But the soldiers did not dare approach Joseph.
It was because the unique baleful aura and murderous intent of one who had fought life-and-death battles every day seemed to overflow from his entire being. Even a brief meeting of eyes made their knees buckle.
“I am retrieving the documents His Grace commanded. Are you saying you will stop me?”
Chewing over his slow words, Joseph looked back over his shoulder.
“Hmm? Marquis Rinko?”
“…….”
There was not an ounce of courtesy in his beastly, savage gaze. Joseph, who had been glaring at the Marquis, suddenly grinned and strode off at his leisure.
The spot he left behind was a scene of utter devastation. Beginning with someone’s sigh, the officials’ indignation poured forth. As they tried to sort through the ruined documents, they lamented.
“This doesn’t look like he was trying to find documents!”
“He deliberately overturned everything just to mess with us!!”
“That crazy bastard!”
As the Marquis stood gnashing his teeth at the unexpected situation, the Marchioness at his side shook her head slightly.
“The Duke has postponed his negotiations with you.”
“Where did he learn such cheap tricks!”
“It cannot be helped. I shall step forward and find out more about the Duke.”
“You? What can you do?”
The Marchioness patted her husband’s arm as if to tell him not to worry, then turned her body elegantly. Stepping out of the office door, she commanded a maid.
“Go and bring Flora.”
＊ ＊ ＊
When Joseph arrived at the Duke’s bedroom, Walter was reading a book on the sofa. Instead of the blood-stained armor he always wore, he was dressed in a suit, and what his long hand held was not a blood-stained sword either. But from him radiated a lordly presence and dignity.
Thinking how he wanted to show this sight to the Marquis, who had done nothing but scream and shout, Joseph reported respectfully.
“I have retrieved the documents you mentioned, Your Grace.”
Walter set the book he was reading down beside him and held out his hand. As Joseph quickly handed him the documents, Walter straightened up from the sofa and rapidly skimmed through them.
Joseph glanced at the book Walter had been reading. It was worn smooth from handling, its corners frayed, and bore no title. He always read books without titles.
Contrary to the Marquis’s expectation that Walter would be unable to properly grasp even a single document, his expression was terribly cold after reading through them in the blink of an eye.
“You’ve worked hard, Joseph.”
Joseph blinked quietly for a moment, then cautiously asked.
“Originally… was it not your plan to move immediately upon arrival?”
“…….”
“To strike before they prepare and respond is….”
“Joseph.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
Walter gazed at him steadily before asking abruptly.
“If they prepare, are you not confident?”
At his master’s composed question, Joseph unknowingly let out a short laugh. After letting a smile hang at the corner of his mouth for a brief moment, he soon straightened his posture and answered in a low voice.
“No, Your Grace.”
Walter seemed pleased with that answer, leaning back against the sofa as he spoke.
“For the past ten years, they will have thought I was merely wasting time. But during that time, I gained all of you.”
“Yes.”
“Wait a little longer. I have waited ten years; can I not wait a few days more?”
“Understood.”
Answering like a disciplined recruit, Joseph stepped back a few paces and instinctively surveyed his surroundings. However, he could not sense Grace’s presence at all. After hesitating briefly, he asked discreetly.
“Is the young lady moving about?”
Walter did not answer that question. But Joseph saw the corner of his mouth briefly rise and then fall.
Joseph pretended not to notice, keeping a straight face as he suppressed a laugh. Though he had not known the young lady long, somehow the thought that Grace was moving about left him feeling reassured.
It was then.
A maid appeared with a knock, announcing the visit of unexpected and unwelcome guests.
“Your Grace, Marchioness Rinko and Miss Flora of Count Ruwen’s household request an audience.”
＊ ＊ ＊
A large pink rose.
That was Joseph’s impression of Flora. Indeed, the dress she wore had clusters attached here and there that evoked flower blossoms.
Flora sat with her hands folded demurely as if shy, stealing glances at Walter. Seen from the front, he was far more dashing. He was the first man she had ever felt was too breathtaking to look at properly.
They said knights looked no different from laboring commoners, but Walter was like a delicate sculpture crafted by an artisan. A jawline that seemed angular yet sharp, a nose that seemed to have been refined hundreds of times with a delicate blade, deep eyes, and thick eyebrows. He was truly the most ideal sculpture, perfectly conforming to the standards of beauty.
Yet from that perfect sculpture radiated an indescribable wildness. It was something that could never be felt from men who merely hardened their expressions to appear strong.
Her heart pounded.
Flora lightly closed her jaw, then raised her eyes. This time she prayed that their gazes would meet, and indeed!
Their eyes met!
Startled, Flora quickly lowered her eyes and lightly bit her lower lip. Her nerves stood on end.
He was looking at her.
A tingling sensation spread throughout Flora’s entire body.
‘It worked!’
She felt as if they had shared a connection. This feeling surely was not hers alone. While Flora blushed and bowed her head, the Marchioness looked at her and spoke.
“Your Grace, this child is Flora, the esteemed daughter of Count Ruwen, a loyal subject of Richmond. I cherish her as I would my own daughter. Her disposition is as noble as her beautiful appearance. She has diligently cultivated herself in embroidery, musical instruments, and painting, neglecting none of the refined arts.”
“…Marchioness, you embarrass me.”
When Flora spoke softly, the Marchioness covered her mouth with her hand and laughed.
“You are always so humble, Flora.”
The Marchioness turned her gaze to Walter, who was leaning halfway against the sofa. In that instant, the smile across her face briefly stiffened.
She had thought he would be like a wild hellion raised among knights, but from Walter… some special atmosphere emanated.
His seated posture was flawless, without a single fault. Yet he neither gave a sociable smile nor offered a greeting first. He merely watched in silence.
As a strange sense of foreboding crept over her, he opened his mouth for the first time.
“So, what business brings you to me?”
At his low voice, the Marchioness involuntarily swallowed. After briefly choosing her words, she ultimately opted for a direct approach.
“Your Grace, the truth is, there is talk among the servants of the inner castle. About… the person using the Chandelier Room.”
Walter urged her next words with silence. The Marchioness felt a nagging sensation of being checked, but continued.
“Who is she?”
Flora quickly raised her eyes. Focusing only on Walter’s lips, a slow answer followed.
“Grace. My lover.”
“…….”
“…….”
The Marchioness and Flora slowly blinked, then subtly glanced at each other.
Grace.
That was all.
Flora bit her lip, feeling an incredulous laugh about to burst out. Meanwhile, the Marchioness, who had skillfully recomposed her expression, spoke.
“Ahem… I apologize for saying this, but you must not regard the Chandelier Room with personal sentiment. Furthermore, those who remain by Your Grace’s side must be strictly verified.”
Walter leisurely raised his eyes.
A chill crept in slowly, like spreading mist. A shiver spread across her face as if electricity were dancing upon it. The Marchioness realized what Walter’s attitude, which had felt strange all along, resembled.
“Marchioness, what is my name?”
“……Pardon?”
“Do not make me ask twice. Answer at once. What is my name?”
“Your Grace, Duke Walter of Richmond.”
“Then what is the name of this ancient house that you so revere?”
“The House of Richmond.”
Having heard her answer, Walter slowly stroked his chin with his finger and asked.
“In this House of Richmond, is there a room I must receive permission to open?”
The Marchioness realized in that moment. His attitude was,
“And every person I keep by my side is someone I have verified. Who would dare re-verify a person I have verified? Marchioness, is it you?”
Just like that of royalty.
‘No!! He cannot be royalty.’
The Marchioness pushed down her intuition and clenched her fist tightly.
‘Do not back down. The Duke is bluffing.’
She opened her eyes wide.
“I apologize if I have offended you. But Duchess is a title. If Your Grace must receive the respect of your vassals, the Duchess must receive the respect of the noblewomen and servants of the inner castle.”
“…….”
“If the Duchess cannot control the inner castle, it will greatly tarnish Your Grace’s honor. The woman most suited to Your Grace in this Richmond is likely Flora here.”
Walter, who had been listening quietly, suddenly pulled his lips into a smile. Then he turned his head toward Flora, who kept stealing glances at him.
Flora lost herself in Walter’s gaze, which stared fixedly at her. The Marchioness, too, inwardly rejoiced as the time he spent gazing steadily at Flora grew longer.