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Chapter 2
“How is it, returning to the Empire, Duke?”
“There’s nothing particularly different.”
Lucas replied in a flat tone while looking at Ian, who was tilting his teacup.
Ian let out a small laugh, as if amused by something.
“Can’t you see the nobles’ eyes on you? The war hero who returned after making great achievements in the monster war and is now beloved by the imperial family—everyone is desperate to get close to you.”
“I’m not interested. You know that already. I have no interest in entering politics.”
“I know. Both I and His Majesty are always grateful for your loyalty to the Empire.”
Lucas glanced away, looking down at the now-cold tea.
He hadn’t come all the way to the estate inspection just to hear polite pleasantries.
“May I ask why you requested to meet me in an audience room rather than the banquet hall?”
“So you want to get to the point. Very well. Two months from now, the Grand Princess of the Volt Principality will visit, and I would like your assistance.”
So that was it. Lucas’s red eyes flashed briefly.
Ian noticed the change in his gaze and continued.
“I plan to learn their methods of efficiently handling monsters and, further, maintain friendly relations with the principality to adopt various cultural advancements. You understand how important this is.”
“Is this request related to monster subjugation, then?”
“There are few in the Empire more knowledgeable in that field than you, Duke. Will you help?”
Lucas let out a small sigh, understanding the meaning behind the words.
Ian was as meticulous and flawless as ever. He already knew.
That Lucas, who prioritized the safety of the Empire above all else, would never refuse.
“…I have no choice, do I?”
“Thank you. Ah, I’ve kept the war hero too long. You should return to the banquet hall. Many are curious about you. More precisely, their daughters are.”
“I’m not interested.”
“You never change. Still no thoughts on marriage? His Majesty also wishes to introduce you to a suitable young lady.”
Too much interference.
Lucas frowned briefly, then shook his head.
“I’m fine.”
“Then I suppose I should ask the same of Your Highness. You seemed to have attracted quite a bit of attention yourself.”
“Ah, you mean the young lady from House Adrian who confessed to me?”
Ian pressed his temple as he set down his teacup, as if recalling a headache.
“A troublesome young lady. I’ve heard rumors about her—she even spread nonsense that I might have feelings for her. I handled it today, so that should be the end of it.”
“Is that so.”
“I didn’t intend to humiliate her publicly. It just happened that way.”
Lucas half-listened, already losing interest. It had nothing to do with him anyway.
“Then let’s stop talking about this and return to the banquet hall.”
“I have reports to handle. I’ll take my leave.”
“Still a workaholic. Do as you please. Even His Majesty has given up on your stubbornness.”
With permission granted, Lucas rose immediately.
“I will take my leave. Have a pleasant evening.”
Leaving behind Ian’s faint clicking of the tongue, Lucas stepped into the corridor—only to find heavy rain pouring outside.
He frowned and quickened his pace.
He disliked rainy days.
Many things came back on days like this.
“Help me!”
The smell of blood mixed with rainwater. Screams echoing across a battlefield. The grotesque stench of monsters and corpses.
Lucas let out a short groan and shook his head.
As he neared the banquet hall, voices spilled out from inside.
“Tonight’s banquet is such a disappointment. His Highness also left suddenly.”
Nobles were gossiping.
Lucas’s expression darkened.
Monster damage was increasing, yet the so-called pillars of society were busy with gossip.
He wasn’t surprised—but today, it felt even more pathetic than usual.
He turned to leave when—
Rustle.
A presence.
His gaze shifted toward the garden entrance.
Soon, a woman staggered into view.
She collapsed right in front of his path, gasping for breath.
Lucas quickly walked over.
“Are you alright?”
The woman slowly lifted her head.
Golden hair spilled over tear-filled brown eyes. She looked like a noble lady attending the banquet.
“…Your Highness?”
She stared at him in shock, then struggled to stand and approached him.
Lucas frowned, startled by her behavior.
“A-ah.”
She staggered again.
About to collapse, she was caught by Lucas’s arm before she fell.
Without thinking, he supported her.
When he was about to ask if she was alright, she looked up.
“Thank you for coming to find me.”
Lucas almost corrected her misunderstanding—but stopped.
Her face wasn’t twisted in pain or despair like those who had lost family to monsters.
Instead, she looked genuinely, brightly happy.
It left him momentarily speechless.
Tears streamed down her face as she smiled, as if his presence was some great blessing.
“I’m really happy, Your Highness.”
Then she raised her hand and placed it gently on his cheek.
Lucas froze.
His body stiffened as he almost dropped his hold on her.
Just as he lifted a hand to remove hers—
“Ah…”
A faint sound escaped her lips.
Then, without warning, her body leaned forward.
Lucas caught her as she collapsed into him.
“……”
A strange weight rested on his shoulder.
Her breathing was uneven, her cheeks flushed red.
A fever—clearly severe.
“…Troublesome.”
He muttered quietly, lifting her into his arms and picking up her fallen bag.
Without hesitation, he headed toward the back gate where his carriage waited.
“Your Grace!”
A familiar voice called out as he passed the corridor.
His aide, Connor, stood there in shock.
“What is this lady…?”
Lucas handed him the bag.
“I was about to find out myself. There should be an imperial invitation inside.”
Connor quickly searched the bag and pulled out a letter.
“Elisha Adrian.”
“Adrian…”
Lucas recognized the name immediately. The same woman who caused a scene at today’s banquet.
“She seems to have fainted from a high fever. It’s too late to find a physician. Should we call your estate doctor?”
“No. It’s better to return her to the Adrian estate.”
In aristocratic society, rumors spread faster than fire. A man and woman alone at this hour would cause trouble.
Even if Lucas didn’t care about himself, it could harm her.
“Where is the Adrian estate?”
“It’s along the route to your residence.”
“Then we’ll drop her off on the way.”
He placed Elisha into the carriage.
After Connor followed and closed the door, the carriage began moving.
Lucas watched her pale face.
She’s in worse condition than I thought.
Her eyes slowly opened.
“Are you awake?”
No response.
Just a blank stare.
“…Young lady?”
Then tears fell from her eyes.
“It’s unfair.”
“What?”
“You rejected me so easily… and everyone there laughed at me…”
She clung to the carriage wall, crying.
Lucas frowned slightly.
“You’re mistaken. I never mocked you.”
“But I know… you think I’m ridiculous. A low noble who doesn’t know her place…”
“I never thought that.”
His voice was firm.
Her mouth closed.
Lucas continued, more carefully now.
“Pain and suffering are not the same for everyone. Just as you cannot know another’s pain, no one has the right to define yours.”
“……”
“Something meaningless to one person can be unbearable to another.”
Why was he saying this to her?
Even Lucas didn’t know.
Elisha’s sobs softened.
She leaned back and fell asleep again.
Lucas turned toward the window.
“…Maybe I’m the one who has become weak, after all these years on the battlefield.”
He stared out into the rain, unaware that the woman in his arms had just barely opened her eyes to look at him.
