37 Golden Pass

"Are you nervous about the duel, Your Grace?"

Aideen turned her face slightly to the left, fixing her golden-green gaze emptily on the space in front of her. The Duke's coach steadily moved along the well-tended gray stone road leading to the Shopping District in the Central Capital, west of the Royal Palace.

Tillian, seated opposite Aideen inside the carriage, crossed his arms in front of his broad chest and shook his head.

"Should I be nervous, Your Highness? Is Count Crueder such a talented swordsman?"

The princess perceived his response as an attempt at mockery. She pouted her lips slightly and answered in a somewhat grumpy tone,