I stepped back without hiding my wariness upon recognizing my opponent.
“Is that so? I don’t believe I have much to discuss with the Duke.”
“Surely not. I was under the impression there’s something we need to talk about.”
“How rude.”
“My apologies if that’s how it seemed.”
Hayden Roger glanced at the escort knight standing upright behind me and smiled faintly.
“For someone who isn’t usually like this, you’ve even brought an escort knight along. It seems the Grand Duke’s manor has been quite restless lately.”
It was a smile so beautiful it could leave one mesmerized—if not for the dissonance it created.
‘He came looking for me on purpose.’
I didn’t know how he found out, but it was obvious he had learned of my visit to the Imperial Palace to meet the princess and approached me.
The Duke of Roger had always waited for moments when I was apart from the Grand Duke to approach me.
‘Not that I didn’t expect this.’
Though I had dismissed the possibility, my prediction had come true.
Suppressing a sigh, I stared directly at him. Unfortunately, it was clear he had no intention of stepping aside unless I engaged in “conversation” with him.
Moreover, we were on the main path through the heart of the Imperial Palace, a place far from deserted. Evidence of this was the occasional passing palace servants hastily bowing their heads and quickening their steps.
If this standoff continued, I’d be the one inconvenienced. From afar, it might look like Duke Roger and I were leisurely chatting.
‘What a sly bastard.’
Everything about him annoyed me.
Running a hand across my forehead in frustration, I tilted my head slightly without bothering to hide my irritation.
“I’m afraid I’m not idle enough to spare you much of my time. Five minutes should suffice. Shall we move over there for a moment?”
I gestured toward the arched pillars of a garden, where we could avoid prying eyes without being too secluded.
Duke Roger smiled as if he had anticipated my response.
“Certainly. That will do.”
Casting him a displeased glance, I moved first, signaling to the escort knight behind me.
“Stay somewhere appropriate. You know what to do, don’t you?”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
Upon arriving under the arched pillars, I put some distance between myself and the Duke, glaring at him with a tilted head. He smiled as though finding my reaction amusing.
“You’ve been up to something interesting, haven’t you?”
“Something interesting, you say?”
Of course. True to form, Duke Roger wasted no time getting to the point as soon as we were out of sight. Typical.
“Surprising, really. You’re more optimistic than I thought. I didn’t think you lacked judgment, but I assumed you’d act with more caution.”
His soft voice carried a clear implication: he already knew I had told Ian about the circumstances of my possession.
“If that’s why you sought me out, I’m afraid you’re disappointed. It seems you wished for the Grand Duke to cast me aside, but the result is quite the opposite, isn’t it?”
At my sharp remark, he raised his eyebrows, his expression one of feigned indifference rather than displeasure.
“That’s unfortunate. I was merely trying to make things easier for you. Since you have no stake in this, I thought it best to return you to your original place. After all, it’s not you but the Grand Duke who’s in my way. And yet…”
Duke Roger’s gaze swept over me coldly, and his expression hardened.
“You’re this foolish.”
“Hah.”
A dry laugh escaped me. He wasn’t even bothering to hide his hostility now.
“Fine. Since we’re on the subject, I’d love to know. What grudge do you hold against the Grand Duke to the point of threatening him? After all, you’ve already renounced your claim to the throne. Don’t you think you’re taking this too far?”
I narrowed my eyes. At first, I had assumed he opposed Ian because of his claim to the throne, fearing he might challenge Elicia’s rule.
But I had witnessed it myself during the banquet: when Elicia announced Ian’s renunciation, Duke Roger’s expression had been filled with malice and murderous intent, far beyond mere displeasure.
‘So, why?’
What about Ian drove this man to such madness?
Duke Roger studied me with an innocent expression before replying with a faintly amused look.
“Would you understand even if I explained? With that reckless little mind of yours?”
He lowered his eyelids slightly, his lips curling into a peculiar expression as he absentmindedly touched them.
“Well, if you’re determined to stay aboard the same sinking ship, I suppose there’s no stopping you.”
As I continued to watch him with growing irritation, he lifted his head again, adding with genuine regret:
“I must say, it’s a pity you’ve ignored my warnings and goodwill. I truly wanted to protect you.”
“I wasn’t aware goodwill and threats had become synonymous.”
“Seems the role of Grand Duchess suits you perfectly, doesn’t it? Or perhaps you’re simply too enamored with earning the Grand Duke’s favor.”
What is this lunatic even saying?
He took a step closer, his shadowed face twisting into a sinister smile.
“Yes, laugh while you still can.”
“…”
“The day your faith turns to resentment isn’t far off.”
But seriously, this guy was pushing it.
Before I could retort, he was interrupted. Just as I was about to scowl and confront him, a familiar figure appeared and pulled me into an embrace.
“I’ve been looking for you.”
It was Ian, his voice murmuring close to my ear as he wrapped an arm around my waist.
He really does show up like a ghost.
Expecting his timely arrival, I glanced not at him but at the escort knight standing in the distance.
“For someone who’s been looking, you got here quickly.”
“I’ve been waiting for the call.”
“Ah.”
Placing an escort knight by my side wasn’t just for protection when Ian wasn’t around. It was also to ensure there was someone who could contact him anytime, anywhere if the need arose.
After all, I knew Duke Roger would show up sooner or later once he picked up on the movements from the Grand Duke’s residence.
And my prediction was spot on.
In the past, I had no choice but to be dragged along by his schemes when I didn’t understand his intentions. Now, I had no intention of playing into his hands.
“So, Duke Roger,” Ian began, his warm gaze toward me now replaced by a piercing coldness as he looked at the Duke. His voice was sharp enough to chill the air.
“Was there something urgent you needed to discuss with my wife, here in the middle of the Imperial Palace, in broad daylight?”
“Oh my,” Roger muttered, glancing between the two of us with a look of mock surprise. Then, he let out a dry chuckle.
“To think you both would be so wary of me.”
“Given your track record, should I not be?”
“Track record? That’s quite a harsh way to put it. After all, I’m a friend of Her Grace, am I not?”
Friend? Who’s a friend of whom here?
“I never realized the Grand Duke could be so fond of someone,” Roger mused, furrowing his brows briefly in thought before returning to his ever-present smile.
“Rest assured, I have no intention of causing trouble between you two. I’ll take my leave now.”
With that, he bowed deeply and slowly straightened, his face still perfectly composed with a polite smile.
“…Well then, do take care of yourselves.”
Watching him turn and walk away without a hint of hesitation, I scowled deeply.
“Take care”? That’s clearly a warning, isn’t it?
I let out a dry laugh, utterly dumbfounded, but Ian tightened his arm around my waist, pulling me closer. His face, now filled with concern, turned to me.
“Are you all right?”
“Yes, thanks to you showing up before anything could happen.”
“I’m glad.”
“And as expected, Duke Roger didn’t disappoint. He’s just so predictable…”
“Indeed.”
“Did you see his expression earlier? I seriously can’t figure out what’s going on in that man’s head. Why is he so obsessed with someone else’s husband—”
Ian chuckled softly, the sound barely audible. His reaction caught me off guard, leaving me incredulous.
“…You’re laughing?”
“I’m happy.”
“Excuse me?”
“You’re worried about me, aren’t you?”
…Is that really what’s important right now?
I shot Ian a sharp look, though I couldn’t really be angry with him. He gently turned me to face him fully, his expression now serious.
“More importantly, this works out perfectly. Kyle seems to have discovered something about the thread you gave me.”
• • •
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