The Courtesan

Chapter 99

ELAYNE

It felt like the world slowed down when seven hefty men charged at me. The desire to protect myself by killing them flared in me. I held my sword and swung it hard. At the final moment, I remembered Kalvin’s no death rule and tried to recall my blade. It was obviously too late but I was lucky as they blocked it.

This only meant, however, that they got too close and I now had to defend against multiple men clearly aiming for my life.

Was I set up?

It was the number one question on my mind. It was easy to ignore someone like me in the midst of others who covered me but the fact I was being overwhelmed by a lot of men really put it in perspective.

I was being targeted. My number one suspect was the captain of the guard and the second was Susanne. Well, even if I knew, I couldn’t do anything about it.

The next time, I was more careful as I was already surrounded. There was barely anything I could use for tricks but I had a contingency plan for that already.

I asked for the arena floor to be made entirely of sand so I could do things like throwing the sand into the eyes of the people who attacked me and knocking them out like that.

Still, I was surrounded and it wasn’t easy. If we weren’t using wooden swords, I would’ve died a few times. It took all my energy to fend them off. I regulated my breath but I was already getting exhausted.

I took one more strike at the person closest to me and he fell, unconscious. I was really confused but there was no time to think about it. But the second one happened like that. Then the third, fourth, fifth until the last person fell. At that point, I was already suspicious.

The judge called the end of the round before I could check and gathered the last people remaining into the center. As I was going, I caught a glimpse of a needle at the back of the head of one of the people I fought. I blinked and it was strangely gone.

The judge descended and began to pick the people who passed the round. The injured and unconcious were carried into the medical rooms prepared and when I glimpsed again, Susanne followed closely behind them. The judge tapped my shoulder and I had to follow the others who passed the round. The crowd cheered loudly as I walked. They really believed that I fell all those men myself. It made me feel… fake.

Eventually, we had to return to our starting point where Lion and Tyler were. I could see their worried expression from afar so I readied myself for a lecture. But they parted to reveal an even more challenging opponent; Kalvin.

When I got there, he turned away immediately, going towards the exit. Lion and Tyler flanked me and we all walked outside. There was a carriage waiting and I walked into it where Kalvin was waiting.

“... I’m sorry” was the first thing he said.

“For what exactly?”

“I never expected it to be this dangerous. I know you’re mad but I was the one who asked Susanne to save you. It looked like they really wanted to kill you and I couldn’t watch any longer. I’m sorry.”

“I feel like a hoax right now, Kalvin. How are you going to fix that?”

“I promise not to intervene any longer. I just don’t want you to die.”

“... Your excuses always piss me off.”

“I’m sorry. I truly am.”

“I’m just glad you udnerstand you were wrong. As long as you don’t do it again. It was really frustrating for me”

“Yes. I won’t. I promise.”

Even though he said that with sincerity, I couldn’t believe him. I sighed and deflated on the seat.

“You’re tired? You can rest on my lap. There are no more fights so we can return before the crowds overwhelm the road”

“... Alright.”

I rest on his lap while he instructs the carriage to carry us to his lodging. He had me moved from the inn I stayed to his own house in Rhonda. The only people he allowed in there was a short crowd of Susanne, Lion and Tyler. I heard he even refused his mother entry. It would explain the glaring hand print and stormy expression on his face he came with a few days before the competition started. She wasn’t even around for the opening.

“Kalvin?”

“Yes?”

“How do you think we would be if my family never died?”

“Well, everything clearly would be different. You would’ve returned if you saw your family was alright, your brother would’ve already become the crown prince, you would be doing something amazing as my crown princess and we would’ve had little ones running around by now. You would’ve also seen through the plot of the church earlier and Zerramond would be a better place with you around.”

“You’re very idealistic.”

“Is that a bad thing?”

“Not necessarily. It’s nice to hear, even if so sad.”

“I know you must miss them. When this is over, you can return and pay your respects. I would do so too.”

“Right.”

I closed my eyes and rested for the rest of the journey. Kalvin ran his hand through my scalp probably to soothe me. I didn’t realize when I dozed off till we reached the entrance of the house. It was when Kalvin attempted to carry me out of the carriage that I woke up.

“We’re outside, you stubborn man. You want people to think you’re some kind of p*****t?”

“I don’t mind it… ow! I’m sorry.”

We walked into the house with him trying to beg me and I ignoring him. When we got to the door, it was blocked by a guard who shook his head frantically.

“What happened?”

“Her majesty came in since earlier. She said she would wait for you.”

“Mother? I thought I told her not to come. That woman… wait for me with Tyler and Lion. I’ll get her to leave.”

I nodded, watching him as he entered the house. As I left, I wondered if I was the one who got him into trouble and laughed as I left.