Chapter 2 (Part 7)

Beonar began to take out his anger over the rumors about Yuliana and Anthus on Maxwell. He pushed Maxwell’s shoulder and forehead with his fingers, continuing with harsh insults.

“Be mindful, Maxwell. Got it? Or I’ll lock you in the storage and beat you again!”

“…Yes.”

“Are you upset? Why that face? You look like you have a lot of complaints.”

“No, I don’t.”

“Even if you have complaints, a bastard like you shouldn’t speak. You’re like a pig.”

Beonar tapped Maxwell’s head with his finger, smiling maliciously.

“Your mother threw herself at Father, and that’s why trash like you was born. If you have complaints, go to your mother’s grave and tell her. Ask why she threw herself at him and gave birth to you.”

Maxwell said nothing.

“Aren’t you going to answer?”

“Beonar.”

Just as Beonar was about to slap Maxwell again, a familiar voice stopped him, and he turned his head.

“Sophia.”

“I came to see you, Beonar. Oh my, you were disciplining the bastard.”

“Haha. I was just about to run to you because I missed you… It seems our hearts are in sync.”

Beonar’s face, which had been filled with malice while spewing insults at Maxwell, turned calm and gentle as he warmly looked at Sophia.

“Could you postpone disciplining the bastard and spend some time with me?”

“Of course, Sophia. Let’s go to my room. And Maxwell.”

“Yes.”

“Tell Father that Lady Sophia is here, and I’ll see him later.”

“Understood.”

Beonar roughly shoved Maxwell’s shoulder and approached Sophia.

“Shall we go, Sophia?”

“That bastard smiles even when being disciplined.”

“Because he’s an idiot.”

“Seeing that smiling idiot makes me feel bad. Tell him not to smile when being disciplined.”

“Understood, Sophia.”

“I don’t understand why Princess Seria is in a relationship with such an idiot. There must be plenty of good matches for her…”

“Emperor Cloud would never allow his precious sister to marry such an idiot.”

“That’s true.”

Beonar said, looking at Maxwell.

Cloud cherishes his two younger sisters dearly. Seria’s biological mother was the daughter of a baron from the vassals of Marquis Fedeurus. Elegant and graceful, she caught Emperor Rezeph’s eye and became his eleventh concubine. Seria was born from that union.

“If Princess Seria marries that idiot, she might be called an idiot too. Haha.”

“That might be true, Sophia.”

Beonar pushed past Maxwell’s shoulder.

As their voices faded, Maxwell’s smiling face gradually turned cold. But no one saw it.

In the room, Sophia and Beonar slowly kissed while looking into each other’s eyes.

“I want to see you every day, Beonar.”

“So do I.”

“I want our wedding to be soon.”

Beonar wanted to rush to the Earl of Loengrin’s residence and question Yuliana about the rumors, but Sophia’s visit kept him there.

It was frustrating. Meeting Sophia every day without rest, unable to enjoy his hobbies, was extremely stressful. Every time, he thought of Yuliana. He missed the freedom and the money he used to spend freely.

“So do I, Sophia. I want to marry you soon. I’ll propose spectacularly soon.”

“I’ll look forward to it.”

But Beonar felt strange. Yuliana’s face kept coming to mind. Seeing her smiling warmly with Anthus seemed to appear before his eyes. He should be focusing on Sophia now, but he felt uneasy and confused.

“What’s wrong? Beonar. You’re unusually quiet today.”

“Knowing my wild nature, saying that sounds like you’re provoking me, Sophia.”

Beonar roughly laid Sophia down.

“You don’t understand my desire to lock you in this room all day, Sophia.”

“I don’t know, Beonar.”

Sweat trickled down Beonar’s back. He started a long kiss to focus on Sophia. He tried hard to shake off thoughts of Yuliana from his mind.

* * *

“Everyone is talking about your date, Master. Especially since the rumor is spreading effectively among places where noblewomen and ladies gather.”

“You’ve done well, Ferrell.”

“And here’s a letter from the Duchess.”

“She sent me a letter? Are you sure? Not from Young Lord Louis or the Earl?”

“Yes, Master. The envelope clearly has the Duchess’s name on it.”

“That’s wonderful… Give me the letter quickly.”

Ferrell carefully handed the letter to Anthus, whose lips curved into a smile.

[Duke Anthus Rockbellion. I have something to discuss with you in person.]

“This is a bit strange…”

“Master, what is strange?”

The handwriting was thicker than usual. Writing thickly meant pressing the pen hard. Knowing the quill she usually uses, Anthus could tell her handwriting wasn’t usually this thick.

“It seems there’s emotion in the letter. The writing is slightly thicker than usual.”

“I can’t tell.”

“Her handwriting is usually round and cute.”

Anthus kissed the letter. If Lainus asked when he would visit the Duke’s residence, he would immediately arrange a meeting with Yuliana, but the letter only mentioned meeting without any specific reason.

Anthus picked up a pen to write a reply.

[To my dear Yuli.

I am currently unable to leave the Duke’s residence due to prolonged responsibilities.

If it’s urgent, please visit the Duke’s residence at any time.]

“If it’s urgent, she’ll come.”

Anthus knew that the person in a hurry would take the bait first.

“She will visit soon, Ferrell.”

Bang.

Anthus slapped the desk in his office with his palm, his eyes gleaming as he spoke to Ferrell.

“Prepare thoroughly. This is important. I hope you never disappoint me.”

“Yes. The servants of the Rockbellion family will do their utmost to ensure there is no lack in hospitality.”

Ferrell replied with a determined look in his eyes.

“I don’t know what she’s coming for, but… Yuli.”

I will make sure she cannot leave the Duke’s residence with a clear mind.

* * *

Yuliana sent Anthus the date and time of her visit, and Anthus accepted. Now, Yuliana was on her way to the Rockbellion estate in a carriage.

“It will take about 20 minutes by carriage to reach the Duke Rockbellion’s residence.”

“We will arrive on time.”

Yuliana smiled pleasantly as she looked at the green trees and leaves starting from the entrance. It felt like a refreshing spring day.

She opened the carriage window and enjoyed the fresh breeze. The scent of the grass was so pleasant that she felt like she could fall asleep.

The carriage carrying Yuliana arrived in front of the Duke’s mansion. As she got off the carriage, Yuliana looked at the Rockbellion residence. The white bricks and pure white marble intersected beautifully, shining elegantly. The words elegant and grand were insufficient to describe it. Mesmerized by the mansion’s grandeur, Yuliana lost herself for a moment.

“Welcome, Lady Yuliana Loengrin of the Loengrin family. Welcome to the Rockbellion residence. I am Ferrell, the butler of the Rockbellion family.”

Ferrell’s greeting brought Yuliana back to her senses.

“I am Sydney, the head maid of the Rockbellion family. Welcome, Lady Loengrin.”

After the butler and head maid’s greetings, the servants behind them all loudly welcomed her and bowed. Yuliana felt slightly burdened by their enthusiastic welcome but didn’t show it.

“Thank you all for the warm welcome.”

“The master has instructed us to guide you, Lady Loengrin, to the reception room first. We have also prepared delicious refreshments for you.”

“Is the Duke very busy?”

“He always has a lot of work, but the master works diligently, so he will finish soon. And please feel free to speak casually.”

“Alright.”

Yuliana was guided by the servants to a luxurious reception room.

“The mansion was elegant, but the interior decoration of the reception room also exudes elegance and dignity.”

“We paid special attention to this reception room as it is reserved for special guests.”

“It’s truly beautiful.”

“To my eyes, you are even more beautiful, Lady Loengrin.”

Sydney’s words made Yuliana blush slightly.

The maids began to prepare refreshments on the table. It was lemonade and lemon pie. Yuliana’s mouth watered.

“Please tell the patissier that I enjoyed it.”

“The patissier will be delighted to hear that. I will convey your message. Hoho.”

Sydney and the maids continued chatting with Yuliana to keep her entertained. Time passed without boredom.

With a thud, Anthus burst through the door and ran in.

“Yuli!”

“You didn’t have to rush… Did you run here?”

Seeing his disheveled hair and the sweat on his face, it was clear how hard he had run.

“I couldn’t keep you waiting… So I ran. No, actually, I wanted to see you even a second sooner, so I ran.”

Anthus’s unexpected confession made Yuliana shyly avoid his persistent gaze with a smile.

“We will take our leave now.”

“Sydney and everyone, I enjoyed our conversation.”

“It was an honor for us to converse with you, Lady Loengrin, the Saint of the Battlefield.”