Chapter 12 – Back to the Capital (Part 2)

Tartenon wanted to prevent Reubellina from reaching the capital at all costs. Though he hadn’t told her, there had been an unusual number of spies in the north lately. Furthermore, there were people tracking Reubellina’s movements. All of them were sent from the capital, and since they were sent by the royal family, he couldn’t easily kill them.

As soon as Tartenon reached the front gate of the Ducal residence, he demanded it be opened quickly. Without the flag symbolizing the northern Speraum and his silver hair, the knights of the residence would have drawn their swords.

“It’s the Grand Duke of the North! Open the gate!”

Bruelin, who arrived later, shouted urgently. The hesitant guards at the main gate opened it. Tartenon leapt off his horse as soon as the mansion’s entrance came into view.

“Your Grace the Grand Duke!”

“Where is Reubellina?”

The butler of the Ducal residence spoke, but Tartenon, without looking back, asked.

“She is upstairs, conversing with the Duke…”

“Lead the way.”

Tartenon couldn’t wait any longer. He needed to see Reubellina’s safety with his own eyes to calm his uneasy heart. Knowing he was being unreasonable, Tartenon continued to exert silent pressure on the butler.

The butler, bewildered, led Tartenon to Reubellina. When he encountered Reubellina leaving the Duke’s office, the butler informed her of Tartenon’s arrival. Only then did emotion fill Tartenon’s previously indifferent eyes.

Eyes curving gently with a small smile, and blue eyes sparkling like the sea, their brilliance was indescribably beautiful.

“Reubellina.”

“Tartenon? How are you here…?”

Reubellina’s surprised gaze met his. Unable to restrain himself, Tartenon embraced her.

Not only Reubellina but everyone present was astonished. Only Bruelin, who had followed Tartenon, quietly observed the scene from behind.

Heather and Hemil widened their eyes briefly, then nodded at Bruelin. The Duke Asillious, watching the two absorbed in their own world, blinked, disregarding himself.

Tartenon, after taking a deep breath while holding Reubellina tightly, reluctantly let her go.

“How did you come here?”

“You left only a letter and went to the capital. Do you know how dangerous it is?”

The Duke Asillious’s mouth opened in shock at Tartenon’s words. Though he knew the capital was dangerous, it was where Reubellina was born and raised. The Duke’s knights were quite skilled, and there were knights who followed Reubellina. Yet, he spoke like that.

“Ahem! Your Grace the Grand Duke.”

“Oh, the Duke is here too.”

Tartenon greeted the Duke as if he had only just seen him. It was infuriating, but the Duke Asillious couldn’t say much. Despite appearances, Tartenon held a higher rank than the Duke.

“Rather than standing here, please come inside. There are many eyes watching.”

“Yes, let’s do that. I brought my knights, so I’d like you to prepare a place for them to rest.”

“Knights?”

“We came while inspecting the northern borders.”

“How many are there…”

“About sixty, I suppose.”

The Duke’s face turned pale. If the rumor that so many knights were staying at Duke Asillious’s residence reached the royal family, the Emperor might react unfavorably, using it as an excuse to pressure him.

“Butler.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“Prepare a place for His Grace’s knights to stay.”

“Understood.”

The butler bowed politely and left. The Duke then led Tartenon inside. Tartenon held Reubellina’s hand, not letting go.

Reubellina looked puzzled as she walked with him. It was a natural reaction since she didn’t understand why Tartenon was so anxious.

Reubellina and the Duke entered the office again. Tartenon also sat inside. Once the servants left and only the three of them remained, Tartenon spoke first.

“People have been continuously sent from the capital to the north.”

“People? Are you saying they are spies?”

“Several of them.”

“Why on earth…”

The Duke looked at Tartenon in confusion.

“It seems the Emperor is not pleased with the developing north.”

“Is that all?”

“He also seems to want to find out the extent of the Asillious Duchy’s wealth.”

“He’s trying to uncover the relationship between Musen Trade and the Asillious Duchy.”

The Duke’s low voice quietly echoed in the office.

“I already know that. That’s why I’ve been capturing and imprisoning the royal spies in the north. But I didn’t expect Reubellina to come to the capital herself.”

“Did you know that Reubellina is the owner of Musen Trade?”

“How could I be the Grand Duke of the north without that level of information?”

At Tartenon’s calm voice, the Duke turned to Reubellina. Realizing from her awkward smile that Tartenon’s words were true, the Duke couldn’t help but shout at her.

“You’ve been spreading rumors everywhere!”

“No, I haven’t! Don’t blame me for the northern people being too competent!”

“That sounds like you’re saying you’re incompetent.”

“It’s not that!”

Reubellina tried to raise her voice but lowered it again. Tartenon gestured to her, bringing his index finger to his lips, his eyes shining coldly. Reubellina and even the Duke held their breath at Tartenon’s sudden change.

At that moment, the curtain swayed.

Sensing someone moving through the open window, Tartenon threw a dagger from his bosom.

“Ugh!”

With a small sound, someone struck by the dagger fell out the window. Below, Tartenon’s knights, waiting for instructions, were filled. They ran towards the strangely dressed person who fell.

Looking down, Tartenon saw the person tied up by the knights and his eyes gleamed.

“It seems the Ducal residence is not so safe either.”

“This, this cannot be…!”

The Duke’s eyes shook. Although Tartenon caught the person listening to their conversation, someone else could have left and conveyed what they heard in the office.

Reubellina was also taken aback. She hadn’t expected information to leak out so easily. This had never happened when she was at the Duchy before.

‘Well, at that time, I was devoted to the royal family, so there was no need to monitor me.’

The situation now was completely different. Reubellina realized that to survive this change, there was only one way.

‘Should I strike the royal family first? But how?’

If she moved hastily now, the Emperor might arbitrarily designate the successor of the Duke Asillious and control them. It was impossible while the Duke was still alive, but once he died, the Asillious Duchy would essentially fall into the Emperor’s hands. The Emperor was ruthless enough to take a vassal’s life for power.

‘The Crown Prince is also a problem.’

Everyone from the royal family that flashed through Reubellina’s mind was merciless and ruthless. People who would go to any lengths to satisfy their greed. They were capable but lacked mercy.

Somehow, the Duke Asillious and the Grand Duke Speraum must survive among them.

‘Oh my. Come to think of it…’

There was the princess.