"I'm not sure if the tea will suit your taste."
Sipping from a steaming teacup, Noah spoke, glancing slightly at Fenrir.
"Since you visited so suddenly, I didn't really have time to prepare anything. I would appreciate your understanding."
"I am not the type to enjoy tea, so I don't really know the taste."
Should I have offered something like alcohol instead? Noah wore a slightly nervous expression.
"But I know one thing for sure. The tea you served me is the finest I have ever drunk."
"..."
"With my taste becoming this high, I won't even be able to get a cup of tea anywhere else."
"Ah, I'm glad to hear you liked it."
Only then did Noah relax his stiff, tense face.
In fact, Noah was not at all the type to excessively flatter other nobles or to step forward and bow his head.
You can tell just by looking at the fact that he wore a cold expression not long ago when he was vying for power with Attar and Presepe in the garden, even though his opponent was a Prince.
It was partly because he knew that Attar was an insignificant Prince.
To be honest, Noah was close to being a typical empty-headed nobleman. Ignoring his subordinates was a daily routine, and wielding power and wealth was one of his favorite hobbies.
Nevertheless, the reason Noah was so wary of Fenrir was...
"It is an honor to have you come here. Actually, I’ve heard quite a few things about the Grand Duke."
"I am curious what you have heard. The stories about me are always of poor quality."
"Ah, that is not what I meant..."
"It doesn't really matter. Just because a rumor is of poor quality doesn't mean it isn't true. So, what did you hear?"
"Yes?"
"A murderous demon who wields a sword indiscriminately?"
"..."
"Or a madman who beheads nobles and royalty without hesitation."
...It was because he was afraid of the man named Fenrir himself.
"Well, if you think about it, they are both of the same nature."
"I didn't mean to say such things, Grand Duke."
Noah muttered, sweating coldly and making an excuse.
"I have simply heard many good things about you. I heard that your martial skills are extraordinary, and that His Majesty the Emperor trusts you greatly."
It was not a lie. Fenrir was indeed Dietrich's closest confidant. He was also the one who played a pivotal role in Dietrich seizing the imperial throne.
His martial arts skills will likely look impressive.
Fenrir smirked and parted his lips.
"For a commoner begging on the streets to rise above all the nobles and attain the status of Grand Duke, it would take extraordinary skill to achieve such a feat."
"..."
“Isn’t that right?”
"Th-that means... the Grand Duke's martial arts skills are so outstanding... I suppose."
Fenrir did not answer. He simply stared at Noah with a mocking look.
Those red eyes sent shivers down his spine so much that he wanted to jump up and run away right then and there, but Noah struggled with all his might to endure it.
"As you may know, the reason I have visited is to ask about what happened to me once Prince Attar passes away."
"Ah. Yes, please feel free to ask."
Given the circumstances, the best option was simply to quickly answer the question and end the conversation. So, Noah looked at Fenrir with the most friendly expression he could muster.
"I heard that while you were exchanging greetings with Lady Presepe, Prince Attar drove you away."
"Yes. I told His Majesty the same on the day of the banquet. After all, I was one of the last people to see Prince Attar."
Noah continued speaking urgently.
"But that was all. Since I returned to the banquet hall just as I was, I do not know what happened afterward. If anyone knows, it would be Lady Presepe, not me."
"..."
"Of course, I have also mentioned this to His Majesty, but..."
Fenrir looked at Noah, who was using Presepe as a shield, with an extremely cold expression.
"I already know that. But I visited hoping to hear a more detailed story."
"Yes. I suppose so. I understand."
"It seems there is nothing more to hear. Since you say you know nothing."
“I’m sorry, but that’s true.”
Noah chattered away, putting on the most apologetic expression he could.
"However, there was something a little strange. I'm not sure if I should mention this, but..."
"But?"
"It seemed that Prince Attar and Lady Presepe were acquainted. He mentioned that he had a prior engagement with Lady Presepe. Lady Presepe also did not show any signs of refusal."
"It is just my opinion, but I suspect that something might have happened between the two of you. Of course, what happens between a man and a woman is something only they know, so I can only speculate."
"...So you are saying that Lady Presepe is involved in Prince Attar's death?
Noah, who had been chattering away endlessly, belatedly realized that the red eyes glaring at him were shining even more vividly than before.
"No... no. I merely told you what happened."
"..."
"Well, it must be the assassin's. I am truly relieved that Lady Presepe was not hurt."
Disgusting bastard.
Fenrir struggled to hold back the curses that threatened to burst out from between his lips at any moment. Then, loosening his stiff jaw as much as possible, he pressed his lips together.
"My official business is now finished. Your sincere answers were of great help."
"In that case, it's a relief..."
"However, I heard that the Duke has a great desire to collect."
"Yes?"
"I heard that you are displaying all kinds of rare taxidermied specimens and masterpieces in your townhouse."
Fenrir's gaze suddenly turned toward the hallway.
"I've also become interested in that lately, so I was looking for a friend with a keen aesthetic sense who could share the same hobby."
"If you call me a friend..."
"It is exactly as I said. As you know, sir, I have no nobles I associate with, do I?"
He was right. After all, even after assuming the position of Grand Duke, Fenrir did not engage in social activities, let alone interact with the nobility.
"However, after hearing about your hobbies, it seems like we would get along very well."
This was a very good opportunity for Noah.
The DeVern family was a family that had been loyal to the imperial family for a long time.
By the time Dietrich killed the second son, who was the next Emperor, and seized the throne, the family could have been in danger.
However, Noah, who had become the head of the household, had neither the loyalty to protect Dietrich's younger brother nor did he want to get swept up in pointless trouble. Thus, his family survived.
However, as they had not been of much help to Dietrich's ascension to the throne, the DeVern family could not secure definite power, unlike before. Noah was dissatisfied with this.
If only he hadn't had the lust for power like Attar, his life would have been comfortable; unfortunately, despite being foolish, Noah was a man who wanted to possess many things.
However, if I could become friends with Fenrir, the Emperor's closest aide...
"I was already feeling quite bored because I didn't have anyone to enjoy this hobby with."
Noah's mouth curved gracefully.
"However, since the Grand Duke reached out his hand first, I am truly grateful."
Fenrir laughed instead of answering.
His laughter was beyond sinister, but there was no way for the excited Noah to notice it.
"Since you're here to visit, shall I show you my treasures?"
Noah jumped up from his seat and said.
"There are masterpieces, of course, as well as stuffed animals, jewelry, and everything else. Among them, the most precious and beautiful are the stuffed animals."
Even without being told that, Fenrir knew it well.
Noah DeVern's twisted collecting obsession.
[I like beautiful things, Presepe.]
[Beautiful...?]
[Yeah, like you, and whenever I see beautiful things like you, I... tend to feel very intense emotions.]
...And so, in the Noah route, also how that collecting obsession ruined Presepe.
Noah confined Presepe, and not long after playing with her, he found a new toy.
Presepe, who was left with nothing but skin and bones because he was not even given food, became exhausted from loneliness, pain, and hunger, and hanged himself among stuffed animals.
That was the ending of Noah's route.
"... Since you are guiding me so kindly, shall we take a look around together?"
Fenrir slowly stood up from his seat.
Then, together with Noah, he began to walk slowly down the dark hallway.
"I am confident that there will be something to the Grand Duke's liking. There are, after all, a great many items."
"..."
"Please feel free to let me know if anything catches your eye. I would like to give you a gift to celebrate our friendship."
"Thank you for taking such good care of me..."
Fenrir's lips twisted upward in the darkness.
"I am simply grateful."
"You're welcome."
"However, since there are so many rare items, there must be many visitors as well."
"Ah. No. I do associate with a few nobles, but I do not let them in here. They do not possess the same keen aesthetic sense as Grand Duke Fenrir."
"Then are you always alone here?"
"I do have maids, but they arrive late in the morning and leave around the afternoon. I am concerned that they might touch my rare collection. Also, since I have decided to give the servants a vacation starting the day after tomorrow, it looks like I will be alone for a few days starting tomorrow afternoon."
“What about your family?”
"I have no siblings. My parents are always in their northern estate. I wonder what is so great about that quiet and barren place."
"...So, if you say that, it means there is no one who would immediately notice even if something happened to you right now."
"Yes?"
"At least until tomorrow morning."
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