Chapter 16

 

* * *

She had come to the training grounds because of the loud shouts signaling the morning.

Since she planned to search every man in the Grand Duke’s estate, she figured she might as well try everything she could.

The thought that her younger brother might be inside that training ground quickened her steps.

As she approached, the overwhelming physiques of the burly knights came into clear view.

Their disciplined movements, swords raised in perfect formation, were awe-inspiring to watch.

Especially the knights with their shirts off—those sights drew gasps.

Their well-toned, muscular bodies looked solid even from afar, like creations sculpted by the gods.

She’d heard that people in the Northern Territory tended to be especially tall and strong, but she hadn’t expected this. Her jaw dropped before she realized it.

Sunlight struck their tanned skin, and sweat beaded on their bodies as they swung their swords with fervor.

One of them spotted her and, eyes wide with surprise, strode over quickly.

His stride was so long that before she could react, he was already standing right in front of her.

She tilted her head up to meet his gaze, and the man bent slightly to look her in the eyes.

Then he said—

“Did you happen to lose your wings?”

“…Excuse me?”

Other knights who noticed her soon gathered one by one.

“No matter how I look at it, she’s an angel to my eyes. Don’t you agree?”

“Am I seeing things right now?”

“Why have you only now appeared before us?”

“Please forgive us—we’re country bumpkins who’ve never seen a woman at the training grounds before. Haha. But may I ask who you are…?”

As their numbers grew, the situation began to feel like she was being surrounded.

The circle forming around her felt a bit threatening.

Feeling awkward, she gave an embarrassed smile, which only deepened the knights’ own smiles.

Their oddly friendly expressions somehow made them feel even more threatening.

Just then, someone shouted from the center of the training grounds.

“His Grace is here! Show your respect!”

The voice was laced with fear.

No sooner had the words been spoken than the knights around her scattered as if nothing had happened, instantly returning to their places in formation.

It truly happened in the blink of an eye.

Lined up on both sides, the men now wore their knightly uniforms—she didn’t even notice when they’d put them on.

From among them, a tall and striking man strode forward, cutting through the center.

His long legs stretched with each step, approaching in a way that felt almost unreal.

As he came to stand before her, the sunlight shifted, casting a shadow over his face and revealing it clearly.

Grand Duke Kallain Detroit.

A man who fit perfectly with the roaring lion engraved on the Detroit crest.

She felt foolish for being so amazed just moments ago by the other knights.

That’s how overwhelming his presence alone was.

Even though she had seen him not long ago, seeing him now, amidst the other knights, felt different again.

He stood out even among these burly warriors.

He hadn’t said a single word, yet his presence alone was enough to shape the atmosphere—she found that strangely fascinating.

But perhaps that was a laughable thought.

Because, really, the one who stood out most in this place, the one who clearly didn’t belong, was her.

And the Grand Duke’s unrelenting gaze confirmed that.

His stare was intense.

Maybe that’s why—it felt like his eyes were asking her a question.

Why are you here?

She almost confessed on the spot that she had come looking for her brother.

Steeling her mind, she met his gaze.

“…I must’ve disturbed the knights’ training. I’m sorry.”

“Why are you here?”

Was that a warning not to come back?

Based on what she’d learned about his personality, he was a strict man who wouldn’t tolerate even the smallest mistake.

‘He must not like how out of place I look here, like some kind of foreign substance.’

She decided she needed to be more careful from now on.

“I was just passing by… and the shouts sounded nice, that’s all.”

It was a flimsy excuse, but nothing anyone could actually take issue with.

After all, what could be said about someone who simply liked the sound of the shouts?

But the man’s brows furrowed for a brief moment.

“The shouts sounded nice?”

He almost seemed deflated as he repeated the words.

“Of course. The Detroit Knights are the pride of the North, aren’t they?”

She had tried to slip in a bit of flattery, but maybe it hadn’t landed well.

The way only one corner of his mouth curled up made it look like he was mocking her.

She’d thought this before, but the man’s expressions were always hard to read. There was something in them that resisted interpretation.

‘What’s he thinking this time?’

She was curious—and uneasy. The Grand Duke was arrogant, sensitive, and had a tendency to speak to her mockingly.

Knowing how he never let a single word slide, she worried he might press her further.

But then, with that faint smile, he turned away.

Only then could she finally breathe, and the hazy background around him came into focus again.

The other knights came into view—and they all looked uneasy.

Some had shaking eyes, others looked away, some trembled their legs.

Even the bold ones who’d just called her an angel now refused to meet her gaze.

As if they’d sensed something ominous.

Looks like her guess wasn’t wrong.

‘Just how harsh must the Grand Duke be…?’

She could almost imagine how hard it must be, if they were this stiff with fear.

Thinking that, she suddenly felt sorry for the knights in front of her.

Watching the sweat bead down their bodies reminded her of the figure in her dreams.

If her brother had grown up properly, he’d be about this age now.

He might be here right now—training, shouting, covered in scrapes—without even realizing he was hurting, blindly loyal to someone.

Maybe she was projecting too much onto these men who reminded her of her brother.

Conflicting emotions swirled within her.

She only hoped her presence here wouldn’t cause them any trouble.

But that hope was crushed within seconds by the Grand Duke’s next words.

“Step forward if you consider yourself the pride of the North.”

What was supposed to be a compliment—“pride of the North”—turned into a challenge the moment it came from his mouth.

Naturally, no one stepped forward.
Anyone who had ever made that mistake in this kind of situation before… surely regretted it deeply.

She too had gone through this back at Agriche, more than once.

There’s no better way to stay safe than to blend into the crowd.

And that rule only applied more rigidly in a place like a knight order, where hierarchy was even more absolute.

The knights didn’t even glance around. They simply stared straight ahead, their faces carefully composed.

The only difference between them and what she’d seen in Agriche was… these men actually seemed united.

When no one came forward, the Grand Duke’s chilling voice rang out again.

“How disappointing. Not a single one of my beloved knights thinks they’re the pride of the North.”

A wicked smile curled on his face, as if he found the situation amusing.

He really did look like a demon who had shown up just to torment them.

Eventually, one of the hesitant knights raised his hand.

He must’ve been today’s first sacrifice—unable to bear the silence of his comrades any longer.

It was an act of brotherhood and pride, brave and loyal.

But as he stepped forward, the Grand Duke didn’t show a flicker of emotion.

Watching his face, she muttered to herself in disbelief:

“He’s done for.”

It was the very knight who had called her an angel. His large hands were visibly trembling.

“Please grant me the honor of becoming the pride of the North, Your Grace.”

His words were proud, but his expression was that of a man being dragged to his execution.

The other knights, lined up around them, looked at their comrade with admiration, eyes burning with the fire of brotherhood—as if to say, you’ve saved us all.

The Grand Duke gave him a small nod.

* * *

Like prey trembling as it was offered up alive on an altar, the knight stepped forward to face him.

But after bowing in proper Detroit fashion, his expression turned serious.

Once he gripped his sword, his posture took on the gravity of a true knight.

Yet it didn’t even take a few seconds before he was knocked down.

Clang— A few short clashes, and the match was already decided.

She wasn’t an expert in swordsmanship, but even she could tell the knight had moved well.

His footwork was clean, and his strikes carried the right weight.

The issue was simply that the Grand Duke was far too skilled.

What made it even more absurd was that the Grand Duke had countered him with ease—one hand behind his back the entire time.

The knight, now lying in a corner of the training grounds, got back up with an awkward laugh, despite what must’ve been a humiliating fall.

“I’ve learned a great deal. Thank you, Your Grace.”

He didn’t forget his courtesy. It sounded like a way of asking not to be scolded too harshly for losing. But the Grand Duke responded coldly.

“You had time to fool around despite lacking skill?”

Fooling around? Was he talking about the conversation they had with her earlier?

Her head throbbed—he kept bringing her into this, directly or indirectly.

While she stayed silent, the knight simply said he’d train harder and sat down without a single excuse.

After that, one by one, knights stepped forward to face the Grand Duke, only to be swiftly defeated and return to their place.

It followed the exact same pattern as the first.

They all clearly knew they’d be knocked down, and yet they kept stepping up.

Just as she had thought when she heard their earlier shouts—their unity was unmatched.

Watching this strangely satisfying scene unfold, she was reminded of her original purpose for being here.

Black hair and red eyes.

She turned her gaze, looking around for someone who matched that description.

Just in case—hoping he might be among them.

She had thought it was a rare appearance in the Empire, but there was one knight who clearly stood out.

It was the first knight who had stepped forward—the one who’d called her an angel.