Invitation of the Crescent Moon - Chapter 31-40

31

Despite dozens of knights gathered in the training ground, the place was silent. None of the knights standing in formation dared to raise their heads.

Drushia quietly looked down at the sword extended to him. The rough, coarse hands holding out the sword. Even though he was kneeling with his head bowed, the tall knight’s presence remained undiminished.

“What am I supposed to do with that sword?”

“If you deem me unworthy, I will return it.”

The sword Aegonite offered was the one that the former Duke, Neoren, had personally bestowed upon him during his knighthood ceremony.

“I suppose your grandfather would be disappointed. The knight who used to hold back his temper even against impudent children has done something terrible.”

Drushia stood with his arms crossed as he reprimanded his knight.

Aegonite had lost his parents and his elder brother, who was the family heir, in that accident.

Would it have been better if no one had been found? A few weeks later, among the three missing people, only his brother’s body was recovered, but it had decomposed beyond recognition. Aegonite, who was seventeen at the time, was shocked after personally identifying the remains.

If only they had found him a little sooner, could they have recovered an intact body? Could they have remembered their loved one’s face somewhat properly during the funeral? Instead of this horrific nightmare.

Thinking that his parents’ remains must have rotted to bones somewhere at the bottom of the river where no one could find them, the boy refused food and wailed. It was Neoren who pulled him back from that state.

That’s why Drushia had overlooked the incident at the Security Force headquarters. He understood that when Aegonite had just arrived in the capital and encountered Igraine right before his eyes, he couldn’t contain his long-harbored anger. Given his fiery temperament and the depth of his accumulated resentment, he understood.

However, there was a line that shouldn’t be crossed, even with someone as detestable as Igraine.

“Why should I take the sword my grandfather gave you? Put it away.”

Drushia bluntly announced to the lined-up knights.

“Everyone will train in heavy plate armor for one week.”

The knights’ mouths fell open in shock. Though they couldn’t vocalize their dismay, a scream erupted from an unexpected source.

“Gasp, Your Grace! Heavy plate armor? Even on battlefields nowadays, such armor isn’t worn.”

It was Mihail, the aide who had been standing beside Drushia all along.

Heavy plate armor was so burdensome that wearing it was akin to carrying another person. With advances in metal refining technology, it had become a relic of the past that nobody used anymore.

As Drushia looked ready to retort, Mihail quickly added:

“Besides, heavy plate armor isn’t even on the knights’ equipment list.”

The knights’ gazes turned toward the brave aide.

‘Well done, Lord Orka. Just a bit more!’

‘Lord Orka is gutsy. He must not have been beaten before.’

‘His Grace doesn’t hit his aides. Instead, he’ll find other ways to crush him.’

Drushia sneered at the silently stirring atmosphere.

“What do you mean it’s not there? Search the oldest antique storage. And there are some displayed throughout the mansion. Gather them all and make them wear them.”

Realizing Drushia was serious, the knights’ faces turned pale.

“From now on, if any of you get heated over nothing and pick fights, I’ll add heavy equipment on top of the plate armor. Also, Mihail.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

“We need to go to the Grand Duke’s territory.”

“What? But I just got back not long ago.”

“Are you saying you can’t go because of that?”

Mihail’s face fell. For several months now, he had been traveling between the capital, the Grand Duke’s territory, and the Talion estate, looking exhausted.

But Drushia showed no mercy.

‘Look at that, look at that.’

‘His lack of tact is causing him physical suffering.’

The knights clicked their tongues at the tactless aide. Seeing this, the corner of Drushia’s mouth curled up slightly.

“Dorian, get the storage key from the butler and bring out the equipment.”

“Yes, understood!”

Dorian, the youngest knight in the mansion, answered energetically while glancing at the other knights.

‘Oh no, he’s serious!’

The knights quickly forgot their sympathy for the tactless aide as they contemplated their own fate of having to wear antiques.

After stirring up the training ground, Drushia, who had been in a low mood for days, turned to leave.

‘Whether this one or that one, they all vex me inside and out.’

He included himself among those who vexed him. Drushia stroked his heating neck, thinking of what had happened just days ago.

Let’s say what happened at the Imperial Palace was due to Ashika losing her mind. He thought the woman might be crazy, but in the end, he couldn’t push her away, and at some point, he found himself passionately exploring the woman’s lips.

‘I wasn’t myself then either.’

Since becoming engaged to Shafri, Drushia had stayed away from women. Even though it was a nominal engagement, he remained faithful to his friend and fiancée.

He excused himself, thinking it must be because he had abstained from women for too long, that he had thought himself above such desires but turned out to be a man who easily succumbed to a woman’s seduction.

But this time, he had made the first move.

‘What possessed me to do such a thing?’

Because he felt sorry for the woman who was pale and lost somewhere in memories of the past. Yet those pale lips were too tempting, and he unwittingly wanted to claim them.

The woman who bore the name Igraine. The woman who had lodged deep in his heart with an emotion he couldn’t identify as hatred or resentment.

Drushia exhaled deeply and turned to Kalf, who had been following.

“Send a letter to the Grand Duke’s territory in advance. Say I’ll be coming soon.”

“Will you be going personally?”

“The rumors about the Grand Duke’s territory are concerning. It could have passed quietly, but it’s growing too big.”

“Um, Your Grace.”

Drushia raised an eyebrow as Kalf, who usually spoke without hesitation, seemed to be wavering.

“The rumor hasn’t spread widely yet, but…”

“What is it?”

“It seems stories about the late Emperor are surfacing.”

Drushia’s expression hardened immediately.

“That story?”

“Yes. The late Emperor secluded himself for a while before he passed away. The rumor that it was due to the curse of the Grand Duke’s territory is resurfacing.”

Such rumors had circulated before. It was because the late Emperor, who had proudly conquered the Grand Duke’s territory, didn’t appear in public, citing injuries as an excuse. Later, when he returned to state affairs looking healthy, the rumors seemed to fade.

But everyone knew that from then on, the late Emperor suffered from chronic illness. The Emperor, who had originally been in good health, struggled with illness for nearly ten years before passing away at a young age.

“If that rumor spreads again, the Imperial Family won’t stay quiet.”

After the late Emperor’s death, the Imperial Family had not paid much attention to the Grand Duke’s territory issues. They had neither lifted nor strengthened sanctions, maintaining the status quo. Now, this would be like stirring a sleeping hornet’s nest.

“How did things escalate to this point? If the Imperial Family gets involved with the Grand Duke’s territory… Ah.”

A single fire incident in the commoners’ district had now entangled two pillars of the Empire with the Imperial Family in a battle of nerves.

“With the current atmosphere, it’s only a matter of time before those rumors spread.”

If that happens, the entire Empire’s attention would be focused on the Grand Duke’s territory.

“What about the arsonist?”

“We haven’t found any leads. The Security Force seems to have given up already.”

“Hah.”

He had deployed his family’s knights from the beginning because he had a bad feeling. But with no results, the situation was growing increasingly complex.

“This couldn’t have been an accident.”

Suspicion had now become certainty.

“Investigate how people were called to the clinic from the beginning. Also, find out who approached them and through what channels. Make sure to determine which family the healer belonged to.”

“Yes, Your Grace. And also.”

“What else?”

Drushia’s voice naturally sharpened due to the mounting problems.

“Baroness Hennessy’s funeral is this afternoon. We need to prepare now to arrive on time.”

“Ah, the funeral.”

Even with a nominal engagement, basic courtesies had to be observed. However, it wasn’t a visit he was particularly eager to make. Drushia reluctantly nodded.

****

The funeral was held at the cemetery under a light drizzle. If she had been a vassal belonging to the estate, she would have been sent there for the funeral, but this didn’t apply to Baroness Hennessy.

I heard that the Maiheller family had taken in the widowed Baroness after she lost her husband. Since then, she had been handling minor affairs for the Marquis’s family, standing in for the frail Marchioness.

Watching the coffin descend into the ground, Shafri sobbed. Seeing her struggling while being supported by a maid, Drushia wore a peculiar expression.

‘Didn’t she dislike her?’

Still, they had spent over a decade together, so the shock must be considerable.

The funeral was attended only by Erwin, the eldest son and young Marquis of the Maiheller family, Shafri, the second daughter, and a few household servants.

After the funeral, as Drushia was about to leave, Shafri approached her.

“Dru.”

Her trembling white hand grasped his arm. Seeing her pale face that looked like she might collapse at any moment, Drushia nodded.

“I’ll escort you to the mansion.”

As the two headed toward the carriage, a piercing gaze followed them. Drushia instinctively looked back and met Erwin’s eyes. With his deep blonde hair and blue-green eyes resembling Shafri’s. However, his other eye was golden.

The odd eyes of green and gold that were born only in the Maiheller family. There were rumors that it was evidence of mixed blood with the Imperial Family long ago, but nothing had been confirmed. The lineage of golden eyes had long been extinct in the Imperial Family, yet strangely, the Maiheller family still occasionally produced odd eyes with golden ones.

Eyes that should have been beautiful felt oddly unpleasant. Erwin gave Drushia a slight nod before leaving.

Upon arriving at the Marquis Maiheller’s residence, Shafri once again stopped Drushia as he was about to leave immediately.

“Dru, couldn’t you stay a little longer today?”

“If you need an escort to your bedroom, call a maid.”

Though not particularly known for avoiding women, Drushia never entered Shafri’s bedroom. Only a few times in the distant past when they were children. Since becoming adults, he strictly maintained boundaries.

Shafri’s lips tightened at that cold distance.

‘Yet people think we’re close.’

Until now, Shafri had left Drushia alone. He wasn’t the type to look at other women while having a fiancée, so she thought he would eventually see her given time.

But Drushia was consistent, both before and after the engagement. He firmly believed and upheld the notion that theirs was a formal engagement and the pretense that they were merely friends.

Never did she imagine Igraine would come between them.

‘Of all people, that woman!’

Shafri could see it. Whenever he had the chance, Drushia’s heated gaze followed Ashika. Clearly, Drushia was wavering. If left like this, even their superficial relationship might end.

Shafri sighed and took a step back.

“Then just to the reception room. I think a cup of tea would be nice.”

 

32

Drushia looked down at Shafri, who was holding his arm and wouldn’t let go. He thought it was unusual for her to be so clingy today.

When he reluctantly nodded, Shafri smiled weakly.

“Please wait a little while. I’ll just change my clothes and come back.”

With those words, Shafri hurried to her bedroom. Watching her walk away with a lifeless demeanor, Drushia reflected on the Maiheller family relationships.

‘Neither the Marquis Maiheller nor the Young Marquis are particularly warm people.’

Thinking about it that way, Shafri’s attitude was understandable.

Her mother was sickly so she couldn’t be with her from a young age, and her father and only brother were exceptionally aloof. Drushia, her fiancé in name only, wasn’t much different.

‘My presence probably isn’t helping.’

Perhaps it would be better for her to find someone to confide in as soon as possible.

‘I should take the initiative to look into it.’

A maid brought tea to the reception room, and shortly after, Shafri returned. She had changed out of her black funeral dress into a blue dress with minimal decorations. The dress, lacking volume, revealed the elegant curves of her body.

“Dru, your hair and clothes are wet. If you take off your coat, I’ll tell the maid to dry it.”

“They’re not that wet.”

“Then at least dry yourself off.”

Saying this, Shafri approached Drushia with a towel.

“No, it’s fine. Just…”

As Drushia tried to push away Shafri’s hand, her legs tangled and she lost her balance.

“Ah!”

“Shafri!”

Shafri’s body fell directly onto Drushia. He reached out to catch her, but upon feeling his hand touch her chest, he quickly withdrew it. Pushed by Shafri’s weight, Drushia collapsed onto the sofa.

The two lay on the sofa, completely pressed against each other. For a moment, a strong fragrance stung his nostrils. Not perfume, but the scent of incense that women apply during baths.

Drushia’s hands hovered in the air, confused.

“Shafri, this is…”

Drushia thought Shafri would get up on her own. However, instead of rising, Shafri wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her body even closer.

“How long…”

Shafri whispered as she raised her head.

“How long do I have to wait for you to look at me?”

“What are you saying? No, let’s get up and talk.”

“Ha, Dru. Why are you so dense?”

Realizing that Drushia was avoiding touching her body, Shafri became even bolder. A shadow fell over Drushia as he tried to retreat.

“Did you drink something? Why are you acting so unlike yourself…”

Drushia’s eyes widened in shock.

It happened unexpectedly. Shafri’s lips descended onto his face. But soon Shafri also opened her eyes wide. She realized her attempt had failed.

Shafri’s lips were blocked by a calloused palm. Realizing what had happened, Drushia was shocked.

“You…”

Drushia pushed Shafri, who was on top of him, toward the inside of the sofa and raised himself up.

“Dru!”

Shafri’s hands tried to grab him. But Drushia fiercely shook off the hands wrapping around his arm. Drushia’s expression, having instantly moved away, was colder than ever before. The consequence of crossing a line that shouldn’t have been crossed was quite painful.

“You, what are you…”

He was perplexed. No, more than perplexed, he was disappointed.

The deep green eyes persistently staring at him glistened unusually. Both her gaze and her strangely distorted face were unfamiliar.

“Dru, I’m sorry. I was too hasty.”

“No, I think I was mistaken. You’re of age now, and we shouldn’t drag this relationship on any longer.”

Drushia stroked his face with one hand and then let out a deep sigh. He even shook his head as if trying to shake off thoughts.

“Listen to me, Dru.”

“Let’s end this formal relationship here. It was an engagement we were going to end anyway.”

“No! I wanted you because I love you!”

Drushia, who was about to leave the reception room, stopped walking.

“Love?”

Drushia narrowed his brows and examined Shafri’s face. The teal eyes brimming with tears were beautiful. Beautiful enough to make most men’s hearts skip a beat.

But to Drushia, they evoked a strange aversion. He felt discomfort at the sudden display of affection in eyes that had been dry all along.

‘Is this another whim?’

Before their engagement, Drushia had dated quite a few women. He wasn’t dense enough to not notice the other person’s feelings for so long.

But in Shafri’s eyes as she confessed her love, there was a strange heat. Something uncomfortable to call affection. That trace disappeared like smoke before it could be grasped.

“I’ll take responsibility for breaking it off. That will be better for you too.”

“Dru! You can’t end the engagement like this!”

Despite Shafri’s desperate cry, Drushia remained cool.

“I’ll send the annulment document soon.”

This engagement didn’t have many complications. Since there was never any intention to proceed to an actual marriage, just a few documents needed to be sorted out.

Having said what he needed to say, Drushia immediately turned to leave. He felt an urgency to leave, not wanting to stay there any longer. He didn’t even hear Shafri calling after him.

‘Why do I feel so bad?’

Although he had drawn the line at friendship, Shafri was a beautiful woman. Beautiful enough that a healthy adult man would find it difficult to ignore. Yet he couldn’t shake off the unpleasant, uncomfortable feeling.

‘How can she be so different from that woman?’

He had lost his mind and rushed to a woman he had always thought he disliked, yet he felt a physical aversion to a woman he had been close to for 14 years.

He couldn’t understand this ridiculous situation himself. He just wanted to return to the Duke’s residence and wash away this discomfort as soon as possible.

****

Slap.

A sharp, flesh-tearing sound echoed through the study. The slender body, unable to withstand the man’s strength, tumbled to the floor.

“Pathetic.”

A cold rebuke fell upon Shafri’s head as she lay on the floor.

“What have you been doing all this time? You couldn’t bring down one man in a year, and now you’ve caused talk of breaking the engagement?”

Shafri pressed her lips together tightly and covered her smarting cheek with her hand.

It had been less than an hour since Drushia left the Marquis’s residence. She knew there were watching eyes and ears, but she hadn’t expected such an immediate response.

“Breaking the engagement, breaking the engagement!”

Erwin shouted, unable to contain his anger.

Excuses wouldn’t work. Knowing this, Shafri lowered her head and simply waited for this time to pass. But Erwin wasn’t going to let it go so easily.

“Fix this.”

“…Brother.”

“If your body won’t do it, sell your life to capture Duke Talion!”

Tears fell from her trembling green eyes. Her flushed cheek and pale face might have appeared pitiful, but Erwin remained unmoved.

Shafri’s gaze shifted behind Erwin. To Marquis Maiheller, who sat silently in his chair looking down at her.

The Marquis was relaxed. Even at the sight of Shafri crying, he simply leaned back in his chair, exhaling cigarette smoke.

When her eyes met the Marquis’s, Shafri hastily lowered her head. To her, the Marquis was a dark figure like the Grim Reaper and as massive as a mountain. A figure too frightening to even dream of resisting.

Erwin raised his hand again but clicked his tongue and withdrew it.

“To think I’ve cherished something so useless.”

Shortly after, two maids entered the study in response to Erwin’s bell. Without specific instructions, the maids routinely supported Shafri and took her outside.

“Rest well, Father, Brother.”

Even as she staggered out, Shafri didn’t forget her greetings. Watching this, Erwin’s face showed exasperation.

“Looking at her like this, she’s not completely hopeless. How can she not ensnare even one man with that beauty and body?”

Erwin turned to the Marquis, who had blond hair and teal eyes just like him. He felt a heavy pressure from the gaze quietly observing him. Even the slow gesture of tapping cigarette ash into the ashtray seemed to slowly constrict his breathing.

“Father.”

In response to his anxious son’s voice, the tightly closed lips opened.

“Duke Talion was never an easy target to begin with.”

“Still, he’s just a man. What’s so difficult about it?”

“He’s someone who never keeps a woman for more than a month. That means he doesn’t let anyone get close.”

“But hasn’t she been by his side for 14 years? Why couldn’t she use that advantage?”

“From the beginning, it was a task too difficult for Shafri alone.”

“I apologize, Father. I’ll try to reason with her.”

The Marquis’s expression remained consistently relaxed, as if this was nothing new.

“More importantly, that child has done something clever.”

“What? What happened…”

“You didn’t know, it seems.”

Erwin took a step back, startled by the Marquis’s gaze.

“I hear Baroness Hennessy tormented that child quite a lot?”

Erwin quickly tried to process what the Marquis meant.

Baroness Hennessy was the person who had been in charge of Shafri’s education and upbringing since she was young. He knew that the relationship between Shafri, who no longer needed tutoring, and the Baroness who continued to try to control her, was not good.

But was it a coincidence that on that particular day, the Baroness visited the poorhouse carrying relief supplies provided by Shafri? The silent gaze felt like a wordless rebuke, making it difficult to speak.

“And you say you’ll try to reason with her?”

“I…surely not.”

“Even a pet cat is only petted when it behaves prettily. Don’t let the cat climb all the way to the top of your head.”

The ominous tone sent a chill down Erwin’s spine. Fortunately, the Marquis didn’t press his son further.

“Have you found someone to replace Baroness Hennessy?”

“Ah, I’m still looking into it.”

“Make sure she’s managed well so she doesn’t get other ideas.”

“Yes, Father.”

He didn’t miss the warning contained in the severe voice. Erwin bowed deeply, taking in his father’s instructions.

Watching the Marquis empty the cigarette ash and refill it, Erwin knew it was time to leave. The attitude of completely forgetting the other’s presence was a sign that he no longer wished to converse.

Erwin quietly left the study and headed to Shafri’s room. In front of the room, the family doctor was just coming out.

“Noah, the treatment?”

“The Lady says it’s not necessary.”

“How stubborn. Come back tomorrow morning to check on her. Tell her it’s my wish.”

No matter how trusted the family doctor was, she likely didn’t want to show her bruised face. Knowing the reason why Shafri refused the doctor, Erwin clicked his tongue silently.

After confirming the doctor had left, Erwin opened Shafri’s door. As he entered, the scent of incense that Shafri had applied to her body vibrated through the air. It was a sweet and stimulating fragrance.

“Shafri.”

Shafri sat demurely on the bed and didn’t turn around. Knowing that she was deliberately not looking at him, Erwin didn’t press her.

Her posture, sitting doll-like and elegant in her nightgown that revealed her figure, along with her hair spread long on the bed, created a subtle disharmony.

“Are you upset? If I hadn’t stepped in, Father would have done it himself. You know that.”

To Shafri, who didn’t answer, Erwin spoke in an even sweeter voice.

“My beautiful sister.”

At the affectionate voice, Shafri finally turned around. As their eyes met, the corners of Erwin’s eyes gently creased.

“Brother.”

A fragile voice echoed in the quiet space. Erwin grabbed the doorknob behind him and quietly locked the door. The eyes looking at her sank deeply.

 

33

A gentle fragrance lingered in the darkened room. A pleasant scent that calmed the mind and led to deep sleep. However, it had no effect on the woman curled up in bed.

“Huk!”

Her suddenly opened eyes were bloodshot, and the deeply wrinkled corners of her eyes twitched. She wanted to flee the room immediately, but her frozen body wouldn’t move as she wished.

At the end of her gaze was the shadow of a person looking down at the bed. No, not a person but something else.

Pale platinum hair, cold like moonlight, flowed luxuriantly in the still indoor air. When the violet-blue eyes turned toward her, a sharp scream burst from the Empress Dowager’s mouth.

“Aaaagh!”

It was exactly the same appearance as when she had last seen her decades ago. The violet-blue eyes that didn’t seem human and the chillingly pale platinum hair.

“Ibis!”

The Empress Dowager widened her eyes and writhed. She barely managed to pull her immobile body up, grabbing the bedpost to raise her upper body.

“Go away! Stop it! Why are you tormenting me?”

The ghost-like wavering figure of a woman approached silently. The Empress Dowager contorted her wrinkled face and screamed more convulsively.

“I, I did nothing wrong. It wasn’t my fault!”

Facing the Empress Dowager, who was howling like a beast, the person—or whatever it was—opened their mouth. A voice resembling a human’s, yet one that resonated in the Empress Dowager’s ears like an auditory hallucination.

“You did nothing wrong?”

“It was His Majesty who did it. I knew nothing!”

The woman looked down at the Empress Dowager with a coldly subdued gaze. The violet-blue eyes flashed as eerily as their bizarre color.

“You subdued the knights. You opened the castle gates. You sold your family, your people to the Emperor’s army.”

“No, it wasn’t my fault! I, I only did what I was told!”

The Empress Dowager flailed her arms trying to avoid the approaching figure. She waved her skinny arms like hollow twigs and screamed in rage.

“You think a mere specter like you can harm me? You can’t do anything. At most, you can only torment my mind. Get out of here now!”

A cold sneer appeared at the corner of the woman’s mouth. Eyes full of killing intent pressure the frightened opponent.

“That’s why everyone thinks you’re mad. You’re going insane. Until you die, I will watch you descend into madness. Until you pay for the blood on your hands.”

Despite the Empress Dowager’s struggles, the woman’s face came closer and closer.

“You will pay the price, Ilerna. As much as the blood on your hands.”

“Aaaagh!”

The struggling Empress Dowager fell off the bed. As if she couldn’t feel the impact of the fall, she frantically moved her body and crawled on the floor.

“Is anyone there! Why isn’t anyone coming!”

After screaming like that for who knows how long, the door finally burst open.

“Gasp, Your Majesty!”

The head maid rushed to help the Empress Dowager who had collapsed on the floor. But the fiercely struggling Empress Dowager mercilessly scratched and tore at the person trying to hold her.

“Ah! Your Majesty, please be still!”

“Ibis! Bring that woman’s corpse! Drag it before my eyes!”

Deep in the night, the Dowager’s palace was thrown into turmoil. Awakened maids lit fires throughout the building, making it as bright as day, and gathered at the Empress Dowager’s bedroom.

“She’s already dead. Your Majesty, it’s just the ghost of a dead person.”

“Uh-huh, Ibis is dead, dead…”

“Yes, Your Majesty. So please calm down.”

The Empress Dowager, who had already lost her mind, lay back on the bed with the support of the soothing head maid.

“Your Majesty, this is medicine to help you sleep.”

The head maid poured medicine into the Empress Dowager’s mouth, handed by someone. But the medicine trickled down from the mouth of the dazed Empress Dowager, soaking her clothes.

“One more.”

At the head maid’s instruction, a waiting maid held out another medicine bottle.

“You need to take the medicine to sleep peacefully. Come now, just swallow slowly, Your Majesty.”

The gesture of coaxing was natural. After barely getting the Empress Dowager to take the medicine, the head maid withdrew from the bed.

“Wipe off the medicine and change Her Majesty’s clothes. Keep the bedroom lights bright like this.”

The head maid giving orders was also about the same age as the Empress Dowager, with visible scattered white hair. Having stayed by her side for many years, she skillfully directed the situation.

The midnight disturbance was resolved that way. The maids who had finished their duties left the main building and heaved long sighs.

“It seems to be getting worse and worse.”

“I know. This is already the fourth time this month. Searching for a sister who died decades ago, my goodness.”

“It must be because of guilt, right? They say it was the Empress Dowager who handed over evidence of treason and opened the gates of the Grand Duchy.”

“What’s the use of living in luxury with gold bedding? She suffers from ghosts her whole life and can’t even sleep properly.”

“Shh, if you gossip about this elsewhere, they’ll flog you immediately, you know?”

“Sigh, I don’t know. She’s so old, what if something happens to her?”

“Something’s already happened long ago.”

The maids whispering amongst themselves hurried back to their quarters.

****

The Empress Dowager’s face showed no trace of last night’s commotion. Her pale complexion was hidden under thick makeup, and her bloodshot eyes were washed with herbal water to maintain a clear color.

But she couldn’t hide the feeling of decline, like a lamp about to be extinguished. Her limp body and the overly large and ornate chair made it even more apparent.

“Why is the scent so strong? Doesn’t it give you a headache?”

The Empress Dowager irritably pushed away the teacup. It was tea she usually enjoyed, but today even that gave her a sense of rejection.

“I’ll have it changed, Your Majesty.”

The waiting maid quickly took the teacup and withdrew. Unable to contain her irritation, the Empress Dowager turned her arrows toward the person sitting across from her.

“Although you’re the precious daughter of the Marquis family, why do I barely remember seeing you?”

“Regrettably, my position was too insignificant to enter the palace much.”

“Marquis Maiheller left you like that?”

“My father didn’t particularly like me being prominent.”

Shafri lowered her gaze and answered politely. Not bothering to hide her displeasure, the Empress Dowager openly criticized her.

“If you needed help, you should have shown your face earlier. Are you treating me like an old woman tucked away in a back room?”

Instead of making excuses, Shafri apologized and lowered her head even more. She restrained her words, knowing there was nothing to gain by upsetting the Empress Dowager.

The maid who had left the reception room returned. Watching the Empress Dowager’s mood, she set up newly prepared tea utensils and filled the teacup.

“Ah, it’s hot!”

The Empress Dowager screamed as she lifted the teacup. Perhaps due to her weak hand, the handle slipped. With a loud noise, the teacup fell onto the table.

“Your Majesty!”

Shafri also rose from her seat in surprise.

“Your gloves are wet. Did you burn yourself?”

“Get away! How dare you touch me!”

The Empress Dowager, startled, clutched her hand. She hid her hand from Shafri’s gaze as if concealing something. It was an excessively intense reaction.

“I apologize. I overstepped.”

As Shafri backed away, a waiting maid approached the Empress Dowager with spare gloves. While Shafri kept her head bowed, the maid quickly replaced the gloves.

The waiting maids only did their jobs and quickly withdrew. In the midst of an uncomfortable silence, an attendant arrived.

“Your Majesty, Duke Talion has arrived.”

Color returned to Shafri’s face for the first time. The Empress Dowager straightened her slouched body and gestured.

“Let him in.”

A man with a larger and more solid build than the knight guarding the reception room entrance strode in.

His well-proportioned, balanced physique and firm muscles were like those of a knight, but his neatly styled blonde hair, refined features, and the aura emanating from his face were typical of a capital nobleman.

“I greet Her Imperial Majesty, the Empress Dowager.”

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen Duke Talion.”

The Empress Dowager brightened at Drushia’s visit.

Talion—a house that maintained a steadfast power on its own, regardless of the political landscape. It was a family that the imperial house and relatives-by-marriage coveted the most, but which remained aloof, lending strength to no one.

A figure who couldn’t be looked down upon even with his head bowed. Drushia’s solid face was as lofty as his family’s reputation.

“I heard you called for me.”

“Wouldn’t it be nice if you came before I called? Since no one visits me after I left the imperial palace, I had no choice but to take action myself.”

“Yet it seems Marquis Maiheller has paid you a visit.”

The Empress Dowager’s face hardened at the pointed remark. Unconcerned, Drushia’s gaze shifted to Shafri. Feeling the sharp gaze, Shafri slightly turned her head away.

“Duke Talion doesn’t seem to like this meeting.”

The Empress Dowager’s mood gradually worsened. Despite being exiled from the imperial palace, she was the mother of the current Emperor. No one had ever been this stiff in front of her, though they might whisper behind her back.

“How could that be? It’s just that this is the first time you’ve summoned me, and I found it curious that it would be now.”

“Perhaps because you stay away from social circles. Why is the Duke’s conduct so cold?”

“Having spent three years in the expeditionary forces, I’ve forgotten much of the capital nobility’s etiquette. I have many shortcomings compared to the generous Empress Dowager.”

‘Look at this?’

I called him stiff, but the way he subtly deflects is incredibly irritating. The Empress Dowager couldn’t even express her anger and just frowned. Suddenly, she remembered how her son had greatly respected the previous Duke Talion.

‘This youngster isn’t even half my age. Grandfather and grandson are exactly alike.’

She instantly recognized that clumsy persuasion wouldn’t work on such a person.

“Um, Your Majesty.”

Shafri gently intervened in the battle of nerves between the two.

“Yes, right. I almost forgot. The two of you have been engaged for a year, but you still haven’t set a date?”

Drushia’s eyes sharpened.

Shafri avoided his gaze, waiting for the Empress Dowager’s next words.

“I called you because I thought I’d give a wedding gift.”

“I had no idea Your Majesty had such interest in our wedding.”

Though he tried to maintain composure, he couldn’t hide his stiffened face. Drushia found this situation awkward. He didn’t understand why the Empress Dowager was getting involved in his marriage.

The Empress Dowager’s expression became more relaxed. There was even anticipation about how the other would react to what she was about to say.

“What good is it that my son is Emperor and my grandson is Crown Prince? They’ve driven me out of the palace like this and don’t even look in on me. For someone like me, connections that have continued from the past are precious.”

After being banished to the Dowager’s palace, most high nobles turned their backs on the Empress Dowager. Marquis Maiheller was one of the few who still maintained friendly relations with her.

The Empress Dowager elegantly touched the teacup with her fingertips and continued.

“As a wedding gift, I’m thinking of returning Talion family’s heirloom.”

Drushia lifted his head sharply, forgetting courtesy. His wide eyes crossed with surprise and doubt.

The Talion family heirloom. It referred to the sacred object that had been with the family since its founding in the early days of the empire. However, it was also an item that the late Emperor had almost forcibly taken decades ago.

It was a time when the Grand Duchy had been turned into a wasteland due to charges of treason. When all nobles were cautious about being caught for strict offenses.

The late Emperor had practically confiscated the Talion family’s sacred object. The excuse was that he would “keep it safe,” but in reality, it was no different from having stolen it. The Duke of Talion at that time gave the sacred object to the late Emperor and was instead instructed to manage the Grand Duchy.

“Has His Majesty the Emperor approved this?”

“His Majesty doesn’t care about such items anyway. Isn’t it better to return it to its original owner than let it rot in storage?”

If it was going to be returned like this, why take it in the first place? One couldn’t help but wonder.

“But, Duke Talion.”

The arrogant Empress Dowager carefully observed Drushia’s expression.

“Have you ever tried to retrieve it?”

 

34″What do you mean? I had completely forgotten about it since my great-grandfather presented it to the late Emperor.”

“Hmm. It’s not like it grew legs and crawled away on its own.”

The follow-up words were closer to a mutter. Drushia realized that there was some problem.

“What happened?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

It was something he would learn about when it was returned later anyway. There was no need to spoil the mood by mentioning it in advance.

There had been a time when that object, stored deep in the imperial palace’s warehouse, had disappeared. In fact, it had been a forgotten item, so no one even realized it was missing. Only when it was found lying around carelessly in the palace did it cause quite a commotion.

“Tell that to the Duke’s grandfather as well. He will likely be pleased.”

Drushia could neither affirm nor deny this. It was surprising enough that the Empress Dowager had stepped forward at his wedding, but he never expected that she would also put forth the family heirloom that had been taken from them as hostage.

“Let me know when the wedding date is set. I’ll personally attend to congratulate you.”

The Empress Dowager left after saying what she needed to say. It seemed as if she was giving Drushia time to think, but in truth, it was because she found his emanating presence difficult to bear.

Even though he kept his gaze lowered, suffocating anger flowed from Drushia.

‘Such arrogance. I should have broken his spirit earlier.’

But this was the Talion Duchy, whom even the Emperor could not treat carelessly. She didn’t want to stir up a hornet’s nest unnecessarily.

After the Empress Dowager left the reception room, Drushia also rose from his seat, without saying a word to Shafri.

“Dru. Let’s talk.”

Shafri grabbed him as he turned away coldly. Drushia stopped and looked back. His deep blue eyes were struggling to suppress his anger.

“I will not marry you, Shafri. Knowing that, did you still have to go this far?”

“You know what my position in the family is like. The only person who can support me is you.”

“So you’re asking me to sacrifice myself for you?”

“That’s not what I mean. You have to get married anyway, and what do I lack as your partner?”

Shafri’s words weren’t wrong. After all, marriages among high nobles were made through thorough political calculations. As long as the family balance and interests aligned, nothing else mattered.

However, Drushia didn’t want to consume Shafri in such a way. A beautiful person but one for whom he felt no affection as a woman. He didn’t want to push Shafri into the position of a wife that would be merely for show for the rest of his life.

That was the best consideration Drushia could show to a friend he had known for 14 years. But to be stabbed in the back like this…

“Grandfather kept warning me. That Maiheller’s status is different from what it appears.”

Despite the rank of Marquis, Maiheller was inconspicuous everywhere. However, Neoren questioned that quiet presence. Though he didn’t interfere due to the connection that had continued since childhood, Neoren found Shafri uncomfortable.

“Now I understand why Grandfather was wary of Maiheller. Was it His Majesty the Emperor or Her Majesty the Empress Dowager who the Marquis Maiheller set in motion?”

Shafri could not find words to retort and closed her mouth.

“Just because we broke off the engagement didn’t mean our relationship had to end. But I never thought you would try to hold my leash like this. So this is how you end 14 years of connection, Shafri.”

Drushia was the Duke of Talion. A steadfast sword and shield of the Empire that did not align with any political faction. The Talion whom even the Emperor of the Empire could not deal with carelessly.

And she tried to grasp him. Daringly, with the imperial family at her back. Anger bubbled up inside him. Drushia could not possibly accept such malicious intentions.

“Let’s end our conversation here. I’ll send Kalf to handle the rest.”

“Drushia!”

There was not the slightest gap in Drushia’s attitude as he turned away. Even the escort knights averted their gaze from his imposing stride as he crossed the corridor.

Something was going awry. The solid world he had lived in, everything he had taken for granted. No, perhaps even the things he had thought solid were actually an illusion. Like a fortress built without pillars, had everything been wrong from the start?

Drushia remembered where that starting point was. That night at the imperial palace. That Igraine woman had shaken Drushia to his core.

Questions and realizations that had begun to grow unknowingly in his heart. As time passed, they spread their branches wider, adding more questions.

‘Something is wrong. Very wrong.’

Drushia couldn’t get his bearings because he was anxious about what he was missing.

****

In front of the wall where the shade of dense trees blocked the hot sunlight, Ashika lightly took the hand of the escort knight and got out of the carriage.

Six knights from the family, not those who usually accompanied her. Their cautious attitude, not saying a word, put her at ease.

‘Except when necessary, they probably won’t come close.’

They had been brought along with that calculation in mind. Ashika glanced briefly at the knights surrounding her and headed toward the main gate.

Inside, servants were waiting to welcome their master. Due to the small size of the villa, there were fewer than ten staff.

“Welcome, My Lady.”

“Has everything been alright?”

“Yes. In such a quiet place, what could happen? It’s just been lonely without the regular visitor coming to rest.”

The elderly villa manager expressed his regret while looking at Ashika. This was a villa just a day’s journey from the capital, a place they had frequently visited when her father was alive. But that had all become a story of the past.

Ashika quietly nodded and entered the building. With six escort knights, only one maid, Marilyn, had accompanied her.

The manager followed behind, asking about various necessities.

“Your party is quite small. How long do you plan to stay?”

“Probably more than a week? I came here to be in peace, so send everyone except the minimum necessary staff back home. Make sure no one comes near my room except Marilyn.”

The manager looked surprised but didn’t question further. He thought that after the recent noisy news about the broken engagement, she had finally come to sort out her feelings.

Ashika instructed Marilyn to unpack, then spent a quiet time taking walks around the area and dining alone. Fortunately, no one questioned her sudden visit.

Shortly after sunset, Ashika called Marilyn to her bedroom. Marilyn’s eyes widened in surprise when she saw that Ashika had changed into pants instead of a nightgown.

“My lady, don’t you like the nightgown I gave you? Should I prepare something else?”

“Marilyn, I’ll be away from the villa for a while.”

“What?”

Marilyn was horrified at the unexpected announcement.

“W-what are you saying? Leave the villa?”

“Your job is to prevent people from approaching the bedroom and make sure no one discovers that I’m not here.”

“B-but…my lady. Where are you going alone?”

Marilyn was so shocked that her mind went blank.

If Jeanne had been there, she would have absolutely stopped this. But Marilyn, being just a maid, couldn’t stop Ashika. She must have deliberately left Jeanne behind knowing this.

Looking at the surprised Marilyn, Ashika continued in a gentle voice.

“I’m not going alone.”

“Who are you going with? Perhaps Sir Berth? Or is Sir Blanco coming with you?”

“No.”

A brief answer with no room for explanation. Marilyn clutched her hands together anxiously and asked.

“Then at least tell me where you’re going.”

“Marilyn.”

The quiet but chilling voice drew a line, telling her not to ask any more questions.

While Marilyn didn’t know what to do, there was a small noise from outside the door connecting to the terrace: tap, tap. When Ashika opened the door, Nile waved his hand from beyond the terrace.

“Oh, isn’t that Lord Geness’s assistant?”

Nile, who had cut his shoulder-length gray hair short, was smiling mischievously like a boy.

‘I wasn’t told that person would be coming along.’

Marilyn looked back and forth between Nile and Ashika with a bewildered face.

“Marilyn, keep quiet. Don’t forget what I said.”

“Ah, My Lady.”

“Please.”

Ashika left the maid who was stamping her feet anxiously and opened the door leading to the terrace.

Since her room was on the first floor, she could immediately reach the garden by just climbing over the terrace railing. Nile, as always, silently guided the way, leading Ashika out of the villa.

“Why are you making this so complicated? I had a hard time following quietly.”

“The horse?”

“It’s in the forest. I prepared as instructed, but can you really ride a horse all the way to the Grand Duchy?”

“Have you forgotten who I am? During regional tours, I have to ride a horse not for a week but for a month.”

“Usually… don’t ladies ride in carriages?”

Nile looked utterly disbelieving.

“That would take two months instead of one.”

Igraine’s territory was vast, and to complete the tour in a short time, she had to move at the same speed as the knights. That’s why Weive had pushed his only young granddaughter even more harshly. Ashika shook off the memory that suddenly came to mind.

“We’re not just going; we need to quietly follow Talion’s carriage that went ahead.”

Nile’s face became incredulous at Ashika’s calm explanation.

“That’s my specialty. But it’s not something I can do while bringing a lady along.”

“If you could do it alone, it should be possible with two. Guide me properly.”

Ashika’s attitude remained consistently the same. As elegant as if directing a servant, “Pour me some tea.”

Nile belatedly felt regretful. It felt like pushing a curious young lady and shoving her into a fire pit. The problem was that he was being dragged into that fire pit with her.

“You know that sounds really forced, right?”

“You wanted to go to the Grand Duke’s Castle. It might not be possible alone, but with me, it’s a different story.”

“Wait, are we going to the Grand Duke’s Castle now?”

Nile, who had been hesitating, opened his eyes wide.

“No. But I need to know why Duke Talion is going to the Grand Duchy at this particular time.”

Unlike Drushia, Ashika had never been to the Grand Duchy. All the business she handled was just paperwork.

Her grandfather Weive extremely disliked Ashika going to the Grand Duchy. She had brought it up several times but was firmly rejected and had given up. However, now she could no longer leave it alone.

‘If only my relationship with Talion had been ordinary.’

Then she could have at least proposed to go together.

Even if she were caught following him, she didn’t think it would be a problem. She was an Igraine, and when it came to the Grand Duchy, Talion should not monopolize information.

“I’ll just go by myself. Seriously, what lady in the world would personally step into something like this?”

“If I were just going to sit quietly and give orders, I wouldn’t have needed you.”

Nile closed his mouth at the quiet but firm tone. It sounded like she would tell him to leave immediately if he didn’t do as told—a cold voice.

‘Ha. This lady is quite stubborn.’

He thought she was timid, but once she made up her mind, she jumped in without considering the consequences. Her attitude of not caring for her own safety seemed dangerous rather than bold.

“Do you know the way?”

“If we’re going to the Grand Duchy, there’s only one road anyway. If we hurry, we’ll catch up soon.”

Yet the look in his eyes as he gazed at Ashika was clearly worried.

‘This isn’t what I had in mind.’

Moving freely in the Grand Duchy with Igraine’s backing—that was all Nile wanted, but things had gotten quite complicated.

Holding the horse’s reins, Nile gave an awkward smile.

“Should I help you, perhaps?”

Ladies receive assistance even when getting in and out of carriages. Could she possibly mount a horse without even a footrest?

“Why, do you want to offer your knee?”

In cases without a footrest, knights would willingly sit on the ground and raise their knee for ladies to step on and climb up.

Nile openly made a face.

“No, that’s a bit…”

“Then at least offer your hand.”

“Offer my hand?”

Ashika’s eyes narrowed. One could also mount a horse by stepping on the other person’s hand instead of their knee. Seeing his disgust, it seemed he hadn’t even considered that.

‘Acts so rough but might actually be a proper gentleman.’

Thinking this, Ashika grasped the horse’s reins and the front of the saddle, stepped on the stirrup, and mounted the horse in one swift motion.

Compared to the large horse, Ashika’s figure was small and delicate. However, her elegant posture as she held the reins and looked down was typical of a noble.

“Lead the way.”

Ashika gently patted the horse and instructed.

Realizing that his help wasn’t needed, Nile mounted his horse with an embarrassed face.

‘Please let us return safely.’

Nile prayed inwardly, extremely tense.

 

35

A brown carriage without any family crest engraved traveled along the rough mountain road. Drushia chose a carriage rather than a horse to avoid attracting attention.

“How many troops are guarding the Grand Duke’s castle?”

“About fifty territory soldiers are on duty in rotation. The knights dispatched this time are not involved in the duties at the Grand Duke’s castle.”

“Are they knights sent by grandfather?”

“Yes.”

Mihail answered with a haggard expression. His face, pale from carriage sickness, looked quite pitiful.

“Just endure a little longer. We’ll travel by horse from the safe house onwards.”

“Yes….”

Switching to horseback would be no less uncomfortable than the carriage sickness. Knowing this, Mihail didn’t feel particularly fortunate.

Suddenly, at the sound of someone knocking on the carriage, Drushia opened the window. Aegonite, who was escorting the carriage, had approached.

“Your Grace, suspicious men are following us.”

“Are you certain they’re following the carriage?”

“Yes. We’ve adjusted our speed several times, but they’ve maintained the same distance throughout.”

Drushia’s face hardened.

Rumors about the Grand Duke’s territory had already been circulating, mentioning the names of Talion and Igraine. That’s why he was particularly on edge during this journey to the Grand Duke’s territory.

‘And now we have someone tailing us.’

Just a little further ahead was Talion’s safe house. It was a place prepared long ago for travel to and from the Grand Duke’s territory, as knights frequently moved through the area.

From there, they would enter the Grand Duke’s territory through an unofficial route known only to a few of Talion’s knights.

“What should we do?”

“We can’t keep them on our tail. Shake them off.”

“Yes, understood.”

The Aegonite who received the instruction moved away from the carriage. He changed his horse’s direction and began to accelerate at once. It was a frighteningly fast speed even on the rough mountain road.

Nile, who had been following the carriage from quite a distance, tensed at the unexpected sound of approaching hoofbeats.

“My lady, just a moment. Please slow down.”

“What? Why?”

Ashika wondered what Nile was shouting about. But before she could hear his answer, she saw someone riding a horse heading straight toward them.

“What? Isn’t that from the party ahead of us?”

Ashika was also surprised when she spotted the rider. The figure, hunched low on his horse, was closing the distance at a terrifying speed.

The mountain path wasn’t very wide. It was dangerous to suddenly stop the horse or to try to avoid the oncoming rider.

Nile shouted urgently.

“My lady, to the side!”

Ashika’s reaction was a beat too slow. Before she could decide which way to go, she saw the rider drawing his sword.

“My lady!”

The Aegonite recognized the face of his opponent the moment he gripped his scabbard. His hesitation lasted only an instant.

Questions about why Young Duchess Igraine was here and for what purpose she was following Duke Talion vanished from his mind.

Hunching his body even lower, he swung his scabbard wide as he brushed past Ashika.

“Aagh!”

The horse, severely struck by the knight’s scabbard, reared up. Ashika lost her grip on the reins and fell, tumbling to the ground.

The sharp woman’s scream carried quite far. Hearing the fading sound, Drushia knocked on the carriage.

“Stop the carriage.”

Soon the carriage stopped, and the knights who were escorting closely approached.

“Did you hear that too? What was that sound?”

“It sounded like a scream, sir.”

Aegonite had turned his horse around alone to deal with the followers. But the knights were also confused by the sound of a woman’s scream.

“Let me borrow your horse for a moment.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

The knight handed over his horse without protest.

A strange premonition crossed Drushia’s mind. With a grim expression, he rode in the direction where Aegonite had disappeared.

The place where the problem occurred wasn’t far. Three horses standing still, a woman fallen to the ground, and another man supporting her.

Recognizing the familiar silhouette, Drushia was astonished.

“Lady Igraine?”

Ashika found it difficult to gather her wits after the shock of hitting the ground. Instead of Ashika, an enraged Nile raised his voice.

“Is it Talion’s chivalry to attack an unarmed woman without warning?”

Drushia’s gaze moved from Ashika and Nile to Aegonite, who sat stiffly on his horse.

“What happened here? Aegonite, explain.”

“I was shaking off the tail, but I had no idea it was Young Duchess Igraine.”

“You didn’t know? Aren’t you a knight? Can’t a knight tell at that distance whether the person is a man or woman, or whether it’s a familiar face or not?”

Nile’s expression grew fiercer as he shouted. However, Aegonite’s face showed no remorse.

“Who would have expected that someone of the Young Duchess’s standing would be following another’s carriage?”

“Aegonite, enough!”

Drushia quickly dismounted and approached Ashika. However, Nile blocked his path and placed his hand on his sword.

“I am Duke Talion. Let me first check if she’s injured.”

“Oh, so you’re the master of that ruffian knight?”

Upon learning his identity, Nile responded with an even sharper tone.

But Drushia didn’t notice the other’s hostile attitude. Right now, he could only see the woman sitting on the ground.

“Please don’t come any closer.”

Nile moved his body as if ready to draw his sword at any moment. Only then did Drushia take note of Nile, who was blocking his path like an obstacle.

“Who are you? I don’t recall seeing someone like you among Igraine’s knights.”

“Ah, yes. I’m not anything like a knight. I’m just the Lady’s attendant. The Lady is already startled enough, so please be on your way without frightening her further.”

“Shouldn’t we first check if she’s injured?”

Drushia’s patience was also at its limit with the continued interference. Despite the menacing aura he emanated, Nile didn’t budge.

Ashika, who had been catching her breath, finally lifted her head. Her spinning head found its place, and the two people confronting each other came into view.

“Nile….”

“My lady, are you alright?”

“Help me… up.”

Nile responded quickly to her whispered, small voice. He grabbed Ashika’s trembling arm to help her up and visually checked for wounds.

Drushia’s gaze followed the movements of the two.

‘What is this?’

He’s neither a knight nor someone she’s known for long, yet his manner toward Ashika is without restraint. An uncomfortable feeling crept up from deep inside Drushia’s stomach.

“Lady Igraine.”

“Duke Talion.”

Ashika barely collected herself and let go of the hand she had been leaning on Nile.

“I didn’t expect to meet in this way.”

“Are you hurt?”

“Since I can move on my own, I suppose I have no injuries. By the way, Baron Delfino.”

At Drushia’s gesture, Aegonite dismounted and approached. His stiff face showed neither remorse nor guilt.

Ashika was incredulous at this shamelessness and spoke coldly.

“Even if you wanted to kill me, wasn’t this method too stupid?”

“I didn’t know it was Lady Igraine.”

It was a forced excuse. Aegonite’s face turned bright red.

It was an action taken unconsciously, driven by hostility in a situation that required instant judgment. He knew what he had done was wrong.

Ashika was now fully aware. A sense of crisis at having nearly died and anger toward the opponent surged within her.

“Seems like you were hoping my neck would break and I would die, but too bad you failed.”

It was obvious mockery. But neither Aegonite nor Drushia had anything to say. No empty words—with bad luck, she really could have died.

“Shouldn’t we check for injuries first?”

“Are you trying to give medicine after causing the illness? I’ll take care of my own body.”

Though her appearance was a mess from rolling on the ground, her tone of rejection was icy. However, Drushia didn’t back down.

“There’s a safe house nearby. There’s a healer there too. It would be better to go together.”

“Knowing someone might be after my neck? I’ll decline.”

“Look, that’s….”

Drushia grimaced and glared at Aegonite.

Aegonite’s claim that he didn’t recognize his opponent was clearly a lie. But it was Drushia who had ordered him to shake off the tail without checking. Who could have imagined that Ashika would be following his carriage?

He should have been questioning why she was following him, but all such thoughts vanished from his mind.

“So you’re planning to ride a horse back in that condition? It takes more than a day just to reach the nearest village. Can you even ride a horse in that state?”

“It’s better than being surrounded by Talion’s knights who are desperate to get their hands on me.”

Despite her trembling hands, Ashika held her head high. That attitude wasn’t surprising to Drushia, which both reassured and frustrated him.

“I promise that no one from Talion will be a threat to Lady Igraine. So stop being stubborn.”

It would be unreasonable to ride a horse again right after such a severe fall. She may not have been injured, but she had suffered a great shock.

“Aegonite, go and turn the carriage around. We’ll escort Lady Igraine to the safe house. As for your punishment…, I’ll deal with that later.”

Drushia’s face was cold as he gave the order. Aegonite mounted his horse with a complicated expression and quickly left.

Ashika couldn’t insist on refusing anymore. The sun was already setting, and she needed to find a place to rest.

A while later, the carriage that had gone ahead returned. Drushia helped Ashika into the carriage, and Nile followed behind with the knights. Though his face was full of discontent, he couldn’t argue against the priority of Ashika’s need for rest.

 

36

When the carriage stopped, Drushia got out first and extended his hand to Ashika. Her expression became complicated as she stared at the hand offered to her.

“Don’t be stubborn over little things, will you?”

Drushia said bluntly, not withdrawing his hand. Even as Ashika’s hand hesitated, he waited persistently.

‘This is the second time already.’

That Drushia was extending his hand to her.

Could she ever have imagined a day like this? No, their relationship had already been changing.

Ashika knew she couldn’t refuse him. From the moment she had that bizarre dream in the imperial palace, Drushia had been stirring different emotions in her every moment.

Stories she wanted to ask about but couldn’t bring herself to. A powerful attraction they both silenced and avoided.

Why did you get on that carriage? Why didn’t you leave me alone when I was terrified? Why did you kiss me so tenderly and sweetly?

She found herself relieved to be close to him, even while angry about the knight’s misdeed.

A small sigh was heard, and Drushia gently pulled her suspended hand.

“Don’t pray or anything in front of the carriage door.”

She thought he would snort and ignore her, but he didn’t find it unpleasant to see her hesitating in front of him. Would she take his hand or not? That brief moment was rather anticipated.

Drushia led Ashika, carefully hiding his stirring emotions.

The building in the forest was completely immersed in darkness. It was so buried in the forest that one wouldn’t even know a building was there if not for the light leaking from the windows.

“I didn’t know there was a villa in a place like this.”

“It’s not a villa, but knights use it when they come and go, so it’s well maintained.”

“How many more places like this are there on the way to the Grand Duke’s territory?”

“Reconnaissance as soon as you get out of the carriage? Most of our information is probably already known by Igraine, isn’t it?”

“Unlike someone, I don’t scrutinize every little detail.”

“Yes. I acknowledge that Duke Igraine and Lady Igraine are different.”

Drushia readily agreed. His attitude, though alert, felt strangely non-hostile.

Before entering the front door, a chill ran down Ashika’s spine.

‘What is it?’

Turning around was an impulsive action. Behind her, Talion’s knights and Nile were following at a distance. Her gaze passed through the dark forest toward the sky emitting a faint light.

‘It’s a new moon.’

The moonlight, showing only a thin form, would naturally be dark, but this day felt particularly chilly. That light felt like someone’s gaze, making her spine tingle.

‘What am I thinking?’

Ashika shuddered and stepped through the building’s front door. Unlike how dark she thought it would be from outside, the interior lighting was intense enough to hurt her eyes.

Feeling dizzy, Ashika briefly closed and reopened her eyes.

It was a space too small to call a hall, yet quite spacious for a remote house. A woman in a simple dress greeted Ashika.

“Welcome. You must be tired. I’ll guide you to your bedroom and prepare bath water.”

“Ah, my companion….”

She belatedly worried that Talion’s knights might mistreat Nile. But Nile, who had been following just moments ago, was nowhere to be seen.

“Nile?”

Not only Nile but also Talion’s knights and Drushia were not visible. Only the woman walking ahead toward the inner part of the mansion.

Ashika blinked slowly. This strange feeling was certainly not the first time.

“Excuse me, where is Duke Talion?”

The woman walking ahead turned around. Her face, with a gentle smile, showed goodwill.

“He’s checking the luggage with the knights and will come in soon. The schedule is tight, so they’re taking time preparing thoroughly. There’s no need to worry.”

Ashika tilted her head but followed the woman’s guidance. After waiting in the bedroom for a while, she headed to the bathroom when told the bath water was ready.

Two maids waiting in the bathroom helped her undress and attended to her. Even as she yielded her body as if entranced, she couldn’t shake off the strange feeling.

When she put her foot in the bathtub, she noticed something was amiss. The warm water enveloping her skin was vibrating with a sweet floral scent.

‘Perfumed oil? A safe house has perfumed oil?’

Hadn’t he said it was a place where knights stayed briefly? It seemed strange that such a place would have perfumed oil, women’s items, and bedclothes that seemed perfectly fitted.

When she returned to the bedroom after bathing, the strange feeling intensified. On the bedroom table sat a wine bottle and two crystal glasses.

“What is that?”

“It’s wine to help you sleep. It’s prepared to suit your taste as per the Duke’s instructions. You need to rest as comfortably as possible because tomorrow’s schedule is tight.”

“Then have a good night, madam.”

The two maids finished their explanation without unnecessary words and left the room. Ashika froze, staring at the door the maids had exited through.

‘Madam? Who? Me?’

Suddenly, her head was spinning. Ashika tried her best to gather her confused thoughts.

‘Think, I need to think. Something’s wrong.’

But Ashika’s suspicion faded away with a strange memory.

A grand wedding ceremony held at the imperial palace. However, hearing that there was a problem in the Grand Duke’s territory, Drushia headed to the Grand Duke’s territory with his knights as soon as the wedding was over.

Ashika took a carriage separately to meet him. She was planning to spend the night here today and leave for Talion’s territory with Drushia tomorrow. So there was nothing wrong.

“Why am I acting like this?”

Thoughts that didn’t seem to be her own cluttered her mind.

“Why is my heart pounding so much? It just won’t calm down.”

Ashika drank one of the glasses prepared for the two of them alone. It was to calm her wildly beating heart. She emptied half the bottle alone like that.

As the intoxication began to rise, the bedroom door opened. The man who entered unhesitatingly was quite familiar to her.

“Ashika, was the journey difficult because the road was rough?”

“…Rushia.”

Drushia’s face brightened at the loving whisper-like call. The smile that spread across his face was so radiant like a flower that she couldn’t take her eyes off him.

“I missed you. So much that my insides were burning black.”

Drushia rushed over in one breath and embraced Ashika tightly. As his firm arms enclosed her, his woody, deep scent hit her. Ashika’s heart, which had barely settled down, began to pound again.

“What happened with the Grand Duke’s territory matter?”

“Ah, that’s for later. I need to pay for my sin of abandoning my bride on the first day of marriage.”

“Rushia….”

“I missed you so much. I didn’t want to be apart even for a moment.”

The mellow voice whispering in her ear revealed his passionate emotions. His deep exhalation expelled the longing he had been holding back.

His large hand stroked her spine. Even through the thin nightclothes, she could clearly feel his hot body temperature. Drushia’s hand carefully, but without hesitation, slipped into her clothes and grasped her soft bare skin.

****

His heavy body, soaked in sweat, pressed down on Ashika’s entire body. From his lips touching her forehead, rough breaths poured out.

“Ngh….”

Ashika set her nails on his back, slippery with sweat. In pain as if her body was being split, she unconsciously scratched his back with her nails.

“It hurts…Rushia.”

“Haa…, it hurts?”

Drushia stopped moving and raised his head.

“It hurts… it’s our wedding night, please be gentle….”

Drushia’s body stiffened. Ashika was too dazed from heat and pain to examine his expression. Only then did Drushia notice the faint smell of blood.

‘Damn it. I wondered….’

Despite trembling with pain, Ashika did not withdraw her gaze from him.

“…Rushia….”

A pitiful voice impossible to refuse. Drushia grabbed Ashika’s hands and pinned them firmly to the bed. First time or not, it was already too late. He couldn’t stop, nor did he want to.

Tears hung from her blurred black eyes. Drushia licked her tears with the tip of his tongue and slowly began to move again.

“Nngh… mmph.”

His hot lips swallowed the painful moans escaping from Ashika’s mouth. Between their overlapping lips, it was impossible to distinguish whether the escaping breath was his or hers.

Ashika was helplessly shaken under his stone-like body. The feeling of being under a huge pile of rocks. She didn’t know his body was this solid with muscle. The impact of the fierce collision made her feel as if her body was being thrown somewhere.

How did it come to this? Only the memory that today was their wedding night was repeated in her foggy mind.

Drushia comforting her when she was nervous as she entered the bedroom, asking her for a dance. The memory of him happily spinning her around in a thin nightgown, embarrassingly. A little wine and sweet kisses, and then… and then….

Ashika found it difficult to collect her thoughts. She wished he would stop now, and also wished she could just fall asleep holding him tight. Drushia was such a dear person to her.

“…Rushia.”

Ashika stroked his drenched back with her hand. Drushia’s shoulder stiffened as if startled by something.

“Haaa….”

Drushia slowly raised his upper body and exhaled a labored breath. Sweat dripped from his face, and his blue eyes, still excited, looked down at Ashika.

His persistent gaze seemed to examine every expression and the slightest muscle movement of hers, as if trying to confirm something. Finding his tense face somehow amusing, Ashika gently stroked his cheek. Her fingertips slid over his wet skin.

“Pfft….”

When Ashika laughed, Drushia’s face became peculiar. He seemed both surprised and as if he was frowning.

Ashika was content just looking at him. An endlessly numbing and longing feeling.

His golden hair darkened with sweat, his deep eyes looking at her, his moist, lively lips, and his distinct features with healthy complexion. She didn’t want to miss any part of the man in front of her at this moment.

After a brief silence, Drushia finally spoke.

“…Does it hurt a lot?”

Ashika chuckled at his worried voice.

“It’s okay. They say it’s always like that the first time.”

“Yes, it’s only like that the first time.”

The corners of Drushia’s mouth turned up. His mischievous, naughty smile felt unfamiliar.

“So now it’s your turn.”

“Huh?”

Before she could understand what that smile meant, Drushia’s upper body slowly tilted downward.

Feeling the sensation penetrating deeply once again, the smile disappeared from Ashika’s face. Instead, hot heat and excited breath took over her entire body. Between gasping breaths, she heard her name.

The desperately yearning voice continued endlessly until her vision became distant with the dizzying sensation.

 

37

Warm blankets and an unfamiliar scent. A soft sensation touched her stirring body. Skin smoother than any luxury fabric was wrapped around Ashika’s body.

Thump, thump. The sound of a heart that wasn’t hers filled her with an immense sense of comfort. Yet this excessively peaceful sensation felt strange.

Ashika struggled to lift her heavy eyelids. Beyond the curtained window, lazy sunlight filled the room. The decorations in the room, though simple, were made with high-quality materials and felt unfamiliar.

‘Where am I?’

Ashika frowned as she noticed the arms firmly wrapped around her body. A part of someone else’s body. She rolled her eyes to check beside her.

The disheveled golden hair gleamed brilliantly in the sunlight as if it might shatter, and the sleeping face looked infinitely peaceful. The distinct facial features clearly belonged to someone she knew well.

“Gasp…”

Ashika covered her mouth to stop herself from screaming.

‘What is happening?’

A shock so great it made her dizzy struck her head.

‘This can’t be. Why am I….’

However, escaping this place took priority over assessing the situation. Ashika slowly and carefully slipped out of the bed. The sensation of the man’s skin sliding against her bare skin felt vivid.

Her heart pounded wildly. She couldn’t imagine what would happen if Drushia woke up at this moment. The very thought made her head spin. Fortunately, Drushia seemed to be in deep sleep, still sprawled across the bed after she slipped out.

Her hands trembled and her mind went blank. What on earth had happened last night? No, what had she done last night?

‘Oh my god! That wasn’t a dream?’

Ashika quickly searched for her clothes with shaking hands and put them on.

‘I need to leave first. I’ll think about this once I’m out.’

She had to leave before that man woke up. She felt she needed to escape, terrified of the suspicions and countless questions he would have.

The building was quiet as it was still early morning. When Ashika stepped out through the front door, two knights blocking her way stopped her.

“Where are you going?”

“Where is the person who was with me yesterday?”

Ashika asked, trying to maintain her composure. The two knights exchanged glances, then one stepped forward.

“This way, please.”

Following the knight’s guidance, there was a cabin-like building slightly separated from the main house. As she approached, she could hear people’s voices.

“…Shut up.”

“Is this some new form of torture? Why not just quietly bury me in the ground?”

“I might just bury that mouth of yours.”

“You shameless bastard. Take off that knight’s armband. Aren’t you embarrassed?”

“Don’t change the subject and just tell me. Who are you?”

“Aren’t you tired of saying the same thing all night? Why not bring a parrot instead?”

“Is your name gilded? Why are you so precious about it?”

“I’m saving it because if your shit-smelling mouth says it, my name might start smelling like shit too, that’s why.”

“This bastard, seriously!”

Aegonite finally lost his patience and jumped to his feet. His face was red with anger as he exhaled heavily through his nose.

Unlike the fuming knight, Nile, who was locked behind bars, seemed relaxed. Though haggard from staying up all night, he didn’t back down at all from the large knight before him.

“So why did you take the Lady separately? I’m telling you, if anything happens to her, I’ll turn this place upside down.”

“How would you do that? Do you know how many knights are here?”

“I’m not afraid even if ten guys like you come at me, you shameless bastard. Give the Lady back.”

“Why have you been going on about ‘the Lady’ all night? Is there honey on her? Or are you something to her?”

“That Lady is my responsibility. Unlike you shameless Talion knights, I’m a man who fulfills his responsibilities.”

“Ah, seriously, this guy’s mouth is the only thing that works!”

The two were so busy growling at each other that they didn’t notice someone approaching.

Ashika stopped, her mouth open in surprise.

‘What I picked up was quite something. I thought he was a young nobleman, but he’s not even that?’

His ability to hold his ground and needle his opponent without backing down was unlike any type she’d seen before. She’d heard he was the eldest son of a viscount’s family, but his rough speech was like that of a mercenary who had been living in the gutters for a decade.

The knight who accompanied her also seemed bewildered by their argument. Aegonite was a loyal knight of Talion. It was strange to see such a man causing unprecedented trouble and getting involved in verbal fights since arriving in the capital.

“Um…, Captain.”

“What!”

Aegonite turned around with a shout.

“Oh, my lady!”

Nile recognized Ashika and jumped to his feet.

“Are you alright? Did anything happen to you?”

Nile’s question about whether anything had happened struck Ashika’s heart.

‘Did anything happen? Yes, something did. Something that turned my world upside down.’

Ashika barely suppressed her thoughts and answered.

“I’m….fine. But why did you bring Nile here instead of the main house? What’s going on?”

“That’s what I’m saying, my lady. This guy has been tormenting me all night.”

Nile raised his voice, pointing at Aegonite. Clinging to the bars with his eyes narrowed sharply, he looked like a child tattling.

Ashika covered her mouth to hide her emerging smile.

“It’s not funny. Look at my face. I haven’t slept all night. Do you see this dirt? I can’t sleep in a place like this.”

“What kind of guy is this.”

Aegonite glared at Nile with disbelief.

Ashika was equally dumbfounded. For a moment, she forgot about her current worries.

“Did Duke Talion order my companion to be imprisoned?”

“He didn’t say to treat him as a guest.”

Aegonite bluntly replied, avoiding Ashika’s gaze.

Ashika couldn’t be treated carelessly due to her status, but Nile was different. His identity was unclear—whether he was a nobleman or a commoner. Following the Duke was reason enough to detain him.

“I haven’t demanded your punishment yet. I’m still considering what to do.”

If Ashika were to bring up yesterday’s incident, even Drushia would find it difficult to protect Aegonite. Attempted assassination of a high noble. Whether done knowingly or not, this was clearly a serious crime.

Aegonite, with a reddened face, couldn’t retort. It wasn’t intentional on his part either. He had lashed out in anger. If his opponent had been another knight, it might have ended with just a fistfight.

However, his opponent was the heir to one of only four ducal houses in the empire, and a delicate lady at that. It was an inexcusably shameful act even by his own standards. Still, he wouldn’t apologize. Fourteen years of resentment was too great.

But Ashika had no time to dwell on Aegonite’s wrongdoing either. Her priority now was to leave before facing Drushia.

“We’ll postpone that discussion. I don’t want to be indebted to Talion any further. Have my companion and horses brought out.”

Aegonite looked at Ashika before turning his gaze away.

“Bring the horses from the stable.”

“Yes, Captain.”

The knight bowed respectfully and withdrew. Aegonite glared at Nile, grinding his teeth, and reluctantly opened the door.

“My sword.”

“It’s right there.”

The sword confiscated from Nile was lying on the floor in front of the iron bars.

“I guess trash only sees trash. A knight who throws someone else’s sword just anywhere.”

“This bastard, still running his mouth?”

“Why should I stop? I’d need something to be afraid of first.”

“You bastard, want to get beaten until dust flies even on a rainy day?”

“A knight should fight with a sword, not think about clubs first. Is that all you’re capable of?”

“Hey!”

Aegonite’s eyes rolled back as Nile continued to provoke him. The knights had to restrain him as he charged forward in a rage.

“Please, Captain. Please control yourself.”

“His Grace will be displeased if he finds out.”

Nile didn’t avoid the rampaging Aegonite. His hand rested on his scabbard, ready to draw his sword at any moment. Unlike his verbal sparring earlier, Nile’s expression was cold.

Only then did a chill run down Ashika’s spine.

‘He’s angry.’

She had thought that was just his personality since he engaged in endless verbal disputes. She had half taken it as a joke. The previously underestimated presence of Nile now felt different.

“Um… Nile.”

“Yes, my lady.”

The sharp gaze directed at Aegonite softened as it shifted to Ashika.

“Let’s put our plans on hold and return for now.”

“Can you ride a horse?”

As if they had never fought, Nile quickly forgot about Aegonite. Everyone internally clicked their tongues at this rapid change. Only Aegonite was still unable to calm his anger.

“I’m fine, so lead the way. Nothing good will come from staying here.”

Nile nodded and mounted the horse brought by the knight.

Just before mounting her horse, Ashika turned to Aegonite and coldly said:

“Today, for the first time, I felt sorry for Duke Talion. A servant who cannot control his emotions and causes trouble for his master is nothing but a liability.”

Ashika’s words were both advice and warning. After hearing harsh words from Nile and now Ashika, Aegonite struck a wooden pillar with his bare fist. With a thud, the wood visibly splintered.

Ashika mounted her horse with a sneer. However, the moment she raised her leg, her expression unconsciously hardened.

‘Ugh.’

As soon as she sat on the horse, a sharp pain shot through her lower body. Even the slightest movement caused a stinging pain that made it difficult to sit.

‘My god, what did he do to me.’

The thought of having to ride a horse to the villa in this condition made her dizzy.

“My lady?”

Nile approached as he saw Ashika’s face turn pale.

“Should we move with one horse if you’re struggling?”

“No, no. I can manage.”

Even if she couldn’t, she had to. Ashika urged her horse forward without hesitation. Too much time had been wasted already. The fear of encountering Drushia if he woke up made her forget her pain.

Nile followed behind Ashika silently, his face filled with concern.

 

38

Right after arriving at the safehouse, Drushia sent a healer to Ashika. However, the healer came back without even crossing the threshold of the room. It was because Ashika wouldn’t open the door.

After hearing the news, Drushia hesitated.

‘She fell off a running horse.’

Even if there were no injuries, he thought the shock would not have been small, which worried him.

“Lady Igraine.”

No matter how many times he knocked on the door, there was no answer from Ashika. His concern turned into anxiety, and he felt he needed to check on her himself to be at ease.

“Lady Igraine, excuse me for a moment.”

Wondering if she might be asleep, he opened the door and entered, but unexpectedly, Ashika was awake. She was sitting elegantly at a table.

“Wine?”

The head maid had given her wine to help her sleep, and it seemed she was drinking it alone.

“Why aren’t you answering? I need to know your condition so I can respond accordingly.”

Ashika put down the wine glass she was holding. The movement was strangely slow.

“Lady Igraine?”

As if his voice had been a signal, Ashika turned to look at him.

“…Rushia.”

Her broadly smiling face showed no ulterior motive or shadow. It was a warm smile that made their previous tension seem meaningless.

Drushia opened his eyes wide in surprise. His startled heart fluttered like someone who had been struck hard without preparation.

Ashika slowly rose from her seat and approached step by step. Her quiet footsteps, which didn’t even disturb the flow of air, strangely drew his attention.

“Lady Igraine, are you drunk? Why…”

“Rushia…”

When Ashika’s white hand approached, Drushia froze in place as if entranced. He couldn’t resist when her slender arms wrapped around his neck and pulled his face closer.

“What is this…mmhhmp.”

Lips moistened with wine gently covered his. Her small tongue invaded his mouth, rubbing against his thick tongue as if to squeeze it. The sweet taste of wine seeped into his mouth along with her fragrance.

With the slippery sensation wrapping around his tongue, a dizzying feeling he had forgotten awakened.

“Hmm….”

Her small lips bit his and wouldn’t let go. As if not wanting to give him time to hesitate, she sucked on the flesh inside his mouth while stirring it.

His breath grew hot. His heart vibrated loudly, thump, thump, and a tense heat rose from his lower abdomen.

Drushia pulled the back of her head and deeply sucked the root of her tongue. His experienced tongue tip invaded Ashika’s lips, rubbing against the delicate inner walls.

“Hmm….”

A moan mixed with coquetry escaped between her red lips. As their heated breaths intertwined, Ashika pressed her body closer against his. The soft flesh of the woman crushed against his firm muscles.

“…Ha….”

As the kiss deepened, Ashika’s sighing moans increased. Pushed by his force, Ashika stumbled backward, hit the edge of the bed, and fell. But Drushia didn’t stop.

The woman who had fallen onto the bed was completely defenseless. Gasping under the weight of Drushia, she still didn’t release her arms from around his neck. He could feel the smooth curves of her body beneath the thin dress she had changed into.

“…Haa, you….”

Drushia whispered as he barely managed to separate their attached lips.

“You started it first. If you want to stop, even now….”

“Ah, Rushia….”

Her voice, which sounded plaintive, swallowed Drushia’s last patience. Even if she told him to stop, he wasn’t confident he could. He couldn’t think of anything but the desire to take this woman right now. Her scent, like the fragrance of gentle wildflowers, was more powerful than any aphrodisiac.

That was why. He couldn’t bring himself to refuse.

As he removed the thin dress that was blocking his touch like an obstacle, he didn’t refuse the pleasure of touching her.

****

He never knew that an empty bed could feel so vacant. Although the pungent scent of lovemaking still lingered, the woman who had occupied his night like a dream was already gone.

“How could this happen?”

Even his voice murmuring in bewilderment felt like it belonged to someone else.

The emotion he felt looking at the empty bed should have been relief, but it was closer to emptiness, or even loss.

“To fall for that woman’s seduction.”

It was none other than Igraine. The aftermath of that realization was quite fierce. But what was more astonishing was that he felt not a trace of regret. He even had the crazy thought that it was fortunate it had been him.

“First time…..it was that woman’s first time.”

Even though there had never been any scandals about her, to think she didn’t even have any romantic experience.

“But why me of all people?”

Is she planning to use this as leverage for some demand?

When his thoughts extended that far, his heart beat rapidly. It wasn’t anger or suspicion. Rather than getting angry at the possibility, he felt expectation about what kind of demands she might make.

Yes, it was a strange excitement mixed with anticipation.

“How dare she pounce on me and then run away.”

The corners of Drushia’s mouth turned up. He would thoroughly make her pay for toying with him. Even as he decided this, the image of the woman’s naked body passionately entangled with his persisted in his mind.

****

“Aegonite, I’ll postpone your punishment until after I return from the Grand Duke’s territory.”

At Drushia’s instruction, Aegonite lowered his head. It was a situation where he had nothing to say even if he had ten mouths.

Drushia’s gaze at him was cold. His knight had committed an act that even a ruffian from the back alleys would not dare to do, so he couldn’t help but be dumbfounded. He was so astounded that even considering immediate disciplinary action was disheartening.

A long sigh escaped from Drushia’s mouth.

“So what did you find out from that guy? The one who was sticking close to Lady Igraine.”

“Well….”

Recalling Nile, heat rose to Aegonite’s face. The anger that had accumulated layer by layer overnight surged to the top of his head.

“Besides the name Nile, he didn’t provide any information.”

And even that wasn’t something he said himself, but rather something learned because Ashika had called him that.

“He’s no ordinary man. I interrogated him all night without letting him sleep, but he didn’t let slip a single word about himself.”

Rather than interrogating, it was more like being one-sidedly dominated. Since he hadn’t arrested a criminal, he hadn’t expected much, but it was more disappointing than he had thought.

Drushia found it difficult to shake off his disgruntled feelings. Unbelievable things had happened yesterday and today. At least for the Igraine he knew, it would have been impossible.

‘I should have asked why she was following me.’

He had completely forgotten about it while engaged in something even more absurd. Recalling the memory of last night, a hot sensation rose from his throat.

‘It’s like she’s completely changed.’

She had kept an unidentified man close and even seduced him. Recently, Drushia had found it difficult to maintain his composure whenever he met Ashika.

“He wasn’t in the reports I received last month. I need to reassess Igraine’s personnel information.”

Aegonite, who hadn’t been such an incompetent vassal before, bowed his head, feeling himself becoming infinitely smaller.

Putting aside his cluttered thoughts, Drushia departed from the safehouse as scheduled.

The party consisted only of Drushia, Aegonite, and the escort knights Kinvil and Mihail. Since Drushia didn’t need an escort, they were essentially accompanying him to handle miscellaneous tasks.

It was when they were passing through a wide forest path and turning onto a trail that was barely visible from the outside.

“Waaah.”

Everyone stopped their horses at the sound echoing like from beyond the dense forest.

“Isn’t that the sound of a child crying?”

“It seems to be coming from the direction of the carriage road. What should we do?”

“Let’s check it out before we go.”

A child’s cry on a road where not many people passed—it was difficult to just ignore it. The four of them turned back and headed toward where the crying sound was coming from.

Not long after, they saw a carriage tilted to the side of the road. Beside it was a man who looked like a coachman, bleeding from one hand and stomping his feet anxiously.

“Oh my, lords. Please help me.”

The man spotted Drushia and ran to him in one breath.

“What happened? We heard a child crying.”

“My wife and child slid down the slope, and I can’t pull them up. Please help me somehow.”

As Drushia and the knights dismounted, the man led the way and pointed to the side of the road. Because it was a mountain road, one side was blocked by a slope and the other side was a steep drop. The crying sound was coming from the steep side.

“Here, this way.”

“Waaah. Daddy!”

“Honey!”

A woman who appeared to be the coachman’s wife was precariously perched on the steep slope, holding a child who seemed to be about six or seven years old. While it wasn’t a cliff, it was a steep rocky slope without a single blade of grass, where they could roll down at any moment if they slipped.

“While I was checking the carriage, the child slid down. I got injured trying to remove the carriage wheel….My wife went down to rescue him but hasn’t been able to come back up.”

If the coachman went down too, all three of them might fall, so they were in a situation where they couldn’t do anything.

“Don’t you have a rope?”

“I do, but it’s not very long.”

The coachman looked anxiously at a nearby tree. The distance to where the woman and child were was too far to use a rope effectively.

“Bring it here. There are several of us, so it should be enough.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Understanding Drushia’s words, the coachman approached the tilted carriage. He seemed to rummage inside the carriage and then returned with a rope. Aegonite took the rope and tied it around the waist of Mihail, who had the slimmest build.

“Two will hold it, and one will go down.”

At Drushia’s instruction, everyone nodded and took their positions.

Aegonite and Kinvil held the rope from above, and Mihail carefully descended the steep rock. By the time they had let out almost all of the rope, he reached where the woman and child were.

“The child first.”

The crying child was transferred to Mihail’s arms. When the two of them were pulled up by the rope and reached the top where the road was, Drushia extended his arms to receive the child.

“Waah.”

The frightened child clung to Drushia’s neck, grabbing him tightly.

“Oh dear, you rascal. Come here. You shouldn’t do that to the lord.”

Concerned that the nobleman’s expensive clothes might be damaged, the coachman urged the child, extending his hand. However, the child burst into even louder tears and refused to let go.

“The child seems to be very frightened. I apologize, my lord.”

The coachman repeatedly apologized and pulled the child’s body forcefully.

As the child detached, Drushia felt a stinging pain on the back of his neck. He thought the resisting child had scratched him with their nails and dismissed it as insignificant.

 

39

Meanwhile, Mihail went back down the slope and carried the woman by the waist up to the top. After rescuing the child and woman, Aegonite, Kinvil, and Mihail rushed to pull the carriage out of the pit.

“Thank you, sir, thank you so much.”

Aegonite removed his gloves and shook them as he responded to the coachman’s gratitude.

“You could have been in serious trouble since hardly anyone passes by here. You need to be careful on these treacherous roads.”

“I’ll be more cautious from now on. Thank you again.”

The woman and coachman expressed their gratitude several times before leaving. After confirming the carriage had disappeared from view, Drushia’s party changed direction as well.

They didn’t rush their journey after exerting themselves. Perhaps after traveling for half a day more, Mihail suddenly spoke to Aegonite.

“Um, Captain. About that…”

“What is it?”

“That carriage earlier, wasn’t it a rental carriage?”

“A rental carriage? Why does that matter?”

Nobles almost never used rental carriages because they had their own family carriages. So they hadn’t paid much attention to it.

“Do people take rental carriages on long-distance journeys?”

Drushia stopped his horse and turned to look at Mihail. Mihail continued his explanation with a doubtful expression.

“Rental carriages are designed for well-paved city roads, so they’re not very durable. They’re completely inadequate for mountain paths like these. And there isn’t another city within a day or two’s travel from here.”

Belatedly, it struck him as strange. However, there was nothing else particularly suspicious about the encounter.

“They were commoners without any weapons.”

“Yes, that’s true, but…”

The man who appeared to be the coachman, his wife, and a small child. They seemed defenseless, so no one had been on guard. But the moment he heard Mihail’s words, Drushia felt a chill run down his nape.

“Excuse me, Captain…”

Kinvil, who had been quietly following, struggled to speak.

“What’s wrong?”

“Actually, I’ve been feeling strange since earlier. It’s…”

“Kinvil!”

Before Kinvil could finish speaking, he slipped and fell to the ground. Aegonite hastily dismounted and approached him. Drushia and Mihail also got off their horses.

“Aegonite, how is Kinvil’s condition?”

“His pulse is a bit rapid, and he has a fever.”

Drushia’s face hardened at Aegonite’s response. Unconsciously, he ran his hand over the back of his neck, which was growing hot. He had an ominous feeling.

“What could be the problem? It wasn’t Kinvil who helped the child and woman up, was it?”

“No, that was me.”

Mihail answered.

“The child, the woman, and the rope.”

Drushia muttered as he thought carefully. Those were the only people or unfamiliar objects they had contact with there.

“The… rope?”

Belatedly, Aegonite also recalled the situation.

“Only Kinvil wasn’t wearing gloves. But there’s no reason for them to do this to us, is there?”

“What if I was the target?”

If they had been short on people, Drushia would have stepped in to help too. Aegonite’s face instantly hardened.

“Your Grace, are you alright?”

Drushia quietly gestured to Aegonite. Sensing something was wrong, Aegonite moved quickly.

“Check the back of my neck.”

“Yes, excuse me, Your Grace.”

After politely asking permission, Aegonite pulled down Drushia’s collar.

“Your Grace, when were you injured?”

“Injured?”

“There’s blood everywhere. Didn’t you notice?”

Though he hadn’t felt any wound, blood had soaked through, thoroughly wetting the back of his neck.

“I didn’t feel anything.”

“You have a fever too. What on earth happened?”

“It must have been that child.”

Drushia muttered absently.

The youngest and seemingly weakest child had been the most dangerous opponent. Had they lived peacefully for too long? It was a mistake to have let their guard down because these people appeared to be unarmed.

“We’re returning to the capital. Aegonite, you take Kinvil, and Mihail, go ahead and inform Kalf about this. Have physicians and pharmacists ready and waiting.”

“Wouldn’t it be better to go to a nearby village and see a healer first?”

“If I was the target, do you think it would be that easy to cure? Besides, if they wanted to kill me, they would have used a deadly poison. We need to move while I’m still conscious.”

With one person already collapsed, Drushia didn’t know when he might fall too.

“We’ll return to the capital as quickly as possible.”

Drushia gave the order firmly as he mounted his horse. Hoping to maintain his consciousness, he hastily set off.

However, things didn’t go as planned. Drushia’s condition deteriorated rapidly, and he finally lost consciousness when they were just a day’s journey from the capital.

****

Despite attempts to maintain secrecy, rumors that Duke Talion had been brought in unconscious spread discreetly.

Under the direction of Chief Advisor Kalf, three family physicians who had been on standby rushed to attend to Drushia and Kinvil, but none could determine the cause.

“So we’re just supposed to sit here and do nothing? We should look for other physicians and find a solution!”

Kalf raised his voice for the first time. But no matter how much he pressed, there was no way to devise a solution that didn’t exist.

“We could contact the former Duke and request help from the Imperial Palace.”

“How long would it take to contact the estate, seek an audience with His Majesty, and summon the imperial physicians? Can someone who’s been unconscious for three days wait that long?”

Drushia remained unconscious throughout. His once-healthy skin tone had turned completely gray, unlike any poison they had seen before.

While Kalf was berating the physicians, a commotion broke out outside the door.

“Open it. I have enough authority for that much.”

“The Duke is in no condition to receive visitors.”

“I know that, which is why I’ve come. Butler, open it at once!”

The sharp voice was loud enough to reach inside the bedroom. Kalf left the physicians and opened the bedroom door.

“Baron Crowny, I’ve come to see Dru.”

Shafri, who had been arguing with the guard knights, brightened upon seeing Kalf. Behind her stood two unfamiliar attendants carrying large bags.

“This is a place for patients. It’s not proper to cause such a disturbance, Lady Maiheller.”

“Let me see Dru.”

“He’s in no condition to receive guests.”

“I already know that. I heard that neither his personal physicians nor other doctors can do anything. I’ve come to help.”

Kalf’s gaze shifted to the middle-aged man who had come with Shafri.

With a pale complexion, prominent cheekbones, and unusually large eyes, his fingertips showed green and blue stains. When he met Aegonite’s stern gaze, he quickly lowered his eyes.

“This is Noah, the Maiheller family’s physician and pharmacist.”

“Is he not from the Empire?”

“Is that important right now? He’s worked exclusively for our family for decades. Surely Baron Crowny doesn’t doubt the word of me, Dru’s fiancée?”

Kalf found it difficult to refute Shafri’s claim. Though Drushia had mentioned breaking off the engagement, he had postponed the paperwork. As a result, Shafri, as Duke Talion’s fiancée, was currently the highest-ranking person in this mansion.

While Kalf was exercising authority as the Duke’s proxy, he couldn’t ignore the fundamental difference in their positions.

“Please, let me help.”

Shafri was practically begging now. Kalf stepped away from the door with a stiff face. With this silent permission, Shafri entered the bedroom with her two companions.

“My God, Dru!”

Shafri was shocked to discover Drushia lying motionless on the bed.

“This is an unconscious patient. Please leave him to me for now, miss.”

Noah stopped Shafri as she tried to rush to Drushia.

At Kalf’s gesture, two guard knights followed them into the room. While Noah examined Drushia, Kalf and the knights watched with wide eyes.

“How long has he been unconscious?”

“Three days now. There’s another patient who collapsed five days ago and has remained in the same condition. His grace maintained consciousness for quite some time.”

Noah lowered Drushia’s upper garment to examine the wound on the back of his neck. Then he checked the red mark extending from his shoulder.

“The Duke personally went to the anomalous region with the expeditionary force, didn’t he? This was probably caused by what they call an expedition mark or expedition insignia.”

It was a fact known to everyone, with no secrecy about it.

“The expedition insignia is not a simple scar. It’s a mark that appears on people who have survived being engulfed by the anomalous region. I’ve heard it’s quite a powerful toxin that kills many people. Survivors seem to develop some kind of immunity, which must have acted as a first line of defense.”

“Can you find a treatment method?”

“We’ll have to look for one now.”

At Noah’s gesture, his assistant opened and spread out the bag. Among the numerous medicine bottles and unidentifiable tools, he took out a knife as thin and small as a paper cutter.

“What are you doing?”

Kalf intervened when he saw Noah bringing the knife to Drushia.

“I’m going to draw blood to check if it’s a poison I’m familiar with.”

Kalf and the other knights who had entered the bedroom grew stern. Noah calmly questioned:

“You asked me to find a method, didn’t you? Are you going to prevent the treatment?”

“Baron Crowny, please cooperate. I’ve vouched for him, haven’t I?”

Shafri stepped forward, looking around at Kalf and the knights. Kalf reluctantly instructed a nearby knight:

“Lend him your dagger.”

The knight took out a dagger from inside his garment and handed it to Noah. Noah used the knight’s blade instead of his own tool to make a cut on Drushia’s hand. While watching this, Kalf spoke:

“From now on, any tools to be used on the Duke will be prepared by us. Also, keep in mind that any medicine the Duke takes will be tasted by us first before it can be administered.”

Shafri was speechless at this unwavering vigilance. Noah filled a small vial with Drushia’s blood and turned to Kalf.

“If that’s the procedure, I have no objections. More importantly, we need to check if there are any other abnormalities on his body. Would you please remove the Duke’s clothes?”

Noah politely asked Kalf. Before giving instructions to the knights, Kalf turned to Shafri.

“Lady Maiheller, I would appreciate it if you would leave now.”

Kalf was one of the few confidants who knew the true relationship between Drushia and Shafri. While he needed help, he couldn’t expose his master’s vulnerability to just anyone.

“Then, Noah, I’m counting on you.”

Shafri complied willingly and left the room.

Under Kalf’s command, both knights and the Duke’s physicians moved in perfect coordination. After basic treatment, servants came in to clean the messy room. Bloodstained clothes were also removed.

After Noah began treatment, Shafri insisted on staying at the Duke’s residence. No one could dissuade her from her claim that she couldn’t leave her unconscious fiancé alone. Eventually, Shafri was given a guest room.

 

40

In the display room filled with images of ancestors bearing the name of Talion. Dark curtains were drawn on the windows to prevent the paintings from being damaged. Drushia blinked slowly as she faced the peculiar darkness.

‘Why am I here?’

His blank gaze slowly drifted until it stopped at a certain point. In the middle of a wall filled with large portraits flaunting the family’s status, an unusually small frame caught his eye.

It was a round-shaped frame, about the size of two outstretched palms. Peculiarly, it had a large jewel embedded at the top. The strange blue-purple jewel revealed its color vividly even in the darkness.

‘Isn’t that the portrait of the first family head?’

He had never seen it before, but had heard of it. That the person in this small, seemingly unremarkable frame was the founder of the Talion family.

As he approached to get a closer look, the frame that had been hanging on the wall suddenly fell. In a sealed room with no wind.

‘Huh. Why?’

The fallen frame made a loud noise as it hit the floor. Even the blue-purple jewel that had been firmly embedded popped out.

“Oh my goodness. Why did this fall?”

While he was thinking about whether to call a jeweler or a frame maker, someone’s voice was heard from outside the door.

“Your Grace, where are you! It’s urgent!”

At the urgent voice, Drushia picked up the jewel and put it in his pocket. He picked up the fallen frame, placed it on the shelf, and apologized in his heart.

‘I will call someone to repair it soon.’

“Your Grace, please come out quickly!”

The voice calling for him grew louder. The commotion coming from downstairs was unsettling, and he could no longer delay. Drushia hastily opened the display room door and went outside.

****

“Ugh….”

“Your Grace! Are you conscious?”

Kalf’s voice echoed loudly in Drushia’s ears. He struggled to lift his eyelids, but his vision was blurry and he couldn’t see properly.

“Your Grace. It’s Kalf.”

Though he tried to answer, his tongue was stiff and wouldn’t move as he willed. Even his thoughts weren’t functioning properly, as if his mind was covered in fog.

“…office… seal… grand…father….”

“Are you saying to seal the office? We’ve already contacted the estate.”

Drushia slowly blinked to indicate yes. His gaze fixed on Kalf, waiting for what he would say next.

“…report….”

He was asking for a report on the current situation. Kalf hesitated, not knowing what to say. The Ducal family’s physician couldn’t provide an answer, saying “unknown,” while Maiheller’s physician gave an even more desperate answer.

[It’s a difficult poison to neutralize. Treatment is possible, but it might take a long time and could leave significant aftereffects.]

[Aftereffects, such as?]

[He might have difficulty moving his body.]

A death sentence had been delivered overnight to the healthy man leading one of the Empire’s great families. How could he bring himself to say such words?

“We need to observe your condition a bit longer. The treatment is proving difficult.”

It was too early to draw conclusions. Kalf spoke euphemistically, but Drushia read the hidden anxiety in his words. However, even his thoughts weren’t connecting properly, and his consciousness was fading.

At that moment, the door opened and Shafri rushed in.

“Dru! Are you awake?”

Though the figure before him wasn’t clear, he recognized Shafri’s voice. Drushia’s brow furrowed.

‘Why?’

His cloudy eyes, lacking focus, still expressed his question. But even that couldn’t be maintained for long. A powerful drowsiness overtook him, swallowing his will to stay awake.

“Dru, Dru!”

Shafri sat in the chair beside the bed and took Drushia’s hand. Drushia, who had lost consciousness again, showed no signs of waking up.

“He was awake just now, wasn’t he? What did Dru say?”

Kalf looked down at Shafri with a stiff face but didn’t answer.

“Baron Crowny.”

“Excuse me, Lady Maiheller.”

Kalf brushed aside Shafri’s question and left the room.

Despite having seen his face for years, Kalf remained rigid. He was equally unkind to everyone, which was somewhat comforting.

“Sigh, that iron wall.”

Shafri shook her head and shifted her gaze to Drushia. The hand she held was large and cool. Despite being longtime friends and fiancée, she couldn’t remember holding this hand more than a few times.

“Master and servant, how alike they are.”

“Lady Maiheller. The Duke needs to rest.”

The knight guarding outside was still watching her without closing the door. Shafri put Drushia’s hand back under the blanket and stood up.

“Ah, so fussy.”

Shafri checked Drushia’s face once more and reluctantly left the room. The escort knights checked Drushia’s complexion with worried expressions and quietly closed the door.

Drushia awoke the day after Maiheller’s physician began treatment. The people of the Duke’s residence, who had been fearing the worst, sighed with relief.

Shortly after, Kinvil, who had fallen into a coma before Drushia, also woke up. However, he was unable to control his body and couldn’t leave his bed.

Contrary to the expectation that he would quickly recover, Drushia only regained consciousness occasionally and showed no signs of recovery. Meanwhile, Shafri stayed at the Talion Duke’s residence continuously in her capacity as fiancée.

****

The garden of the Igraine mansion was much larger than those of other noble residences. Inside were several annexes in addition to the buildings surrounding the main house. Among them was a hunting lodge built by a family head who enjoyed hunting.

Far from the main house and now filled with dust as no one used it anymore. Ashika carefully opened the old door and entered.

The annex was the size of one large room, with various weapons and hunting tools hanging on one wall, and objects of unknown use leaning against the walls on the floor.

“My lady, you’ve arrived?”

“Hello, my lady.”

The person who came with Jeanne was an unfamiliar face.

“Yes, is there any new information?”

Though her expression was calm, an undeniable tension was felt in her voice.

“He still can’t get up. It seems Duke Talion’s regular duties are being handled by his assistant, and the Knight Commander has sealed the mansion. It’s essentially difficult for outsiders to approach.”

The woman in her early thirties said her younger sister worked as a maid in the Duke Talion’s residence. She had been passing along information occasionally, but this was the first time she had asked to meet in person.

“Didn’t you say the Duke’s fiancée…, Lady Maiheller, is there?”

“Yes. She’s staying there as an exception. Since the Duke woke up thanks to Maiheller’s physician, they seem to be relying entirely on them for treatment.”

“It’s already been over ten days. You say there’s no improvement? Is the treatment actually working?”

Ashika’s voice rose. Though it wasn’t the woman’s fault, she unconsciously took on an accusatory tone.

When she had fled from Talion’s safehouse, she had been afraid of facing Drushia.

What had happened to her? Was she really going mad? Would that man notice the problem? How could she mitigate the night they had spent together? She had been anxious with such thoughts.

Then came the thunderous news to Ashika.

Drushia, on his way to the Grand Duke’s territory, had lost consciousness for unknown reasons. Hearing that he was hovering between life and death due to an unknown poisoning, her world went dark. Being skilled with the sword, wouldn’t it have been better if he had been attacked by an assassin instead?

“Then why did you want to meet today?”

“Well… this.”

The woman took out a bloodstained shirt from the bag she had brought.

“What is this?”

“I secretly retrieved it from the incinerator where it was thrown to be burned. I heard it was what the Duke was wearing when he was first brought in.”

Seeing the dark red dried traces, Ashika felt dizzy.

‘That’s his blood.’

Her hands trembled so much that she couldn’t bring herself to receive it.

What was that man to her? Just a man with whom she had spent one night due to strange circumstances. Wasn’t he the man who growled at her whenever he saw her and persistently bothered her, the man she couldn’t stand?

Ashika, with a pale face, struggled to maintain her composure.

“They were going to burn this?”

“It’s strange, isn’t it? Isn’t this evidence from the time of the incident?”

Jeanne tilted her head and questioned. Ashika couldn’t understand it either.

“Who disposed of it?”

“I don’t know. Maybe they thought it wasn’t necessary for the investigation process.”

Ashika shook her head at the woman’s answer. This was an assassination attempt on the Duke of Talion. It couldn’t have been handled so carelessly.

“Thank you for your effort. Give me the evidence, and tell your sister that she’ll be contacted soon.”

Ashika handed over the payment she had prepared to the woman.

“Thank you.”

The woman smiled brightly as she received the heavy pouch.

“Jeanne, where is Nile?”

“He should be in Lord Geness’s office.”

Ashika nodded and hurriedly left the building. Shortly after Ashika disappeared, Jeanne escorted the woman out of the mansion without being noticed by others.