THJDM 28

chapter 28

Elion called Fred, who was standing right beside him.

“Fred.”

The moment Fred met Elion’s gaze, he immediately understood what Elion was about to say.

“Yes, understood. Please go ahead first, Your Highness. I will report back as soon as the work is finished.”

This was the capability of a secretary who had served his lord closely for the past ten years.

“Alright. I’m counting on you.”
“Leave it to me, Your Highness.”

After Fred bowed respectfully and the knights stepped back, Elion extended his hand to Rubiana for escort.

Hesitant at first, Rubiana soon took his hand.

On the way to the carriage, Rubiana looked up at Elion with a slightly embarrassed expression.

“Is it okay if I go alone? This seems important; shouldn’t Your Highness stay here?”

“Because it’s important, the Deputy and the Saint are coming along. So it’s fine if I step aside. There’s nothing I can do here anyway. The matter of recalibrating the barrier is entirely under the Deputy’s jurisdiction.”

“Still…”

“And especially today… it’s better if I’m beside you, so you feel at ease.”

“Ah…”

She recalled the false excuse she had made to keep him near, and now he was using it just like that!

And with that dazzling, harmless smile!

For a moment, Rubiana’s heart fluttered lightly.

‘Ugh… this ticklish feeling, what is this?’

The carriage carrying the two moved slowly, and Rubiana’s heart continued to pound.

“Oh, by the way…”

Breaking the silence, Elion spoke.

“Thanks to you, I made an important discovery. We knew there was a problem with the barrier, but no one knew exactly where or what the issue was.”

“Me? No way!”

Rubiana shook her head vigorously in protest.

“You were the first to discover that magic circle, Your Highness. I just… saw the snake.”

“That’s true, but…”

Elion tilted his head slightly.

“…what an incredible coincidence and a stroke of luck.”

“Indeed. It’s amazing.”
“Yes. Truly amazing.”

Seeing Rubiana laugh somewhat awkwardly, Elion’s gaze calmed steadily.

“Deputy and Saint, welcome.”

At the appearance of Deputy Boris and Saint Florencia, the knights and priests who were waiting respectfully bowed.

“Yes, everyone has worked hard. This is a significant achievement.”

Under the Deputy’s commendation, one of the priests spoke politely.

“All credit goes to Duke Klitzman. He claims to have discovered it by chance while passing by.”

“Oh, discovered by chance? Goddess Ipolito must have been with the Duke. But I see, the Duke must have left first. He is a busy man, after all.”

Fred, watching the timing, quickly spoke.

“Since it is a matter affecting the capital’s safety, the Duke also wanted to stay, but he had prior engagements and could not remain until the end.”

“That figures. That’s fine. No problem. After all, this matter falls under the temple’s jurisdiction. Now, let’s handle the magic circle in question.”

“Yes, this way.”

A priest guided the Deputy and Saint to the location of the problem magic circle.

But no one noticed that Florencia’s expression was unusually stiff.

‘I thought I could see Elion even for a moment. How important was his prior engagement that he couldn’t wait even a little? He must have known I was coming!’

Frustration surged.

As she bit her teeth to control her temper, she felt a gaze directed at her.

Turning her head, she saw Fred, Elion’s secretary, staring intently at her with a somewhat puzzled expression.

Florencia offered a natural smile and slowly averted her gaze.

But her smile didn’t last long.

‘What should I do now…?’

She had thought this was a perfectly hidden place, but Elion had spotted her.

‘The Crown Prince should have been the one to discover this!’

She had planned to use this as a stepping stone to strengthen the Crown Prince’s position.

Now, everything had fallen through.

Thinking of the Empress whining and complaining again made her head throb.

Thinking of her father’s fury made her heart pound.

Still, if she had been able to see Elion even for a moment, it would have been some comfort.

His presence gave meaning to her life.

Yet Elion had left without waiting for her.

‘Nothing goes right.’

Throughout the work of neutralizing the magic circle, Florencia couldn’t concentrate properly.

The Payson family welcomed Rubiana and Elion warmly as they stepped out of the carriage.

“Thank you for the invitation, Count Payson.”
“Thank you, Your Highness, for accepting our sudden invitation.”

Elion shook hands with Count Linden Payson.

“You sent a fine wine from the Duke’s residence. I am grateful for it, Your Highness.”
“It is a token of thanks for inviting me to such a distinguished occasion, Countess.”

Elion respectfully kissed the back of Countess Virginia Payson’s hand.

“By the way, it seems my elder sister and Your Highness came in the same carriage. How did you meet?”

Curious as always, Justin asked quickly.

In the child’s eyes, admiration and longing for war hero Elion flickered.

It seemed amazing to Justin that Rubiana and Elion arrived in the same carriage.

“So you’re Justin. I hear you’re a spirited and pure-hearted boy. I met Lady Rubiana by chance.”
“By chance? That’s fate, right?”
“Excuse me? Fate?”

At Justin’s sudden question, both Elion and the Payson family burst into laughter.

Rubiana patted the cute boy’s head.

“If all coincidences were fate… the world would be in utter chaos, Justin.”
“Really?”

The child tilted his head and smiled brightly.

Laughter continued even during the meal.

“I hope the food suits Your Highness’s taste.”
“I eat anything, don’t worry, Countess.”
“That’s a relief. By the way, our eldest daughter Stephanie couldn’t attend due to duty. She was very disappointed.”
“I see. Starting tomorrow, duty will be lighter, so you can expect her to join next time.”
“Really? That’s wonderful news!”

Virginia’s voice brightened.

Watching Elion converse casually with the family, Rubiana felt a strange emotion.

‘He’s just an ordinary nobleman.’

Even though Rubiana had entrusted her life to Elion, deep down, she still thought it was dangerous to be involved with him.

Seeing him laugh and talk so normally made her wonder if her assumptions were wrong.

“I want to grow up and become a great knight like Your Highness.”

Justin exclaimed suddenly.

The child, drawing everyone’s attention, asked seriously, looking at Elion:

“If I practice swordsmanship for several hours every day, can I become like you, Your Highness?”

“He practiced swordsmanship intensely since childhood,” Rubiana replied.

“Except for sleeping and meals, he only practiced swordsmanship. Justin, could you do that?”
“Without playing with friends? Without reading or drawing? How can anyone do that?”

Seeing the child’s face darken, Rubiana chuckled inwardly.

Elion smiled gently.

“Rumors are always exaggerated. Who only practices swordsmanship except for sleeping and meals?”

Justin’s face brightened immediately.

The child’s eyes sparkled as he asked again:

“Then how much did you practice?”
“About… ten hours?”
“Te-n hours?!!!”

The child’s eyes widened in shock.

“That’s too long. I can barely manage two hours.”

Seeing Justin’s adorable downward-curving lips, everyone laughed aloud.

The child pouted briefly in mock resentment but soon joined in the cheerful laughter.

Elion, smiling at the child’s innocence, suddenly locked eyes with Rubiana.

Startled by the gaze, her pupils flickered.

She quickly averted her eyes, but Elion felt strange.

It was as if a tiny hole had opened in his chest, letting air escape.

To shake off the feeling that didn’t fit the relaxed mealtime atmosphere, Elion gulped down some wine.

Today was the day Rubiana had declared she would sleep in.

After yesterday’s exhausting events, she needed absolute rest.

She had even skipped breakfast, lounging idly on the bed.

“Milady! Lady Rubiana! Something terrible has happened!”

Sophie shouted loudly as she rushed in.