Two problems

Court has continued on for a few hours with little of interest being brought up. Eventually, the long line petered out and the session ended with all visitors having left the place. Exhausted, you decided to come up with a system to limit the number of visitors at a time. "Anything else, Chancellor?"

Count Erwyn, your chancellor steps forward.

"There are two, Your Majesty. One is a request from the people of Luxem requesting you to censure the Count and Countess who, according to them, had gone mad. They had raised taxes excessively and robbed their own people of food and gold. While we cannot interfere in the matter of the domain, there is a high chance that the people would leave for nearby domains, creating unnecessary friction with other lords if we don't do anything."

You rub your chin thoughtfully. If the lord of the Luxem is indeed crazy, there's a chance the problem will escalate in the future. "You say that there's two."

"Indeed." Count Erwyn hesitates. "Prince Syroul issued a challenge for duel."

Prince Syroul, the butcher of Damaron, your step brother who was once in line for the throne until your father decided to strip him of the right due to his violent nature. That in turn angered his mother, the former consort of your father, the beautiful but dangerous Libitina. Libitina seems convinced that Prince Syroul is the rightful heir to the throne and will do anything to further the claim. That was the reason your father divorced her, something unprecedented in the royal family. He made that decision, upon learning of her excursions into the occult arts. Libitina is also suspected to practicing dark magic and allied herself with demons though those accusations were unproven, which is why she is still running around the place almost unchallenged.

Sighing, you ask. "What kind of duel?"

"Sword, to the ****. No magic, no trickery or trap"

"So, it will be a battle of swordsmanship." Prince Syroul may be a brute but he is strong, and his techniques are nothing to scoff off. If you think about it objectively, in a swords fight, there is a high chance that he would win, and kill you.

"Hmm..." You ponder what to do. There seem to be something strange going on. "Wait. Is the issue with Count Luxem connected with the challenge?"

"I think not... but Syroul said that it is best for you to see his mother."

"See Libitina?"

"Yes. However, she is dangerous. I can't suggest putting yourself at risk like that."