I’m Going to Change My Husband With a Predatory Marriage - Chapter 110
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 110
Aaron’s reason for challenging Arpard to a duel was simple.
‘I want to experience firsthand the strength of the Imperial Family—a Sword Master born from birth!’
Moreover, lately he had begun to sense the existence of a wall standing before him, which made his desire all the more intense.
Aaron had become known across the entire continent as a prodigy since around the age of five.
He defeated his first master at ten years old.
The sole heir of House of Muzen, a talent called the genius among geniuses—his life had never known a single shortcoming.
It was only natural that this was his first time encountering a wall he couldn’t comprehend how to overcome.
He had begun to sense the stagnation of his swordsmanship growth starting last year.
‘If I can just surpass this wall, I might finally reach the realm of a Sword Master….’
Yet Aaron, facing this wall for the first time in his life, couldn’t grasp how to overcome it.
There was no genius of his caliber, and thus no one who could offer counsel from an equal perspective.
‘Everyone says I’ll naturally become a Sword Master, but is it truly possible?’
Aaron had to experience anxiety and impatience for the first time in his life, along with a longing several times more powerful than either.
His mother had suggested coming to the Imperial Capital to find a suitable bride, but Aaron had accepted for a different reason.
‘Perhaps venturing into wider waters might make a difference.’
At the tournament he first attended at fourteen, he could feel himself growing with each match.
He came to the Imperial Capital hoping to experience that sensation once more.
And among what Aaron anticipated was this very ‘situation’ now.
A duel with the Imperial Family.
Those of the Imperial Family, who inherited dragon blood, possessed fundamentally different physical conditions from ordinary humans.
Normal humans could barely obtain, through extreme training, the resonance and dominion over mana that the Imperial Family possessed from birth.
For this reason, the Imperial Family did not participate in tournaments or competitions involving ordinary people.
Thus Aaron had never had the opportunity to cross blades with Arpard or Ludwig.
His chance to face Arpard came at the tournament awards ceremony.
At that moment, Aaron thought that even if he died and were reborn, he could never defeat this man.
That was why.
He had issued a challenge to Arpard that bordered on rudeness.
‘If I cross blades with the Prince once, I might discover how to surpass this wall.’
Added to this was the pure competitive spirit of a warrior.
And the strength of Arpard that he experienced directly, blade against blade, was….
Beyond imagination.
‘It’s like facing a dragon wearing human form!’
Power and speed that no human body should produce unfolded before his eyes.
Aaron immersed himself in the battle, filled with pure admiration and exhilaration.
Barely parrying Arpard’s blade, he spoke in a voice tinged with awe.
“I thought the rumors were exaggerated, but—hah! They weren’t! No, it’s actually the opposite!”
“You’re an absurd fellow.”
It was quite a loud voice, but the two of us occupied a vast space while sparring.
Moreover, the two real swords clashed dozens of times, and the sound of steel scraping against steel rang out loudly.
It was a conversation only they could hear.
Much like this duel itself.
Meanwhile, Arpard was somewhat surprised as well—not because Aaron’s talent or skill exceeded his expectations.
It was because of the pure passion and admiration gleaming in Aaron’s eyes, showing no discouragement or inferiority complex even after witnessing his power.
It was peculiar, considering that even Ludwig, who shared the same dragon bloodline, could not hide his sense of defeat and inferiority when facing Arpard.
‘This one is truly something else.’
For the first time, Arpard posed a sincere question.
“Don’t you think it’s unfair?”
“Pardon?”
“My very existence.”
Ordinary knights had regarded Arpard as something beyond human since their earliest childhood.
From birth, his strength, speed, and dynamic vision were on an entirely different level from ordinary people.
Arpard had long grown weary of gazes that transcended jealousy and envy, viewing his very existence as a cheat.
But this man was different.
There was only pure admiration and the thrill of combat itself.
Aaron readily admitted it.
“Honestly, it would be a lie to say I’m not envious.”
“Is that why you challenged me to this duel—to pick a fight with me?”
Could it be that’s why you’re approaching Hillia?
Arpard made a baseless accusation that Aaron would find utterly absurd if he knew.
Ever since becoming aware of his feelings, Arpard had noticed that all his thoughts ended with ‘introduction-development-twist-Hillia’.
But what could he do about it?
Arpard admitted to himself that he was a lovesick fool over his first love.
Aaron’s eyes widened.
“Surely not?”
He barely deflected the pommel that Arpard swung at his flank with his sword guard.
Clang!
The sword guard shattered from that single blow.
If it had made contact, his flesh would have been torn and his bones broken.
Aaron’s eyes, wide with shock, began to glow with joy and exhilaration.
“Rather than that… I wanted to clash directly with you! An insurmountable wall!”
A smile filled with nothing but competitive spirit bloomed at the corners of Arpard’s mouth.
Somehow, it felt rather pleasant.
Being treated as a monster was familiar, but that didn’t mean it didn’t grate on his nerves.
A reaction like this was refreshingly novel.
That’s why he had treated him with something close to favor.
‘Since Hillia went to the trouble of bringing House of Muzen into this, it wouldn’t hurt for me to help a little.’
Crimson mana bloomed across Arpard’s entire body.
Arpard’s blade was immediately enveloped in aura.
“!”
Aaron charged forward without dodging or deflecting.
Toward a Sword Master he was meeting for the first time.
Clang—!
Aaron’s sword was cleanly severed.
Immediately after, the blade Arpard thrust forward touched Aaron’s chest.
There was no wound.
Drenched in sweat, Aaron declared with a tone that was rather lighthearted and full of joy.
“I concede. Phew, you are truly magnificent.”
Arpard showed no interest in Aaron’s graceful acceptance of defeat.
Throughout the entire match, his attention had been focused on Hillia.
Arpard had calculated meticulously—from what angle Hillia was watching, how he would appear.
Standing at an angle where he would look most dashing, sharp, and beautiful, he swung his sword lightly before sheathing it.
In that moment, his upper body tensed with strength, and threads tore from the front of his already straining shirt.
Rip!
And two buttons burst off in succession.
Pop! Pop-pop!
“….”
The noblewomen who had been about to offer congratulations on the Prince’s victory found their mouths sealed shut as if glued.
Their eyes involuntarily rolled toward Arpard’s suddenly exposed chest.
I swear it was not intentional.
It was merely instinct, just as when one of Aaron’s buttons had flown off earlier.
That was when it happened.
Hillia rose from her seat in alarm.
“Y-Your Highness!”
“Hmm? What is it?”
Arpard smiled brightly at his wife rushing toward him in a panic.
It was a smile that created the illusion that sunlight was shining down only upon his head.
So much so that the noblewomen watching could not help but avert their reddened faces.
And though they did not yet realize it, after returning home today.
The ladies would rub their eyes for a moment upon seeing their husbands and sons.
Having witnessed two handsome, well-built men—especially the artistically beautiful Arpard—all the men in their homes suddenly appeared to them as squid.
No one yet knew of this fact.
* * *
Thud!
By the time I regained my senses, Hillia had already rushed forward.
‘What is this? Why am I acting like this?’
Yet suddenly retreating would look equally strange.
Besides, wasn’t Arpard’s current state genuinely embarrassing?
‘There are so many unrelated women here!’
She had just lectured me about unrelated men and legitimate wives, and now this!
The moment Hillia approached Arpard’s side, she unwound the pale pink lace shawl draped around her shoulders.
“Here, wear this! Quickly!”
“Huh?”
Arpard seemed entirely unaware of how compromising his appearance was.
She huffed in exasperation before finally extending both hands holding the shawl.
Since Arpard was so tall, she had to stand on her tiptoes, but she managed to drape the shawl across his neck and shoulders.
She even remembered to gather both ends of the shawl at his chest and tie them neatly with a ribbon.
‘Phew. Finally, this isn’t embarrassing anymore.’
Just as Hillia released a sigh of relief, she noticed something odd.
Arpard wore an excessively satisfied smile, his eyes narrowed into crescents.
The subtle meaning behind that enigmatic gaze was far too clear.
‘Could he have… deliberately done that hoping for this?!’
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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