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Chapter 91
In a quiet corner far from the bustling party hall, Helwin, dressed in a formal tailcoat, stood with a frown.
His gaze was fixed on a baby monster trapped inside a large iron cage.
“Damn fools. Do they think monsters are toys? I’ve warned them countless times about how dangerous they are…”
The nearby knights on guard swallowed hard.
A faint, ominous red aura began to rise from Helwin’s body.
The baby monster, which had been thrashing and crying just moments ago, trembled in fear at the mere sight of him.
Helwin let out a deep sigh, restraining the fury boiling inside him.
“Of all things, it had to be an orc.”
The monster that had terrorized the nearby forest for nearly a month was an orc—a humanoid monster renowned for intelligence.
Helwin remembered the struggles from the past when he had led monster hunts in the north; the orcs would lead other monsters, leaving entire areas in ruin. Orcs were clever and notoriously cruel.
“Luckily, it doesn’t seem to be part of a larger group, just the female and her young…”
Orcs with offspring were extremely vicious. Capturing a baby orc last time had been sheer luck.
Until now, monsters were largely confined to the north, so encountering one in the capital or other regions was extremely rare.
Perhaps for this reason, the royal family did not immediately execute the baby orc they had captured.
“They should have killed it the moment they caught it.”
Though it trembled in fear now, Helwin knew all too well the hidden threat beneath its fragile appearance. After all, why were they called monsters?
He had heard that the baby orc would be executed publicly at tomorrow’s hunting festival as a lesson for everyone.
Helwin wondered if nothing disastrous would happen until then.
A throbbing headache made him turn away.
“Do not approach the cage under any circumstances, and ensure at least five guards are stationed nearby. Even a baby monster has the strength of an adult man.”
“Yes, sir!”
The knights stood straight, taking his words seriously. Though Helwin still felt uneasy, he forced himself to walk away with heavy steps.
“Lucia.”
“Ah, Bern. Have you finished all your work?”
Bern had returned after briefly stepping away while Lucia and her friends were enjoying themselves. He greeted her friends and took her hand.
“Yes, fortunately, I was able to finish everything successfully.”
“I see. If you’re uncomfortable here, just let me know. We can go somewhere else.”
Lucia whispered cautiously, concerned Bern might feel out of place among her friends.
“I’m fine. I hope this will be a chance to get closer to your friends.”
As always, Bern simply smiled and said he was fine.
Thanks to that, her friends could clearly see the intimate way Lucia and Bern were speaking.
Christine, envious after confessing her engagement, looked at them with longing.
“You two really get along well. I hope I can have an engaged partner as close as you two are.”
“Ah? Hahaha, you’re too kind.”
Bern was momentarily flustered by the unexpected compliment but soon returned a cheerful laugh.
“By the way, are you two wearing matching outfits today? You look quite similar.”
Arista, perceptive as always, noted their matching attire. Indeed, they had coordinated their summer outfits in light green tones.
With matching yellow topaz earrings and brooches, they were even more eye-catching.
Lucia smiled faintly, fiddling with the hem of her dress.
‘It’s pretty, but…’
The dress Helwin had given her suited her far better.
Sein had insisted she wear such a beautiful dress for the summer festival, but Lucia had no intention of wearing it.
‘I can’t give Helwin the chance.’
She couldn’t appear at the party in a dress given by another man while her fiancé was present.
Lucia silently thanked her luck that Helwin wasn’t at the party yet.
“Indeed, your outfits are quite similar.”
Before she could relax, a familiar voice spoke from behind. Startled, Lucia turned to see Helwin, impeccably dressed in his tailcoat.
His expressionless face scanned Bern and Lucia before softening into a smile when their eyes met.
Lucia nervously fiddled with her hands.
“It’s been a while, Marquis Casper.”
“Yes, it has. This is our first meeting since our last meal together, isn’t it?”
Unexpectedly, Helwin greeted Bern first, and Bern gladly shook his hand.
This was a marked change from before, when Helwin had shown displeasure at Bern.
“I heard there have been monsters appearing near the capital. I also heard His Highness is leading the efforts to capture them. Is that true?”
“Yes, that’s right. You hear news quickly.”
“It’s public knowledge. Remarkable, catching monsters like that. I’m not suited to physical work, so I can only envy you.”
“Monsters are still rampant in the north, so it’s only natural.”
Lucia watched the conversation anxiously. So far, there were no power struggles or uncomfortable words exchanged.
She had expected Helwin to be more wary of Bern, but instead, he seemed to accept him as he was.
Though the atmosphere was surprisingly smooth, Lucia had no idea what Helwin was truly thinking.
Bam! Ta-da! Bam-bam!
Trumpets and other instruments rang out loudly. Everyone turned their attention to the emperor and the royal family.
“Even in this hot summer, I thank you all for attending without fail. This summer festival…”
The emperor gave a short speech to mark the beginning of the festival.
While everyone was focused on him, Helwin subtly approached Lucia and whispered.
“Did you like the gift I sent last time?”
“…Yes, it was pretty.”
“Good. I thought it would suit you. I think it suits you better than the outfit you’re wearing now…”
A soft smile eased across Helwin’s face.
“You’ll wear it tomorrow, right?”
“…No. I already have another outfit planned.”
“Too bad.”
Though he sounded disappointed, it wasn’t in a way that suggested expectation. He had never assumed she would wear the gift.
As their brief conversation ended, the emperor finished his speech. The orchestra began playing, and the crown prince and princess, along with the princess and Ares, led the first dance.
Soon, others followed, pairing off and stepping into the ballroom.
“Lucia.”
Naturally, Bern extended his hand to his fiancée. Lucia took it, moving forward with him.
Still, she couldn’t help but glance back at Helwin, who stared at them with calm, crimson eyes.
A shiver ran down her spine.
Like a painting, Helwin watched every move of Lucia and Bern as they danced. Arista subtly approached him.
“Are you okay with this?”
“What do you mean?”
“You said you liked Lucia, but are you just going to stand there?”
Helwin smirked.
“Of course, I’m not just standing by. I’d love to be her first dance partner, but since she’s engaged to the Marquis, I can’t. Dancing with someone who isn’t her fiancé would raise eyebrows.”
“You’re restraining yourself out of consideration for Lucia?”
“Yes, and before I didn’t know why, I simply didn’t like Marquis Casper. Now, knowing I like Lucia, I can’t act rashly like before. But one day, I will win her over.”
“…No wonder you’ve been quieter than usual.”
Arista shook her head at Helwin with an amused look. By the time they looked around, other friends had already disappeared into the dance.
Ethan was inviting the woman he liked to dance. Brian and Christine…
“Huh?”
They were dancing together in the ballroom.
Arista was slightly flustered; she had assumed everyone had paired off individually. Helwin, however, was focused solely on Lucia and unaware of this.
“Oh, isn’t that Princess Lydia? Seeing everyone here.”
A soft, teasing voice reached them. Arista frowned reflexively.
Becky appeared with Lucas, looking triumphant.
Lucas stiffened when he saw Helwin.
“…You’ve come too, young lady?”
“It’s the summer festival; I couldn’t miss it. But is the gentleman beside you… the person you fancy?”
Though she must have known he was from the Feneus family with his black hair and red eyes, Becky deliberately tried to provoke Arista.
Both Helwin and Lucas were taken aback by Becky’s words.
“Becky, that’s Helwin. Even if they’re close, it’s not like that.”
Lucas explained on behalf of Arista and Helwin. Helwin whispered to Arista, visibly displeased.
“Who is she to just say that? And why is she with Lucas?”
“…She’s my brother’s girlfriend.”
“Girlfriend? Has he been seeing her all along?”
Helwin couldn’t even remember if Lucas had such a girlfriend, given how much he changed over time.
“Oh, I see. My apologies. I thought you two were a couple because you seemed close.”
Though Becky apologized, Helwin didn’t find it sincere.
“I have someone I truly care for, so refrain from baseless assumptions.”
If it weren’t for Lucas’ girlfriend, he might have reprimanded her.
‘Why would he have such a person as his girlfriend?’
Helwin looked at Lucas and noted the slight nervousness in his eyes. Lucas quickly looked away, but Helwin caught the subtle tremor in his gaze.
Their previous falling out explained Lucas’ awkwardness. Perhaps he hadn’t forgiven Helwin yet.
Helwin intended to use this opportunity to get closer to Lucas once more.
“Brother, long time no see. How have you been?”
“Uh… I’ve been okay… How about you? I heard you were sick…”
Lucas unexpectedly brought up Helwin’s illness. Having been close to both Lucia and Lucas for a long time, he was clearly trying to mend their strained relationship.
Helwin smiled gently.
“Yes, I’m fine now. No more pain. Thank you for worrying.”
Lucas’ shoulders tensed at the gratitude, feeling guilt for being the cause of Helwin’s illness.
He wanted to apologize but couldn’t utter a word, as if a thorn blocked his throat. Arista caught his gaze, her gentle purple eyes comforting him.
It’s okay.
Her lips mouthed silently, offering encouragement. Bolstered by her support, Lucas met Helwin’s gaze.
“I’m sorry for before. Even if emotions ran high, I shouldn’t have acted rashly… I have no excuse, truly. I’m really sorry.”
As Lucas bowed and apologized, Helwin, unaware of the situation, and Becky were startled. Only Arista smiled subtly, quietly supporting Lucas’ courage.
