***
The two mercenaries quickly exchanged glances. Chubby looked at her, then Sir Raoul, and opened his mouth.
“It is speculated that the Knights of Morte have been absent from their territory for a long time.”
“…Actually, I heard that the main job of the Knights before the war was to subdue monsters. Naturally, problems arose when such an army was absent for a long time.”
Raoul also agreed.
But she couldn’t shake her doubts.
‘Is that really all?’
Monsters were living things, and they had their own ecosystem. They were affected by weather and predators, and there was a limit to their population. It was very strange that their numbers and habitat would fluctuate to this extent, even if they were left unattended for several years.
She was sure that there was something else. She didn’t know what it was, but if she could go and see it for herself….
Then she heard a familiar voice.
“Marion.”
She took a short breath.
Familiar footsteps and her favorite scent of musk drew closer.
Soon, a large hand gently grabbed her shoulder.
“Guests have arrived.”
She slowly turned her head and called his name.
“…Victor.”
The Grand Duke smiled like silk.
She swallowed dryly.
It had been a long time since she had seen Victor during the day. He looked tired. His black shirt accentuated his firm body, but there were shadows under his eyes that were undeniable.
However, his elegant aura was still intact. He naturally sat next to her.
“Have I interrupted your conversation?”
“No, Grand Duke.”
Tall replied uncomfortably.
They looked terrified.
She couldn’t blame them. The situation and atmosphere was completely different from a few moments ago.
He stopped Tall and Chubby from getting up and greeting him properly. At the same time, his golden eyes quickly examined the map.
“Were you talking about monster activity?”
“Yes.”
“As expected, the maps of mercenaries are more accurate. Does your mercenary group also view the increase in monsters as Morte’s poor security?”
The mercenaries looked surprised. They didn’t seem to think that this lord would admit his mistakes.
But they skillfully hid expressions.
Tall replied.
“Not exactly… Other than that, there is no compelling reason. It is already a famous rumor that Morte, without its knights, has not been able to properly subdue monsters for the past few years.”
“It is the same as what I was told. How is the situation outside of Morte?”
“It’s the same overall. The habitats of monsters have changed, and monsters that are rare to find in the North such as fire wolves or sunflower draca are often seen.”
Victor stared at the map for a long time.
“I’m going to send subjugation troops to various places in Morte. If the subjugation is finished before wheat farming begins, mercenaries should be less worried.”
“But, isn’t that dangerous?”
In the end, Amarion couldn’t stand it and intervened.
It bothered her to send such weak knights to a place where monsters infested.
‘There are so many, is it okay for them to go alone?’
Victor quietly explained to her.
“The most dangerous monster in this area is the Orc, Marion. It’s a monster that my Knights have captured dozens of times. Even if their habitat has changed, subjugation will not be difficult.”
“Okay.”
“As I said before, my knights are not that weak.”
‘But they are…’
She struggled to swallow those words.
Something felt ominous.
If the monsters were mostly wolves or draca, even his knights would be able to kill them. And since it was something they did every year, it wouldn’t be difficult.
They could even kill an Orc, as long as they attacked in a group.
Eventually she nodded. Victor smiled, then looked at the mercenaries once more.
“…It looks like we’re done. Shall we leave?”
The mercenaries carefully nodded their heads.
When Victor got up, she got up too. It was because of etiquette that stated when a spouse stood up, they had to stand up together. Actually, she would’ve liked to talk a little more, but she’d heard everything she wanted to hear.
Victor said goodbye.
“Thank you for coming all the way here. Thanks to you, I won’t have to send a scouting squad. Please tell your mercenary group about our subjugation plan.”
“…All right, my lord.”
“Please stop by again. I will welcome you as my wife’s guests.”
He gracefully smiled and headed towards the parlor door.
She instinctively followed Victor, but something caused her to turn back.
The mercenaries were staring at her.
Dark, apprehensive eyes flitted between her and Victor.
All of the sudden, Tall spoke.
“I won’t ask why you’re here, but if it’s you, you must have a reason. Call us whenever you need us.”
After she had finished speaking, she bowed deeply.
It was a polite and serious goodbye, different from the exaggerated farewell they had given the Duke.
Amarion looked at them in amazement and nostalgia.
Mercenaries rarely showed this level of respect to anyone besides their king.
She nodded and left the tea room in a daze.
***
Amarion and Victor quietly walked down the hallway.
She was still pondering questions from earlier.
‘How did those mercenaries know me? I’ve never hired ‘Troll’s Right Calf’ before.’
She was also concerned about the behavior of the monsters. It was stranger than she thought.
She didn’t know much about Morte’s guard rotations, but they must have deteriorated while he was away.
Was it really okay to only send the Knight Order?
At that moment, a low voice rang from beside her.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve been able to walk with you.”
She stopped and turned to Victor.
Golden eyes watched her in silence.
When she looked closer, the fatigue on his face was evident.
A question popped out of her mouth before she knew it.
“Did you not sleep well?”
Victor’s expression darkened. He shook his head.
“No, that’s not true.”
“That’s a relief.”
“You…”
He bit his lip.
There was a distinct bitterness on his beautiful face. Averting his eyes, he changed the subject.
“Please tell me in advance the next time you meet a guest. I’m still worried about you meeting with outsiders.”
“They’re people you’ve met too.”
“Is that so…? Anyway, please. I’m afraid you’ll get hurt.”
She looked at him quietly.
Affection poured from his gaze.
They were eyes that made her want to forget all of her doubts and confusion.
She closed her eyes tightly, and asked a question she had been wanting to for the past few days.
“Are you eating well?”
Victor was speechless.
It was a question they both knew the answer to.
She ordered quietly,
“Eat properly. Don’t keep skipping your meals if you don’t eat with me.”
Actually, she wanted to say something else.
She wanted to say that they could have dinner together, talk about their days, and go back to the happy times they had in the Capital.
But she still hadn’t come to a conclusion.
She didn’t know how to deal with this strange and cruel man.
As if reading her mind, Victor nodded his head slowly.
“…As you wish.”
“…”
“See you tonight.”
Victor grabbed her hand, kissed it, and left.
She froze and watched his retreating back.
Her chest felt like it was going to explode.
***
Summer nights dragged on slowly.
After having dinner alone, she went up to her room and took a bath. The maids brought a cool ointment and massaged her neck.
Morte was on the cool side, but as a northerner, it was hard for her to endure the summer of the Empire. The servants graciously found ways for her to beat the heat every day.
“This is nice. Thanks.”
Mary bowed her head with a red face.
“No, Madame. We’re just…”
‘Oh.’
She knew what they meant.
She smiled bitterly.
The hostess they served had been down for the past few weeks, so they must have been very worried.
She felt sorry to worry these young girls.
After getting dressed and thanking her maids, she headed to the bedroom.
Shortly afterwards, Victor appeared.
She put away the book she was reading and stared at him.
The body visible through his thin robe was still enchanting, but instead of blushing, she simply turned away.
He lay down next to her, and the lights were extinguished. The only sound in the room was that of his faint breathing.
“…Marion.”
“Yes.”
She turned her head.
The moonlight shining through the curtains dimly illuminated Victor’s profile.
It was such a beautiful view.
“Have a nice dream.”
She nodded quietly.
“You too, Victor.”
She received no response.
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Only the sounds of insects filled the silence.
She crouched next to him and looked around the room.