I Became the First Prince: Legend of Sword's Song

Ｃｈ． ９

On that day, the family's fame fell to the ground, and his father and elder brother became laughingstocks and were still being mocked by nobles until now.

He came here today to repay the insults his family had received that day.

Taylor swallowed hard.

He stared at the prince as he imagined stabbing a knife in his squishy heart, but a heavy voice boomed in the training room.

"Calm down; the sparring hasn't even started yet."

It was the kingdom's most famous knight, Count Bale Balahard.

He immediately bowed to the great man.

"Greetings, Lord Balahard! Baron Tailheim's youngest son, an apprentice knight Taylor greets Sir Balahard, ruler of the Balahard family, commander of the 3rd Legion, and Knight of the Quad Chain! It's a lifetime honor to meet you!"

"Nice to meet you."

It was a brief response, but he felt a huge difference between the respectable knight's greeting and that of the prince.

Taylor stared at Count Bale Balahard. He looked up to him as one of his heroes.

Suddenly, the prince intervened and shot a remark. "Hey, look at that. You look at him as a maid looks at a king."

At that instant, Taylor's moment of meeting a great knight was ruined.

Count Balahard greeted the prince coolly and turned once more to Taylor. "Do you need time to relax?"

He shook his head. "I warmed up while walking here!"

"Then, can we start right away?"

At the end of Count Balahard's words, the court knights started to take their positions on the training room's walls, opening up space in the middle.

"Don't ask me," the prince grumbled and went to the one side of the room. Taylor took the opposite side.

The court knights brought them their swords.

As Taylor saw the prince's training sword, he laughed inwardly.

He cannot defeat me with that wooden sword! If I do it right, my family's honor would be avenged!

Taylor took a deep breath and announced himself. It is the normal courtesy for those who wield the sword.

"Taylor, the youngest son of the Tailheim family. I am a single chain apprentice knight, using the sword of the Tailheim family."

"It's not a duel, but you're talking grandly. It's killing me, haha."

The prince seemed to have nothing to do with respect and courtesy.

Even if Taylor is annoyed, he had to follow the courtesy with respect to his opponent's position. "Please take good care of me."

"So, let's get started," the prince said, standing idly on his side.

The formal declaration was made by Count Balahard.