DYBAR - Chapter 163 < A Relationship That Is Too Good >
Do Your Best And Regret
After the negotiations ended, three days passed.
The nobles of the empire looked inside the gate of the Grand Duke's residence with sorrowful faces.
The only window through which one could enter or leave the high, sturdy wall was this sharp-barred gate.
However, after sending out the envoy, the Grand Duke's residence prohibited the entry of any imperial nobles. There were only more than ten wagons diligently passing by the threshold of the Grand Duke's residence.
Could it be that they are removing all the luggage?
The nobles swallowed their growing anxiety and made loud noises.
“Still, you have lived your whole life as an imperial noble, so do you really need to completely cut off ties with the empire?”
"That's right! The Grand Duke is also here. Wouldn’t he, which has enemies, still interact with the empire?”
Residence of Grand Duke. A fascinating mansion rumored to be full of all kinds of secret waterways and passages inside.
The vague idea that the Grand Duke would not permanently cut off exchanges over such a mansion gradually turned into an unfounded certainty as rumors were added.
It won't be a complete break with the Empire. Don't they know that the Vikander Knights are still on guard throughout the islands?
It was a day when arrogant rumors were spreading among the nobles.
Vikander's knights, who had been guarding various parts of the island since early morning, began to flow out like the ebb.
The nobles, who were relieved to see that the Grand Duke's residence had not moved much for several days, hurriedly flocked to the Grand Duke's residence immediately after receiving the report.
The gate of the Grand Duke's residence, which had been tightly shut, was wide open, and carriages were leaving without stopping. The dazed nobles passed through the gate, entered the Grand Duke's residence, looked back, and were astonished.
There was nothing inside...!
There were fountains in the garden and street lights on both sides of the road. Not only the curtains that completely covered the windows but also the interior fixtures that made up the ‘mansion’ inside the front door were not visible at all.
All that's left is the building...!
In the surprised eyes of the nobles, they immediately saw a fleet riding on a massive black horse and a pitch-black carriage following it.
There it is!
The nobles rushed towards the carriage as if they were competing. A man, riding a black horse, passed through them with ease, but the carriage was different. If they block the horse, the driver will naturally have no choice but to stop the carriage.
But that was a misjudgment.
Even though he clearly saw the nobles blocking his path, the gray-haired knight sitting in the driver's seat swung the reins once more. And two beats late, he slowly pulled the reins.
Heehee-!
But that was a misjudgment.
Even though he clearly saw the nobles blocking his path, the gray-haired knight sitting in the driver's seat swung the reins once more. And two beats late, he slowly pulled the reins.
Heehee-!
The horse made a nervous stomp and at the same time raised its high front feet and made a menacing misstep. Thanks to this, the wind struck the nobles’ cheeks mercilessly.
And until the sound of heavy breathing subsided, the nobles who ran excitedly trembled like aspen trees with pale faces. After a trembling hand touched the horse's drool-covered nose, someone shouted fiercely.
“Hey, you crazy! A nobleman is coming and he won’t even stop talking!!”
But before the eerie feeling could be washed away, a wonderful sound of laughter was heard.
“But you can’t stop the carriage My Lady is riding in hastily.”
“I, Your Highness...!”
When the window was rolled down, the Grand Duke was smiling with his eyes narrowed. The breathtakingly beautiful face seemed somehow pleasant, so the nobles swallowed their saliva, forgetting logic and fear.
“So, what’s your business?”
Oops. The nobles, who had kept their mouths shut like honey-filled mutes, rushed to shout.
“I, Your Highness. Are you really leaving this Grand Duke’s residence as is?”
“Your Highness has been the hero of this empire, so what glory is there in Franz without you?”
The empire had already been torn apart, and fear had disappeared due to the horse's misstep.
However, despite their mournful cries, the Grand Duke's expression did not change one bit. He even pursed his red lips as if listening to a rather boring story. It was at that time that Count Chase, riding a horse, made a powerful move.
“How about selling the Grand Duke’s residence instead?”
“... Sell this mansion?”
At that moment, the Grand Duke's red eyes sparkled. Despite the faint feeling of intimidation, Count Chase raised his voice.
To strongly express his argument, he gradually approached the Grand Duke's residence. Other nobles also stood in front of the Grand Duke's residence, as if they had joined the Count's opinion.
"Yes! Otherwise, renting is fine! Isn’t it a waste to leave such a wonderful mansion empty?”
The words came out of his mouth smoothly. In his eyes, the Grand Duke's mouth was slowly rising. As he goes towards the Grand Duke's residence, he becomes more satisfied with what he says.
“If the mansion is so empty and desolate, the imperial palace will most likely come out to investigate at least once. Weren’t there a lot of rumors about the Grand Duke’s residence? So, if you will just rent it to me, I will make sure to keep this mansion well-groomed so that Your Highness's glory will not fade... !”
If he were to manage the Grand Duke's residence, his relationship with Vikander would somehow continue. If that happens, even if the empire falls...
It was a moment when Count Chase's expectations grew more and more inflated.
Bang-!
At the same time as the roar, a strong wave hit the nobles' bodies. A thick layer of dust covered his entire body, and a tinnitus rang in his ears. At one point, his mouth was filled with a musty feeling.
What is this...
And until the sound of heavy breathing subsided, the nobles who ran excitedly trembled like aspen trees with pale faces. After a trembling hand touched the horse's drool-covered nose, someone shouted fiercely.
“Hey, you crazy! A nobleman is coming and he won’t even stop talking!!”
But before the eerie feeling could be washed away, a wonderful sound of laughter was heard.
“But you can’t stop the carriage My Lady is riding in hastily.”
“I, Your Highness...!”
When the window was rolled down, the Grand Duke was smiling with his eyes narrowed. The breathtakingly beautiful face seemed somehow pleasant, so the nobles swallowed their saliva, forgetting logic and fear.
“So, what’s your business?”
Oops. The nobles, who had kept their mouths shut like honey-filled mutes, rushed to shout.
“I, Your Highness. Are you really leaving this Grand Duke’s residence as is?”
“Your Highness has been the hero of this empire, so what glory is there in Franz without you?”
The empire had already been torn apart, and fear had disappeared due to the horse's misstep.
However, despite their mournful cries, the Grand Duke's expression did not change one bit. He even pursed his red lips as if listening to a rather boring story. It was at that time that Count Chase, riding a horse, made a powerful move.
“How about selling the Grand Duke’s residence instead?”
“... Sell this mansion?”
At that moment, the Grand Duke's red eyes sparkled. Despite the faint feeling of intimidation, Count Chase raised his voice.
To strongly express his argument, he gradually approached the Grand Duke's residence. Other nobles also stood in front of the Grand Duke's residence, as if they had joined the Count's opinion.
"Yes! Otherwise, renting is fine! Isn’t it a waste to leave such a wonderful mansion empty?”
The words came out of his mouth smoothly. In his eyes, the Grand Duke's mouth was slowly rising. As he goes towards the Grand Duke's residence, he becomes more satisfied with what he says.
“If the mansion is so empty and desolate, the imperial palace will most likely come out to investigate at least once. Weren’t there a lot of rumors about the Grand Duke’s residence? So, if you will just rent it to me, I will make sure to keep this mansion well-groomed so that Your Highness's glory will not fade... !”
If he were to manage the Grand Duke's residence, his relationship with Vikander would somehow continue. If that happens, even if the empire falls...
It was a moment when Count Chase's expectations grew more and more inflated.
Bang-!
At the same time as the roar, a strong wave hit the nobles' bodies. A thick layer of dust covered his entire body, and a tinnitus rang in his ears. At one point, his mouth was filled with a musty feeling.
What is this...
The nobles, who lost their judgment for a moment, looked blankly ahead.
The Grand Duke's residence, which was clearly in front of them just a moment ago, has disappeared without even a shape. The exterior walls of the building were neat and the lawn was well maintained. Even the sturdy walls and gate of the mansion.
The sound of fingers clicking together woke them up. The gray-haired wizard, who had been standing there for some time, looked at them pitifully.
The wizard, who settled the dust in one go, leveled the ground filled with the remains of the collapsed building with just a few waves of his hand.
The Count's head tingled at the unbelievable sight. While the nobles blinked, a voice laughing lazily as if having fun reached their ears.
“Well, you didn’t even see a running horse. It looks like you can't even read that warning. Only in this way is the future of the empire clear.”
Only then did the nobles notice the sign next to the wall. And then they saw a carriage that wasn't covered in dust. The line they are treading.
- Danger. Don't cross the line.
Ha.
The Grand Duke's residence, which was clearly in front of them just a moment ago, has disappeared without even a shape. The exterior walls of the building were neat and the lawn was well maintained. Even the sturdy walls and gate of the mansion.
The sound of fingers clicking together woke them up. The gray-haired wizard, who had been standing there for some time, looked at them pitifully.
The wizard, who settled the dust in one go, leveled the ground filled with the remains of the collapsed building with just a few waves of his hand.
The Count's head tingled at the unbelievable sight. While the nobles blinked, a voice laughing lazily as if having fun reached their ears.
“Well, you didn’t even see a running horse. It looks like you can't even read that warning. Only in this way is the future of the empire clear.”
Only then did the nobles notice the sign next to the wall. And then they saw a carriage that wasn't covered in dust. The line they are treading.
- Danger. Don't cross the line.
Ha.
The wizard snorted and got into the carriage that was following him. Only when the sound of clattering horses' hooves and loud laughter became more and more distant did Count Chase look down at the acrid dust that had covered his body.
And then he looked at the site where not even a trace of the grand mansion remained.
A flat land with not a single blade of grass or a single tree left. There was a clear clear intention that he would never set foot on imperial soil again.
At one point, the nobles sat down on the floor as if their legs had given out. The dusty faces could only stare in despair at the carriage moving away.
***
A plain bathed in warm sunlight.
The picnic-like lunch ended.
In front of the crossroads that divided the Vikander territory and the Tristan granary area, Sobel, Bethanny, and other servants bowed their heads towards their predecessors and Edwin.
“Then, we will first return to Vikander Territory and quickly make preparations.”
The predecessor nodded. Even though they were given permission, they did not move until their predecessors started their horses first.
Through the window of the departing carriage, Olivia looked at Sobel, Hannah, Bethanny, and the employees of Grand Duchess Vikander's residence.
Edwin took in the regretful eyes that looked at each person one by one and whispered sweetly.
“The breakup will be short. It's because My Lady's eyes are so bright."
“... Just. I was impressed by what His Highness said.”
At that moment, the corners of Edwin’s lips trembled. But Olivia didn't even notice Edwin's stiff expression, and she nodded her head slowly.
Olivia fully understood that all his affection was where he swept, wiped, and placed his eyes. So when she heard that they were blowing up the Prince's residence, she thought that Sobel's slow steps, dripping with regret, would last for quite some time.
“If you’re Muller’s son, you should go back to your place now.”
However, the moment the predecessor tapped Sobel's shoulder and spoke, Sobel's slumped shoulders straightened.
“But Vikander’s butler...”
“I guess you forgot. Bethanny is Vikander’s sorceress and is now Olivia’s personal maid.”
Bethanny smiled brightly at those words and nodded her head. Her face looked happy as she held onto the position she had been unable to properly stand in due to her significantly reduced magical power.
“Your Highness is right. Since the position of guarding the Grand Duke's residence is important, I just guarded the position that you took, Sobel. Now we have to get back to our original position!”
"Yes. Now Vikander’s butler, Sobel, should sit in the position of chief butler.”
***
Maybe it's possible to say something like that so nicely.
“Is it all about age? Or is it really that His Highness was such a wise person?”
Olivia looked at Edwin with a slightly depressed heart. Then she quickly tilted her head. His face was smiling sweetly as always, but the corners of his beautiful eyes were dark as if something was uncomfortable.
“...Are you uncomfortable?”
“Does it look like that?”
The voice was also unusual. Olivia studied Edwin's face with her worried eyes. Edwin burst into laughter at the attention paid only to me.
“Look at this. It's so easy for me. Just looking at it this nicely makes me smile. Really."
“Are there any other problems besides that?”
Because he liked her sweet smile, Edwin leaned his body against her as if he were trying to protect her.
“Why not? My Lady will soon become the lord of twelve fiefdoms. This is a big deal. Every day My Lady... Because you became rich.”
The words I swallowed in silence were because she was getting busier day by day. HIS Young Lady, who already pays kind attention to everyone, has twelve territories running around like a hump. Edwin swallowed his sigh.
But unfortunately, at this moment, Edwin's cruel expression seemed very cute in Olivia's eyes.
She looked at the pretty red eyes in the droopy ones, so much so that she wanted to tease him more and pamper him even more.
So Olivia lowered her voice mischievously.
“It’s a big deal. I was already wealthy.”
“That’s right. I know. Vikander’s numerous mines all belong to Olivia.”
“Not that one. My magic stone mine.”
For a moment, Edwin's eyes widened. It was the first time that Olivia, who said she would give him all the mining documents, made it clear that she owned something like this.
While Edwin's face was turning white by the minute due to her clear attitude as if she were drawing a line, Olivia burst out in laughter as if she couldn't bear it anymore, and she pinched Edwin's nose so that it wouldn't hurt.
Oh my God, if I had known I would see such a confused face, I would have made fun of him a long time ago.
I said cheerfully in my voice full of laughter.
“It’s a joke. Edwin, please do not tell His Highness that I'm handing over all the mines until we're married.”
“... I also talked about things like that with my father. I guess we’ve become really close?”
"Yes!"
Looking at me narrowing my eyes as if I was amused, Edwin felt a headache for a moment.
The growing number of territories outside was not a problem.
Edwin clicked his tongue softly and asked with fake kindness.
“...When did you become so close to my father, Olivia?”
I chuckled, unaware of his eyes shining brightly as if spying on me.
When did we become so close?
“It’s a joke. Edwin, please do not tell His Highness that I'm handing over all the mines until we're married.”
“... I also talked about things like that with my father. I guess we’ve become really close?”
"Yes!"
Looking at me narrowing my eyes as if I was amused, Edwin felt a headache for a moment.
The growing number of territories outside was not a problem.
Edwin clicked his tongue softly and asked with fake kindness.
“...When did you become so close to my father, Olivia?”
I chuckled, unaware of his eyes shining brightly as if spying on me.
When did we become so close?
That's it...
A loud wave rang through my thoughts, which she couldn't really guess at the moment.
“At first, he was upset that his hair was gray and that he was different from Edwin. He looks like you, so I thought maybe this was meant to be.”
My nose became moist. I smiled brightly and looked at Edwin.
"Anyway. Edwin has become much wealthier. You're the King of Vikander, whose territory has increased by twenty at once.”
King...
I cleared my throat loudly as the status as an independent nation was clearly felt. Then what will I become?
I shrugged my shoulders once before I vaguely lost myself in my grand thoughts. And I hastened to add my words.
“If you get too busy. Please tell me. I don’t know if I can help, but I will definitely help, even if it means I have the ability.”
At that moment, the corners of Edwin's mouth gently rose. A look turned over the red pupils in the gently curved eyes.
“Well, that’s a good idea.”
Like the spring sunlight, my lips curled up brightly at his sweet praise.
I shrugged my shoulders once before I vaguely lost myself in my grand thoughts. And I hastened to add my words.
“If you get too busy. Please tell me. I don’t know if I can help, but I will definitely help, even if it means I have the ability.”
At that moment, the corners of Edwin's mouth gently rose. A look turned over the red pupils in the gently curved eyes.
“Well, that’s a good idea.”
Like the spring sunlight, my lips curled up brightly at his sweet praise.
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