Kneel Before The Villain - Chapter 131

“Then I’ll see you that day.”

 

I let out a sigh as I watched young master Pline breathe hard with determination.

 

I turned my head and looked back at Elvin. He still had a smile on his face but his eyes were cold.

 

“After losing, it will be too late even if you regret that you have been meddling needlessly.” (YMP)

 

“You don’t have to worry about me, but worry about yourself. After the defeat and humiliation, if you return with your messed up face, your lady waiting in the mansion will be upset.” (Elvin)

 

“What do you mean?”

 

Young master Pline‘s face visibly hardened. He pretended like he didn’t understand but his wide eyes gave him away.

 

People were making puzzled faces as if they didn’t understand. However, anyone could see the reaction of young master Pline strange.

 

“Why are you pretending not to know? The Lady of Baron Dana, whom you hid in the Count’s mansion.” (Elvin)

 

Among the people, someone gasped and drew in their breath. At the same time, another loud commotion broke out. However, everyone was still unconvinced.

 

“How do you….?” Young master Pline asked with a face of disbelief.

 

Looking at him like that, I clicked my tongue inwardly.

 

‘I knew he was stupid, but I didn’t expect him to be that much.’

 

He could have left a bit of room if he pretended not to know but now his words were no different from acknowledging Elvin’s words.

 

At the words of young master Pline, the gaze of the people looking at him changed once more. Young master Pline’s face turned grimaced, probably realizing his mistake belatedly.

 

“I wouldn’t have known if I hadn’t seen you having a tryst with young lady Dana a few days ago while I was out by chance. She was wearing her hat so tightly that if it weren’t for the family coat of arms engraved on the carriage, I would have missed it.” (Elvin)

 

Young master Pline hid young lady Dana deep in the mansion and kept her completely hidden from his father or older brother.

 

Of course, they hadn’t gone out in a while, and the ambitious Claire wouldn’t give up on the crown prince now, so there was little chance that the two could meet.

 

Still telling lies like that….

 

The words Elvin said were similar to the words young master Pline said earlier but much more vicious. And, with a few exceptions, it wasn’t all true.

 

I couldn’t stop laughing when I witnessed Elvin talking about things that didn’t even exist as if he had seen them himself.

 

I used to think that the Crown Prince and young lady Dana were the most brazen people I had ever met.

 

However, looking at it now, it seemed that even those two could not match Elvin.

 

Those who did not know the truth were greatly agitated by Elvin’s words.

 

Among them, the one who was most shaken was, of course, young master Pline.

 

Belatedly conscious of the gazes around him, he was sweating profusely and even shivering.

 

Young master Pline immediately tried to refute but Elvin did not give him a chance.

 

“I wanted to ask even if it wasn’t so but that’s fine. No matter how many knights were standing guard, kissing in the alley. Contrary to what it looks like, it was very bold.” (Elvin)

 

The gaze of people watching young master Pline became even more strange.

 

Words that had already been spoken could not be taken back. There could be no proof of what happened and young master Pline’s words had already lost credibility to people. So even if he explained it, people wouldn’t believe it.

 

I covered my raised lips with a fan. Elvin not only framed Claire but also completely destroyed her opportunity to return.

 

After today, she would be kicked out of the Count’s residence by the enraged Count and the young Count and would lose the opportunity to stand by the Crown Prince’s side.

 

If the Crown Prince would keep Claire by his side after hearing this news, I had nothing to say but I was sure he probably wouldn’t.

 

The Crown Prince had kept her by his side until she was forced into marriage by the empress and eventually ran away and entrusted herself to another man.

 

It didn’t occur to me that he would have no hesitation in keeping Claire by his side after hearing the news.

 

“What nonsense are you talking about? I swear to heaven that young lady Dana and I are innocent. What kind of absurdity of us kissing in the alleys….”

 

The sound of young master Pline grinding his teeth could be heard in my ears.

 

He had gritted his teeth so much that there was a vein in his neck.

 

“Well, it has nothing to do with me anyway, so if you want, I’ll pretend I don’t know.” (Elvin)

 

Elvin’s arrogant face and the attitude of belittling his opponent were to the point of admiration.

 

Besides, people had already heard it, so what if he pretended not to know? It was fortunate that he was really on my side. If I were young master Pline, it wouldn’t be strange if he knocked down a vase.

 

Of course, he wouldn’t be the only one to fall over a vase after this news spreads.

 

“But you should hurry back.  When I was coming here earlier, I think I saw the imperial carriage going in the direction of Count Pline’s residence. Perhaps the Crown Prince might have come looking for his old lover. Shouldn’t you hurry back if you don’t want her to be taken away?”

 

At Elvin’s words, young master Pline’s eyes widened as if they would pop out of his head. Anxiety filled his face.

 

“… One day I will definitely make you regret it.”

 

Young master Pline left after that.

 

After he left, the people gradually dispersed.

 

“What are you going to do? I’m thinking of going back but are you going to stay longer?”

 

When I asked, Elvin shook his head.

 

“If the princess leaves, there’s no reason for me to stay any longer.”

 

It was clear that he really came for this one thing only.

 

For some reason, I was a little curious as to why he appeared as soon as the banquet started today, as he occasionally showed up during the imperial banquet but now the question seemed to have been answered.

 

“Then let’s go back.”

 

As people gradually dispersed, someone stood firm in their seat, looking in our direction.

 

It was Lady Klein, the host of today’s banquet.

 

She, the host of the banquet, did not even think of approaching us and only watched us with a frightened face.

 

It must have been her first time there, though.

 

It wasn’t easy for the nobles of the empire to gather like this at an event hosted by the viscount’s daughter.

 

Moreover, it would be all the more surprising since Elvin was so remarkable.

 

I felt a little sorry, because somehow I seemed to have ruined the banquet she had arranged.

 

“Lady Klein, I’m sorry I ruined the banquet unintentionally.”

 

“No. The first one to quarrel wa young master Pline. I’m rather sorry that I couldn’t help properly.”

 

For some reason, I felt guilty when Lady Klein apologized even though it wasn’t her fault.

 

Contrary to what I said that I had no intention to cause any trouble, I felt more guilty  because I had come with this intention in the first place.

 

“Anyway, today doesn’t seem very suitable for a conversation. If it’s okay with the young lady, I’ll send an invitation soon. Good tea just arrived.”

 

“Really? It would be an honor to join the princess for tea.”

 

 

“Then I will let you know. See you next time.”

 

“Yes. Take care.”

 

I saw the joy on her face and I took my steps again.

 

Then, Elvin also walked beside me. We talked as we moved towards the carriage on foot.

 

“Did you know about today? Did you come without knowing my plans?”

 

I asked a question and immediately corrected my words.

 

“How did you know that I’m going to challenge young master Pline to a duel?”

 

“I didn’t know. I just came to see what was going to happen and that was the situation.”

 

“Is that so?”

 

When I arrived at the front of the carriage, Elvin held out his hand to me. I took his hand as I climbed into the carriage and the coachman asked.

 

“Where can I take you?”

 

I was about to ask to go to the Hermes but I hesitated and said to the coachman.

 

“To the duke’s mansion.”

 

* * *

 

Inside the returning carriage. Young master Pline’s face was full of confusion.

 

“What do I do?”

 

He muttered to himself with a very anxious look on his face.

 

Originally, he had no intention of making it this big. He was just trying to reveal the truth and restore Claire’s honor but things were strangely twisted due to the invasion of the young master of Croix.

 

Still, since the date and venue of the duel had yet to be decided, there might be a way to turn it around.

 

However….

 

Concern appeared on young master Pline’s face. He suffered and was humiliated for a long time alone.

 

Even if the prestige of the Count’s family was high, it was shabby compared to the Grand Duke’s family.

 

A beast was said to be a beast even if it lost its teeth. Although the young master of Croix wasn’t well liked, the Count would not dare to confront the Grand Duke.

 

He stared at the floor of the carriage with his head down for a long time, pulling at his hair, then suddenly raised the corner of his mouth.

 

“Okay. It’s better….”

 

He looked like a madman.

 

Young master Pline searched his pocket and took out a piece of paper. It was an oath given to him by the young master of Croix a while ago.

 

It contained the content that he would not hold himself or his family accountable for what happened during the duel.

 

If he had this piece of paper, he wouldn’t have to worry about retaliation from the Grand Duke’s family.

 

Although the overly elated appearance of the Young master of Croix he saw earlier made him nervous, the young master of Croix didn’t worry that he would lose in the first place.

 

Young master of Croix was recognized as an official knight the year before last but he had never heard of him having properly learned swordsmanship.

 

He must have never held a sword properly as an adult but he must have been bluffing since he was in front of people watching earlier.

 

Because of his status as a young duke, people knew how to bow their heads, and he became more and more arrogant and out of control.

 

Everyone in the Empire knew how brave and outstanding the knights under Duke Lillian were.

 

Any one of them would be outstanding but there was no way that the bad-tempered princess would just pass on this challenge, so she would definitely bring in a talented person from among them.

 

At least, wouldn’t it be much better to deal with a foolish young master of Pline who had never properly learned swordsmanship than a trained knight who rolled on the battlefield?

 

Since the young master of Croix had looked down on him, he intended to break that proud nose by showing him what the consequences were to undermine him.

 

If that happened, neither he nor the princess would be able to lift their heads for a while.

 

His own pride and personal grudges were also important  but the most intolerable thing was what he did today.

 

The young master of Croix deceived the people with false words and framed him and Claire.

 

It didn’t matter how he knew she was staying at the Count’s residence, the most important thing now was her safety.

 

Young master Pline shouted sharply at the coachman.

 

“Hurry up as much as possible!”

 

“Yes, young master.”

 

As the coachman whipped the horses, the horses accelerated even more.

 

The carriage, driven by four horses, sped toward the Count’s residence, raising dust.

 

A look of nervousness was vivid on the face of young master Pline, who watched the scenery passing by quickly through the window of the carriage.

 

He must go back quickly, unconditionally.

 

Before Claire was taken away by the imperial forces, before his father and his brother knew what was happening.

 

***