🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter 18
Isel hesitated for a moment before opening her lips.
“…This is…”
Her voice was small and soft, almost like she was talking to herself. Her eyes, searching through her memories, grew hazy—like sand sinking to the bottom of a deep pond.
A faint smile appeared on her lips.
“It’s… a gift from someone very precious to me.”
The arm that Lahan had wrapped around her waist suddenly stiffened. His eyes widened as he stared at Isel.
Then, very slowly, a faint blush spread across his face.
“Your Grace?”
Isel looked up at him with confusion.
“Do you have a fever? Your face is red.”
Lahan blinked slowly and shook his head slightly. He looked almost… shy.
Why is he acting like this…?
She didn’t know the reason, but for a moment, the Grand Duke in front of her seemed a little cute.
After pausing briefly, he silently took her hand and led her. His grip was stronger than before.
It felt as if he was holding something back.
Isel followed him without thinking.
The waltz continued smoothly without stopping.
“Isel.”
“Yes?”
“Do you remember what I said before?”
His voice blended into the music and softly reached her ears.
Before she could even realize that he had called her by name instead of “Lady,” he continued:
“I want to help you.”
There was no explanation—no detail about how or what he wanted to help with.
He had said something similar before, in the quiet art room. Back then, she had simply shaken her head and said that listening was enough.
But now… for some reason, she couldn’t easily refuse.
Why?
Maybe it was the cool yet warm feeling of his hand in hers.
Or the strong arm around her waist.
Or perhaps his eyes reflecting the chandelier lights… or his scent, now so close.
As Isel stayed silent and looked at him, Lahan leaned in slightly and whispered again.
“One word is enough.”
Was the voice of the god Carmius, who tried to tempt the goddess Enix, also this soft and warm?
Isel’s lips parted slightly.
Lahan waited patiently for her answer.
His hand tightened gently around hers.
“I…”
Just as she was about to speak—
The music, which had felt like it would last forever, slowly faded and came to an end.
The couples released their hands and stepped away from each other.
They bowed politely to their partners.
Startled out of her daze, Isel quickly let go of Lahan’s hand and stepped back.
“Ah…”
Lahan looked at her, his hand still slightly raised in the air.
There was something sorrowful in his gaze.
Feeling a faint ache in her chest, Isel lowered her head.
“Thank you, Your Grace. But…”
Before she could finish, Lahan spoke first.
“You may take your time to answer.”
Whenever you wish…
His quiet words lingered softly.
***
Leo let out a deep sigh as he stepped out of the inner chamber. The count followed behind him and patted his shoulder.
“Try to think positively, Leo.”
“Yes…”
Leo’s face was unusually dark after speaking with the Emperor.
The Emperor had just given him shocking news—
He would be appointed vice-captain of the Special Knights.
It was an imperial order, so he couldn’t refuse.
Still, Leo wondered if he had done something wrong. It felt almost like a punishment.
And for good reason.
Being vice-captain meant serving under the infamous Grand Duke Kanox.
It was already widely known that a Special Knights unit would be formed around the Grand Duke after his return from war.
And every knight prayed they wouldn’t be assigned there.
Some even said they would rather guard harsh borders than serve in that unit.
Yet the Emperor had personally pushed Leo into that hell.
Knowing how harsh the Grand Duke was, Leo already felt hopeless.
The Count, who had been comforting his son, suddenly stiffened.
“More importantly—where is Isel?”
Before Leo could answer, a knight rushed toward them.
It was Sir Britt, who had been waiting anxiously.
“V-Vice Captain!”
“Sir Britt?”
Leo’s face hardened immediately when he saw him alone.
Sir Britt, pale and flustered, spoke in a rush:
“My lady went to the terrace, but Young Master Resian forced—”
His words were messy and unclear.
But the moment they heard the name Resian, both Leo and the Count froze.
Leo grabbed his shoulder urgently.
“Which terrace?!”
Startled, Sir Britt quickly pointed.
Without hesitation, Leo and the Count ran.
Ignoring the disapproving looks from nobles, they rushed toward the terrace.
It felt like their blood was boiling backward.
The same despair they had felt years ago seemed to drag them down again.
They burst the terrace door open—
But it was empty.
Only moonlight filled the silent space.
“…Isel?”
The Count looked around anxiously.
Where is she?
Then he noticed nobles whispering while looking somewhere.
Following their gaze, he turned—
And froze.
A white dress fluttered like butterfly wings.
It was Isel.
Seeing his beautiful daughter, he quickly tried to move—
But she wasn’t alone.
A man was holding her hand as they danced.
“Father?”
Leo looked at his frozen father, confused, then followed his gaze.
“…!”
His eyes widened.
The man holding his sister’s hand—
Grand Duke Kanox.
Resian was nowhere to be seen.
But that didn’t make things better.
That bastard dares touch my daughter—!
That trash dares touch my sister—!
The father and son’s eyes burned with fury.
If weapons had been allowed, they might have drawn their swords immediately.
They had expected pests to approach Isel.
That’s why Leo had left Sir Britt with her.
But the Grand Duke was far worse than a pest.
They barely held back the urge to separate them.
They had to wait for the music to end.
Standing nearby, they glared fiercely every time his hand touched Isel.
“Why is the music so slow?!”
The Count growled.
“Maybe we should just knock out the conductor…”
Leo muttered seriously.
Finally, the music began to end.
They immediately rushed forward.
“Isel!”
“Brother. Father.”
Isel greeted them in surprise.
Leo quickly pulled her behind him, shielding her from the Grand Duke.
His sharp gaze turned toward the Duke.
But surprisingly—
The Duke looked calm.
As if he had expected them.
Then something unbelievable happened.
He smiled.
“Good evening, Count Blisha. Sir Leo.”
They doubted their ears.
The Duke had always been cold and rude to nobles.
Yet now—
“I may have taken too much of the young lady’s time.”
“…Pardon?”
They were stunned.
Did he hit his head in the war or something?
Leo frowned slightly.
“Your Grace, why are you speaking so politely—”
The Duke shot him a sharp glance.
Leo immediately shut his mouth.
At that moment, Isel peeked out and asked:
“Brother, did everything go well with the Emperor?”
As soon as she spoke—
The cold aura around the Duke disappeared.
He smiled gently at her.
Leo and the Count stared in confusion.
The Duke asked calmly:
“Is there a problem?”
His polite, gentlemanly behavior left them completely bewildered.
What on earth… is going on?
