Aeliana’s gaze remained fixed on the figure of the swordsman, Luca, even as the tension in the air began to settle. The duel had been swift—brutally so. It wasn’t a drawn-out battle of attrition but a precise, devastating dismantling of Cedric’s skill and pride. The sheer efficiency of it had left her both fascinated and unsettled.
‘One clash,’ she thought, her gloved fingers tapping against the armrest of her chair. ‘Just one clash, and it was over. Is that normal?’
Her curiosity brimming, she turned her veiled face toward Madeleina, who stood silently by her side. “Madeleina,” she began, her voice calm but edged with intrigue. “What I just saw… is that common? Do duels end like that so quickly?”
Madeleina’s lips tightened, her expression pensive. “No, my lady. It is not normal. Most duels, even among skilled swordsmen, involve an exchange of blows—a testing of one’s opponent, if you will. What you witnessed here is rare.”
Aeliana’s fingers stilled, her interest piqued further. “Why? Is it because Cedric wasn’t skilled enough?”
Madeleina hesitated, her gaze flickering toward the magical projection that continued to display the aftermath of the duel. “I don’t know much about that knight, but you have seen his performance. He was not bad in terms of fighting.”
“Then….”
“It was just that his opponent was different. What that adventurer named Luca displayed…” She trailed off her brow furrowing. “It was more than skill. It was dominance. He didn’t just defeat Cedric; he dismantled his every move with precision.”
Aeliana’s lips pressed into a thin line beneath her veil. ‘Dominance,’ she repeated inwardly, her thoughts swirling.
‘Can one even be that dominant? What does that even mean?’
Her gaze drifted back to the projection, where her attendant was now approaching Luca. The timing of her arrival had been impeccable, just as the duel concluded, allowing Aeliana to witness the entire exchange.
“Madeleina,” she said softly, her voice carrying a note of satisfaction. “I chose well. This… was worth watching.”
Madeleina glanced at her, her expression measured. “Indeed, my lady.”
Just then they heard the sound.
“Mister Luca.”
The attendant reached the group surrounding Luca, her posture upright and demeanor calm as she stepped forward. Despite her simple attire, her bearing exuded the quiet authority of someone representing the Thaddeus Duchy. She stopped a respectful distance from the swordsman and inclined her head slightly.
“May I have a moment of your time?” she began, her voice measured and polite. “I am Seria, a representative from the Thaddeus Duchy. If possible, I have some questions to ask regarding your recent performance.”
Luca turned, his dark eyes catching the light as they flicked to Seria. A faint glint of something unspoken—curiosity, mischief, or perhaps both—shimmered in his gaze. For a brief moment, it felt as though he wasn’t just looking at Seria but through her, as if he could sense something more.
On the distant ship, Aeliana stiffened in her seat, her gloved hand tightening around the armrest. Through the magical projection, she saw the faint glint in Luca’s eyes, and a strange unease crept over her.
“Madeleina,” she murmured, her voice low but tinged with concern. “Is it just me, or does it feel like he’s looking directly at me?” Read new adventures at empire
Madeleina tilted her head slightly, her expression calm as she replied, “That would be impossible, my lady. This magical device is a new development, and it’s highly unlikely an adventurer such as him would know of its existence, let alone perceive it.”
Aeliana nodded slowly, though the unease remained. Her gaze returned to the projection, her focus sharp as she watched the interaction unfold.
Luca’s smirk deepened, his expression casual as he regarded Seria. “Thaddeus Duchy, you say? A pleasure to meet you, Seria of the illustrious duchy.” His tone was light, almost playful, as he inclined his head in a mockery of a formal bow. “To what do I owe the honor?”
Seria’s eyes narrowed slightly, though her polite demeanor didn’t falter. “Your combat prowess during the battle and the duel was remarkable, Mister Luca,” she began, her voice smooth and measured. “It’s rare to see such precision and power in someone among the ranks of adventurers. You stood out.”
Luca tilted his head slightly, the ever-present smirk on his lips deepening. “Why, thank you. I do try my best to make an impression.”
Seria’s fingers twitched subtly at her sides, the only indication of her growing frustration. “It wasn’t merely an impression,” she pressed, her tone still polite but firmer now. “Your techniques are… unorthodox, yet highly refined. Most adventurers rely on brute force or basic tactics, but you seem to wield a style that is—shall we say—distinct.”
“Distinct?” Luca repeated, pretending to mull over the word as he tapped his chin thoughtfully. “I suppose that’s one way to put it. I’ve always been a fan of standing out in a crowd, you know. Life’s too short to be boring.”
Seria’s smile tightened, and she leaned forward slightly. “Indeed. But such refinement suggests formal training, perhaps even tutelage under a renowned master. Would that be correct, Mister Luca?”
Luca’s eyes sparkled with mischief as he waved a hand dismissively. “Oh, I wouldn’t go that far. I’ve had my share of teachers, but most of what you saw was self-taught. Improvisation, you might say. I’m a quick learner.”
Aeliana’s gloved fingers gripped the armrest tightly as she watched the exchange unfold. “Is he serious?” she muttered under her breath, her irritation bubbling to the surface. “He’s dodging every question.”
Madeleina, standing beside her, maintained her composure but allowed herself a faint sigh. “It would seem so, my lady.”
Seria pressed on, undeterred. “Improvisation alone rarely achieves such mastery,” she said smoothly. “Particularly in combat techniques that exhibit such precision. It’s as if you’ve honed your craft through years of dedicated practice. Surely, that’s not something one picks up casually?”
Luca’s smirk didn’t waver. “Years of practice? Oh, absolutely. It’s amazing what you can learn when you’re motivated.” He leaned in slightly, his tone dropping into something almost conspiratorial. “Would you believe I once trained with a troupe of performers? Their tricks were… inspiring.”
Seria blinked, caught off guard by the sudden shift in tone. “Performers?” she echoed, her voice betraying a hint of disbelief.
“Indeed,” Luca said, nodding sagely. “They had this amazing act where they balanced swords on their noses while juggling fire. I might have picked up a thing or two from them.” His grin widened as he added, “Though I must admit, I never quite mastered the juggling part.”
On the distant ship, Aeliana’s forehead twitched with annoyance. “He’s mocking her,” she hissed, her voice low but seething. “How can someone like him be so insufferably flippant?”
Madeleina’s expression remained neutral, though her patience was clearly being tested. “He is… unconventional,” she said diplomatically. “But I believe he knows exactly what he’s doing.”
Seria, to her credit, recovered quickly, her lips curving into a tight but still polite smile. “Your sense of humor is as sharp as your blade, Mister Luca. But surely, there’s more to your story than juggling and sword tricks?”
Luca chuckled, folding his arms across his chest. “Oh, I’m sure there is. But where’s the fun in giving everything away at once? A little mystery keeps things interesting, don’t you think?”
Seria’s composure cracked for the briefest of moments, her brows twitching as she struggled to maintain her polite facade. “Of course,” she said, her tone clipped. “But some mysteries are worth unraveling, especially when they could prove beneficial to the right people.”
Luca’s smirk softened, his gaze briefly flicking to the projection device Seria carried—a movement subtle enough that Aeliana wouldn’t have noticed had she not been watching so closely. “Ah,” he said, his tone almost playful. “I suppose it depends on who’s asking, doesn’t it?”
Aeliana’s breath caught as she once again felt that strange sensation, as though his words were aimed not just at Seria but at her as well. It made her stomach twist, her irritation mingling with unease.
Seria, unaware of the tension on the distant ship, inclined her head slightly. “The Thaddeus Duchy values skill and talent, Mister Luca. Perhaps there’s a place for someone like you among us.”
Luca’s dark eyes shifted slightly, his smirk never faltering. As Seria spoke, they seemed to linger—not on her, but somewhere beyond. A subtle, fleeting glance that made Aeliana’s chest tighten beneath her layers of fabric. It was as though he were looking through the magical projection directly at her.
“The Thaddeus Duchy,” Luca said, his tone still light, but there was an edge to his words now, a faint undercurrent of something sharper. “Quite the prestigious name. It’s always nice to know when one’s actions catch the attention of… watchful eyes.”
Aeliana’s breath hitched, her fingers curling tightly around the edge of her armrest. For a moment, it felt as though he was speaking directly to her, his voice carrying an unnerving weight that sent a chill down her spine.
On the ship, Madeleina noticed her lady’s unease. “My lady?” she asked softly, her brow furrowing with concern.
“Did you hear that?” Aeliana whispered, her voice low and laced with tension. “That tone—did he…?” She trailed off, her words tangling with her rising discomfort.
Madeleina followed Aeliana’s gaze to the projection, her expression calm but thoughtful. “It’s unlikely, my lady,” she replied evenly. “The magical device is cutting-edge technology, developed to remain undetectable. He couldn’t possibly know.”
Luca’s smirk widened slightly, his gaze snapping back to Seria as if nothing had happened. “But alas,” he continued, his voice returning to its carefree lilt, “I must decline your generous offer. Freedom suits me too well to trade it for anything else, no matter how tempting.”
Seria’s polite smile remained, though the little twitch at the corner of her mouth and the tension in her posture betrayed her frustration.
“I-is that so?” she said, inclining her head. “Thank you for your time, then Mister Luca.”
“Thank you for your time too, Miss Seria.”