Chapter 8 – The Road to the Imperial Family (Part 4)
“We greet the Duke and Duchess of Keallad! I am Alec Segwin, the captain of the Imperial Knights!”
As the captain bowed, the knights behind him also bowed in unison.
Fernan nodded slightly and fiddled with the reins of the horse beside him.
Seeing him not accepting the greeting, Ellerdin sighed inwardly.
He didn’t seem to follow human etiquette well.
“Thank you for coming all the way here. Please take good care of us.”
Ellerdin smiled gently.
Everyone present internally admired her smile.
Fernan clicked his tongue and placed his hand on Ellerdin’s waist.
“Excuse me.”
He lifted Ellerdin and placed her on the saddle.
As Ellerdin mounted, the horse snorted excitedly.
“I’ll be counting on you today.”
Ellerdin whispered, stroking its mane.
The horse tapped its hooves as if to say, “Trust me.”
Fernan grabbed the reins and lightly mounted behind Ellerdin.
He skillfully held Ellerdin’s waist with one hand.
“I’ll go first.”
With those short words, Fernan set the horse in motion.
The horse began to move slowly, followed by the knights.
The people of the territory stopped in their tracks, watching Ellerdin and Fernan.
As they got closer to the center of the capital, the gazes directed at them gradually turned into fear.
“The demon Duke is here.”
“Who’s the woman sitting in front?”
“She might be a sacrifice for the Emperor.”
The knights seemed not to hear, but Fernan and Ellerdin, with their keen hearing, heard all the whispers of the townspeople.
Fernan appeared unfazed, as if it were everyday life, but Ellerdin couldn’t remain as composed.
She hated being rejected simply because of different races.
‘Besides… people think Fernan is cursed by a demon, not a real demon.’
If they found out he was an actual demon, she couldn’t predict how they would react.
Ellerdin gently held Fernan’s hand.
She was the only one who could be on his side here.
When they arrived quickly at the Imperial Palace, the chamberlain approached.
“His Majesty has requested to dine with you.”
Fernan nodded slightly.
The chamberlain glanced at Ellerdin and slowly moved his steps.
They stopped in front of the large dining hall door.
When the chamberlain knocked, a voice from inside invited them in.
The door opened, revealing Dylan sitting in the center.
“We greet the sun of the Empire.”
Ellerdin curtsied, showing her manners.
Fernan stood with a crooked expression and a straight back.
She tugged at Fernan’s waist, making him awkwardly bow.
Dylan burst into laughter at the sight.
“It’s the first time I’ve received a greeting from you.”
He stood up and approached Fernan and Ellerdin.
“Don’t just stand there, join me for a meal.”
As they headed to the dining table and sat down, the chef began bringing out dishes one by one.
The wide table soon filled with food.
Dylan started eating first, and Ellerdin picked up her fork and took a bite of the salad.
Being made by the palace chef, the vegetables were of the highest freshness.
‘But… why doesn’t it taste so good?’
Although it was fresh and seasoned perfectly for the capital’s palate, it strangely didn’t taste delicious.
‘I think Nisroch’s cooking is better.’
Had my taste changed, or was Nisroch’s cooking just that good?
Ellerdin confusedly continued eating.
Meanwhile, Dylan focused all his attention on Fernan.
“So why did you come all the way here? Are you planning something?”
Dylan seemed less happy about his visit and more anxious about what he might do.
She was upset about the treatment Fernan received from people on the way here, and now even the Emperor thought Fernan might cause trouble.
Fernan, however, continued eating silently, seemingly unfazed.
After finishing three plates in no time, he drank some water and spoke.
“The Imperial Library pass. Once I get that, I’ll quietly leave.”
“The Imperial Library? For what purpose?”
Dylan asked curiously.
“My wife will use it.”
Only then did Dylan’s gaze turn to Ellerdin.
Looking at her as if asking for an explanation, Ellerdin spoke.
“I have some books I want to read.”
She didn’t want to give him too much information.
Ellerdin finished speaking with a polite smile.
“Haha, you’ve become a romantic after getting married!”
He was worried about Fernan coming all the way here, but it turned out to be just because of his young wife’s request to read books.
Dylan laughed heartily.
He preferred maintaining the status quo over change.
He disliked unnecessary conflicts and was indecisive but wanted to gain benefits.
He pretended to maintain balance between the nobles and Fernan, but all he did was shout at the nobles during every meeting.
However, he left the nobles’ slanders against Fernan alone. The Emperor didn’t want to lose either the nobles or Fernan, so he pretended to listen to both sides, maintaining a balance to ensure the two forces never allied.
“Ah, since you love your wife so much, how could I refuse? After the meal, I’ll call a servant to bring the pass. Enjoy your meal.”
Having no reason to exert himself unnecessarily, he comfortably raised his glass.
***
Arriving at the Imperial Library, she hesitated to step forward.
Looking back, Fernan waiting alone somehow seemed lonely.
She felt an urge to hug him. Ellerdin approached and hugged Fernan.
“I’ll be back soon.”
Telling him not to feel too lonely, Ellerdin tightened her arms around him.
After the short embrace, she hurried into the library.
Meanwhile, unexpectedly rewarded, he covered his mouth with his hand.
‘How can she be so lovable?’
His mouth felt sweet as if he had eaten honey. Unable to resist the overwhelming adorableness, he tightly closed his lips.
Not long after Ellerdin entered, there was a commotion behind him.
‘Ah… they’ve come.’
His mood, which had been soaring as if he could fly, plummeted.
Turning around, he saw priests in white robes approaching.
They lined up in front of Fernan.
“What brings you here?”
Fernan asked with a mocking smile.
But when they reached him, the priests couldn’t speak, only clearing their throats awkwardly.
“Following like dogs without the courage to speak.”
Fernan chuckled, shrugging his shoulders. At his words, the priests flared up and opened their mouths.
However, just then, a noisy sound of footsteps was heard from afar.
Frowning, he looked to the side and saw nobles flocking in.
And of all people, Emperor Dylan was at the front of those nobles.
“Sigh…”
It was all a bunch of nuisances.
Standing still with a weary expression, Dylan approached, laughing heartily.
“I wonder if the meal suited your taste! I never thought I’d see you in front of the Imperial Library.”
‘Feigning ignorance…’
Fernan silently watched Dylan.
Giving the Imperial Library pass meant recognizing Ellerdin as the official Duchess. Accepting her as the official Duchess indicated the Emperor was somewhat siding with the Duke.
Knowing it would be troublesome if the nobles found out about this, Dylan pretended to know nothing.
It was the result of his greed not wanting to lose either Fernan or the nobles.
Fernan raised his eyebrows and sneered.
“Priests, nobles, and finally the Emperor…”
The Emperor likely told the nobles that the Duke had occupied the library without permission.
“I am truly receiving a grand reception.”
His blood-red eyes scanned the surroundings.
Those who met his gaze flinched and turned their eyes away.
However, emboldened by the Emperor’s presence, the nobles began to cautiously open their mouths.
“Are you aware of the recent incident?”
“It’s about the incident where many nobles disappeared. The wizards say you were involved, Duke.”
“You people! Didn’t I tell you not to mention that?”
Dylan shouted angrily, seemingly troubled by the nobles’ words.
But that was all.
As if he had done his best, Dylan said just once and then shut his mouth.
Before long, the nobles began to speak one after another.
“Last time, because the Duke lifted the northern boundary, monsters descended, causing immense damage.”
“As a Duke of a nation, do you intend to just watch other commoners suffer? Even now, the people of the territories, having lost their lords, are flowing into the capital day by day. How do you plan to take responsibility for this situation?”
The surrounding nobles shouted as if demanding an answer.
But Fernan, with a calm expression, leaned back in the chair in front of the library and closed his eyes.
The same old repertoire was enough to make him yawn.
He began to think about Ellerdin.
He pondered what would be fun to do with her when she came out of the Imperial Library.
Even now, when he closed his eyes, the sound of Ellerdin’s joyful laughter lingered in his ears.
“Say something!”
A loud voice pierced his ears.
His pleasant imagination shattered, and Fernan frowned, looking at the nobles.
It seemed he couldn’t continue his happy thoughts without dealing with these guys.
He spoke in a voice full of irritation.
“Instead of chattering noisily, tell the people who lost their lands to come to my territory. I’ll accept anyone.”
At his murderous intent, the nobles fell silent.
Fernan looked at the priests and raised his eyebrows.
“Don’t you have anything to say? Hurry up and finish it.”
“The God will punish you.”
“The Saintess hasn’t arrived yet, I see.”
The priests only held back their words in one case.
When their spiritual leader, the Saintess, hadn’t arrived.
Without the Saintess, they were a disorganized rabble.
Even with the Saintess, the priests didn’t exhibit any special power, but the power the Saintess possessed was certainly troublesome.
‘If possible, I’d like to leave without encountering her.’
Fernan sighed inwardly.
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