Chapter 11

“As you know, Kal was injured.”

“Kal?”

“That’s why everyone was out of their minds.”

“Kaaal?”

“Why?”

Marie tried to ignore her father’s nitpicking, but his questioning expression was so amusing that she inadvertently responded and realized her mistake.

Albrecht muttered “Kal, Kal” once more and glared.

“Since when did you start calling him by that name?”

“Why wouldn’t I call him by his name…?”

“Right. It’s there to be used. But you shouldn’t call him that.”

“Why?”

“Are you asking because you don’t know?”

“Yes.”

She was genuinely asking because she didn’t know. 

Then what should I call him if not by his name?

But Albrecht, being quite the prankster himself, took his daughter’s reaction as a joke.

“That guy, that bastard, that jerk, you could use any of those. Why use his name?”

“That jerk?”

“Yeah. You could also call him ‘that person’ more politely. There are plenty of alternatives to his name!”

Marie stared blankly at Albrecht, who described “that person” as a polite term. Her father was very serious. He really thought that was appropriate for Kalik, even though he was his son-in-law.

“Why, what?”

“Father, do you want your daughter to get divorced?”

“You said you would.”

“That’s because you told me to….”

“It sounds like you’re saying you feel differently.”

At the mention of feeling differently, Marie closed her mouth. It was easy to explain, but it could easily be seen as an excuse if she rambled on. Knowing her father’s personality, he would surely latch onto that point and press her, eventually bringing up amnesia.

But it didn’t seem like it was just her father’s personality that kept her from mentioning the word “amnesia,” which could solve everything.

Seeing Marie’s serious expression, Albrecht glanced at her as if probing.

“Rumor has it that guy has another woman. Do you know about it?”

Marie, who was idly touching her teacup, froze.

“Another… woman?”

“Yeah. They say he’s so wrapped up in her he can’t think straight!”

“…Please tell me more.”

“Ha. I knew it. You wouldn’t be so relaxed if you knew!”

Just listing the keywords he mentioned was enough to tell it wasn’t an amusing topic. Such things should be hidden or ignored. Especially in front of the person involved. There’s no need for a father to stir up trouble.

Nevertheless, Albrecht couldn’t contain his agitation and began to recount his son-in-law’s scandal. A shocking rumor that Kalik, who had barely recovered, immediately started an affair.

Stories about Kalik were rich in content and varied in genre, so much so that they were popular enough to warrant their own category. From his lifestyle, unknown romantic escapades, friendships, to trivial habits, these stories became a sort of sport among nobles, providing endless enjoyment even after his marriage.

So it was only natural that Albrecht knew the latest news. He employed a strategy of circumventing if he couldn’t penetrate Escael. Large families always had big loopholes. No matter how meticulously they were sealed, information would leak out, and it could be obtained there.

What he obtained was the jackpot of Kalik Escael’s affair. Information that his only son-in-law had started an affair three years into marriage.

The identity of the other party was unknown. What satisfied people was the affair itself. From the moment their desire to enjoy—and their unnecessary right to know—was fulfilled, the identity of the other party became irrelevant.

According to an unnamed boy who shared this story, the rumor that Escael’s “amazing successor” was infatuated with a woman was a topic that needed no verification.

‘That’ Escael’s eldest son.

‘That’ Odillia’s son-in-law.

Anyway, ‘that’ Kalik….

Even without knowing the truth, it was clear that the occurrence and spread of this rumor were inevitable.

Adding fuel to the fire, the lack of information about the other party’s identity further amplified the rumor.

Whether hidden or not, the uncertainty made it even more interesting. Therefore, this vague and uncertain point gave wings to the rumor. The other woman was said to be a married woman from a prestigious family, a minor, or conversely, an older woman.

There was even talk that the other party might not be a woman at all. At this point, it was a party of speculation and conjecture, a festival of sorts, wondering how to enjoy it more.

Of course, it wasn’t completely baseless. As with all rumors, even if the source was unclear, there were a few things that could serve as evidence, one of which was leaving work early and his ‘expression.’

The anomaly was first noticed by those close to him. It didn’t take long to observe. Their suspicion began when Kalik, who had taken a month and a half off due to injury, greeted them brightly. From the very first day, in fact.

His face, usually expressionless or stern, was now brightly lit. Sometimes he even smiled! Although he wasn’t inherently fierce or sharp, it was clear that his demeanor was unusual for a man who usually acted like a stodgy knight.

And someone said, if a young man in his twenties smiles for reasons outside of work, it’s usually because a woman is involved.

This was the point where the rumor was created. Kalik was a married man who had been married for three years. It was unlikely he had suddenly fallen in love now, so if there was a woman, the speculation was that she must be outside the marriage.

All subsequent evidence only supported this speculation.

For example, his sudden interest in flowers and women’s accessories.

His behavior of joining conversations whenever women’s interests or romantic stories came up.

Riding off somewhere as soon as work ended.

Aren’t these things that can only be explained by the presence of a ‘woman’?

Thus, when an anonymous subordinate jokingly asked if he had hidden a golden calf somewhere, imagination and speculation merged.

The Emperor’s competent and loyal knight commander was surely in love!

Everything started with the horseback riding accident.

Perhaps the shock from that accident opened his eyes to love.

After returning from the brink of death.

Marie, while listening, thought something was strange. It felt like she was already aware of much of what her father was saying.

“There are also stories about personality changes due to the aftereffects of the accident.”

“That’s a problem in itself. Doesn’t that mean he’s become useless? Whether it’s an affair or aftereffects, it’s a problem!”

There’s no need to passionately argue like this. Isn’t this a situation where he should be glad such rumors are circulating? He should welcome it with open arms, as it’s offering him a lead. For someone who keeps singing about divorce, he’s demanding cleanliness to the point of obsession, which is the problem.

“Anyway, he’s not useless, so don’t worry about that.”

“Oh, really? Why would I worry? I don’t care. What’s there to worry about?”

“Yes. I fully understand that you don’t care. I’m just saying you can rest assured that it’s not an affair.”

“Rest assured? Why would I…”

“Father.”

Albrecht, realizing he was being too boisterous, grumbled without making a sound. There’s a saying that one can’t see the mole under their own eye or the boil on their own back, and so on.

Then Natalie suddenly opened the door, preventing any further talk about affairs.

“He’s here.”

“Already? Alright, I’m leaving.”

“What, what? Who’s here?”

Marie stood up with a bright smile. Albrecht also stood up, hesitating. It wasn’t as if another guest was coming. There was no one else to make an appointment with, and no one else to come.

But Marie, as if she had forgotten her father, left the room with a bright expression. Albrecht, flustered, quickly followed her. Where was she going, leaving her father behind?

“You’re later than yesterday.”

After walking for a while, they arrived at the central staircase, where Marie spoke to someone. Her voice was kind, with a hint of disappointment.

“I tried to come quickly, but it took longer than expected.”

A gentle answer came from downstairs in response. The voice was like a snowstorm in a pine forest. Slightly hoarse, with a weighty low tone.

“I missed you.”

Albrecht rushed to see who dared to say they missed his daughter. His mind was filled with all sorts of mixed thoughts.

Was it actually my daughter having an affair, not my son-in-law?

Was the rumor a foolish collaboration by the world, mistaking the subject?

Could it be that my daughter was boldly bringing her lover home?

Being divorced for fault wasn’t part of the plan!

“Ugh.”

Just as he was about to poke his head out, Albrecht staggered backward, unable to finish his sentence. Behind him, Natalie was holding his coat collar at the nape of his neck and shaking her head.

“Shh.”

She diverted her master’s attention elsewhere. There, where her healthy, tanned fingers pointed, was the “who” of the “who’s here” he had been about to ask.

“What the…”

Albrecht’s eyes widened. He couldn’t close his mouth at the sight before him, not just because of his son-in-law, whom he hadn’t seen in a while.

His daughter and son-in-law.

His daughter and son-in-law…!

“What on earth is happening right now….”

Honestly, his words weren’t intended for anyone to answer. He was just voicing the questions filling his mind.

“It’s better not to know.”

Natalie’s indifferent response only added to his unexpected worries.