The Northern Mad Dog Is Wagging Its Tail

  Brian’s interest lies not in Harty’s collection, but in Harty himself.

 

  Even if Britia wanted to let hi. know the truth, it was already too late. Regardless of whatever trap Brian had set, she could only hope that Robert would handle it well.

 

  “Since you’ve come to the party, let me offer you a drink.”

 

  As Brian gestured, a servant filled the glasses and placed them in front of Britia and Sig. He tried to offer one to the vice commander standing behind them, but the vice commander refused.

 

  Brian’s glass was also filled with alcohol. However, none of them took a sip. They stared at each other, maintaining a cautious silence.

 

  “I have no ulterior motives. I simply wanted to give you this as a gift.”

 

  Brian broke the silence with a smile directed at Britia. A servant brought a painting.

 

  “This is a painting of the Hiss Fields, which the artist encountered during his journey in the north.”

 

  The painting was truly magnificent and impressive. However, Britia was extremely doubtful about why he was giving her this, so she held back the sharp question that was about to come out.

 

  “I would appreciate it if you accept it as a congratulatory gift.”

 

  Brian glanced at the ring that Britia was wearing and smiled mischievously.

 

  “Is this a wedding congratulatory gift?”

 

  We haven’t had any significant interaction, neither with the Duke nor with the Count. It’s not like we have any reason to celebrate by giving each other gifts like this. I wonder if there’s some sort of hidden device in this painting.

 

  Doubts about Brian continued to emerge in Britia’s mind.

 

  “Don’t you like the painting? I carefully chose it with great consideration.”

 

  Brian’s subtle smile reminded Britia of the woman in the forest who demanded Harty in exchange for sparing her life. It sent a shiver down her spine.

 

  It’s okay. Even if he tries something with me, Sig is right here to protect me.

 

  Britia glanced anxiously at Sig, holding his hand tightly. Sig, who had been looking down at the painting, noticed her gaze and looked at Britia. Seeing his completely relaxed expression, Britia breathed a sigh of relief.

 

  “May I ask you something directly?”

 

  Britia gathered her courage, holding Sig’s hand.

 

  “You already know about the unfortunate incident that happened to me recently, don’t you?”

 

  “I am aware that you were almost in serious trouble multiple times.”

 

  Brian closed his eyes for a moment and then opened them again. Then, he widened his eyes in response to Britia’s suspicious gaze.

 

  “Are you suspecting me, by any chance?”

 

  Brian’s servant, who was standing beside him, reached into his pocket and took a step forward. At the same time, the vice commander who was guarding Britia from behind revealed the handle of a hidden knife, concealed within his cloak.

 

  “Step back.”

 

  As Brian commanded, the sorcerer disguised as a servant withdrew his hand from the pocket and stepped back.

 

  “Why would I do something like that for personal gain? It would only bring me losses rather than benefits.”

 

  Brian grinned mischievously at Sig while claiming that he had no intention of fighting against the Northern territories.

 

  “Youu have feelings for Count Slanford?”

 

  Britia’s direct question made Brian’s face stiffen. He stared at Britia with wide eyes, and both the vice commander and Sig looked at Britia in surprise at her sudden remark.

 

  “…Do you even know about that man?”

 

  “Count-nim is still unaware.”

 

  Brian let out a sigh of relief. He took a sip of the untouched drink in front of him.

 

  “Gonja, do you have any information you want to share?” [Gonja- Young Noble]

 

  “Are you telling me to stay silent about the Count in exchange for information?”

 

  Britia furrowed her eyebrows, indicating that she was unwilling to comply. Unbeknownst to her, Brian secretly clenched his teeth and tilted the glass, pretending to drink.

 

  “Gongja, even if you attempt to kidnap the Count, it doesn’t mean that he will become yours. That kind of mindset, where if he doesn’t belong to me, he should just die, is flawed…”

 

  “Cough!”

 

  Brian spat out the drink he had just consumed, causing Britia to stop speaking.

 

  “I apologize for my disgraceful display.”

 

  Brian gestured for his servant to remove the spit-out glass.

 

  “Do you think that I consider myself responsible for failing to kidnap that man and causing harm to you as well?”

 

  Brian shook his head in disbelief, his voice trembling.

 

  “You’re saying it wasn’t you?”

 

  When Sig, who had been silently observing, asked, Brian’s mouth gaped open in a display of injustice.

 

  “To think that you would believe that I orchestrated such a despicable act, tarnishing a one-of-a-kind masterpiece of art that can never be replaced… It’s truly shameful.”

 

  An unparalleled work of art…?

 

  It felt like Harty talking about himself, and Britia found it intriguing.

 

  “Are you referring to Count Slanford?”

 

  “Well, who else could it be?”

 

  Brian furrowed his brow as if the question was unpleasant.

 

  “Whenever I think back to the day I first saw him, my heart trembles so much that I can’t sleep.”

 

  Taking a deep breath, Brian suddenly looked at Britia.

 

  “Was that what you were muttering about earlier? Suspecting me?”

 

  Realizing the truth, Brian let out a bitter laugh. He pressed his forehead as if he had a headache and instructed his servant to bring a fresh glass of alcohol.

 

  As Brian took a sip of the new drink, he let out a long sigh.

 

  “I am a person who loves art. I swear I never did such a thing. I haven’t even dared to touch him when he’s not looking, so how could I do something like that…”

 

  “If he doesn’t belong to me, I’d rather see him dead. Did you not have such thoughts?”

 

  At Britia’s question, Brian remained silent and just drank his alcohol.

 

  “Gongja? Why aren’t you saying anything?”

 

  “…”

 

  “Are you saying that you love him but also wish for his death? I can’t understand.”

 

  Brian clenched his teeth at Sig’s words.

 

  “When I see him casually interacting with this person and that person, I can’t help but feel jealous.”

 

  Setting down his glass, Brian emptied it in one gulp.

 

  “I think it’s relatively normal to want to become the only person someone you love cares about. Is it different for you, Duke?”

 

  “…I see.”

 

  Sig nodded slowly, as if agreeing with his words. Britia was taken aback and turned to look at Sig.

 

  “Why are you accepting it? Have you ever wanted to kill someone?”

 

  “Not exactly, but I do want to become your only person.”

 

  Britia felt relieved at Sig’s response. As the two of them looked at each other tenderly, Brian smirked.

 

  “Anyway, even if someone holds a knife to my neck, I have no intention of killing him.”

 

  Brian asserted his innocence, raising his hands.

 

  “So, you’re saying that you didn’t purposely summon Count Slanford using Kyra’s information as bait?”

 

  “That’s correct. I wanted to see for myself if the rumors about Count Slanford has changed were true.”

 

  Brian smiled satisfactorily, noting that seeing him in such an unusual state today seemed to confirm the rumors.

 

  “But I also heard another rumor. It said that the reason he broke up with all his lovers was to marry Britia Lockhart.”

 

  Brian abruptly stopped laughing and stared intently at Britia.

 

  “Fortunately, it was just a baseless rumor. I genuinely congratulate you two on your upcoming marriage.”

 

  Brian clapped his hands, expressing his desire for a quick wedding ceremony.

 

  “So, does Gongja really like Count Slanford?”

 

  “You asked me if I had feelings for him before, and now you’re asking me the same question again. It’s confusing.”

 

  Brian tilted his head, wondering why she would ask such a question.

 

  Britia couldn’t understand her attitude. He had thought it would be similar to the Emperor’s reaction, but it was different. Brian had no hesitation in admitting that he liked Harty.

 

  Then why was she showing a contradictory attitude?

 

  “Do you think it’s strange for me to like him, considering the circumstances of our relationship?”

 

  Brian asked, as if reading Britia’s thoughts.

 

  “It’s easy to praise his beauty. Sometimes, I also want to praise him according to my heart’s desires.”

 

  “…Are you silently praising him?”

 

  “I could talk about his beauty for two days without sleeping.”

 

  Brian murmured, wishing he could do just that.

 

  “I can do that too. If you want, I won’t sleep for three days,” Sig said firmly, tightly holding Britia’s hand. The vice commander gave Sig a subtle warning to stay quiet and not interfere.

 

  “But if I do that, he’ll treat me with the same shallow interest he showed all his previous lovers and quickly discard me. He must think I’m that kind of person, being so dismissive…” Britia felt a shiver down her spine as she watched him twist his lips into a sinister smile.

 

  “So, I used to start arguments and say things I didn’t mean, but I guess I went too far. I apologize,” he said, his words sounding somewhat believable.

 

  Britia couldn’t completely trust his words.

 

  “To avoid any more misunderstandings, I should treat him kindly from now on.”

 

  “And please let me know where Kyra is,” Brian unexpectedly asked.

 

  “That’s up to Slanford.”

 

  Britia asked Brian out of the blue, but he simply smiled and didn’t give her an easy answer.

 

  “However, I will find out who tried to kidnap Harty and let you know. I swear it on the Raidars’ name.”

 

  Britia wasn’t sure how much she could believe his words, but there was one thing she was certain of.

 

  Brian, who she thought was targeting her life, was actually…

 

  “He was stalking the Count.z

 

  As if understanding Britia’s thoughts, the vice commander spoke as he came out of the reception room.

 

  “Are you okay? Did anything happen to you?” Harty rushed over from the hallway, asking Britia. She hesitated on whether to tell him the truth.

 

  If she revealed to someone who already feared Brian that he was a stalker, wouldn’t he become even more terrified?

 

  “Slanford, do you have any urgent business with me?”

 

  While Britia was contemplating, Brian called out to Harty. Harty swallowed hard, nervously approaching him with awkward steps.

 

  Brian did say that he wouldn’t harm anyone, but is it really alright? Robert is there to protect him, right?

 

  Britia anxiously watched Harty, whose legs  were trembling.

 

  “It seems like you can enjoy the party today without any worries. I’ll bring the painting to the carriage,” Brian said, reassuring Britia.

 

  Although he told her to enjoy the party, Britia didn’t feel like doing so right away.

 

  If it wasn’t Brian, then who was the “master” of that maid?

 

  Feeling tired and frustrated with nothing resolved, Britia couldn’t help but feel suffocated. However, pondering over it here wouldn’t solve anything either.

 

  Well, since I’m already here at the party as Stanford said, I should try to enjoy myself.

 

  Britia smiled mischievously at Sig, trying to lighten the mood.

 

 “Receiving a wedding gift from someone unexpected, but it still makes me happy.”

 

  Thinking back, it felt like the first time she received a wedding gift, so Britia marked it as a memorable occasion.

 

  “I thought you didn’t like receiving paintings as gifts.”

 

  “Not really. I don’t usually have the opportunity to receive them. Ah, speaking of which, I received three paintings today, even though I say that.”

 

  “Three paintings?”

 

  Britia realized Sig’s puzzlement in his voice. Seeing Britia hesitate, Sig, unlike his usual self, quickly caught on.

 

  “Did Slanford give you the paintings?”

 

  “Well, if you think about it, it could be considered that I received them from the Count, but you could also say that Sig gave them to me.”

 

  Britia’s vague response made an impression on Sig.

 

  “It was a portrait of Sig from his childhood.”

 

  Realizing that she was trying to secretly take his portrait, Britia’s cheeks slightly flushed with embarrassment.

 

  “It was a painting by a genius artist that the Count didn’t want to give, but I convinced him. The young version of Sig was just too adorable. His chubby cheeks were absolutely fantastic, and if he were right in front of me, I would want to kiss him persistently…”

 

  Britia stopped herself as she noticed the stern gaze directed at her.

 

  Did he dislike the fact that I received a secret painting of himself? Or was it an issue that I received something from Harty after all?

 

  “Sig, are you mad?”

 

  Sig silently turned his back to her without saying a word.