Chapter 8 : A Smile That Never Faded
Clang!
Steel met wood.
The impact echoed throughout the ballroom.
Rylan pressed forward relentlessly, his crimson blade cutting through the air with precise, aggressive strikes.
Vee gave ground.
One step.
Then another.
He wasn't running.
He was observing.
His father's lessons replayed in his mind.
"A swordsman who fights with anger always tells you where he'll strike next."
---
"What's wrong?" Rylan sneered.
"I thought the Duke's son would be stronger."
Clang!
Vee blocked another strike and smiled.
No reply.
The smile remained.
Rylan frowned.
---
"You fought Kai, didn't you?"
"I expected more."
Slash!
His sword barely missed Vee's cheek, cutting a strand of white hair.
The nobles gasped.
Vee simply adjusted his footing.
Still smiling.
---
"Are you scared?"
No answer.
"Or are you too arrogant to speak?"
Vee's wooden sword deflected another attack with the smallest movement.
His expression never changed.
That calm smile...
It irritated Rylan more than any insult could.
---
Minutes passed.
Neither fighter landed a decisive blow.
Sweat formed on Rylan's forehead.
His breathing grew heavier.
Vee's was steady.
Not because he was stronger...
But because his mother's training had taught him how to control his breathing.
The Duke watched from the edge of the arena.
A faint smile crossed his face.
"He's using both of our lessons."
---
Rylan lunged again.
"LOOK AT ME WHEN I'M TALKING TO YOU!"
His attacks became faster.
More powerful.
But also...
Sloppier.
Vee noticed.
Every taunt made Rylan swing harder.
Every missed strike made him angrier.
And every burst of anger widened another opening.
---
"You don't deserve to inherit this family!"
Clang!
"You'll never surpass Kai!"
Clang!
"Everyone praises you because you're the Duke's son!"
Clang!
Each insult echoed through the ballroom.
Yet Vee only smiled.
Not a mocking smile.
Not a proud one.
A peaceful smile.
Finally...
Rylan couldn't take it anymore.
"WHY ARE YOU SMILING?!"
The question echoed through the silent hall.
Vee stopped retreating.
For the first time since the duel began...
He spoke.
"My father once told me something."
He raised his wooden sword.
"'The moment you let your opponent control your emotions...'"
Rylan charged.
"...'you've already handed them the battle.'"
Their weapons collided.
BOOM!
The force of the impact sent a powerful gust through the ballroom.
Vee's violet eyes met Rylan's furious gaze.
"You've spent this entire fight trying to make me angry."
He smiled again.
"But..."
"...you only succeeded in making yourself angry."
For the first time...
Rylan hesitated.
Just for a heartbeat.
It was a tiny mistake.
Most people wouldn't even notice it.
Vee did.
His feet shifted.
His sword moved.
Not with overwhelming strength...
But with perfect timing.
The duel, which had lasted for what felt like an eternity, had finally reached its turning point.: The First Dance
The instant Vee's wooden sword stopped inches from Rylan's throat...
Silence filled the ballroom.
Rylan froze.
His sword slipped from his hand and clattered against the polished floor.
He stared at Vee in disbelief.
"...I..."
"...lost?"
Vee lowered his wooden sword and offered a hand.
"It was a good fight."
Rylan looked at the hand for a long moment.
His pride told him to refuse.
But the duel had already shown him the truth.
He accepted the hand.
Vee pulled him to his feet.
"There are seventy-one people ahead of you in the line of succession."
Rylan clenched his fists.
"I know."
"But..." Vee continued with a smile, "...that doesn't stop you from becoming one of the strongest Ashfords."
Rylan blinked.
For the first time that evening...
His anger disappeared.
"...Thank you."
The ballroom erupted into applause.
Not because the Duke's son had won.
But because he had won without humiliating his opponent.
---
Then...
A single clap echoed through the hall.
Clap.
Clap.
Clap.
Everyone turned.
At the end of the ballroom stood an elderly man with snow-white hair, dressed in robes bearing the ancient crest of House Ashford.
Every member of the family immediately bowed.
"The Patriarch..."
Even Duke Ashford inclined his head respectfully.
The old man's sharp eyes rested on Vee.
"I watched the entire duel."
He slowly approached.
"Strength wins battles."
"Wisdom wins wars."
He stopped before Vee.
"You could have ended the duel many exchanges ago."
Vee nodded.
"Yes, Patriarch."
"But you waited."
"You let him defeat his own anger."
The old man smiled.
"A swordsman who understands patience before adulthood..."
"...is rare."
He raised his hands.
And applauded.
Clap.
Clap.
Clap.
The applause echoed through the silent ballroom.
Soon...
Every noble joined in.
The sound became thunderous.
Vee bowed respectfully.
"Thank you, Patriarch."
The old man leaned closer and spoke so quietly that only Vee could hear.
"The Academy will change your life."
"...Don't lose that smile."
Then he walked away.
---
The orchestra began playing once more.
The tension melted into celebration.
Couples filled the dance floor.
Vee exhaled.
"I survived."
"You call that surviving?"
A familiar voice reached his ears.
He turned.
There she was.
The mysterious girl from the balcony.
She wore the same silver-blue gown, her golden hair catching the light from the chandeliers.
She smiled playfully.
"You disappeared before I could say goodbye."
Vee rubbed the back of his neck.
"I was looking for someone."
"Oh?"
"Yeah."
"A girl."
She raised an eyebrow.
"Really?"
"I forgot to ask her name."
She couldn't help but laugh.
"So you're saying..."
"...you were looking for me?"
Vee paused.
Then realization struck.
"Oh..."
"...it really was you."
She shook her head, laughing softly.
"I was beginning to think I'd have to introduce myself twice."
Vee smiled sheepishly.
"I guess I owe you a dance."
She extended her hand.
"I was hoping you'd ask."
He took it gently.
The two stepped onto the dance floor.
As the music swelled, they moved together with surprising ease.
Around them, conversations slowed.
Many of the nobles watched in silence.
The Duke smiled quietly from across the room.
His wife nudged him.
"They look good together."
The Duke folded his arms.
"They're just dancing."
His wife smirked.
"Keep telling yourself that."
For the first time in days...
Vee wasn't thinking about Kai.
Or the Academy.
Or becoming stronger.
He was simply enjoying the moment.
As the dance came to an end, he looked into her blue eyes and laughed.
"I almost made the same mistake again."
She tilted her head.
"What mistake?"
"I still don't know your name."
She smiled.
"My name..."
"...is Aurelia."
"Don't forget it this time."
Vee grinned.
"I won't."
Though neither of them knew it yet...
This would not be their last dance.