Chapter 31

“Greetings to Your Highness, Grand Duke.”

As Diana’s eyes met Kahil’s, she bowed her head. Her mind was in chaos from the realization that she was meeting Kahil, but her body automatically greeted him.

“…….”

But there was no reply to Diana’s greeting. Feeling the odd silence, Diana glanced up. Had something offended him? Diana grew tense as Kahil strode forward.

“……!”

Before Diana could react, Kahil was already close. He raised his hand, and his fingers pointed at the book Diana was holding.

“What, are you a fan of mine?”

At the sound of his voice, Diana doubted her ears. The light, casual tone was nothing like what she’d expected from Kahil.

“Oh, if you were, you should’ve told me earlier. It’s my first time seeing a fan in the capital.”

“…Excuse me?”

“But since you brought it, should I sign my name in the book? Oh, but don’t fall for me, okay? Too bad, but I’m already set to be engaged to Lady Irene of the Daian Dukedom.”

Diana wondered if this was a dream. Kahil’s tone was completely different from his stern appearance. She thought maybe her ears were playing tricks, but it seemed not—Sophia, standing nearby, was trembling with her fan over her mouth, trying to stifle laughter.

“Oh my, really….”

It was clear Sophia was shaking to hold back her laughter, and even the staff seemed used to this side of Kahil, glancing between Diana and Sophia.

“Your Highness, you mustn’t act so lightly. Please show the dignity as the Grand Duke of Karbel….”

“I’m meeting my fan, isn’t this enough? That’s fine. Don’t nag me. I’m already annoyed since my cold isn’t gone yet.”

Kahil sniffled, then sneezed softly.

“The North is always cold, but the capital is so warm. Maybe I should move my house here? What do you think, my fan? You’d like it, right? You could see me every day.”

“Uh, yes?”

“Oh, what’s your name?”

“…Diana Amber.”

“Oh, right. Diana.”

As Kahil continued, the staff hurried to intervene.

“Your Highness, you mustn’t call a lady by her name so casually.”

“What’s wrong with it? She’s my fan. She’ll like it if I call her name. Isn’t that right?”

Diana had no idea how to respond. She was seeing and hearing Kahil, the Lord of the North, right in front of her, but her mind was spinning.

Wait a minute. So right now, Grand Duke Kahil—the Lord of the North—

Kahil’s demeanor was completely different from what was described in the book, and Diana couldn’t regain her composure. Unaware of Diana’s confusion, Kahil remained cheerful.

“I’ve always wanted to meet someone who’s read my book, and now I have.”

“Oh… Is this your first time meeting someone who’s read your book?”

“Yes. The staff never let anyone meet me. I don’t know why.”

Unlike Kahil’s grumbling, Diana felt she knew exactly why. The staff behind Kahil looked particularly shadowed, and it was no illusion.

“Anyway, this is great. Let’s go talk somewhere. Tell me what you thought of my book, okay? What’s the best dessert in the palace? I love chocolate. Anything sweet is fine.”

Kahil seemed ready to take Diana out of the garden at any moment. The flustered staff spoke up together.

“Your Highness, you’ll be meeting His Majesty soon.”

“Oh, right. That’s annoying, can’t I just meet him later?”

“That’s impossible, Your Highness. It’s a meeting with His Majesty.”

“Oh, whatever! Why do people nag me more in the capital? Fine. You make up an excuse for me.”

Clearly annoyed, Kahil waved his hand and suddenly grabbed Diana’s wrist.

“So let’s go.”

“Wait, please!”

Snapped back to her senses by Kahil’s grip, Diana shouted.

“Your Highness, I understand you’re glad to see me, but I think you should keep your promise to meet His Majesty first. Besides, I need to assist His Majesty myself.”

“Assist? You assist His Majesty?”

“Yes. Once again, I’m Diana Amber, aide to His Majesty and Lady of the Amber Viscountcy.”

At “aide to His Majesty,” the staff began to murmur. Kahil, slower to understand than the staff, blinked before smiling.

“Oh, you’re the aide?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“That’s great. Then you’ll be there when I meet His Majesty? We can talk then.”

Great? Diana’s face turned as pale as the staff’s at the thought of discussing her book in front of the Emperor.

“Your Highness, once again, please save the book talk for later….”

Just as Diana tried again to stop him, Kahil’s hand dropped from her wrist. The force with which her wrist was released made both Diana and Kahil turn reflexively. And Diana spoke first.

“Your Majesty?”

Evan was standing between Diana and Kahil. After knocking away Kahil’s hand, Evan brushed off his own hand. The garden instantly fell silent.

*   *   *

Arthur sat quietly in the study of the Dian ducal residence. Papers to be dealt with were on the desk, but he did nothing, just sat in his chair. After a long while, the study door gently opened.

“Father, may I come in for a moment?”

It was Irene who entered. She approached Arthur.

“I heard you were here. Are you busy?”

“…No. Not really. So, what is it?”

“I heard His Highness isn’t home. I wanted to ask where he went.”

At the mention of “His Highness” from Irene’s lips, Arthur’s brow furrowed slightly.

“Why are you asking?”

“It’s because of the gift for His Highness.”

“Gift?”

“Yes. You said he’d be pleased if I personally brought the sword to give him.”

Arthur recalled what he’d said.

“…Ah, the sword. Yes, I said that.”

“Yes. I tried to return quickly, but the road was blocked by a landslide. I just arrived. So where is His Highness now?”

Irene had gone outside the capital to get the sword for Kahil, but upon returning, Kahil was nowhere to be found, and the staff said Arthur had been in the study all along. Puzzled, Irene came to ask.

“Will he even be able to handle that sword properly?”

“Pardon?”

Irene asked again at Arthur’s click of the tongue, but he just waved her off.

“He’s not here. He went to the Imperial Palace.”

“The palace?”

“He said he wanted to take a look around. So just go out knowing that.”

“…Yes, understood.”

Seeing her father’s unpleasant expression, Irene left the study without another word. As soon as Irene left, Arthur’s face twisted in frustration. He grabbed a book nearby.

“Lord of the North? Ridiculous.”

He threw the book hard onto the floor. The book fluttered open, stopping at one page. Arthur ground his teeth at the dignified image of Kahil in the illustration.

The late Second Prince, greedy for the throne, had kept his son hidden in the North—was this the reason?

Right up until the moment the Second Prince died, he never brought his son to the capital. That was why Grand Duke Kahil had remained a mystery to everyone, why books praising his achievements were published. Arthur now understood all the reasons, all the truth.

That’s right. Kahil Karbel—the only son of the late Second Prince, the Grand Duke called “Lord of the North” and praised by all—was, in fact, a tremendous fool. Arthur had realized it.