Chapter 6 (Part 10)

In Anthus’s mind, all sorts of vicious and obscene terms and words whispered to him to make Beonar pay.

He was furious and his anger soared.

“Young Lord Beonar… You’d better let go.”

Anthus spoke ominously, glaring at Beonar as if he would kill him.

“How dare a filthy scum like you…”

A fierce and dangerous red aura began to swirl around Anthus like a storm. Seeing that, Beonar felt that the fear he had felt at the hunting competition was nothing in comparison and collapsed on the spot.

At the same time, Yuliana’s wrist was released, and she immediately ran to Anthus.

“Yan!”

Seeing Yuliana’s golden eyes, Anthus’s chest surged with intense anger and overwhelming concern for her.

“Are you hurt anywhere?”

Anthus, examining Yuliana, saw that her wrist was red. Anthus stared blankly at Yuliana’s wrist, speechless. Then tears rolled down his cheeks.

“Yan?”

Seeing Anthus suddenly crying, Yuliana was bewildered.

“I feel like I’m going crazy because I couldn’t protect you.”

They say tears can come when you’re extremely angry. They say tears come first when your heart aches too much.

Today, Anthus understood exactly what that meant. He wanted to draw his sword and cut off Beonar’s head immediately, but Yuliana’s safety came first.

Anthus carefully examined Yuliana’s body. Although she didn’t seem to have any other injuries, she should be shown to a doctor.

“Yan… If I ask the spirit to heal my wrist, it’ll be fine.”

Yuliana wiped the tear marks from Anthus’s cheek with her fingers and smiled.

“Lia… If you get hurt, I might die.”

“But this wasn’t something I wanted to get hurt from.”

“Lia, could you stay here for a moment? Just for a moment.”

“Yes.”

Anthus covered Yuliana’s shoulders with his coat and then approached the trembling Beonar.

“That… That’s because… Princess Ophelia said you were getting married, so… She told me to comfort Lady Yuliana.”

Anthus smiled sweetly, his eyes forming a crescent moon. But his red eyes held no emotion.

“I told you before, I’m not marrying the Princess. It’s a false rumor. Yet you, Young Lord Beonar, continue to believe such nonsense and bark…”

“The Princess wouldn’t lie to me!”

“I’ve felt it before, but Young Lord Beonar, you look down on the Rockbellion family.”

“I’ve never looked down on it!”

“You’ve missed your chance, Young Lord Fedeurus. I’ve endured three times until now.”

Beonar met Anthus’s gaze.

“I’ll give you a heads-up before it’s officially announced. The Rockbellion family will declare a territorial war on the Fedeurus family.”

When Anthus mentioned a territorial war, Beonar’s face turned pale.

“A territorial war? Are you speaking in your right mind?”

“I’m speaking in my right mind.”

Anthus showed a cold smile.

“Prepare well for the territorial war. Before that, send my regards to Marquis Fedeurus.”

“Throwing a white glove would be better! A territorial war is unacceptable!”

Anthus didn’t respond to Beonar’s words anymore.

“Lia… I’ll take you to the ducal residence.”

“Yes.”

Anthus lifted Yuliana and left the greenhouse.

Following behind, Beonar saw Anthus swing his sword widely. The greenhouse shattered with a crash.

“Yan! There was no need to destroy the greenhouse…”

“It’s fine. His Majesty will understand.”

Anthus had previously hinted to Cloud that he would cause a big incident.

People who came running at the sound of the explosion could only stare blankly at the shattered greenhouse and the pale, trembling Beonar.

* * *

Anthus, who had carried Yuliana to the ducal residence, called for a physician. The physician arrived and began examining Yuliana, watching Anthus’s expression.

“The lady seems very startled. She needs to rest, and her wrist needs a cold compress.”

“Is she hurt anywhere else?”

“No, she isn’t.”

Hearing the physician’s words, Anthus gritted his teeth. He regretted not breaking Beonar’s leg earlier.

“Yan, don’t worry. Undine.”

[Yuli, I heard from Sylph! The trash bullied you. I was worried.]

“Thank you for worrying. The Duke saved me.”

[I will thank the weak Sword Master.]

Undine flew around, sprinkling water over Anthus’s head.

“Why is there suddenly water…”

“Undine is giving you the spirit’s blessing as a thank you.”

“Is that so? I was surprised by the sudden water droplets.”

“Undine, please heal my wrist.”

[Yuli, I’m worried because you seem to be getting hurt often these days.]

Yan often summoned Undine to erase the kiss marks engraved on her body. Yuliana blushed instantly and stammered.

“Th-that’s right. Haha. I’ll be careful.”

[Yes! Don’t get hurt.]

Large water droplets gathered in the air. The droplets soon began to wrap around Yuliana’s left wrist. As the water droplets disappeared from Yuliana’s wrist, the physician looked at it curiously.

“Now I understand why people call you a saint. Healing through spirit magic… Lady Loengrin, thank you for showing me such a rare sight.”

“It only works for bruises. And calling me a saint is too much.”

The water spirit Undine could heal minor bruises, but a saint with divine power had the ability to cure diseases.

“If the treatment is over, you may leave.”

“Yes, Your Grace. Lady, if you feel any discomfort, please call me again.”

Anthus slowly wrapped his two arms around Yuliana.

“Princess Ophelia tried to take you away from me. She used Young Lord Beonar to do it. She told me to give up because you were going to reunite with him.”

Yuliana was speechless at Anthus’ words.

“This slander is so outrageous that I am at a loss for words.”

“I told Princess Ophelia that it was impossible because I was already engaged to you, but she said she could annul the engagement by imperial decree.”

Anthus, with drooping eyes, fiddled with Yuliana’s hand and then, with a fearful expression, began to burrow into her embrace.

Feeling the trembling in Anthus’ arms, Yuliana gently patted his back out of pity. She was also angry at Ophelia for using the power of the Imperial Family to push Anthus.

“I can never send you to Princess Ophelia, Yan.”

Yuliana released her arms and hands and looked into Anthus’ eyes, reaching out to caress his cheek and eyes. Anthus rubbed his cheek against Yuliana’s palm like a cat and closed his eyes.

“Everyone is trying to take you away from me, Lia, and it hurts.”

Seeing the pained look in Anthus’ eyes, Yuliana sighed and hugged him tightly.

“But I’m worried about the glasshouse.”

Anthus had destroyed Princess Ophelia’s glasshouse.

“It’s alright.”

“But you destroyed part of the Imperial Palace.”

“It was just a minor clash that happened while rescuing my fiancée.”

“Do you think people will see it that way? I’m worried.”

“Don’t worry about that either.”

* * *

The next day, a rumor spread from the Imperial Palace. It was a ridiculous false rumor that Beonar and Yuliana had met alone in the glasshouse and were caught by Anthus, who then destroyed the glasshouse they were in. Naturally, the people of the Rockbellion and Loengrin families were aware of the rumor.

In the secret reception room of the Loengrin family, Matthias and Louis were listening to Anthus.

“I don’t intend to let this matter slide.”

“Our Loengrin family will not let it slide either.”

“This incident has once again reminded me of the power of rumors.”

Yuliana, entangled in a dirty scandal with Beonar, was smiling as if nothing was wrong.

But everyone knew that she was deeply troubled inside. However, she did not show it.

“All sorts of filthy rumors are attacking Lia.”

Matthias was furious, his veins bulging.

“We found out that the source of the rumors is Princess Ophelia’s close aides. They are trying to drive a wedge between me and Lia with these absurd rumors.”

“Then, Your Grace, what do you plan to do about this?”

“I will declare a territorial war with Marquis Fedeurus’ family as planned.”

Hearing Anthus’ nonchalant declaration of a territorial war, Louis swallowed hard and fell silent.

“Did you just say a territorial war?”

If a territorial war broke out, people would start talking about why Anthus declared war on Marquis Fedeurus’ family rather than gossiping about Beonar and Yuliana.

“Once the territorial war starts, people will naturally shut their mouths.”

He didn’t specify when he would declare war on Beonar. Beonar would live in fear, praying that tomorrow morning would never come.

“With the declaration of war on Marquis Fedeurus’ family, the malicious rumors about Yuliana will disappear on their own.”

Anthus said with a bright smile.

“I will make sure everyone knows what happens when they mess with Lia. The Rockbellion family will make it clear to everyone.”

Matthias stood up and looked at Anthus.

“Our Loengrin family will assist the Rockbellion family in that territorial war.”

“Father!”

Louis was startled and tried to stop Matthias.

“Say no more! It would be shameful to run away now that we have an opportunity.”

“But, Father…”

“If the man who will become my son-in-law wants to wage a territorial war, it’s only right to help. Louis.”

“Thank you, Father.”

“Helping my son-in-law is only natural. What wouldn’t I do to help?”

Louis watched the two exchange words and kept his mouth shut. He couldn’t intervene between them.

“Your Grace, please take good care of my sister, whether it’s a territorial war or anything else.”

Anthus shook the hand Louis extended.

“If my sister ever wants a divorce, I will bring her back to our family at any time.”

“That will never happen in her lifetime.”