and demanding?
Her annoyance grew, and Jenison, noticing it, continued to provoke her.
He wasn’t actually drunk, and he knew exactly who she was. He was doing this to further tarnish his reputation and use her connections to spread his infamy.
Of course, Kiana, unaware of his motives, was simply irritated.
“Do… Do you know who I am?”
“Hic… What? Who are you?”
“Even if the second son of House Reinhardt doesn’t attend social gatherings, I’d expect him to recognize the princess of the empire.”
Jenison feigned surprise.
“Y… Your Highness…? Hic…”
“I don’t need your belated greetings. Let’s just go our separate ways. And don’t bother acknowledging me in the future.”
She turned and walked away, heading for the academy building. Jenison watched her go, then relaxed, sighing.
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Kiana’s opinion of Jenison continued to worsen. She might have initially dismissed his behavior as a drunken mistake, but after hearing about his reputation, she no longer gave him the benefit of the doubt.
He tormented younger girls. He was a womanizer. He treated his servants so poorly that they quit.
All sorts of unsavory rumors reached her ears, and having witnessed him harassing a girl herself, she’d concluded he was a bad person.
She wondered if she could help the girl he was tormenting, if she could make him pay for his actions.
Then, she heard a rumor that he’d been disowned. Some said he’d left the family voluntarily, but considering his arrogant nature, she doubted it.
When she learned that he hadn’t been attending classes, she approached the girl he’d been harassing, Lianna. She wanted to help her, to protect her from him.
Lianna was a commoner, and Kiana concluded that Jenison had targeted her because of her social status. There was no other explanation. He seemed to have no problem with other commoners.
Convinced she understood the situation, Kiana invited Lianna to join her faction. Surely even a fool like Jenison would understand the implications of targeting a member of the princess’s faction.
Lianna, however, was uncomfortable with the idea. She’d agreed to be “bullied” by Jenison, and joining the princess’s faction seemed like too much of a burden.
She tried to politely decline, but Kiana wouldn’t hear it. She wanted to protect Lianna and punish Jenison.
She practically forced Lianna into her faction, and while contemplating how to deal with Jenison, she heard that he’d returned to the academy and challenged Leon Benil to a duel of honor, nearly killing him.
Even in a duel to the death, she hadn’t expected him to be so ruthless. Her opinion of him continued to decline, solidifying her belief that he was truly evil.
Then, during swordsmanship class, no one had volunteered to be her sparring partner, leaving her paired with Jenison by default.
‘This is perfect. I’ll show him what he deserves.’
She entered the training ground, determined to teach him a lesson.
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“Honestly, I don’t dislike Your Highness.”
“I dislike you. Your behavior is unbecoming of someone with the blood of the four great families.”
“…And what constitutes proper behavior for a noble?”
“Someone who dedicates themselves to the service of the empire.”
’And you’re a detriment to the empire.’
Her unspoken words made my blood boil.
Service? Dedication?
Why should I?
I knew it was petty, childish even. I knew it was the result of my own foolish choices.
But I didn’t care. I didn’t need anyone’s approval.
This was about revenge. Revenge for failing to protect my family, for being abandoned by the gods.
“…What has the empire done for me to deserve my dedication?”
“What?”
“I asked what the empire has done for me to demand my dedication.”
She scoffed.
“When you were a noble, your clothes, your food, your mansion…!”
“…”
“Don’t you realize it was all thanks to the empire’s grace?”
I remained silent for a moment, then spoke,
“Did you know, Your Highness?”
“…?”
“From the age of eleven, I received little support from my family. Because I lacked talent.”
“…What are you talking about? You lived a life of luxury.”
“That was for appearances. And most of it went towards supporting my mother.”
She fell silent, listening to my story. The story of how I’d lived off my mother’s suffering, her sacrifices.
“Mother’s health deteriorated, and she became bedridden.”
“…Why are you telling me this—”
“Shut up and listen.”
I continued, staring at her stunned face.
“She endured, she fought, and then she died. And the empire sent a paltry sum as a condolence gift?”
“…”
“What ‘grace’ has the empire shown me?”
“…”
“I haven’t received any.”
“…”
“I wish that ‘grace’ had saved my mother.”
“…”
“Would you mind reminding me what I owe the empire?”
She shook her head, as if trying to clear her thoughts. Her expression had softened slightly.
“…But that doesn’t justify your actions.”
“You wouldn’t understand. Not you, with your noble blood.”
My mocking tone seemed to anger her. She slammed her staff on the ground, ready to spar.
“…I almost felt sorry for you, but you’re still a villain.”
“I admire your conviction.”
I forced a smile, and she stared at me, as if I were a ghost. We faced each other, the tension thick in the air.
The signal sounded.
Beep—
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the chapters keep getting short lmao
It does make me wonder if he tried asking for help as the world can only stand with you if you let them know about it.