The people around acted as if they've seen worse things, which calmed Lucian a bit. They didn't comment on Celine's behavior and just waited for him to get inside the ring in anticipation and eagerness to get some pointers. That's if Celine allowed them to.
"Teach us, oh, wise one," they suddenly chorused, their Lady's madness had influenced them after all, and Lucian felt as if he was surrounded by a bunch of lunatics with Celine at the front of them. Of course they didn't forget to pay her respect as well, by treating him depending on her current attitude toward him, "We are ready to be enlightened, Lord Arclight!"
Celine covered her mouth to hide a smirk and Lucian was this close to grabbing that whip from her hands and beating some manners into her.
'That much for getting engaged to the duke's daughter. More like the devil's daughter,' Lucian thought. 'Starting a day with a fake marriage just to end it by becoming a circus monkey. And I could only blame myself for getting involved with a madwoman who has a sick sense of humor.'
While Lucian was plotting his revenge, Celine was still in her element, having the time of her life. Like a kid who was having the most fun in a playground, shamelessly enjoying herself without a care… as if life was to be enjoyed.
"..." Lucian looked at Celine, then at the rest of the soldiers, and then at Celine again. 'I'm screwed, aren't I?'
The voice in his head laughed at him, 'Yes, you are. Now you have no choice but to show your fangs. Use my help. I can give you what you lack in strength.'
'And what would you like in return?' Lucian asked.
'If you want to use me, you will have to let go of control. You have to let me have it. It's as simple as that.'
Lucian was not having it, 'You can't scam a scammer,' he told the voice, 'I'm not giving you anything.'
'Then enjoy your beating. Pathetic fool.'
'My pain is your pain. Why else would you overreact whenever I try to forgive her?' Lucian smiled to himself, 'So…enjoy the beating with me, and when it becomes too much, you'll lend me a hand. I'm counting on you. Partner.'
'It's just a voice of reason in your head. Use it to become stronger, to achieve your goals, to reach your dreams, or to get your revenge. Pray for more power, more strength, more courage, not negotiate! How are you going to get anything if you won't beg for it?!'
'I am begging you,' Lucian said, walking toward the ring, 'To enjoy the beating with me.'
'You sick freak, I'm out of here, die for all I care,' the voice in his head said, 'I don't know why I even bothered with a loser like you. Just die.'
The silence gave Lucian a moment of peace and quiet to gather his thoughts. 'How convenient,' he thought, 'Just like my fiance's fainting, how very convenient for you to play dead whenever things don't go your way.'
Lucian picked up a bit of exercising during his stay at the Rochefort Estate, training with his people to strengthen his body. He should be able to last for a while, at least.
What he didn't like was being observed like an experiment by Celine. Scrutinized like a rat inside a cage while showing none of her own abilities. It made him feel inferior to her, and he hated it.
A tall man with broad shoulders stepped up to the ring, his massive hands clenched into fists. His nose had been broken more than once, and he had scars across his cheeks, "My name is Sir Brix," he said, bowing his head, "I will be your opponent." Perfect manners even if his looks were intimidating, "I will not hold back, My Lord," he added.
Lucian nodded his head, "Neither will I." He walked forward, stepping into the ring. He removed his cloak, folding it neatly. His boots were polished, and his pants were immaculate. Everything about him was perfect except his face. His face was marred by exhaustion, and his eyes were bloodshot from lack of sleep.
If he was going to lose, he would make it look like he didn't care. He would play his part. The part of a tired, exhausted man, who had been working hard, and just wanted to get some sleep.
That was his plan, but his plans always seemed to backfire when it came to Celine, so at this point, he expected it to be no different. And finally, he was right about something, because what she said next made his blood run cold.
"Killing and permanent maiming is allowed," Celine explained the rules, her demeanor changing to that of a woman who was in charge of everything, and her word was law, "Though I will be there to prevent such an occurrence before it can happen."
She stepped inside the ring, the whip she had been holding was discarded on the table with other weapons, replacing it with a rapier. It was a light sword, so fast it could be compared to a snake's bite in a master's hands. "Death matches are the best way to make you learn faster, after all, but I'm not so cruel as to let you die."
'Huh?'