🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter : 18
But Milena added yet another meaning to Kaisa’s life. She smiled brightly and said,
“Duke, you saved the life of that knight, Bluebell, today, didn’t you?”
“Yes.”
“Then you also saved the dinner and happiness of the Bluebell family. If it weren’t for you, they wouldn’t have had dinner today. They would have all been crying. Maybe their lives would have fallen into despair.”
“……You’re right, Milena.”
“Since you did such a great deed today, I’ll allow you to enjoy your meal a little more.”
“What do you mean?”
“To celebrate your successful naval debut. I prepared this for today.”
Milena rummaged through the cupboard. But the item was a bit further back than she expected, and her hand couldn’t reach it. She waved her hands frantically.
“Huh? Huh?”
“Are you looking for this?”
Before she realized it, Kaisa had come up behind her and reached out. Milena leaned forward because of him and turned her head. Kaisa’s shadow stretched long over her back. He lowered his gaze while holding something in his hand, and their eyes met.
Milena stared blankly at him.
Like a leading man in a novel, he was truly handsome. Once your eyes were drawn to him, it felt as if your soul could be stolen too. Milena blinked slowly.
For some reason, Kaisa couldn’t look away from her either. His usually chattering lips were pressed firmly shut, and his eyes glimmered, slightly wet.
He parted his lips.
“Wine… this is what you were looking for?”
Milena snapped out of her daze and stepped aside, taking out a wine bottle. She smiled brightly.
“We’ve never indulged in such luxury since coming to Cyern. I prepared this for today. I heard it’s wine that you used to enjoy, Duke. Is this the one?”
Kaisa nodded. A rare, satisfied smile tugged at his lips. He examined the bottle carefully.
It was the wine he often drank—or at least a very similar kind. It couldn’t be exactly the same, since this was Cyern, not Louicaron. Kaisa parted his lips.
“How did you…?”
“Your taste, Duke, is cheaper than I expected, so I could afford it. Otherwise, how could we even enjoy wine on our budget? Why do you like this wine?”
Milena placed the wine glass on the table and replied,
“It’s standard military supply. I’m just used to it.”
“Then it’s the perfect wine for today.”
Kaisa poured the wine into their glasses. They clinked the glasses together, smiling—celebrating their peace, relief, and this happy dinner.
That night, unlike the cheerful table of Kaisa and Milena, the Caster estate was wrapped in a rather serious silence. The shouts of joy and victory had subsided. It began with Reivan’s measured quiet.
He tapped the desk lightly.
‘Surely this man’s skill is beyond that of a mere knight. Could he really be a Swordmaster?’
No matter how much he considered it, the thought wouldn’t leave him. This must be the gift the sea brought to Cyern—the Swordmaster who could finally save the Cyern Empire had appeared.
A blessing from the sea goddess, bestowed upon Emperor Serenor of Cyern.
Reivan remembered Milena had once introduced Kaisa as an outstanding knight. At the time, Reivan had only expected a competent knight, not one of such caliber. Swordmasters weren’t common.
Reivan slowly ran a hand through his hair.
Even if he tried to dismiss it, suspicion was inevitable.
But even in Louicaron, Swordmasters were rare. If his guess was correct, one of the empire’s greatest military assets—a foreign Swordmaster—had arrived in Cyern.
‘But Kaisa’s reaction today…’
It might sound strange for an adult man to say this, but it was pure. The quick reflexes and skill with which he had cut down the monster’s tentacles, saving his fellow knights, all while remaining calm—it was incredible.
‘Is it really okay?’
Even in that chaotic battle, Kaisa’s voice had been clear. Reivan remembered it well.
“‘I’m fine!’”
“‘Fight?’”
“‘Yes!’”
As expected, his words were brief, and soon in casual speech, but their meaning was firm. The knights naturally treated him as a superior under his commanding presence and forceful aura.
It seemed completely natural.
Behind them, the knights followed, as Kaisa faced the monsters head-on, swinging his sword decisively. Despite the sudden ambush, his response was flawless.
Everything flowed effortlessly, as if it were the natural order.
‘He must have been a senior knight. Leading his own order.’
A knight of such caliber, suddenly in Cyern? The nation was in crisis. The line of high-level knights capable of cutting monsters with skillful sword techniques had nearly disappeared; now, they barely managed to respond.
And the timing of his arrival was impeccable.
Perhaps he was even sent from Louicaron, knowing Cyern’s dire state.
Yet Louicaron was still far away, separated by the monster-infested sea.
And Milena, too, had always been earnest and pure in her work—hardly someone scheming.
“Ha… I really don’t know.”
According to the intelligence Reivan had checked before sending him aboard the ship, there was no reason to suspect anything. Yet, he felt compelled to uncover Kaisa’s past. Tomorrow, he would ask Milena about the man’s identity.
He would subtly probe.
Given Milena’s character, she might speak freely about Kaisa. Though she had been a countess in Louicaron, Milena had adapted well and remained optimistic and pure in this situation. If anyone were hiding something…
Reivan would uncover their true identity.
For the sake of Cyern.
He summoned his aide.
“What is Bella doing right now?”
And he was ready to act on his plan. Reivan’s face flushed slightly as he asked.
Even if Kaisa wasn’t a Swordmaster, having him remain in Cyern would be extremely meaningful. Bella, Reivan’s only younger sister, was staying at the townhouse in the capital.
“She has completed her academy course and graduated. As far as I know, she hasn’t decided on her next steps yet.”
“Romantic life? Anyone she’s seeing?”
“No.”
“……Send Bella here.”
Reivan spoke in a low voice. The plan was already set. Bella was a talented graduate of the academy. He would have her teach Kaisa Cyernian. Bella was popular in Cyern, so she would surely catch his attention.
“It’s time for the Caster heiress to fulfill her duty.”
Bella knew it too. The time would come when she would have to repay the privileges she had enjoyed.
