Chapter 16. You’re Fearless

Aster seemed worried that I might think ill of him. Considering that Father had said such crazy things to his potential future father-in-law, it was understandable.

Finding his concern somewhat endearing, I pretended to be serious, hiding the fact that I had never misunderstood him.

“Really? Duke Blanche seems to think differently.”

“You can ignore my father.”

“Is that possible? After all, you’re a Blanche too.”

Understanding my question, Aster spoke calmly. However, his words were far from calm.

“It may sound strange, but I hate that Blanche blood runs through my veins. If I could, I’d want to purge it all.”

For a moment, his eyes flashed coldly. I had sensed it before, but it seemed he couldn’t stand being a Blanche.

Of course, it could all be an act, but at least for now, it didn’t seem that way.

“That’s not something a future heir should say.”

“As an illegitimate child without ties, that was my only option. In my world, if you don’t devour first, you get devoured.”

An illegitimate child without ties.

That meant he was at odds with the current Duchess of Blanche. According to Helen, he had been powerless and oppressed as a child, but I wondered how things stood now.

He had achieved consecutive victories on the battlefield and excelled at the Arendt Empire Academy. However, his actual abilities remained largely unknown. Rumors spoke of his immense skill, but I had never seen it firsthand.

‘Father told me to forget about that day, but I can never forget.’

Blanche still seemed bitter about that day. Of course, it could truly be a misunderstanding. If that were the case, I was willing to apologize sincerely.

But in my hazy memory, there was fire. Blue flames.

I vividly remembered seeing flames that could only be created by magic. It was hard to believe Blanche wasn’t involved.

Fire magic was a unique trait of the Blanche family.

“So, are you choosing me to keep the Duchess of Blanche in check?”

“I’m not weak enough to hide behind the woman I fancy to keep my enemies in check.”

“!”

His response to my probing question was surprising. I stared wide-eyed at Aster at the mention of ‘the woman I fancy.’

He seemed unaware of how astonishing his words were. Or perhaps he knew and considered it natural.

“I studied abroad to gain strength.”

“So, you returned now because it was time?”

I leaned in and asked quietly. He leaned in as well and whispered.

“Precisely, I returned early to secure my fiancée. I came in quite a hurry.”

The light-hearted joke following serious conversation eased the atmosphere. Confirming that Aster had nothing to do with the dowry, I playfully said,

“Is that why you visited a tavern on your first day back? In a commoners’ alley, no less?”

Even now, it was puzzling that Aster had gone to that tavern. If it were me, I would have wanted to head straight to the main estate.

“What were you doing there?”

Aster seemed lost in thought at my curious question. After a moment, he murmured as if reminiscing.

“That alley was a place I often played as a child.”

“What? There?”

Even for an illegitimate child, that place was frequented by commoners. It was a poorly policed area where nobles risked being kidnapped if they stood out.

“I once got lost there. The carriage I came in suddenly disappeared.”

“…It must have been the work of the Duchess of Blanche.”

I quickly grasped the meaning and muttered softly. Leaving a noble child in that alley meant they were abandoned.

Even if they managed to return home, the memory of being abandoned would scar them deeply.

Aster replied nonchalantly.

“It happened often. But it was a stroke of luck for me because I met someone there.”

At least he was fortunate to have met someone good and returned without major harm.

“Someone helped you?”

“Yes. That’s why I went there, thinking of that person.”

Aster, now closer than ever, reached out and played with my hair. When I stared at him, he spoke.

“What about you, Camilla? Why did you go there? Of all the taverns, why that secluded one?”

“It’s my regular spot. It’s a good place to drink comfortably.”

“Fearless as ever, I see.”

“What did you say?”

I couldn’t quite hear his muttered words and leaned in closer, but he changed the subject.

“Nothing. Next time, let’s go together. I enjoyed drinking with you that night.”

“Sure.”

I agreed readily and tried to pull back, but he didn’t let go of my hair. Instead of increasing the distance, it brought us closer.

I grabbed his hand and asked,

“What are you doing?”

“Want to go tonight? To that tavern.”

“What?”

“It’s a special place for us. The night we met.”

Aster smiled warmly, saying something embarrassing without a second thought. Blushing, I struggled to free my hair from his hand.

But his firm grip shifted from my hair to my hand, pulling me closer. Unable to resist, he kissed the back of my hand and murmured.

“Why do you keep approaching me without any caution?”

“What…!”

“Even I have my limits.”

As if that wasn’t enough, Aster brought my fingers to his mouth. My slender fingers were swallowed into his warm mouth.

“Ah.”

Feeling the vivid sensation of his hot flesh, I shuddered and let out a faint moan. I had forgotten that we were alone in the Vice Commander’s office, approaching him too familiarly.

Perhaps because we had already shared intimacy, my guard dropped more easily than with others. Just the act of him nibbling and licking my fingers made my body heat up.

“Aster, let go…!”

Just as I pushed against his shoulder with my free hand, someone flung the door open, dispersing the heated air in the room.

“Vice Commander!”

A cheerful and bright voice rang out without warning. Startled, I pushed Aster away so forcefully that he fell backward, caught off guard by my unexpected strength.

“Ow!”

“Vice Commander?”

The person who had entered tilted their head and looked back and forth between Aster and me. Trying to cool my flushed face, I fanned myself and acknowledged the newcomer.

“Why is the young Marquis of Letia here?”

“I work here.”

Christopher answered energetically, saluting. Now that I looked, he was wearing the Red Knight Order uniform, just like Aster.

He must have volunteered for the Red Knight Order upon hearing that Aster had returned to the capital.

“I see.”

Realizing my question was rather foolish, I scratched my cheek. Just moments ago, Aster had been kissing my hand passionately, so my thoughts were still scattered.

Aster frowned and scolded Christopher.

“I’ve told you countless times to knock, Sir Christopher.”

“I did, Vice Commander!”

“Knocking while opening the door simultaneously doesn’t count.”

Aster chuckled in disbelief. He had practically charged into the room.

It was fortunate it was just a hand kiss; if it had been something else…

Christopher, embarrassed, scratched the back of his head.

“I’ll be more careful next time!”

His voice was full of military discipline. Aster shook his head and said,

“You still need to be taught everything from start to finish.”

“Yes! Please continue to guide me from start to finish!”

That’s not what he meant, young Marquis of Letia.

I looked at Christopher with curious eyes, amazed by his obliviousness. He must have had a hard time on the battlefield but managed to keep his innocence thanks to Aster.

Aster expressed his meaning more sternly.

“Sir Christopher, I said that because I want you to take initiative, not because I intend to keep guiding you.”

“Can’t you just keep guiding me?”

“If that’s what you want, why not just retire?”

“That’s too harsh, Brother!”

Despite his disciplined tone, he sounded like a child throwing a tantrum. Aster shook his head at Christopher’s whining.

Still, he didn’t scold him further, showing that he cared for him quite a bit. It was a much more relaxed demeanor compared to how he treated Paris.

‘Well, there’s camaraderie between them.’

The two had been comrades on the battlefield. Their bond was on a different level than the constant bickering with Paris.

Moreover, Aster was Christopher’s benefactor, so it was natural that they were close.

Curious about their story, I rested my chin on my hand and asked,

“So, how did you two meet?”