I Became King by Following My Little Sister's Advice. Now the Princess I Forced to Marry Is Giving Me Death Stares, What Should I Do? - Chapter 10: Challenged to a Duel, Little Sister!

Chapter 10: Challenged to a Duel, Little Sister!

So, the marriage between Van Arlengs and Medina Aidron was officially announced. 

Normally, a royal marriage would be celebrated with a grand wedding, but it was not to be this time. 

The reasons included budget savings, but it was also announced as a period of mourning for those who had been sacrificed by the royal family. 

This marriage signified that the Aidron royal family had completely perished.

Secretly, some nobles who were working to restore the Aidron kingdom lost their justification for rebellion. 

With the announcement of the marriage, the foundation of a new country was also declared. 

The name of the country was decided as “Kingdom of Arlengs,” a name pushed by those around him despite Van’s reluctance and embarrassment.

Of course, the first king was Van Arlengs himself, the key figure behind the rebellion and a knight famed as the strongest.

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“Awawawa! I’ve been challenged to a duel, what should I do, Moa?!”

In the king’s office, as usual, Van let out a cry of confusion. 

The room was meant for Van to conduct his royal duties, but the real authority was his sister, Moa.

Other than Van and Moa, there was no one else in the soundproof room. 

No one would hear even if Van spoke timidly.

“Please calm down, Brother. Let’s first assess the situation.”

While gently stroking her distraught brother’s head, Moa smiled with her usual motherly warmth. 

This time, what had driven Van to despair was a letter that had arrived at the palace.

It was from the Marquis of Ulbers, who held territories in the eastern frontier.

In his letter, the Marquis congratulated Van on the establishment of the new nation and his ascension to the throne. 

However, at the end of the letter, there was a twist.

It mentioned that the Marquis’s lands and the surrounding areas were considering independence from the Kingdom of Arlengs.

“I knew it. I shouldn’t have become the king! It’s because I’m so pathetic that even the Marquis of Ulbers wants to leave!” 

“Brother, that’s not true. The letter only says they are ‘considering’ independence. It doesn’t say they have decided to leave.”

If they truly wanted to leave the Kingdom of Arlengs, they could just declare independence on their own. 

Whether or not they recognize their independence is a separate issue; there’s no point in formally requesting permission first.

“So, their condition for not declaring independence is a ‘duel’?” 

“Yes…”

That was indeed the case. 

The letter stated they were considering independence but would reconsider if Van accepted a challenge to a duel. 

Challenging a king to a duel was an act of extreme disrespect.

“Still… it’s not surprising coming from him, the Marquis of Ulbers.”

The Marquis of Ulbers is a noble known for his martial prowess, guarding the eastern borders. 

He’s repelled enemy invasions multiple times, serving as the royal family’s shield.

His family is known for being quite straightforward and brawny, often trying to solve problems through sheer force. 

His challenge to a duel is likely a test to see if Van is fit to be king.

“If it’s the Marquis of Ulbers, the solution is simple. Just accept the duel as he requested and defeat him fair and square.”

The Marquis dislikes dishonesty. 

He wouldn’t be plotting to assassinate Van under the guise of a duel.

“Wait… It’s okay to just defeat him? That would be simple then…”

“Simple, is it? You really are something, Brother.”

The Marquis of Ulbers was once called “the strongest” warrior.

If Van is now the strongest in the kingdom, then the Marquis was definitely the strongest of his generation. 

His legendary feats are numerous and his overwhelming strength is known and feared internationally.

“The fact that the major eastern countries haven’t exploited our recent coup is also thanks to the Marquis.”

“Hmm, he sounds like an impressive person.”

“Yes… So if possible, I’d like him to remain alive and come under our wing.”

“Alright, leave it to me.”

Van confidently pounded his chest, something unusual for him.

While he struggled with complex thoughts, he excelled in his areas of strength. 

If all he had to do was fight without overthinking, nothing could be easier.

“I’ll be the one to defeat the Marquis of Ulbers. Maybe I should head east right away?”

“But the letter says he will come to the capital, doesn’t it?”

“It wouldn’t be right to have him come all this way. He has his duties guarding the border, after all.”

Van replied as if it were the most natural thing.

Normally, a king would never leave his castle to visit a vassal’s land. 

Certainly, the previous kings of Aidron would never have done such a thing.

“Besides, there’s nothing much for me to do here. With you handling things and Medina here, I’m pretty free.”

While Van was good at fighting, managing the kingdom was not his strong suit.

He had left most of the royal duties to his sister, and recently, his wife Medina had been helping too. 

Every time they met, she would glare at him with a flushed face, but she took her work seriously.

“I’ll just go and come back quickly, so don’t worry.”

“Take care. I’ll send word that you are coming, so please, enjoy the battle to your heart’s content.”

With the casualness of someone going out for a quick errand, Van set off for the eastern borderlands.