Chapter 20
19
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However, the soldiers couldn't dare to approach Joseph.
It was as if the unique venom and murderous intent of someone who had fought death every day were overflowing from Joseph's entire body. Even a light glance made them weak in the knees.
"I'm taking the documents His Excellency ordered. Are you going to stop me?"
Joseph slowly chewed on his words and looked back.
"Yes? Marquis Linko?"
"……."
There was not a shred of courtesy in his beastly, fierce eyes. Joseph glared at the Marquis, then suddenly grinned and disappeared leisurely.
The place he left behind was like a devastated field. Starting with someone's sigh, the officials' resentment poured out. They lamented as they salvaged the ruined documents.
"This doesn't look like they were trying to find the documents!"
"They deliberately overturned everything, trying to make us suffer!"
"You crazy bastard!"
The Marquis, caught off guard, could only grind his teeth, and the Marchioness beside him shook her head slightly.
"The Duke has postponed his negotiation with you."
"He only learned shallow tricks from somewhere!"
"It can't be helped. I'll take the initiative to find out more about the Duke."
"You? How?"
The Marchioness patted her husband's arm as if to tell him not to worry, then turned gracefully. Then, as she left the office door, she ordered the maid.
"Go and bring Flora here."
＊ ＊ ＊
When Joseph arrived at the Duke's bedroom, Walter was reading a book on the sofa. Instead of the blood-stained armor he always wore, he was dressed in a suit, and the thing in his long hand was not a blood-stained sword. But he exuded the presence and dignity of an owner.
Joseph thought he wanted to show this appearance to the Marquis, who only screamed, and respectfully reported.
"I have brought the documents you requested, Your Excellency."
Walter put down the book he was reading and reached out his hand. Joseph quickly handed him the documents, and Walter leaned back on the sofa and quickly scanned them.
Joseph glanced at the book Walter was reading. The book, worn out to the point of being frayed, had no title. He always read books without titles.
Contrary to the Marquis's expectations that he wouldn't even be able to grasp one document properly, Walter's expression was very cold as he finished reading the documents in the blink of an eye.
"Good work, Joseph."
Joseph blinked silently and then asked cautiously.
"Weren't you originally… planning to move as soon as you arrived?"
"……."
"To strike before they prepare and respond……."
"Joseph."
"Yes, Your Excellency."
Walter stared at him intently and asked bluntly.
"If they prepare, are you not confident?"
At his master's calm question, Joseph burst out laughing without realizing it. He hung the smile on his lips for a moment, then straightened up and answered quietly.
"No, I am."
Walter seemed pleased with the answer and leaned back on the sofa, opening his mouth.
"For the past ten years, they will think I have only wasted time. But during that time, I gained you."
"Yes."
"Wait a little longer. You've waited ten years, can't you wait a few more days?"
"Understood."
Joseph, answering like a disciplined recruit, took a few steps back and instinctively scanned his surroundings. But Grace's presence was not felt at all. Joseph hesitated for a moment and then asked slyly.
"Is the young lady moving?"
Walter did not answer the question. But Joseph saw the corners of his lips rise and fall for a moment.
Joseph pretended not to see and suppressed his laughter. Although it hadn't been long since he met the young lady, he felt a sense of reassurance in one corner of his heart when he heard that Grace was moving.
It was then.
A maid appeared with a knock and announced the visit of an unexpected, and unwelcome, guest.
"Your Excellency, Marquise Lincot and Miss Flora of the Count Lewen family request an audience."
＊ ＊ ＊
A large pink rose.
That was Joseph's impression of Flora. In fact, the dress she wore had clumps reminiscent of flowers attached to it in various places.
Flora sat with her hands clasped demurely, looking at Walter slyly as if shy. Seen from the front, he was much more handsome. It was the first time she felt overwhelmed by a man she dared not look at properly.
She had heard that the appearance of knights was no different from that of working commoners, but Walter was like a delicate sculpture made by a master craftsman. An angular yet sharp jawline, a delicate nose as if carved hundreds of times with a sharp knife, deep eyes, and thick eyebrows. He was truly like the most ideal sculpture that met the standards of beauty.
But from that perfect sculpture, she felt an indescribable wildness. It was a feeling she could never feel from men who only hardened their expressions to look strong.
Her heart was pounding.
Flora slightly bit her lower jaw and raised her eyes. This time, she prayed that her eyes would meet his, and sure enough!
Her eyes met his!
Flora quickly lowered her eyes as if surprised and bit her lower lip slightly. Her nerves were keenly on edge.
He is looking at me.
A tingling sensation spread throughout Flora's body.
'It's done!'
She felt like they were communicating with each other. This feeling would not be hers alone. As Flora blushed and lowered her head, the Marchioness looked at her and said.
"Your Excellency. This child is Flora, the precious daughter of Count Lewen, a loyal subject of Richmond. She is a child I cherish like my own daughter. Her nature is as beautiful as her appearance. She has cultivated her refinement without neglecting anything, be it embroidery, musical instruments, or painting."
"...Marchioness, I am ashamed."
Flora said softly, and the Marchioness covered her mouth with her hand and laughed.
"You are always humble, Flora."
The Marchioness turned her gaze to Walter, who was leaning halfway on the sofa. For a moment, the smile on her face froze slightly.
She had thought he would be like a thunderbolt, having grown up among knights, but Walter exuded… a special atmosphere.
His sitting posture was perfect without fault. But he did not wear a social smile, nor did he greet her first. He was just watching quietly.
She felt a strange sense of déjà vu, and for the first time, he opened his mouth.
"So, what brings you to me?"
At the low voice, the Marchioness swallowed involuntarily. After choosing her words for a moment, she finally chose the direct approach.
"Your Excellency, there are rumors circulating among the servants of the Inner Palace. About the person who is using the Chandelier Room."
Walter urged her to continue with his silence. The Marchioness felt a nagging feeling that she was being cornered and continued.
"Who is that person?"
Flora quickly raised her eyes. Only looking at Walter's lips, a slow answer followed.
"Grace, my lover."
"……."
"……."
The Marchioness and Flora blinked slowly and then glanced at each other slyly.
Grace.
That was all.
Flora bit her lip because she felt like she would burst out laughing without realizing it. Meanwhile, the Marchioness, who had skillfully managed her expression, said.
"Um… I am sorry to say this, but you must not open the Chandelier Room for personal reasons. Furthermore, those who stay by Your Excellency's side must be strictly verified."
Walter slowly raised his eyes.
A coolness slowly crept in like a spreading mist. A chill ran across her face like electricity. The Marchioness realized what Walter's attitude, which had felt strange all along, resembled.
"Marchioness, what is my name?"
"……Yes?"
"Don't make me ask twice, answer at once. What is my name?"
"You are Duke Walter Richmond, Your Excellency."
"Then what is the name of this historic castle that you so admire?"
"Richmond Duke's Castle."
After hearing the answer, Walter slowly stroked his chin with his finger and asked.
"In this Richmond Duke's Castle, is there a room that I have to get permission to open?"
The Marchioness realized in an instant. His attitude was,
"And everyone I keep by my side is someone I have verified. Who is going to re-verify the person I have verified? Marchioness, is it you?"
It was like royalty.
'No!! He can't be royalty.'
The Marchioness clenched her fist tightly to push down her intuition.
'Don't back down. The Duke is bluffing.'
She glared.
"I apologize if I have offended you. But the Duchess is a title. If Your Excellency is to be respected by your vassals, then the Duchess must be respected by the noble ladies and servants of the Inner Palace."
"……."
"If the Duchess cannot take control of the Inner Palace, it will greatly damage Your Excellency's honor. The woman who suits Your Excellency best in this Richmond is probably Flora here."
Walter, who had been listening to the words quietly, suddenly pulled his lips and smiled. Then he turned his head towards Flora, who kept glancing at him.
Flora was lost in Walter's gaze, which was staring at her intently. The Marchioness also rejoiced inwardly as the time she spent looking at Flora grew longer.
