HKRH 10

Everything had gone exactly as planned.

This was the scenario Natalie had designed:

A swarm of fire-attribute monsters appears.

The Duke of Ailsden, his son, the family’s knights, and servants panic upon realizing the monsters cannot be defeated by light aura.

Then Roger Crawford appears, defeats the monsters, and saves House Ailsden.

Being saved from the burning mansion was unexpected… but I’ll just count it as a bonus event from the full version.

Natalie was thrilled. It was a perfect success.

Roger Crawford had appeared at the ideal moment, wiped out the monsters, and even caught her without letting her suffer a single scratch.

And no one had died.

Held securely in Roger’s arms, Natalie quickly surveyed the surroundings.

All the fire-attribute monsters had been subdued. The mansion, which had been burning like a demon’s lair, was now completely extinguished thanks to water pouring in from all directions.

Parts of the roof—and the top floor rooms closest to it, like her own—had collapsed, but aside from scorch marks, the rest was relatively intact.

That was because Roger Crawford had appeared at the perfect time and hadn’t recklessly unleashed his full power on the burning mansion.

Honoring her request to minimize damage, he had controlled the water with near-miraculous precision while still exerting overwhelming force.

“Thank you for keeping your promise. It was absolutely perfect.”

“It wasn’t a promise—it was a deal. I simply did what I was supposed to.”

Roger replied calmly, then added briefly,

“Everything happened exactly as you said. I apologize for doubting you.”

Even after accomplishing something so remarkable, he didn’t act arrogant. As expected of a male lead.

Natalie looked up at him with quiet satisfaction—only for him to suddenly warn her,

“I’d prefer it if you didn’t look at me like that.”

“Hm? Why not?”

Is he the type who doesn’t like attention unless it’s from his woman?

Just as she was about to accept that idea—

Roger jerked his chin slightly.

“Because someone is looking at us like they want to kill me.”

At that, Natalie turned her head.

And saw two pairs of red eyes fixed on them.

“Hic… Brother, I was really, really scared…!”

First—Anatole, holding Sharon, who was covered in soot and crying miserably.

Second—the Duke of Ailsden, riding his white horse toward them after coming to a halt beneath the balcony.

Neither of them spared Sharon even a glance, which showed just how shocked they were.

Only then did Natalie realize that her reckless leap from the balcony might have looked dangerous to others.

But I survived, didn’t I?

Why did their expressions look like that?

She glanced between the two men’s fierce faces.

Meanwhile, their red eyes grew even more distorted as they approached.

Hmm.

Anatole, biting his lip, was probably annoyed at her for causing trouble again.

Natalie indifferently looked away.

As for the duke, his expression was as unreadable as ever. His cold gaze hadn’t changed.

It was so consistent it was almost boring.

As expected.

She was about to look away—

When she noticed something strange.

The duke’s red eyes flickered between his own empty arms… and Roger’s arms, which were holding Natalie.

Not once, but twice.

As if comparing.

Why is he looking like that?

Staring at him, a thought suddenly crossed her mind.

…Disappointment?

What?

Startled by her own thought, Natalie stared at her father.

Meanwhile, the duke’s gaze swept over her thoroughly, confirming she was unharmed.

Without a word, his cold red eyes slowly lifted to meet Roger’s icy silver ones.

“Duke Crawford.”

“Duke Ailsden.”

Their voices, equally cold, clashed in the air.

Roger remained indifferent, simply observing proper etiquette toward an elder.

But the Duke of Ailsden was different.

“Before I formally express my gratitude, I would like my daughter returned to me.”

Who says something like that so bluntly?

Natalie’s mouth parted slightly.

His tone was so sharp it sounded as if Roger had abducted her.

…No way. Is he upset because I jumped into Roger’s arms instead of his?

Impossible.

She immediately dismissed the absurd thought.

Her father was always cold. If anything, he might feel that way about Sharon, whom he spent more time with—not Natalie, his troublesome daughter who constantly caused problems.

There was no way.

And yet—

“Natalie Ailsden.”

The duke called her in a flat voice.

Still held in Roger’s arms, Natalie blinked blankly.

At some point, Anatole had handed Sharon off to the servants and rushed over to stand beside their father.

Her only two family members stood before her.

“Natalie.”

When she didn’t respond, the duke called again, more firmly.

Still unable to believe it, Natalie answered slowly, like someone just waking up.

“…Yes?”

Two pairs of red eyes—one seasoned, one burning with youthful intensity—glared fiercely.

So the murderous glares earlier weren’t directed at her—

“Come here.”

…They were aimed at Roger Crawford, who was holding her.

The duke extended his arm toward her, emphasizing his words.

Natalie was left speechless.

The second reception room of the Ailsden estate.

Fortunately, compared to the heavily damaged eastern wing, the western building had suffered minimal damage.

Aside from Sharon’s room on the top floor, which had partially collapsed.

“Thank you for your timely and great assistance.”

“I merely did what was necessary.”

Clink.

…Sigh.

Sitting between the two men, Natalie awkwardly lifted her teacup.

Though their conversation was formally polite, the atmosphere felt like sitting on needles—no, on icicles.

Who talks this stiffly?

A short while ago—

At the duke’s blunt demand to hand over his daughter, Roger had glanced down at Natalie.

Naturally so, since he had come here because of his agreement with her.

—“It is improper for an unrelated man to lay hands on a noble lady of high standing!”

But to the two men, it seemed like outright disregard.

Grinding his teeth, Anatole had shouted, while the duke remained silent but didn’t stop him—meaning he agreed.

Only then did Natalie come to her senses and step out of Roger’s arms.

—“It’s fine. I’ll walk on my own.”

—“Natalie!”

—“Duke Crawford, thank you sincerely for saving me. You must have been startled as well—would you like to come to the reception room?”

Anatole and the duke flinched, but Natalie turned her back on them and invited Roger.

Roger accepted calmly, and that was how the Duke of Ailsden and Duke Crawford ended up in the reception room together.

Anatole went to comfort Sharon since she wouldn’t stop crying.

After quickly changing clothes, Natalie sipped her tea and glanced at her father.

He had probably intended to meet in his office, but Natalie had insisted on the reception room.

Now they were in the “aftermath” stage—and this part was her responsibility.

“How did you happen to learn of the incident at my estate at such a late hour?”

“I enjoy taking walks at dawn. I happened to pass by and saw fire-attribute monsters gathering at your estate, and assumed you might be in trouble.”

It was true. The light-attribute Ailsden family had struggled against top-tier monsters.

As agreed beforehand, Roger answered smoothly, and Natalie quickly jumped in.

“Oh my, thank you so much! I had no idea Your Grace was such a warm-hearted person… Ailsden is truly in your debt.”

Normally, Natalie treated everyone—regardless of status—with arrogance and temper.

But now, she acted gentle and sincere, as if genuinely moved.

“……”

Seeing her behave so differently for the first time, the duke’s gaze grew strange.

Of course, Natalie pretended not to notice.

At that moment, Anatole entered the room—and froze in shock.

“Natalie, did you hit your head earlier? Should I call a physician?”

“Brother! Don’t joke like that in front of a guest.”

What’s wrong with him?

Natalie smiled sweetly at Roger while shooting Anatole a sharp look.

Reluctantly, Anatole shut his mouth and took a seat.

The duke spoke again.

“At dawn, I will report to His Majesty and begin investigating the exact cause. And since it is clear that you have aided our family…”

Yes, that’s it.

Natalie swallowed, waiting for the words she wanted.

“…we must consider how best to repay you.”

There it was—the customary polite exchange between nobles.

If the other party were a subordinate family or a commoner, compensation would usually be monetary.

But between high-ranking noble houses like Ailsden and Crawford, it was often used as an opportunity to strengthen ties.

Since the duke had formally offered gratitude, it would have been a perfect conclusion if Roger politely declined—

“I believe it is more than I deserve, but I will not refuse.”

Roger said, with a face that clearly didn’t think it excessive at all.

And then—

He began reciting, word for word,

the script Natalie had prepared.

To anyone unaware of the situation, it sounded as though he was openly asking for a reward.