“Just make sure she doesn’t catch my eye.”

Aaron shrugged his shoulders as if it were absurd.

“Wouldn’t you run into each other once in a while?”

“If that woman’s neck gets strangled, it’ll be entirely your fault.”

“A woman’s neck? Goodness, don’t say such terrible things, even as a joke.”

Aaron’s suggestion that they might meet once turned out to come true sooner than expected.

At the archery range teeming with men, Nigel witnessed a truly bizarre sight.

From the end of the range where the targets were set, a woman walked towards him, her skirts fluttering.

Without a hint of hesitation, she stared straight at him.

The blazing sunset looked like flames rising from her red hair.

Nigel couldn’t take his eyes off the woman who seemed like an illusion, hard to believe.

Then he drew his bowstring and took aim at Marienne Rose.

Whoosh.

The arrow flew like lightning and struck the path Marienne was about to take.

As she changed direction, another arrow flew and stuck in the ground she was about to step on.

It was a warning not to approach.

But Marienne couldn’t back down.

“Duke, please listen to me!”

Marienne shouted at Nigel, who was nocking another arrow to his bow.

“Just listen to me once…!”

She moved her steps beside the two arrows.

Thinking of her bedridden mother and her brother who would be in despair, having abandoned the shop, she felt fearless.

The arrow flew mercilessly and stuck precariously in front of her shoe.

Nigel received an arrow handed by his servant and nocked it to his bow.

Marienne glared at him, clenching her fists.

Are you trying to scare me? Do you expect me to turn back sobbing?

But I’m not the refined lady you’re used to dealing with.

Marienne took off her cumbersome shoes. Then, lifting her skirt to reveal her ankles, she ran full speed.

She was the one who used to dart through forests and fields gathering herbs.

She climbed trees like a squirrel and roamed rooftops like a night cat.

Just try to hit me.

A whistle sounded from the lips of the vice-commander, Benwick, who was watching.

A beautiful woman was running barefoot across the training ground, holding up her skirt.

He blinked and craned his neck. It seemed like a dream.

Even the white stockings wrapping her slender calves were visible as her skirt fluttered.

The knights standing behind also kept glancing while clearing their throats.

Marienne shouted with all her might.

“I have something to tell you!”

Whoosh!

The arrow grazed her ear, sending her hair flying.

This time, even Marienne stopped in surprise. She was only a few steps away from him.

“Duke, please listen to me.”

Marienne dropped her skirt and clasped her hands. Then, with a trembling voice, she pleaded.

“I just want to know if my family is doing well. If I’ve done wrong, I’ll gladly accept punishment. Please show mercy. I beg you earnestly.”

The knights who had been wide-eyed at Marienne now cast sympathetic glances one by one.

Benwick, feeling a pang in his heart, observed his lord.

But good heavens! Was he a cold-blooded man without blood or tears?

His lord was once again nocking an arrow and drawing the bowstring.

If the old duchess of Rockshield knew, she would faint.

Though he didn’t know the details, the woman must have used her outstanding beauty as a weapon for some espionage.

Otherwise, there was no way his cool-headed lord would make such a reckless move.

But still, she was a woman. And an unarmed one at that.

As the arrowhead pointed at Marienne, a groan escaped from Benwick’s throat.

“Your Grace!”

Just then, the Baron came running breathlessly and stood in front of Marienne.

The Baron shook his head at his lord, catching his breath.

Only then could Benwick breathe a sigh of relief.

Throughout the continent, only the old duchess and Baron Aaron Ballock could advise his lord.

But the woman fearlessly tried to stop the Baron.

“I appreciate your concern for me, but please step aside. I have something to say to the Duke.”

Without turning around, Aaron sternly warned.

“You foolish girl, keep quiet.”

“You don’t need to help me. The Duke won’t harm me anyway.”

Isn’t she a stubborn one I’ve seen somewhere before!

Aaron clicked his tongue.

“This is the training ground where His Grace and the knights train. Don’t you know you shouldn’t barge in here? If you had something to say, you should have gone through someone else.”

“The maid ignored my words, and the head maid and butler wouldn’t even meet me.”

“Still, this is reckless behavior.”

Aaron signaled to the apprentice knights. Sturdy men then grabbed Marienne and dragged her out of the archery range.

But even as she was being dragged away, Marienne persistently shouted.

“I’ll keep your secret, so please grant my request too!”

Surprised, Aaron bellowed to cover her mouth.

But before that, Nigel strode over.

Surely he wouldn’t strangle her neck?

Aaron hurriedly stood by his lord’s side. Then, rising on his tiptoes, he whispered quickly.

“There are many eyes watching. Please calm down.”

Nigel couldn’t even hear Aaron’s nagging.

He was so infuriated by this arrogant thing that wouldn’t break even if stepped on, he felt his insides turning over.

He knew his behavior was unusual. However, when it came to this impudent woman, it was difficult to restrain anything.

She fearlessly raised her head and demanded.

“Let me at least exchange letters with my family. I’ll keep your secret.”

Nigel’s fingers, tense with power, curled, unable to contain his anger.

Aaron, not knowing when he might grab the woman’s neck, fidgeted like a dog needing to pee.

Nigel growled at Marienne, grinding his words.

“Secret? What would someone like you know?”

“Shall I tell you?”

“Go ahead, let’s hear it.”

Unable to bear it any longer, Aaron pushed his way between the two with his shoulders and waved his arms about.

Disgusted by the noisy display, Nigel turned his head away.

“Your Grace, that’s enough. She’s not worth dealing with.”

Aaron hurriedly shouted, trying not to give Nigel a chance.

“What are you all doing! Cover this disrespectful woman’s mouth and take her away!”

The men dragged the resisting Marienne out of the training ground.

Her voice calling for the Duke gradually faded away, even with her mouth covered.

Aaron shook his head at Marienne, who had set the training ground ablaze, so to speak, then startled back at his lord’s frosty chill.

Whew, he felt like he’d aged ten years caught between these two.

“Her actions are brazen, but I understand. Separated from her family overnight, how must she feel? Moreover, being an orphan, she must be all the more attached. Since you’ve shown mercy, why not allow at least some correspondence? And Your Grace, don’t forget her potential usefulness.”

Nigel’s jaw muscle twitched. He roughly handed the bow to a trainee and headed towards the swordsmanship arena.

The sly Aaron quickly packaged his silence as consent.

“I’ll take that as permission. Miss Rose will be grateful for Your Grace’s consideration. Ah! And the messenger bird has brought news. Count Godwin crossed the Wooten Mountains yesterday afternoon. He’ll soon arrive in Louer. I’ll prepare a grand banquet accordingly.”

As Nigel entered the swordsmanship arena, Aaron, who detested physical activities, quietly retreated back to the inner castle.

* * *

Knock knock.

A servant knocked on the carriage door, waking the sleeping Count Godwin.

“We’ve arrived at Louer Castle, Count.”

Count Godwin, who had brought the Emperor’s engagement pledge after a long journey, arrived in Louer.

The Count, who had brought four wagons of luggage, yawned as he got out of the luxurious carriage.

Count Bernan Godwin. He was a shameless man who lined his own pockets by covering the Emperor’s eyes and ears with honeyed words and sowing discord among the noble houses.

Flushed from enjoying wine and women, his face, along with his protruding belly, wobbled pitifully over his thighs.

An emerald pendant hung from his neck, and a ruby ring glittered on his fat fingers as he fiddled with his mustache.

He walked through the line of employees, looking up at Louer Castle.

“How grand. Does he think he’s royalty, that arrogant brat?”

As Count Godwin muttered curses, Nigel and Aaron approached him. The Count spread his arms and flashed a broad smile.