Translator: Nox

1

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"Extra! Extra! Arch of Triumph finally approved!"

A newsboy shouted, waving a newspaper. People flocked to him like ants to sugar water. Aileen, mixed among the bustling crowd, gave the boy a coin and bought a newspaper.

The newspaper, printed on cheap paper, had a headline in large letters.

[Arch of Triumph Construction Approved by the Assembly Today… Grand Duke's True Victory]

The master of bountiful Ergette, the supreme commander of the Imperial Army, and the Emperor's only sibling. Grand Duke Cesare Traon Cal Ergette.

He was the most famous figure in the Traon Empire. Three years ago, Cesare, after a bloody struggle for the throne, personally placed his brother on the throne and was granted the title of Grand Duke.

Afterward, he immediately set out to conquer the Kingdom of Calpen, and after three years of fierce battles, he achieved an astounding victory. Upon hearing the Grand Duke's victory report, all the citizens of the Empire rushed into the streets to rejoice.

Cesare, having returned after ending the war, turned the Assembly upside down. He demanded that an Arch of Triumph be erected to commemorate his victory.

The Assembly vehemently criticized Cesare. They declared it absolutely impossible, saying it was arrogant to demand an Arch of Triumph that even the Emperor did not have.

The Assembly's desperate opposition was clear. With his unbelievable victory, Cesare's fame had already soared to the heavens. If they were to permit the construction of an Arch of Triumph on top of that, it would be tantamount to proclaiming the glory of the Imperial Family to the world. The Assembly, composed of aristocratic factions, had no intention of readily granting his request.

In response to the Assembly's opposition, Cesare set up a camp on the plains near the capital. He conveyed his intention not to enter the capital until the Assembly raised the white flag, conspicuously staying on the plains with his followers.

After months of grueling power struggles, the Assembly finally declared surrender today.

"They should have done this sooner. Still, it's fortunate that the victory celebration will be held during the Social Season."

"Indeed. I wonder which family's daughter will become the Grand Duchess."

Aileen listened to the murmuring voices of the people and pushed up her slipping glasses. Her shaggy bangs kept poking her eyes.

The Social Season was in full swing. Unmarried young ladies had to diligently attend various balls and tea parties to find a husband, but it was a story that had nothing to do with Aileen, who had not even debuted into society yet.

'I'm curious about the Grand Duchess too, but...'

There were too many things to research to indulge in such extravagant fantasies. Aileen shook her head to clear away the useless thoughts.

She tucked the newspaper under her arm and hurried on her way. In the distance, a small inn came into view. In a clean room on the second floor of the small, old inn was the laboratory Aileen used.

As she got closer to the inn, Aileen sensed an odd atmosphere. The usually lively street was quiet. It was the time of day when children would be running around, but no one was to be seen.

Carefully observing her surroundings, she noticed that the windows of every house were tightly shut. Although it was still early summer, the afternoon heat was quite intense. Everyone usually had their doors and windows wide open...

The way the windows and gates were firmly closed felt ominous. Aileen hunched her shoulders and quickened her pace. She didn't know what was going on, but she planned to run to her lab and hide.

However, Aileen's steps, which had been moving busily, gradually slowed as she approached the inn. Men in uniforms stood in front of the inn building. Shadowed under the midday sun, they were the Grand Duke's soldiers.

At the very front of the armed soldiers, she saw a familiar face. Half of the giant man's face was covered in burn scars.

"Lady Aileen."

The man gave Aileen a polite salute.

"...Sir Rohan?"

She was glad to see someone she hadn't seen in a long time, but she was so flustered by the unexpected encounter that she couldn't even speak properly. As she was hesitating, Rohan politely opened the door for her.

"His Excellency is waiting for you."

It was a gentle but firm command. Aileen was pushed into the inn without hesitation.

The inside was empty. It was supposed to be bustling with guests and filled with the smell of food. The sight of empty tables and chairs lined up with no one around was eerily as if people had disappeared in an instant. Passing through the first floor, where even the owner was nowhere to be seen, Aileen slowly climbed the wooden stairs.

The second floor was also deserted. Even without opening the closed doors, she could easily guess that they were all empty.

Walking to the last room, Aileen took a moment to catch her breath and looked down at the doorknob. The door with the smooth brass doorknob was already half-open.

Tensely, she carefully pushed the door open, revealing a chaotic space. Glass jars, books, syringes, hoses... The room was filled with all sorts of miscellaneous items piled up haphazardly.

The space that should have been familiar felt endlessly strange. It was because of the man standing in front of the window.

The man was caressing a potted plant placed on the windowsill. Poppy petals were carelessly crushed against his leather gloves.

As the man took his hand away and turned around, a few bright red petals fluttered to the floor.

He was wearing a dark navy uniform. The elegant and neatly tailored uniform showed no flaws. Only the medals and ribbons emitted a faint light as they caught the sunlight.

Beneath the black hair that seemed to absorb even the scorching sun, eyes as red as poppies stared directly at Aileen.

Eyes that were praised as clean and noble rubies, and at the same time, cursed as a symbol of ill omen filled with blood.

"Aileen Elrod."

A pleasant baritone voice called her name. Aileen belatedly inhaled the breath she had unknowingly been holding.

"G-Grand Duke."

Her heart raced at the sudden reunion. She swallowed hard and opened her mouth.

"U-um, I, I congratulate you on your victory."

Cesare chuckled at her stammering words. It was a laugh as if he hadn't expected to hear such words as a first greeting. Aileen also thought it was a very pathetic greeting. So, she hesitated and added a word.

"I thought you would be preparing for the victory celebration."

Now that the Arch of Triumph had been approved, he should be preparing for the belated victory celebration from now on. She couldn't understand why he had come all the way to a shabby inn when he should be incredibly busy.

Of course, he was quite fond of Aileen. But it was only because she was the daughter of his deceased nanny that he showed her favor. In the midst of the upheaval of having the Arch of Triumph approved, their relationship was definitely not one that would make him drop everything and rush over.

Aileen waited for an explanation, carefully watching his expression. However, Cesare simply stared at Aileen. His gaze lingered for an incomprehensible amount of time.

Just as Aileen, unable to bear the silence, was about to open her mouth again, he suddenly approached Aileen with a twisted smile.

The sound of his military boots stomping on the old wooden floor was clear. The closer he got, the more she felt his physique.

A tall figure that was significantly taller than most men, broad shoulders, and a firmly muscled body. He was a man with a beautiful appearance that was often compared to a god in mythology.

However, Aileen knew well how cruel and terrifying Cesare was. Even now, she could smell the distinct scent of blood and gunpowder from him.

As the man stood right in front of her, a strange tension ran down her spine. Just as Aileen lowered her gaze, feeling as if her breath was being choked, he suddenly spoke.

"You were making drugs."

"...Pardon?"

Aileen's head shot up at the sudden words. Cesare, holding Aileen's gaze, continued languidly.

"Morpheus, I mean, Aileen."

Aileen's eyes, hidden behind her glasses and bangs, widened.

"Ah, that's, it can be used as a painkiller...!"

"So?"

Aileen's lips immediately shut at the short question. Morpheus was a powerful painkiller, but its raw material was opium. As the raw material was a drug, it was highly addictive.

After the late Emperor died of drug addiction, the Traon Empire executed anyone who manufactured or distributed drugs.

Cesare, the supreme commander of the Imperial Army, had the right to execute summarily. Even if he shot Aileen in the head with a gun right here, there would be no problem.

All sorts of excuses swirled in Aileen's head. She wanted to help the Empire, it would definitely be a great help to His Excellency's soldiers who were seriously injured in the war...

But Aileen, who was terrified, couldn't say anything properly. She was just trembling, afraid that he would point a gun at her at any moment.

Seeing her pale face, Cesare sighed lightly. He cupped Aileen's cheek. He muttered, stroking her pale cheek.

"Oops, I didn't mean to scare you."

He spoke as if he had very much wanted to scare her, then swept Aileen's bangs back. He then took off her crooked glasses and placed them on his own face.

There was a strange feeling when the round glasses were placed on Cesare. Cesare smiled, pressing the frame of the glasses with his finger.

"Listen, Aileen."

Her vision, now clear without glasses or bangs, felt unfamiliar. Aileen looked at Cesare with trembling eyes.

"I happen to need a Grand Duchess."

Standing before Aileen, whose breath had become small with tension, Cesare slowly lowered his head. Silky, fine black hair fell towards Aileen.

"Shall we get married?"