Chapter 124

‘Ludwig’ was very different from ‘Roche.’

The most noticeable difference, surprisingly, was not in the features of their faces but in their aura.

In Ludwig’s eyes and lips, there was a calm nobility that Roche lacked. It was the manifestation of a noble character, aware of his high status and striving to fulfill his duties.

If Ludwig and Roche were placed side by side, one might think they looked like brothers because their features were similar.

However, if they were seen separately, it would be hard to imagine any connection between them.

Thanks to this, ‘Roche’ was able to operate at the heart of the Kingdom of Arlo for so long without any suspicion.

“Are you all right, Your Grace?”

Frieda, who had been worried about him moments ago, whispered cautiously.

“I can endure it, and I know this is not the time to make a fuss over something like this.”

Ludwig smiled at her gently.

Meanwhile, Marlena, who had stepped back a little, looked at Ludwig without saying a word. Her expression was subtly awkward.

It was very different from when Roche briefly regained his memory in the summer.

Even though she had secretly attended to him then, she felt a strange unfamiliarity towards ‘Duke Ludwig.’

Was it because there are people from the Duke’s household around Ludwig now, unlike back then?

Unlike Marlena, the trusted aides who had met the Duke after a long time could not hide their joy, their faces beaming with smiles.

“How is the situation in the duchy?”

Ludwig’s soft voice matched his porcelain-like face perfectly.

Joachim, somewhat excited to hear his lord’s voice after so long, explained the situation.

“Rudolf has shut himself up in the Duke’s castle and is not coming out. He seems to have received orders from the Red Crow.”

“To stay put?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“The leader of the Red Crow moved recently.”

Ludwig’s eyebrows were raised.

The strange movements of the Red Crow were something even ‘Roche’ had noticed. But it was the first time he heard that the leader had moved.

“Even the leader?”

“Yes. We confirmed it through Joseph. As you know, once the leader of the Red Crow moves…”

“He stores his magical power through sleep.”

“He is likely to be asleep for about two months.”

After Joachim finished speaking, he glanced towards Marlena.

It was as if he was signaling for her to explain the next part.

Ludwig’s and Marlena’s eyes met in the air.

Despite the unfamiliarity Marlena felt towards him, Ludwig felt closer to her.

Having all his memories since their first meeting and being certain of who he was made everything clear.

Therefore, Ludwig couldn’t understand the awkwardness in Marlena’s eyes.

‘Why is that?’

He looked at her quietly.

Marlena did not answer Ludwig’s question.

It was not the time for personal conversation.

“The Red Crow is constantly trying to expand its influence into the Kingdom of Arlo, so the Kingdom of Arlo has relatively more experience in skirmishes with the Red Crow…”

Marlena, who naturally tried to speak informally as she did with Roche, paused briefly.

“…has more experience.”

It was an awkward formality.

“…Yes. Please continue.”

Meanwhile, Ludwig maintained an attitude towards her that wasn’t much different from how he treated her as ‘Roche.’

Unexpectedly, no one except Marlena felt any discomfort with this attitude.

“So, paradoxically, the heart of the Kingdom of Arlo has become the place that can most firmly defend against the influence of the Red Crow. We plan to draw Rudolf into this place.”

“How do you plan to lure him?”

“With a play.”

Ludwig couldn’t help but laugh at that.

It wasn’t because it seemed absurd.

It was because it was so typical of Marlena.

Since their first meeting, the thing she had been most confident in was theater.

She had devised a strategy that she could execute perfectly.

“We will invite the current Duke Rudolf to the Kingdom of Arlo and show him a play that satirizes the current situation in the Duchy of Rohitham. We aim to provoke an emotional reaction from Rudolf through this.”

“As you know, Your Grace, Rudolf is short-tempered and somewhat rash. If we probe him well, we might be able to get information about the leader of the Red Crow through him.”

Chris supported Marlena’s opinion, adding to her words.

Ludwig thought of his uncle.

Putting aside family affection and evaluating him objectively, Chris was right.

Rudolf often made emotional decisions and caused trouble because of it.

But he was also very timid.

When he executed the bold plan to assassinate his brother by allying with the Red Crow, Roche was quite surprised.

It didn’t seem like the uncle he knew.

“So, how far has the plan progressed?”

At Ludwig’s question, there was a brief silence.

Marlena wetted her dry lips before speaking.

“As you know, the play has entered production. We are pressed for time because we must complete the plan before the leader of the Red Crow becomes active again.”

“How is Rudolf’s invitation being arranged?”

A collective sigh was heard.

Roche could tell that things were not going smoothly.

“We were trying to have His Majesty the King send the invitation personally, but we hit a snag there.”

“Why?”

“He said he wouldn’t cooperate unless it was clear that the Duke is alive and that reclaiming the title was his own will.”

Ludwig thought of King Karl.

He seemed somewhat foolish, often laughing things off and doting on his younger sister like an overly affectionate brother. However, he was surprisingly precise in his calculations.

“If it suffices to persuade His Majesty through a letter, there’s no need to go to the palace. Exposing your identity could be dangerous for the Duke of Rohitham.”

Marlena spoke quickly, and her concern that Ludwig might be endangered if his existence were revealed was evident.

Ludwig looked at Marlena with affectionate eyes.

Marlena unconsciously lowered her head slightly, avoiding eye contact.

Ludwig’s attempt to meet her gaze failed.

“I don’t think so.”

Ludwig spoke firmly.

“I need to reveal myself.”

The six people in the room froze for a moment.

“Your Grace, what are you saying? That would be dangerous!”

Joachim exclaimed, trying to dissuade him.

But Ludwig just shook his head lightly.

“No, I believe my uncle is unlikely to respond to a casual invitation for friendship, especially if he has been instructed by the Red Crow not to move hastily.”

Hearing this, Joachim’s words made sense.

“So we need a more definite bait.”

“…”

Ludwig’s trusted aides all bowed their heads in despair.

“This might actually be a better situation since the leader of the Red Crow is asleep.”

Ludwig whispered softly, as if to comfort them.

“As you know, the perfect moment never comes.”

No one could refute him.

Marlena, who had been silently pondering with her arms crossed, raised her hand.

“I disagree.”

Roche blinks slowly.

“If the Duke steps forward, Rudolf might be intimidated. He could suspect an ulterior motive in an invitation supposedly for ‘friendship’ between Arlo and Rohitham.”

Marlena’s argument was convincing.

A picturesque smile spread across Ludwig’s lips.

He nodded slowly.

During his months as ‘Roche,’ he had learned many things from Marlena.

Courage, boldness, and…the art of theater.

“I don’t intend to reveal myself as the Duke of Rohitham.”

Ludwig smiled brightly.

The room buzzed with surprise at his unexpected statement.

“Then how?”

“I will be a trusted aide picked up by Marquis Rowissum’s son, Lord Ernst. However, due to a severe shock, I conveniently do not remember my own name.”

The plan flowed smoothly from Ludwig’s lips.

“Marquis Rowissum’s son thought I must be of noble birth from my various possessions and brought me to the capital to find my identity…”

“So, you’re…”

Marlena, trembling, forgot to use formal language as she asked Ludwig habitually.

“You’re going to act as the ‘nobleman with amnesia’?”

Ludwig answered cheerfully.

“I’ve learned a bit about acting, including how to pretend to have memories that don’t exist.”

Marlena stared at Ludwig with her mouth slightly open.

“Pretending not to have memories that do exist should be a bit easier, right?”

Ludwig took a step, then another, towards Marlena.

“Of course, the help of the theater expert, Countess Balthus, will be essential.”

Marlena looked up at Ludwig, eyes wide and breath held.

A strange tension filled the space between them.

“When my uncle hears that a young man with violet eyes has appeared in the Kingdom of Arlo, he will definitely want to confirm with his own eyes whether it’s me.”

It was flawless logic.

“I think I can do a good job, it’s just a matter of recreating the past few months, with this face, right?”