***
She didn’t get it.
She was stronger than the Knights of Morte, so she might be of some help.
She tried to persuade him once more.
“Wouldn’t it be better for at least one of us to go? This is something I can do to help.”
“You are not a knight, you are the Grand Duchess.”
But Victor was stubborn.
“How can I send the hostess, my wife, to such a dangerous place? That would be a disgrace to my knights.”
“Victor.”
“Marion, please.”
She raised her head in surprise.
Victor had a very agitated expression. His distorted face revealed an indescribable pain.
“Please stay here. Please.”
She couldn’t say anything. She couldn’t bring herself to say more after seeing Victor’s expression. In the end, she nodded silently.
Victor smiled softly as if he was relieved.
“I heard that there is also a young woman, Catalina, among the wounded. Stay by her side and be her strength.”
“…Okay.”
“When the lady recovers, there will be a grand welcome banquet. Invite all the nobles and tell the chef to prepare exquisite food. What else can I do for you?”
His voice was really sweet.
But she only bowed her head and looked down at her sword.
She knew he was worried about her. Whatever the method, his desire to protect her was sincere.
In the past, the affection shown by this alluring man would have made her ecstatic.
But now that wasn’t the case.
Was it because she knew how extreme his ‘methods’ could be?
A new and urgent voice cut through the silence.
“Your highness, the healers are looking for you, your highness!”
She closed her eyes tightly to clear her mind.
Shooting Victor a brief glance, she returned to the patients.
***
Since then, they had been busy for days. Victor was setting up the subjugation force, while she was taking care of the injured.
Diederick did a very good job, but there were still things she had to do as hostess.
She moved around busily, visiting the sick and taking care of them herself.
She commanded that all herbs and ointments should be used generously, and village healers were also hired.
Mary was worried about her, as she was busy like never before, but Amarion liked that she had less time to think about Victor.
She should have told him that his illness was getting better.
It wasn’t completely gone yet, so they could talk about it later.
She put her thoughts aside and entered the room where Catalina was staying.
“Catalina, how are you?”
“Amarion!”
Catalina, who was resting her head against the headboard, straightened up happily.
“Welcome! I was just getting bored.”
“Are you uncomfortable?”
“Not at all. Your healers are skilled.”
She smiled softly.
Amarion smiled and sat next to the bed.
She had been visiting her room every afternoon for the past few days.
Her wounds had healed quickly, so she was bored and asked for her companionship.
Catalina talked about the rumours of the Capital, and Amarion talked about her life in Morte.
Oddly enough, she seemed to be very upset with the fact that Amarion had stayed in the castle for a month.
“I read your letter, but are you really saying that you’ve only stayed in the castle? At the request of the Grand Duke?”
“Yes.”
“I came in a hurry because I was worried that it might happen… It was as expected.”
Catalina mumbled something incomprehensible.
Amarion tilted her head. She couldn’t understand.
“I like it here. This castle is really comfortable. The people are kind, too.”
Catalina was about to say something, but she bit her lip.
Then she suddenly started talking about a bakery that was popular in the Capital.
Amarion was puzzled, but joined in nonetheless.
Actually, what she wanted to talk about the most right now was Victor, but she didn’t want to gossip about him, even to Catalina.
So she focused on happy stories instead.
Talking about madeleines, a new dessert that was hugely popular among the ladies, and the daily balls at the Imperial Palace helped to dispel her dark thoughts.
After they had chatted for a while, there was a knock on the door.
“Come in.”
The door opened abruptly.
She was startled to see a ball of flaming red hair.
“Sir Carlz!”
It was a face she hadn’t seen in a long time. The red-haired knight, Carlz of Denion, saw her and bowed his head.
“I’m here to see the Lady.”
Sir Carlz stood next to Amarion.
He said he was too busy preparing for subjugation these days and had no time to sleep, and, true to his word, he looked exhausted enough to be a patient.
‘Why is he in Catalina’s hospital room?’
The knight, who noticed her gaze, explained.
“The Denion estate is adjacent to the Catalonia estate. My father and the Marquis of Catalonia are close friends. If he found out that I didn’t come to visit Catalonia’s young lady, I’m sure he’d be furious.”
“Oh my, it’s hard to take that kind of intention purely.”
Catalina intervened with a smile.
At the same time, Carlz’s face wrinkled.
In front of ladies, he had a markedly different appearance.
Amarion opened her eyes wide and looked at the two of them alternately.
‘What?’
Catalina smiled, covering her mouth with her white hand.
“Actually, I am still amazed that Sir Carlz is a knight. When I was young, he was a troublemaker who splashed muddy water on girls’ skirts.”
Carlz also smiled brightly.
“I never imagined that such a vicious, money-minded lady would become a prestigious woman in the social world.”
His tone was soft, but it was definitely an insult.
For some reason, Amarion couldn’t stop smiling.
She tried to look strict and scolded him playfully.
“Sir Carlz, you must be courteous to the Lady.”
“If there’s one person I don’t want to serve as a lady even if I die, it’s this one.”
Carlz grunted.
Catalina touched her forehead in an exaggerated manner.
“Ah, your words are more bitter than a monster’s scratch. If I don’t write a letter to Count Denion right now, I don’t think I’ll be able to bear it.”
“You’re really!”
“What?”
After that, their fight continued for a long time.
‘Is that why he said he would not go to Catalonia’s banquet even if he died?’
She giggled as she recalled Carlz during socializing season.
It was really interesting to see two people, who always used perfect social etiquette, growling.
Even if Catalina hadn’t been hurt by a monster, Amarion would have invited the three of them for a tea party.
As she was thinking, a question suddenly crossed her mind.
Monsters.
The formation of the subjugation army would begin soon.
‘Will the Morte Knights really be alright?’
She cautiously intervened between the two, who were glaring at each other.
“Sir Carlz, I have a question.”
“Please ask, Madame.”
Carlz immediately became polite and bowed his head.
She asked carefully.
“Is it really possible to subdue all the monsters with just the Knight Order? Victor said so…”
Suddenly, a shadow fell over Carlz’s face.
He looked like he had aged a few years.
He glanced at Catalina and let out a gloomy sigh.
“Not really. The situation is surprisingly serious.”
The knight paused for a moment and then continued.
“There are reports of griffins coming down from the mountains, and dark wolves appearing in broad daylight. The number of merchants suffering damage, including Catalonia, has increased. Even with the information given by the mercenaries, there are too many variables. I don’t think we can fix it on our own.”
He sighed again.
“As chief of staff, I think his highness should go with us.”
Amarion got up from her seat, startled.
“No! Victor is still sick. What do you mean he’s needed?”
“That bothers me, too, but…”
“What if I were to go?”
Silence fell immediately.
The knight’s blue eyes pierced into her. He seemed to be calculating something.
Then he opened his mouth.
“I’m a knight who swore to protect this land, Madame. So I’m willing to do something dangerous like this. But for you, it’s different.”
“It doesn’t matter.”
She said firmly.
“People are getting hurt and I can’t just sit and watch. It’s stupid not to do something if you can.”
Strength entered her hands.
“I’ve always lived like that. That’s all I can do.”
There had never been a day in Amari when she didn’t fight.
From the day she first picked up a sword, she had always lived with the belief that if she didn’t fight, someone else would die.
And it really was that way.
There were too many weak people in her hometown.
What would end as a small abrasion for her would be a fatal wound for others, and the monster she could kill in one slash was more terrifying than a dragon.
So she couldn’t rest.
Not for a single moment.
Even though it was hard, she couldn’t help it.
She was born to protect her people.
Finally, Carlz sighed and nodded his head.
“…Please ask his highness directly. If I say anything, he will really cut my neck.”
“In fact, it’s a wonder he’s still alive, let alone serving the Grand Duke.”
“Catalina!”
With Catalina’s joke, the tense atmosphere eased.
Amarion between the two, who started quarreling again, with a small smile.
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At the same time, a decision was made.
She felt determined to face Victor somehow.