Chapter 46: The Champion
"You appear to be trembling, Your Highness. Is the cold getting to you? Mornings in the Capital are growing colder with each passing day, signaling the imminent arrival of winter."
Tillian shifted abruptly in the coach seat, edging closer to Aideen, who was indeed quivering like a leaf in the wind. The princess recoiled at this unexpected movement, then released a long, heavy exhale and shook her head.
"No, Your Grace, it’s not the cold that is troubling me. I am terrified beyond belief! Aren’t you nervous at all? Soon, you will face another man in the jousting arena, gripping a sword in your hands! I can’t help but tremble with fear... What if you sustain severe injuries?"
The Duke responded with a loud, almost joyous chuckle.
"Ha! At least you are not entertaining thoughts of my demise today, which means you still have some faith in me, Your Highness. I’m flattered!"
"Please, Your Grace, do not jest about this. I am scared to death. I feel like I could jump out of my skin at any moment now!"
Pouting her lips in a rather playful manner, the lady turned her face away, tightly clutching her hands in front of her stomach, as if preparing for a silent prayer. Duke Valentine found her reaction adorable and had initially planned on teasing her some more. However, he decided to relent since he, too, recognized that Aideen’s distress was practically eating her alive.
Gently, he covered her joined hands with his left hand and attempted to reassure her once more.
"I promise you, Your Highness, I will not allow anything serious to happen to me. Whether my opponent is the old Count Crueder or the most formidable Royal Knight, I will emerge victorious. I must. After all, it is your honor for which I fight, leaving me with no option but to emerge triumphant."
Aideen felt a rush of hot blood surging up to her cheeks. Once again, Tillian exhibited the finesse of a skilled magus—everything he did, every word he uttered, felt like an attempt to cast a spell on her. She could not help but ponder, perhaps it was he who should be delving into the realms of magic, and not her.
’If he isn’t a magus himself, then he must be a charmer. When he speaks to me like that, my heart has no power to resist.’