08. Goodbye, Then a New Hello

Rumors about the duke caught fire. For decades, rumors about the reclusive duke had been dismissed as merely one of those scary legends with no real substance, but when the monster duke revealed himself to the people, it caused an uproar throughout the Empire.

The administrator who had been managing the territory in place of the duke led soldiers into the duke’s forest and went missing. All the soldiers he took were killed and left brutally abandoned in the forest. People in the small village near the forest were shocked by the tragedy that occurred overnight.

However, since the administrator and the others who died had been people who habitually tormented commoners and led various wrongdoings, the mourning for the dead wasn’t particularly great. They merely felt fear about such a powerful monster residing near the village.

There was much debate about whether attacking the administrator and soldiers constituted treason against the emperor, but it was revealed that the administrator had acted impulsively without the emperor’s permission, leading to frequent criticism like “Why did they provoke the duke by crawling into the forest where a monster lives?”

“Did they really see him?”

“Yes! They say someone saw the monster duke returning to the forest! When I went later to where the duke had been, it was completely devastated.”

While the administrator incident only spread through people’s speculation about the results, the illegal merchant incident spread in greater detail because there were actual witnesses. Someone who went for a walk at dawn in the forest claimed to have seen the duke cutting through the brambles to enter. Fearing trouble, the villager who had hidden while watching the duke covered in blood and preciously holding something, later followed the trail of blood drops and discovered a hellish inferno.

Later, an investigation team from the imperial palace revealed that they were a criminal organization illegally smuggling and selling prohibited animals as well as engaging in human trafficking. Whether by coincidence or not, since this was also an illegal group that harmed people, there wasn’t much sympathy for those who died.

In the end, rumors spread noisily with heated discussions about the monster duke’s hideous appearance and cruelty, and whether such a dangerous monster should be allowed to remain at the ducal mansion. Nobles from other territories calculated their gains and losses and tried hard to express their opinions to the emperor.

While everyone was in an uproar, the most peaceful place in the Empire was none other than the ducal mansion.

“Let’s rest a bit now, okay?”

— I don’t want to. Throw it more.

Olivia stared in astonishment at the dog wagging its tail excitedly as it brought back the ball. I really can’t win when it comes to stamina. We’ve already been playing fetch for an hour! But seeing the dog wagging its tail with such an excited expression, Olivia had no choice but to throw the ball hard again.

“I think it’s about time to stop.”

“I don’t think so. If it comes back, it’ll ask me to play more.”

Alois, who had approached without notice, embraced Olivia from behind as she sat on the sofa. Just watch, Olivia said as she waited for the dog to return with the ball. The dog, which had been running back with its bottom wiggling excitedly, gradually slowed its steps. It gently placed the ball in front of Olivia, then awkwardly yawned and flopped down on the floor.

“Huh? You don’t want to play more?”

— Mmm. I’m tired now. Done playing.

Even though just moments ago it had been asking to play more. Olivia was confused but thought it was for the best and gently stroked the dog’s head. The dog squeezed its eyes shut. This was because the duke’s gaze behind her grew sharper when Olivia’s hand touched the dog.

‘Won’t let me play, won’t let me be touched.’

The dog had many complaints but couldn’t say anything and pretended to sleep quietly because this was the person who had rescued it from the evil humans. Above all, having seen Alois tear apart the merchants, it was submitting to the hierarchy. Having reclaimed his beloved from the annoying dog, Alois carried her with a thoroughly satisfied expression toward the mansion.

Lime, who had been waiting for the two in the dining room, frowned and turned his head away, displeased by the sight. Though he knew Alois was deliberately showing off to him and didn’t want to give a big reaction, he couldn’t help but clench his hands.

“Olivia. How did you……”

He forcibly swallowed the rest of his words—’come to like such a thing’—seeing Olivia’s brightly smiling face. Lime just gulped down cold water with his bitter feelings.

“Just how long do you plan to stay here?”

Alois, who had briefly released Olivia so she could eat, immediately turned his arrows toward Lime, whom he disliked. Accustomed to this level of provocation by now, Lime snorted as he also began eating.

“Thanks to someone, rumors about the duke have spread throughout the village. It made me more worried about Olivia, so I can’t leave.”

He meant it as a jab at Alois, but the concerned reaction came from a different direction.

“Have the rumors spread that much? They must have spread to other territories too, right?”

“Huh? Uh, yes. It can’t be helped. Since the duke himself appeared……”

With a worried expression, Olivia glanced at Alois to gauge his reaction. Having gradually increased the number of subordinates with whom he exchanged communications, Alois was well aware of the rumors spreading throughout the Empire. He had been thinking he should take action soon regarding the controversy that showed no signs of dying down and kept growing.

“You, when is your title conferment ceremony?”

The duke wiggled his fingers to call Lime. At this peculiar gesture that conveyed both casualness and dignity, Lime looked at him with a crooked expression as if asking why he was asking that.

“If you’ve been eating and playing in someone else’s house, you should pay for your meals.”

“What does my title conferment ceremony have to do with you?”

“Because when the ceremony is held, you will have an opportunity to have an audience with the emperor.”

Lime was scheduled to receive a knighthood in recognition of his achievements in war. The Empire bestowed knighthoods on commoners who had contributed to the Empire’s development once every five years, which was the only opportunity for commoners to become nobles. Although receiving a title meant one’s wealth and power were still at the bottom of noble society, the change in status itself was important.

This year, a total of three people were receiving knighthoods, one of whom was Lime. Originally, he had desperately become a noble to allow Olivia to live in a better city, in a better house. Though nothing was decided yet, somehow Lime’s heart stung as if he could foresee the future. But since the end hadn’t been determined yet, Lime was postponing his final moment. Olivia cheerfully spoke to him, who was silently fiddling with his utensils with a bitter smile.

“So Lime, are you going up to the capital?”

“Well, since the ceremony is held at the imperial palace… Ah, family members can attend if they just watch, so do you want to come too, sis?”

“I’ll go too.”

“No, I mean, why would you……”

Alois gestured toward Olivia with an arrogant expression, in a way only Lime could understand. Under the implicit pressure that if Olivia went, he would go too, and if Alois couldn’t go, neither could Olivia, Lime temporarily cooled his anger. What fueled his heat even more was that Alois’s pressure wasn’t just a bluff. Knowing that if Alois even pretended to be sick, Olivia would stay by his side was annoying, but Lime’s options were already determined.

With the desire to show her himself receiving his title, it was finally decided that all three would attend Lime’s title conferment ceremony together.

* * *

A cool breeze brushed against her as she drifted on the edge of wakefulness. She habitually reached out to the space beside her with her arm, but when she couldn’t feel the person who should naturally be there, Olivia struggled to open her eyes. A healthy body and mind come from sleeping well at dawn…… Mumbling and rubbing her eyes as she raised her upper body, Olivia blankly stared at the bedroom curtains swaying gently.

Where once there had been only heavy blackout curtains, now, delicate lace curtains that let the white moonlight shine through were hanging. A handsome man in a loosely open robe with the gently swaying curtain. His deep navy hair, which matched well with the night, sparkled in the moonlight. As if entranced, Olivia got up and approached Alois, who was lost in thought. I should scold him if he’s thinking strange thoughts with such a pretty face.

“Ah, you’re awake? I should have closed the door.”

Shaking her head, Olivia nestled into his arms. The night breeze was pleasant. It was both cool and it allowed her to see a beautiful sight. Alois, who slightly lifted Olivia in his arms, placed her on the windowsill and smiled slowly as he looked at her. She felt proud thinking that his smiling face was becoming more naturally harmonious.