Duke Kai Felix was present wherever war erupted. He even had the nickname “monster hungry for blood,” and rumors circulated that his appearance was so hideous one could hardly bear to look at him.

However, the man she had seen in her dream embodied beauty itself. Despite his ominous black hair and bright red eyes, he was more beautiful than any jewel.

‘I want to meet him again to confirm.’

As the carriage drew closer to Duke Felix’s mansion, Erica’s heart pounded uncontrollably.

The Egria Empire had two ducal families: the Felix family, loyal to the emperor for generations, and the Cox family, who belonged to the nobility faction.

The emperor was pushing the intelligent Crown Prince Dicon as his successor, but Duke Cox supported Prince Josh. The reason was simple: the nobility faction wanted a puppet emperor, and Prince Josh was a foolish man who only knew how to waste time in revelry.

Naturally, the two ducal families became enemies, so the negative rumors about Duke Felix were likely spread by Duke Cox. This was how the nobility faction selfishly pursued only their own interests.

Soon, the Felix family crest appeared on the mansion gate.

‘We’ve arrived!’

Upon entering Duke Felix’s mansion, an endless garden stretched before them. Erica’s mouth gaped open at the sight. She couldn’t take her eyes off the carriage window.

‘Truly befitting a ducal family, the garden is enormous.’

The mansion was equally impressive, and she had heard that besides this massive residence, he also owned a castle in his territory. 

If he had been greedy, he could have become a second Duke Cox. However, she had heard that, like a true warrior, he was straightforward and unpretentious.

After stepping out of the carriage, a butler greeted her with a bow.

“Welcome, Lady Mills.”

“Pleased to meet you.”

“Please wait for the Duke this way.”

Following the butler’s guidance, Erica waited for Duke Felix in his reception room. The usual Erica would never have even stepped in the Duke’s shadow after merely hearing rumors. Previously, she had blindly believed all the gossip without ever speaking to him.

When she opened the reception room window wide, a breeze entered from the garden. Erica’s short hair fluttered in the wind.

‘How refreshing.’

The Duke’s mansion was very quiet, and the garden was beautiful. Erica sat on the sofa, closed her eyes, and enjoyed the breeze. Though someone was discreetly observing her, Erica didn’t notice the presence.

After yawning and stretching, she opened her eyes.

Knock, knock.

Duke Felix was leaning against the open door, knocking deliberately, though she hadn’t noticed when he arrived.

“Oh.”

Erica’s green eyes met his red ones in midair. Duke Felix entered the reception room, showing off his slender legs.

Erica couldn’t take her eyes off him. He wore a black suit with his long black hair tied with a bright red ribbon, which was pleasing to the eye.

Who had said Duke Felix was straightforward and unpretentious? Judging by his appearance, he seemed more aristocratic and splendid than anyone.

Back then, she had avoided him, thinking even his appearance was God’s trick. 

She had mocked the numerous women who approached Duke Felix simply because he was beautiful, and couldn’t understand why anyone would want to hold the hands of a man soaked in blood. 

At that time, she had believed Duke Felix was definitely a monster who seduced and devoured women.

Staring at him blankly, Erica soon shook her head.

‘What am I doing? I need to find a way to avoid dying three years from now!’

Erica sat with a grave expression, not touching the tea placed before her. Noticing her completely different mood from earlier, Duke Felix spoke first.

“Miss Mills?”

“Ah, yes! Duke.”

Erica kept losing herself while looking at his face. But she needed to focus. Though young, he held a higher title than her father.

Duke Felix’s red eyes deepened.

“…I heard you discovered my subordinate, Hali, in Count Mills’ household.”

“That’s… correct.”

“I heard you wanted to meet me. What do you want to say? Are you curious why Hali is pretending to be a commoner knight in the Count’s mansion?”

Erica knew Hali had entered as his spy. Hali had infiltrated to gather evidence of rebellion, and even if she expelled Hali now, Duke Felix would undoubtedly send another spy.

Erica sought a different approach. Her father could never lead a rebellion. However, since he wouldn’t believe her if she simply said so, she needed to make Duke Felix her ally. But how? She had never been good at flattery.

‘Right, Murray…!’

Murray was a maid whose outward behavior differed from her true feelings. In front of Erica, she acted sweet, but behind her back, she was full of complaints and malicious gossip. Now, Erica needed to flatter him like Murray would to win his favor.

“Duke Felix.”

“…Speak.”

Duke Felix sat on the sofa and crossed his legs, seemingly expecting a long conversation. He looked down at Erica with arrogant eyes. Erica knelt between his legs and hastily placed her hands on his knees.

“I admire you, Duke!”

Being inherently bad at empty words, Erica watched Duke Felix’s reaction. She thought he might be suspicious of her sudden declaration of admiration, but she had no choice. 

Duke Kai Felix, the Emperor’s sword, would soon begin weeding out traitors, so she needed to make a good impression from now on.

Besides, it wasn’t completely insincere. She genuinely wanted to learn from the greatest swordsman.

However, her sudden position, almost burrowing between his legs, seemed to have flustered Duke Felix.

“What are you doing, Miss Mills…?”

“I want to become a knight like you! Please accept me as an apprentice knight! Then I won’t worry about Hali Chamber in our mansion.”

Duke Kai Felix was known for not accepting apprentice knights. His attendants often remained just attendants, and he didn’t separately train disciples.

Nevertheless, Erica pleaded desperately from beneath him, rubbing her hands together.

“I’ll do anything you ask!”

She had originally come to prove her father’s innocence, but she thought Duke Felix wouldn’t believe her if she suddenly tried to prove it. After all, he had infiltrated Hali Chamber to monitor her father.

‘Wait, would it seem more suspicious for a lady from a noble family who has lived luxuriously to suddenly want to become an apprentice knight?’

But Erica was sincere and desperate.

“You’ll do anything…?”

Duke Felix seemed more concerned with her promise to do anything than her request to become an apprentice knight. When he uncrossed his elegant legs, the front of his pants was noticeably bulging. Erica tilted her head, thinking the Duke had a large club hidden in his right thigh.

Unknowingly, Erica poked the protruding bulge with her finger.

“…Do Sword Masters hide weapons even in places like this?”

She was very curious how he had hidden a weapon there. Usually, one would carry a dagger, but this looked like a small mallet or rod. But even without such weapons, Duke Felix wouldn’t die so pathetically. No, nobody would dare touch him.

When Erica grabbed the “club” and kneaded it, Duke Felix’s body twitched.

“Wow. How fascinating! I wish I had a weapon like this too…”

At her innocent words, Duke Felix struggled to maintain his composure.

“Haa… Erica Mills. How old are you now?”

Duke Felix pushed his bangs back, looking troubled.

When Erica raised her head, her snow-white nape showed through her short hair. At that sight, Duke Felix seemed to grow more parched, moistening his lips with his tongue. His eyes narrowed, trying to gauge whether she was deliberately provocative or simply innocent.

Erica smiled brightly.

“I’m 20 years old!”

Seeing her smile that way, Duke Felix thought she probably wasn’t deliberately harassing him.

“20 years old… Isn’t that too old to become an apprentice knight? And taking a woman to war…”

Taking Erica to war would be like throwing a young lamb into a wolf’s den. Though they hired prostitutes for the soldiers, prostitutes were always in short supply. 

What would happen if they brought such a pretty and innocent noble lady?

Just then, Erica firmly grasped his manhood. Duke Felix’s face colored with embarrassment.

“Urgh…!”

“I want to become strong! I want to live a long time. I don’t want to die!”

Looking at his growing manhood, which matched her determination, Duke Felix swallowed.

“You want to learn swordsmanship because you don’t want to die?”

“Yes.”

‘Why is she worried about dying?’

Duke Felix wondered if she knew something.

Unlike Duke Cox, who was cautious enough to investigate even a single maid’s background, he had planted a spy with Cox’s close associate, Count Mills. So he was always keeping a close eye on Count Mills.

Count Mills enjoyed Duke Cox’s complete trust, but he curiously stepped back at important moments. And now his daughter Erica had come to visit.