Crownless Reincarnation: New World? Nah I'd win-Chapter 62: Birthday [4]

’Why is this happening?’

Arthur sat in the corner, gulping down a glass of beer.

His fingers ran roughly through his vibrant orange hair as he sank deeper into the chair.

The weight on his chest grew heavier with each passing moment.

He had been watching from the beginning.

He saw Akamir tie the ribbon on Zaina’s dress.

The way his hands moved, the way she looked at him... Arthur saw it all.

’Why does this keep happening to me!?’

His grip on the glass tightened until a crack split along the rim.

He hadn’t said anything when Lucien walked in with that usual confident grin.

He hadn’t moved when Zaina caught the fox in her arms.

He hadn’t even reacted when Lucien stepped onto the platform and began his grand announcement.

’Why did that damn fucker come in our life!?’

There was something about Akamir that lit a fire in him.

The way he had the air of a king around him, the way he spoke... Especially the way he subconsciously looked down at him.

’I hate him.’

Arthur’s eyes flicked to where Akamir was speaking to Zaina.

He raised the glass to his lips again, but the crack gave way.

Beer spilled down the front of his coat.

He cursed and slammed the broken glass on the table, roughly wiping at the mess with his sleeve.

"I don’t get what she sees in him."

Arthur glanced up. One of his friends—Mikel—stood nearby with a frown.

He was the one Akamir had humiliated not too long ago.

"Seriously," another boy added, "he barely talks, and when he does, it’s like he’s judging everyone."

"Maybe she likes being looked down on," Mikel muttered with a bitter laugh.

Arthur didn’t respond. He just looked at Zaina.

’She isn’t like that,’ he thought. ’Zaina is sweet and lovable.’

He had known her since they were kids and he knew what she liked.

What made her laugh.

What made her cry.

And Akamir wasn’t any of it.

’I am sure she is doing this for her family,’ Arthur thought, his heart clenching. ’Maybe she is trying to help them.’

But to go that far... to give herself up?

He couldn’t stand it.

’She was supposed to be mine,’ he thought, grimly. ’Mine and mine alone.’

’He didn’t deserve her.’

The thought pounded in his head like a war drum.

"Maybe you should do something about it," Mikel said after a pause. "You just gonna sit here and let him take her?"

Arthur barked, "What do you want me to do? Beat the Duke’s son in front of everyone?"

Mikel raised both hands in surrender, but the smirk never left his face.

"I’m just saying, I wouldn’t be sitting here nursing warm beer while someone else was walking off with my girl."

Arthur clenched his jaw and looked away.

Another voice chimed in. Caleb, leaning in from a nearby bench.

"I mean, come on. Challenge him. You’ve got the skill. We’ve all seen you spar."

Arthur stayed quiet, but the words lingered.

They weren’t wrong.

Akamir hadn’t even done anything special.

He hadn’t boasted or made a show.

Yet here he was, standing in the center like he owned everything.

"I heard he’s a pain to deal with," Caleb shrugged. "Barely stays with his family, and even his father doesn’t seem to like him."

"Yeah, and now he wants your girl," Mikel added, then quickly glanced away when Arthur shot him a glare.

Before Arthur could snap back, a new voice cut through the group.

"Sounds like a lot of talk but not much action."

They turned as a boy approached from the other side of the path, dressed in a dark jacket that bore the subtle crest of the Marson family.

Cleanly dressed, calm, but his eyes carried an unmistakable sharpness.

Gale Marson.

Arthur recognized him immediately.

The son of Duke Balkri of Marson.

One of the few noble youngsters who never attended the academy and was more interested in fighting.

Gale stopped in front of them, gave a glance toward Akamir, then looked at Arthur.

"I’ve seen you fight," he said. "You’re good."

Arthur narrowed his eyes. "And?"

"And you’re letting him walk all over you."

Arthur scoffed. "I’m not afraid of him."

"Then why are you sitting here?" Gale tilted his head slightly. "You want her thinking he’s better than you? Because that’s how it looks."

The others fell quiet, even Mikel looked unsure now.

Gale may be known for his strength but he is definitely a smart person.

"I fought Asher once," Gale continued.

"He’s easy to trip up. Rush him fast enough, and he stumbles. If he loses here, in front of everyone..."

He let the silence speak for itself.

Arthur looked back at Akamir. He was still beside Zaina, still talking like nothing else existed.

Zaina laughed lightly, brushing her hair behind her ear.

That did it.

Arthur stood.

Gale gave a small nod, like he’d expected this outcome all along.

"Don’t wait for someone to hand her back," Gale said quietly. "Take her."

Had Arthur been in his right mind, he might’ve seen it.

Mikel, trying to get back at Akamir for his own embarrassment.

Gale, baiting him to test Akamir’s strength.

Caleb, just looking for a show.

But Arthur wasn’t thinking clearly anymore.

He walked straight toward them, stopping a few steps behind.

"Asher!"

He called from behind.

"I challenge you for a duel."

Akamir sighed.

---

’Why do idiots always drag me into this?’

Akamir turned in his chair at the sound of the challenge.

Arthur stood there, glaring at him while his voice had already gathered everyone’s attention.

"Arthur?" Zaina looked up, surprised. "What are you doing?"

Arthur didn’t look at her. "Something I should’ve done a long time ago."

"What—?"

"Don’t worry," he said. "I’ll keep you safe."

’..Ahh, idiot.’

Akamir rubbed his temple, trying not to groan out loud.

He knew getting involved with Zaina would bring trouble.

’But this much? Really?’

"Kyuu~."

Ella purred at Zaina’s lap making him look at her.

"I refuse," Akamir said flatly.

"W-What?" Arthur blinked. "Don’t you have any pride!?"

"Fuck off," Akamir muttered. "I don’t want to."

"You can’t just—!"

"I can," Akamir interrupted, already tired. "Unless someone of higher rank asks me to fight, I’m not obligated."

A voice rang out before he could regret his words.

"Then I’ll ask."

Akamir turned to look at Camila who stood nearby, smiling.

"I’m a rank higher. I want to see it."

He wanted to refuse but was tied by his own words.

’Alright, let’s get this over with.’

Akamir stood up and Zaina immediately grabbed his arm.

"Asher," she whispered. "He doesn’t mean it—"

"I do!" Arthur yelled. "I mean every word! And I’ll beat him!"

Akamir gently loosened her grip. "Don’t worry," he said, smiling faintly. "I’ll go easy on him."

Before she could respond, he turned and stepped into the open.

’Alright, how should I make an example out of him.’

He took off his jacket, rolled his sleeves.

The crowd backed away, giving them space.

"Give them swords."

Camila said and the royal knights obeyed without hesitation.

Akamir caught the sword tossed his way.

He guiltily looked at Camila.

’She has more influence than I thought. Even the knights listen to her like she’s in charge.’

"I’ll make sure you regret going near her," Arthur said, drawing Akamir’s attention back.

"....Yeah."

’Is he drunk?’ Akamir wondered. ’Not that it changes anything.’

Camila raised her hand from where she sat.

"Get ready."

She said giving them time to get in position before letting the silence settle.

"Start!"

The moment Camila’s hand dropped, Arthur lunged.

It was a wild charge, emotional, clumsy, and exactly what Akamir expected.

Akamir didn’t even bother to raise his sword.

He stepped aside, letting Arthur stumble forward, then struck the back of his leg with the flat of his blade.

Arthur stumbled, nearly falling to his knees.

Laughter rippled through the crowd.

’What a pain.’

Arthur growled and turned, swinging recklessly.

Akamir parried twice, then twisted his wrist, knocking the blade aside.

He stepped in and drove the hilt into Arthur’s chest.

Arthur gasped, breath knocked from his lungs as he staggered back.

Akamir waited for him to get up without moving.

Arthur came again, furious, swinging wide.

Akamir ducked and kicked him sharply in the shin.

Arthur fell, gasping.

The crowd fell silent.

"Get up, Arthur," Akamir said quietly. "We’re not done yet."

"...Fuck."

Arthur growled, raising his hand.

A magic circle began to form.

’Finally.’

Akamir thought.

’A good study material.’