"How did you know Fiora would call off the engagement?" On the way back to Crownguard Manor, Lux's face was ashen, but her heart was full of curiosity. "You calculated this from the very beginning!"
"If you were Fiora, what would you do?" Klein didn't answer directly, but instead asked a question. "Marry someone you don't know? Or simply stand up and resist?"
"...I would resist!" Lux hesitated for a moment, then said firmly, "Especially someone like Gaokan—but then again, Mom and Dad wouldn't be like that!"
"The latter half isn't important." Klein's voice also seemed to lighten considerably. "As long as the first half is there, in a sense, Fiora is very much like you. She won't easily accept the dictates of Destiny, so something like this was bound to happen sooner or later."
"Then next, I need to prepare for tomorrow's duel, right?" Lux nodded. "As for the result of the duel, do I need to go easy?"
"Correct your attitude, Lux." Klein interrupted her. "With your current swordsmanship level, even with my help, you cannot control the outcome of the duel, so just do your best."
"I feel like you're saying I'm doomed to lose." Lux narrowed her eyes. "Do you have so little confidence in me? I've already cleared the second part of the combat simulation…"
"You see, you insist on making me speak more plainly." Klein said with a helpless and innocent tone. "That Lady Fiora's talent in swordsmanship is quite astonishing, while your swordsmanship level is just average."
"But their family's Heart-Eye Swordsmanship is famously flashy but impractical." Lux said with some surprise. "I remember Aunt Tiana once commented on their swordsmanship, saying that it was more like a dance than actual swordsmanship…"
"It seems Lady Tiana was much like you when she was studying." Klein chuckled. "Actually, a hundred years ago, Laurent's Heart-Eye Swordsmanship was very famous—it's just a pity that as they moved into The Capital, the aristocratic life washed away their diligence, which led to each generation being worse than the last, and their swordsmanship turning into dance."
"There's such a history?" Lux was stunned for a moment. "That's truly a bit unbelievable."
"So, tomorrow, bring out all your strength." Klein reminded her again. "This is also your graduation exam for three years of spellcasting and five years of simulation!"
"Just watch me!"
.........
While Lux was silently communicating with Klein, she had already returned to Crownguard Manor.
A messenger had already arrived at the Manor ahead of her, informing Augatha and Tiana of the news. Now, hearing that Lux had returned, they immediately sent someone to bring her to the reading room.
"Luxanna!"
As soon as she entered, Augatha stood up in a hurry, glaring fiercely at her troublesome daughter.
The matriarch of the Crownguard Family wanted very much to raise her hand and give Lux a smack, just like she did with Garen, but seeing her daughter's gloved hands tightly gripping the sword hilt, she couldn't bring herself to do it. In the end, she could only put her hand down dejectedly, reach out to close the reading room door, and then embrace Lux.
"My silly girl!" Augatha hugged Lux tightly. "You didn't have to do this—"
"I had to, the Crownguard had to." Lux struggled out of her mother's embrace with difficulty, sighing a little helplessly. "Even if Gaokan is indeed an idiot and completely unworthy of Miss Fiora… this involves the entire family. Innumerable eyes in The Capital are watching us, watching our every move."
"You—"
Lux's words left Tiana and Augatha dumbfounded.
"I am very clear about the family's current situation." Lux spread her hands, appearing helpless herself. "Although that Dili fellow is not presentable, he is still a help to the family. When encountering such a situation, I naturally have to do my best to help."
"…"
"I've actually thought about many issues recently, about the family, about the future." Lux continued. "We are at a crossroads of choice, but unfortunately, due to Miss Fiora's impulsiveness, we no longer have the chance to make mistakes—the Crownguard are nobles after all."
"It's truly… wonderful that you can think this way." Lux's words filled Tiana with surprise, but amidst the surprise, she also felt a genuine sadness. "But you absolutely didn't need to personally fight Fiora—we could have hired a duel representative. The Dauntless Vanguard has many good lads skilled in dueling."
"A duel representative is ultimately not honorable enough." Speaking of this topic, Lux's face showed a confident smile. "Believe me, it will definitely be fine!"
"…"
Augatha wanted to say, "How can I believe you," but looking at the confident Lux, she couldn't bring herself to say it. She could only hug her daughter again, as if to knead her into her embrace.
And Tiana could only sigh helplessly—in this situation, nothing more could be said. She could now fully imagine how those nobles, who had finally seized an opportunity, would eagerly publicize this "duel to defend Crownguard's honor." If they could, these fellows would certainly be delighted to see Lux fall in the dueling hall!
As for not requesting His Majesty the King's presence now, but instead requesting Jarvan III's intervention and mediation…
Tiana didn't believe Jarvan III would be willing to do such a thing.
Unlike her brother, who was loyal to the King, Tiana preferred to think about issues from the family's perspective.
In her opinion, for Jarvan III, it would be best if the Crownguard Family did not grow any stronger—such "isolated vassals" who had poor relations with other nobles were probably what this King desired most to see.
Lightshield needed a Crownguard who was at odds with other nobles but fiercely loyal to their own family.
If the Crownguard truly branched out and expanded their connections in The Capital's political arena, Jarvan III would probably lose sleep!
What a pity.
Originally, this marriage alliance was supposed to herald the Crownguard Family's independent expansion, but it was ruined by a hothead.
Even Lux had to personally step in…
Dili… Gaokan!
You two are really something, to be so disliked and reviled that you were publicly rejected for marriage. And here I thought you two had potential and planned to help you out!
In the current situation, the only thing that could bring Tiana a little ease was that Lux's swordsmanship was indeed very solid.
Tiana was a personal participant in that incident in Silvermere.
Thinking of this, Tiana hesitated for a moment, and finally handed a small amulet to Lux.
"Take it, my dear." Tiana sighed. "This was obtained by your uncle from the Illuminati. It will protect your safety—and your victory."
Lux hesitated for a moment, then reached out and took the amulet. Following Tiana's instructions, she put it around her neck.
"This is a good item." After Lux put on the amulet, Klein clicked her tongue. "Although your aunt is a complete egoist noble, she truly loves you very much—this amulet comes from Kayle, and it looks quite old. If I'm not mistaken, it's probably your aunt and uncle's wedding keepsake."
"…"
Lux's fingers brushed over the amulet, feeling the mysterious power contained within, and she didn't respond to Klein immediately.
She felt her aunt's care for her.
But it also strengthened her resolve to temporarily leave Demacia.
Lux knew that her aunt had no children, and she loved her from the bottom of her heart, as if she were her own daughter.
Similarly, even though Lux clearly knew she and her aunt were not the same type of person, she still loved Tiana.
When they couldn't persuade and change each other with words, it was better to be apart for a while.
Just wait and see, Aunt Tiana!
I will prove that I am right!
Nobles and the King are of the same class, but interestingly, they often have significant conflicts.
An isolated vassal who is overly loyal to the King will always be an eyesore. It was for this reason that Lux pushed herself onto the dueling ground.
However, the duel is just the beginning!