Solomon furrowed his brow, completely confused by the sudden directive. "I need a lot more information before I just walk down there and attack someone on his wedding day."
"It is a sacred ceremony within the royal family," Lune explained, adjusting the cuffs of her crimson dress. "After the wedding rituals conclude, the groom must duel the bride’s brother to prove his martial worth and dedication."
"Then why are you handing the sword to me?" Solomon asked. "I am not her brother."
"Syra’s older brother, Prince Ryu, and her father, King Shen, are both away on border expeditions," Lune replied, gesturing toward the bride. "Since they could not return in time, she has chosen you to stand in her brother’s stead for this ceremony."
Solomon understood the situation perfectly now.
"But I am wondering if a foreign commoner stepping into a sacred royal tradition would cause political outrage among the gathered nobles." He looked at Lune for confirmation, but she simply pointed at Syra.
Syra stood near the back of the balcony, fidgeting nervously with her white silk gown. She looked incredibly anxious, clearly terrified that he might reject her request and ruin the ceremony.
Solomon felt a twinge of guilt just looking at her frightened expression.
He stepped forward, gently taking Syra’s hand and placing a gallant kiss on the back of her knuckles. "Since you think of me as your brother tonight, I will gladly do everything an older brother is supposed to do for his sister."
[2Lazy2Care: Bro ain’t no way you are the older brother.]
[Brerell: Bro called himself older brother to look cool.]
Solomon grabbed the sleek rapier from Lune and tested its balance. "So, exactly how badly am I allowed to beat the groom?"
Syra gasped and waved her hands frantically. "Please do not hurt him! We have not even had our wedding night yet!"
"Nobody is beating anyone," Lune sighed, rubbing her temples. "This is simply a ceremonial display where the groom showcases his sword skills to the court."
"How are we supposed to show any real skill if we are not allowed to hit each other?" Solomon questioned, finding the concept entirely illogical.
Lune let out another tired sigh and turned to the white-haired royal. "Elizabeth, please show him how this is done."
Elizabeth felt slightly reluctant to perform a demonstration on someone else’s orders. However, this presented a perfect, sanctioned opportunity to cross swords with Solomon. She had been meaning to duel him properly for weeks.
A servant quickly retrieved a second rapier from a nearby weapon rack and handed it to her.
The attendants retreated to the edges of the balcony, giving Solomon and Elizabeth plenty of space to move across the polished marble.
Elizabeth raised her rapier straight out with her right hand, placing her left hand neatly behind her back. "Copy my stance."
Solomon mimicked her posture, raising his own weapon as they began to circle each other on the terrace.
"This ceremony works on very specific rules," Elizabeth explained, lunging forward to initiate the exchange. "We both attack, and the opponent must either block, strike back, or parry the incoming blade."
Their steel weapons clinked together in a rapid flurry of exchanges. Elizabeth redirected a thrust and spun her wrist perfectly.
"The winner is the one who successfully performs three consecutive parries in a row," Elizabeth added, parrying Solomon’s next attack effortlessly.
"I can just stand completely still, let you attack me, and parry your strikes," Solomon pointed out. "That sounds incredibly easy."
Elizabeth chuckled and sidestepped another swing. "It is nowhere near as easy as a normal duel. You are restricted to a very small ring down on the main stage, greatly limiting your movement and evasive steps."
"What happens when I win?" Solomon asked, glancing at the golden-haired princess.
"Nothing happens," Lune responded, watching the spar closely. "This is just a fun tradition meant to entertain the guests. You absolutely should not take it too seriously."
[Nolland: LMAO bro is confident he will win.]
[Xenedra: already asking for rewards. GG.]
[Koalafiedgamer: Should we ask Solo Man to initiate a bet?]
[Simon_buhr: I don’t think he is gonna listen to us chat.]
[IceWaterKat: Yeah, he has been pissed at us ever since the hot spring incident.]
’I am used to swinging a massive executioner’s sword,’ Solomon thought to himself, feeling the incredibly light weight of the rapier in his grip. ’This blade is basically a metal twig. I need to make sure I hold my physical strength back, or I will accidentally snap his weapon in half.’
"There is one other condition for victory," Elizabeth informed him, lowering her weapon to conclude the demonstration. "You instantly win if you manage to completely disarm your opponent."
"I am ready," Solomon declared with a bright grin.
They all walked back down the winding staircase toward the main ballroom. Lord Tianyi already stood waiting inside a small, chalk-drawn ring on the center stage, holding his own ceremonial rapier.
The floating bronze owl zoomed in on Solomon’s eager expression.
[James_hayes: bro looks the happiest he has been in two days.]
[1Fizzy: he finally gets to fight someone legally!]
[Fatal_Beauty: Solo Man thrives on violence.]
[Mezz_3863: his depression vanished the second he got a sword.]
[Zoomtech: bro is grinning ear to ear.]
[M00N: RIP to the groom.]
The music faded, drawing the attention of every noble in the vast hall. Whispers and curious murmurs rippled through the crowd as the silver-haired boy confidently stepped onto the stage. Matriarch Lihua, Lord Jian, and the towering paladin Gideon watched closely from their VIP tables, eager to see how he would handle the sacred royal tradition.
Tianyi wore a pristine white suit adorned with azure crescent embroidery, matching the ceremonial rapier in his hand. He offered a polite, respectful bow to initiate the tradition.
Solomon returned the bow awkwardly, keeping his left hand resting behind his back.
Tianyi raised the sword while keeping his other hand locked on his back. Solomon did the same.
"Are you ready?" Tianyi asked. "My dear wife spoke highly of you."
And their ceremonial duel began.
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