🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter 16
“Isn’t this exactly it? The male lead who only knows the female lead, just like in the original epilogue.”
In the final episode, the two protagonists hold a grand wedding with everyone’s blessings and spend their first night together.
“Since that was the protagonists’ first night, the engraving must have happened then…”
So it wasn’t at all strange that Licht became a doting husband.
But, well… the current situation was nothing short of a complete mess.
“Stop! I’m doing this to fix what went wrong.”
Luciana shook her head so violently it almost came off, then immediately sat down at her desk.
She decided to first write down, in chronological order, what herbs were used and how they were combined to release the engraving. She also thought it would be good to look up information about the mating period.
Even though organizing it would take quite some time, the detailed notes on side effects and effects would make analyzing it much easier.
Scratch, scratch.
Although it was a lot of work for one person, Luciana didn’t even notice the time passing as she stayed at her desk.
For a while, only the busy sound of pen scratching filled the lab.
“…….”
Who put medicine in my cup?
‘Maybe they disguised themselves as a palace servant.’
Given the circumstances, it was worth investigating, but no matter how powerful a noble he was, he had no right to investigate the imperial palace.
Of course, it might be possible if he petitioned the emperor personally. But knowing Licht, who rarely made even small requests, the emperor would likely become intensely curious and probe relentlessly.
Moreover, by now the culprit would have destroyed the evidence and fled, so even if he conducted thorough searches, there would be no way to uncover anything.
‘I’ll have to gather personnel and order an investigation today.’
At this time, they’d likely be in the middle of training.
Thinking of the knights, Licht frowned slightly.
Perhaps it was because he had become overly sensitive after the engraving, but his headaches had increased.
‘Maybe I should prepare some medicine.’
Rubbing his temples, Licht headed toward the training grounds.
Karanta Knights
This was a group led by Licht, composed entirely of knights chosen solely for their skill.
Perhaps because they were judged only on their abilities as knights, they rivaled the Imperial Palace Knights, who only allowed the very elite to practice swordsmanship.
“No doubt about it. I saw him leaving the mansion myself.”
“Pink hair? Then isn’t that that family? The… Marquess Leslie?”
“I’ve heard of it! The younger sister whom the young marquess Leslie dotes on!”
The only flaw of the knights was that, because their primary recruitment criterion was skill alone, there were a few members who didn’t fit the typical knightly image.
Especially the trio who passionately debated about the duke’s lady were said to be the chattiest men in the order.
“Are you sure you saw it right?”
“My eyesight’s 2.0 in both eyes, you know?”
“Wow, if that’s true, this is amazing.”
Their infallible commander had brought a noble lady to the ball!
Even though it was proper to ignore others’ private lives, they couldn’t help but be curious about the mysterious woman who had spent a night with Licht.
It wasn’t crude curiosity about a woman spending the night with a man—it was fascination that Licht, who hadn’t so much as held a woman’s hand in twenty-five years, had changed. And perhaps anticipation of the upcoming romantic “pink wind.”
The knights had worried about Licht, who hadn’t shown interest in women at all, even regarding engagement prospects.
Damn it, sure, his difficult personality was a flaw, but he possessed looks that could surpass the most handsome men in the empire, not to mention the highest rank and wealth.
If it weren’t for his personality, finding a bride would be easy—but even so, time waits for no one…
“So, the reason His Excellency’s been busy the past few days was because of this?”
“Finally, a lady to thaw our commander’s frozen heart…!”
The burly knights chuckled among themselves, imagining a passionate, fated romance.
“…Hey, wait.”
“Huh?”
One knight, quietly watching his colleagues, suddenly seemed to remember something.
“Not blonde, but pink-haired?”
“Why suddenly… Ah!”
The knight who had seen Luciana nodded quietly, then suddenly slapped his forehead, recalling someone.
“Right? Wasn’t it originally that bold young lady from the Count Leslie family…? Didn’t he have a somewhat ambiguous relationship with her?”
As soon as the thought arose, silence fell.
They had previously been assigned to protect Licht and knew of Deborah.
She was the only lady who would consistently show interest in him, asking about the weather and other matters, without being intimidated by his cold demeanor.
“Well, in the end, he wasn’t really involved with that lady.”
“But hasn’t His Excellency softened a bit recently?”
“Maybe he’s just too lazy to chase her away now?”
“Perhaps… Well, it is our commander…”
There wasn’t really a clear romantic tension between the two. But since the blonde lady was the only one Licht had ever interacted with, there was a vague sense of curiosity.
“Hey? Look, it’s Rick!”
While they were caught up in these confusing thoughts, one knight spotted a red-haired figure walking toward the training grounds and shouted loudly.
“You came just in time. This morning, you were dispatched to Rodwell on a special mission by the commander!”
‘This must be related to the future lady!’
The knights who had been whispering about Luciana and Licht exchanged sly looks and stood.
“Where were you all this time?”
“What’s with you? Can’t you leave us alone?”
Upon arriving at the training grounds, Rick frowned at the sight of his laughing comrades.
As expected, the suspicious trio immediately surrounded him and began questioning him.
“Rick, let us ask you something. You weren’t absent because of the commander’s personal mission, right?”
“…Huh.”
Where did they hear that?
No matter how much Rick protested, they didn’t back down.
“What did you do in Rodwell?”
“Why should I tell you?”
Rick, staring at the knights with eyes sparkling unnaturally, immediately became defensive.
“Hey! How dare you! Do you think the commander’s orders are trivial? Regardless of the mission’s importance, a knight should never speak carelessly about their master’s affairs.”
“Ugh…”
In reality, the mission was simple—just deliver some items. There was no real secrecy. But seeing their excessive curiosity, Rick felt he shouldn’t say anything.
“The conversation’s over. I’m leaving.”
“Wait! Just one more minute!”
“Ugh, annoying. Can’t you leave?”
As Rick tried to break free, one particularly persistent knight clung to him, pleading.
“Then… does this mission involve Lady Leslie of the Marquess Leslie family?”
“….”
Rick frowned ambiguously, thinking. Leslie? Had he ever heard that name before? Today, all he received were details about a handkerchief and the name Lirian.
“Hmm, no response… I guess it’s her?”
“You kids! I said I saw it clearly!”
The knights looked confident at Rick’s silence, but…
Sigh. “No matter what you’re thinking, you’re completely wrong.”
“What?!”
The firm denial shocked them.
Rick, unable to stand their foolishness, said firmly,
“I won’t tell you the details, nor do I intend to. It has nothing to do with the Marquess Leslie family.”
Without looking back, Rick left, and the remaining knights scratched their heads and returned to their places.
“Strange… It was definitely pink hair.”
“Enough. Whoever it is, soon the Marquess family will have a lady in the house anyway…”
“You guys must be suicidal.”
