After hesitating for a moment, Count Humbolt continued.

“Actually, such rumors are circulating in society right now.”

“It’s not just a rumor; at this point, it’s practically fact. He even received a fan from this Peirasmos, and since that day, she has disappeared. The Duke, who never showed interest in women, must have fallen in love at first sight and taken her into his home away from the nobles’ eyes. As his mistress, that is.”

Duke Reushden’s mistress?

Roen couldn’t help but laugh at this rumor she was hearing for the first time.

She knew well how Adrian’s society would tear apart the subject of rumors, but now it seemed Duke Reushden was the target.

“Viscount Beluga, how rude. Making such vulgar remarks in front of a lady.”

Rubin checked Roen’s expression with an embarrassed face.

Viscount Beluga also seemed to realize his mistake this time and scratched his head awkwardly.

“There’s no need for that, Count. I’m not a lady but a merchant. I can laugh off things like this. But it’s truly an interesting rumor. If it’s true, the ladies of Adrian will be heartbroken.”

It seemed the ladies’ common enemy had shifted from Roxburgh’s monster Duchess to Ranke’s Peirasmos.

‘In any case, both were me, but…’

No. Perhaps this rumor might even earn the monster Duchess some sympathy.

‘If I use it well…’

Roen sipped her tea to hide the smile that appeared on her lips.

“It’s not just the ladies who are miserable, but the unmarried nobles too. Now that the problematic list exists. Duke Reushden is certainly the center of attention everywhere.”

Roen nodded at Count Humbolt’s words.

“As the head of a prestigious family and an exceptionally handsome man, he’s naturally popular. There’s no reason to dislike that, is there?”

“Do you think so too, Miss Simonetta?”

“Pardon?”

Roen looked up from her tea at Rubin’s sudden question.

“I mean…”

Rubin trailed off and averted his gaze.

A strange silence fell over the table for a moment. Roen quickly broke the awkward silence, speaking in a deliberately bright tone.

“It seems you’re curious about my opinion.”

“Well, I…”

Roen fiddled with the handle of her teacup as she thought about Duke Jean Reushden.

“The Duke is…”

The words “a dangerous person” lingered on the tip of her tongue.

His ice-blue eyes, dripping with a cold chill, held the cruelty of a predator. Above all, what made him dangerous was that emotions didn’t show on his face.

She couldn’t tell what he was thinking.

So she couldn’t even guess, and it was difficult to determine how to act around him.

“If I were to express my personal opinion, I would lean toward ‘no.'”

Yes. He is a “no.”

Because danger should not be approached.

Roen rubbed her forehead with the back of her hand.

It was where his lips had touched a few days ago during what he called a “kiss of agreement.”

Remembering the soft, tender sensation, Roen felt hot as if she had a fever.

“May I ask why?”

Roen looked at Rubin with fresh eyes at his rather eager questioning.

She was puzzled, unable to guess why he was interested in her thoughts.

“Popular men are troublesome. I’m more possessive than I thought and can’t stand seeing others eyeing what’s mine. If I were a man, I might have even challenged them to a duel.”

Roen smiled meaningfully.

“Ah… a duel.”

Rubin’s eyes widened. He seemed surprised.

“Don’t worry, Count. I won’t cause you trouble by harboring feelings for you. Nor will I challenge you to a duel.”

“Oh, that’s not what I…”

“But I’m surprised. I thought you wouldn’t have prejudices in that regard. The desire to monopolize the one you love is the same, whether you’re a man or a woman.”

Roen stood up from her seat.

“Well then, I’ll be taking my leave now. My time is up. I’ll visit Count Gerard’s mansion as soon as possible with the list you three requested.”

Before they could stop her, Roen greeted the three men and left.

Rubin watched Roen’s retreating figure as if entranced.

“Hmm, she’s quite remarkable. I always thought she was extraordinary, but she’s passionate too. I nearly wet myself when she mentioned challenging someone to a duel.”

Rubin agreed with Count Humbolt’s words.

“She’s definitely different. Unlike ordinary ladies.”

He didn’t add that this made her feel special.

“This is the first time I’ve seen it. Count Gerard blushing in front of a lady.”

Rubin looked up at Count Humbolt’s words.

Count Humbolt’s eyes lit up like a child who had discovered an amusing spectacle.

“What do you mean?”

“No need to feign ignorance, Count. Between us. Or rather, why didn’t you say something earlier? I would have actively helped you.”

Rubin frowned uncomfortably at Count Humbolt, who was smiling mischievously.

Was it that obvious?

It seemed he had already noticed his feelings.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about…”

Rubin was about to deny it but closed his mouth.

Seeing Count Humbolt’s amused expression, he realized denial was beyond the point.

“Count Humbolt, if I may ask one favor, I’d prefer you not mention this to Miss Simonetta. It might burden her.”

Rubin reluctantly acknowledged his feelings.

“What is there to be burdened about? If anything, she might be pleased. After all, you’re considered the most eligible bachelor in the Adrian Empire from any perspective.”

“But you heard her. She said she won’t cause me trouble. That means she’s rejecting me…”

“Why are you so naive? That was just something she added without much thought, or perhaps it was bait she threw out to test your intentions.”

“Bait?”

“This is why I try not to associate with the romantically inept. It’s troublesome to have to teach everything step by step.”

Rubin looked at Count Humbolt with fresh eyes.

Come to think of it, Count Humbolt’s womanizing was famous since their academy days.

“Count Humbolt, if you’re free today, would you like to have dinner?”

Count Humbolt burst into laughter at Rubin’s transparent invitation.

“Very well, since it’s Count Gerard’s request, I’ll join you. But I’ll be ordering expensive wine.”

“As much as you want.”

Viscount Beluga, who had been listening to their conversation, cut in with a disgruntled expression.

“Hmph! How fortunate for you, Count Gerard. Now you’ll be removed from the monster Duchess’s victim list.”

Rubin and Count Humbolt exchanged glances as they looked at Viscount Beluga sitting with a sullen face.

Then they shook their heads.

* * *

In the early dawn, a blue light dispelling the darkness illuminated the imperial hunting grounds.

The hunting grounds, known as the backyard of the Grand Temple, were sacred land enclosed by a golden barrier that no one except the imperial family could enter.

While any noble in Adrian would sell their soul to enter this sacred land, Jean was an exception.

Since childhood, whenever he came to this sacred land with Edwin for what was called “night hunting,” his blood would freeze.

Back then, before the dragon power sleeping within him had awakened, the barriers and spells surrounding the golden enclosure tried to devour him.

Jean’s body, not yet of age, was weak, and the dragon power dwelling within him was too strong to handle.

The young Jean felt terrible anxiety as the hot blood of beasts stained the spear in his hand.

Taking life. In night hunting, that was the expected outcome.

The direct line of Zonderburgh, who inherited the imperial blood, and the Reushden ducal family connected to them by blood could be recognized as emperors through night hunting.

Edwin was filled with ecstasy each time he pierced the heart of a beast running in fear through the darkness.

He gave himself over to sl*ughter with an almost manic intensity.

But Jean was different.

Each time red blood splattered on his hands, face, and entire body, he tasted the terror of his own heart being pierced.

He held his breath, afraid that the dragon sleeping within him would awaken.

“Duke Reushden. How does it feel to return to night hunting after five years? Is this your first time since becoming an adult?”

Jean’s ice-blue eyes turned toward Edwin at the sound of his voice. He broke free from the long contemplation that had held him.

“It’s peaceful. Unlike before.”

This was his first night hunt since becoming an adult.

The dragon power that had awakened in his body was now under his control. Perhaps that’s why he was no longer afraid.

Rather, he felt as if all the creatures in the sacred land and the spirits dwelling in the forest were prostrating themselves before him in submission.

His adult body was no longer weak.

It was no longer unstable, unable to handle the dragon’s power, and the spirits inhabiting the sacred land seemed to recognize this fact faster than he did.

At the top of the food chain.

Now Jean Reushden, harboring the dragon’s heart, was the supreme predator of this sacred land.

“Tsk, how boring. The battlefield has ruined you. When you were young, I thoroughly enjoyed watching you tremble with guilt after hunting beasts during night hunts.”

Edwin wore a disappointed expression.

“Who would believe it? That the cruel knight who beheaded countless enemies with a single stroke on the battlefield felt guilty about k*lling even a single bird until just five years ago.”

“Even now, I don’t take life without reason.”

“So it seems k*lling with reason is possible for you. Like on the battlefield.”

Edwin sneered as if amused.

“It was His Majesty’s command. So there was sufficient reason.”

“So you committed all those killings in war because of my orders. How delightful, Duke Reushden. That you, my subject, obey my commands.”

Jean silently bowed his head instead of answering. As a subject of the Emperor.

Satisfied with this response, Edwin changed the subject and approached Jean.

“Come to think of it, you look well. You have the face of someone who’s found a lover in the past few days.”

Edwin seemed to have no intention of hiding his thoughts.

“A lover? I have no such person.”