Chapter 27

“Duke!”

Lexion removed the ridiculous hat from Adelina’s head. Her silver hair, previously hidden, fluttered in the breeze blowing from the lake, releasing a refreshing shampoo scent.

“Haha. My daughter, even I think it’s better without the hat.”

“Alright then.”

When even Stephan said so, Adelina placed the hat on the chair beside her and took a sip of the blue peppermint tea.

“Lady of the Marquis, Her Highness the Princess requests your presence.”

Isabelle’s maid approached their table and bowed.

‘Why is she calling me again?’

Adelina leaned back in her chair and looked around where Isabelle was seated. Surprisingly, Isabelle sat alone at a large table.

“I don’t see any other ladies?”

“Yes, Her Highness only requested your presence.”

Adelina stood up, placing her hands on the table, and glanced sideways at Lexion.

‘Hey! What is this? Why am I the only one being called?’

Lexion spun his peppermint tea glass and mouthed, “Go on.”

+++

“Are you really thinking of marrying Duke Lexion?”

As soon as the tea was set before Adelina, Isabelle spoke without giving her time to even pick up the teacup.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“The only thing you can offer Lexion is your body.”

Adelina reached out to pick up the teacup but then pressed her lips together and lowered her hand.

Isabelle, as if discussing the weather, elegantly opened her fan and fanned her chest. Her smiling eyes only served to raise Adelina’s blood pressure.

Adelina glanced around. When the usually elegant princess acted so brazenly, she must have something to rely on.

‘Ha! So this is how you want to play it. Abandoning elegance, are we?’

Laughter could be heard around them. Isabelle’s entourage, it seemed, had surrounded the table where Adelina and Isabelle sat, taking their places. Because of them, Adelina couldn’t see Lexion or Stephan from where she sat.

‘It can’t be helped. I’ll have to handle this princess alone.’

Adelina stopped looking for Lexion or Stephan and stared directly at Isabelle.

“Then, what can you offer, Your Highness?”

“Everything. Honor and wealth. Even the respect of the Empire’s people.”

Isabelle put down her fan and crossed her arms with a haughty and prim expression. As if to say, these are things you could never give.

‘Wow… truly offering a lot!’

For a moment, Adelina almost wanted to tell Lexion, “Why not just marry the princess?” It was a perfect answer, if not for Isabelle’s insufferable expression!

“Well, I have already given Duke Lexion my body and heart. Of course, I have also received his body and heart. I will give him what he desires most.”

“What the Duke desires most?”

Isabelle responded as if she wasn’t really interested, slowly cutting her cake with a fork.

Adelina leaned forward towards Isabelle, as if sharing a secret. Isabelle’s fork paused.

“Yes, it’s… love.”

When Adelina winked, Isabelle’s face twisted uncontrollably.

“Ha!”

The cake beneath Isabelle’s fork was crushed. Adelina straightened her posture and wiped the playful expression off her face.

“Your Highness, Duke Lexion is someone who will obtain what he desires on his own. Without needing such help from you, Your Highness.”

Adelina spoke seriously, and Isabelle’s gaze filled with anger. Her ears turned slightly red, suggesting that no one had ever spoken so boldly to Isabelle before.

“Fine. But soon, you will kneel before me, begging for my forgiveness and mercy.”

“Well, I won’t stand by and watch my man kneel before another woman.”

“Go ahead and try. Struggle.”

“Yes, Your Highness. Watch my struggle.”

Adelina mimicked Isabelle’s fierce glare and stared back just as fiercely.

+++

“Look! It’s Sir Jaeyon!”

Noble ladies, who had been awkwardly watching Adelina and Isabelle’s intense stare-off, suddenly stood up in excitement.

“Oh my! Prince Evans and Duke Lexion are with him too!”

They rushed to the temporary fence set up by the lakeside.

‘Lexion?’

Adelina and Isabelle’s gazes also turned towards the lakeside. The rowers from the Tiola Empire were all taking off their shirts. Adelina’s eyes widened as she spotted Jaeyon among them.

‘Oh! He’s quite something.’

She had thought he was delicate, always wrapped up in something like silk robes, but seeing Jaeyon’s surprisingly sturdy physique was satisfying. As she admired Jaeyon’s well-built form, Evans and Lexion also began to take off their shirts. Following them, the participants from the Petrus Empire also removed their tops.

“Then, Your Highness, with your permission, I’ll go see my man.”

Adelina stood up before Isabelle could even respond.

“Very well.”

Isabelle frowned in annoyance, but Adelina, having no need to please her, quickly ran towards the lakeside.

‘Yay! Today’s a real feast for the eyes!’

Every woman gathered by the lakeside shared Adelina’s sentiment.

“Is this Sir Jaeyon’s first time participating? Oh my.”

“To think such a wonderful body was hidden beneath those loose robes…”

The women’s eyes scrutinized Jaeyon from head to toe, like picking apart fish flesh. Contrary to his usual gentle and intellectual image, Jaeyon’s robust muscles revealed a surprising charm that made the corners of the ladies’ mouths lift. They covered their mouths with fans while their eyes busily scanned Jaeyon and the knights’ bodies.

“Is Duke Lexion and Prince Evans participating too?”

“It seems so, probably because Sir Jaeyon is participating.”

The women who had briefly focused on Jaeyon now turned their attention to Lexion and Evans. With summer just around the corner, the midday sun would be scorching, yet the knights insisted on removing their tops in preparation to board the boat. The fans in the ladies’ hands fluttered even faster as the knights’ muscles tensed and flexed.

‘Lexion. Evans is the enemy, and Jaeyon is the ally!’

Adelina found it absurd as she watched Lexion board the boat with Evans, all the while glaring at Jaeyon. What was so important about this friendly rowing match? The competitive spirit of men was truly incomprehensible.

+++

On the clear, calm surface of the lake, two boats raced each other, creating white splashes. The muscles of the rowers’ arms were taut. The sun shone directly on their chest muscles, causing sweat to bead. As the sweat trickled down the contours of their muscles, the speed of the boats cutting through the water increased.

“Hahaha. Oh, Prince Isya, I’m sorry about this.”

When the match ended, Emperor Grain laughed loudly enough for it to echo across the entire lake. It seemed he was pleased to finally avenge the losses they had been conceding under the guise of friendship.

“The team with Prince Evans and Duke Lexion is formidable.”

Isya, perhaps frustrated at losing despite Jaeyon’s participation, didn’t bother to maintain his composure. Hailyn, standing beside him, handed him a continental-style fan to help cover his expression.

“You were all wonderful. Both empires’ teams.”

The noble ladies, now pretending to be coy, moved back to their tables, nodding slightly to the athletes.

Adelina, still standing at the fence by the lakeside, turned towards Isabelle, who was still watching Lexion.

“Your Highness! Look, it’s my man. Isn’t he great?”

She said loudly with a bright smile to Isabelle and the surrounding noble ladies. 

Look, he’s my man.

“Adelina. Are you talking about me?”

Lexion approached Adelina and stood behind the fence.

“Of course, Duke. My lover. Congratulations on your victory.”

Adelina turned to face Lexion. The sweat and lake water on his muscles sparkled under the sun.

Lexion took a handful of Adelina’s hair and kissed it. Then he ran his fingers through her hair.

“Then, I should get a reward.”

Lexion pulled Adelina’s head closer and, with the fence between them, pressed his lips to hers.

“Wow! Duke Lexion!”

Amidst the hearty cheers of the athletes who had participated in the match, the two continued their kiss.

+++

“Well then, let’s get started!”

That night at midnight, Adelina donned a white dress and let her hair down wildly. She placed a cup of clear water on the sofa table and held a dagger in her mouth.

She struggled to remove a large mirror hanging on the wall and placed it next to the cup.

Once again, Lexion had sent Stephan to bed early and was watching over Adelina from the terrace.

‘What is she doing? Is this really the dark magic I’ve heard about?’

Lexion continued to watch Adelina perform strange actions without even turning on a single light stone.

Since she came from the mirror, he wouldn’t be too surprised if she were a witch out of legend.

Adelina tried pressing her hand against the mirror, lifting her foot onto it, even banging her head against it, and sitting on it with her bottom.

“Let me in! Let me in! Or I’ll break you!”

Adelina removed the dagger from her mouth and threatened the mirror, but it gave no response.

“Ha…”

Adelina let out a hollow sound and slumped to the floor, leaning against the sofa.

‘I’m scared. I’m scared… War is terrifying…’

With her knees up, Adelina buried her face in them and sat still for a long time.

Seeing Adelina’s shoulders shake, Lexion placed his hands on the window.

‘I need you, Adelina.’

It must have been tough for her. Although she put on a bright and confident front, she must have been quite startled and struggled with the unfamiliar environment and urgent situations.

“Well then, since I’ve got a dagger in my mouth, should I ask to see the face of my future husband?”

Adelina rubbed her eyes vigorously with her hands.

‘Crying won’t change anything… Whether in a past life or this one, my fate is just like this.’

She got up abruptly and carefully placed the cup of water on top of the mirror.

“Magic, magic, abracadabra! Yap!”

Chanting a spell, Adelina once again put the dagger in her mouth and stared intently at the mirror.

“Huh?”

Lexion’s image appeared in the mirror.

+++

Lexion removed his mask. He reached from behind to gently take the dagger from Adelina’s mouth.

“You might get hurt.”

He sat Adelina on the sofa and hugged her tightly from behind. Burying his head in her shoulder, he held her firmly, ensuring she couldn’t escape.

“Well, there are things that might kill me too.”

“I won’t ever let you die. Not you.”

Adelina leaned her back against Lexion’s chest. His embrace, as if trying to hold her tightly, was warm.

‘This guy. Coming in late at night and hugging me for no reason.’

She had always been a loner since her past life. Being alone was more comfortable than being amidst people who despised her. So, she thought she didn’t feel loneliness.

After holding her from behind for a long time, Lexion suddenly laid her down on the sofa.

“What are you doing now!”

“Tomorrow, during the maiden inspection, I need to show everyone that you are clearly my woman.”