However, the people who had just started their conversation did not stop their relentless chatter.

“Well, with such behavior, it wouldn’t be strange if he had a handsome face, right?”

The people had no way of knowing that the subject of their story was right there in the tavern.

The real Kaiel in front of them and the rumored Grand Duke of Tranade had nothing in common.

The rumored Kaiel was ruthless and cunning, but the ‘real’ one here was rather polite.

Considering his attire, which suggested he was of quite high status, he was much more courteous compared to those who would cause trouble with just a bit of power.

And above all, he was incredibly handsome!

The description of his appearance took up almost an entire page in the original work, so it would be strange if he wasn’t.

Therefore, no one could have guessed that this strikingly handsome man was the rumored boar-like Grand Duke of Tranade.

The many unfavorable rumors about the Duke of Tranade were a main topic of conversation for the villagers. Whether eating, working, or drinking, whenever they needed light conversation, this topic always came up.

When Delia spread interesting stories with her excellent storytelling, the tales would circulate throughout the village for a while.

It was a daily occurrence.

But right now…

“A boar? That suits him well.”

‘Please stop…! He can hear you!’

Unable to voice her thoughts, Delia screamed inwardly in frustration.

‘Cover your ears! Don’t listen!’

Contrary to her wish that the insults wouldn’t reach him, Kaiel was listening to every word, paying close attention.

Fortunately, Innkeeper Heather came over with the packaged drink.

“Sorry for the wait. I took extra care in preparing it….”

Matching the value of the gold coin, the packaging was very luxurious, something rarely seen.

“Thank you.”

Kaiel received the drink from the innkeeper.

Due to his large hands, the bottle that looked normal with the innkeeper now seemed small like a model.

‘Even his hands….’

Delia found herself mesmerized by his hands without realizing it. Had it not been for his voice, she would have continued staring at them.

“By the way.”

It was unexpected when Kaiel spoke to the innkeeper instead of leaving immediately after receiving the drink.

“I heard an interesting story.”

Kaiel’s eyes scanned the tavern before returning to her.

“About the Grand Duke of Tranade.”

Delia froze in place.

Innkeeper Heather, who had been clueless, nodded in understanding as soon as she heard the mention of the Grand Duke of Tranade.

Heather smiled warmly at Delia.

“There’s an excellent storyteller here, that’s right.”

Kaiel’s gaze pierced her chest like a needle.

Seeing Heather smile at her without knowing anything, Delia held back her tears.

‘Heather, this is not the time to smile….’

She avoided Kaiel’s gaze, fearing that their eyes might meet if she turned her head even slightly.

‘This is not how I wanted him to look at me!’

“Ha ha ha….”

Delia laughed awkwardly.

Whether he understood her feelings or not, Innkeeper Heather proudly introduced her.

“She knows the news from the North so well, she’s an expert on everything related to Tranade.”

Kaiel’s gaze seemed to burn through her. Every part of her body that his eyes touched felt like it was on fire.

Unfortunately, the attention she had wanted from him came back as displeasure rather than affection.

“She’s especially knowledgeable about the Grand Duke of Tranade!”

“Oh, Heather, come on. …No, that’s not true.”

She waved her hands in denial, trying to stop him from talking any further.

Her desperate gestures seemed like humility to the innkeeper, who continued excitedly.

“I heard a new story from her today….”

Heather leaned closer to Kaiel with a mischievous smile. Kaiel, who disliked unnecessary contact, stepped aside, but the innkeeper didn’t notice.

“Do you know what the Grand Duke of Tranade looks like?”

Delia was going crazy inside.

‘Heather…! The esteemed guest in front of you is the Grand Duke of Tranade… please!’

Kaiel’s right eyebrow lifted slightly. Then, as if in disbelief, he ran his hand through his hair.

He looked directly at Delia and spoke.

“What does he look like?”

It was as if he was challenging her to say it again while looking at his face. Overwhelmed by his gaze, Delia answered without thinking.

“He’s really handsome.”

“What are you saying! Didn’t you say he looked like a boar? A hideous boar!”

Puzzled, Heather soon laughed and spoke to Kaiel.

“You wouldn’t know, since you’re so tall and handsome, but that boar-like man has a personality like a crazy piece of trash…!”

“Ahem! …Ahem, suddenly— cough….”

Delia pretended to cough to stop him from talking, but Heather just patted her back without stopping.

“Come on, tell him. This esteemed guest is curious!”

Finally forced to speak, Delia felt her breath catch in her throat.

Her hands, hidden under her cloak, were tightly clasped, pressing against each other. At least she could hide her nervous hands under the cloak.

Her hands, hidden beneath the cloak, were tightly clasped together, pressing against each other. It was fortunate that she could conceal her tense hands inside the cloak.

“Uh…”

Her vibrant lips, which had opened to say something, quickly closed shut.

‘I can’t say it in front of Kaiel, even if I die.’

Since she had been avoiding Kaiel’s gaze all along, a sudden good idea popped into her head. She raised her head to look at him directly.

“I’m…”

Still seemingly overwhelmed by facing that handsome face properly, she barely managed to spit out the words that were about to retreat from her lips into her throat.

“I’m sorry, but it’s not possible right now.”

It was a soft but firm voice.

Surprised by her unexpected answer, innkeeper Heather flailed her hands, not knowing where to put them.

She had never once backed out of a conversation before.

It was worrying to see her state so different from usual, with her cheeks flushed red and her unusually tense appearance, as if she might really be sick somewhere.

But Kaiel was still looking at her with the same face. Still with those deep, cold gray-blue eyes.

She continued in a determined voice.

“Judging by the fabric of your clothes, you seem to be quite a high-ranking person. What if I say something wrong and you happen to know the Grand Duke?”

Instead of badmouthing him in front of himself, she chose to challenge him directly.

Recalling all the words she had just said, innkeeper Heather unconsciously covered her mouth at Delia’s words.

Could it be?

It really could be possible.

What if this precious guest before her eyes was someone who had a close relationship with Grand Duke Tranade…

“Oh, oh dear, I’ve been running my mouth… If that’s really the case, I apologize. Oh my…”

Innkeeper Heather hurriedly bowed her head.

Following him, Delia also bowed her head slightly. As she lowered her head, her hair flowed down. That auburn hair was curling temptingly.

Kaiel’s cold eyes followed Delia’s hair. It was unclear whether it was because the noticeable auburn hair bothered him or if it aroused his interest.

Delia, who lightly tucked her hair behind her ear with her hand, said,

“It’s just a light pastime for people who have no joy in life due to hard work… Even if that’s the case, I would be grateful if you could forgive it.”

Although she spoke as naturally as flowing water, her unusually long eyelashes trembled slightly in front of her lowered eyes, as if her inner state was not at all like that.

To ask for forgiveness after spreading rumors freely.

It was absurd.

Delia felt like she wanted to kneel down in front of him and beg, crying her eyes out.

However, if she were to kneel and beg, it seemed as if everyone in this tavern who had ever mentioned him would follow suit and kneel down.

She was the source of the rumors. There was no reason for these people to apologize for something she had started.

She didn’t want to see that.

At that moment, Kaiel, who had been silently watching the two, opened his mouth.

“…So.”

After a brief silence, his gaze turned to her.

“You’re admitting that you’re the one who’s been spreading rumors about me.”

Along with revealing that he was none other than Duke Tranade.

It was said so naturally that if one hadn’t been listening carefully, they might not have noticed, but those in front heard it clearly.

…Rumors about me…?

The noisy space gradually fell silent as a mouse, starting from the front near the three of them.

Hearing his words that were like a bolt out of the blue, the expressions of everyone watching the three, including innkeeper Heather, all changed to stunned faces.

Rumors about ‘me’?

The subject of the rumors was Grand Duke Tranade.

If there was anyone who would refer to it as ‘rumors about me’, it would be none other than Grand Duke Tranade himself.

Then this person…!

A suffocating silence.

Delia quickly racked her brain to choose her next words. She knew very well that Kaiel was not someone who likes to waste time on such trivial matters.

She had to give an answer before Kaiel’s anger grew.

“Yes, Your Grace.”

She slightly raised her head that had been bowed.

Once again, her eyes met the sharp eyes looking down at her.

“And it’s also true that I know everything about Tranade, as I said.”