I wonder whether the story will tackle to issue at the beginning about the maid, and the MC's royal side of the family. Or whether that part was considered finished plot line with the royal side believed that the MC had passed away.
It broke his concentration the moment he needed it most: he is completely focused on MC to perfectly time his counter, when he suddenly receives a stab from an opponent he didn't even suspect to exist.
And then he will receive a broadsword to the face.