Prologue
Noctem Afros.
A man who had early abandoned the throne to obtain the position of a duke, and a wild card on the battlefield.
Having spent most of his years fighting against monsters, each of his actions was less noble than a mercenary.
However, despite such unfavorable conditions, noble ladies pushed their proposals onto him.
Overwhelming wealth, power, and a beauty that could mask all his actions.
Nobles were enthralled by Noctem Afros as if he were under a spell.
But even that ends today.
Today, he has decided to announce his engagement to a noble lady named ‘Lina Goldstein.’
Before the announcement, Noctem stepped out onto the balcony to catch some fresh air.
The hand lifting the wine glass paused as it met an object before him.
A woman lay collapsed in the garden, her golden hair a rare sight.
Just by that, Noctem knew that she was the infamous ‘Charlotte Daphsine’ he had only heard rumors about.
She had a reputation that was always loud and provocative. So, even rumors about her would reach someone like him, who was busy dealing with monsters or bandits in the northern outskirts.
Once, he had heard a story about how instead of showing gratitude to a youth named Eos, whom she had helped, she had made him miserable and used him as a scapegoat.
If he were to help that crazy woman, what troubles would he face?
“Such pointless pondering.”
Noctem lightly clicked his tongue and leaped down to the first-floor garden.
Anyway, leaving a person lying there without helping wouldn’t be proper etiquette.
…Of course, that didn’t mean he wanted to become a voluntary do-gooder.
“Are you okay, miss?”
He woke up the woman lying hesitantly with a gentle gesture.
Tap-tap, he thought it was just a casual gesture, but unexpectedly, she blinked and stared at him.
“Darling!”
“…?”
But why did this lady suddenly call him “darling”?
“Why, how, what if you only appear in my dreams now? How much have I waited…?”
“Lady, what misunderstanding―”
“Did you, just because I said I didn’t like long hair, cut your hair short even in my dreams? I… Oh, Noctem. I can’t believe this.”
The name coming out of her mouth did belong to him. But he had never once cut his hair short in his life.
“Why are you carrying a sword? I’m sorry. Was it because of me?”
“I’ve been holding this black sword since I was three, but, lady…”
“I wanted to apologize and tell you not to ride the carriage, Black. I’m sorry…”
Noctem thought, startled, as the woman suddenly pulled him into a tight embrace.
What kind of confession method is this?
“If only you were alive…”
Why would she want to kill me when I’m perfectly alive?
