Edited

38.

‘Who is that man standing there? Where did he come from?’

Behind Lord Macfoy, Glenn Dogman, who had been guarding like a statue, clenched his fists tightly. A fierce glint appeared in his eyes. For Glenn, who had lost the person he considered precious due to betrayal, Aisa was extremely valuable.

‘Are you going to attack? Who? Me?’

Similarly, behind the Norma, Von secretly ground his teeth. His eyes under the eyebrows twitched in confusion. It was an unexpected action since Norma had not given him any signals. It was a truly spontaneous move.

‘Do you have something to discuss privately? Even if that’s the case, it’s absurd to have a guard leave in the middle of dinner Macfoy without any friendship with Diazi!’

Von glanced sneakily at Lord Macfoy sitting across.

Lord Macfoy was different from what Von had imagined. More precisely, she was different from the rumors. Unlike the wild stories surrounding her, she looked like an ordinary noble lady.

Of course, as befitting the status of a high noble, the head of a prominent family, she exuded overwhelming dignity and majesty. A somewhat sharp impression added to her charisma.

However, contrary to the rumors that she was as dangerous as a mercenary, her size was not as large as that of an average man. She was petite.

‘Contrary to the rumors, she doesn’t seem particularly dangerous. Still…’

From the sharp rise of her left eyebrow, Lord Macfoy seemed uncomfortable.

Fortunately, Lord Macfoy didn’t seem inclined to confront the aides and knights. In that case, their mission could continue!

However, Lord Macfoy acted differently from Von’s expectations. After giving a wary expression, she signaled her aides and the captain of the knights to step away.

While Glenn Dogman, a legendary knight from the western region, briefly resisted Von, Lord Macfoy dealt with him with a single nervous gesture.

As Glenn Dogman started to step back, the remaining Macfoy people began to follow suit, glancing around cautiously.

‘Is this for real? This is a disaster.’

Von urgently looked at Norma. Their eyes met directly. Norma, with a calm smile, had been watching him for some time.

Von unconsciously furrowed his brow a little. Norma’s gaze clearly conveyed, ‘Right. It’s time for you to leave too.’

“Should I leave too, Lord Diazi? But Lord Macfoy—”

“Leave.”

Norma, with a cheerful voice, left those words and turned his head away.

It must have been evident to everyone present that Lord Macfoy was on guard against Norma.

‘But why are you smiling like that? Is it a bluff?’

Von wanted to persuade Norma, but the hostile looks from the Macfoy knights outside the door, ready to confront them, made it impossible. The Macfoy knights were infamous throughout the empire for their recklessness.

Helplessly, Von slowly walked out and fervently cursed Norma in his mind. However, Norma no longer paid any attention to him.

When Von was about to step outside, he cast a final glance at his intended target. Through the closing gap of the door, he saw the back of Lord Macfoy’s head and Norma’s face.

For a moment, Von doubted his own eyes. He blinked as if to confirm what he had seen, but the door closed with a thud.

‘What’s going on? Why would he smile like that?’

Norma’s usual smile, ever-present on him, was completely different. Von saw a new expression for the first time. He stared blankly at the closed door for a long time.

‘Is it possible… he came all the way here to see Lord Macfoy?’

Only now did the thought cross Von’s mind that Norma, who had accompanied Milan, might have come all this way just to see Aisa Macfoy.

In the hallway, the Macfoy and Diazi confronted each other, facing each other in formation. Judging by Glenn Dogman’s expression, it seemed like a display, and the suffocating time began.

* * *

I sat in front of Norma, who was now alone, and openly observed him. He wore a constant, amiable smile, making it impossible to discern what he was thinking.

‘So, acting like we’ve never met before, and now you have something to say? Ha! You came all the way here with the intention of using Lord of Macfoy as a connection?’

Thinking that way, I felt a bit uneasy.

Of course, if we had to point fingers, I was the one who drew the line first. I couldn’t blame Norma for his awkward request, especially since I had disappeared without saying much to my benefactor. So, there was no reason to be upset with Norma’s attitude.

What connection did he and I have? Even if we were comrades, we hadn’t particularly shared any friendship.

… Still.

We had overcome life-threatening situations together, and Norma drawing lines now felt quite shocking to me. The difference between now and when he approached so closely was too pronounced. Now, he seemed like a person who maintained a good distance.

So, when Norma first asked for information about Lady Diazi, my initial reaction was resistance. Why would I?

However, the curiosity about what he had to say overcame the initial resistance.

Starting with Glenn, even the Diazi knights who were guarding Norma began to leave. I chuckled inwardly at the unexpected sight of the Diazi knights being more flustered. Logically, was I more dangerous than Norma Diazi? I was just a commoner, and he was a Holy Knight wielding a sword with divine power.

Norma remained composed until everyone, including the knights, left the dining table. His calm gaze, half-lowered, gave him an oddly intimidating appearance. Due to his lowered gaze, it was even harder to read his thoughts.

What is she thinking with that small head of hers…;’

While having such thoughts, Norma unexpectedly opened his mouth.

“We’re finally alone.”

Norma spoke in a gentle voice and slowly raised his gaze. Our eyes met. His gleaming golden eyes captured me.

Even this was enough of a surprise, and I jumped in my seat.

“Lady Aisa.”

At the same time, the timely sound of the door closing behind us echoed in the now-empty dining room.

Simultaneously, Norma displayed a brilliant smile. It was a radiant smile that I had seen a few times before. Seeing that bright face after a long time gave me goosebumps, and I involuntarily grimaced.

‘What’s this guy up to?’

Perhaps he knew I was about to confront him directly. My sharp words were stuck in my throat.

“Lady Aisa.”

With no response from me, Norma softly muttered my name again. It tickled my ears. Shivers started from my earlobes, and a shallow chill ran down my spine. The attack caught me off guard, and I shook myself to regain composure.

“What is it? Wasn’t this supposed to be some act of pretending not to know enough?”

Due to speaking through clenched teeth, a threatening tone involuntarily seeped out. I was on high alert, and when I growled, Norma widened his eyes.

“Oh, are you surprised?”

Norma, still smiling, spoke again.

“You said to observe proper etiquette in public spaces, did you not?”

“What?”

I retorted with irritation, then paused. …Right. I had certainly said that. In public spaces, we should use formal language and follow proper etiquette.

If Norma had suddenly appeared and addressed me as “Lady Aisa” in front of my subordinates, I wouldn’t have let it slide.

Addressing someone by their name was an expression of familiarity in noble society, and I, in particular, was known for being insistent on the use of titles. It would have seemed odd and undermined my authority.

“…Right, this is appropriate.”

This distance was appropriate. There was no need to be disappointed or angry about it.

…But why did I feel disappointed and angry?

“Even though it’s a joyous occasion to meet subordinates and guests, I refrained.”

In the midst of my confusion, Norma, half-lowering his eyes again, began to speak gently and hesitantly. Somehow, he looked shy.

“Did I do well?”

He raised his eyelids again, not with a dazzling movement, but a glint in his golden eyes directed at me. No matter how I thought about it, it was clear that he intentionally did so.

‘Yeah, this mischievous… Ah, I got caught.’

I felt dizzy for a moment. The resentment and anger that had been building up disappeared in an instant.

Instead, a sensation similar to what I occasionally felt in Cathay started to manifest.

“Well, you did well. Yes.”

Geez… I answered hesitantly, feeling light-headed. Avoiding his gaze as a bonus seemed embarrassing.

Norma smiled with delight at my response. He spoke again.

“I heard you’ve been busy. I wanted to send letters frequently but refrained.”

“What… refrain?.”

I had only had about three drinks, but I seemed to be getting drunk enough to babble nonsense.

“I thought you might find it bothersome.”

“Over a letter. You worry too much.”

I comforted him with an indifferent tone, as if it were nothing.

“Then.”

“Yes?”

“May I not refrain from now on?”

Ah, a letter.

For a moment, I wondered what he was talking about.

“Yes, sure.”

When I readily agreed, Norma grinned as if something good had happened.

That gesture made me feel a bit more cheerful. Hmph. I even hummed a little inside.

It was the mood.

“So.”

I put my excited self down and placed the glass on the table with a thud. Norma blinked.

“Is it not inappropriate to ask for a favor right away? Let’s get straight to the point. By the way, I’ll tell you in advance, don’t expect me to do anything unless there’s something in it for me. Don’t think of it as a favor if it doesn’t benefit me.”

Norma chuckled at my words. He was a strange person who always laughed at odd moments.

“I heard there are cats in Macfoy Castle.”

It was truly out of the blue.

“There might be a few for catching mice, but wouldn’t that be similar in any castle? Why cats all of a sudden?”

“In that case, how about dealing with a formidable beast among the cats?”

…Formidable beast? How could a cat be considered a formidable beast just because there were some in the castle?

I squinted my eyes and regarded Norma with caution. Upon reflection, he subtly enjoyed playing pranks. Norma still had a fresh face as if it was nothing.

“You’ve seen it too, Lady Aisa. In Katam.”

Norma was sincere.

A formidable beast? I’ve never seen a formidable beast in my life.

* * *

Crawck—.

The cry of a seagull echoed.

The ship was soon going to dock. It had been a week since they left the mainland. A handsome face, with red hair swept by the sea breeze, was revealed refreshingly, receiving cheers from the women.

Kano silently observed the gradually visible harbor and castle. He didn’t have any regrets about this village. He just felt extremely dirty at the moment. That’s all.

The crumpled piece of paper in Kano’s hand looked pitiful. He soon threw the crumpled paper into the deep red sea.

Following the orders of the Macfoy Lord, he had been delayed absurdly in dealing with the cleanup of Kiso in the south and various upper-level matters.

It was fine that they quickly dealt with Kiso. The strange unease and anxiety began when problems arose in the upper levels, starting from the moment he boarded the ship again.

And just now, a report from the informant arrived.

The letter brought by the informant contained a list of the suddenly changed members of the Diazi diplomatic mission. There was only one change: the addition of “Norma Diazi” under the name of Milan Diazi.

The man who survived with Aisa in Tartaros. The man who had been with Aisa for about two weeks. … Why was he suddenly coming to Macfoy?

Unfortunately, Kano had a very good intuition. Damn Diazi surely had some sinister motives towards the Macfoy Lord.