IPTD 20

Chapter 20

As expected, the man had seen through Xenos’s true identity.
Perhaps even René’s existence.
A deeper crease formed on Xenos’s brow.

“Who are you?”
“Do you think you’d understand if I told you?”
“Reveal your identity. You’re not a subject of this territory, are you?”
“Well… instead of saying ‘subject,’ shouldn’t we choose a broader term?”

Xenos felt frustrated by the trivial back-and-forth conversation.
This man was clearly a master of swordsmanship far beyond even his own ability.
Which meant that in this territory, and perhaps even in this entire empire, there were almost no one capable of facing him.

If he were to act with ill intent… everyone in my territory would be in danger.

Xenos, a responsible lord and a duke of the empire, had a duty to protect his people.

During this tense standoff, Xenos subtly placed his hand on the hilt of his sword—so fast that an ordinary person would never notice.

And then it happened.

[You resemble that one among my children very closely. It’s… a strange feeling.]

“?!”

The man’s bright yellow pupils narrowed vertically again, and his voice—or rather, the words—resonated in Xenos’s mind.
But the man across from him didn’t move a single muscle.
It wasn’t a voice. It was a spell that pierced directly into Xenos’s body.

[But… why are you so corrupted? What happened while I was asleep…]

The resonance swirled around him like inside a cavern, and Xenos’s vision began to blur.

[Ha… This will bring temporary peace. Just for a while.]

As the sentence ended, Xenos’s trembling subsided.
And an unfamiliar, strange sensation washed over him.
Though he tried to maintain his rigid posture, he could no longer hold it.
The sharp vigilance he had held until now vanished, and his will to attack dissipated like dust.
It was as if he could not disobey the man’s words.
As if… honoring the voice of an absolute god.

This is…

It was a remarkable experience.
For someone who had always lived in tension, it was a rare moment of calm.
Like a storm suddenly settling, drifting on a serene sea under a clear, cloudless sky…

[I’ll come soon. Hold on until then.]

Feeling warmth spread in his chest, Xenos unconsciously closed his eyes.

“……”

And while Xenos’s mind was away, René’s jaw nearly dropped as well.

I barely managed to close my mouth, which had almost fallen open in shock.
The duke, who just moments ago had marched toward Ternox as if to crush him—someone who was technically a dragon but whatever—had suddenly become tame as a lamb!

“Your Grace! Are you okay?! What did this crazy… person do?!”
“Uuung?”
“Ah! Why are you like this?!”

I could barely contain my disgust as I watched Ternox, pretending not to know anything, raise his fist under his chin.
What’s wrong with that old dragon? Did he hit puberty again?
Does he suddenly want to be an invisible dragon again?!

The “Cerberus growl face” I had practiced with Betty came out naturally.

But Ternox, unconcerned, simply tilted his head.

“Stop acting cute! Why is this person like this?!”
“Don’t you know? He came over and asked who I was first. I didn’t do anything! And do you know me? I don’t know women like you~”
“Ha… haah…!”
“Then goodbye.”

Nom nom.

Ternox immediately stuffed the bunch of skewers he had been holding into his mouth.
Then, just like he appeared, he disappeared from sight in an instant.

“What the….”

I suddenly found myself stuck with a dazed, grown man!
I just came to eat some skewers and enjoy the festival!

Feeling utterly wronged, I continued staring at the unmoving duke, who still had his head bowed.

Is he… standing asleep?

No way. Surely not.
But why is he standing there like a statue, barely breathing…?

“……”

No, wait.
“Really… not asleep?!”

In a panic, I screamed and hurriedly yanked the hood off the cape the duke was wearing.
Normally, with his rigid posture, it would’ve been tricky due to the height difference, but with his head bowed, it wasn’t difficult at all.

“Your Grace! Snap out of it!”

I lightly slapped his cheeks with both hands while inspecting his dazed expression.
…I can’t say there wasn’t a little selfish pleasure…
Anyway, my intent was good!

“Hmm…”

Perhaps my vigorous action finally brought him back.
The duke slowly lifted his head.
As his eyes opened, the mysterious blue-purple irises were revealed.
His eyes blinked slowly, as if still intoxicated by sleep.
Even then, long black lashes formed graceful curves.

…he really is beautiful.

I had thought it before, but the duke’s face was indeed innocent.
Guilty or not, his face was pure.
So please, just let me live quietly!

I lightly tapped his cheek once more for good measure and removed my hands.
No need for further contact; my mission was accomplished.

But…

“Eh?”

The still-absent-minded duke raised his hand and pulled mine back as it was moving away.
He didn’t seem to exert much force, but perhaps it was the natural difference in strength.
I was helplessly pulled toward him!

Uh, isn’t my face too close?!

Thump, thump, thump.

Was it because of the sudden situation?
Or because I was now dangerously close to the duke’s imposing face?
Perhaps both.

My heart raced violently, announcing my position to my whole body.
We were so close that our noses almost touched.

“!”

Only then did the duke seem to regain some composure.
His wide-open eyes clearly showed embarrassment.
I blinked frantically, then carefully opened my mouth.

“Uh, um…”
“Ha!”

Before I could ask him to let go, he startled and pushed my hand away.

“Ugh!”

I fluttered down like a paper doll, as when I had been pulled.
I hadn’t used much force, so I didn’t fall completely…

…is he embarrassed?

His ears and neck flushed red.
It seemed even the duke had not intended this.
Ternox must have done something. Otherwise…

I closely observed his face.
Besides the redness of his cheeks and ears, he seemed fine again.
Was this some mischievous prank?

Since the opponent was an invisible dragon, I couldn’t let my guard down.
Sending him home seemed like the safest choice.

“Oh! The lantern festival by the river has started!”
“Really? Let’s go quickly.”

The crowd scattered across the square began to gather, flowing like a massive tide.
I was quite flustered since the people were moving toward the side where the duke and I stood.
But something else was even more startling.

“Uh… Your Grace? Isn’t that him?”
“Seems like it… The duke attending the festival himself? That’s never happened before, right?”
“Should we show proper respect?”
“To think he’d attend a commoner’s festival in person!”

Some people recognized the duke.
As the crowd murmured and watched, more people came closer—not for the festival, but to confirm if the dazed man really was the duke.

And…

“Who’s the lady standing beside him?”
“Could it be… the new duchess?”
“Wow! She’s so beautiful! Look at her silky hair and ruby-like eyes!”
“So the rumors about curses were false, it seems.”
“There’s a reason the duke attended a festival he usually never attends!”
“What a perfect pair. How romantic!”

Squeee!

Though neither of us said a word, pink gossip instantly began circulating.
Feeling dizzy, I looked up at the duke.
His embarrassed expression was gone, replaced by a gentle smile toward his subjects.

He knows how to smile too.

Cold toward his wife, yet kind to his people… like a “warm iced Americano,” maybe?
I mentally scoffed, realizing this isn’t usually how romance-fantasy nobles behave.
Then I stopped.

The duke began to speak, addressing the crowd now gathered around us.