Chapter 114. The Long-Awaited Time

Enoch’s eyes glared at Warren with a murderous intensity.

Having just returned from the battlefield, he still exuded an unrestrained killing aura, and Warren, who had no combat skills to speak of, couldn’t withstand it.

Ha ha… Warren let out an awkward laugh and averted his gaze, cold sweat dripping down his back.

That crazy bastard. Why is he glaring at me like he wants to kill me?

“My wife being pretty and lovely…”

“……”

“What’s it to you?”

The voice was undeniably filled with wariness. Warren, momentarily stunned, opened his mouth in disbelief and sighed.

So that’s why he’s acting up…

“You crazy bastard… Just because I broke up with Mercedes doesn’t mean I’d look at your wife.”

Warren shook his head and took a swig from the bottle. The alcohol tasted bitter. Such is life. Dumped by a lover and scorned by a friend. Warren Norbert’s life was truly bitter.

But if there was one thing Warren Norbert was good at, it was bouncing back like a spring even after being knocked down.

“So, do you miss her or not? You’ve been apart for over a month. Those Artreos bastards don’t understand virtue. Right?”

“……”

Enoch ignored Warren, who was buzzing around like a pesky fly, and gazed out the window.

Miss her?

Is that even a question?

This feeling goes beyond just missing her.

The spell cast on him was so intense that it drove him nearly mad during the month he was on the battlefield.

It was said in jest that the Erinter side wanted to end the war quickly because of the Grand Duke of Bayern…

“You shouldn’t have come along, Warren.”

“……? What are you talking about?”

“When we get to Evitern Castle, you’ll see things you shouldn’t.”

“……”

“I can’t promise I won’t go crazy the moment I see Ellen again.”

This lunatic…

Warren rolled his eyes and took a gulp of alcohol, letting out a deep sigh.

Why am I even here, keeping company with a man who has everything? Watching the Grand Duke and his wife’s lovey-dovey display will only make me lonelier. Regret washed over him.

‘Ha… Mercedes…’

And thinking of the lover who left him made him inevitably depressed.

Mercedes, why did you give up on me? Was I that unreliable? Or did you just not want to walk a thorny path with me?

‘Let’s remain as good memories for each other.’

He had proposed to Mercedes. And she had rejected him. Well… that’s the gist of it.

Despite the harsh reality, he wanted to marry her and live together, but she wanted to preserve their beautiful love before it got ruined.

Who was more realistic?

Well, even if it was a mess, I was ready to roll in the mud with you.

It wasn’t just youthful impulsiveness, it was a courage that he was willing to stake his life on. But his sincerity didn’t get through. Or maybe it wouldn’t have mattered even if it did.

Warren downed the last of the whiskey. It still tasted bitter.

* * *

As the train approached Rheinfelden Station, Enoch Bayern’s anxiety level hit 105 out of 100.

What nonsense? Warren Norbert was only telling the truth. The reality was right in front of him.

“Damn, why is this train so slow?”

You’re the only one who thinks the train is slow, you crazy bastard.

Finally, with a loud whistle, the train came to a stop, and Enoch dashed out of the private room at a terrifying speed.

Wow, is that a human? He’s like a puma! There’s no difference!

Warren tried to keep up with Enoch at a civilian’s pace, but he couldn’t catch up with Enoch, who had already mounted a horse and started running as soon as he got off the train.

In the end, all he could see was Enoch’s figure disappearing like the wind. Someone tapped Warren’s shoulder as he panted, hands on knees. When he turned around, he saw the knight commander with blue eyes giving him a sympathetic smile.

“You can come with us.”

And they handed him a warhorse that had just been unloaded from the animal carriage… Warren felt a lump in his throat.

I’m Enoch Bayern’s only friend, but… that heartless bastard goes crazy over a woman.

“Thank you…”

“Don’t mention it. We plan to move slowly, so don’t worry.”

It meant that even though you are painfully slow by our standards, we won’t leave you behind.

Warren wiped his eyes. Seriously, why am I even here?

Penelope Ashwood had warned him during the victory parade in the capital.

‘I won’t go to Rheinfelden. I’d love to see Ellen again, but Enoch Bayern… that crazy bastard… Really… Ha… Throughout the war, he was the biggest problem, not the Artreos army! If you don’t want to suffer a mental attack, don’t follow him to Rheinfelden, Marquis Norbert.’

Every word had a point.

It was the foresight of the saintess who had fought alongside Enoch Bayern on the battlefield.

‘Foolish Warren Norbert. You ignored the saint’s advice…’

It’s suffocating…

The sky is so clear.

‘I miss you, Mercedes…’

Indeed, the poor are always the most miserable.

* * *

Enoch ran without stopping.

Like a bullet, without looking back, heading straight for Evitern Castle.

As a result, he arrived at Evitern Castle much faster than usual.

“His Highness the Grand Duke has arrived!”

With the lord’s arrival, Evitern Castle went into a frenzy. They hurriedly lowered the drawbridge and pushed open the massive gates.

Passing through the drawbridge and the gates, Enoch crossed the garden and arrived in front of the main castle. He jumped off his horse, and the retainers, led by Fernand, rushed out to greet him, bowing deeply. Ignoring all the greetings, Enoch bluntly asked his business.

“Where is Ellen?”

“Her Highness is in her room…”

Before Fernand could finish his sentence, Enoch had already passed him and leaped up the stairs. He reached the second floor in an instant and burst into the Grand Duchess’s room without knocking.

It was 9 AM. Ellen was in the middle of her morning routine, having breakfast and taking a bath. The maids, who were preparing her clothes, shoes, jewelry, perfume, and cosmetics for the day, were startled and looked at Enoch.

Everyone was shocked to the point of fainting at the sudden appearance of the Grand Duke, but he was undeterred. He glanced around the room and asked.

“Where is Ellen?”

“Her Highness is bathing.”

Without waiting for a response, Enoch strode towards the bathroom. The maids gasped as he opened the door and entered.

They exchanged glances and then, as if on cue, hurriedly fled from the Grand Duchess’s room, blushing furiously at what was about to happen.

The bathroom was filled with steam.

Ellen rarely used the grand bath. Was she so embarrassed by the mirrors attached everywhere? Cute.

Enoch chuckled quietly and walked slowly behind the screen. He leisurely peeled off his cumbersome clothes.

Thud.

At the sound of clothes falling to the floor, there was a flinch behind the screen.

A cautious voice soon followed.

“Jasmine? Laila?”

Wrong guess.

After undoing his belt and removing his pants, he took off his underwear completely. n*ked, he approached the screen.

He reached out and slightly moved the screen aside. When he finally appeared, Ellen, who was lounging lazily in the bathtub, widened her eyes.

She opened her mouth in surprise.

“An illusion…?”

“Not an illusion.”

He scoffed and slid into the bathtub. The ivory marble tub was quite spacious for one person, but cramped for two, especially with a large man like Enoch.

The water overflowed due to his weight, and Ellen’s face showed shock at the very real phenomenon.

“E-Enoch? Is it really you?”

As Ellen stood up, Enoch grabbed her arm and pulled her into his embrace.

Ellen, unable to resist, fell into his arms. Water splashed with a loud noise. Enoch hugged her tightly, savoring the soft, tender feel of her skin and inhaling her fragrant scent deeply.

Ellen was still dazed. Enoch cupped her lovely face with his hands and kissed her repeatedly.

A sense of immense satisfaction filled his heart. His muscles trembled as if in a spasm. Enoch took Ellen’s hand and placed it on his chest, letting her feel his wildly beating heart.

“Did you miss me?”

“……”

“I thought I would go mad missing you.”

He smiled as if to hide his overwhelming emotions. Ellen’s blue eyes wavered as she looked at him. Her cheeks flushed, and her expression wavered. She stroked his face several times, as if to confirm he was really there, and called out in a tearful voice.

“Enoch…”

“Yes.”

“I missed you. Really, so much—”

As Ellen recited like a chorus how relieved she was that he was safe, how she missed him, how she longed for him… Enoch held her tightly in his strong arms.

So she could be sure that his presence was not an illusion.