I’ll Become the Female Lead in this Trashy Webnovel

28. Something you’ll regret (2)

Joshua cut the shrimp in front of him and put it in his mouth.

Bianca, who was watching him, exhaled a sigh.

She eventually brought up what she wanted to say.

“Divorce Ariad. Then I won’t touch her anymore.”

Joshua put down the fork he was holding and chuckled.

“I’ve never disobeyed His Majesty and Her Majesty, but that didn’t mean I’m stupid or nice.”

Joshua’s voice was as gentle as a spring breeze.

Strangely, Bianca felt a sharpness in it.

“I’m just too lazy to do something about it. That’s all.”

Bianca smiled.

Joshua’s pointed statement, wrapped in a soft murmur, seemed to pierce her at any given moment.

“After marrying Ariad, you’re now pressuring me to divorce her? You’re the one who told me to get married! It’s frustrating to figure out which rhythm I should dance to. If you want a son you can easily manipulate, you’d better stop here.”

“Are you threatening me?”

“No.”

Joshua swallowed the tea he had just drank and smiled at her.

“I don’t want anything from you, Your Majesty. I just want you to know something.”

“….”

“The Pearson Family will sell and trade goods to other countries.”

Bianca burst into laughter.

Joshua declared that her interruption was useless.

“You don’t have the right to tell me how I’m supposed to spend my precious money, but I will also work hard within my jurisdiction,” Joshua said slowly.

“I’m sure you’ll regret it,” Bianca added in a low voice.

“Women must have known that well. Ariad seems nice to you now, but she will leave you soon. Keep my words in mind.”

With smiling eyes, Joshua stood up from his seat.

“It’s up to me to judge, so I’ll know how to handle her. Let’s leave it at that.”

Bianca put down the spoon she was holding after warning him not to cross each other’s lines.

She took a sip of her tea and quickly got up.

“I can’t eat anymore. I seem to have lost my appetite. Enjoy your meal.”

She turned her back on him coldly.

As always, his mind was not as sharp as hers.

She was strict with her son when he was young.

It was all for his sake.

As a result, their bond had been completely erased.

* * *

The sun shone on the cold, cutting wind as the splendid instrumental performance continued for three days.

“Knights can’t even enjoy the festival,”  Hugh murmured as he listened to the performance from afar.

Up until yesterday, he was a guest at that celebration.

He felt bitter about how the scenario had turned ‘one-eighty degrees’ in an instant.

Before swallowing all that bitterness, the Knight Commander tapped him with his sword hilt.

“Quiet. Your Highness is coming.”

Upon his leader’s words, Hugh glared at the tall man walking up to them.

It was the first time he had encountered the crown prince, Joshua McKinley, this close.

His languorous appearance seemed to give off both ease and pressure.

“Hugh Carlywood.”

His Highness rolled his name lightly with his tongue, exuding both charm and elegance.

He quickly realized that the crown prince must have known him.

Even if Hugh loved Ariad very much, he wasn’t in the position to defy the crown prince.

His head instinctively warned him to stop giving His Highness more than a ‘ninety-degree’ bow and straighten up.

“I heard that you were eliminated from the Knighthood Examination. That’s unfortunate.”

Hugh was bewildered.

Was he, unfortunately, eliminated?

The judge said he was proud of Hugh for using for the Knighthood Examination despite his ridiculous skills.

“Thank you for choosing me even if I’m not the best candidate, Your Highness.”

He didn’t understand what he meant, but it wasn’t wrong to be grateful to the crown prince.

Puzzled, Hugh stared at the slowly approaching hand in front of him.

That same hand held a long sword with the golden symbol of the McKinley Royal Court in it.

“I think a light sword would suit you. I’m giving this to you as a gift. I also want to see your swordsmanship skills. Here. Take this sword.”

The crown prince’s attitude of respecting people lower than him had moved Hugh.

The gentle smile of the man, whom he would serve in the future, made him look warm-hearted.

Heart burning in determination, Hugh grabbed the sword in Joshua’s hand.

Then, Joshua took the sword he was wearing close to his waist.

The sharp, shining blade seemed to have distorted his expression.

At the same time, Joshua’s smile disappeared from his mouth.

*CHING*

Cool metal slashed against the cool metal.

Hugh staggered, and it made him feel embarrassed for taking the spotlight.

The crown prince’s attack caught him off guard.

He had no idea that it had already started.

Joshua’s sharp movement continued,  forcing Hugh’s body to move.

His Highness was so mighty in contrast to his beautiful face.

Hugh held out as hard as he could but accidentally threw his sword, which flew far away.

Hugh also fell on the ground as the sand dust surrounded him.

Soon after, a cold blade touched his neck.

Blood trickled down his collarbone when the blade’s tip grazed his skin.

Hugh gave a rough sigh and raised his head to the crown prince.

He found His Highness smirking as he glanced down at him.

“You’re lacking.”

Hugh lowered his head again at the cold evaluation.

He blamed himself for not having the talent.

“You can still improve if you practice a lot. So don’t get too frustrated.”

His gentle reminder caused Hugh to regain his senses.

Using his fingertips to propel his butt to jump up,  Hugh looked at his future master.

“I’ll do my best not to disappoint you, Your Highness.”

Joshua chuckled.

“Yes. You’ll have to do your best.” His tone was slightly mischievous.  “With your skills, you might as well die on the battlefield.”

Still, that brought a chill down his spine.