After those events, I began to truly settle into a new routine.The Queen still didn't like me, but I made a continuous effort to present myself as a gentleman.Walter actually helped me learn the basics.Over time, I would even attend certain classes upon Isabella's request and learned things about leadership and politics.Next, there was another glaring issue.Part of the problem that the other nobles and even the Queen had with me didn't have anything to do with my familyI was a half-noble with no formal education, no titles, and no proper upbringing. Even if the King was working on granting me a title, my childhood consisted of my father trying his best to raise and educate me himself.But my father mainly taught me practical things. How to survive, how to work, and how to fight.He always told me to remain as humble and uncorrupted by the high life as possible because one day I would be part of it.The result was that I lacked a proper education that most nobles received normal
The next few days went by very quickly. Nothing of real note happened despite the usual. I decided to take a break from adventuring as well since my schedule was filled up with other things.The wedding, of course.I'd done it. I kept my end of the agreement and managed to remain in the King's good graces.As of now, I was finally fifteen years old.In one week's time, I would be the husband of the most wonderful woman I had ever met.Granted, it didn't say much, considering I had never really been with any girls, but I digress. Since I aged, Isabella put a stop to all of her studies and began working diligently on planning the wedding.She wanted to make that day absolutely perfect for the both of us.Unfortunately, due to my rather humble upbringing, I didn't really have an eye for the finer things. To be honest, I would have been okay with a very simplistic wedding with a few friends.However, I was dealing with nobility and royalty. They had other plans...I spent quite a lot of
The morning of our wedding day started very differently.Immediately after waking up, Isabella and I began getting ready for the day.By that, I mean the bridesmaids requested that I leave Isabella's room and get dressed by myself.I wasn't allowed to see Isabella again until the ceremonySince security was much tighter around the castle, today, Walter had several butlers help me get ready as well.After I was dressed, I headed over to the room where the ceremony would be taking place. Despite security being so strict, I was concerned about intrusions.The incident a couple of days prior had left us all a little shaken. Mainly Isabella and myself.I looked around the room at the expensive decorations and well-dressed nobles.I still felt out of place here, but that was alright. I was determined to enjoy this day to the fullest and wouldn't stand for anything bothering me.Walter was to be the best man at the wedding today. He stuck by my side at all times.This must be what Isabella f
The gate opened and I walked out onto the dirt-covered hard ground.Stone walls surrounded the arena on all sides and up in the stands, I could see many nobles from the wedding ceremony. Likely wanting to see if I really could wield Vengeance as well as I claimed.Among them, I also saw Isabella with an incredibly worried expression on her face. Don't worry, It'll be fine. I'll try to make this quick.I stood facing Arvild.Neither of us had our weapons drawn.Both of us already had shields, however. We were waiting on Walter to start the duel."Arvild, you are a despicable human being. I hope you know this," Walter said angrily."Just start the duel, old man. I can't wait to tear this foolish bastard limb from limb!" Arvild said angrily. There was a slight twitch in his eye as he spoke. Yeah, he's definitely lost it."By the power of Honor, I will judge this duel. This is a duel to the death. Arvild Darius vs Mizik Iratus. The rules are simple: use whatever means necessary to kill
Before I died, I wondered to myself.How had I lost so badly? Was it not a fairly normal question? Why had this sword, a blade renowned for its power and ferocity, become so weak? It was as if I wasn't even using a magic sword anymore.I pulled all my strength back and slowly tried to stand up.The after-effects from Rage of Iratus were severe on the body.It made it nearly impossible to function after using it.The skill had incredible power, but it was only to be used as a trump card. A final ability to end a battle quickly.I eventually got to my feet and stared at my opponent.I knew I was probably going to die.Arvild had sustained a fair amount of damage from me, but he was still fighting at mostly full strength.By comparison, I was already waist-deep in the grave...Why was Vengeance so weak? Why was it acting like it wasn't even my sword? Didn't I at least deserve to know? I tried talking to it so many times before, but it never wanted to respond.The last time I heard it wa
Several days passed since the incident with Arvild. At this point, the castle was back on track. There was damage to the castle and several guards were injured. Luckily, no one was killed in the incident.Unfortunately, Arvild also survived.Still, he was no longer a threat to me. His sword abandoned him and he had been disarmed.I chuckled to myself at the thought of him trying to do anything while missing an arm and the tips of most of his fingers on his remaining hand.All while hoping he would just bleed to death in a ditch somewhere.I had time to speak with both Sir Gordon and Walter at one point about Bravery.What they told me was very interesting.No one actually knew where they came from or how they were made, but the swords had special properties.The hilt and crossguard of the swords were completely indestructible.The blades, themselves, changed their properties based on the wielder.A wielder that rejected the philosophy of the blade they held or misused it was labeled a
I opened the door to leave our room and found Walter sitting on a bench across the hall."Ah, good morning, my lord," he said with a smile."Is that...really necessary?" I asked him."I call Isabella my lady, it is only natural to call her husband my lord. Isabella is the First Princess. The crown Princess. That makes you the crown Prince. You're a Prince now and I must address you with respect," Walter said.Then why call us lord and lady if we're royalty? Or is that just your thing?"Feels a bit odd..." "Really? I've been memorizing it all morning. I already have it down. It would be harder for me to unlearn it at this point. With me being an old man and all...""Fine fine. But if I forget to respond, don't blame me." "I am quite sure that you will get used to it, my lord. Where is Isabella?" "She's sleeping. She isn't feeling well right now.""Ah. I see. Morning sickness, is it?""Morning what?"What is this old man talking about? She's not sick, she's exhausted! "Well, did you
For the next few days, Isabella would go in and out of consciousness. She seemed to be a tad out of it, but still remembered everything. I made sure to keep a close watch on her.But sometimes, I would catch her doing strange things like playing the violin in the middle of the night or muttering to herself while I wasn't paying attention. Which usually was about numbers, negotiation tactics, or politics.Things far beyond my understanding, of course.Her condition was slowly improving and her ability to stay awake was getting better over time.I made sure she was well taken care of.In the meantime, I tried to keep myself busy by reading any news or materials I could find related to the Black Ooze.The King had granted me full unrestricted access to all of their information on it.This included a list of every known and documented location that it had appeared, its apparent behaviors, the monsters that sometimes spawned from it, its effects on people, animals, and the environment.My