Please Don't Do This

"Hmm, how about you introduce me later, because I want to talk to Father about a few things first?" asked Ernacht.

Roxus blinked. "Of course. Although there is a possibility that Father also wanted to introduce the same person to you," Roxus said softly.

"I'm not surprised. The person you like always attracts father's attention," said Ernacht later.

"Good. We can meet again later at dinner."

Roxus smiled sweetly when they had to part. Amaranth and Eoin also seemed about to separate until suddenly, Ernacht approached and asked the three to talk. Roxus sighed. She knew her family was worried about her, but talking behind her back like this made her feel like they were a little too much. Roxus chuckled. The three of them disappeared into another room, while Roxus was still standing there alone until Lucifer appeared.

"Looks like you were left alone," said the man.

Roxus laughed again. "Wait a little longer, you will also join them," Roxus said, turning towards the stairs.

"Love," said Lucifer softly.

Roxus turned to him. "Don't go anywhere when I don't see you," said Lucifer, warning in a warm tone, but with a cold gaze.

Roxus smiled. The shaded warm eyes made Lucifer's gaze even harder. The man turned away and so did Roxus. Roxus returned to her room, opened her wardrobe, then took out the dresses from the storage boxes. The maids, seeing their enthusiastic master, happily helped her. "The social season will start soon. We'll start getting ready."

But while they're busy organizing, the door suddenly opened. "Lady!" a maid rushed in. "Young Master Ernacht..."

As soon as Ernacht's name was mentioned, Roxus stood up. "Where?" she asked quickly.

"On the training ground—"

Roxus ran outside. She even wore her slippers as she ran to the Knights' training grounds of the Croix mansions. She looked at the crowd on the training ground, and then, after jostling to see what was going on there, she saw Ernacht kneeling before Lucifer, with a broken spear, while Lucifer was still holding the wooden sword in his hand. "...Lucifer..."

-

"My name is Lucius, at your service, Young Master Ernacht, and Madam Amaranth," Lucifer, who was indeed called to speak to Roxus' family as Roxus predicted, bowed respectfully.

"Lucius is a Swordmaster who has helped Roxus in the past. Roxus trusted him and wanted to help him find a decent job at Bertia, so I decided to hire him as Roxus's bodyguard," said Eoin calmly.

Amaranth smiles. "Nice to meet you, Sir Lucius," said the beautiful woman softly.

Unlike Amaranth, however, Ernacht sighed. "Father, looks like Ayunda just tricked you again," said Ernacht.

Eoin narrowed his eyes. "And why do you talk like that?" he asked.

"Ayunda is trying not to get married, right?" asked Ernacht.

Amaranth blinks in surprise. "Ernacht?!"

"How much did Ayunda pay you, Sir Lucius?" asked Ernacht.

Lucifer smiled faintly. "What do you mean, Young Lord Ernacht?" asked Lucifer quickly.

"I heard that Sir Lucius fell in love with Ayunda, and he is a Swordmaster. This situation is too good to be true. Especially in the current situation of Ayunda and this family. My father was on the lookout for the Crown Prince, and Ayunda decided to break off the engagement with Duke Ariaster in the midst of it all," said Ernacht.

Lucifer has always admired Ernacht's mindset. He is always very responsive when it comes to his sister.

"Because of that, it seems like one of the characteristics you show everyone must be a lie. If you are a Swordmaster, then you don't love Ayunda, and Ayunda has made a deal with you. On the other hand, if you love Ayunda, you are not a Swordmaster, because I'm sure Ayunda is taking advantage of your love for her," said Ernacht.

"I hope," he added, "I can confirm my theory by challenging you to a duel."

Lucifer chuckled. "Young Master, let's just say that I am not a Swordmaster. I give up," said Lucifer then.

Lucifer's gaze was warm and radiant with feelings which, while strange, also felt familiar. "I will not raise my sword at Young Master. Roxe—I mean... Lady Roxus will be angry if she finds out something like that happened between us," said Lucifer softly.

Ernacht frowned. This was not the reaction he expected from Lucifer. "So you're saying, you love Ayunda?" asked Ernacht. "Do you also admit that you know that Ayunda is taking advantage of your love for her?"

Lucifer smiled bitterly. "Even though Lady Roxus takes advantage of my love for her, I feel like it doesn't matter. However, Young Master, you should also know that Lady Roxus is not that type of person," he continued.

Ernacht smiled. "I understand," said the young man. "Then, at least I want to see if you deserve to love my Ayunda and be by her side as a bodyguard."

Lucifer seemed to be deep in thought. He then turned to Eoin. "Lord Croix, Lady Roxus wouldn't want something like this to happen," he said.

Amaranth touched Ernacht's arm gently. "My son, why are you suddenly acting like this? He is a young man your sister trusts," she said softly.

"I honestly don't want to do this, but I know Ayunda won't say anything to me even if I ask. So I decided to see the answer for myself," said Ernacht dryly.

Lucifer smiled softly. "Lady Roxus has always said that her brother is very calm and rational. But maybe that is Lady Roxus's way of saying that you are too serious, Young Master," said Lucifer. "I still won't raise my sword at Young Master," he continued.

Seeing Lucifer's calm, Ernacht understood. "So, you are indeed a Swordmaster. Then I can start judging you as a liar and an extraordinary actor," said Ernacht later.

There was a moment's silence.

Lucifer seemed to be thinking so hard. "So in essence, like it or not, I have to accept this duel challenge, Young Master?" asked Lucifer.

"That's right," replied Ernacht.

There was silence again. Lucifer closed his eyes as if he was deep in thought. "Lord Croix," he called to Eoin. Eoin looked up and looked at Lucifer. "I'll say my last words just in case I don't survive today. Please tell Lady Roxus that I love her with all my heart and that she is the only woman I want in this world to be my life partner—tell her I am happy to die in her hands, with her mighty power, and even though I wish she would kill me without pain, which she certainly won't do, I will still love her in the realm of death even until we meet again in the next life," said Lucifer slowly and seriously.

The three members of the Croix family froze. "Very well, Young Master, I will accept your duel challenge," said Lucifer quickly, as if what he had said before had never left his lips.

The three members of the Croix family follow Lucifer who walks towards the Knights training ground at their residence. This incident caught the attention of the people who were there, and immediately, everyone gathered around. Lucifer took two weapons, a real steel-edged spear, and a wooden sword.

He handed the spear in his hand to Ernacht, and at this moment, it was clear that he was looking down on Ernacht. Ernacht is a polearm-wielding knight who is quite famous in Bertia. Most Knights would use a sword because it was said to be cooler and more suitable for nobles.

Ernacht is different, of course. He is very agile as a man, maybe much more agile than most men. His movements were swift and captivating, with elegant steps that were hard to follow for the layman's eye.

Lucifer knew that Ernacht could also wield a sword, but this was a step to reduce the risk. Ernacht could see the tension on Lucifer's face, while he knew Lucifer was not underestimating him, he was increasing the chances of Ernacht's victory against himself. Ernacht was increasingly convinced that Lucifer was at least a strong man, and knew the extent of his strength.

"Then let's get started, Sir Lucius," said Ernacht.