Honorable Duel

WINIFRED

The environment was awkward. Well, why wouldn't it be? After what happened, it was like everyone was walking on thin ice. Couldn't be me.

I had already been dealing with this sort of thing since I woke up in this body. A lot of things were still mysterious to me, even though I read the book.

I even forgot about the real protagonist, the hero. That nifty bastard should already be starting his adventure. Well, it would take him a long time before he arrives in the holy empire because of humble beginnings so I wasn't really worried about him. I had my own life to save.

"Lady Winifred, aren't you worried? If word gets out that you're..."

"Unless you decide to tell, word wouldn't get out. I have been fully aware of what I was for a long time. I know the path I want to continue on. So, no, I'm not worried about the immediate consequences. There are much bigger problems to be sorted."

"How long have you known? Why did you go with the church then?"

"Lady Freya, I'll ask that you at least, listen to yourself before asking me that question. Do you think I chose to go with those priests? Should I have politely declined the prince and told him I was a heathen and therefore, couldn't be the Saintess? Imagine what would happen to me."

"I'm sorry, I..."

"I understand you are panicking but there's no reason to panic. I told you already. I have control over this situation. It cannot and will not get worse."

"But the prince..."

"Oh, the prince is very much aware now. Taking the pope down is top on his priority list. If he keeps me in as a proxy leader, it is to his advantage. The people don't have to know that I'm not Oriel's Saintess, since Oriel is less likely to even have one. It's a brilliant plan, really."

"I can't believe I'm saying this but I'm worried for you."

"No, I understand. But I don't think you understand me. Your worry will do nothing for me. You are not in a greater position to help me. Your magic is largely unharnessed and you can't even control your lust. It was only a matter of time before your self-control was bulldozed."

"That was...hurtful."

"Yet insightful. Now, can we continue having tea peacefully? I came out here to enjoy the ambiance, not to gain addition to my depression. Can you tell Lord Grace that even if he stares at me for several more decades, my ability to give a damn will not increase?"

She chuckled.

"Do you despise Lord Grace?"

"He has been nothing but rude to me. He didn't bother introducing himself and his self-importance has him thinking he could someday defeat Lord Silver. Saying I despise him is saying I attach some form of importance to his presence. I simply don't care. More tea please."

"Yes, my lady."

She seemed amused by it. She was also a victim of his antics. They were to be wed once, regardless of how incestuous it was, but since she didn't have any magic, the engagement was called off. Everyone respected his decision but scorned Freya viciously for something she couldn't control. Him 'defending' her honor was nothing more than hypocrisy on his part.

"My lady! I wish you could see this! Bishop Matthew is here and it looks like he wants to join the troops!"

She sounded excited and I could imagine her cheeks were flushed. It was something I would've loved to see as well but alas...

"B-Bishop! What brings you here?"

He's here? Interesting. I definitely thought he would've left after my revelation but not only was he joining the troops, he was here with us.

"It is customary to greet the ladies if one was to hold a duel."

"A duel? You're dueling Lord Grace? I wish I could see that."

"No, not him. It would be unfair to Lord Grace. I challenged Lord Silver to a duel."

"...so you did."

Regardless of whether or not Nathan answered the challenge, I thought it was amazing that humans only chose what they wanted to hear. Seeing him deflect all his anger on Nathan showed his bias but I didn't have to do anything. I wasn't worried about him or Nathan. I trusted Nathan.

"I'm conserving my strength for this fight so I might not have the strength to heal you, Lady Winifred. Be careful in case this brute, I mean, Bishop tries to touch you again. This time, it may be irreversible."

Nathan was a bastard, very much so. Since he was the only one I could see, that smug grin on his face was telling. Even though I knew Matthew couldn't beat him, I only wished for a dent in his face.

"Lord Silver, I know damn well you are not defending your honor or mine in this duel. Can you tell me what you want from this fight?"

"Just a few artifacts from the church. He put in his word so don't worry. I may not be doing this do defend your honor but I am doing this for you. Pray for my success, holy one," he leaned in to kiss my hand.

A true bastard. But I knew what he was doing and didn't stop him. I thought it was time for some people to learn their place and a little humility. Of course, I excluded myself from that group. I had self-awareness enough to do that.

I couldn't watch the fight so I just enjoyed my tea. From the sounds, it seemed like they were using high-level magic that was destroying the terrain around them. I didn't feel any of it so one of them was protecting me from the effects. How kind of them. It was just what I needed to enjoy my tea.

It didn't take long to end and that made me ridiculously happy. I was even happier when I heard;

"Now, if you would just hand over the keys to the church's treasury, I would be on my merry way. My lady awaits."

I knew that bastard would win. What I was curious to know was if he could really give me his eyes. I guessed time would eventually tell.