The Princess’s Ingenious Plan
“Lord Reed, would you please have a match with my guard, Asna Lanmark?”
“Huh…?”
The words were a shock to us as we exited the room after the deliberations of the previous match had concluded. Princess Farah and her guard were waiting outside, and she delivered this startling request.
What could she mean by wanting having a match with her guard ? Elias seemed to have the same thought, as he looked at Princess Farah with a puzzled expression and questioned her.
“Farah, do you understand what you’re saying? Matches are not something to be treated as a game for a princess.”
“Yes, you’re absolutely right. But please listen. There’s malicious gossip spreading about right now. We need to address it.”
Farah spoke firmly to her father. She was both dignified and delicate. Everyone who heard her words wore a puzzled expression. Her father, Elias, was the first to respond, seeking clarification.
“Malicious gossip? …Explain in detail.”
“Yes. But first, may I ask everyone here to return to the room?”
“Very well.”
What seemed to be a concluded deliberation resumed unexpectedly. Elias immediately summoned a soldier to inform the nobles and the Bardia family that it would take a bit more time. The soldier bowed and left promptly.
Once the soldier had completely departed, Elias directed a sharp, intimidating gaze at his daughter as a king.
“Now, let’s hear it. What is this malicious gossip?”
“Understood.”
Farah bows and begins her explanation. While on her way to meet Elias as instructed by her mother Eltia, she unintentionally overheard a secret conversation between a noble Dark Elf and a man. She then proceeds to reveal the contents of that conversation.
According to Farah, the faction led by Norris, which is opposed to them, has interpreted the recent match in front of the princess in a malicious way. They are currently tarnishing the reputations of the two participants in the match. If the match ends as it is, it will be a perfect opportunity for the faction to achieve their goals.
As Farah speaks, Elias listens with a thoughtful expression, but also seems somewhat pleased. In contrast, both the queen and Raycis have dangerous expressions, as if they are grinding their teeth in frustration. The queen is related to Norris by blood, and his current actions are a source of shame for her.
Furthermore, the fact that he is using her own children for his purposes makes it difficult to imagine that she does not harbor resentment towards him. Raycis, on the other hand, was saved by Norris’s actions when he was infatuated, so it is likely that he has some hope for him.
Raycis fought desperately in the match in front of the princess. His challenge may have been in the wrong direction and may not have yielded any results, but it should not be a reason for him to be indirectly disparaged by malicious rumors. Raycis seems to have realized once again that he was Norris’s pawn. Despite the dangerous expressions on the faces of the queen and Raycis, Farah continues her explanation with a stern expression.
“Mother, Brother, I know this puts you in a difficult position. But we cannot let Norris have his way.”
“Hmm. If you’re saying that much, then you must have a plan. How does this relate to having Asna and Lord Reed have a match?”
Farah smiled at her father’s words and began explaining confidently.
She suggested having Raycis explain why the previous match had been prolonged to dispel the malicious rumors. However, not everyone would be convinced by words alone. Thus, having a match between the renowned swordswoman Asna and Lord Reed would demonstrate his true strength, proving that there was no exaggeration in Raycis’s account. This way, both their honors would be preserved.
After listening to the explanation, Elias’ expression remains unchanged, but he seems to be internally astonished by his daughter’s unexpected talent. Elias also directs a sharp gaze towards Asna, who simply bows her head in response.
It is likely that the two of them have organized the information they heard from the noble and are now devising a countermeasure. She’s not afraid to take bold and effective action in a short amount of time, and She have the courage to clearly present their plan to her father, the king. Furthermore, the proposal that Farah has made takes into account not only one side, but both parties’ positions and reputations, and it is the best possible solution given the current circumstances. Farah’s expression remains stern, causing someone to remark on her resemblance to a certain individual and eliciting a small murmur.
“She takes after her mother… such a pity.”
“…Father?”
Unable to catch his muttered words, Farah wore a puzzled expression. Elias smiled boldly and addressed everyone in the room.
“Very well, Farah. We will follow your plan. Raycis, Asna, and Lord Reed, are you ready?”
Both Raycis and Asna responded in unison, “Yes, we understand!” I also bowed and said, “Understood.” Hearing our responses, Elias nodded firmly.
“Good. Then let’s return to the hall and explain to the nobles.”
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Back at the hall where the match had taken place, Elias gathered the nobles and explained the earlier match. Raycis also spoke, admitting his embarrassment at not conceding defeat immediately despite the clear disparity in skill, causing the match to drag on.
However, few nobles seemed convinced by this explanation, likely as Norris had intended. After Raycis finished speaking, Elias addressed the nobles with a commanding voice.
“I understand many of you are not convinced. Therefore, we will hold a second match between Asna Lanmark, Princess Farah’s personal guard, and Lord Reed. This will showcase Lord Reed’s true strength.”
The nobles murmured among themselves. The idea of pitting the princess’s guard, formerly renowned as a genius swordswoman, against the son of a frontier count seemed unbelievable. The nobles all wondered if His Majesty Elias was insane.
At one time, Asna was famous as a genius swordsman, so her eccentric personality when she is drunk is well known even among the nobles. Normally, she is just an ordinary quiet girl, but when it comes to matches or anything related to swordsmanship, her eyes change and she becomes a ruthless and magnificent figure without mercy.
Many men who proposed marriage to her, attracted by her talent, were forced to have a match with her and were rejected with the words “I have no interest in weak men”. The story of how she defeated all the men who came to propose to her is very famous.
There is a rumor that Asuna-Ranmark became the exclusive guard of the princess who married into the empire because of this incident, which angered her brother and parents. Are they going to have her fight against the son of a marquis from the frontier? If they make a mistake, won’t it become an international problem? The nobles are uneasy for a different reason. Among them, there is one old Dark Elf with a wicked smile: Norris.
When he thought about what would happen when the announcement of the second match in front of the princess was made and Raycis spoke, he realized that if Asna defeated Reed, she would be rumored to have a grudge against Raycis. Norris don’t know how strong he is, but this time, no matter what happens, he will lose. And that result will likely be convenient for Norris.
At that time, Elias spoke to the nobles.
“Well then, Asna, Reed. Prepare yourselves and we will begin the match in front of the princess.”
Reed bowed to Elias and went to explain the situation to his father. However, when he heard that a second match in front of the princess was to be held, he listened to Reed explanation with a stern and tense expression. Reed could see Asna, my new opponent, entering the mansion after speaking with Farah.
And then, Norris also disappeared from the scene, quietly watching Asna’s movements.
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