It wasn't until the next afternoon that I was able to leave the bedroom.
Because the marks left by Kishian all night remained all over my body, I had to wear a dress that covered my body thoroughly before going out.
In particular, the nape of the neck was covered with a scarf that was not normally worn.
My white skin was covered in pus-filled lips, and if I hadn't hidden it, everyone's eyes would have widened.
After thoroughly preparing, I went to the room where Letie was staying.
Letie, who saw me, came running towards me with her eyes wide open in surprise.
"Sister!"
I closed and locked the door to prevent people from eavesdropping on our conversation.
In the meantime, Letie opened her mouth urgently.
"Why did you suddenly leave yesterday? I was worried that you might be feeling unwell. Or maybe was it because I said something useless?"
Letie's face darkened with embarrassment as she remained silent without responding.
"If that's the case. I'm truly sorry. I just suggested it to make the hunting competition a little more fun..."
"..."
"Come to think of it, it might have been unpleasant for you. If the Grand Duke had given the game to me instead of you, it would have been a loss for your reputation..."
"It's okay."
Letie's urgent apology was cut off with those words.
Letie seemed a little surprised at that.
I guess she expected me to get angry...
Since it was something that didn't require me to show my anger, I continued speaking in a quiet voice.
"I discussed it with him yesterday. About the hunting competition."
"Yes?"
"I've decided to do as you suggested. The winner of the hunting contest will receive the trophy from the one who catches the eye the most."
Of course, no one will know who it is, and who it is me.
I added to Letie, who was still listening to my story with a puzzled look on her face.
"We both wear the same clothes, look the same, and watch to see who the winner is."
"...Are you really okay with it? If you're forcing yourself to do it for me, then you don't have to. I also regret saying something unnecessary yesterday because I got a little excited."
"It's not because of you. I was just wondering who would get the trophy."
Even in hunting competitions hosted by the imperial family, there were often cases where the winner would bring a game to the Princess as an offering.
Each time, it was always Letie who received it as a gift.
It was only natural that the more beautiful and radiant Princess would monopolize the gifts.
I used to pretend like nothing happened, like I wasn't miserable, and congratulate Letie as I watched the gifts pile up in front of her. But...
"The strong candidate to win this competition said so. Even if he goes blind, there's no way I won't be recognized."
"..."
"So I'll be sure to check it out on the day of the competition."
This time, the results might be a little different from the past.
No, it was definitely going to be like that.
Even though I only heard Kishian's one word asking me to believe, I was somehow able to have such confidence.
***
While Elona was talking with Letie about the hunting competition.
Kishian was also waiting for a while to share some stories.
The person he had been waiting for came into the office after knocking a couple of times.
"Did you call?"
Hearing the firm and straight voice that seemed as if not even a needle could penetrate it, Kishian nodded and welcomed the visitor.
The silver-haired visitor, Walter, slowly approached and stood in front of Kishian.
Kishian quietly looked at his former colleague and subordinate, Walter.
Walter.
Although he was born a commoner, he possessed outstanding physical abilities and judgment and was personally appointed by Kishian as his deputy commander during the monster subjugation campaign.
Walter, who had been fighting back to back with Kishian and had crossed the line between life and death, did not leave even after the expedition was over and followed Kishian.
They say that there he is only one person he respects and serves Kishian.
So, Kishian slowly began to speak to Walter, who was now the commander of the private soldiers of the Lennon family.
"I was attacked. And that too the day after my wedding."
Walter's blue eyes sparkled with anticipation.
"Is it the Emperor's doing?"
"Yes. They said he was sent by the Emperor."
Emperor. It was just after he heard those words.
Cracks began to appear in Walter's expressionless face.
As his expressionless face, which had been as calm as if it had no emotions, collapsed, clear anger soon appeared on his face.
"What should I do? If Your Highness so orders, I will lead the army right now-"
"No, that won't do. The Grand Duchess doesn't want things to get out of hand."
Walter, who seemed ready to immediately run to the palace with his sword in hand, stopped for a moment.
"Grand Duchess. Are you speaking of the Princess?"
"She was a Princess. Now she is a Grand Duchess."
After Kishian corrected him, he added.
"Of course, I want to cut off the Emperor's head, and so do I. I swear there was never a moment when I wanted to keep that bastard alive."
Kishian slowly got up from his seat and looked out the window.
The back of the Grand Duchess, who was walking in the garden at that moment, was visible.
"But let's put that on hold for now."
"...Then why did you call me?"
"I would like to entrust you with an escort."
Walter asked quietly, unable to hide his puzzled expression.
"Is it okay for me to escort Your Highness?"
"Do you think I will need an escort?"
Kishian smiled faintly as if he had heard a joke, and then brought up the main point clearly.
"Guard the Grand Duchess. This time, it wasn't me who was attacked. Someone sent by the Emperor injured the Grand Duchess. To prevent something like that from happening again, I'm assigning you to guard the Grand Duchess."
Walter's answers have never been delayed in this time.
The moment Kishian's order was given, Walter always answered with out a moment's hesitation.
I will follow your orders.
Even if Kishian had ordered him to jump into the fire, he would have responded without hesitation.
If it was a commander he respected, there must have been a reason why he gave that order.
But now...
"...May I ask why?"
He did not respond that he would follow orders.
After a long pause, Walter finally spoke up.
"Why do I have to escort the Grand Duchess?"
"...What does that mean?"
"Didn't you say that someone sent by the Emperor attacked?"
So? Walter barely managed to spit out the words that were on the tip of his tongue as he looked at Kishian, who was looking at him as if asking, "So?"
"The Grand Duchess is the Emperor's daughter. After all, aren't they of the same blood? Is there any need to protect her..."
"Walter."
The moment his name was called in that quiet voice, Walter knew something was wrong.
But there was no time to respond.
When Walter came to, the cold blade of the sword that Kishian had drawn was already aimed close to the nape of his neck.
Walter stared at his superior with a puzzled expression.
"Your Highness?"
"Do not insult the Grand Duchess."
"..."
"Now that we've had the wedding, she's definitely a member of the Grand Duke's family. Regardless of her bloodline or her past, she's already my wife."
Walter couldn't answer.
As one of Kishian's closest associates, he knew all about the hardships Kishian had endured.
Even the pain he suffered after his superior, who trusted the Grand Duke, was betrayed.
During the confusion, Kishian's voice penetrated his heart coldly.
"What usually happens when you disobey orders?"
"...It is death."
"Then I guess you know what to say now."
The cool, sharp sword came closer to Walter's nape.
Walter could tell because the cold was so chilling that it chilled him to his bones.
If he gives the wrong answer here and now, he will definitely face bad consequences.
"Understood. I will do my best to escort the Grand Duchess."
"Yes. Starting tomorrow, stay by the Grand Duchess's side and protect her from all threats."
After finishing what he had to say, Kishian sat back down and began to focus on his work.
It was a silent order to leave, telling the guests that their business was finished.
Walter also nodded silently instead of opening his mouth and left the office.
Only after he came out into the empty hallway did a mixture of confusion and cold anger appear on his face.
'Have you already fallen for that woman's trick?'
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