Kneel Before The Villain - Chapter 130

Young master Pline hadn’t said anything until then and just glared at me.

 

A look of regret appeared in his eyes but his pride prevented him from expressing it.

 

Unlike the Duke of Lillian, Count Pline wasn’t a family of swordsmanship.

 

Swordsmanship was the basic skill of male nobles but I had never heard that Count Pline’s swordsmanship was so excellent.

 

It didn’t matter how much talent he had, even if he had a skill that would surprise everyone.

 

A well-bred aristocrat, young master Pline would not be able to compete with knights who had accumulated skills and experience through life and death.

 

Still, I was thinking of picking out the best and bringing them to prevent any unforeseen circumstances.

 

“I expect the young master to keep the momentum from a while ago until then. I wonder if you dare to stand up to the Duke.”

 

I was about to turn around after I finished talking but then someone put a hand on my shoulder.

 

I turned my head and looked to the side, and saw someone’s fancy hem and a red brooch.

 

When I looked up at the familiar brooch, there was Elvin.

 

‘When did he come?’

 

When he appeared, I could see the bewilderment on people’s faces.

 

There were also people who quietly left their seats while watching.

 

At the same time, the number of eyes watching the situation also increased considerably.

 

“Is there any need to postpone it? I’ll have to wait a few weeks to pick a day as crowded as today.”

 

Elvin said in a cheerful voice.

 

His face with a friendly smile was extremely beautiful but somehow I couldn’t erase the feeling of sadness.

 

“I’ll take the challenge as a knight.” (Elvin)

 

At his words, people were greatly agitated.

 

Ever since Elvin appeared, the face of the young master, who had been stiff all along, also showed a surprised expression.

 

However, he immediately looked at me with a crooked face.

 

He seemed to be asking if this was the case.

 

I could sense that other people were also looking at us with anticipation. It was obvious what they were thinking in their minds by now.

 

“I am the one who said it but why are you looking at the princess?” (Elvin)

 

As his wide back covered my view, Elvin’s murderous gaze toward young master Pline, who was glaring at me, was also covered.

 

“I have no desire to fight.” (Young Master Pline)

 

“Are you afraid to fight with me when you were ready to fight a woman who had never even lifted a sword before?” (Elvin)

 

Elvin’s ridicule made people look at young master Pline strangely.

 

“I didn’t really want to fight. I was being forced by the princess.” (YMP)

 

I couldn’t see his face because Elvin was blocking my way but hearing his voice, he seemed quite perplexed.

 

“Being forced, huh? That’s not what I heard. The reason why you are being forced is not because of the princess but it is you.” (Elvin)

 

“…..”

 

“You said something interesting. You said that the princess had an illicit relationship with me for a long time.” (Elvin)

 

I thought he had just arrived but since he knew our conversation, he must have been listening from the beginning.

 

I stepped aside slightly and looked at young master Pline, who had a puzzled expression on his face.

 

He was speechless with bewilderment.

 

“Like the princess said earlier, we are innocent. Unfortunately, you just have to say anything behind my back, don’t you?” (Elvin)

 

Just as I looked, Elvin also looked in my direction.

 

“At that time, It was a one-sided relationship.” (Elvin)

 

I almost dropped the fan I was holding in my hand. I looked at him in a daze for a few seconds, unable to comprehend what I heard.

 

The red lips that drew an arc and the eyes looking at me had a very soft light, yet it was overwhelming to look at.

 

The surroundings, which had been filled with buzzing noises, became quiet in an instant.

 

Everyone was looking at us with jaw dropping expressions.

 

“Nonsense!”

 

 

Young master Pline gritted his teeth with a face of disbelief.

 

“Obviously from a long time ago….”

 

“I don’t know why it doesn’t make sense. Believe it or not, it’s up to you but you will have to pay the price of blasphemy with that loud mouth of yours.” (Elvin)

 

I was the one who set things in motion, but Elvin, who intruded in the middle, took the initiative.

 

I wasn’t very pleased but it seemed a little late to stop him now, so I decided to stay still.

 

“I don’t think the princess has any intention of going that far but I do. If you run away like this, I intend to hold your family accountable.”  (Elvin)

 

Elvin smiled. It was a vicious smile, perhaps because his words added to the severity.

 

“Even if I ruin your family, you are the first to damage the honor of me and the princess’s by putting a ridiculous stigma on our relationship, so the reason is justifiable.” (Elvin)

 

Young master Pline didn’t even think to look at me anymore.

 

He used to show hostility and malice towards me but now, he looked as pitiful as a sheep meeting a wolf.

 

He would want to run away even now but since Elvin was holding his family hostage and threatening him, he wouldn’t be able to back down.

 

“Do you have any reason to do this?”

 

At the young master’s question, Elvin said with a bored face.

 

“You talk a lot unnecessarily. Maybe because you’re afraid? In that case, I will only use one arm.”

 

I frowned. When facing swords, strength was very important. In swordsmanship, not only technique but also strength account for a lot of weight. In addition, it was basic to hold the sword with both hands.

 

Therefore, using only one arm must have been a very disadvantageous condition.

 

How much more so in a duel with a real sword?

 

However, Elvin was still full of confidence.

 

“If you’re still afraid, you can surrender now. You just have to pay the price.” He said with a languid expression.

 

At Elvin’s words, completely ignoring the opponent, young master Pline’s face changed color.

 

If he had been afraid before, now his face was pale with anger and humiliation. Young master Pline nodded.

 

“Great.”

 

‘Is that good?’

 

I laughed at the unexpected answer. I knew he would reject it if he still had a bit of pride left.

 

He looked dignified, as if he had regained his former vigor but his appearance was shabby and repulsive.

 

“But if I hurt the young duke, what should I do then? If the house of the Croix held me or my family accountable, the result would be the same.” Young master Pline asked crookedly.

 

In fact, it was something he couldn’t help but worry about. But he seemed very absent from the point of view.

 

“You don’t have to worry about that. I won’t hold you accountable if you hurt me during a duel or even if you inflict a fatal wound on me.” (Elvin)

 

“How can I believe that?” Young master Pline asked with disbelief.

 

“I swear that no harm will be done to you or your family in the outcome of the duel. There are a lot of eyes watching, so it won’t be possible to say something else later.”

 

“Wouldn’t the Grand Duke think differently? If he tries to oppress our family, I cannot bear the consequences.” (YMP)

 

“You are more afraid than you look. Call someone now and have them write the oath.”  (Elvin)

 

Despite Elvin’s ridicule, young master Pline didn’t attack like before and looked down with a cautious face.

 

He must have been thinking about this and that by now. But was there any point to worry about?

 

There was no retreat for him anyway because Elvin blocked it. Even if he didn’t intervene, I had no intention of letting go either, so the result was the same.

 

I didn’t know if young master Pline knew about that fact.

 

“Great.”

 

Young master Pline nodded. Things were getting weirder and weirder.

 

I hurriedly tugged at the hem of Elvin’s sleeve. Then he looked at me with a puzzled face.

 

I whispered in a low voice that only he could hear.

 

“Are you sure you want to do this?”

 

“How can I just let this go?”

 

“Thank you for your help but do you really need to go this far? You don’t have to risk your life for something like this. Besides, why would you say such a crazy thing like using only one arm…?”

 

“Don’t worry. I won’t do anything that would cause the princess to worry.”

 

Elvin said as if to reassure me. Even with that dignified appearance, it couldn’t completely calm my uneasy mind. I didn’t think he had waged an unwinnable fight because he was smart and competent. But he had an injured arm right now. He couldn’t have gotten better in a short time.

 

I looked at his injured arm and asked.

 

“……Are you feeling better?”

 

“It’s okay now.”

 

“Are you really okay?”

 

When I asked with my eyes narrowed, Elvin answered with a happy face.

 

“I’m really fine.”

 

At that time, a servant approached cautiously.

 

“I brought it here….”

 

The servant looked at us and handed the pen and paper to young master Pline.

 

Apparently, it seemed easier to hand it to him than to us.

 

“What are you doing? Surely you are not afraid now?”

 

I distorted my face as I listened to what young master Pline had to say.

 

However, Elvin accepted the pen and paper he handed over with a calm face as if nothing had happened.

 

Elvin quickly scribbled out a few lines in his elegant handwriting and signed the paper at the bottom right.

 

As I stared at it, my heart sank coldly. Elvin was like that that day too. He had a nonchalant face but the wounds he was hiding were deep.

 

Even though he was so badly hurt, he didn’t show anything until I saw the red sleeves.

 

Even now, when I recall the bloodstains that stained the bandages wrapped around his arm red, I still feel sad.

 

‘I need to trust him.’

 

I complained inwardly and watched as Elvin filled out the oath.

 

I still wondered if I could really leave it as it was but I didn’t want to stop it any more.

 

“Now I have nothing to say if you kill me during a duel. How are you satisfied now?” Elvin added with a cold face.

 

“Well, that’s only true when possible.”

 

The young master of Pline pretended not to hear what he said and then said with a calm face.

 

It seemed that he was barely maintaining his composure but inside he would not be.

 

“When would be a good time and place?”

 

“I don’t want to hear whining and making excuses after losing, so pick a place that gives you the most advantage. As I said earlier, I hope it doesn’t drag on too long.” (Elvin)

 

“All right. Then do it next week or so. I’ll send someone to inform you of the details.”

 

“Do whatever you like.”

 

Elvin answered in a nonchalant voice.

 

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