DYBAR - Chapter 121 < Visit by the Duke of Elkin >

DYBAR - Chapter 121 < Visit by the Duke of Elkin >

Do Your Best And Regret

"Nice to meet you. A strange and affectionate supporter."

I was so overwhelmed with emotion that I didn't know what to say. I burst out laughing at Edwin's words referring to me. The tears I had been holding back fell down my cheeks.

"You were calling me that?"

"No. Your full name is a patron who sends me strange, worried, cold, but affectionate letters."

Edwin was right. The knight whose name I didn't know was indeed Edwin, just as I had hoped.

He couldn't bear it anymore. Looking at the sad face that didn't know whether it was crying or laughing, Edwin carefully wiped the tears rolling down my cheeks.

Only after calming down to some degree did I slowly begin to speak. I had many questions, but the one I was most curious about was this.

"Did you know I was Liv Green?"

The landscape has changed. This time Edwin was watching me. I chuckled and gently tugged on my clasped hand.

"That's too bad. I wish I had known first.  Since when did you know about me?"

"Your wrist is healed. What a relief."

"Don't change the conversation. I won't be upset if you hid it."

"Since the first time we met?"

"When we first met, on Laheirn Street?"

My eyes widened. Edwin nodded before trying to correct me.

It was on the battlefield that he knew  Liv Green was Olivia Madeleine, but he didn't know her face until he saw her. He thought that interpretation was more correct.

Meanwhile, Olivia seemed to be speechless.

"Have you not spoken for such a long time? I was very worried because the letters suddenly stopped. I guess the letters came all at once. The day I received the letter from the island was the day after the banquet that greeted the knights who had gone out to suppress beasts"

Edwin's beautiful red lips smiled softly.

"I was planning to go to the island because I wanted to see the knight at least once to report that letter."

Edwin, who was smiling softly, frowned slightly. At that time, Olivia would not have realized that she was the recipient of the letter.

"No way. You're not saying in front of me that you're going to the island because you want to see a man who's out of town, are you?"

Her sweet, seemingly smiling face looked a little sulky.

Is that how the story sounds? Olivia, who thought for a moment, smiled brightly and shook her clasped hands a little.

"That knight was Edwin! I didn't know because Edwin didn't tell me, so please look into it."

Come over, come over, come over.

Before he could mentally recite the spell, Edwin smiled brightly. And he got closer. The smell that wafted out was so captivating that Olivia could not even prepare herself for what would happen next.

Lips touched her cheek and fell with a light sound.

Olivia blinked her eyes.

"I will give you enough attention."

Edwin's pretty, smiling face disappeared. Olivia pursed her lips and smiled.

Smiling was the best way to suppress her regretful heart.

***

Pretending not to see Olivia's eyes sparkling, Edwin stood up like a sword.

"It's late at night, Liv. It's time to go to bed."

"I still... Oh, when did you leave the island?"

"Two days ago."

"In two days?"

Olivia widened her eyes, repeating Edwin's words.

For her, covering a distance that should have taken three days in just two days was the same as covering the distance without taking a single breath.

Olivia, who had not gotten up from the sofa a moment ago with regret, got up right away.

"I should go quickly and rest, Edwin."

The hallway was quiet. It was the exact opposite of the boisterous laughter in the banquet hall in the distance.

"It looks like the banquet isn't over yet."

"Bethanny served fruit wine first today."

Edwin's eyes narrowed.

"Aha. It's my Lady's favorite drink."

"It's a shame, but I stopped drinking because I was thinking of going to Senua's Valley."

Edwin didn't like the plan to go to Senua's Valley, but the smile on the face of the girl who said she couldn't drink alcohol was perfect.

Strangely enough, her escort journey was always short.

Standing in front of the door, Olivia looked at Edwin for a moment. He can't believe she misses him this much even though he hasn't seen her in days.

He was about to enter her room with steady steps.

"Wait a minute."

Uh? Olivia opened her eyes wide.

A hand came to her neck and unbuttoned the first button of her robe. In a quiet hallway, a robe fell with a thud on the floor. What is it, and why suddenly?

There was no way to know what the intention was, Olivia's cheeks were getting redder as her analogical thoughts did not suit the well-groomed Edwin at all.

"What were you thinking that would make you blush like this? I was just going to take my robe that I left with Liv."

"Yes?"

Olivia's mouth opened slightly. Olivia's face turned as red as fire at the unexpected answer.

He may have been deliberately mischievous, but Edwin shrugged his shoulders with a stoic look on his face as if he had no intention of doing so. Then he picked up the robe and said.

"Surely you didn't look at me as someone unbecoming of a gentleman?" 

"..... Just by unbuttoning the button without saying anything, there was a lot of potential for misunderstanding."

As if to ease his mind, Olivia pointed out the fact. Edwin, who was looking at the Young Lady's face cutely, smiled and apologized.

"Sorry. The joke went too far."

The scent of apples seemed to emanate from her swollen cheeks as if she wasn't going to let them go away easily. Edwin added as if he was sincere.

"I won't do any more pranks like this until the wedding. Until then, I will live as a fine gentleman."

It was no secret that the wedding would be postponed. It's an unspoken truth.

Edwin smiled, hiding what he had not said. His red eyes, sunken deep as if lustful, were completely hidden by his narrow, curved eyes. He's used to acting like a gentleman now.

"Good night. Have a nice dream."

"Wait!"

Edwin inadvertently turned around with an urgent voice. Soon, his arm is pulled, and what he sees in his defenseless lowered vision is...

A pretty, nervous face. And a very sweet kiss. This situation is overly fascinating.

"Edwin too. Sleep well."

Her face was red as she hurried into the room. Edwin, who was staring blankly at the closed door, unconsciously stretched out his hand.

He didn't want anything else. Just that pretty face again.

It was then..

Winster appeared from nowhere and quickly stood as if blocking Olivia's door. Edwin's eyes darkened.

"In the past, His Highness said that if you think he is going to become a scoundrel, stop him at all costs."

Winster smiled while receiving the cold gaze.

When he saw the evil-looking face, Winster felt like the fatigue of running next to His Highness for two days was completely relieved.

"I have appointed a very good and honorable knight."

"Thank you for the compliment."

Despite gritting his teeth, Winster answered with a wide smile.

***

"It is said that the Duke of Elkin is passing through the Great Plains and coming to Vikander territory."

"That's strange. My Lady had no contact whatsoever with the Duke of Elkin."

Edwin recalled the Duke of Elkin whom he had seen in the Islands.

Although he had the same hair color as the Empress and his snake-like gaze was annoying, he was not likely to pose much of a threat.

"We will continue to check to see what purpose they are coming for. And the Duke of Madeleine. He has passed the Viscounty of Katanta."

Edwin shook his head.

"Is there anything else to report?"

"Lastly, I would like you to tell me that Dean is very, very remorseful."

Winster added, looking out the window. Edwin, thinking of Dean, who must have been walking around the training ground, smiled and turned around.

He gave clear orders to circle the place all night. Winster smiled brightly as if he knew that would happen. It was a mild punishment compared to the degree to which it made a person's heart sink in the middle of the night.

***

A training ground in the middle of the day.

"We never even went to Senua's Valley."

"That's right. I was told by the vice-captain. that the area was off-limits, so I never went there!"

I don't know what's going on, but I was asked a question about Senua's Valley.

The rank-and-file knights who were in charge of searching the area shouted at the top of their voices to emphasize how well they followed the rules.

"Thank you for your effort. Thank you for letting me know."

I smiled sweetly and said. My painted face turned red under the midday sun, and with polite manners, I began practicing again. 

The heat in the training hall was overheating today. I, unaware of my unusual mood, remembered Edwin's words for a moment.

"Let's go to Senua's Valley. Me, Olivia, Deanne, and Bethanny. However, before we go, let's first check to see if there is anything suspicious about those who recently visited the border to exterminate beasts."

"Miss, Have some cool juice. It's hot even under the awning."

Bethanny took a break from my deep thoughts and brought me some cold juice. Bethanny, who had been scolding me for trying to go to a dangerous place when I woke up in the morning, looked relieved.

I smiled and took a glass cup. Edwin, who said he would stop by the mine again, had left an hour ago, so I only thought he would be back soon.

It would be nice to find some useful information by then.

I was thinking for a moment.

A knight rushed urgently from far away. The knight who was looking for the Grand Duke had a sign on the front of his right chest that said he was a castle wall guard knight.

Why would a knight guarding the walls come all the way to the great siege?

I called the knight.

The polite knight was startled by the Young Lady's call and carefully spoke to her.

"See you, Lady. That... An uninvited guest came from the island."

"Uninvited guest? Who is that?"

"He identified herself as the Duke of Elkin."

The Duke of Elkin. 

What immediately came to mind was, strangely enough, the Duke of Madeleine. I smiled my wry smile.

Even if Edwin was away for a while, there was no reason for me to meet the Duke of Elkin. Meanwhile, the knight continued speaking with an embarrassed expression on his face.

"Well, that is. Normally I would have told him to go back. I came here to ask because I got one."

"Which one?"

"Well, the Duke of Elkin... Just because he knows something about your mother...."

For a moment, all sounds seemed to stop. I quietly looked at the knight.

Suddenly Edwin's words came to mind. 

He told me to do whatever I wanted.

***

The corridors of the Grand Siege.

The castle was decorated more ornately and elegantly than expected. Cleanly cleaned floor-to-ceiling windows, shaped curtains, ornaments, and fresh flowers on the nightstand.

The harmonious combination of Vikander's unique red, black, silver, and green decorations with the bright cream color seemed quite plausible.

The Duke of Elkin looked at the attendant with disapproving eyes.

He's not even a butler, he's just a servant. His treatment of guests is terrible.

This was an anti-siege castle. The owner, the Grand Duke, must have learned something to know. 

The Duke of Elkin snorted and shook his head. The Grand Duke would still be in the system. His Majesty the Emperor must be holding him tightly.

Taking advantage of that opportunity, his plan to placate the Princess was proceeding smoothly. It was like that until now. 

The knights at the tightly barricaded castle wall hurriedly opened the door upon hearing that he knew the mother of the princess.

There was a Princess inside that door.

"Long time no see. Duke of Elkin."

Oh, Princess."

The Duke of Elkin raised his voice, pretending to be overly pleased.

There was only a middle-aged maid and a young knight next to the Princess, who showed no sign of displeasure even though her words were cut off.

"No, should I call you a Young Lady? I heard you hate being called Princess Madeleine. But it's so unfamiliar to my taste."

The Princess just smiled like a doll. The Duke of Elkin relaxed a little more after hearing the words he said to check on her.

"But the Grand Duke's reception of guests is a mess. By the way, I heard that a Princess led the summer banquet. Even with all that great skill, it seems like it was still difficult to control the Great Siege Castle, right?"

"I heard that you had something you wanted to say to me, Duke. I'm impatient.'

The Young Lady was clearly showing her desire to hear the main point. He was the one hiding the important card.

The Duke of Elkin leaned back comfortably. And he turned his words around with a grin

"There is that too. Well, I have quite a bit of fatigue. I can't remember what I was trying to say, however..."

The Duke of Elkin trailed off and frowned

"The people who use the Great Siege are clueless. The conversation has progressed this far, but it remains the same."

"Not just a servant, but a wizard from the north. This is the escort knight who always stays by my side."

A knight guarding the wizard of the north. It would have been troublesome to have just a knight, but a wizard. The Duke of Elkin made a slightly unpleasant face.

"Right. But do we need a wizard and a guard knight for the story we're going to talk about today? I came with a good heart to tell something you that might be helpful. Standing like that is a must."

The Duke of Elkin added with a provocative, arrogant tone.

"It sounds like a threat."

"How dare you threaten Young Lady now...!"

"It's okay, Lord Szellin."

That was when the knight standing behind her was about to get angry. The Princess smiled and changed the topic by comforting the knight behind her.

"Is this your first visit to Vikander Territory?"

"Yes."

"How was it? Did you enjoy the snow on your way here?"

Duke Elkin suppressed his laughter. It was the simplest beginning in a nobleman's speaking style.

"The mountain scenery was beautiful. The water also looked clear."

"The mountains here are beautiful, but they are so high and rugged that hundreds of first-time visitors will get lost."

"..."

"The castle is so strong and magnificent. We are protecting our territory more firmly than any border between the east, west, south, and north."

The Duke of Elkin, who was listening to the story, noticed a subtle movement in the air. But it was too late.

"That's why the nickname it was called in the system was the Great Siege."

Suddenly, a softer voice put pressure on the Duke. Solid green eyes that seemed to see right through people caught the Duke's gaze in a detached manner.

"I opened the door because you said you knew something about my mother.... Once this gate is closed, the Duke will be spending quite a long time in Vikander territory."

His breath caught in his throat. Could it be that he had entered the jaws of a snake?

"What is that....! Princess, I am the Duke of the Franz Empire. If I disappear..." 

The duke, who had been stuttering for words, was astonished at what he said and closed his mouth. It's gone. 

How did this young girl make such a scary assumption? 

Just because of Olivia, who created this atmosphere, shrugged her shoulders as if nothing had happened.

"It's going to disappear. Such scary words. I'm just making assumptions about what it would be like for the Duke to stay for a long time in this beautiful mountainous area of Vikander."

Whether that assumption will come true is up to the Duke of Elkin. As if to disprove this, his frost-sharp eyes smiled.

"In the meantime, even if something bad happens to the Duke, no one will know."

The Duke of Elkin had goosebumps all over his body.

He didn't know that the girl he had looked down on for a long time would look at him with such goosebumps.

Duke Elkin swallowed his saliva. It was the first time that the feeling of the sound of a young lady felt so unfamiliar.

"Well, are you calling this a threat? But I'm not sure because I'm far from being a threat or anything like that."

Olivia tilted her head and smiled brightly.

Seeing the sudden change in mood, the Duke of Elkin clenched his fist under the table.

Olivia Madeleine, no Olivia. That little witch-like girl......!

"I'm curious about the story the Duke brought here, and for some reason the Duke brought up the story of my mother, saying you were kind to me."

Cool green eyes scanned the stiff posture of the Duke of Elkin. His shoulders were lifted with great force, and his legs were proudly braided.

"Are you still tired?"

The Duke of Elkin sat up straight in his chair with tender concern. She liked the awkward look a lot more. Olivia asked, raising the corners of her mouth as she noticed her much-improved posture.

"So, you know about my mother?"

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