In the next few days, Minsoo threw away all Archievald’s old clothes and bought new ones more suited to his tastes. He didn’t know if Duke Corvaliso told the palace’s servants that he was a messenger from Sun Goddess Alaira, so Minsoo used the fall from his horse as an excuse for his new behavior.

However, people seemed not to complain, especially Cara Dervin, the young knight who started to follow him around the palace. He was definitely Minsoo’s type of man, but he didn’t want to flirt with him since he didn’t know how homosexuality was seen in this world.

Too bad, he always liked cheerful men with silver hair.

One afternoon, Minsoo stepped out of the palace to spend some time in the gardens. He strolled among flowerbeds, roses, and tall trees, while glancing around. In a corner there were the stables with a lot of horses, the stench of animals filling the air; on the opposite side there was a space where knights were training with swords.

Minsoo stared at them for a while, asking himself how they could train to kill other people. It was the same thought he used to have when seeing policemen and soldiers patrolling outside train stations. He would never do a dangerous job; he was scared even of his own shadow.

"I guess I’m not man enough…"

"What are you mumbling about?"

The cold voice of Duke Corvaliso sent a chill down his spine. Minsoo turned abruptly just to be pierced by the duke’s violet eyes. He hated to admit it, but they were eerily beautiful. The duke himself was a handsome man, with long, dark hair and a muscular and proportioned body.

Too bad he’s a psychopath.

Minsoo pushed those thoughts aside and smiled. "Nothing at all. I’m just thinking that your knights seemed brave."

Duke Corvaliso glanced at the men, then turned back to him, his gaze still cold and devoid of emotion. "You think so?"

"Are they not?"

"Cowards don’t live long in my army. That’s how I conquered the North." His gaze grew suspicious. "But you should already know, if you’re really Alaira’s messenger."

Minsoo stiffened and offered a smile. "I’m a bit dumb, so sometimes things just slip my mind."

The duke raised an eyebrow. "I won’t call you dumb. But you’re definitely a strange messenger."

"Did you give your answer to Lady Loder?"

"I did, right this morning. The meeting is set for the second day of next week. She’ll come here by carriage."

"I see." Minsoo cleared his throat. "So, what kind of woman is really Lady Loder? I’ve heard something, but I've never seen her."

Duke Corvaliso frowned. "Why do you care?"

"Don’t you want my help? I should know how she is if you want me to be present during the meeting, especially if you want to avoid a war with the Emperor or Prince Fabian."

"Fine, I’ll tell you. But on one condition."

"What condition?"

The duke smiled dangerously. "Beat me in a sword match."

Minsoo’s heart raced in fear. "I can’t fence."

"You’re a divine messenger, aren’t you? I’m sure you’ll be able to use divine power or something like that." His smile faded into a frightening expression, and the atmosphere around them chilled, as if the duke was some kind of dangerous wild beast. "Unless you lied to me."

"Of course not."

"Then you have no reason to turn me down."

The duke gave him a last, piercing glance, then made way toward the practice area.

Minsoo hesitated for a moment, asking himself if the sensation he just had—the one similar to prey caught in a beast’s claws—was caused by the duke’s presence or by his fears. But for some reason, he had the feeling that the aura emitted by the duke just changed drastically. Could this be what it meant to be a swordmaster?

He reached Duke Corvaliso and took the sword he was offering him. It was a real sword, but it wasn’t as heavy as Minsoo had thought. Actually, it was quite light.

"It’s one of your swords," the duke said. "It should be fine for you."

"Ah, yes."

All around them, the knights were looking at them in silence; some of them were bare-chested, wiping their foreheads of sweat; others were shooting curious glances while leaning against the fence. Minsoo bit his lip, anxiety gnawing at his stomach; he always hated being the center of attention. He hated it when he was in high school and he hated it when he was in university. Oral exams were a real nightmare for him.

This seems worse than any exam I've ever taken. They’ll definitely laugh at me.

The duke positioned himself in what seemed a defensive stance, with his back straight and one of his hands behind his back. Minsoo mirrored him because he didn’t know what else he should do.

"Let’s start!" the duke shouted.

He lunged forward, raised the sword and lowered it again. Minsoo stumbled backward as he tried to defend himself, but he was too slow and clumsy. The duke hit his sword, and a sharp pang of pain echoed in Minsoo’s bones. He lost his grip on the hilt, and the sword fell with a thud onto the ground. A bewildered silence lasted for a few moments.

The duke pursed his lips in disgust. "You’re weak, aide."

Minsoo lowered his gaze and bowed his head in an attempt not to let the duke see his tears. He knew that he was weak, but he didn’t deserve to be treated in that way. He was an idiot and weak, so what? He wasn’t a knight. He wasn’t even a brave man.

He bit his lip and tried to regain his composure; he couldn’t cry before that prick. "I-I’m sorry, Your Grace. I’m just…"

"I’ve told you, Archivald; you still need to rest. You hurt your arm falling from your horse; you shouldn’t rush things." Duke Corvaliso glared at him. "You can train again once your injuries are healed."

Minsoo blinked in disbelief. Did he really cover him up?

No, it can’t be. He just wants to make fun of me. He humiliated me before his men and now he’s making sure that I’ve learned the lesson. Damned prick!

The duke turned his back and headed toward the palace, leaving behind him only whispers and strange glances.

Minsoo closed his eyes, suffocating the shame he was feeling and holding close the shards of his shattered ego, then straightened his back.

"Sir Glennhort!" Cara’s voice broke the silence.