AOL 38

Chapter 38

As if announcing that autumn had come closer, the chilly evening breeze brushed past Isel’s cheeks.

The poplar tree path, now wrapped in quiet darkness, was silent—without even the sound of insects. The stars embroidered across the black sky seemed as though they were whispering among themselves.

Walking along the long road leading to the estate, Isel absentmindedly fiddled with the ring on her pinky finger.

In the end, the banquet that had turned into a complete mess had come to a vague and abrupt close.

The moment Cesar declared a duel, Duke Lecian hurriedly rose from his seat and dismissed the nobles with a strained expression.

Isel and Lahan rode back together in the carriage to the grounds of Count Blisha’s estate.

Before entering the poplar-lined road, Lahan stopped the carriage and asked if she would like to walk for a while. Isel quietly nodded.

As they walked side by side, Isel looked up at Lahan.

Even in the darkness, she could clearly see his dark hair swaying in the wind. He was matching his pace to hers, mindful of her shorter steps.

After watching him for a moment, Isel cautiously asked,

“Are you really going to duel?”

“Yes.”

At Lahan’s firm answer, Isel stopped in her tracks.

Tilting his head, Lahan checked her expression. Her lips were tightly pressed together, her face clouded with worry.

“Isel?”

“I’m worried that you might get hurt…”

If Ceres, who knew Lahan’s true nature, had heard that, she would have scoffed loudly.

If anyone needed worrying about, it was Cesar Lecian’s life—not that demon of a man.

But Lahan remained silent.

Just the fact that Isel was worried about him made his chest swell with emotion. He had no intention of wasting this opportunity like a fool.

Unaware of any of this, Isel was simply filled with concern.

She had seen knights spar countless times, but a duel was different.

She had heard that sometimes people even lost their lives in duels.

Lahan gently placed his hand on Isel’s shoulder.

“There’s nothing for you to worry about, my lady. Of course…”

He trailed off.

Isel looked up and asked,

“Yes?”

“If you were to cheer for me, I think I’d feel even stronger.”

“Of course, I would—!”

Isel abruptly shut her mouth.

She realized what her words would imply.

To cheer for one of two men dueling over a woman was no different from confessing deep affection for him.

As she hesitated, Lahan leaned a little closer.

His face, faintly illuminated by the moonlight, filled her vision.

Looking down at her with slightly lowered eyes, he whispered softly,

“Of course…?”

Isel forgot even to step back, her lips parting slightly. It felt as if his voice had completely taken hold of her.

A sudden gust of wind rustled the poplar leaves.

The sound, like waves sweeping over sand, filled the space between them.

Isel blinked slowly. Her heart pounded loudly, each beat echoing through her veins.

“I…”

Just as she began to speak—

“Isel!”

Though it was a familiar voice, she startled and stepped away from Lahan.

Leo was approaching, accompanied by a servant holding a small lamp.

Lahan clicked his tongue inwardly.

But as if nothing had happened, he smiled and greeted him.

“Good evening, Sir Leo.”

“Your Grace.”

Catching his breath slightly, Leo greeted the Grand Duke and then examined Isel.

Fortunately, she looked the same as when she had left the estate earlier.

Except that her face, lit by the lamp, was flushed in a way that didn’t match the cool evening.

“Isel?”

“Yes?”

“Why is your face… so red?”

Leo immediately placed the back of his hand on her forehead and gasped.

“You have a fever! Did you catch a cold?”

“It’s not that…”

Isel waved her hands in denial, but Leo had already convinced himself otherwise.

He quickly took off his coat and wrapped it tightly around her, fastening all the buttons.

Isel was suddenly engulfed in her brother’s oversized coat.

On Leo, it reached his waist—but on her, it fell to her thighs.

Only the tips of her fingers peeked out from the long sleeves.

She let out a small sigh.

It’s not a cold…

Watching her with concern, Lahan spoke.

“This is my fault. I should have taken the weather into account…”

Seeing his eyes droop with guilt, Isel quickly shook her head.

“No! You’ve done nothing wrong.”

But Lahan firmly continued,

“I will send someone tomorrow morning with acacia honey tea. It’s good for colds.”

“That’s really not necessary—”

She trailed off.

Send someone?

So… he won’t come himself?

“Are you not coming tomorrow?”

At her cautious question, Lahan answered with a hint of sadness.

“No, I have knight training tomorrow.”

It was already remarkable that he had been able to visit daily despite being the commander of the Imperial Special Knights.

But tomorrow, even he couldn’t be absent.

It was the day when all the Imperial Knights gathered for sparring training, and by the Emperor’s command, Lahan would oversee it.

“I see.”

Isel nodded calmly.

Seeing her composed reaction, Lahan felt his lips go dry.

Growing uncharacteristically impatient, he bent down to meet her eyes.

“But I will definitely come the day after tomorrow.”

At his anxious tone, Isel blinked and nodded.

Still not satisfied, he added,

“You must rest indoors so your cold doesn’t worsen. Understood?”

Though it wasn’t actually a cold, she smiled softly.

“Yes, I understand.”

It was only one day.

Yet the longing in his eyes made it seem like they wouldn’t meet for a year.

Watching them, Leo felt unease creep in.

Pulling Isel closer, he said they should head inside.

“Then we’ll be going now.”

Though he spoke to Leo, Lahan’s gaze remained fixed on Isel.

“Thank you for accompanying me today, Your Grace.”

“The honor was mine, Lady Isel.”

Lahan gently took her hand and kissed the back of it.

Leo stared in shock, but Lahan ignored him and turned to leave.

Isel clasped her hands together.

The spot his lips had touched burned as if scorched.

***

The central training ground, wide enough for horseback practice, was filled with knights.

Blue cloaks—the symbol of the Imperial Knights—fluttered in the breeze.

As the sun rose higher, the heat intensified.

Summer, greedy as ever, seemed unwilling to yield its place.

Sweat formed on the knights’ foreheads as they prepared for the day’s sparring.

Leo, recently appointed vice-captain of the Special Knights, was among them.

While inspecting weapons, his face remained dark.

His mind was full of worries.

The night before, he had rushed Isel back to the estate.

Though she insisted she wasn’t sick, no one listened.

Soon, she was wrapped in thick blankets.

The count summoned the physician, and the unused fireplace was lit.

But what troubled Leo more was what she had told them.

She explained everything that happened at the Lecian estate.

That was how Leo and the count learned about the duel between Cesar and Lahan.

It was as shocking as when she had arrived with a carriage full of gold.

Of course, the outcome of the duel was obvious—even a child could tell.

Lahan had won the Battle of Terbe with nothing but his sword.

There were few in the empire who could match him.

Still, Leo worried that Cesar might resort to underhanded tricks.

Deep in thought, Leo was approached by a knight.

“Vice-Captain, why is the commander here today?”

Leo glanced at Lahan speaking with other captains.

“I thought he wouldn’t show up again…”

The knight grumbled—then suddenly froze.

“Ah!”

Their eyes had met.

The knight hurriedly pretended to inspect weapons.

Lahan approached, his gaze cold.

The knights snapped to attention.

Ignoring their greetings, he spoke coldly,

“You all seem quite relaxed.”

They quickly formed ranks.

As Leo moved to join them—

“Sir Leo.”

He turned.

Lahan, who had looked down on the others coldly, now smiled warmly.

Lowering his voice, he asked,

“How is Lady Isel’s condition?”

Leo recalled the physician’s words.

“It’s not a cold—just a temporary chill causing a fever.”

Lahan exhaled in relief.

“Thank you for your concern.”

“Not at all.”

Placing a hand on Leo’s shoulder, he added gently,

“Is the training preparation not too difficult?”

The surrounding knights froze.

“…What did he just say?”

“Ah—no, not at all.”

Leo stammered.

Even he wasn’t used to this side of Lahan.

The knights stared.

Smiling kindly, Lahan said,

“If anyone gives you trouble, please let me know.”

Leo swallowed.

That would be you…