TLDWAE 69

Chapter 69

“—I’m not sure I follow. Are you saying that ladies enjoy men who carry hostility and resentment toward the world? Or perhaps they feel thrilled by an invitation to fall into hell together?”

“Well, if ‘Northern Grand Duke’ doesn’t strike a chord, how about ‘Master of the Dark Guild’? That one’s always in fashion. A man who rules the underworld, hiding his secrets, living only for revenge. He hides his identity but gets entangled with the heroine by chance, and though everyone else fears him, he’s drawn to her because she smiles at him without fear…”

“…Huh?”

A man living for revenge, the secret ruler of the underworld. Noah’s brow twitched in reaction. That story sounded far too familiar.

He glanced at Vicks, wondering if the man was talking about him, but Vicks was completely absorbed in his own little world, rattling off words that sounded like they were compressed from thousands of romance novels.

“When the heroine finds out about his hidden secret, she’ll never smile at him again. That’s what he fears. To think you were the one to teach me fear… you are truly remarkable.—that’s what the hero says. And then the heroine replies…”

“Mm…”

“I don’t know what secret it is that frightens you. All I know is that you’re a good person—that’s enough for me. Whatever your past may be, the man beside me now is still you.”

Vicks’ eyes sparkled as he asked, “How’s that?” Noah just gave a hollow laugh. How was it? He didn’t really have an answer. But there was one thing he was certain of: neither he nor Karia had been drawn to each other because of their scars.

“You were only permitted to use her name when you’re alone with her. If you get cheeky and drop honorifics like that, won’t our Lady scold you properly?”

“Huh? Scold me? Who would?”

“Who else? Our employer, the Lady.”

Shagal cut in, chewing on the snack Vicks had been holding. Vicks immediately reached out to save his precious treat. Shagal grumbled about pettiness, but to Vicks this was no ordinary snack.

Earlier that day, while Lady Karia was having refreshments with a clerk from the domain, Vicks had stood behind her, smacking his lips longingly. At the very end, he finally received this tear-earned cookie.

“If you want to get in Lady’s good graces, just be honest and obedient. This one? I asked if I could have the leftover cookies, and Lady told the kitchen to bake me fresh ones instead.”

“What? That’s too honest!”

“But, Captain! Lady said she felt relieved because I was simple-minded! Isn’t it a knight’s duty to make sure the person they protect feels safe and at ease?”

Vicks, built a head taller than Shagal, puffed up his chest and spoke loudly. Noah laughed and patted him on the back. Well said.

He had worried before, with Vicks training only in swordsmanship, whether he could truly be called a knight someday. But now, seeing him consider others’ feelings—he was already a fine knight.

“Wasn’t escorting her here enough? Why are you following all the way into the townhouse?”

“Don’t be so harsh. I’ve got something for Andy and Allie.”

“Stop shortening other people’s children’s names at will.”

While they were chatting in front of the townhouse, familiar footsteps and voices approached.

The three fell silent and looked forward. Soon Karia appeared with Alcard, and quietly trailing behind them, like someone half-invisible, was Aquil.

Karia, who had just been scolding Alcard with a furrowed brow, stopped when she saw Noah.

Following Vicks’ advice, Noah placed a hand on his chest, put on a gentle smile, and bowed politely.

“Welcome back, my Lady.”

“It seems you’ve brought your belongings. If you need anything else while you stay here, let the butler know. It will be taken care of quickly.”

“Sir Trantes, is it? …Wait, are you moving into the townhouse?”

Alcard recognized him and spoke. Since the duel against Higon Alkestra, Alcard had held Noah in good regard. His doubts about Noah’s skills as a former mercenary had vanished that day.

But hearing that he was actually moving in to guard the place was unexpected. His expression stiffened. Karia narrowed her eyes at him.

“Do you have some problem with my decision?”

“No, not a problem, just… Well, having him guard the house all day will certainly make things safer, but Sir Trantes has a family, doesn’t he? Won’t his wife and son need him as well?”

Her sharp, displeased voice made Alcard awkwardly scratch his neck. But when he added that excuse, the faces of everyone around turned strange. Soon all eyes fixed on Noah.

“Noah, you have a family?”

Noah frowned, rubbing his forehead in mild exasperation. He finally realized why Alcard had misunderstood.

What he hadn’t realized until now was that Alcard’s sense of perception was even duller than he thought.

“My lord, have I ever told you I was married?”

“The day you came to pay respects, you were holding a child. You said he was your son. So, naturally I assumed…”

“That day, I was holding young master Andy—at Lady’s request, as well as Marquis Valta’s. I was just looking after him for a while.”

“That child was Andy-on?”

Alcard’s eyes went wide in shock. He replayed the memory in his head. That day, Noah had said the child in his arms was his son. That child had been Andy-on. Andy-on was Karia’s son. Which meant…

“So you’re Andy-on’s father?!”

His conclusion was spectacularly off-target. Everyone else sighed.

With no one correcting him, Alcard’s eyes quivered like an earthquake, filled with confusion.

Then, quick footsteps came from behind him. Still reeling from the shock, Alcard didn’t react in time. Small hands wrapped around his neck, forcing his back to bend sharply.

“Alcard!”

“Gah!”

“—Alice, greet your mother first.”

Brought to his knees by a child’s surprising strength, Alcard knelt in the dirt as Alice clung to him, giggling joyfully.

Andy-on followed behind her with graceful steps, clicking his tongue at her lack of manners.

Of course, Alice was unfazed. She heard scoldings from him dozens of times a day.

“Welcome back, Mother.”

“Yes, were you well-behaved?”

“Yes. Alice and I studied etiquette together.”

“That’s right, we studied!”

Andy-on ignored the sight of Alcard being strangled by Alice and smiled brightly at Karia, his eyes sparkling as if he sought praise. As always, she reached out and patted his head.

“Perfect timing. The young lord here says he has something for you two. Go with him, have some tea, and see what it is.”

“—Huh? Wait, Karia, where are you going?! We’re not done talking! Is it true? Tell me it’s true!”

Karia brushed off the bothersome Alcard by leaving him to the children. She tilted her chin toward Noah, signaling him to follow.

Desperate, Alcard reached out after her, but Alice’s “Gift! Gift!” pulling was too strong to resist.

To top it off, Noah—about to follow Karia—suddenly looked back. He locked eyes with Alcard and flashed a dazzling smile, then tapped his finger twice against his lips. Tok, tok.

“What the—?! What does that gesture mean?!”

Alcard’s shout echoed across the garden. Karia covered her ears and slipped inside the townhouse.

Passing mercenaries of the Black Night and the servants of the house glanced over. Most either giggled at the ridiculous scene or shook their heads in pity. But one person, in particular, watched with a strangely serious expression.

“Hey, Mari! What are you doing back here?”

“Eek! You scared me!”

Maid Mari, who had been hiding behind the building, nearly fainted at Betsy’s sudden tap on the shoulder.

Betsy, with her twin braids, gave her a puzzled look, while Mari snapped back too sharply, like someone caught red-handed.

“Why—why do you sneak up from behind?!”

“Why are you so startled? What were you looking at?”

“N-nothing! And besides, wouldn’t anyone be scared if you popped up behind them without a sound?!”

Mari stomped away, fuming. Betsy, left behind, tilted her head in confusion before returning to her duties. Dinner preparations had to start soon.

“It was nice seeing you during the day.”

Karia teased Noah lightly, who followed her with a tense expression. He flushed, knowing his guilt, and cleared his throat awkwardly.

“—I missed you as well.”

His low, quiet voice filled the air. Karia let out a small laugh. They said nothing more as they walked, and before long they reached the office.

With her maid’s help, Karia removed her outer coat, then dismissed everyone else except Noah.

It had only been a few weeks since she became mistress of this house, yet sitting behind the lord’s desk piled with papers, she looked as though she had belonged there for years.

“Noah, your trading company had connections, didn’t it? Wasn’t it the Rubens Company that held your capital? They’re quite large.”

“Ah, yes. In the capital, they rank third in size, but across the continent, they have the most branches.”

“Perfect. Could you arrange a meeting with the merchant head? I’ve been tasked with organizing a party at the palace. I’m thinking of using their services for the supplies.”

Since they were entrusted with her funds, they couldn’t help but respond eagerly. And with branches across the continent, they’d surely be able to procure rare flowers and wines unavailable in this country.