The World Is Mine For The Taking-Chapter 1215 - 187 - The King of Bethlan (4)

"Are you sure, Your Majesty?"

The hesitation in the knight’s voice was impossible to miss.

It wasn’t just doubt I could hear. It was frustration barely held back behind years of discipline. He stood straight as ever, but the way his jaw tightened told me everything.

It was clear that he wasn’t satisfied with my answer.

And truthfully, I had expected as much.

He had fought that man before. Not alone, either. He had gone in with his unit, trained soldiers who had survived countless battles, and yet they had been overwhelmed with embarrassing ease. Routed before they could even mount a proper response.

He didn’t say it outright, but the humiliation still lingered on him like an unhealed bruise.

"You’re pretty hot-headed," I said calmly, letting out a small breath as I leaned back. "Relax. You don’t have to worry."

His eyes narrowed slightly, clearly not convinced.

"You’ll get your turn," I continued. "I promise you that. Just not now. For the moment, I’m interested in him."

He clenched his fist.

"That man," he said carefully, choosing his words with restraint, "is someone who could endanger the Princess one day. Are you absolutely certain about letting this continue?"

I could hear it in his voice. The urge to draw his sword as well as to settle things the only way he knew how. After losing to that man, he hadn’t rested for even a day. He had returned to training immediately, pushing himself past exhaustion, as well as past reason.

He wanted a rematch.

And yet, despite all of that, something about that man still pulled at my attention.

"If my assumption is right," I said slowly, "the Princess of the Milham Kingdom—the woman standing beside the Queen—is his woman."

The knight froze.

"Really?" he asked, his composure cracking for just a moment. "How did you... realize that?"

I couldn’t help but smile faintly.

"It’s not something you’d notice unless you were really looking," I replied. "Most people wouldn’t. They’re too busy staring at titles and appearances. But if you look past all that, you can feel it."

I tapped my finger lightly against the armrest.

"Her aura," I continued, "is similar to Nia’s."

That alone explained everything.

Nia’s aura had changed over time, ever since she began living here. It was the kind of change you couldn’t fake. The kind that only came from deep emotional bonds.

"What kind of man," I muttered, more to myself than to him, "involves himself with two princesses from different kingdoms? What kind of thinking does that take? What kind of plan does he have?"

I let out a slow breath.

"I won’t lie—I’m irritated," I admitted. "More than a little, actually. But at the same time, I can’t deny that he’s interesting. And after he humbled you and your unit so easily back then... well, it’d be strange if I wasn’t curious."

The knight didn’t respond, but I could feel the tension rolling off him.

"And now," I added, "I hear the Princess is holding a tournament. And he’s participating."

I straightened slightly.

"I think I’ll watch. I want to see how he fares."

***

Leon’s POV

The second day of the tournament had begun.

I stood on the platform, facing my opponent. He was a swordsman who looked experienced enough to know better than to rush in blindly.

His gaze never left me.

It was sharp. Focused. Careful.

He was analyzing me, searching for cracks in my stance, flaws in my posture, anything he could exploit. I could practically hear the gears in his head grinding as he tried to piece me apart.

Unfortunately for him, there was nothing to find.

The longer he stared, the more uncertain he became. His hesitation stretched on, and I could see the frustration creeping into his expression. He wasn’t advancing because he couldn’t see a way forward.

His hands tightened around the hilt of his sword. Both hands. A defensive grip. And yet, they were trembling.

Just slightly—but enough.

I didn’t say anything.

I didn’t need to.

I simply waited.

Seconds passed. Then more. The crowd murmured quietly, sensing the awkward tension of a duel that hadn’t truly begun. I considered lowering my guard even more, just to make things easier.

But even while holding back, there was still no opening.

Should I lower it further?

At this rate, he wasn’t going to move unless I gave him something to believe in.

So I did.

I showed him an opening.

His eyes widened for just a fraction of a second before instinct took over. He lunged forward, sword flashing as he committed to the attack.

Mid-dash, realization struck him.

Too late.

He realized that I had done it on purpose.

I swung my sword in a smooth, controlled arc, intercepting him before he could adjust. There was no room for recovery. He had no chance to retreat. Before he could even begin his next motion, I was already there.

Steel clashed.

I struck the base of his blade precisely, the impact ringing sharply through the arena as his sword snapped apart. The weapon flew from his grip and became useless.

I followed through immediately, kicking his arm hard enough to fully disarm him. Before he could even process what had happened, I locked his arm in place, disrupting his flow of mana and cutting off his ability to cast.

Then I forced him down.

Hard.

"Winner!"

The umpire’s voice echoed across the platform, announcing my victory once again.

I released him immediately and stepped back.

He took a moment before standing, rubbing his arm as he exhaled a breath that sounded more relieved than bitter.

"That was a good fight," he said, laughing softly. "Honestly, I didn’t stand a chance."

He offered his hand.

I took it.

At least he knew how to lose properly.

After stepping down from the platform, I smiled.

"So the King really is watching me," I muttered under my breath, a wry smile tugging at my lips.

I had noticed him during my first match, but now there was no doubt. He hadn’t missed a single moment. I was being observed.

By him.

Was he judging whether I was worthy of Titania?

I doubted it.

If that were the case, he wouldn’t be watching me like this. This wasn’t casual curiosity. This was something else entirely.

I didn’t know what yet.

But I would.

Sooner or later.

I walked away from the platform and took a seat to rest, letting my muscles relax for the first time since the match ended.

That was when I noticed him.

A familiar face.

Titania’s knight.

It was the same one I had fought before.

"Well, well," I said lightly, offering a small smile. "Long time no see."

He growled in response, his glare sharp.

After a brief pause, he finally spoke.

"Would you mind following me for a moment?"