Refuge in Audacity (Original/Isekai Chapter 11)

Usually in my sword training I spar against Jeremy alone, but at times thought other noble children my age, whose parent are visiting or working in the castle, would come to watch or join the training.

"Go, your Highness!"

"You can do it, Lord Maxwell!"

These were some of the shouts of the noble children around me and my opponent.

Today I was sparing with Noland's son, Maxwell Albertine Pamolai Brokkr.

The fight was ongoing for over ten minutes, but I could tell that this boy a year younger than me would eventually win. I heard he was a swordsman prodigy, so I agreed to this spar when he asked for it.

Speed and strength-wise, I was greater than him so I equalized those by casting Slow and Heavy on myself. He's a sword genius, so might as well try and get some experience from him. Fighting Maxwell really was different to Jeremy. There is always a sense of calmness, that this is just a spar, thus there was never the intense feeling of a fight.

Maxwell however seemed to have some grip with me, or he just really cared about winning. His dodges, parries and counterattacks came in rapid succession one after the other, and seemed to flow from one action to the next. If there was a flaw in his form or an opening to take, I couldn't see it.

The only reason the fight lasted this long was my sheer Durability, yet eventually even that had to give out at going all out without a break, or breathing room this whole spar. For squirmy little kid, he sure had the stamina of an rabid Energizer rabbit. The spar was so fierce that I actually managed to gain a level from it.

After one too many blocks, Maxwell managed to slap the practice sword from my hand, making the wooden blade fly away.

"Winner, Maxwell Brokkr." Announced Jeremy to the clapping crowd.

"Good fight," I said good-naturedly holding my hit wrist, and moving my other hand around, opening and closing it, to make sure it's fine and relief the soreness. High defense stat is good and all, but eventually if you're hit too many times pain will go through. "You have real talent, Mr. Brokkr."

Seriously, kid is at least Level 7 or 8 in Swordsmanship. Not exactly something you see in thirteen year olds. Give him another year or two and he might actually finish the Swordsmanship Skill and start on the Master Swordsmanship Skill. That would be something.

"Yes, I..." Maxwell was catching his breath, before holding his arm out, sword dramatically raised up. "One day, my sword will be the Sword of Justice." He said, staring directly at me. "That will punish all evildoers whoever they might be." He kept his gaze locked with mine.

...Kid, are you saying that to me?

I kept my face neutral, and tried not to smile at how adorable that looked. I'm pretty sure some of our audience would probably think he looked cool, and as I looked around without moving much, I could see some of the girls watching swoon at his words and action. Others though were looking around awkwardly, be it noble kids or adults looked worried I might take offense. Jeremy just smiled apologetically at the whole thing.

Well, this isn't really disrespectful, but some might see it as a challenge to me. I could compliment him and make it seem like he and I are on the same side on...whatever issue of 'justice' he seems to be talking about. Or I could lightly reprimand him as a hothead.

Looking back at the swooning ladies, I got another idea.

"Umm, thank you?" I gave a confused expression. "I, um, appreciated it, Mr. Maxwell, but ah, I'm straight."

"W-What?" Maxwell almost dropped his sword, and he lowered his arm. Everyone else also blinked, startled at my comment.

"I mean, I appreciated the gesture, and some of the ladies here swooned at those words from how cool they are, but I am plainly just into girls." I acted bashful and apologetic as acted out the 'rejection' to his courting.

"I, um, no! T-That's not what I--"

"You're a handsome fellow and everything, and an incredible swordsman. Qualities many other girls, or guys would like."

Some of the boys started covering up their laughter with coughing at this debacle, while the girls either looked shocked and surprised at Maxwell's 'interest', or grinning excitedly at the prospect.

Yep, gay romantic novels are gonna rise a bit in the future.

"I did not mean it l-like that at all." The Brokkr boy was in full panic mode, waving his hands side to side in a 'no' gesture.

Oh really, Max, then what did you mean by it? I bit back a smirk at the thought.

"But for me, I'm just strictly like girls... I do have some exceptions it's someone cute enough, but again you're a pretty handsome fellow, so I'm sorry but it just won't work out. I know it's shallow, but there needs to be some bit of attraction for a relationship to start." I heard a few 'oh gosh' and 'kyyaaa' from the crowd around us.

"That's not it at all!" Shouted red faced chibi sword genius.

"Thus again, I thank you for the spar and bid you good luck." I gave a nod, and turned to leave, ignoring the babble from those around me.

Jeremy walked in tandem with me, speaking only when we were away enough from the practice courtyard.

"You do know he wasn't trying to enamor you, right?" Said Jeremy, an amused smirk on his face.

"Yeah, but it does look bad if the Prime Minister's son, is telling the future king, 'I'll stab you if you turn quote-unquote "evil"', you know." I said, air quoting the word evil.

"He was likely just worried for his sister." Jeremy said.

"Maybe, but there are better ways of going about it. Also, I'm not some wanton degenerate, who would idiotically sleep with anyone left and right without a thought." I scoffed. Jeremy just raised his eyebrow at me. "At least I'm not going to piss off one of my most powerful allies, over some girl's tits." I rolled my eyes.

"And giving his son a public 'rejection' that might paint your image with a certain brush is better?" Jeremy chuckled. I'm glad you're having fun, but then again, as I smiled at his words I mentally admitted, so am I.

"Well, it's better overall, and it's not like I lied." I shrugged.

"Oh?" Jeremy raised an eyebrow.

"I don't strictly find guys attractive, but someone with a feminine build whose cute enough, is someone I might lean towards." I explained.

"Oh my, with all those spars we had that have me sweating, should I worry for my decency, my Lord?" Jeremy gave a sly smile. I snorted in return.

"Please, I don't go after people already in a relationship." That time with Alicia Bloomfield was a one-time thing. "Besides, training my swordsmanship with you is more important than some fling."

"I hope I'm never 'just some fling' my Lord, and who said I was in relationship?"

"Wait, what?"

Today I was meeting with Lady Maristella Brokkr for our marriage interview.

Unlike the usual ones I held were in one of the many guest rooms, or in garden, etc. Rarely did I held the meeting in my study room, but this time I felt it was warranted. I didn't expect much from this interview, so might as well get some work done. There were reports of a famine hitting the land of Baron Quirk; one of the nobles who began working with me on introducing an agricultural economy into the kingdom, and I needed to see how to send him aid and deal with the fallout and taxes.

I couldn't help the suspicion that sabotage was involved, so that was something I needed verify as well.

"Prince Aidan, Lady Maristella has arrived." A maid knocked and announced from behind the door.

"Enter," I said not really looking up from the paperwork.

I heard the door open and people entering. I quick glance showed a noble girl and two maids, one I didn't recognize, likely hers.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Prince Aidan." The girl's voice was silvery yet held a firm undertone, like someone going into a rough negotiation. "I hope you'll be kind and treat me well this evening," or more likely a fight.

I should probably say something to remove the notion, that I would do something indecorous to her.

"Of course, Lady Maristella, I hope your view of me would be kind in turn. Please have a..." I stood up to give typical light head bow, while gesturing toward a free seat in front of my desk (Putting something between us should ease her).

But as I looked up to see her.

"...seat."

I lost my train of thought and forgot how to breath.

For one clear sharp moment, it was like the world stopped.

Personal Info:

Name: Aidan Vealfas Rowan Atlas Chavagner

Titles: Crown Prince of Ereon, Bloody Smile Prince, Future King of Ereon, Master of the Demon Queen, Bringer of Heaven Fiery Wrath, Debauched Prince, Plower of a Hundred Fields, The Fucking Prince

Age: 14

Condition: ...Is this what it feels like when your heart gets a boner?

Stats:

Strength: 99

Durability: 160

Dexterity: 110

Speed: 97

Mental Calculation: 132

Memory Capacity: 177

Aether Control: 139

Mana Capacity: 125

Skills:

Royal Etiquette:

Swordsmanship:

Kingdom Governance:

Status Magic:

-Sex Magic:

Bedroom Arts:

Presence Detection:

Combat Sense:

Street Fighting:

Knife Catching:

Traits:

Firm Stride: A leap of faith. The confidence of madmen. The ability to not hesitate once a decision is made, and to walk forward with open eyes.

Vengeance Torment: Cold-blooded torture. Pain repaid a hundred fold. The ability to inflict pain and suffering on others without being bother or affected by their screams and tears, or seeing blood and gore.

King's Presence: The air of a ruler. The aura of a leader of men. The ability to captivate attention and project authority to your subjects. When you act like a king, people will listen when you speak, and remember you when you leave.

Princely Charm: Unlockable Trait granted at Royal Etiquette LV. 6; A regal aura. An air of refinement. The romanticized charisma of royalty in fiction, allowing you to appear more glamorous, innocent and alluring to others. Those of the opposite sex or bisexual would more open to hearing you out.

The Body is Willing: Unlockable Trait acquired upon reaching Durability 150. You no longer suffer physical fatigue. You can still feel mental stress and fatigue, but for as long as able you can exercise your body until you physically can't.

Mug Shot: Unlockable Trait acquired upon reaching Memory Capacity 150. You don't forget a face. Given a face and a name to match and you never forget a person. Talk to them for one conversation and you don't forget their personality or mannerisms.