Chapter 36

When she arrived at the main building, Countess Trudy was calmly conversing with others, displaying the demeanor of someone with deep inner strength.

“Countess.”

As Rohana greeted her, Trudy appeared slightly surprised.

“Is it her?”

“Madam!”

Trudy hastily tried to intervene, but a woman walked toward Rohana.

“Is it you? Are you from that Hanover family?”

The woman, her face streaked with tears, was unmistakably a grieving family member.

“Patricia!”

“Yes, but…”

“Yes, but?!”

Following this outburst, the tearful eyes of everyone else fixed on Rohana like knives. She instinctively knew.

‘This incident… it happened because of me.’

As she considered that Kaiden might not have explained the circumstances because of this, her head throbbed.

“Duchess, we need to talk.”

The words about even taking her son resonated in her ears, overshadowing Trudy’s voice. Trudy urgently signaled to Rohana with her eyes, guiding her into a side room.

Although Trudy quickly closed the heavy door, the commotion outside could still be heard.

“Duchess, how are you feeling?”

Trudy, acting as if she hadn’t heard any of it, asked Rohana about her well-being.

“Was the fire yesterday… because of me? And the attack too?”

Trudy’s bloodshot eyes showed signs of distress. On the paper she held, a face and name of a person could be seen—a man, young and barely an adult.

Rohana’s heart sank to the ground. She was reminded of her nanny from childhood, whose face was now a distant memory.

At that moment, strong footsteps echoed from the opposite corridor. Kaiden appeared, looking dark and exhausted.

“Duke Delcliff.”

Trudy bowed deeply in greeting. Kaiden acknowledged her and nodded at Rohana.

In the daylight, it became even more evident.

It was him.

“You barely slept last night, enduring a lot. Wouldn’t it be better to rest now?”

Kaiden’s gaze remained fixed on the list Trudy had handed him.

“No, I’ll take care of the property and casualties. I apologize for the trouble.”

After Trudy respectfully took her leave, the spacious room was left with just the two of them.

Rohana carefully chose her words.

“It seems you’ve been busy throughout the night.”

Kaiden responded as Rohana spoke.

“Only for a brief moment. There’s nothing for you to worry about…”

“It’s not that…”

That wasn’t the issue.

Rohana hesitated, then spoke again. The boy she remembered had seemed like a dying bird, so different from the man before her now.

If they were the same person, what could have happened?

“Rohana.”

His silent gaze made Rohana pause. She decided to ask a simpler question first.

“Did this incident… happen because of me?”

Kaiden’s brow furrowed slightly, as if troubled by her question.

“It wasn’t because of you.”

“…”

Seeing her disbelief, Kaiden sighed.

“Why…? Who?”

Who, and why?

The wailing voice of the woman from earlier echoed in her mind.

Observing Rohana’s conflicting expression, Kaiden seemed to make a decision and slowly began to speak.

“There may be more incidents like this in the future.”

Kaiden pulled out a black metal piece from his pocket and handed it to Rohana.

“What is this?”

“Rangers of the Damned. They’re cursed rangers.”

Rohana looked up.

“They’re an extreme pro-magic group. A militant organization for those with magical powers.”

Her violet eyes widened.

“Then…”

“It’s a covert organization that hasn’t yet gained a stronghold in the capital. They’re both my enemies and allies.”

“Does the Emperor know… about this?”

“I’m not entirely sure if Bardi, the current Emperor, is aware, but… he probably knows.”

Rohana finally understood. She was a Hanover, a descendant of those who had led the ‘Kark Tribe Extermination’ since her grandfather’s time. Many of the discriminatory laws had been enacted by them.

“I see.”

She knew, but she had never heard or seen anything to remind her, so she had lived in ignorance. She hadn’t realized it was this severe.

“Because I’m a Hanover.”

“It’s not your fault. I’ll be reinforcing security even more.”

This marriage contract felt all the more unfair.

“Don’t worry.”

Was he trying to repay a debt from that time?

Suddenly, Kaiden closed the distance between them. As he cautiously raised his arm, his broad shoulders and chest emerged from beneath his cloak.

His large, long hands, clad in black leather gloves, slowly approached and wrapped the dark cloak more securely around Rohana.

“It’s much colder here.”

By the time Rohana looked back, Kaiden had already walked toward the scene. She watched his clean, steady gait until he was out of sight.

***

BOOM.

Another massive wave surged across the sea. An aerial attack that couldn’t be handled from the capital—how absurd.

Brandt Hanover was sick of constantly reporting attacks from far off.

Each time, the young emperor was left helpless and enraged.

As he walked toward the meeting room where Budier, responsible for the western region, and Franz, in charge of the southern region, were gathered, Brandt pondered.

“Brandt Hanover.”

Hearing someone call his name, Brandt turned around. Budier approached with a worried expression, causing Brandt’s face to darken even more.

“We must advise His Majesty to evacuate.”

“Evacuate?”

Brandt asked back, his eyes widening. Budier, who was in charge of the western region, nervously bit his lips.

“The attacks resumed as soon as Delcliff left for Nopthal. And as you know, there’s nothing we can do.”

Brandt gathered his courage and continued speaking.

“If there’s nothing we can do, we should quickly request help from Duke Delcliff…”

“You want to ask Delcliff for help now?”

Budier asked, his eyes flashing.

“Nopthal, where Delcliff is, is also part of Ardgold. If possible, we should even borrow their strength. This is clearly…”

Brand lowered his voice.

“This is clearly the work of magic.”

A secret his sister couldn’t even imagine. The existence of magic, which his father had secretly told him about, was now something he was witnessing with his own eyes, and it still didn’t feel real.

“I regret that your sister had to marry into that family, but those people can’t be trusted.”

“How long are we going to keep saying such nonsensical…”

Brandt was cut off by Pels.

“His Majesty is still young and inexperienced. If we report the situation as it is, our necks might not be safe.”

Franz narrowed his eyes in agreement with Budier’s words.

“So, what do you propose?”

“We plan to move His Majesty to the south, where you are. We will temporarily evacuate the capital and devise a strategy in the meantime. It’s too dangerous as it is.”

“Are you discussing my whereabouts without me?”

Everyone jumped at the sudden voice. Turning around, they saw the emperor standing there, his blue eyes shining brighter than ever.

“Your Majesty!”

Budier exclaimed, bowing deeply, and the others followed suit, bowing until their heads were level with their waists.

“Are you discussing the danger to the capital?”

“My apologies.”

Franz spoke after Budier.

“Your Majesty, the attacks, whose cause we do not know, continue, and we are, in fact, woefully unprepared to defend the airspace.”

“So, if we go to your territory, you can protect the airspace?”

Faced with the emperor’s cold question, Franz bit his lips as well. The situation was the same—there was no answer.

“Let’s go to Nopthal.”

At that moment, a soft voice interrupted.

“Your Majesty the Empress.”

Brandt bowed his head once again. The empress, Aurelia, with her long, golden hair flowing down to her waist, appeared behind Bardi.

“Isn’t Nopthal the only place where we can defend the airspace?”

It was true. The fact that Delcliff controlled the skies to some extent with magic was a whispered legend, but those involved knew it wasn’t just a rumor.

“No matter what, that place is still…”

“Budier, I didn’t expect you to be less thoughtful than Aurelia.”

Bardi remarked with a sarcastic smile.

“We’re going to Nopthal.”

Everyone bowed again in response. Aurelia, taking Bardi’s arm, glanced at the somewhat startled generals.

To think they would head to Nopthal so soon. Aurelia felt a mix of anxiety and excitement as she clenched and unclenched her small hands.

***

Rohana was speechless when she saw Delcliff Castle in Nopthal.

The fortress, with its endlessly sprawling high walls, was diligently manned by soldiers, and cheers erupted wherever the lord and lady of the castle passed.

The town within the territory was almost as bustling as the capital of Ardgold, with the sharp spire architecture standing out. It was a stark contrast to the grim and eerie atmosphere described in the original story.

The one thing that remained the same was the black obsidian-clad outer wall, which gave the castle its name, “Black Castle.”

And the long, ornate stained glass windows shining in between them were as dazzling as jewels.

“You must be tired. Escort her to her room.”

At Kaiden’s command, dozens of maids swiftly moved, surrounding Rohana. Their vigilant gazes remained sharp as ever, but they seemed somewhat relieved to have arrived at the castle.

“Thank you.”

Rohana replied as she ascended the smooth stone steps that reflected light, leading to the room where she would stay. In the center of the main staircase, a room that appeared to be an enormous library came into view.

The interior was furnished with deep, dark wood furniture, combined with light cream and dark navy velvet, while the long, tall windows allowed warm sunlight to stream in.