TGS - Chapter 14
Chapter 14: Proof
"Let me interrupt."
Alyuin briefly recounted the assassination attempt that had occurred here last night.
As Motis listened, the cheerful expression he wore before the Princess and his comrades gradually faded. The grim aura of a seasoned warrior returned to his scarred face.
"Those people actually made a move on you," he said in disbelief. "They're insane. What good would it do them to harm the last direct royal heir?"
"You'll have to ask the 'elders' bickering with my uncle in Akhet." Alyuin stressed the word "elders" and gave a sarcastic smile.
Motis caught her meaning, and his expression grew uglier as he cursed, "I knew those old geezers would only make things worse. If they hadn't stirred up trouble, you would have been perfectly safe here."
Lotus sat beside the young princess, playing the part of a quiet, well-behaved scribe. She watched the indignant members of the Royal Guard, a subtle frown creasing her brow.
These cavalrymen before her were undoubtedly loyal. The conviction to protect the royal family was perhaps the first concept they had learned since birth. A loyalty that couldn't be feigned shone identically in their eyes.
But if that was all...
Lotus lowered her eyes and sighed softly.
Meanwhile, Motis was patiently listening to the young princess describe the situation in Kadera City, including the attitude of the local noble factions toward her.
The other minor nobles were manageable; they simply ignored Alyuin, likely out of fear of getting into trouble. The Lord of Kadera, however, was a major problem. The probing three years ago and the assassination attempt now were both his doing. No one would believe he didn't have connections in Akhet.
Finally, Motis slammed his hand on the table and shot to his feet.
"Every single one of these acts is enough to warrant a death sentence! Your Highness, you wait here. We'll be right back."
"Go where?"
"To punish him, to kill him. The Royal Guard has the authority to execute anyone who attempts to murder a member of the royal family. Not even Horst can fault us for it."
Alyuin frowned and said bluntly, "My father always said you were reckless. Now I see it for myself."
Motis seemed taken aback for a moment, then gave a wry smile. "Say what you will, but for your safety, the Lord of Kadera must die."
Seeing the group of cavalrymen about to charge out of the temple with their blades drawn, like a band of robbers heading for the city lord's manor, Alyuin took a deep breath and said, "You can punish him this time, but what about the next? A princess who can only rely on the Royal Guard for protection is nothing but meat on a chopping block in their eyes."
"This is the best way for now—"
"But not the only way," the young princess said calmly. "Are you going to listen to me, or am I going to listen to you? Am I the princess, or are you?"
Motis studied Alyuin seriously once more. After a long moment, he lowered the longsword he had just raised and asked with a frown, "Tell me, Your Highness, you're not thinking of returning to Akhet, are you?"
The turn of conversation surprised Alyuin. "Isn't that what you were thinking?"
"No, the Royal Guard never intended to bring you back. That's just the wish of those old men," Motis said. "My only purpose is to protect you so you can live a good life."
To live far from danger, to survive in remote Kadera. Motis had heard the late king speak of his daughter countless times with a tone of proud adoration. He believed that if the king were still alive, he too would want the princess to stay as far away from the conflict as possible.
But that was not Alyuin's wish. She said, word by word:
"I will return to Akhet. Not with Horst's pardon, nor with anyone coming to fetch me. I will go back on my own strength."
Seemingly realizing the difference in their thinking, the cavalrymen exchanged glances. One of them couldn't help but say, "Your Highness, I don't mean to discourage you, but that's very dangerous."
He even unconsciously used a placating tone, as if speaking to a child. In his eyes, Alyuin was just a girl who hadn't grown up yet, who thought everything was too simple.
The other cavalrymen chimed in with agreement. Only one was still out of the loop. "What's wrong? What's wrong? It's great that the Princess has this idea. What's so bad about us going back to Akhet..."
Before he could finish, he was jabbed several times with elbows and shut his mouth, aggrieved.
Lotus's earlier worries had come to pass.
The Royal Guard's loyalty stemmed solely from the young princess's bloodline. They would protect her with all their might, but they would not support her with the same reverence they had for the late king.
These men saw the princess as a single, precious flower, not a master worthy of their allegiance.
...Alyuin was a princess.
The status that had allowed her to escape death three years ago had now become an obstacle on her path forward.
The young princess understood her strengths and weaknesses perfectly. She lifted her head and said calmly, "I know you have your doubts. That's fine. I will prove myself to you."
Motis was no longer in a hurry to leave. "How will you prove it? We're just a bunch of soldiers. We don't know what counts as 'capable'."
"Then let's use what you're best at," the young princess said with a slight smile.
In the open space behind the temple, a practice battle was about to begin.
The combatants: the young princess and the captain of the Royal Guard.
The spectators: Lotus's human incarnation and a group of cavalrymen.
The tall cavalrymen formed a large circle, which served as the dueling ground for the two.
The young princess stood ready, but Motis was still awkward. Although he had agreed to give her a chance to prove her abilities, he felt genuinely uncomfortable raising a wooden sword against a young girl who was more than a little shorter than him.
"Let me be clear, it's going to hurt if my sword hits you. I can't control my strength as well as your previous sparring partners."
The young princess scoffed. "Try hitting me first."
The wooden practice sword in her hand traced several light arcs through the air with extreme skill, moving as if it were an extension of her arm. It was clear she had not given up her sword practice over the years.
This finally piqued Motis's interest. "Quite confident. Alright, let's begin."
The young princess dodged her opponent's sword tip, spun, and struck again, only to be blocked by Motis. Undiscouraged, she quickly darted back a step, once again searching for the next opportune moment to attack.
It was not yet noon, so the sun wasn't scorching, but it still carried the warmth of summer.
Sweat soon beaded on Alyuin's forehead, the droplets rolling down her honey-colored skin. Her expression remained unchanged, as calm as eternally solidified molten gold. Yet beneath that calm exterior, something eager and restless was clearly hidden.
Motis blocked another strike. His expression was steady, but inwardly he was grimacing.
From the moment the fight began, he realized the princess's skill far exceeded his expectations. Her evasive movements were extremely fast, and her attacks were even faster, like a dazzling golden phantom.
But this didn't mean the princess lacked strength. When her ordinary wooden sword, carrying the force of the wind, struck the blade Motis used to block, the impact nearly made the web of his thumb go numb.
Was this really the skill level a young girl... no, a minor, should possess?!
Motis was starting to question his reality, yet he didn't dare let his guard down. The slightest carelessness could genuinely lead to his defeat, however low the possibility... After all, the disparity in their strength and height was plain to see. The young princess was not in the same weight class as him.
Another block, and Motis couldn't hold on. He had never been patient with this hit-and-run style of fighting, and besides, blocking indefinitely was not a solution. He suddenly narrowed his eyes and thrust his sword forward.
With the princess's reaction speed, she would surely bring her sword back to block immediately. But due to the angle, she wouldn't be able to exert her full strength and would definitely fail to block it. The fight would then be over.
Motis had it all figured out, but Alyuin didn't move as he expected. The moment the wooden sword thrust toward her, the young princess's pupils contracted, but a slight curve formed at the corner of her mouth.
She didn't try to block at all. Instead, she twisted her body slightly, and her wooden sword struck toward Motis with unshakable momentum.
Both of them froze simultaneously.
Motis's sword rested on the young princess's shoulder, while the tip of her sword was pressed against his own chest, right over his heart, without the slightest deviation.
Motis suddenly realized what was hidden beneath the calm surface of the princess's golden eyes: a madness that could ignite in an instant.
He remembered sparring with the late king, when the man had smiled apologetically and said, "The people in my family might all be a little crazy. We tend to lose ourselves when we fight. Are you alright?"
"...It really runs in the family," Motis muttered under his breath. He dropped his wooden sword and closed his eyes in admiration. "I've lost, Your Highness. You are much stronger than I imagined."
His words received no response. Motis opened his eyes in confusion and found that the young princess was no longer in front of him.
She had, at some point, run over to the female scribe and said with a reserved yet slightly proud tone, "I won, Teacher."
The female scribe revealed a hint of a smile. "Very good."
Motis: "..."
Don't let that madness of yours dissipate so quickly!
Warriors are often straightforward. Once the young princess displayed her strength, they were immediately and happily convinced.
It didn't matter that she was young; she could fight.
It didn't matter that she looked delicate and small; she could fight.
A few hot-headed youths also challenged the princess. Alyuin had rarely had the chance to spar with anyone these past few years, so she didn't refuse.
Soon, the Royal Guard's camp was filled with cheers like "Well done!", "A beautiful move!", and "Her Highness wins another round!"
After a series of sparring matches, Alyuin, being young, had to stop, as fighting too much would be detrimental to her growth.
Escorted by Motis, Lotus led the young princess by the hand back to the small courtyard.
Alyuin was truly exhausted. As she walked, she subconsciously leaned her weight against Lotus. Suddenly remembering she was covered in sweat, she stiffened and was about to straighten up.
Lotus gently put an arm around her shoulder and said softly, "Don't push yourself if you're tired."
Alyuin's ears turned slightly red. "I'm not pushing myself. I can walk on my own."
"Really? But your steps are a little shaky."
"You must be mistaken, Teacher."
"Well then, I can't very well force you to keep leaning on me—"
"Ah, my knee suddenly hurts. I can't walk. Thank you for helping me, Teacher."
Motis, walking beside them: "..."
He had followed them to discuss serious matters, so why couldn't he find a single opportunity to interject?
It wasn't until they reached the courtyard gate that Motis seized his chance and quickly asked, "Your Highness, you don't just want to return to Akhet, do you? Is there something more you want to do, like defeating Horst?"
The atmosphere should have been extremely serious, but the look Alyuin gave him was a bit dazed.
"Yes, I want to take back the throne," she answered frankly and without reservation. "Why did you say that so quickly? Were the words burning your tongue?"
Motis's face was wooden. "My apologies. I lost my composure."
Heh. If he didn't speak quickly, he was afraid he wouldn't find a gap in the conversation even by the time he had to leave.
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