Transmigrated as Baron, Married with my Lovely Maid Chapter 11

"Baron Atreus Vermillion...! Thank you for inviting into your throne room!"

Baroness Cecil Thornvale strode toward , gently tossing her long, golden-blonde hair.

I hadn’t expected a Baroness to be dressed in black, gold-accented combat attire with mystical ornants, like a high-ranking warrior.

At first glance, the brown-skinned, golden-eyed woman’s smile was seductive, but when I saw her carrying a blood-stained sword, I knew she was here to engage in battle.

"Do you think I’ll let you in?" I asked, eyeing Baroness Cecile warily.

"Of course not, Baron... I’m not welco... but I can get them to clear a path for to see you," Cecil replied confidently.

Damn it.

I knew this bastard had defeated all my soldiers who happened to be patrolling the fort.

My fears were true; Vermillion’s forces are still very weak compared to the forces of other territories.

The fact that she ca alone without her main troops and defeated all my soldiers completely shattered my pride as the top ruler of Vermillion.

"You know my purpose, Baron Atreus. Restore the dam you damaged. You’re disrupting the water flow in my territory," Cecil said calmly, his sharp gaze fixed on .

"...if I do that, the Vermillion Territory will die on its own. I’m only taking what’s rightfully ours, Baroness Cecile," I retorted firmly.

"You should be grateful that I didn’t imdiately attack your weak forces and behead you for causing chaos by altering the waterway, Baron Atreus. I’m only saying it once, and there will be no repeats." Cecila drew a sword from her waistband. "...restore the waterway, or you will be destroyed along with all your loyalists."

"You haven’t won against Vermillion until you defeat , Cecile," I challenged, rising from my throne.

"Baron Atreus...! Be careful...!" Leysha imdiately conjured up her magical shield, protecting herself and .

Cecile smiled, as if she knew I was challenging her.

A second later, Cecile’s figure suddenly vanished.

Leysha and I were shocked, imdiately looking around as she vanished like smoke, soundlessly, formlessly; just gone.

Faintly, I heard the sound of wind cutting through.

I reflexively grabbed my anti-magic dagger and—

CLANG!

I managed to deflect Cecile’s sword slash, which nearly tore through my neck.

This bastard managed to penetrate Leysha’s magical shield?!

I unleashed wind magic, sending her flying, but she had already jumped over and vanished.

I quickly got up, holding Leysha’s hand.

"B-baron, I—"

"Stay close to , Leysha!" I said, my heart pounding.

Not only was she fast, but I couldn’t detect this bastard Cecile.

I summoned Rhaevor and—

STAB!

A stabbing sound rang out beside .

Leysha stared at blankly, her mouth covered in blood.

A sword had just pierced her stomach from behind, soundlessly.

The magical shield Leysha had ford shattered instantly.

"LEYSHA!" I scread in panic, holding Leysha’s fallen body.

Although dimly visible, I saw Cecile quickly draw her sword and then move swiftly to slash at .

But I had already summoned Rhaevor’s Spirit.

Before Cecile could slash at my neck, Rhaevor lunged.

Rhaevor’s blow and Cecile’s swift slash collided.

CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!

Rhaevor managed to keep up with Cecile and then launched a counterattack, which Cecile parried.

Cecile retreated, pain-free, only slightly overwheld by Rhaevor’s successful kick.

"Tch... so you can use a leveled-up Spirit too, huh..." Cecille complained, waving her hand, which was slightly bruised from Rhaevor’s kick.

Damn it.

Even though I’d managed to keep up with Cecile, using Rhaevor at its highest optimization level was quite draining.

My body was sweating profusely and my breathing was labored, but I maintained my focus.

I used my healing magic to close Leysha’s wound.

Although the bleeding had stopped, Leysha still looked pale and weak.

With my inner gaze, I could see the flow of magic in Leysha’s body was disrupted.

Was she cursed?

"Your beloved maid isn’t dead, Baron Atreus... but her magical abilities will be blocked," Cecile said, confirming my suspicions.

"You take pleasure in the suffering of those weaker than you, huh... pathetic, Baroness. Just because you failed to defeat in my throne room doesn’t an you can do as you please. How can the people of Thronvale remain subservient to you, soone who only tortures the weak?" I asked provocatively.

Cecile’s expression imdiately turned to one of annoyance and anger.

"Watch your words, Baron Atreus...! There’s no one who can insult the greatness of the Thornvale family! We have always been revered and praised by those in our territory! If you dare, let’s settle this conflict with a formal and prideful duel at my place! I will prove that Thornvale is far superior to Vermillion...!"

Good.

She’s taken in by my provocation.

From the fight earlier, I’ve already determined that Cecile’s abilities are roughly equal to mine, but I still need more preparation to defeat her.

Many of my soldiers are injured, especially Leysha, who needs special treatnt.

I still need ti to rectify all of this before I can properly and optimally duel with her.

"Very well, I accept your challenge. I will make sure to co to your place and we will duel there...in the presence of your n. We’ll see if you will still be praised or humiliated for your defeat."

Cecile put her sword back.

From her heavy breathing and sweaty body, I could tell she was feeling the sa exhaustion as after fighting Rhaevor.

"Just so you know, Baron Atreus... many Barons and Baronesses have fallen in our dueling arena. And their heads bear witness to Thornvale’s glory. I’ll give you seven days to prepare because I can’t wait to slaughter you there."

Cecile then left the throne room.

I let out a long sigh, relieved that the damn Baroness was finally gone.

I imdiately called the healers to administer more intensive treatnt.

I saw Leysha’s breathing was still ragged and her body was shivering.

Unfortunately, Cecile’s damn curse was still bothering Leysha.

"Baron Atreus... it looks like Leysha needs special treatnt," said one of the healers.

"What kind of treatnt?" I asked.

"Her body is shivering and sweating profusely because her blood flow and magic are disrupted. To fully recover, Baroness Cecile will need to undo the curse, but there’s a special treatnt to ease Leysha’s pain and fatigue for current ti."

"Explain the treatnt to ."

The healers looked at each other, then one of them dared to approach and whisper, "Lying together naked can help ease the pain, Baron Atreus."

Ha, if that’s the case, I’m happy to do that.

"Take her to my room. You also imdiately mobilize assistance for the wounded soldiers," I quickly ordered the healers.

Then, my gaze shifted to the commander of the soldiers, "Strengthen the defenses. I understand our troops are fragile and vulnerable, but for now, there’s no need to worry because Cecile won’t attack us for seven days. In the anti, focus on recovering. I’ll find a way to win this duel and replenish our forces."

"Understood, Baron Atreus."

The soldiers and healers left.

I hurried to my room.

Leysha needed my hug.