Chapter 21

When Asterope said “everyone,” Kallieon was the first person included in that group. She wanted to create a social party that would remain in his memory as something beautiful, fun, and so delightful that he’d feel excited to host another one. That was something she believed she could do.  

Kallieon smiled as he watched her eyes sparkle once again. Even if Asterope had some ulterior motive involving the Lunette family through the banquet, he didn’t mind. He had enough strength to protect Serpiewood regardless.  

Yet, a part of him ached. He was disappointed in himself for not being able to trust her completely, and he felt torn between his responsibilities as the Lord of Serpiewood and his personal struggles.  

But all those tangled, complicated feelings melted away in front of Asterope. Contrary to his worries, her desires weren’t political. They were the kinds of things that might exist between any ordinary noble couple.  

“Let’s dance together.”  

Asterope’s face was innocent as she spoke those words, her eyes sparkling. In her gaze, he could see anticipation and a sense of duty, as though she felt it was her mission to show him the joys of social gatherings.  

Over the past year, there were times when her unhidden resentment and hatred toward him pierced his heart and made him suffer. But now, those same honest emotions made his heart pound. Kallieon could not hold back and pulled Asterope into his arms.  

“This is a big problem.”  

“Huh?”  

“To think I have to leave tomorrow on a long journey, leaving someone like you behind…”  

Asterope barely managed to lift her head from his firm embrace and looked up at him.  

“Where are you going?”  

Her curious eyes made Kallieon smile.  

“Babel.”  

At those two words, Asterope’s gaze darkened instantly. Her body began to tremble. The face of that mage, who had smiled as if he knew everything on the day of her death, flashed in her mind.  

“Rope, what’s wrong all of a sudden? Rope?”  

“Babel… Babel is terrifying. It’s a frightening place.”  

She remembered the warts that clung to that mage like stubborn lumps. That vile person’s magical skill was extraordinary. He didn’t let his victims die quickly, tormenting them to the brink before finally ending their lives. He was from Babel.

The mage who had killed Kallieon, the Grand Duke of the North, and come to kill her. She didn’t know his name or identity, but he was as terrifying to her as the warrior who had slit her throat.

Unaware of Asterope’s inner turmoil, Kallieon stroked her cheek with concern.  

“Have you been to Babel before? Do you have bad memories of it?”  

“No, I’ve just always been afraid of Babel. The magic from that place is truly terrifying. Especially magic circles…”  

“There aren’t many mages who can draw magic circles. Don’t worry.”  

Kallieon said this as he embraced Asterope, as if it were nothing to be concerned about. But Asterope, unable to control her trembling body, clung tightly to him and spoke.  

“Your Grace, promise me. You’re stronger than some lowly mage, right? You can destroy those ridiculous magic circles with your sword, can’t you?”  

Kallieon stroked her back and replied,  

“As long as I’m by your side, no one will be able to do such things. I’ll make sure they can’t even draw a single dot of a magic circle.”  

It wasn’t just bravado. He was truly someone who could make that happen. Reassured by his words, Asterope gently stroked his broad chest.  

“How long will you be staying in Babel?”  

“Babel is so remote that even if I just handle the matter and return, it’ll take ten days.”  

“Ten days? Will it take that long?”  

“Yes, I’ll try to come back as quickly as possible.”  

“……”  

“Seeing your face like this makes it hard for me to leave.”  

“But you have to go, don’t you?”  

Kallieon nodded. It was to protect Asterope. He needed to find out who had created this magical artifact and demand a proper explanation. If the explanation was absurd, he intended to cut them down on the spot. His beloved Grand Duchess could fall into danger. That reason alone was enough for Kallieon to subdue an entire region. It didn’t matter who was behind it, even if it was the Imperial Family.  

As Serpiewood began to prosper, the Imperial Family started to keep a wary eye on it. The vast Serpiewood territory was originally so fertile that it was called the land of the gods. However, no suitable crops had been found for its climate, and there were no people to cultivate it.  

But when the presence of the sacred creature Gorgon and the war god Kallieon came together, the population of the territory began to grow explosively. Schools were established, and trading companies emerged.Despite the low taxes, the benefits enjoyed by the people were numerous and varied. It was to the extent that people began to say that living in Serpiewood, which had solid foundations, was better than living in Sodel, which had nothing but a false reputation. The Emperor’s attempt to lower Kallieon’s support had completely failed.  

Kallieon astonishingly thrived under what was meant to be a punishment disguised as a reward. While he still regarded the Imperial Family as his liege, he neither revered nor feared them personally. As the lord of Serpiewood, he saw the Imperial Family as merely part of the empire he belonged to.  

This made him a strong lord. As long as no conflict arose, he could act in alignment with the Imperial Family’s interests. But the moment his territory was threatened, the situation changed. He had no hesitation in exercising his authority as a lord, even against the Imperial Family.  

This wasn’t about loyalty. It was because he was someone who had things to protect—his knights, his people, and his beloved wife.  

Kallieon looked down at Asterope with eyes full of love.  

“If I can protect you, I can go anywhere. No matter how treacherous the path may be.”  

“……”  

“So trust me and wait here, in Serpiewood, my Rope.”  

“Where else would I go?”  

Kallieon let out a bitter smile. Asterope couldn’t escape. Everything had been carried out under the Emperor’s command, and she had no choice but to comply. Whenever he thought about the day he had forcibly brought her here, holding her small hand, Kallieon was still overwhelmed with guilt.  

Asterope gently touched Kallieon’s bitterly curved lips and continued speaking.  

“This place is my home.”  

Kallieon froze at the unexpected words from Asterope. She buried her face in his chest. Though she had said something embarrassing, Kallieon’s frozen reaction made it even harder for her to speak further. Leaning deeply into his embrace, Asterope added softly,  

“The problem is the ten days I’ll have to sleep without you, Your Grace.”  

Kallieon laughed at her endearing complaint. Asterope buried her face deeper into his chest and mumbled,  

“The bed is too wide, and Serpiewood is too cold.”  

“Oh dear… I can’t stand my Grand Duchess being troubled. What should I do to help?”  

“You must return quickly. And don’t get hurt.”  

Hearing Asterope whisper in a very small voice, Kallieon smiled and lifted her into his arms. Holding her effortlessly, he took large strides back toward the castle.  

“It seems this is enough for our walk. Are you okay with that?”  

“Yes, that’s fine.”  

Asterope wrapped her arms around Kallieon’s neck. She still felt embarrassed showing such affection in front of the attendants, but as long as Kallieon was with her, everything felt fine. The fear of the magic circle and the mocking face of that mage who had sneered at her—all of it seemed to vanish.  

Asterope’s long dress trailed along the ground. Flower petals scattered in the wind. The sight of the two walking together was so beautiful that the attendants were left staring in awe.  

* * *  

Kallieon instinctively reached for the space beside him on the bed, only to snap his eyes open when he realized the figure that should have been sleeping peacefully next to him was gone. Asterope was nowhere to be seen. It was still the dark hours before dawn, with the moon not yet fully set.  

Kallieon immediately got out of bed, throwing on only a robe as he left the Grand Duchess’s chambers. A servant standing guard outside bowed his head.  

“Where is the Grand Duchess?”  

“She is packing with the chief steward.”  

“Packing? What could the Grand Duchess possibly need to pack?”  

“Well, about that…”  

“Never mind. Just take me to her immediately!”  

Kallieon spoke in a voice filled with anger. He found it a waste of time to listen to the attendant’s explanation any longer. The attendant, startled by his furious tone, flinched and hesitated before leading the way to the knights’ quarters on trembling legs.  

“Are you saying the Grand Duchess is here?”  

“Y-Yes, Your Grace.”  

Without asking why, Kallieon silenced his footsteps and entered through the side door. After taking just a few steps, he heard the voices of Tama and Asterope.  

“They’ll be able to gather plenty of monster meat along the way.”  

“Doesn’t it have parasites? Are you sure it’s safe to eat all of that?”  

“If we were to pile up all the monsters His Grace has devoured on the battlefield, it would be enough to surround our fortress walls.”  

“This isn’t the battlefield! Pack this instead! I’m telling you, it’s delicious!”  

“Your Grace, if we take all this meat… the soldiers will find it too heavy to carry.”  

“Well, this is a good opportunity for them to train!”  

Kallieon had to cover his mouth to suppress his laughter at the unexpectedly adorable conversation. Normally, when traveling along rough paths like Babel, Kallieon carried only the bare minimum. Meals were prepared by quickly roasting or boiling the monsters caught along the way. He disliked anything that hindered mobility with unnecessary weight.