Blake returned to the Amoria Palace in a bad mood.

"Ancia."

When we went into the room, he broke the silence and called my name.

"Yes, Blake?"

"Are His Majesty's abs really that good?"

"N-no!"

I shook my head hurriedly.

"I just went to see the duel!"

I just really wanted to see the best swordsmen in the Empire duelling each other.

I never dreamed that such an incredible scene would suddenly unfold there.

Blake's expression did not change despite the explanation.

"I-I tried so hard...but I guess it wasn't enough."

"No, it's not that!"

Blake's abs were excellent. However, compared to Tenstheon, it was slightly different.

Blake abs looked like that of a model.

He had a lean and slender figure paired with his abs. It was aesthetically perfect, like a painting or a sculpture.

On the other hand, Tenstheon's abs looked like that of a gold medallist professional athlete.

"Blake and His Majesty's abs are different!"

"What's the difference?"

"S-so..."

How could I explain the difference?

I couldn't think of anything.

"Uh, His Majesty's abs are like gold—"

"What?!"

Blake's expression crumpled.

"No, I mean...!"

What's wrong with you, Ancia?

I feel like I was just talking nonsense.

"It's as good as gold?"

"No, no, the best—!"

I wanted to say that he had abs like an athlete, but before I could say it, Blake said, "His Majesty's abs are number one in the world?"

"H-He's not number one in the world..."

Come to think of it, there was no concept of 'athlete' in this world.

The more I spoke, the more I felt like I was saying the wrong thing.

Blake stood up just as I was about to explain.

"Blake, where are you going?"

"Phillion Palace."

"Why?"

"If I beat him, I'll be number one."

Blake said as he firmly grasped the sword on his waist.

It seems he had misunderstood what I had said. I grabbed onto him in a hurry.

"Blake is in the first place too!

"What first place?"

"...you're first place for being beautiful!"

I couldn't find a better alternative for the word 'model'.

"......"

But Blake was silent. I quickly added, "And to me, you're in the first place!"

"......"

At that moment, he loosened the grip on the sword.

I didn't miss the opportunity and held Blake's hand. I took his hands and blew raspberries on it.

"...Ancia, what are you doing?"

"Blowing raspberries."

Seeing me laugh, Blake also ended up laughing in response.

"Ancia, there's something wrong."

"Huh?"

"You should do it here."

He pointed at his stomach. He remembered that I used to blow raspberries on his stomach when we were young.

His baby belly had now turned into the belly of a man.

"...well, that was when you were a kid."

"Then should I do it for you?"

"Huh?"

Before I could say anything, Blake blew in my ears.

He rubbed my earlobes and took off my coat.

Blake's lips touched my neck and started going lower. He passed down my shoulder and came down to my arms, wrists, and palms.

He wasn't blowing raspberries, but I didn't point it out.

Every time he kissed me, my body temperature seemed to rise.

***

"Father."

Tenstheon was looking at the documents when I arrived at his study. He smiled when he looked up and saw me.

"Ancia, you're here?"

"Were you busy?"

"No, I'm just taking a break."

Contrary to what he said, there was a pile of documents in front of his desk.

"I can wait if you're busy."

"No, I was just about to go and see you."

"Me?"

"I heard you came here yesterday."

Cough.

I was so embarrassed when I thought about what happened yesterday.

"Are you alright?"

"Oh, yes. I didn't come for any important matters yesterday. I just came and went back because I thought you were busy."

"There's nothing more important than you."

He handed me a glass of water.

"Thank you."

I drank the water in a hurry. Tenstheon patted me on the shoulder when I finally calmed down.

We left the study and went to the greenhouse in the Palace. It was also the place where Tenstheon had invited me for the first time.

On the white table, there were many fascinating desserts laid out.

"Tell me if it's not enough."

"No, there's so much."

First, I tried a strawberry shortcake that had red strawberries on it.

"Is it tasty?"

Tenstheon asked me while smiling.

"Yes, father. You try it too."

"Alright."

Before I said that, he hadn't touched anything other than the black tea. He still wasn't a fan of sweet things.

While I was gone, his relationship with Blake had become more awkward. My heart felt heavy because I knew it was because of me.

"Blake dropped by for a while before."

"Really?"

Now that I was back, was Blake trying to fix his relationship with his father?

As soon as I was about to be relieved, Tenstheon added, "He said we should duel."

"...I think you should refuse him."

"Why?"

It'd be dangerous for Tenstheon if they decided to duel.

Blake's intention to duel was not purely to improve his skills and to observe Tenstheon's skills.

But I couldn't tell him the truth.

"I don't want to see both of you fight."

"It's just a friendly duel."

"But you both are going to use real swords. It's dangerous."

"...okay, I won't do it if you don't want it."

A nostalgic expression suddenly appeared on Tenstheon's face, perhaps he was reminded of the time when he taught Blake swordsmanship.

I smiled brightly to warm up the atmosphere.

"Please do it after you become closer."

"...okay."

When would their relationship get better?

I hoped Blake would call Tenstheon 'father' soon. Tenstheon would be very happy then.

"You're going to Sir Ron's wedding, aren't you?"

Ron would be getting married the day after tomorrow.

He claimed to be single until his late 30s, saying he was already married to the Empire, but he suddenly announced his marriage after reuniting with a friend this year.

Thanks to his marriage, the knights were all in a festive mood.

"Of course."

"Is Sir Collin coming too?"

"No, he said he'd be working."

So he's still a workaholic.

Not only was it a hot topic among the knights, all of the aristocratic society was also in a buzz because of Ron's marriage.

As soon as I was about to take my leave and let him rest, Tenstheon added, "Shannon and Edon said they wouldn't attend and stay behind to protect the Palace instead."

Shannon was the only woman to lead the Knights of the Imperial Palace. She was also respected by many young knights, including Diana.

It was plausible for her to not like weddings because it was a formal event, but I was surprised by Edon's choice.

"Sir Edon too?"

"They know that they're the next targets."

"Target? Ah..."

I understood what Tenstheon said and gave a nod.

Sir Ron's marriage was one of the hottest topics these days.

I often heard this kind of chatter in the parties. 'The excellent knights have to get married quickly or it'll be a waste of their skills. If they're really thinking for the Empire, then they should have a child who inherits their skills.'

Now that Ron, who was so adamant to not get married, really got married, their target would naturally change.

Collin, Edon and Shannon were the most likely candidates.

It was obvious that people would constantly come over to them during the party and ask, 'Now that Sir Ron is married, don't you want to get married too?'

Thinking about it, I could understand their unwillingness to attend the wedding.

"Then will Sir Collin really stay here?"

"No, I'll take him."

Tenstheon said firmly.

But why?

I didn't think he had to take him since Sir Collin had such a clear reason.

Perhaps since Sir Collin was the Emperor's lieutenant, it wouldn't look good for him to not come when the Emperor himself came.

"I see..."

I tried to guess the reason, but then, Tenstheon said, "If Collin isn't there, then I'll become the topic of conversation of those cheeky people. I'll definitely take all three of them with me."

"......"