A Marriage Alliance for Revenge - Chapter 27

“My Duke.”

 

The hand that was occupied with buttoning paused at the voice coming from outside. 

 

“My Duke!”

 

Half-asleep, Lucas assumed the voice was just in his head, yet the voice from outside grew slightly louder than before.

 

In a tone entangled with anxiety and unease, Lucas hurriedly went outside.

 

“What’s the matter?”

 

It was a night that still retained the slender moonlight, a time of night that was too early to call dawn.

 

Lucas, who had come out of the barracks in response to the lieutenant’s call, looked down at him.

 

The rain, which had been falling as if the skies had been pierced, gradually ceased as darkness engulfed the light, and by the time midnight passed, it had stopped completely.

 

Except for the leftover droplets hanging on the leaves, which gradually fell down as the leaves gave way underneath the weight.

 

Even the droplets would disappear by sunrise.

 

In that case, Lucas would march according to the plan he had devised, marching with his men for several days.

 

“There’s a problem.”

 

At the adjutant’s words, Lucas’s gaze turned sharp all at once.

 

The knight who held the rank of adjutant was one whom Gusto personally selected this time.

 

In the face of Lucas’s fierce gaze, the adjutant, who was completely cowed, began to gauge the intentions he had.

 

“A problem?”

 

“Well…”

 

As Lucas looked at the adjutant, his brow furrowed.

 

He was a knight and did not prefer wasting time like this.

 

Moreover, the person standing in front of him, taking away his time at this moment, was the person Lucas trusted least.

 

Lucas glanced at him; this person was Gusto’s eyes and ears, someone he didn’t want to give the time of day.

 

Instead of avoiding that gaze, Lucas looked down at him with a disapproving face.

 

“Plenty of time on your hands?”

 

“Oh, no, sir.”

 

Looking upwards as Lucas spoke, the adjutant quickly replied.

 

The clouds had cleared, and it seemed that the weather would gradually become favorable.

 

Perhaps they could arrive in Perta faster than they initially presumed.

 

“….”

 

The adjutant, who had been watching Lucas’s silence, finally spoke.

 

“It seems that several knights had upset stomachs from the food they ate last night.”

 

Lucas’s eyes narrowed at the adjutant’s words.

 

In his gaze, as if trying to gauge the truth in his words, a cold sweat ran down, even in the chilly night air.

 

“Didn’t you eat the same food?”

 

In a voice colder than the dawn air, the adjutant’s body stiffened like ice.

 

But Lucas had no interest in such trivial matters.

 

His gaze was fixed on Hessel, who had been following Lucas since he left the barracks.

 

“There’s nothing wrong here.”

 

The adjutant swallowed his dry saliva as he saw his own reflection in Lucas’s black pupils.

 

The contents of the letter tied to the pigeon that arrived in the middle of the night were incomprehensible to him as well.

 

‘Delay as much as possible.’

 

The more time he delayed, the more disadvantageous it became on his side.

 

Lucas was an exceptional knight, and his gaze was formidable.

 

Deceiving Lucas’s eyes was not a simple task that could be resolved with a few commands.

 

“…Several knights seem to have hunted animals in the forest last night.”

 

The adjutant’s head bowed to the ground, as he reported.

 

Although the excuses he had come up with overnight were feeble, there was no choice but to follow Marquis Hailey’s command.

 

Not only his life, but the lives of his entire family depended on Marquis Hailey’s words.

 

“Hmm.”

 

At the adjutant’s low sigh, which came without any reproach, his throat tightened as if it were being strangled.

 

He was born and raised in a knight’s household.

 

He had learned about honor and loyalty.

 

But when he got a wife and children, all of that turned out to be a midday dream.

 

It was pathetic that he was selling lies instead of revealing the truth, but when he thought of his daughter, who had woken up since the crack of dawn to wave at his departure, there was nothing he couldn’t do.

 

No, it was something he had to do.

 

“Leave them behind.”

 

The adjutant jumped up at Hessel’s cold words.

 

It was not part of his plan for Lucas to leave this way. 

 

“They are knights of the palace. It’s a direct order from His Majesty.”

 

Hessel’s eyes were sharp as he looked at the adjutant, who raised his voice at Lucas.

 

“Well, they should have followed the rules. What knight, who has not even been gone for a day, starts hunting animals in the mountains?”

 

The adjutant closed his eyes tightly at Hessel’s stern reprimand.

 

He still had two mouths back home to feed, but now he could say nothing more. 

 

“Have Baron examine the knights with stomachaches.”

 

Lucas commanded Hessel.

 

Hessel immediately bowed his head and stepped back. His gaze was still fixed on the adjutant.

 

“Thank you.”

 

The adjutant wiped his chest and bowed his head.

 

He couldn’t tell how long he would be able to delay.

 

But it was certain that he had overcome one hurdle for now.

 

“Do you have anything else to say?”

 

Baron spoke to the adjutant, who was still standing guard.

 

The adjutant’s face was so pale that it couldn’t be said that it was due to the cold dawn air.

 

“Oh, no, there’s nothing more.”

 

As the anxious glances disappeared, the moon receded, and the stars began to fade.

 

Lucas strode through the forest.

 

The farther he got from the barracks, the more acute his senses became.

 

Every time Lucas moved, the wet branches snapped under his feet.

 

Snap.

 

At the sound of a broken branch, a bird fluttered away.

 

A droplet of water fell from the branch and trickled down his face.

 

Lucas raised his hand to wipe off the droplet.

 

After walking through the forest for a while like that, a clear lake came into view.

 

The lake, surrounded by tall trees, shimmered with a deep green hue.

 

An unwelcome visitor revealed their presence in the lake, where the mist was thickly rising, causing the small creatures that had come to drink water in the early morning to scatter in surprise.

 

“You’re late, Your Highness.”

 

Despite the sense of urgency coming from his unguarded back, Lucas’s gaze remained unchanged as he looked out over the lake.

 

Whether he spoke or not, Sir Sergel, who had knelt on one knee with proper decorum, rose from his seat.

 

“It has been a long time.”

 

Lucas slowly turned his body around.

 

A white-haired old man was smiling warmly as he looked at Lucas. Lucas’s gaze flickered as he looked at Sir Sergel.

 

The two of them met each other’s gaze for a moment.

 

Lucas, who looked into the tear-filled gray eyes of the man, approached him without hesitation and embraced him.

 

Ignoring the dampness on their clothes from the dew, the two of them shared each other’s warmth without hesitation.

 

“Yes, it has truly been a long time.”

 

The white-haired old man hugged Lucas tightly, his hands on Lucas’s broad shoulders.

 

Pride gleamed in Sir Sergel’s eyes as he looked at Lucas, as if he were looking at his own accomplished son.

 

“I didn’t know the Marquis himself would come all the way here.”

 

There was a hint of playfulness in his words.

 

“It is my duty to serve Your Highness, so naturally, I had to come.”

 

“Needlessly so.”

 

“Why would following Your Highness be a needless task? It is a matter of pride.”

 

Sir Sergel lightly tapped Lucas’s shoulders twice and then stepped back.

 

Feeling embarrassed under his penetrating gaze, Lucas cleared his throat.

 

“Your sharp tongue is still as formidable as ever, Sir Sregel.”

 

“Of course. At one point, I had the most expensive tongue in the Rhone Empire. Have you already forgotten?”

 

Lucas shook his head at Sir Sergel’s words.

 

He was in over his head, negotiating with Sir Sergel, the greatest negotiator in the Rhone Empire.

 

But their negotiation didn’t last long.

 

There were things to be done, and they never knew when or where Gusto’s eyes would be upon them.

 

“I am glad to be able to meet you again.”

 

Lucas, who campaigned in the north on Gusto’s orders, had been able to achieve constant victories.

 

Though none of that would have been possible, if not for Sir Sergel’s backing.

 

He had abandoned his territory and hid himself with the commoners after the change of emperor.

 

Gusto had tried to find him but was never found—a true loyalist of the Rhone Empire.

 

No one thought that Sir Sergel would show up in the Rhone Empire again.

 

He had hidden in the Rhone Empire’s shadows when everyone else believed he had left the empire once and for all.

 

“I will follow you.”

 

Lucas nodded slowly at the resolute voice that resonated.

 

The hazy future was gradually becoming clearer.

 

“With you backing me, I only need to look ahead.”

 

“Yes, Your Highness. Please focus only on what lies ahead.”

 

When Lucas smiled at Sir Sergel, he returned the smile—a smile of trust.

 

But Sir Sergel’s smile didn’t last long.

 

“I have a report, Your Highness.”

 

Lucas’s face stiffened at Sir Sergel’s words.

 

It had been barely two days. Yet it seemed that a messenger had already arrived from Gusto.

 

Remembering the lieutenant who had come to find him before dawn, before the sun had risen, Lucas clenched his jaw.

 

“What is it?”

 

“Here are commands from Gusto to delay time.”

Sir Sergel’s words immersed Lucas in deep thought. Even if he hurried, it would take less than a day and a half to reach Petra.

 

Considering the rainfall and unfavorable road conditions, it would not take more than a day.

 

Lucas had already sufficiently considered that aspect.

 

But to delay time at this place?

 

It was an inexplicable order.

 

It was a secluded forest. Even if the wild beasts didn’t appear yesterday due to the rain, today was different.

 

Seeing the thick mist and the rising sun, it seemed like a perfect day.

 

On a day like this, it was appropriate to walk briskly, even for a moment.

 

Moreover, it was winter.

 

To waste time in the middle of the forest when the hibernating beasts were awakening was a dangerous risk.

 

“I will go.”

 

Upon hearing the distant sound, Sir Sergel, who had been guarding Lucas from behind, stepped aside.

 

Despite his age, he still moved agilely.

 

As he looked at the back of the experienced elder, Lucas’s smile gradually faded.

 

Not being able to share the changing seasons and only exchanging brief greetings before parting left a lingering feeling in his heart.

 

From a nearby place, murmuring voices could be heard.

 

Lucas, who looked towards the place where Sir Sergel had disappeared, soon hid himself in the forest as well.

 

 

 

* * *

 

 

 

“Madam, how about taking a rest?”

 

The tone of voice was too firm to be a suggestion.

 

Briella lifted her head at Vinter’s words and pressed her tired eyes.

 

As she gazed out of the dimmed window, she caught sight of her reflection, who had become so pale.

 

“Madam.”

 

Vinter called Briella cautiously once again.

 

Vinter himself couldn’t sleep either, spending the night in the study following Briella, who had stayed awake in the palace all night.

 

Briella, who entered the palace in the morning, returned to the mansion well past dusk, hours after the evening had already passed.

 

And she looked like a drowned rat.

 

Since the encounter, she’s even skipped dinner and stayed in the study, looking at maps.

 

She wouldn’t have even changed her wet clothes were it not for the butler’s commotion. 

 

Briella, who had been absentmindedly gazing out of the window, stood up with her tired body.

 

“I should wash up.”

 

Just as she was relieved that she finally got up from her seat, Briella staggered, her relief fading away.

 

The anxious butler rushed to support her.

 

“I’ll call a doctor!”

 

Briella extended her hand in refusal of Vinter’s words.

 

She had only experienced a moment of dizziness from sitting in the same position for a long time.

 

There was no need to call a doctor unnecessarily and disturb the conversation.

Above all, Gusto’s gaze when they parted was unforgettable. No matter how much I thought about it, it didn’t seem like something good was about to happen.

 

“Madam, what is the matter?” Vinter, who had remained stoically silent by Briella’s side all night, asked with a somewhat agitated voice.

 

“Its..”

 

“What?”

 

Briella let out a low sigh.

 

She couldn’t explain this sour, uncomfortable feeling she felt.

 

But it would be awkward to say that her mood wasn’t great for no reason.

 

It was a situation where many people could suffer due to her speculation, even though nothing had actually happened.

 

“Please rest. You seem to need some rest.”

 

Vinter stepped back.

 

In truth, Vinter still didn’t fully trust Briella.

 

She was a woman who appeared out of nowhere, as if falling from the sky, and took her side by Lucas one day.

 

He couldn’t force her to trust him when his own trust in her was lacking. 

 

So now was the time to back off.

 

“Has there been any contact from His Excellency?”

 

Briella, who was about to open the door and enter, turned cautiously and looked at Vinter.

 

Vinter raised his head, sensing the longing in her hesitant gaze.

 

“If you wish, I can send a messenger.”

 

“No, I can’t bother you with unnecessary matters.”

 

“Whether it’s an unnecessary matter or not is for the Duke to judge.”

 

Briella couldn’t take her eyes off Vinter’s resolute words for a while.

 

“When my thoughts are organized, I will ask for your help then.”

 

“I will wait.”

 

Vinter slightly lowered his head and stepped back. Briella, leading her tired body, disappeared into the room.

 

Vinter remained in front of Briella’s room for a while, unable to leave.

 

It would have been better if Baron were here at a time like this.

 

Being by her side was distressing, but Baron was the person who treated Briella with the least prejudice.

 

Briella seemed to know that too, as she appeared more at ease when talking to Baron.

 

While waiting for any possibility of her change of heart and her return from the room, Vinter left his position at the call of another maid.

 

However, Vinter’s waiting didn’t last long.