Chapter 36

After the long night of the banquet passed, morning came at last.

Finally, the Houkijisu Tournament raised its splendid curtain.

Perhaps it was the lingering effect of the banquet. Though the tournament had officially begun, there were no events scheduled in the morning—turning it, naturally, into an unspoken continuation of last night’s festivities.

“Ha-ha, I still can’t believe what I saw yesterday with my own eyes… I keep wondering if it was real.”

The Houkijisu participants who had mingled the night before gathered in small groups, chatting. Of course, the topic of conversation was the Fifth Prince, Yuwon, who had shown such astonishing composure the previous night.

“Everyone feels the same. The famous wast— no, the Fifth Prince himself not only stood toe-to-toe with the Crown Prince, but even managed to deliver him a clean blow. How can one believe it even after seeing it?”

It had been surprising enough when the so-called wastrel of Tindal kept provoking him, and Yuwon endured it without reacting. But the real spectacle came afterward.

“In the end, His Highness requested a duel of life and death after holding back for so long. He looked as if he might truly kill the man… Of course, the Crown Prince couldn’t just ignore a member of the Tindal Duke Family, one of the pillars of his faction. Still, no matter how I think about it, that interference was clearly…”

“A mistake.”

“Click, indeed. It was the Crown Prince’s mistake. He should’ve let things take their course.”

“To obstruct a sacred duel—unthinkable. What kind of nation is Aphahiel? Was it not an empire founded by heroes who rose with nothing but a sword in the age of tyranny and chaos? The Crown Prince lost his cause while trying to protect Tindal.”

Those who already belonged to, or had intended to join, the Crown Prince’s Faction all lamented what had happened. Similar conversations echoed throughout the Imperial Palace.

“Oh my, really. I never knew the Fifth Prince was that handsome. It used to be nearly impossible to even see his face, and when he did show up, he had such a gloomy, almost musty air about him that no one cared to look twice. But yesterday—well…”

“What’s there to say? That confident bearing of his…”

For years, he had been known across the capital as a wastrel, yet before that, Yurion had been famous from childhood for his striking beauty.

Now, after Yuwon had recovered the body once ruined while living as Yurion, his appearance was even more refined.

And when that boldness he’d shown before the Crown Prince was added to it, it was only natural that the Young Ladies’ interest in Yuwon deepened.

“…But what does it matter? He’s already betrothed to Valaris, the prominent southern house. Still, it’s impressive—the Fifth Prince’s name was in ruins, yet they never broke off the engagement.”

“You never know. The Valaris Family might’ve known something all along.”

“Ah… right. That thing.”

“That thing?”

The Young Ladies’ eyes gathered on the one who had suddenly recalled something.

“I heard it directly from Lady Valaris yesterday. She said she broke off the engagement with His Highness.”

The statement struck like a nail being driven in. The Young Ladies gasped, their eyes widening.

“What! Broke it off?!”

Interest toward Yuwon was sure to rise even higher.

From the afternoon onward, they began accepting applications for the various competitions.

The area near the registration counters was already crowded, filled with lively chatter.

“I heard His Highness the Crown Prince himself is entering the swordsmanship tournament this year.”

“The Crown Prince? He never even looked that way before because of the First Prince! What’s gotten into him now?”

“Who knows? Perhaps he’s found some insight or strategy to finally face the First Prince.”

“Well, well… maybe this year really will be different.”

Having finished breakfast early, Yuwon and his companions were also headed that way.

“They say participants must register in person… For some of the higher nobles, this might be rather troublesome.”

“Perhaps so. They’re used to making others do everything for them.”

“I think I already see a few grumbling faces. Are you all right with this, Your Highness?”

“What’s there to be bothered about? My arms and legs work fine, so I can very well do it myself.”

“As expected of Your Highness. Then, shall we go?”

With that, Yuwon and his group completed their registration for the swordsmanship competition. Everyone except Hastings put down their names.

Unlike Yuwon, who naturally assumed she would participate, Hastings looked surprised.

“Lady Valaris, you’re entering as well?”

“I’m someone who will one day succeed my father and guard the South. I can’t afford to neglect my personal training.”

“There’s no better opportunity to test one’s training than a swordsmanship tournament. Truly fitting for the Valaris Family, guardians of the South. No wonder the southern great forest’s defense line has never been breached—not mere coincidence.”

As Hastings praised her house, Renania responded proudly, clearly pleased.

“It’s the sacred duty bestowed upon the Valaris Family when the Empire’s cornerstone was laid. We’re only doing what must be done.”

Once they had finished applying, there was still some time before the matchups would be decided and the preliminaries began. Naturally, Yuwon and his group headed to the Imperial Library.

“…Come to think of it, what about Viscount Bartlett?”

Renania’s sudden question drew Yuwon’s attention.

“What about him?”

“Your Highness is the head of the Fifth Prince’s Faction, and Terrien is your sword. Then what is Viscount Bartlett?”

“The viscount is…”

Yuwon hesitated to answer.

‘Come to think of it, I do have something I’ll need Hastings to handle later… but I haven’t explained it to her yet. I’ll talk to her after the preliminaries.’

He decided to leave it vague.

“The viscount is the librarian of the Imperial Library. For now.”

“For now?”

Rather than answering, Yuwon simply smiled.

As they chatted idly on their way to the library, someone suddenly stood in the middle of the path, blocking their way. It was a familiar face.

“As I thought, if I waited here, I’d find you.”

It was Crown Prince Yulia Aphahiel.

“I wanted to finish the conversation we couldn’t have yesterday. Do you have a moment?”

With his handsome face and sly smile, the grim expression from the previous night was nowhere to be seen. The Crown Prince looked to have regained his usual, relaxed composure.

‘Of course. He’s not the type to let a loss go unanswered. I knew he’d come.’

Yuwon had nothing to fear, and thus no reason to refuse.

“Yes, gladly, brother.”

Yuwon smiled back.

“Swordsmanship, you say?”

“Yes.”

In one corner of the library—though by now, it might as well have been a drawing room for Yuwon’s many visitors—Yuwon and the Crown Prince sat facing each other, sipping tea.

“Well, I suppose it wouldn’t be much fun if the one who defeated the Second Prince didn’t compete. The Second Prince has always taken first place, but this year looks rather entertaining.”

“You flatter me. Will you be entering the swordsmanship competition as well, brother?”

“Ah, yes. I thought I might give it a try this year.”

“You, brother? That’s unexpected.”

“With you and the Second Prince competing, victory will be difficult, but I plan to stretch my arms a bit. It’s been a while since I’ve shown my skill.”

“I see. I do hope we meet up there on the stage.”

The Crown Prince’s lips curved into a faint smile.

“You really have learned to say the right things. Our troublesome youngest brother now speaks like this… Truly, the world is full of surprises. Ha-ha.”

“Ha-ha, I’m embarrassed. I was foolish back then.”

Yuwon brushed off the Crown Prince’s teasing tone with an easy smile.

“So, have you found peace in your heart now? What on earth happened to make you change so much?”

“Is this suddenly a serious talk? Well… after nearly dying, I realized I couldn’t go on like that. I decided to live properly.”

“To live properly,” Yuwon said. A strange light flickered in the Crown Prince’s eyes.

“To live properly… that won’t be easy. Are you confident?”

For a prince, to “live properly” meant only one thing—aiming for the throne. Both Yuwon and the Crown Prince understood that all too well.

“If I thought I couldn’t do it, I wouldn’t have started.”

“Heh. I see. Then things will be interesting.”

Finishing his words, the Crown Prince emptied his now-lukewarm teacup in a single motion, as if preparing to stand.

Watching him quietly, Yuwon spoke.

“Then may I ask you something, brother? You seem quite confident, calling this ‘interesting.’”

“Who do you think I am, Yurion? I am the Crown Prince of the Empire.”

It was a reply brimming with confidence—but Yuwon’s next question was no less sharp.

“Was Father ever the Crown Prince?”

“…He wasn’t.”

“And the Founding Emperor?”

“What are you trying to say?”

The Crown Prince’s face stiffened. He knew exactly what Yuwon meant.

“Let’s stop here, brother. What worries you so much that you keep testing me with such transparent questions? You did it before, and now again.”

“You—!”

Struck where it hurt, the Crown Prince faltered, unable to find his words. Yuwon pressed on.

“Shall I guess for you, if you won’t say it yourself? The board you thought you controlled completely is now shaking because of one small variable—me. You’re worried, whether you admit it or not. Am I wrong?”

“What? You think I’m worried? About you—whose only lifeline, your engagement with the Valaris Family, has been cut? I indulged you too much, and now you think too highly of yourself.”

The Crown Prince’s composure wavered. His tone, usually calm and collected, now carried a rare hint of agitation.

“Don’t get conceited, Yurion. As you said yourself, you’re merely a small variable. Not a rival—just a variable. You could never be my equal.”

“The first rule of war is to know your enemy and yourself. Hearing how you judge me, I suppose this match already begins in my favor.”

“…So you won’t be satisfied until you see blood. I didn’t come here for wordplay. I’ll take my leave.”

Unable to hide his irritation, the Crown Prince rose abruptly. Yuwon, unbothered, remained seated with a calm smile.

“One never knows who’ll be the one to bleed. Well then… since it’s improper to keep you standing, let’s end this here. I still have tea to finish, so I’ll stay.”

Lifting his cup, Yuwon gestured lightly with a smile. The Crown Prince, his anger barely restrained, twitched his lips before turning sharply on his heel.

Just before leaving the room completely, he spoke without looking back.

“Yurion… you should have stayed a White Dog.”

Yuwon gave no reply. The Crown Prince didn’t wait for one and left immediately.

When he was gone, only Yuwon remained. Alone, he brought the cup to his lips and inhaled.

‘The tea smells good.’

The sweet yet bitter aroma tickled his nose, letting him forget, if only briefly, the scent of blood. Only briefly.

A short while later, Marcellus came running to Yuwon after checking the preliminary matchups.

“The lineup’s out, Your Highness. Your first opponent is said to be the young heir of the Curington Count Family, loyal subordinates of Tindal. Forgive me for saying this, but his swordsmanship is said to be formidable. Might I suggest that you consider forfeiting…?”

“That’s good news.”

Yuwon lifted his eyes from the book he had been holding against the windowlight.

“So, he’s the very subordinate from yesterday, then?”

“Yes, that’s correct. Trebion Curington is counted among the top three contestants in swordsmanship this year, alongside His Highness the First Prince. Given the number of participants, for you to face him in the preliminaries means the Tindal Duke Family must have interfered.”

Yuwon’s interest was piqued.

“Oh? So the Tindal Duke Family can so easily manipulate an event hosted by the imperial household and held within the Imperial Palace itself?”

“Ah, well… it’s said even children in the streets know the saying, ‘If the Aphahiels live in the palace, the Tindals rule the capital.’”

“Is Tindal truly that powerful?”

“Far beyond what Your Highness imagines. It’s certain they plan to harm Your Highness under the guise of the competition. Revenge for yesterday, no doubt. Please, for your safety, consider withdrawing…”

Uncharacteristically, Marcellus seemed genuinely concerned for Yuwon.

‘No, this is exactly what Marcellus would do—pretend to worry while poisoning my tea.’

Knowing him for the spy he was, Yuwon found it almost endearing in its falseness.

‘Soon enough, that fake mask will fall off.’

The time for action was near. Ignoring Marcellus’s warning, Yuwon asked casually,

“The preliminaries start soon, don’t they?”

“Yes. If you don’t plan to forfeit on stage, it’s about time to head there.”

“Then let’s not waste time. Let’s go.”

“Oh, splendid decision, Your Highness.”

Marcellus grinned, his ugly face wrinkling like kneaded dough.

He had completely misunderstood, thinking Yuwon meant to withdraw. Yuwon didn’t bother correcting him.

He closed the book and stood.

‘Now it begins.’

The tale of the White Dog had come to an end. A new chapter of the story was opening.