Chapter 3 (Part 9)

In Duke Richard’s office at the Knights’ Order building.

“Your Grace, we’ve roughly figured out Count Pablo’s movements.”

Knight Commander Dupont continued his report as he handed over a hefty file.

“Well done.”

“By the way, Your Grace, how long do you plan to stay in the capital?”

Georges, the First Knight Commander leading the Monster Subjugation Squad, seemed restless.

“……Hmm.”

He planned to return quickly after reporting the border situation to His Majesty the Emperor. Jeremy swallowed his silence for a moment, and Thomas Hammer, standing in the corner, spoke.

“There’s also the illegal drug investigation left, and the Emperor’s ball invitation remains.”

At his deep voice, Georges was startled.

“You should make some noise when you move! What if I faint from fright!”

“How can one who can’t sense presence expect to catch monsters…….”

Thomas, the Second Knight Commander in charge of the capital’s security, was known for his agility and nimbleness despite his bear-like stature.

As the two engaged in a battle of nerves, the Duke spoke.

“Yes. He said I should be prepared if I don’t attend the ball again this time.”

For the past ten years, the Duke had consistently declined the Emperor’s invitations. Previously, he could excuse himself due to the turbulent border situation, but now it was a brief period of peace.

“By the way, I heard His Majesty the Emperor ordered the direct knights to kill the Night Wolf.”

“…….”

Beyond the wall, there was the Lion of the Battlefield, Duke Richard, while inside the wall, there was the Night Wolf.

Rumored to ride an actual wolf, he was famous for dealing with nobles who committed wrongdoings. Even the Emperor or high-ranking nobles dared not interfere, but the wolf took bold actions.

His identity was unknown to anyone, adding to his mystique.

There were quite a few who admired the Night Wolf, regardless of whether they were noble young masters or commoner children.

“He can’t tolerate two suns under the same sky.”

The Duke murmured nonchalantly as he signed an important document.

“Thomas, now is the time to strengthen security while things are quiet.”

“Understood.”

With a crisp salute, Thomas turned and left the office.

“It’s hard to believe someone as inflexible as him wields a sword.”

Watching Thomas, whose personality was nearly the opposite of his, Georges clicked his tongue. Then the Duke, holding his glasses, smirked.

“Is it alright for someone with a loose tongue like yours to wield a sword?”

At the Duke’s sarcasm, Georges spread his shoulders wide and donned a serious look.

“Thanks to that, I can fly like a butterfly and sting like a bee to defeat monsters.”

Though the Duke seemed to smile lightly at Georges’ jest, his expression was actually stiff.

“……An order to kill.”

A gleam flickered in the Duke’s eyes as he stroked his chin.

❖ ❖ ❖

After spending the morning on guild matters, Therese returned to the ducal residence. She dismissed the servants and wandered around the secluded back garden.

‘I’d like to leave this place if I could, but I mustn’t act rashly.’

Regardless of the divorce, honor and reputation were important. If she were to be criticized for something disgraceful, Baron Demori would also suffer humiliation.

‘Rushing will ruin things.’

She wanted to prepare everything as carefully as possible and handle it without leaving any flaws. It was midday, and the sun was so hot it burned her skin, but Therese kept shivering. It felt as if the poison had drained all the warmth from her body.

‘I should go back and find something to wear.’

As she turned her body, Therese saw herself trapped in a long shadow.

“…….”

“It is dangerous to walk around without an escort.”

Approaching Therese was Duke Richard, draped in a red cloak. Dressed in his knightly attire, as if he had just returned from the Knights’ Order, he looked perfect, like a god of war from mythology.

His dazzling blond hair in the sunlight, the elegant line of his nose beneath slightly furrowed brows, and the red lips that always captivated her.

While she was lost in thought about him, the Duke stood right in front of Therese and grabbed her wrist.

“What’s going on?”

Startled, Therese could only stare at her captured wrist, unable to speak properly.

Duke Richard took Therese to the training ground where he personally practiced swordsmanship.

“……Your Grace? Why are we here?”

“I read in today’s newspaper that there is a vicious criminal targeting women in broad daylight.”

“What does that have to do with me?”

Therese coldly retorted, shaking off his grip on her wrist.

Crimes didn’t discriminate between day and night. The walls surrounding the capital blocked the energy of monsters, not the evil in human hearts.

‘Even I was almost kidnapped as a child.’

Similar incidents still happened frequently. It was common for mercenaries or knights to be hired for large sums to protect young lords and ladies.

Finding excellent warriors was occasionally one of the requests that came to the guild, so Therese was well aware.

“I don’t know when I might be sent back to the border.”

The Duke spoke, lightly punching the scarecrow model set up in the training ground. Watching the straw and dust scatter from his powerful blows, Therese clenched her lips.

‘Is he saying he’s going to teach me swordsmanship?’

She absolutely refused.

“I can protect myself, so you don’t need to worry.”

“……Is that so?”

The Duke smirked with a crooked smile.

‘Why is he smiling?’

It was an annoyingly unpleasant smile, but Therese turned her back, ignoring it. There was nothing more dangerous than someone whose thoughts you couldn’t read.

“I’ll believe you if you can defeat me.”

“……What?”

Therese stupidly asked again, unable to comprehend what she heard.

There was no way she could defeat Duke Richard, the war hero. It wasn’t just Therese; even an ordinary knight couldn’t do it.

But he seemed serious, drawing a wooden sword and approaching her.

“You’d better be tense. I’m quite serious about matches.”

“Oh, really.”

She didn’t want to get involved, but she kept finding herself in situations where she couldn’t avoid it. Therese quickly grabbed the wooden sword next to her and lowered her stance as much as possible.

‘There’s no chance of winning in a head-on confrontation.’

Though she doubted a surprise attack would work either.

Frowning, Therese keenly searched for an opening in the Duke’s defense. But, of course, there was none.

‘It’s really annoying how he approaches with a smile.’

“Staring at me like that won’t make me fall, Madame.”

Annoyed by his teasing words, Therese replied. The Duke was treating her like a child.

Despite only a five-year age difference.

“This is unfair.”

“Why is that?”

“I’m an untrained woman, and you lead the Knights’ Order, Your Grace.”

Explaining it was already absurd, but he didn’t seem to think so, playfully winking with his dark eyes.

“Baron Demori said you liked playing with swords since childhood……?”

Infuriated, Therese interrupted him mid-sentence.

“Then you should close your eyes, Your Grace.”

“……Gladly.”

Before she finished speaking, the Duke approached and took the scarf wrapped around Therese’s neck. In the blink of an eye, he used it to blindfold himself.

“Is it fair now?”

Though the dark scarf blocked his vision, Therese still didn’t feel it was a fair match.

‘I don’t understand why I have to do this at all.’

At that moment, the Duke attempted to strike her shoulder. It happened so quickly that Therese, who hurriedly dodged, lost her breath.

‘Was he serious?’

“Madame, villains won’t show mercy when they attack.”

Even blindfolded, the Duke’s boasting was still annoying.

‘This is unbearable.’

Therese had learned from Roshan how to move silently, and she stealthily approached the Duke from behind. Since there was no chance of winning conventionally, she planned to use a sneaky tactic.

‘Now, if I hit him in the back, it’s over.’

Standing behind the Duke’s broad back, Therese swallowed dryly. Just as she carefully extended the wooden sword, he reached his arm back.

“……?”

It was too late to retract, and the Duke took the wooden sword from her, causing Therese to lose her balance. She struggled not to fall, but it was futile.

“……Ah.”

As her body toppled, Therese tightly shut her eyes. She must have fallen awkwardly, but strangely, she felt no pain.

Cautiously opening her eyes, Therese realized she was sitting atop the Duke.

With his disheveled blond hair and still-blindfolded face, Therese felt her heart stop. There seemed to be an inexplicable charm exuding from the defenseless Duke. She couldn’t take her eyes off his bulging Adam’s apple and the shoulders that seemed capable of holding her waist.

Then his red lips parted, whispering softly.

“Madame, do you intend to stay like this?”

“My goodness, I’m sorry, Your Grace.”

As Therese hurried to get up, she stumbled in her haste and fell back into the Duke’s arms, who was just about to sit up.

“Madame, I have won.”

“…….”

With her head buried in his chest, she assessed the situation, noticing the two wooden swords in his hand.

“Would you kindly untie the scarf covering my eyes now?”

The Duke emphasized that his hands weren’t free, shaking both arms.

With his breath so close, Therese hesitated to reach out. But if she didn’t hurry, she couldn’t escape this uncomfortable situation.

Grabbing the scarf as if snatching it, Therese couldn’t take her eyes off the Duke’s face, blinking from the sudden light.

Holding the scarf halfway, Therese slowly moved her blue eyes. Watching her, the Duke whispered.

“We will start training tomorrow.”

Unlike her heart, which was racing uncontrollably, his tone was very calm.