Kapitel 3: If I Lose My Dignity, Might as Well Make Some Money For It
Vincent was laying down on his bed in his own room. His mother had come to pick him up later that day and brought him home.
She worriedly checked his body for injuries after hearing that he had been hurt badly from the countess herself. Finding no injuries, she asked him to explain himself. Thankfully he had already planned everything with the countess. He lied with a straight face saying that the countess had been kind enough to apply a super expensive ointment that healed his skin within hours. As for his internal injuries, his organs had been shaken up and he needed at least two weeks of bed rest.
And that is how he managed to escape the clutches of engagement while simultaneously earning two weeks of sleep in all day card.
Everything wasn't great though. The relationship between the house of Velma and Renn had completely broken off. While they weren't at each other's throats, the latter thoroughly hated the former.
While it was unfortunate, Vincent didn't think it was his fault in the slightest. Everything was Suzy's doing after all. He just used the duel to make a little profit for himself.
He spent the whole day lazing around while reading books, just the way he wanted. It was almost perfect. But like everything in life, good times lasted for but a brief period.
Rosie threw the door open and entered the room.
Vincent put his book down and spoke, "You should knock before entering others' room"
"How could you get your ass kicked like that? Well, I guess that's what would happen when you keep yourself locked in a room with books all day." She ignored his words and poked fun at him. "People are calling your opponent One Stroke Sword."
"What's with that cool sounding but dirty nickname? I am kind of envious."
She slapped the back of his head and berated. "What dirty? Get your mind out of the gutter. And aren't you ashamed of your loss?"
"You know I am against the use of violence. I would rather lose a fight than partake in such a barbaric competition to settle disputes."
She directed a pitying look at him. "No wonder you are so weak. You have a weak mentality."
"Leave me alone. Do you really have nothing to do that you are bothering a patient?"
"You know it's not like that. I was just worried about my little brother and came to check up on you."
Looking at the girl's fake expression, Vincent put up his guard and asked warily. "What do you want?"
"It's like this. Aunt Vivian is coming to check up on you." Rosie moved closer and poured him a glass of juice. "If she asks, will you tell her that you weren't hurt too badly?"
"So dad and mom sent you. What did they promise you if you managed to convince me?"
"Nothing. Nothing at all."
"I see. Then rest assured, I will be sure to explain my suffering and humiliation in excruciating detail to Aunt Vivian."
Rosie hesitated for a while but resolved herself to share the reward with him. But before she could say anything, the sound of heavy footsteps came from outside. The door flew open with great force and a woman with stern expression walked in. Following meekly behind her were Viscount and Viscountess Renn.
The rigid expression on her face melted away as soon as she saw Vincent. With a visage full of worry, she went closer to him and sat on the edge of the bed. "My poor boy. Look what they did to you. You look so beat up."
Vincent put on a pained expression as he spoke with difficulty. "Aunt Vivian, I am happy that you came to visit me. Please don't worry too much though. Countess Melnar said that I will be fine after two weeks of bed rest."
When she heard about the two weeks of bed rest, a switch flipped on her mind and she glared at her brother, Viscount Renn. "How could you do this? Didn't you even check on the girl a little before agreeing to the engagement proposal? Look at how much V suffered at the hands of that barbaric girl."
"Calm down Vivian. No one could have foreseen such a development. I was assured by Viscount Velma that his daughter was a kind soul..." The viscount spoke nervously to try and calm his sister down only to be cut off abruptly.
"Kind my ass. Does this look like something a kind soul would be capable of doing? That bitch didn't just sully his reputation but hurt him so badly in a duel." Vivian exploded with greater fury at her brother's words.
"Let's not get too worked up Vivian. We all thought that they would make a great match." Viscountess Renn cut in to try and defuse the situation.
"You are one to talk. Look at yourself. You married into a house that changed your name to Renee Renn. If anyone wants to talk about a great match, it sure as hell wouldn't be you."
The viscountess backed off as soon as the fury was directed at her. She hid behind her husband and pushed him to do something about his sister.
Viscount Renn tried mustering enough courage to speak up again when Vivian's glare was directed at him again. "And you, how could you take this lying down? Are you really my brother? How did you become so spineless? No wonder V got bullied. Do your job as a parent."
She lectured the couple thoroughly before chasing them away. A smile immediately replaced her anger as she turned back to Vincent. "Don't worry too much about the matter alright? Just rest for now. I will give another earful to those useless parents of yours later."
Putting on a pitiful expression, he spoke weakly. "Thank you aunt Vivian. In the end, you are the only one who truly cares about me."
"Awww, you little angel. How could someone do such a cruel thing to someone as adorable as you? But don't worry. I am here now. I won't let anyone hurt you." She spoke kindly to him and turned to Rosie, "Go fetch my bag. There's some healing elixirs in there so be careful. If anything breaks, I will make you pay for every penny."
Rosie cursed at her aunt for being so biased but didn't show it on her face. She knew just how scary Vivian could be. In the end, she directed all her hatred towards Vincent and went to get the bag.
*****
Three days after Vivian's visit, Vincent was having the time of his life. He could stay in his bed all day and no one would say anything. He would only get up to go to the washroom or eat. Servants passing by his room would look at him with pity, thinking that he must be bored after being confined to his bed for so long.
Little did they know that he was enjoying it very much. Almost to the extent that he had already made several plans on how to get injured again in order to continue this amazing lifestyle.
Several knocks sounded and Vincent said come in lazily. Mina entered the room with her signature high energy and spoke, "Master, Baron Helmak is here to visit you."
"What does that guy want now?" Vincent muttered to himself and replied to Mina. "Tell him that I am feeling specially unwell today and won't be entertaining any guests."
"Waah, the baron predicted you would say that and instructed me to tell you that he was here to talk business." The maid joined her hands before her mouth while being impressed at the baron's foresight and conveyed the moustached man's words.
As he began thinking what business he could possibly talk with the baron, the matter regarding the duel's recording came to his mind. Closing the book he was reading, he ordered enthusiastically, "Quickly, call him in. And bring over some refreshments and snacks."
The maid left and returned with Baron Helmak shortly thereafter.
"I see that your recovery has been going well. If I didn't know that Countess Melnar used an expensive medicine, I would have thought that you weren't injured in the slightest."
"Baron Helmak, your words are a bit misleading. If someone heard them, they would think that I were the kind of person who would secretly records duels, violating one of the oldest unspoken rules among nobles."
"But of course. We are nothing but two upright gentlemen who would never take advantage of others."
"Of course." Vincent nodded his head vigorously at those words before asking seriously, "So Baron Helmak, what brings you here?"
The smile vanished from the baron's face and he imitated the 'injured' boy's seriousness. "You see, I was working on this film revolving around a warrior and a wizard's duel. Everything's well and all, I have even secured a reliable network to distribute the film. The only thing is that I am having problem coming up with a name for this masterpiece."
"I see. This is a serious matter indeed." Vincent fell deep in thought before replying with a bright expression. "How about 'The Second Coming of the Monolithic Sword Saint'? Don't you think the strength displayed by the warrior matches the description of the Monolithic Sword Saint who was said to have crushed enemies with his herculean strength?"
"I was thinking of 'The Rise of the One Stroke Sword Master', but this definitely sounds grander. Now I am even more conflicted."
"Baron Helmak, doesn't your title sound a little bit too indecent?" Vincent spoke with furrowed brows. "Let's just go with my suggestion."
Though he said that, the real reason why he wanted to go with 'The Second Coming of the Monolithic Sword Saint' instead of 'The Rise of the One Stroke Sword Master' was to save his own dignity. He cringed at the thought of people pointing at him and saying, "Look. Isn't that the guy who lost to One Stroke Sword Master?" If that really happened, he wouldn't be able to show his face anywhere.
Baron Helmak twirled his moustache in thought. "Now that you say that, 'The Rise of the One Stroke Sword Master' indeed sounds like a cheap porn. Alright let's go with your suggestion. I have set the selling price to be two silver coins per copy. Each copy sold will make us a profit of a silver coin. Since you are selling your reputation for money, I decided to compensate you fairly and split the profit equally. Five bronze coin for you and five bronze coin for me."
While the man made it sound like he was being generous, the equal split was indeed fair so Vincent didn't say anything. The two then enjoyed a light snack brought by Mina while discussing various matters. The baron took his leave after everything was over, restoring peace to the room once again.
Vincent assumed the role of a bedridden patient once again and laid down while enjoying the scenery outside the window.
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein