Chapter 13 

“Duke Lexion. I ask for your cooperation for a moment.”  

Duke Austin and the Dragon Knights stopped the carriage of Lexion and Stephan just as it was about to enter Emerald Street.  

Though both held the title of Duke, there was no one in the Empire who could stop Austin, a close friend of the Emperor and the commander of the Dragon Knights.  

The coachman of Lexion and Stephan’s carriage naturally obeyed the Dragon Knights’ command, stopped the carriage, and dismounted from the coachman’s seat.  

Just 10 meters ahead, Emerald Street was lit with dazzling lights, and many people who had come up from the provinces were strolling along the street.  

As Austin, wearing the uniform of the Dragon Knights, stood in front of Lexion’s carriage door, another knight opened the carriage door.  

Inside the carriage, Lexion and Adelina sat side by side, with Stephan sitting opposite them.  

“Duke Austin. You work hard even at night.”  

Lexion, sitting in the carriage, shielded Adelina with his entire body, not even bothering to look at Austin.  

When Austin sent the knight aside and held the carriage door, Lexion turned his head to meet his gaze.  

“What is the matter, Duke Austin?” 

Stephan quickly spoke up to break the tension between the two.  

Adelina widened her eyes and only rolled her eyeballs.  

“Many distinguished guests are attending this banquet, so we’ve strengthened inspections.”  

Austin slightly tilted his head to the side, perhaps to see Adelina’s face.  

“With the capital’s guards around, why is the Dragon Knights handling such matters? It must be quite the ordeal.”  

Stephan did not hide his displeasure. Inspecting the Duke and Marquis households, of all people!  

“Could the capital’s guards inspect the Duke’s and Marquis’s households? The Dragon Knights conduct the inspection for the Duke’s and Marquis’s families. For instance, to check if they possess any prohibited items.”  

Austin opened the carriage door even wider and stared intently at Lexion. 

Now, that’s enough. Get out.  

“Of course, I will cooperate with the Empire’s affairs. Get off, Stephan.”  

Lexion spoke to Stephan while maintaining eye contact with Austin.  

“Yes, Duke. Please help my daughter get off as well.”  

“Certainly.”  

Stephan got off the carriage first, followed by Lexion.  

Adelina, with a frightened expression, cautiously stepped out of the carriage.  

“Your Grace!”

Lexion lifted Adelina by the waist and gently set her down on the ground.  

“You might misstep.”  

Lexion looked at the blushing Adelina as if she were adorable and moved to make it easier for the Dragon Knights to search the carriage.  

People heading to Emerald Street passed by, curiously glancing at the silver-haired woman with Lexion and Stephan.  

+++

“It’s quite late for tea, Your Highness.”  

At the same time, Evans led the Imperial Guard into the room where Chellus was staying.  

Chellus, wearing glasses and reading a book, greeted Evans.  

“There would be no occasion for you and me to have tea together.”  

Evans sneered at Chellus’s sarcasm and instructed the head of the Imperial Guard to search the room.  

“Marine biology? An unusual book to read.”  

Evans glanced indifferently at the cover of the old book on the desk and quickly scanned the surroundings with sharp eyes.  

“Yes… I find it fascinating that life exists in the sea. By the way, what brings you here, Your Highness?” 

“Count, it’s a routine inspection before the banquet. Occasionally, there are envoys foolish enough to bring prohibited items.”  

The head of the Imperial Guard answered Chellus’s question and instructed his subordinates to search thoroughly again.  

Evans found Chellus’s face, which remained composed and elegant despite the humiliation, annoyingly reminiscent of Sweeney’s expression.  

“I know you were once Sweeney’s fiancé. Remember the reason you’re still alive.”  

“She is the Queen of the Kingdom of Iberis. Please address her properly.”  

“Right. The Queen. Soon to be my wife. Remember, you will be my subject.”  

While Evans and Chellus exchanged words as if they would devour each other, the knights completed their search.  

“Your Highness. We found nothing.”  

The head of the Imperial Knights bowed his head in front of Evans, causing a displeased expression to cross Evans’s face.  

“I don’t know what you’re looking for, but this was indeed a rude act.”  

Evans found Chellus’s dignified demeanor even more irritating, as it seemed to resemble Sweeney’s.  

“Rude… The rudeness lies in those eyes of yours looking at my fiancée.”  

Evans drew his sword and pressed it against Chellus’s neck. Even if he cut this neck right now, it would not affect him.  

However, he would face Sweeney’s disappointed and sorrowful gaze.  

“Be grateful I don’t gouge out those eyes right now. I hope you’re happily married to another woman before I become King of Iberis.”  

Seeing a red line appear on Chellus’s neck, Evans withdrew his sword. He turned to leave the room but stopped and looked back at Chellus.  

Chellus was pressing a handkerchief to the wound on his neck.  

“Oh. This is not a blessing. It’s an order.”  

Evans’s words made Chellus grit his teeth and glare at him.  

“My only liege is Queen Sweeney.”

“Soon, I will be your liege.”  

Evans mocked Chellus thoroughly before leading his entourage back to his palace.  

“I am sorry, Your Highness.”  

As they entered the Prince’s palace, the head of the Imperial Guard matched Evans’s stride and bowed as if he had committed a great sin.  

“Find it. Chellus only borrowed it and hasn’t returned it to Prince Isya yet. We must find it.”  

Since it could potentially escalate into a diplomatic issue, they could not inspect Prince Isya of the Tiola Empire. While they could treat envoys from kingdoms within the Petrus Empire’s sphere of influence with some disregard, they could not do the same with the Tiola Empire.  

“Yes, Your Highness. We’ve placed surveillance on all the envoys from the Tiola Empire. We will definitely meet them before Monday when the inventory check is due.”

Emperor Grain strictly controlled telescopes. Among them, the telescopes of the Tiola Empire, known for their exceptional performance, could not be privately purchased.  

This time, when Prince Isya entered the country, he declared four telescopes. Prince Isya must have the Imperial Knights check this quantity again every Monday.  

Before then, Chellus must return these telescopes.  

“Ensure strict surveillance during the coming-of-age ceremony over the weekend!”  

“Yes, Your Highness!”  

Chellus and Isya will likely target this banquet, where the most people gather. Since the quantity check must be done on the Monday right after the banquet, they must hand it over by then.

+++

After the Imperial Knights left, Chellus slumped onto the bed in the chaotic room.  

‘If it weren’t for Lexion, I would have been caught without a doubt…’  

Three hours ago, the people who had drawn swords on Chellus and James were Lexion and Stephan.  

-“Evans must have caught on. It will be dangerous if you keep it.”-  

-“Why… are you helping me?”-  

What was it that flashed in Lexion’s eyes at Chellus’s words? Was it anger? Or longing?  

-“Tell Queen Sweeney that the time to repay the debt is coming. To repay it this time.”-  

With an inscrutable expression, Lexion took the telescope from Chellus and walked down the hill.  

‘Lexion Ernst… Please hide it well. Please… let us have the chance to repay the debt this time.’  

Chellus lay back on the bed, covering his eyes with one arm.  

‘Sweeney…’  

Even now, the bright smile of Sweeney from ten years ago surfaced, tormenting him further.  

+++

“There is nothing, Captain.”  

“Understood. Good work.”  

When the knights reported to Austin after searching the two carriages, Lexion approached Austin.  

“If you wish, I can strip right here.”  

As Lexion crookedly smiled and began to unbutton his jacket, Austin’s eyes flashed with anger.  

“I am not suspecting Duke Lexion. This is to show that even high-ranking nobles undergo inspections to maintain discipline.”  

“Ah. Is that so?”  

A very faint sound of wind escaped from Lexion’s lips. Lexion shrugged slightly and approached Adelina, taking her hand.  

“I will help you into the carriage.”  

“Duke, I’m not that weak.”  

“To my eyes, you look like glass. A glass mirror that seems it might shatter with just a little force.”  

“Oh. My. Goodness. Your. Grace. Really.”

As Lexion led Adelina to the carriage, portraying a tender lover, the people who had been subtly watching were surprised and looked at Lexion.  

Seeing Duke Austin’s face harden rapidly, Lexion gently brushed Adelina’s silver hair.  

‘Now rumors about Adelina will spread even faster.’  

Along with the fact that he treated her kindly.  

After helping Adelina settle comfortably on the carriage seat, Lexion turned to Duke Austin.  

“By the way, do you know? This could be perceived as not trusting even high-ranking nobles.”

“Duke Lexion.”  

Austin’s tone, though filled with anger, was akin to soothing a child, grating on Lexion’s nerves.  

-“Duke Austin! The ship that left for Ernst has sunk at sea! In a time without storms!”-  

When he heard the news that the ship carrying the nanny and attendants had sunk, 13-year-old Lexion had dared to grab Austin by the collar.  

-“Lexion, live as if you’re dead. Do as you’re told, be grateful for what Petrus provides.”-

Austin had wielded a real sword, claiming he would personally teach Lexion.  

-“Otherwise, Lexion, everything you love will end up like that.”-

It was the same tone as when he left a long scar on 13-year-old Lexion’s back. The same gaze that looked down on him endlessly.  

“Just saying, that’s all.”

Lexion spoke to Austin in an even tone before getting into the carriage. Without turning back, he knew Duke Austin’s face would have hardened again.  

Once Stephan joined them in the carriage, the coachmen drove the carriage into Emerald Street.  

+++

“You did well, Adelina.”

Sitting next to Adelina, Lexion wrapped an arm around her shoulders and gazed intently at her face.  

She must have been very nervous. It hadn’t even been a week since she emerged from the mirror, and she hadn’t grasped the situation yet. And now, she had to undergo an inspection with her small body, so she must have been very…

“Ugh!”  

Adelina, her face filled with anger, grabbed Lexion by the neck with both hands.  

“Duke, isn’t this too different from the contract? You said I wouldn’t have to do anything. A. Ny. Thing.”  

Despite the irritation in Adelina’s voice, Lexion’s lips curled up even more.  

‘Why is he like this? Is there someone who laughs while being strangled?’

Is he a… pervert? Could he be someone who enjoys such things? Well, you can’t judge everything by appearances alone.  

Adelina released her hands and moved to the edge of the carriage, distancing herself from Lexion.  

“Honestly. Haven’t you done nothing? You just stayed still. I did everything.”  

Lexion chuckled and glanced toward her thigh.  

When she felt Lexion’s gaze on her thigh, Adelina turned her body toward the carriage window.  

Currently, there were two telescopes attached to the inside of her thigh, making her very uncomfortable.  

Both physically and mentally.  

“Don’t look. And. If you continue like this, I’ll break the contract.”