All I Wanted Was the Alimony - Chapter 33

Emilion was kneeling before her, apologizing. With an utterly devastated expression, he repeatedly bowed his head to Verdi.

“Your Highness the Princess. It would be best to return to the palace first and calm your mind and body.”

At the maid’s urgent words, Verdi turned her head and looked at the Empress Dowager. She had jumped to her feet and was anxiously checking on Paello.

‘How excessive, despite knowing so little.’

Her brow furrowed involuntarily.

At that moment, someone shouted.

“His Majesty the Emperor has arrived!”

Sidell entered the tournament grounds with his attendants. Behind him, armed workers were dragging out the large beasts that had been hunted.

Three crocodiles, two lizards, a deer, a bison, a puma—the variety of wild beasts was vast.

Upon seeing the identification markers, Verdi regained some hope. The beasts with the green markers appeared slightly larger.

If there were five of each, the odds of winning seemed higher.

If she returned to the palace now, it would be considered a forfeit.

‘I can’t let that happen.’

Clenching her fists, Verdi sighed. “I was startled, but I’m fine. We’ve come this far, I can’t forfeit. Sir Emilion, could you help me back to my seat?”

At Verdi’s command, Emilion hurriedly stood up. “Pardon me.”

After receiving a report on the situation following the gray bear’s intrusion into the tournament, the Emperor learned that Paello was the only one actually injured, and even then, it was minor. He let out a small sigh of relief.

Then, he calmly instructed the conclusion of the tournament.

Pooooooo—

A long horn sounded.

Nobles who had gone out to hunt began returning in groups.

Each held relatively small beasts like pheasants, foxes, rabbits, and monkeys.

“Then we shall now determine the winner of the hunting competition!”

With Emilion unable to proceed due to the unexpected incident, the ceremonial officer took over the rest of the event.

He confirmed the number of prey gathered with the workers.

As expected, the final competition came down to the red, blue, and green signal flares.

The ceremonial officer compared the sizes of the beasts and spoke loudly, “Third place goes to His Majesty the Emperor, who used the blue signal flare.”

It was evident to everyone. Though each had five large beasts, those marked with the blue flare were smaller.

Sidell acknowledged it with a wave of his hand, and the nobles cheered and applauded.

“Now, we will compare the prey of the first and second places. The green signal flare represents Her Highness the Princess and Sir Emilion Haffender. The red flare represents Grand Duke Paello Ronatere and Sir Joad Nile.”

Watching from her seat, Verdi curled her lips upward. Their team’s beasts clearly looked larger.

‘Good, I’ve secured the Hero’s Divine Sword.’

It was then that Lucienne raised her hand high. “Just a moment, ceremonial officer.”

All eyes turned to Lucienne.

“What is it, Your Grace the Grand Duchess Ronatere?”

At the ceremonial officer’s question, Lucienne crossed her arms as if she couldn’t believe it.

“My name was omitted.”

“Pardon?”

Lucienne pointed to Paello’s prey. “I’m part of Grand Duke Ronatere’s team too, so why was my name left out?”

Murmurs spread among the people as Lucienne lifted the corners of her mouth.

In truth, Lucienne didn’t particularly care who the winner was.

Until she heard that the green flare belonged to Verdi and Emilion.

If nothing had happened, Lucienne would’ve let Verdi take the Hero’s Divine Sword.

But recalling the conversation she’d heard yesterday and today’s events, something didn’t sit right.

She hadn’t pinpointed what exactly, but remembering that Verdi had the trait of being scheming made her feel she shouldn’t hand it over so easily.

Most of all, she disliked Verdi, who was antagonistic toward her for no clear reason.

‘Right, that’s all it is. I just don’t want Verdi to have something nice.’

That’s how Lucienne interpreted her feelings.

It just felt like the sword would suit Paello better and make him feel invincible—it was merely a feeling.

Lucienne pointed to the beasts around her. “Four bears, one leopard, and one rabbit here. You should count my prey too, shouldn’t you?”

The ceremonial officer, confused, looked around Lucienne. With everyone focused on Paello and Emilion’s clash, the presence of the beasts had become an afterthought.

And the beasts, though trembling slightly, stayed calmly by Lucienne’s side. Anyone would think they were tame, judging by their gentle expressions.

“Even if the Grand Duchess hunted them, the claim makes no sense!”

The sudden outcry came from Verdi.

“Wasn’t there a rule that to be acknowledged as one team, you had to transfer your weapon? The Grand Duchess entered the forest separately with her own weapon.”

Still slightly shaken, Verdi glared straight at Lucienne and continued firmly, “You drew your switch. But to be recognized for the transfer, the switch should’ve been in Grand Duke Ronatere’s hand, shouldn’t it?”

‘Damn, I didn’t think of that.’

Lucienne clenched her teeth. She remembered she had discarded the switch earlier because it was cumbersome while looking after the bear cub.

‘If I’d known this would happen, I wouldn’t have thrown it away.’

Just then, Paello’s calm voice directly refuted Verdi’s claim.

“The switch is here. I have it.”

All eyes turned to Paello. Verdi was appalled, and Lucienne couldn’t believe her eyes.

‘W-what?’

Indeed, he was holding Lucienne’s switch. Paello shrugged with a blank expression.

“Even so, it’s strange. Are you saying you severed the necks of those giant beasts with just a wooden stick and a switch? That’s absurd. Isn’t this a violation of the rules?”

This time, it was Emperor Sidell who interjected.

“I achieved such results because I hunted with the guards, and the Princess and Sir Emilion used the Hero’s Divine Sword as their weapon. But what about the Grand Duke? Are you saying such a hunt was possible with only a wooden stick and a switch?”

Even Lucienne began to question it after Sidell’s objection.

‘Now that I think about it, how did he manage to catch them all?’

Come to think of it, Joad’s weapon had been a slingshot. But Paello casually raised the switch.

“Your Majesty may not have seen it, but those who witnessed my clash with Sir Emilion will believe it.”

In truth, Paello hadn’t thought much of the Hero’s Divine Sword.

He had only ended up joining the hunting competition out of loyalty, going along with Lucienne’s pace.

But after seeing Lucienne insist, he changed his mind.

It became clear that his wife truly wanted the Hero’s Divine Sword.

At the same time, Paello resolved to bring it back.

‘As the head of the household, it’s only right to bring back what my family—especially my wife—wants.’

Before long, the distinctive aura of a Swordmaster enveloped the switch. Seeing it, the nobles began nodding and murmuring.

“That’s right. The Grand Duke even clashed with the Hero’s Divine Sword using just a wooden stick.”

“I was truly astonished.”

“I’ve never seen anything like it. The one who defends the Empire’s frontlines is truly remarkable.”

Reactions unfavorable to Sidell began to emerge. He, flustered, gave a loud cough. “Ahem, I heard that was an accident. Wouldn’t that mean Sir Emilion had already spent his strength? It’s different from a desperate beast attack. And even with aura, that level of slicing shouldn’t be possible.”

Paello sighed through his nose. “Then allow me to show you. How I caught them.”

Paello walked over and swung the switch once again at the crocodile he had hunted.

Thud.

The crocodile’s body, touched by the red aura, was sliced cleanly like tofu. The switch itself hadn’t even touched the crocodile. At the same time, every mouth in the hunting ground gaped in shock.

“In the North, this is the minimum required to easily hunt demons.”

Startled, Sidell took a step back and coughed loudly. “Ah, r-right. Now that I recall, you are a top-class Swordmaster. I acknowledge it.”

Paello looked at Verdi. Verdi bit her lip but couldn’t say a word.

The ceremonial officer cautiously looked around. At this point, anyone could see it was Paello’s victory.

Then it happened.

The Empress Dowager slowly began clapping for Paello.

“There were some accidents, but it was truly a splendid tournament. I commend the Grand Duchess who faced off against the gray bear and protected the ladies from danger, and I sincerely congratulate the winner.”

Then the other nobles also began clapping.

“Truly remarkable, Grand Duke Ronatere!”

“Indeed! It’s clear to all that the Grand Duke is the victor!”

One by one, more people joined in the applause, and even the noble young ladies joined in the cheers.

“You saved us. Grand Duchess Ronatere.”

“How can you be so strong, even as a woman?”

“You’re so cool.”

They didn’t sound sarcastic, but Lucienne, suddenly coming to her senses, was speechless.