Chapter 4: Summer Festival (1)

“I’m sorry. Did I cause trouble for you?”

Chloe quickly apologized as she boarded Escalante’s carriage with Tehis. In hindsight, she realized she had left the banquet without even listening to the opening speech.

Even if she were criticized for breaking the contract, she had no excuse, but a calm response came back.

“No need to apologize. It’s also beneficial for me not to get further involved in the affairs of the Imperial Family.”

“That’s a relief. I prefer not to get deeply entangled in unnecessary matters.”

As a member of the Mage Tower, which maintains absolute neutrality, it was natural to avoid getting caught up in political battles. Whether there was a rebellion, a war, or a power struggle, mages were uninterested. It wasn’t out of a desire to protect the Princess that she had remained quiet before using magic out of sheer irritation.

She had acted under the guise of self-defense, but the incident had escalated more than she intended, so she resolved to restrain herself in the future.

“But why do you dislike the Imperial Family? Is it because the Emperor is keeping Escalante in check?”

The Emperor aside, his children seemed fine.

Chloe thought of the Crown Prince and the Princess. The siblings with their radiant blonde hair were the epitome of the Imperial Family, deserving of the empire’s praise.

Charisma and dignity that overwhelmed the crowd. Looks that mesmerized onlookers. NNoblesse oblige in caring for others. Bold judgment and decisiveness—there was nothing lacking in them as members of the Imperial Family.

‘Though I don’t know them well as people yet.’

Chloe recalled her conversation with Helena. The Princess, who clearly grew up loved by everyone, was more straightforward than expected. The image of her speaking bluntly remained, but Chloe thought it might be because she was young.

The fact that the Princess, who was three or four years younger than her, aimed for her friend’s position and even proposed was both absurd and somewhat endearing.

“It’s not that I dislike the Imperial Family itself. I have no ill feelings towards the Crown Prince.”

“But you seem to dislike the Princess.”

Chloe looked at Tehis, who had fallen silent. She understood, having seen Helena’s attitude toward him firsthand, but it was ambiguous whether it was enough to give up the advantages of marrying into the Imperial Family. Listening to the Princess, it seemed like a proposal for his sake, making it even more puzzling.

“Is that why you rejected her?”

She watched as Tehis sighed. His action of turning his neck as if tired was familiar.

As if preparing to say something uncomfortable, he briefly summarized the entangled story.

“While personal feelings are involved, the bigger reason is for survival. If I marry the Princess, the likelihood of my death is very high.”

“How so?”

“One way or another.”

The mage tilted her head at the Grand Duke’s vague response. It wasn’t a very understandable answer.

“Do you mean the Emperor would kill you?”

“Yes, Chloe. Whether sooner or later, he would likely use any means to eliminate me. Even if the Princess takes my side.”

The reason he was alive was that there was no one suitable to manage the North. Or perhaps there was no justification. If the Princess married Escalante and could legally take over full authority, the Emperor would act without hesitation.

It didn’t matter that he was a top-level sword expert or the only bloodline of a founding family. If the Emperor intended to persecute him while maintaining a public-private distinction, he wouldn’t have driven the previous head of the family to death.

“Is the Emperor allowed to do that? What kind of grudge does he hold?”

“That’s…”

Tehis trailed off at Chloe’s incredulous voice. It was natural for her not to understand the Emperor’s abnormal attitude.

Though he had shed a lot of blood, the current Emperor was not considered a tyrant. His reputation for governing the empire excellently made the disparity even more pronounced.

Kiberun Harpeon. The reason he bore such animosity towards Escalante was unknown to anyone but those involved.

Those who found out all died, so it was only natural. 

<Isn’t it ironic? Your existence brought about this ruin, yet you, the person involved, are still alive.>

The eyes filled with hatred and contempt pierced his consciousness from the recesses of his memory. It was a look he saw more often from the previous head of the family than from the Emperor, whom he rarely met.

It had been a long time since he had become indifferent to the emotions revealed by the bright sky-blue and dark blue eyes.

‘If I said they were alike, they’d go berserk.’

One of them was already dead anyway.

Tehis quietly looked down at his hands before speaking.

“I cannot say.”

“That’s fine, then. What about the festival?”

“Hmm.”

The topic shifted so casually that it took him a moment to follow.

Looking out the window, Tehis realized that the carriage was passing through the festival streets. Unlike the terror event at the palace, the festival covering the entire capital was in full swing.

‘It seems the Crown Prince handled it.’

The Grand Duke recalled Kaishan, who had been absent for a long time. After hearing that the Emperor had been poisoned, he seemed to have taken care of his father’s duties, including the congratulatory speech.

Not a hint of the unfortunate event had leaked outside, showcasing how adept he was.

Since the festival was proceeding normally, we could participate, but…

“Is it alright to be caught playing after rejecting the Crown Prince’s request?”

“Oh.”

Chloe let out a short sigh. With the Imperial Knights chasing the remnants of the assailants, strict inspections would undoubtedly follow.

It meant there was a high chance they would be caught enjoying the festival in the capital after ignoring the Crown Prince’s request.

‘Even if it doesn’t matter to me, it might trouble the Grand Duke.’

She tapped the window with her finger. The carriage couldn’t pick up speed due to the bustling crowd.

‘What to do? There’s still quite a bit of time left today, so experiencing the festival would be the best choice if possible.’

While she pondered over what to do since there was nothing for her to do if they returned to the Grand Duke’s residence, Tehis made a suggestion.

“How about postponing it? The festival lasts for a week, so we can use the remaining time before it ends.”

“Alright. Then let’s meet again at this time in a week. Until midnight?”

“Yes, Chloe.”

Having agreed on the time, the couple remained silent as the carriage moved.

Chloe, contemplating whether to simply fly away with the carriage due to the crowded streets, turned to Tehis. She intended to ask for his opinion, but noticing his injury, she brought up something else.

“Let’s treat your wounds when we return.”

“It’s not serious enough to require medicine or a potion.”

“But you bled.”

“This is nothing…”

“Tess.”

The mage interrupted the Grand Duke with a sweet smile.

“Shall I pour the potion I made myself?”

Tehis hesitated. A potion made by Chloe.

The only thing that came to mind was a thick green liquid made by mixing all sorts of bizarre creatures.

“…I’ll treat it as soon as we arrive at the Grand Duke’s residence.”

Oh, really?

Chloe, despite having orchestrated the situation, pursued further when the Grand Duke genuinely refused her potion

“Don’t you trust me?”

“No.”

“Then why are you avoiding my eyes, Darling?”

As his gaze slightly shifted to the side, Chloe pulled Tehis’s chin back.

Suddenly faced with her close-up, he inhaled sharply and exhaled slowly as he answered.

“I don’t doubt the efficacy of your potion.”

“Then what, did you think a monster’s eyeball would pop out of it?”

“…Not exactly…”

Being forced to maintain eye contact at such close range, his words came out awkwardly.

‘So you did think that?’

Chloe raised and lowered one eyebrow in disbelief. With a meaningful smile as if plotting something, she posed a question like a statement.

“Would you prefer a folk remedy instead?”

“What?”

What kind of folk remedy was the mage referring to? 

Tehis expressed his curiosity, but Chloe didn’t answer.

Instead, she wrapped her arms around the back of his head and pressed her lips to the exposed nape of his neck.

Lick.

“…?!”

The Grand Duke, who felt a chill run down his spine from the familiar soft touch, grabbed her arm. The tingling sensation from the licked wound stirred an odd feeling within him.

If she had left it alone, he wouldn’t have felt much, but stimulating it like this…

Releasing the stiffened Tehis without hesitation, Chloe smiled brightly.

“They say saliva heals light wounds, don’t they?”

Faced with her cheeky expression, Tehis was at a loss for words at her nonchalant face. He almost rubbed the spot she licked but instead covered it with his palm.

His lips moved slightly, but no words of rebuttal came out. He had no idea what to say in such a situation.

He wondered if should just let it go since it was already over and he didn’t feel bad. Or if he should appeal to her to be cautious, emphasizing that he was a man too. Or should he naturally accept such contact since they were a contract couple. 

Where exactly was the boundary allowed in this contractual relationship?

As Tehis was lost in confusion, Chloe suddenly asked.

“What are you thinking?”

“-With anyone.”

Tehis was surprised when his sudden thought slipped out, catching him off guard. He had only intended to think it, but when Chloe asked for an answer, he inadvertently voiced it.

With anyone. Yes, that’s what he was curious about.

Her playful touches were sometimes precarious—

“Do you do this with anyone?”

Blink.

Chloe, slowly examining Tehis, tilted her head. She might have understood if he had scolded her, but she hadn’t expected this question.

“Why?”

“No reason.”

Since it wasn’t the question he originally intended to ask, his denial was quick.

Hmm? Just as Chloe squinted her eyes to say something, the carriage stopped.

“Your Grace, may we allow the inspection?”

The fake couple, who had been staring at each other for a moment, complied with the inspection. Soon after, the carriage, having boarded the warp gate, moved to the Grand Duchy.

* * *

Instead of returning to the Mage Tower with her uncomfortable adornments, Chloe stopped by the Grand Duke’s residence. After removing all her jewelry and changing back into the dress she had worn initially, she yawned and left the room.

It had been a tiring day, so she felt she would collapse as soon as she returned.

Knowing she would leave soon, Tehis, who had been waiting by the door, greeted her briefly.

“See you next week, then.”

“See you in a week.”

As she was about to leave after a rather ordinary farewell, Chloe turned around with a spin and looked at the Grand Duke again.

“And, Tess.”

“Yes, Chloe.”

Approaching without hesitation, she pulled Tehis’s cravat towards her. As he lowered his head, she saw faint traces of a healed wound on the back of his neck. Since he already had many scars, its presence seemed quite natural.

Tracing the area with her other hand, Chloe deliberately spoke in a voice tinged with laughter.

“Who else would I do this to if not my boyfriend?”

“…!”

Giving him a loud kiss on the cheek, Chloe didn’t wait for his response and walked away with light steps.

The red lipstick left on her lips marked a new imprint over the scar.

This time, it wasn’t an illusion spell.