Chapter 631

Martin looked visibly uncomfortable. At this point, exposing Vivianus would serve no purpose. No one would believe him.

Shirley and Henry’s kiss had been so intimate, and the evidence he held was weak at best. The officer’s record was far from spotless, yet Martin had still tried to take a bold risk, only to be outmaneuvered.

He had to admit Vivianus was shrewd. With Henry’s support and powerful forces behind him, Martin realized he needed to rethink his approach if he hoped to expose him.

“It’s nothing,” Martin said stiffly. “Just wanted a closer look at Your Highness’ presence.”

The words came out awkwardly, prompting suppressed laughter from the crowd.

Shirley tilted her head, amused. “Well then, I’ve been out of practice since the injury. Haven’t handled a mecha in weeks. Why don’t we spar a bit in the training arena? Might give you a clearer view of my ‘presence.’”

The crowd erupted. No one had expected Shirley to come out so bold and commanding.

Despite his flaws, Martin was among the more capable city lords. But his ambition had long been an open secret.

During the previous conflict between Judy and Shirley, he had wavered constantly, playing both sides. It was clear he had stirred the flames while pretending neutrality.

Now, with Shirley challenging him openly, the onlookers were thrilled. Many hoped she’d put Martin in his place.

They were Shirley’s loyal followers. She had fought hard to build her kingdom and brought order to the Kingdom of Xyperia. In contrast, people like Martin were disruptors, eager to incite war and seize power.

Martin accepted immediately. With Shirley delivering the challenge herself, he had no reason to decline. What caught him off guard was her audacity. He hadn’t expected this fake Shirley to be so bold.

“If Your Highness wishes to spar,” he said, “I’ll gladly oblige.”

“Very well,” she replied. “Activate the Sky Training Arena. We meet in twenty minutes.”

After witnessing Shirley and Henry’s kiss, Sean looked wounded. His eyes, locked on Henry, were filled with envy.

Henry, still reeling, wiped his lips with the back of his hand. His heart pounded as he had never experienced such an intense rush. The kiss had stirred something raw and unfamiliar, leaving him unsettled.

But when he caught Sean’s jealous stare, he returned the look coolly, almost as if to say Vivianus was beyond his reach.

Shirley glanced at Henry, a playful edge in her tone. “I’m going to get ready. Are you staying here?”

Her question made Henry’s heart lurch. Now that the adrenaline had worn off, guilt began to settle in. He found it hard to meet Vivianus’ gaze.

The kiss had been too real and involved. It wasn’t acting.

He started questioning everything. Had he been wrong about himself all these years? Was that why he had never felt drawn to any woman? Yet he had never once felt anything for his male friends, or any man at all.

Only Vivianus stirred this reaction in him. And now, Henry wasn’t sure how to face him.

“Depends,” Henry muttered.

“Okay.” Shirley gave him a long look but didn’t press. She turned and jogged off.

After she left, Henry quietly exited the banquet hall. The soft night breeze did little to calm his racing heart.

He lingered outside, lighting a cigarette in the shadows. He wanted, more than anything, to talk to Joshua, but returning now wasn’t an option. Instead, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a spheroid.

Then he paused. He didn’t even know what he was feeling. How could he bring this up to Joshua?

Besides, if Roy ever found out, he’d never hear the end of it.

The thought alone made his frustration worse.

Twenty minutes passed. The Sky Training Arena activated, a dome of golden light illuminating its surface.

Inside the palace banquet hall, panoramic projectors came to life, displaying every angle of the arena in vivid detail.

Shirley stood in her golden mecha, facing a second unit shimmering with a cool green glow.

The crowd stirred with anticipation.

Without warning, the golden mech surged forward. Shirley struck first.

Gasps echoed through the hall, followed by a rising wave of cheers. “Go, Your Highness! You’ve got this!”

Martin responded with force. His counterattacks were swift and aggressive, meant to showcase strength, as if to prove that a man, by nature, would always surpass a woman in both might and will.

Though this fake Shirley was a man and might possess some skill, he couldn’t possibly match Martin.

Yet as the bout continued, something shifted. Vivianus moved with an ease that unsettled Martin. His coordination with the mecha was seamless and instinctive. Each maneuver was precise, fluid, and bordering on uncanny. Martin was beginning to feel outmatched.

Then, without warning, Shirley caught an opening. A swift kick sent Martin reeling backward. Her spear twirled through the air, handled with effortless control, each strike instinctively placed, as if muscle memory guided her more than thought.

Jasmine watched the projection below, her expression tightened. Every move Vivianus made was identical to Shirley’s. It wasn’t just resemblance. It was replication, nearly perfect.

The duel intensified. Though Vivianus remained on the defensive, Martin’s rhythm faltered. His strikes grew erratic, his composure slipping.

At that moment, Henry stood and left.

To him, it was clear that Vivianus would win.

And he did. Ten minutes later, Martin was defeated.

The match had been riveting, though the outcome was bitter for some. The supposed impostor had put on a masterclass.

Martin exited the arena stone-faced. He had underestimated Vivianus. Whoever he was, his skill had left him humiliated and deeply curious.

Shirley descended from the arena soon after. Jasmine was waiting.

Despite the match, Shirley appeared calm, if anything, lightly exhilarated. “Where’s Henry?” she asked.

“He left.”

Shirley raised an eyebrow, mildly amused. She thought, ‘One kiss and he bolts? Is he really trying to avoid me now?’

Jasmine hesitated, then leaned in, lowering her voice. “Vivianus… has anyone ever told you how much you resemble Her Highness Shirley? I don’t just mean in appearance. It’s the way you carry yourself. The way you fight. I’ve studied her combat style. Yours is identical.”

Shirley paused. After a moment’s thought, she decided it was time to share at least part of the truth.

“I’m a woman,” she said quietly. “But I’ve lost my memory. I don’t remember who I was before all this. Still, everything here feels… familiar. Deeply familiar. I think I might be the Shirley you’re talking about.”

Jasmine stared at her, stunned. Of all the possibilities, she had never imagined that the double Henry brought back was the real thing all along.