Chapter 4

How does one breaks off an engagement to the other party without hurting them nor damage the name of her house? Lately, Felix has been thinking about this.

Two weeks had passed since he had done that foolish thing in the evening party.

“What’s up Felix? You don’t seem like yourself.”

“Commander…”

It was a swordplay between the two but as he noted how Felix’s attention is somewhere else, the Platoon Commander sheathed back his sword.

The man before Felix has a short curly brown hair, muscular face, thick eyebrows and a long carved scar from his cheek to his chin—an honorary badge as Felix heard it from when he saved His Highness Textus from an assassin. This man may look menacing at first but after he became the 1st Platoon Commander of the Order of Knights, he apparently became popular with the ladies due to his nice and wild personality.

He was the 3rd son of a Baron but his attitude never changes towards his subordinates regardless of their birth status. Thus, he is well liked by his subordinates.

“Felix, is something bothering you? Was it a woman?”

Felix had difficulty in answering him, he had to hold his tongue for he knew himself better than anyone else how bad he was in communicating and to deviate the topic. This matter concerning women, how should he convey this subject in a better way to his Commander?

“Now that it reminds me, I heard you were recently engaged. They said you sent a ring flying?”

“Yes.”

“If that’s how you met her, then did you continue the engagement?”

“Yes.”

“Are you getting along with your fiancee? Listen Felix, you shouldn’t play nor mistreat a woman.”

Felix’s face grew sullen immediately, he breathes deeply and looked back to see the Commander broadly grinning.

“If you want to learn how to treat a woman, you should visit the red-light district. You’ll surely get to use your face.”

“I’m not thinking about that sort of thing.”

Felix told him once and for all before sheathing his sword. It was his fault for thinking about his relationship problems in this place.

Felix then recalls his temporary fiancee.

Aurora el le Porta. The eldest daughter of Earl Porta with her striking large green eyes. She has a soft, wavy egg-cream hair with a healthy body, moreover she was patient and have been persevering in holding a conversation with the taciturn Felix. She isn’t particularly beautiful but she has no visible flaws that if Felix were to classify her, she would be “lovely”.

The only drawback he can see was how she was too absorbed in her embroidery and she has been doing it even in the middle of their tea party, however, it seems to be an engrossing hobby that made him easily drawn into conversation. Felix’s eyes darted towards the handkerchief with wonderful embroidery, it was something she gave to him in exchange for the flowers he brought to her. When his mother saw it, she suggested to frame it up on the wall to which he hurriedly hid it on his pocket.

But the most fortunate thing for Felix was that she had little interest in his family nor in his appearance. When he went to see her, she didn’t make any noise nor got nervous and even scolded some raucous servants. Unlike other ladies, she was indifferent, brews tea, listens to him and would occasionally throw appropriate responses in the conversation. She wouldn’t know how much she saved him.

Had the ring possibly collided with a showy, chattering and flirting woman—the most common type of women Felix meets, he would have surely brush it off as a joke. However, the moment their eyes met at the time he came to apologize to Aurora, Felix saw confusion which in return confuses him. In her eyes reflected Felix’s folly as if he was her little brother and she felt troubled by the situation.

Perhaps it was those pair of eyes that got Felix falling for her. Had he noticed her before, he would surely ask her to be engaged with him.

If he were to be really honest, Felix have planned to break off the engagement the next morning but he realized that his one-sided decision would be an insult to her. If the engagement was called off right away, she would be labeled as a woman unfit to be betrothed to a Marquis’ house. While having those thoughts, Felix was extremely sorry from the bottom of his heart.

Aurora wouldn’t have any idea that for Felix, the moment she agreed to continue their engagement, she was like a goddess stretching out a helping hand to him. The freedom he was having now was perhaps because of their engagement.

Felix is very grateful to her that’s why he wanted to pay her back and calling off the engagement is the best way to do that but he had no idea on how to so in a way that wouldn’t hurt her. He wouldn’t mind shouldering the consequences but it would be a different thing if it were to hurt his family.

The Platoon Commander wasn’t the best person to discuss this with, Felix thought. His mother and sister are out of the question. He was told that this is his best opportunity as he couldn’t find a wife by himself and so, he must never let her go.

The Platoon Commander shrugs his shoulder as he drowned in silence after seeing Felix’s gloomy countenance.

“I really don’t know know what’s bothering you since this is my first time talking about relationship problems. While I was still engaged with my wife, we have had many fights and every time we talk, it was all about me cheating to her!”

Felix’s violet eyes scrutinized him.

“Didn’t the Commander eventually result in an affair?”

“That’s different—wait, who did you learn it from?”

“The 2nd Platoon Commander.”

“That rascal…”

Felix bowed to the 1st Platoon Commander, saying he will do his best at their next mock battle. Then with a sigh, Felix decided not to ask for advice from his boss.

“I’m going to clear my mind.”

“Go and find somebody you can exchange blows.”

“Yes. ”

As his boss turned his back to Felix, he muttered—

“I wonder what’s troubling him with that kind of ‘encounter’?”

＊＊＊

“Huh? How do you break off an engagement without hurting your fiancee?”

Another man reiterate, this time with a rather loud voice along with the clear sounds of clashing swords. His reddish brown hair glitters with his sweats under the sun.

“Yes. ”

“Why ask me about it?”

The man’s violet eyes narrowed down disturbingly behind his spectacle. Taking a step back at the sword and aimed it towards his collar, a piece of single hair was struck from his plaited silver hair as Felix answers—

“The Platoon Commander said that you would be able to answer me.”

“I will kill that guy later.”

Sentence el le Auxilia, is the younger brother of His Highness Crown Prince Textus, who at the age of 25 became the Vice Commander of the Imperial Guards.

“Have you experienced this before?”

Felix turned his body and his feet jumped from the ground to avoid the sword coming towards him. Receiving the sword will hit his shoulder so the right action is to redirect the attack away from him. But just as how his blade was easily crush, he can imagine how that attack could sliced through his skin and break his bones.

Sentence is strong. When his brother has yet to become the crowned prince, he was frequently targeted by assassins in a power struggle for the throne along with the first prince. Perhaps because of this, his way of swordplay is too practical and sometimes dirty, without any regard for any form nor grace. Sentence prioritize escaping when necessary and to protect another person.

“How should I put it…”

Their blades screeched, the clashing swords sent the two on their knees deep into the ground. As they backed off, Felix jumped back—speed of light and dynamic vision was his distinctive characteristic.

Felix attacked the Vice Commander at a high altitude, Sentence clicked his tongue as he evade to the left. With not a moment to spare, Felix delivers another attack—CRASH—Felix with his sword was blown away with a strong impact.

“The match is over.”

“You’re still as strong as ever.”

Felix’s good physique which relies heavily on his unmatched counter attacks, was something that made Sentence admires him. The sword whirled in the air before it fell and pierced the ground.

Although he was burning with regret, Felix knew himself well that he still have long way to go, both of his fighting experience and magic techniques are lacking.

“Thank you very much.”

“But really you’ve really turned quite stronger.”

Sentence pushed back his glasses and stood right before Felix who’s removing his sword from the ground to sheath it back.

“I used to believe that enlisting in the Order of Knights was just for show and that I wouldn’t be able to experience an actual fight.”

Sentence usually says this every time their fight ends and as he also usually have done so, Felix earnestly bowed his head to his boss.

“Thanks to the guidance of Vice Commander and Platoon Commander.”

“You’re as serious as ever. Even though you’re one of the first candidate to join the 1st Unit, you joined the 4th Unit instead while saying ‘I wish to work on my swordsmanship rather than doing the usual sword practice’.”

“I didn’t want to be part of the 1st Unit just because of my looks and status.”

“The 1st Unit is indeed chosen by looks and status. You certainly don’t belong there.”

Felix shuts his mouth, giving Sentence a stolid look. He took out his handkerchief and wiped his sweat from his forehead.

He now belongs to the 4th Unit with Felix as the present Captain, a proof that he was the most powerful magic knight in the 1st Platoon.

If one were to talk about the 1st Unit, from good looks, noble status, swordsmanship and above all else, they are in charge of His Highness Crown Prince Textus. The unit itself was difficult to handle due to those who belongs in this unit were naturally good looking and of noble lineage. Meanwhile Felix, a son of Marquis who had been popular for his looks since he was child, who had an excellent record for his swordsmanship and swordplay in the Military Academy, was supposed to be part of the 1st Unit.

“Your magic… except for your Commander, is second to none so stay in good health as a reserve force. Well, I guess the result says it all.”

“I am honored.”

He wiped his sword and sheaths it back before bowing to Sentence once again. His shining silver hair flows with by wind.

“By the way, Vice Commander. ”

“What?”

“As for the matter earlier…”

“… Ugh…”

Did he think he can get away with this after deviating the topic? Felix frowns at the tight-lipped Sentence.

About an hour ago, Felix called his subordinates in the restroom to ask for some advices but then came the Vice Commander Sentence, the servant of the His Highness who raised his hand while laughing after hearing about Felix’s circumstances, he said “I will solve your troubles.”

“I think there’s a way to break off an engagement without hurting your fiance… Perhaps if you had a quarrel with her or if you cheated on her… Or, if you received a critical injury or a grave illness so much you can’t marry at all.”

“Did the Vice Commander experience them all?”

“…The first one!!! I haven’t done the second one!!! Besides, we have gotten back together!!!”

To Sentence’s frantic response, Felix could only sigh at the sudden change of character.

“In short, you should stay engaged with her for about six months or more than that and then you’ll finally stage a big fight, perhaps something that will show as a sudden change of personality that will distance herself from you. This is not an arranged marriage so if you do it, people will slowly warm up to it.”

“Your Highness.”

Without any of the them noticing, the handsome Crowned Prince Textus appears behind Sentence. He has a hair as dark as an ink and deep purple eyes which is peculiar to those of the royal family.

While Felix hastily bowed in courtesy, Sentence on the other hand hangs his arm to the Crown Prince to which he sneers at while shaking off his younger brother’s arms…

“This is an unofficial visit so there’s no need for such kind of courtesy. Felix, when you’re tense you need a veteran for things like this and at times like this, it is I, your veteran in life!”

“Hey! Don’t just blow in unannounced!”

“Aren’t you the most knowledgeable man to ask on how to be rejected by a woman?”

His Highness Crowned Prince Textus merely smiles while Sentence curses him with ‘Shut it!’, something that would sue him surely had someone heard him and to this, Felix kept his mouth shut. The interaction between the two brothers were rather close as even the members of the royal family calls the Crown Prince ‘His Highness Textus’ and although Felix was brought up closed to His Highness Textus’ age, he wouldn’t still reach the same point of being able to talk to him like Sentence even after 10 years.

“I give up!”

“You are the only one who has had a hard time getting dumped by the same woman three times after a big fight and they always say, ‘your personality changes’. Felix, he’s a master at getting dumped. This is the best way to get a woman to break up with you.”

“It’s all right since we’re getting back together!”

“I think it’s about time for you to have your fourth breakup.”

“I beg you, please shut up.”

“Aren’t I just saying this for my cute little brother so he’ll be happy? I’m giving you, Felix, the same advice so you don’t suffer in the same way.”

“Please, just shut up.”

His Highness Textus taps Sentence’ drooping back and smiled to Felix.

“If I were to advice you, I think you should consider marrying her for real.”

Was he a good match for his fiancee? Felix’s eyebrows arched up at the Crown Prince’s ambiguous smile. Where on earth did these people caught wind of such rumors when they are basically holed up inside the royal palace?

“ Come on, Felix. Hasn’t the ring chosen your fiancee?”

His smile widened and Felix unconsciously raised his eyebrows—

“Yes, but—”

“Don’t forget that you are also a magician.”

“To forget such a thing—”

He shrug his shoulders to Felix who was puzzled to whatever the Crown Prince was trying convey. A Magic Knight was precisely a two man’s job which serves both as a Knight and a Magician. There’s no doubt he’d come to forget he was a magician so Felix doesn’t understand what the Crown Prince was implying.

“Hmm, it can’t be helped as it’s an archaic magic… Now, Felix, who gave you that handkerchief? It’s magic has a pleasant feeling to it but I know it isn’t yours.”

At the sudden change of topic, Felix’s eyes widened.