Chapter 151 - 151 Determination to Duel
Steve first led Bartholomew to the salon and decided to confirm the purpose of his visit.
Bella, addressed as "Lady," showed no particular emotion, which had caused Bartholomew to misunderstand.
"Is the guard angry?"
"No. Why do you ask?"
"Because you have no expression, I thought you were quietly angry."
"Bella is always like that."
Bella rarely shows her emotions. Steve was used to seeing her like this, so in truth, he didn't know if she was angry or happy, but judging by the muscles in her hands, he couldn't find any sign of anger. If she were angry, her hands would be tense.
Bartholomew, relieved to know Bella was not angry,
When they arrived at the salon, Steve asked the reason for the visit.
"Why did you come to see me?"
"I was told that if I do nothing after another man took the woman I was supposed to marry from my friends, I will be looked down upon in noble society."
"I see."
Steve understood Bartholomew's purpose. He had come to him solely because he didn't want to be looked down upon.
However, Steve thought.
If that were the case, wouldn't it be more appropriate to go to Count McVee?
He voiced this thought.
"Isn't it out of place for you to come to me? True, I moved to allow Miss Becky and Desmond to marry, but the final decision lies with Count McVee."
"That is true, but I do not intend to appeal directly to Lord McVee to take back Becky. Besides, if I go to Lord McVee, my father will scold me and I will be unable to do anything. In that case, it would be no different from having taken no action at all."
"Hmm? You don't want to proceed with the marriage talk with Miss Becky as it was before?"
"Yes. I have no desire to marry her. I was only told to marry for the sake of my family. Instead of that marriage, there are gifts I received from Lord Archibalt, so my existence should have been sufficient for my family."
Bartholomew's purpose in coming was simply to show that he had taken action.
"I understand your feelings, but what can I do to prevent you from being looked down upon by other nobles?"
"If we speak of nobles, it must be a duel, but I do not have such ability. My father hired a tutor and I received sword training, but I don't know if I could win against a thief. So, I do not intend to challenge anyone to a duel, but I want achievements equivalent to that."
"I can't really do anything myself."
Steve was troubled. Even if Bartholomew asked him, he couldn't give him some kind of achievement. Not knowing what to do, he looked at Bella. Bella averted her gaze as if to say, "Don't ask me."
"If possible, I would like to study under your lordship."
"Study?"
"I want to build achievements in your lordship's territory like Lord Ehart and Lord Wilkinson, and be recognized by everyone."
The success stories of Cyril and George were well known among the nobility. It was to the point where children of nobles who could not inherit their territories dreamed of employment in the Archibalt Territory. However, those whose parents were local lords had so much work in their territories that mainly children of nobles without territories in the Royal Capital considered this. Unfortunately, many of them lacked the confidence to live away from their parents, so they never actually took action. In that case, the Royal Research Institute in the Royal Capital was closer to their homes and easier to live in.
With that background, Bartholomew knew the stories of Cyril and George.
"In that case, well. But they were not heirs, so they could come to our territory, but you are an heir. I think Baron Doyle will not allow it."
When Steve said this, Bartholomew frowned.
"I intend to yield the position of heir to my younger brother."
"For real?"
"Yes."
"I want to know the reason for going to such lengths. Besides, if you don't inherit the house, you shouldn't have to worry about being looked down upon in noble society."
Steve couldn't understand why Bartholomew was going to such lengths. He understood the reason of not wanting to be looked down upon in noble society. He also understood that he had taken action and come to him for that reason. However, if he were to abandon the inheritance, there would be no need to do such things.
Steve could not understand what Bartholomew was thinking.
Seeing Steve struggling to understand, Bartholomew began to speak.
"Actually —"
Upon hearing this, Steve grasped what Bartholomew was thinking.
"Do you think you can persuade your parents?"
"It will be difficult. Fortunately, I have a younger brother, so I think it is safe to renounce the inheritance."
"Well, I'll think about that part. I'll contact you again, so wait a little."
"I understand."
After promising to contact him again, Steve sent Bartholomew away.
Left alone, Steve looked at Bella. They discussed how to fulfill Bartholomew's wish.
"Well, what shall we do?"
"There's nothing to worry about. If Steve decides something, even the King will obey. Just give an order."
"I don't want to do that. In the end, it might become forcing an order, but before that, if there were some kind of condition..."
Saying that, he fell silent again, and Steve thought of a solution in his head.
Bella, looking at the chair where Bartholomew had been sitting until now, offered her impression.
"He seems too pure to survive in noble society."
"I'm the same."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. I'm not good at shady things or moving secretly behind the scenes."
"You like a frontal assault, don't you?"
"I don't even like that."
"So, both with Valier and with Dronne, it was a frontal assault?"
Hearing Bella say that, Steve remembered the battle at the market. He had forgotten that he had moved secretly at that time to deceive and betray the opponent.
"That was because Lord Sowell instructed me to."
"Oh, was it?"
That was a single word from Bella, completely lacking any feeling of agreement despite her words.
"For now, let's leave that topic aside."
Steve brought the conversation back to the main point.
"I hate trouble. Both Steve and Bartholomew should just duel, betting on what they desire."
"That's good. I'll consult with Christina and Nancy."
"And Lord Brian."
"Don't you think that's unnecessary?"
"They might say I caused trouble somewhere I didn't know about again."
Steve had been planning to proceed with the matter with Bartholomew without consulting Brian, but Bella warned him. Since it concerned the eldest son of another noble, it would be bad if the head of the house, Brian, didn't know, but Steve had thought it was minor compared to past incidents.
Of course, that wouldn't be acceptable. He was still a problem child even as an adult.
Well, the two returned to the Archibalt Territory once more.
There, they explained the situation to Brian, Christina, and Nancy.
Brian made a bitter face.
"Since it involves nobles from other factions..."
"Father-in-law, don't you think you shouldn't worry too much? You are the father-in-law of the King of Merda and the biological father of the Dragon Head Medal holder. There is no one in the country who would openly provoke a fight with you. Not even from the front, let alone from behind."
Hearing Christina say that, Brian softened his attitude.
"Indeed. If it goes well, we can get Baron Doyle's son in our territory."
"It is attractive that he has received basic education, so there is no need to educate him from scratch like a commoner."
Although it was unknown what would happen in the future, Brian and Christina were already calculating how to acquire Bartholomew. Hearing this, Steve smiled bitterly, thinking they were both too hasty.
"Well, if there is a possibility of securing personnel, I will permit it. Do your best."
Brian permitted Steve's plan.
With this, Steve contacted Bartholomew again to set the date for the duel.
Bartholomew visited the townhouse in the Royal Capital.
This time, it was Christina, not Bella, who welcomed Bartholomew.
"Long time no see, Lord. Thank you for contacting me and allowing me to visit again."
"Now, now, don't be so stiff. This is my wife, Christina. So, here is my idea: let's duel."
"Huh?"
Bartholomew, caught off guard by the sudden word "duel" thrown out by Steve, froze.
"Lord Steve, saying that suddenly would surprise Lord Doyle as well."
Christina pointed this out.
"To get straight to the conclusion, let's duel, betting on what we desire. Bartholomew bets on a free marriage partner. I bet on Bartholomew's person."
"A free marriage partner if I win?"
"That means I guarantee that marriage. Even if your parents strongly oppose it, I will suppress that opposition."
"And if I lose, I become your lordship's responsibility?"
"That's right."
Steve smiled gently. His intention was also conveyed to Bartholomew.
"In that case, I understand the duel. Well, the possibility of me winning against your lordship is probably one in ten thousand."
"You won't know unless you try. However, if I lose too obviously, someone might not be satisfied with the result. So, I intend not to hold back."
"Provided I don't die."
Bartholomew looked up at Steve.
Steve smiled bitterly.
"I have no intention of killing you. Not holding back refers to the posture of going for a win, but I intend to hold back on the power. If you die, nothing will happen."
"Hearing that, I am relieved."
"However, don't think Bartholomew this is a fixed match. I want you to strive to win against me. Wouldn't it be better to grasp a free marriage with your own hands?"
"Yes. I will practice when I return home."
"Very well."
Steve was satisfied with Bartholomew's attitude. And finally, it was time to set the schedule.
"Would two weeks be okay? Can you prepare?"
"Yes. I will finish preparing by then."
"On my part, I will say that I received a duel challenge from Bartholomew today and spread the word everywhere."
"Spread the word?"
"Yes. Otherwise, no one will know that Bartholomew has taken action."
Although Bartholomew was intimidated by Steve's word "spread the word," hearing it from Steve made him feel a little more positive.
"Will I stand out?"
"Well, yes. Are you scared now?"
"It seems I wasn't prepared enough, but it's fine."
Bartholomew didn't look very fine, but Steve didn't point it out and decided to respect his words that it was fine.
"If it's fine, that's good. Then, two weeks later. As for the location, let's rent the knight's training ground at the Royal Castle."
It was a place of memories for Steve. It was the place of the duel with Clark, the eldest son of Baron Hadley. He chose that place again as the site of the duel.
Once that was decided, Steve told Count McVee and Viscount Rice about the duel. Both had already received apology gifts from Steve, and they resented Baron Doyle for bringing up the matter again.
Baron Doyle himself was surprised to hear that his son had challenged Steve to a duel seeking a free marriage.
He severely blamed Bartholomew, but Bartholomew's determination did not change.
"Bartholomew, do you know what you have done!"
"Of course, Father."
"If you know, why is there no sign of regret! Apologize to Lord Archibalt immediately and cancel the duel!!"
"This is a major matter that will affect my life, so no matter what you say, Father, I cannot change this."
Even when told by his father, Baron Doyle, Bartholomew did not change his opinion. Avoiding the duel was already impossible.
Thus, the day of the duel arrived.
Thank you always for your typo reports.