Chapter 9 – A Shaken Heart (Part 8)

Heather, who had followed Bruelin in, looked back and forth between Reubellina and Tartenon, tilting her head. Her voice was loud enough that not only the knights waiting outside but also the servants turned their gazes inward.

“Is what Heather said true?”

“No way. Heather must have heard wrong.”

The murmuring from outside reached her ears. Reubellina couldn’t bear to turn her eyes outside.

“You haven’t answered yet, Reubellina.”

Tartenon’s lips moved. As his voice rang clearly, the knights outside openly peeked inside.

“Is it true?”

“What, did Her Highness bring up divorce or something?”

“Shh! Don’t mention such ominous things!”

“Well, it’s possible His Grace can’t perform at night…….”

Hemil, who had seen the situation while coming to report to Reubellina, smacked the back of the knight who was spouting nonsense. Hemil, having witnessed the situation, was taken aback.

Even Hemil, who had hit the back of his fellow knight’s head, persistently looked inside the office. Some of the knights even stepped into the office. One of them was Hemil.

“A-abandon? Who…….”

“Oh, so you’re not abandoning me?”

Tartenon’s expression, now smiling brightly as if he had never looked sad, was infuriating.

‘He planned this, he definitely planned this!’

There was no way he would have done this otherwise. He must have known Bruelin would come in at the right time and said those words.

“No, I’m not!”

“Then that’s a relief. I rushed here because I was worried you might abandon me.”

‘Why did the conversation suddenly turn to this?!’

She wanted to lose her temper, but there were too many eyes watching. Reubellina awkwardly smiled, thinking she hadn’t gotten close enough to reveal her true personality to all these people yet.

“It seems like Bruelin has something to say.”

“Oh, right.”

As if he had just noticed Bruelin, Tartenon answered nonchalantly. She wanted to pull his long silver hair that was tickling her strongly.

Suppressing her desire, Reubellina urged with a forced smile.

“Shouldn’t you go quickly?”

“Yes. Now that I know you’re not abandoning me, I can go with peace of mind.”

Watching Tartenon leave the office, spouting absurdities to the end, Reubellina trembled with frustration and shouted as soon as the door closed.

“Ah, seriously!”

Hearing her voice from behind, Tartenon smirked.

“You’re quite mischievous, Your Grace.”

Paddington, who was waiting outside, spoke to Tartenon softly. Tartenon still had a pleasant smile on his face. Bruelin, who had brought the bad news, thought it was a relief and reported.

“Lady Viverna has sent someone to the capital.”

“Really? Then we should move too. Who did she contact?”

“……Neon.”

“Eliminate him.”

“Your Grace.”

Neon was the second-in-command of the knights led by Tartenon. If it became known that he had betrayed them, it could shake the unity of the knights. If he suddenly disappeared, people would ask about his whereabouts, and it would be difficult to explain to each of them.

“That could cause problems within the knight order.”

“We must first deal with the problem of a knight betraying his lord. Kill him.”

But Tartenon was resolute. Bruelin, though reluctant, nodded quietly.

Hemil, who had been listening, offered his opinion.

“Your Grace. How about using this opportunity instead?”

“In what way?”

“Since Neon’s death is decided, we should use his death.”

“….”

“Although I don’t like the idea of framing a traitor’s death, we have no choice.”

“In that case, I’ll leave this matter to you.”

“Understood.”

Hemil’s eyes curved into a smile. There was a strong sense of murderous intent in that smile.

The Northern knights had a strong trust in each other. If they couldn’t trust their comrades to watch their backs, they couldn’t carry out operations together. They fought together, got injured together, and swallowed their anger together. Thus, the sense of betrayal was equally profound.

When Hemil first heard that Neon had betrayed them, he didn’t believe it. If it hadn’t been Bruelin who told him, he wouldn’t have even considered it. If not for the evidence Bruelin presented, Hemil would have followed Neon to the end.

“For a traitor, only death awaits.”

The betrayal of a senior he trusted deeply left a significant wound. Hemil had no intention of forgiving Neon.

“I trust you.”

Hemil bowed to Tartenon and walked away. Bruelin felt a bitter taste at the palpable sense of menace emanating from him.

They were once comrades who had each other’s backs. And now, such a thing has happened. Because of Viverna, no less.

The remaining knights in the order did not like Viverna. Especially since the previous Grand Duke died because of the white lion’s pelt that Viverna demanded. And now Neon had gone over to Viverna. Bruelin’s sense of betrayal was immense, but he tried hard not to show it.

As another key figure in the knights, he couldn’t let his subordinates see him shaken. So Bruelin tried to lift his spirits by making another report.

“Her Grace wishes to see the mines.”

“Mines?”

“Yes. She wants to tour all the mines in the north.”

“Why the mines?”

“Well, I didn’t ask her that much. She just said it was necessary, and I decided to assign a few knights to accompany her.”

“I’ll go myself.”

“Your Grace, personally?”

“Yes.”

Tartenon ordered Bruelin. Although no other traitors besides Neon had been discovered, there could still be potential threats. If he was with her, he could protect Reubellina if any danger arose, just like he did that time in the hunting grounds.

“Then I will adjust the schedule.”

“Make sure to align it with Reubellina’s schedule.”

“Yes.”

Bruelin answered enthusiastically and withdrew. Tartenon walked towards his office, with Paddington following behind.

“How is the public opinion in Speraum Castle?”

“About half.”

“Half leaning towards Viverna?”

“Not exactly… I think it’s more of a backlash against the newly arrived Grand Duchess.”

“Are there still people opposing?”

“Just some grumblers, but I’ll keep an eye on them.”

When Paddington also withdrew, Tartenon was left alone. He fell into thought in the corridor where he was left alone. As the Grand Duke, he rarely had time to be by himself, so Tartenon tried to organize his thoughts before someone else ca

me to report.

His thoughts turned to Reubellina.He could always fend off threats, but Reubellina was different. The nobles who attended this banquet must have realized that his weakness was Reubellina. It was right to prepare before they made a move.

That was why he went to check on Reubellina despite being busy. He knew she had guards protecting her, but he couldn’t help but worry. Even though he had teased her while checking on her, seeing her preoccupied with other thoughts.

‘No matter what, I can’t allow anyone to mess with Reubellina’s safety.’

Tartenon’s resolve deepened.