Chapter 17

Around dawn, Kallieon, fully equipped for battle, touched Asterope’s hair. Asterope, still half-asleep, barely opened her eyes and kissed his hand.  

“You didn’t sleep much. What are you going to do?”

“It’s fine. I spent time with you, sweeter than any dream.”

“Still, I worry about you, Grand Duke. What if you get hurt because you’re too tired and let your guard down?”  

Asterope spoke in a hoarse voice. She still didn’t know Kallieon’s true nature—that he was a man who only showed such vulnerability in front of her.

He had never once lost focus on the battlefield, even after several sleepless nights. Rather, the more tired he became, the faster his sword moved. It was as if he had learned that he could only rest after finishing everything.  

This level of fatigue was truly nothing to Kallieon. He grasped Asterope’s long hair and inhaled its scent. The fragrance of flowers mixed with Asterope’s unique body scent created an irresistible allure. Asterope, lying face down, turned her head slightly to look at Kallieon.  

“You must not get hurt. I’ll worry until you come back.”  

“I’ll be back soon. What will you do today?”  

“Today, I’m really going to decide on the curtains. I have a color in mind. I’ll show you when you return.”  

Kallieon released her hair and planted soft kisses on her shoulder. For the first time, he felt a desire not to leave for battle. He wanted to hold her in his arms all day. But since that wasn’t possible, he felt a deep sense of regret as he kissed her ear and cheek.  

“I heard the gem we got from the golem’s head has been processed. I’ll show it to you when I come back.”  

“Sounds good.”

Asterope barely opened her heavy eyes and spoke. It was the platinum gem from the golem, which was hard to obtain. It was also a symbol of brave warriors. Kallieon rubbed his lips against Asterope’s cheek as she smiled and said,  

“Should I make it into a ring or a hairpin for you?”

“Anything is fine.”  

“Are you mimicking my way of speaking?”  

“Yes.”  

Asterope’s bashful smile was as beautiful as a pure white angel. Kallieon gently pinched her cheek before releasing it and pressed his lips briefly against hers.  

“I’ll be back soon.”  

Asterope, still with sleep lingering on her face, nodded slightly. Kallieon, after stroking her soft face a few times, which looked as if she might fall asleep again at any moment, finally took his leave.  

Outside the chamber, Sommer and Chester were waiting. As soon as he stepped out of the Grand Duchess’s quarters, Kallieon’s smile vanished.

“Your Grace, isn’t your expression a bit too stern the moment you see us?”

“After gazing at the beautiful face of Rope, seeing your dark face naturally has that effect.”

“I’ll have you know, I’m considered quite handsome among the Serpiewood knights!”

“Then the state of the knights must be dire.”

Even with such banter, there was a strange sense of ease about Kallieon. He had been anxious when Asterope acted strangely after her illness. However, as she began decorating the banquet hall and wandering around the castle, he gradually found his composure. Though his expression remained stoic, there seemed to be a newfound vitality in his usually dry demeanor. He smiled more often now.  

“Shall we bet on who catches the most monsters?”  

“Grand Duke, you’ll be sitting this one out, right? Even if we had two bodies, none of us could compete with you.”

“Alright, I’ll give a whole barrel of Ouzo aged for several years to the one who catches the most.”  

“Really?”  

Chester’s face lit up with interest. Kallieon pushed Chester’s face away with his large hand. Sommer continued, as if he had read Kallieon’s hidden intentions,  

“Let’s drop the bet. Someone might get injured.”

“If you’re afraid of injuries, you’re no knight!”

Oblivious Chester shouted boisterously as if he would draw his sword at any moment. Sommer clicked his tongue and continued,  

“Your Grace, your mind seems to be elsewhere. Isn’t this just a ploy to hasten the cleanup and return to the castle? Specifically, to the Grand Duchess?”

“What? Surely not! Would he really wager such a precious barrel of aged Ouzo for that reason?”

Chester said, as if he could not understand. Kallieon then stopped walking and looked at Sommer.  

“Sommer.”  

“Yes, Your Grace.”

“Do you know that being overly perceptive on the battlefield is the quickest way to get yourself killed?”

“……”  

At Kallieon’s cold voice, Chester glanced between the two of them. Kallieon, with a stern expression, looked at Sommer’s face and continued solemnly,  

“You’re excluded from the bet as well.”

Sommer raised his eyebrows in surprise at the unexpected punishment. Seeing Sommer’s expression, Kallieon laughed out loud and turned to walk away first. Chester suddenly jumped in delight.  

“Yes! With my greatest rival out of the way, victory is mine! Don’t come begging me for a sip later.”

“Your Grace, this isn’t fair.”

“Being oblivious is also a crime.”

“Your Grace!”

Laughing, Chester followed the two as they walked ahead. The blue dawn of Serpiewood gradually brightened the sky.

* * *  

Asterope woke up just before noon. While eating warm tea and bread, she received a report from Maria about the events of the morning.  

“The Grand Duke and the Knight Order returned from the sweep two hours ago. They finished tidying up and bathing, and have just entered a meeting.”  

“Without eating? Did something happen? Was anyone seriously injured?”

“No, there were no injuries, but an unidentified magical tool was discovered during the hunt, so they are discussing that matter.”  

Asterope frowned slightly as she sipped her warm jasmine tea. These days, meals were of utmost importance to her. Hunger was a fundamental source of distress and sadness. Putting down her bread, she spoke.

“Still, after finishing the hunt, they should at least eat some bread or fruit.”  

“We didn’t think of that. I’ll inform Steward Tama and have some light refreshments sent to the meeting room.” 

Nodding at that, Asterope clapped her hands as if she remembered something. Maria looked at Asterope in surprise.  

“Oh! Let’s send that!”

She remembered the sandwiches her family used to make. In the Lunette household, a knightly family, there were often large and small meetings. During such times, her mother would prepare small sandwiches with the kitchen staff. Recalling the clear recipe in her mind, she stood up.

“Prepare a light dress for me.”

Her cheerful voice set Maria and the maids into a flurry of activity.

* * *  

Knock, knock. At the sound of someone knocking on the meeting room, Kallieon frowned.  

“I said this is an important meeting; no one is to interrupt! Who dares knock?”

“Your Grace, it’s Rope.”

At Asterope’s voice, Kallieon was surprised and got up from his seat to open the door wide. Asterope looked at Kallieon in a much lighter outfit than usual. She had a rather surprised expression at Kallieon’s angry voice.  

“Rope, what brings you here….”  

“I heard you were skipping meals to hold a meeting, so I prepared something simple. Maria.”  

“Yes, Grand Duchess.”  

Before Kallieon could say anything, the maids began to enter the meeting room one after another. A few very small sandwiches were placed on the desks of the knights, who were participating in the meeting with thin faces. The knights murmured at the sight of the unfamiliar sandwiches.  

“At my family home, my mother often made these during meetings. I didn’t mean to interrupt. I just wanted to make sure you didn’t skip a meal, Your Grace. Whatever it is you’re discussing, please don’t neglect your health.”

Asterope looked as if she were wondering whether she had done something unnecessary. Kallieon shook his head, as if to say that wasn’t the case, but Asterope gave a brief bow and stepped back. Outside the door, Tama shook his head and clicked his tongue. Closing the door, he leaned in and spoke quietly to Kallieon

“Didn’t I tell you several times to calm down? The Grand Duchess went to the kitchen herself to prepare those sandwiches…”

After throwing the words that poked at Kallieon’s heart, the door slammed shut. Kallieon let out a deep sigh and returned to his seat.  

“Since the Grand Duchess made them herself in the kitchen, eat without leaving any behind.”  

“Yes, Your Grace!”

The knights, who were only tasting the delicious smell, hurriedly reached out their hands. The sandwiches were much smaller than ordinary ones, with ham and vegetables nestled between the bread. The seasoning seemed to be simply salt and pepper. Perhaps made to be less moist on purpose, they didn’t drip anything, making it easy to handle documents.  

Thinking that would be too monotonous, there were also sandwiches made with a mix of boiled beans and potatoes. All of them were small but hearty enough to eat.