Chapter 5.1 – You Just Have To Protect Me

Contrary to expectations, there was no particular reaction.

“I like her more the more I see her. She’s bright and fun.”

“……”

“I regret not noticing earlier. Is it alright if I make a move?”

At the continued provocation, Helio finally opened his mouth, which had seemed sealed shut.

“I don’t know what your intentions are, but she’s not my lover, nor do you need my permission.”

His voice was flat and monotonous, a stark contrast to his behavior on the ship. He had seemed interested in Elena, but now his expression showed he genuinely didn’t care what happened.

‘Did I tease him too much?’

Lennon let out a faint chuckle.

“Then I’ll take that as permission.”

At Lennon’s words, Helio’s eyes darkened.

He had always disliked that attitude of his—acting as though he knew everything, with a relaxed expression, toying with others as if testing them. 

Helio knew that continuing to speak would only lead him to play into Lennon’s hands, so he chose to remain silent.

Yet, despite his decision, the same scenes replayed in his mind over and over again. 

Under the blazing sun, in front of the blue sea, the two of them smiled brightly at each other, as though they were in a world of their own. 

The sound of their endless laughter echoed, even when he lay on the hammock with his eyes closed.

And then there was ‘Miss Elena, Miss Elena.’ 

How long had they known each other for him to keep calling her name like that?

Why did it feel so unpleasant?

An inexplicable irritation boiled within him. Unable to suppress it, Helio finally blurted out a comment.

“Do you even know the age difference between you two? You really have no shame.”

Of course. At that moment, Lennon’s eyes sparkled mischievously.

Though Lennon was older than Helio, the difference was only three years. With Elena, there was an eight-year gap, but in the Empire, such an age difference wasn’t enough to be called shameless.

“If we’re talking about age differences, there’s a perfect example right next to us. Look at Kailus. He’s eight years older than his wife, yet they get along like friends.”

Damn it. 

That was true. Helio realized he had only given Lennon more ammunition to smirk at. Left with nothing to say, Helio widened his stride instead of replying.

“Hey! Wait, let’s walk together.”

The lord’s castle was now just ahead.

***

“Wait, why are you here so soon…?”

Philip stammered in surprise when he encountered Helio at the castle gates.

“The sun was too harsh. I couldn’t stay out for long.”

Helio’s lips curled into a crooked smile.

“After swimming, I got hungry rather quickly.”

Lennon, who had leisurely followed behind, ruffled his now mostly dry hair, as if for no reason.

“But Lord Philip, are you on your way out?”

“I just have a quick errand outside…”

Philip trailed off, casting a disapproving glance at his son, who had just rushed into the castle, panting heavily. 

Despite his strict orders to keep the guests entertained until he returned, his son hadn’t managed to hold out. 

Faced with this awkward situation, Philip glanced sideways without realizing it.

He had just explained the situation to the envoy from the Principality of Morgan and barely managed to gain their understanding. He had been on his way to guide them to a nearby hotel when he ran into Helio.

“Looks like you had visitors.” 

Helio remarked, gesturing lightly with his chin toward the man standing beside Philip.

The middle-aged man, dressed in a neat suit, forced a strained smile, clearly displeased by the gesture.

“Oh, Your Grace, there’s no need to concern yourself. He’s a distant relative of mine who was planning to stay at a nearby hotel. I was just about to escort him there. Please, go ahead and rest inside—I’ll return shortly.”

Philip quickly made up an excuse, stepping aside.

“That won’t do. He must have come all this way trusting you, and you’re sending him to a hotel? Let him stay here. We’re the uninvited guests, aren’t we?”

“No, not at all. Guests? Your Grace, think of this as your home. Please make yourself comfortable. I’ll take care of my relatives…”

“I am Helio Castia, Grand Duke of Castia.”  

Helio interrupted Philip, who was desperately trying to come up with an excuse, and greeted the man standing beside him.  

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Baron Bill Harrison from the Morton region. As mentioned earlier, I’m a distant relative of the Lord here.”  

Thanks to being briefed in advance, the envoy, Billten, was able to respond without showing any signs of unease. However, he couldn’t shake off a lingering sense of discomfort.  

The last thing he wanted was to face a Grand Duke of the Empire. And yet, the man standing before him was far more imposing than he had anticipated.  

Baron Harrison of the Morton region. Thankfully, they had borrowed the name of an actual relative of the Lord, so it was unlikely they would arouse suspicion.  

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. Since we’ve met like this, why don’t we all have dinner together? I’ve never been to the Morton region, so I’d love to hear more about it. What do you think, Lord?”  

“Well, if that’s what the Grand Duke wishes…”  

Philip glanced nervously at Billten, seeking his reaction. Refusing would only make things more suspicious.  

“The place where I live is just a small, quiet village in Morton. I doubt it would be of much interest to you.”  

“You’re too modest. I’ve heard that Morton wines are quite popular these days. That alone sounds fascinating.”  

Despite Billten’s smooth response, it was clear it wasn’t going to work.  

Does he know something? 

Philip’s nerves were fraying as he watched the Grand Duke’s unreadable expression.  

***

That evening, after returning from the beach, a grand banquet was held in the spacious hall.  

The Grand Duke sat at the head of the table, with his entourage seated along the right side. On the left sat the Lord, his supposed relative, Baron Harrison, and the Lord’s son, Pharone, facing them.  

Baron Harrison appeared to be a man in his fifties. He had sharp, upturned eyes and a thin mustache that extended upward at an angle.  

Although he wasn’t someone worth staring at, it was hard not to glance at him repeatedly. Not only was he seated directly across from her, but his 45-degree angled mustache was oddly captivating—like a scene-stealer in a play.  

The courses began arriving shortly after everyone was seated.  

It was immediately clear that the Lord had put considerable effort into the banquet.  

Even the mussel stew served as an appetizer was impressive. The tangy aroma of tomatoes blended perfectly with the sweet scent of butter, whetting everyone’s appetite.  

When paired with a cold glass of white wine, it was enough to elicit a sigh of satisfaction.  

Dish after dish delighted both the eyes and the palate, and finally, the main course was served.  

Given the island’s nature, most of the dishes were seafood-based, but the main course was a lamb tomahawk steak with thick ribs attached—a premium cut that could only be sourced from a single lamb.  

“Oh, this is truly divine!”  

Baron Harrison exclaimed with delight as he received his plate of the main course.  

Is he a lamb enthusiast or something?

The dish certainly looked delicious, but calling it divine seemed a bit much.  

Regardless, the Baron seemed like an overly dramatic person.  

The Baron meticulously cut his steak with an almost dainty precision, lifting a piece and carefully placing it on an empty plate.  

‘Why is he setting that aside?’  

Elena had expected him to immediately eat it, but his actions were unexpected.  

Watching him, she was reminded of fascinating stories her father used to tell her about other countries when she was a child.  

Feeling a spark of curiosity, she decided to speak up.  

“Baron Harrison, are you perhaps from the Principality of Morgan?”  

“W-What? N-No, that’s not…”  

The Baron’s fork, which had been lifting a second piece to his mouth, froze mid-air.  

And, of course, the surrounding conversations had to stop at that exact moment.  

His single comment inadvertently drew everyone’s attention. The silence that followed was deafening.  

‘What’s going on?’  

Feeling the sudden shift in atmosphere, he wondered if she had said something wrong. But upon reflection, his question didn’t seem inappropriate.  

There were people from the Principality of Morgan who had moved to the Empire, so it wasn’t an unusual assumption.  

The Principality of Morgan and the Empire weren’t even enemies, so why did this feel like such a big deal?  

“Haha, hahaha!”  

The awkward silence was broken by the Lord’s hearty laughter.  

“I believe the young lady must be mistaken. This gentleman is my relative and has lived in the Empire since birth. He has no connection to the Principality of Morgan whatsoever.”  

“But…”

At that moment, the Lord’s gaze sharpened.  

Baron Harrison also stared at her with a hardened expression.  

It was a silent warning to drop the subject.

“It must’ve been my misunderstanding.”  

As if waiting for those words, the Lord quickly changed the subject.  

“Well, well. I hope the food suits everyone’s taste. Hey, what are you doing? His Grace’s glass is empty. Quickly, bring more wine!”  

Unlike the Lord, who laughed and spoke loudly, Baron Harrison did not relax his expression easily.  

From then on, whenever he had the chance, the Baron’s gaze was fixed on her.  

The piercing and uncomfortable glare made her feel as though she was being devoured, and the delicious food tasted like sand no matter what she ate.  

It felt like she was being punished harshly for saying the wrong thing, as if she had some grudge against the Principality of Morgan.