Chapter 6

Hazel placed a white lily on the altar and prayed earnestly. Of course, it wasn’t a prayer for her brother, nor was it a confession for yesterday’s events. It was a prayer full of personal desire.  

‘Please send me a perfect husband, Goddess Nerea.’  

After praying, Hazel returned and gave a light nod to Kaiden.  

“I’ll go take a look around, see you later, Duke.”  

Kaiden stared blankly at Hazel’s retreating figure as she scurried into the banquet hall like a squirrel.  

“Honestly, Hazel…”  

As he watched her disappearing figure, she nearly lost her balance, stumbling to the right as if her shoes didn’t fit well. A man standing nearby caught her shoulder just in time, but Kaiden frowned at the sight.  

“Tsk, where does he think he’s putting his hands?”  

Kaiden muttered that he needed to check which family the rude man belonged to, quickening his pace toward Hazel. But before he could reach her, someone grabbed his arm.  

Kaiden shook off the hand in displeasure.  

“Duke, it’s been a while. I’m Terra, the daughter of the Marquis of Liber. Greetings to you.”  

Hazel had already disappeared into the distance, and an unfamiliar young lady bowed her head before him.  

Although he was engaged to the imperial princess, it had been a long time since the engagement was announced, and with no marriage in sight, some bold individuals occasionally approached him. Kaiden looked at the young lady with an indifferent expression.  

“Nice to meet you, Lady Terro.”  

“It’s Terra, Duke. I heard the recent trade results were excellent.”  

“Well, I suppose.”  

Kaiden wasn’t even listening to her words, too focused on finding Hazel.  

“Let go of my arm.”  

“Duke, if you don’t have a partner, how about accompanying me? I can show you around.”  

“No need.”  

He had to find out who the man that touched Hazel’s shoulder was. Which family did he belong to? Had he contacted Hazel separately? And most importantly, had he made any unpleasant requests?  

And on the off chance that the man was a suspicious sorcerer lingering around Hazel, he might have cast a spell the moment their skin touched.  

‘Just wait until I find out which family he’s from.’  

Kaiden downed the wine in Terra’s hand in one gulp, his throat parched with anxiety as Hazel was nowhere to be seen.  

“Duke, shall we go out to the terrace for some fresh air?”  

“Lady, step aside.”  

“It’s just over there. Why not walk with me to that spot?”  

Following her pointing finger, Kaiden finally saw Hazel’s red hair swaying in the wind. Without even noticing Terra’s hand still gripping his arm, he strode toward her.  

Hazel received a glass of purple wine from a passing servant.  

Since the banquet was hosted by the Great Temple, there were no extravagant finger foods or expensive drinks, but everything essential was present.  

The first day of the week-long banquet was reserved for nobles only, making it no different from a typical social ball. Everywhere, people exchanged glances, gauging each other while maintaining appearances. Hazel was no exception.  

She held up a palm-sized mirror and surveyed her surroundings.  

“Over there, 22 points. And that side… 37 points.”  

Disappointed, Hazel let out a sigh, but her expression soon hardened.  

“Haa. Is it broken? What’s with these numbers?”  

She had expected an average score of at least 80, but none even reached half of the perfect score.  

Still, there was one higher score—69 points, belonging to the Young Marquis of Humohr.  

“It’s been a while, Lady Hazel.”  

The moment their eyes met, Humohr, who had been sneaking glances at her, quickly closed the distance and greeted her. Hazel had no intention of speaking to a man who didn’t score over 90, but now she was in a difficult situation.  

‘If only the number were flipped… No, even then, he wouldn’t surpass Duke Kaiden.’  

Suppressing her disappointment, Hazel forced a bright smile. Humohr was one of the few people who welcomed her all the way to the reception room whenever she delivered scented oils to the imperial family, so she couldn’t pretend not to know him.  

“Have you been well, Young Marquis?”  

“Well, is there anything else to do but manage the family alongside my older brother?”  

“Still, I think that’s impressive. Everyone in the imperial family speaks highly of you.”  

“Hearing that from you makes me shy. By the way, has it been a month since we last met at the imperial palace?”  

“Yes, it seems so. Have you finished the transcription work you mentioned back then?”  

The Humohr Marquis family was a prestigious one, long entrusted with managing and producing the imperial library’s books.  

In recent years, they had also been tasked with drafting and reviewing imperial documents, which meant Humohr had to leave the knight academy he had attended with Evan to learn the family business under his older brother.  

“I just barely finished it two days ago at dawn. Oh, and I heard Evan became the commander of the Holy Knight Order recently. Congratulations.”  

“It’s not my achievement, but I’ll be sure to pass on your congratulations to my brother.”  

“By the way, did you come here alone, Lady Hazel?”  

Humohr looked disappointed, as if upset that she hadn’t told him. Feeling awkward at his reaction, Hazel hesitated before nodding.  

“I just stopped by to pray for my brother’s well-being.”  

That was the official reason. Her personal goal was to find a perfect husband. She almost blurted out her true intentions, asking him to clear the way for her.  

She hadn’t explored the northern side of the hall yet, where a perfect man might be waiting, so her gaze kept drifting beyond Humohr’s shoulder.  

“Are you looking for someone?”  

“Oh, no! It’s just that it’s been a while since I’ve been out, and people-watching is fun. Don’t you feel the same, Young Marquis, after being cooped up in the imperial library?”  

“Well, I suppose.”  

“So do I.”  

Feigning innocence with a radiant smile, Hazel fooled Humohr, who scratched the back of his neck shyly before extending his right hand.  

“How about having lunch together today?”  

“Ah…”  

“I remember you enjoyed the cream pasta in the city last time. How about trying the newly opened cod steak restaurant next to it? They drizzle sweet honey on top, and it’s supposed to be delicious.”  

“Well…”  

Hazel was troubled. She had planned to quickly look around and then enjoy a quiet lunch at home. The idea of dining with a man was reserved only for a perfect score.  

While she was racking her brain for an excuse, she suddenly felt a heavy weight on her shoulder.  

The cool scent of mint filled the air—it was Duke Kaiden.  

“It’s been a while, Humohr.”  

“It’s been a while, Kaiden. I thought the rumors of you being in the Servian Empire were false, but here you are.”  

“Do you have business with Hazel?”  

“We were just starting to talk when you interrupted.”  

Though Humohr treated him like an intruder and winked, Kaiden didn’t budge.  

“You’re not trying to lure her with food like in the old days, are you?”  

“Are you imitating Evan now, Kaiden?”  

Humohr brushed back his golden hair and lightly tapped Kaiden’s shoulder, but Kaiden brushed his hand off with a look of disdain.  

Still as frivolous as ever, flirting with every young lady and confusing them.  

“Imitating Evan? I don’t know what you’re talking about. If you’re done with Hazel, leave.”  

Ignoring Kaiden’s words, Humohr turned back to Hazel.  

“Let’s have lunch together next time, Lady Hazel.”  

“Yes, Young Marquis Humohr.”  

“Why would you have lunch together? For what reason?”  

“Kaiden, do I need to explain that to you? Isn’t that right, Lady Hazel?”  

Humohr winked at Hazel.  

“Cancel it.”  

Kaiden looked at Hazel.  

“Cancel it right now.”  

Even if it had been another man, Kaiden would’ve been irritated, but Humohr was out of the question.  

A man who flirted with women, confused them, and accepted expensive gifts from noble ladies—a despicable character.  

Back in knight academy, he had even tied handkerchiefs gifted by various young ladies onto his sword handle, inciting fights among them. He was a man without responsibility or principles.  

‘He’s not even close to being a match for Hazel.’  

“Cancel it.”  

“Humohr, you’d better stop poking around. You might end up getting stabbed by a sword.”  

“So, you’ve decided to play the role of Hazel’s brother now? I fully support it. You should stay by her side as her brother forever.”  

Though Humohr clapped mockingly, Kaiden remained unfazed.  

“What does that have to do with you?”  

“It has everything to do with me.”  

“Humohr, is your workload from the imperial family too light? Shall I ask the princess to increase it for you?”  

“Ha, the princess again.”  

Humohr shook his head as if amused, while Kaiden closed the distance between them.  

“Duke Kaiden…”  

Hazel tugged at Kaiden’s clothes, pleading for him to stop. His fierce gaze softened.  

“Hazel and I already have lunch plans.”  

“Well, if you say so.”  

“Lunch, dinner, and every other meal—we’ll always have plans.”  

Humohr chuckled and shook his head, reaching out toward Hazel’s hair.  

“What are you doing?”  

“There’s a flower petal in her hair. Are you going to stop me from even doing that?”