Crest of the Strongest Knight

Chapter 47 - Duke Castellia's Duel

Medrauta clicked her tongue in annoyance. She hadn't known what to expect when she sought to introduce herself to Viviane's father, but this certainly wasn't it. "Of course not. I'm saying that we'll consider marriage after we've started dating for a while. We'd need to get permission from the crown to travel outside of the country borders anyway."

"Kukuku," Duke Castellia smirked. "As you have now made clear your desire to take my daughter's hand, I can no longer give you the benefit of the doubt. Now then, let us begin our duel!"

"I didn't agree to this."

"Question one!"

"Your Grace, I—"

"What is Vivi's favorite color!?"

"Again, I didn't—"

"Five seconds left to answer!"

"Gah! What the hell is this!?"

"Three!"

"Fine! Silver! It's silver!"

"Incorrect! It seems your love was too weak, for you've failed at the first question! Dame Medrauta, you are not—"

"U-Um... She's right though..." Viviane interjected.

The duke's jaw dropped. "W-What...? V-Vivi... Wasn't it red? Was your papa mistaken all along...?"

"N-No... It's true that red was my favorite color, but now it's silver..."

"Hah! Easy!" Medrauta smirked.

"Guh!" Duke Castellia's head hung low. He sniffed as if he were shedding tears. "My Vivi's changing so quickly... B-But I won't relent! Prepare yourself, Dame Medrauta! The next question will send you packing!"

"Yeah, yeah. What is it?"

"What is Vivi's favorite food!?"

"That's pretty easy. For breakfast, she likes hotcakes with honey, for lunch it used to be poached Kharadshah ualba haunch but now it's those fancy noodles from Higashi, and she likes to finish off light for dinner with a fresh salad coupled with some floral varieties."

Duke Castellia's eyes nearly bulged out of his head as Medrauta effortlessly rattled off Viviane's favorite foods for all three meals of the day. His gaze whipped over to Viviane for confirmation, and the noblewoman nodded.

"Augh! I can't believe you managed to answer that! And so flawlessly too!"

"There's nothing you can ask me that I can't answer!" Medrauta laughed. "I even know her three sizes!"

"W-What!?" Viviane exclaimed. "H-H-How do you know those!?"

"No comment."

"Urgh... You're the toughest contender I've ever encountered, Dame Medrauta... But your tyranny ends here! With this final question, I'll blow you away!" Duke Castellia declared.

"Hah! Bring it on, old man!" Medrauta thumbed her nose at the duke. She didn't know when it began, but she'd started getting pretty into this stupid game with him, enough that she'd completely dropped any semblance of etiquette.

It didn't seem like the duke minded either. In fact, Medrauta's boorish gestures and crass language seemed to fan the flames of his competitive spirit.

"Very well, you asked for it! The final question is... What color are Vivi's panties today!?"

"White!" Medrauta declared confidently.

"Aha! You fool! I've caught you red-handed! I'll never allow those with perverted intentions to take my daughter away from me!"

"Hah! As if, idiot! I'll have you know that I diligently aid Viviane in all aspects of her life, and that includes helping her fold the laundry! Of course I'd know what she keeps in her arsenal! Or are you perhaps belittling the efforts of a knight!?"

"Urk! A skillful parry and riposte, Dame Medrauta... You've truly defeated me..."

D-Don't be defeated so easily, father! Viviane thought. Ah, but if it's Medrauta, then I suppose it's fine...

"Of course not, Your Grace." Medrauta said.

The duke looked up at her. "...Huh?"

Medrauta smiled gallantly as she extended a hand toward Duke Castellia, her posture noble and poised. No one could've guessed that she'd been talking about panties mere moments ago.

"How can you be defeated when my victories are yours... father-in-law?"

Duke Castellia's eyes glistened as he stared at Medrauta with newfound respect. At once, he clasped the knight's hand firmly, and the two forged a pact of newfound understanding with nary a word.

Viviane watched the scene with speechless disbelief. She had witnessed what could be called a bonding ritual of two idiots, and while it was undoubtedly a baffling sequence to watch, she thought it was somewhat heartwarming. At the very least, it seemed like Medrauta and her father were going to get along. But...

...I'm sorry, Medrauta. Tonight, my panties are red.

Watching the two, she thought it best not to voice that thought.