Episode 41.11 (2/2)
She looked at Heles.
Wonder how her cousin would react. Marrying into a powerful marquis house and having control over rowdy men of the sea might surprisingly fit this lady knight.
Heles stared at Solusgia and spoke.
”I have heard about this tradition called Courtship Duel that exist in harbor towns.”
”Y-yeah. That tradition exists. <Crimson Blade Lady Nicola> told Daros he could marry her only if he won against her in a duel. Daros would then keep on challenging her over and over again before finally snatching a miraculous victory, making Nicola into his wife. And that became a custom.”
”I don't want to marry a man weaker than me.”
”Ooh!”
Solusgia's eyes opened wide. Shining with joy. His gaze has gotten dangerously close to worship even.
”Solusgia Indole.”
”Yes.”
”I grant you a chance to challenge me in a duel to take me as your wife.”
”I humbly accept!”
Solusgia made an exaggerated bow.
”I shall be yours if you prevail against me. But in the event that you lose, you are to never bring this matter up anymore!”
”Ma'am! Oh what honor. What joy. My lady, I shall surely make the blooming flower of Transhe become mine by way of my sword.”
Weird.
Everything about this is weird.
Is what's occurring before Norma's eyes truly how a courtship between nobles performed?
There was some part in Norma's heart that yearned for courtship rituals. She was aware that would never apply to her, but she imagined how there must be some truly romantic courtships out there in the world.
But what's going on before her looks like the very picture of a duel challenge instead.
How'd it come to this.
Reis is face palming behind lady Heles. Did he predict this flow of event. Probably not.
”Lady Norma! Will you answer my proposal!”
(Ah, right I'm getting proposed too over here.)
Norma turned to look at Pentaros.
Something flashed in her mind.
Norma smiled joyfully and asked Pentaros.
”Pentaros-sama. Can this courtship duel be done by proxies?”
”Ou! 'Course it can. So long as the other party agreed to it. However, the proxy must be either a retainer or a relative. In other word, you cannot borrow some strong knight from another house or hire a strong adventurer with money. And if one side sends a proxy, the other side will also send a proxy.”
”Either a retainer or a relative.”
”Yeah.”
”Then I would also like to do this courtship duel. If your proxy can win against my proxy, I shall be your wife. If my proxy wins, please think of it as the end of the line for our relationship. We will never see each other again.”
”What a wonderful proposal.”
Pentaros laughed.
Norma too.
Norma has predicted how Pentaros would act after this. She's also made a sound prediction on the prime minister's moves.
And with this, Norma will get her hands on her wish.