Chapter 15

The bell on the door jingled, echoing inside the shop. A man entered the quiet general store, Kaupf, where only one customer was browsing shoes. 

The man who entered pretended to examine the shoes as well, but once the other customer finished their purchase and left the store, he quietly approached the counter where the shopkeeper stood. Fingering the shoes displayed near the register, he spoke.

“The Duke of Rosenheim has been spotted in Heringen.”

Malena, the shopkeeper who had been watching the man out of the corner of her eye since he entered, raised an eyebrow at his words.

“Heringen? He managed to get to Heringen in that condition?”

“Yes. Judging by the lack of any traces of walking, it seems he used spatial movement.”

“Hah. We went through all that trouble to catch a monster.”

Malena shook her head in disbelief, muttering to herself. Spatial movement was the kind of magic one would only read about in the historical records of Rohadin.

The man was just as shocked. Even as he reported to her, Dostern, a member of Kopenbach’s organization who followed Malena, found it hard to believe. 

When he arrived at the forest after receiving an emergency signal following the ambush, the situation had already concluded. Corpses were scattered in concentric circles, the ground torn apart, evidence of a brutal battle. 

But the Duke of Rosenheim was nowhere to be found.

“Here, over here!”

Among the corpses lying in pools of blood, someone called out. When Dostern approached, he found one of their operatives who had been part of the mission. 

The operative, recognizing Dostern, choked on his words and coughed up blood. Dostern quickly supported him, but it was already too late. The man’s trembling hands, sensing his impending death, clutched Dostern weakly.

“We… failed.”

“Where is the Duke?”

“I… don’t… know.”

Struggling to speak, the operative soon closed his eyes in pain. Dostern, alarmed, checked his pulse but found no signs of life. Placing the body down, he bowed his head briefly in respect.

“For freedom.”

After that, the Duke’s whereabouts remained unknown. 

Attempts to spy on the ducal household revealed no clues, and the Rohadin royal court didn’t seem particularly concerned about his absence, merely stating that he was on leave. 

It was only a few days ago that news of the Duke of Rosenheim surfaced.

“They say he extinguished a fire in the marketplace in the middle of the night and then disappeared with a woman by his side.”

“A woman?”

“Yes. The Duke had a brief marriage during his time as a Marquis. There’s speculation that it might be his ex-wife.”

Malena frowned. While it was true that the Bunder Forest was near Heringen, previous reports suggested it wasn’t an easily traversable distance. And a woman? To have such leisure while his life was at risk seemed absurd.

However, Malena couldn’t agree with Dostern’s speculation about the ex-wife. Divorce among commoners often led to fierce courtroom battles. Nobles wouldn’t be much different.

“If it were his ex-wife, the Police Bureau would’ve been involved. We would’ve heard about it sooner.”

Malena dismissed Dostern’s theory, unable to imagine that they had parted on good terms. Dostern nodded, then shared additional information.

“Apparently, he saved the Earl of Friesland’s daughter while extinguishing the fire. That’s why he’s attending the Countess’ birthday banquet.”

“Living the high life despite being in danger, huh.”

“What should we do?”

Malena narrowed her eyes, deep in thought. She could almost hear the voice of Kopenbach’s leader, Dietrich, ringing in her ears.

“Do nothing until things settle down.”

Dietrich had warned her. She couldn’t understand him. Drawing a sword only to be told to sheathe it without striking anything went against her principles. 

Though they shared the same goals within the organization, Malena, unlike Dietrich and Schweiger, wished for swift change. Quiet movements wouldn’t bring about transformation. The world’s attention and revolution came from bloody struggle. 

Moreover, while Kopenbach was currently an underground organization, it was destined to reveal itself one day. Resolving herself, Malena clenched her fist.

“What about the woman who was with the Duke?”

“She’s Viscountess Lintz. A café owner, apparently.”

“She’s attending the banquet too?”

“According to our informant near the Earl’s estate, yes.”

“Good. We’ll use her.”

A Duke and a Viscountess spotted together in the middle of the night—it was undoubtedly suspicious. Malena decided to use the woman to lure the Duke. 

For a moment, she felt a twinge of pity for the woman who would be unwittingly used. But to Malena, nobles were enemies to be eradicated, and the woman was the perfect bait to capture the Duke.

***

News that the Duke of Rosenheim would attend the Countess of Friesland’s birthday banquet spread quickly through Degenhof’s social circles.

A key figure in the rebellion and the current king’s most trusted Duke, yet a mage so engrossed in magic and engineering research that he rarely participated in public activities. 

The fact that such a man had traveled to Heringen for a vacation shocked the nobles of Degenhof. Furthermore, this was his first party appearance in nearly a year. 

As a result, the Earl’s estate was bustling with carriages forming long lines from the morning, as attendees flocked to the banquet. 

This year’s Countess’ birthday banquet saw an unprecedented number of attendees, filling the mansion’s grand hall to capacity.

Of course, Erhen wasn’t just famous as Rohadin’s greatest mage. The central topic of conversation was the unmarried Duke of Rosenheim’s prospects for marriage.

“The fact that the Duke of Rosenheim is attending a party—could it mean he’s entering society now?”

“Perhaps he’s considering marriage. I heard he’s past the usual age.”

“I heard he’s divorced. Isn’t that a bit… off-putting?”

“Oh, please. If it’s to become the Duchess of Rosenheim, women would line up even if it were his fifth marriage. It’s the second-highest position for a woman in Rohadin.”

This speculation also stirred excitement among the young ladies of Degenhof.

“I’ve never seen anyone more handsome than him.”

Lady Bohlt, who had briefly stayed in the capital’s social circles with her uncle, murmured dreamily. Her tone, as if she were recalling a vivid memory, made the other noble ladies around her busy imagining the Duke’s mysterious face.

The Earl of Friesland’s daughter, who had been saved by the Duke, was still too young. Thus, many young ladies hoped that today’s banquet might bring them an opportunity to catch his attention.

At that moment, the announcer’s voice rang out as the doors to the hall opened.

“His Grace, Erhen Rosenheim, Duke of Rosenheim, and Charlotte Rothschild, Viscountess Lintz, have arrived!”

The hall fell silent.

Erhen Rosenheim was a man whose looks exceeded the expectations of the young ladies. His tall, commanding figure was accentuated by a perfectly tailored black tailcoat, which contrasted with his pale skin. The cravat around his long neck was neatly fastened with a tie pin.

Charlotte, who had resolved to dress modestly, had chosen an outfit that avoided overshadowing the evening’s host. Knowing full well how striking Erhen was, she had opted for subtlety. Ironically, this simplicity only made him stand out more.

“They look so perfect together…”

Someone murmured absentmindedly. Though the comment wasn’t directed at anyone, those watching couldn’t help but silently agree.

Was there really such a beautiful noblewoman in Heringen? 

While Erhen was the center of attention, no one had expected him to have a partner. The presence of the middle name “Rothschild” attached to Charlotte’s title stunned the crowd. 

The Rothschilds were a bourgeois family with immense wealth, owners of the Sonne estate, and a name that even nobles couldn’t ignore. Those who already knew Charlotte as Viscountess Lintz were equally shocked.

Amidst the murmurs, the Earl and Countess, acting as hosts, welcomed Charlotte and Erhen.

“Thank you for attending, Your Grace. And once again, thank you for saving our daughter.”

“It’s a pleasure. My apologies for arriving later than the hosts.”

“Viscountess Lintz, it’s truly a delight to finally meet the beautiful daughter of Lord Caspar Rothschild.”

“Thank you for the warm welcome, Madam.”

The Earl and Countess were perceptive. By emphasizing Charlotte’s Rothschild lineage, they preemptively quelled any negative rumors that might arise from her entering with Erhen. 

Understanding their intent, Charlotte smiled brightly.

“The party has just begun. Please enjoy yourselves.”

Encouraged by the Countess’ words, others began approaching the pair.

“It’s an honor to meet you, Your Grace.”

“I owe you greatly for your help during the fire.”

“Your Grace, I was deeply impressed by your recent paper.”

This was a success.

The rumors of Erhen’s ambush had been countered with the narrative that he was on vacation in Heringen, and his attendance at the Degenhof banquet reaffirmed his presence. This sent a clear message to Kopenbach’s suspected backers that the Duke of Rosenheim was alive and well.

They had struck first, and now it was time to respond. Charlotte’s eyes gleamed with determination.

“How are your businesses doing these days?”

“The idea of opening multiple cafés with the same name is truly innovative. As expected of the Rothschild lineage.”

“To think that Lady Johanna’s daughter is Viscountess Lintz! I never imagined it.”

Of course, even Charlotte hadn’t expected to draw this much attention.