B Chapter 28

6. Spark

Chakda Lambut was an old count who had spent his entire life in his territory. He wasn't particularly greedy. While other lords collected high taxes from their people to accumulate wealth, he pondered coexistence.

Count Lambut held deep affection for this territory where he had lived since his grandfather's time. Following his grandfather's wishes, he hadn't even completed the castle walls. The Empire's capital had been in turmoil with war for over ten years, but that was a distant story from his territory. It was all thanks to the Graham family.

People said the Empire was blessed to have the Grahams. Without their military power and wealth, the war would never have ended.

The count waited to grandly welcome the ceremony procession of the knight order. The people of his territory were also excited that their land was the knight order's first destination. Since the ceremony symbolized the Empire's peace, everyone was enthusiastic about preparing for the festival.

But this morning, Count Lambut received a strange letter. It came from the imperial palace. When he broke the imperial seal, he saw the name 'Duncan Graham.' The count's hand faltered. An arrogant letter bearing the imperial seal yet signed with his own name. The count was shocked anew.

'As I've heard, Duncan Graham truly presumes himself emperor.'

The count couldn't predict at all what contents might be written inside.

'Why would he send a letter to me?'

Opening the letter with curiosity, the count couldn't close his mouth at its contents.

"If you don't provide entertainment, it will be considered rebellion...?"

Entertainment—namely, grand banquets and abundant alcohol—were naturally what he planned to prepare. The content below was even more outrageous.

『Any unmarried woman who desires Imperial Knight Commander Alessandro Graham is permitted entry to his bedchamber.』

At the addendum stating 'widows also welcome,' the count's face burned with embarrassment. He couldn't read any more of the letter.

"Good grief...!"

The young nobles of Nosteros were more open-minded compared to their parents' generation. However, due to family prestige, most secretly conducted affairs between men and women by taking advantage of banquets. So when their children were hot-blooded and vigorous, parents were busy keeping them in check. The count was the same. He was the father of three daughters. Moreover, all three were still unmarried. He too was a conservative father when it came to his daughters.

'Even if it's his son, how can he issue such an order?'

It was true that the Grand Duke was a young knight in his prime and a remarkable man, but even so, as a father, this was excessive.

'Just how vigorous must he be...'

The Grand Duke was probably either an insatiable lecher who couldn't handle women, or the complete opposite. Even so, to send a letter...!

'How shameful if even rumors spread.'

The count clicked his tongue at Duncan's shameless behavior.

'Must a father be so frantically proactive?'

What the count knew about Alessandro was only rumors.

'A man who loves blood and slaughter so much he won't leave the battlefield.'

They said he joined the knight order at a young age just to kill people. Though he's now revered as the Empire's hero...

'A war demon. They said he's a truly fearsome man.'

The count's expression darkened. He had to go immediately and give his three daughters a stern warning. The count burned with a sense of mission to protect his daughters. And his daughters, unaware of their father's worries, were excited about seeing wonderful knights.

The knights entered Count Lambut's territory in unison, holding imperial flags with imposing dignity. The territorial people enthusiastically cheered for the knight order.

'My ears are ringing.'

The attendants and maids deliberately held their heads high. The coachmen couldn't hide their proud expressions.

'Does that man feel the same way?'

Chloe gazed up at the Grand Duke thoughtfully. But this time too, he was expressionless. No, he even looked somewhat displeased and in a bad mood.

'What a boring person.'

The Grand Duke seemed to find living rather uninteresting. He didn't like places where people gathered, nor did he make loud conversations.

'I've never once seen that man laugh.'

Very occasionally he conversed with close acquaintances, and during most rest periods, he quietly drank alone or read books.

'Does he have no emotions at all?'

She had never seen him laugh, cry, or get angry.

'No matter how I look at it, it's a waste of that face.'

If he smiled with that face, how comfortable would it be for those watching? Chloe clicked her tongue inwardly when she spotted the Lambut family lined up in front of the castle. His household greeted the knight order with joyful faces. Chloe was captivated by their curly long hair. The wife and three daughters all had red hair. They were very beautiful. However, Count Lambut's expression was strangely subdued.

Finally, the Grand Duke dismounted his horse. Then Evan appeared, supported by an attendant. The count and his household simultaneously bowed their heads in courtesy as if by appointment. Evan first introduced the Grand Duke to Lambut, and Lambut greeted him.

"I am Count Chakda Lambut. It is truly an honor to welcome His Grace Grand Duke Graham, the hero who brought peace to the Empire, to my humble castle."

"The Empire's peace was achieved not just by me, but by all the knights. I gratefully accept your lordship's hospitality."

Then Lambut's face changed subtly. He quickly corrected his expression and stepped forward to introduce the castle, hoping the knight order would rest comfortably during their stay. The Grand Duke, Evan, and several high-ranking knights disappeared into the castle together.

The remaining knights and soldiers headed to the banquet hall. Today was a day to enjoy the banquet. Chloe planned to check the Grand Duke's prepared bedchamber first.

'I should see if there's anything uncomfortable.'

According to the head maid, the Grand Duke didn't like banquets. Today being the first day, he might enjoy himself thoroughly, but given that man's personality, there was a high probability he'd return to his bedchamber early.

'Who knows, though. He might stay long out of courtesy.'

The Grand Duke remained an unknowable person.

After eating dinner at the count's castle dining hall, Chloe toured the castle's storage, laundry area, and her own lodging before returning.

'Everyone must be having fun at the banquet hall.'

She didn't see a single familiar face.

'Is it that entertaining?'

She was curious, but as a slave, she couldn't enter the banquet hall.

'I should go polish his armor.'

She also had to gather laundry. Chloe headed to his prepared bedchamber.

'Wow... it's really spacious.'

The Grand Duke's bedchamber had two reception rooms attached and a large bathroom. The bed was spacious enough for several people to roll around.

'It's my first time seeing such a big bed. Does the Empire prefer large beds?'

Even Princess Elpasa's bed wasn't this large.

'Maybe because he can have multiple wives.'

Chloe looked around the vast bedchamber searching for armor. Then her eyes met directly with the Grand Duke, who was sitting on a plush sofa reading a book.

'Gasp.'

Chloe's eyes widened.

'He was so quiet I didn't even know he was there!'

This was grounds for a beating. To barge into the master's bedchamber without greeting!

"I'm, I'm sorry. I naturally assumed you'd be at the banquet hall..."

It was just when the banquet had begun.

'He didn't even enter the banquet hall at all.'

Shouldn't he at least show his face? She was worried. Of course, she should worry about herself first. The flustered woman made excuses.

"I just came to polish the armor..."

"It's over there."

The Grand Duke pointed to the armor with a brief nod, then turned his gaze back to his book. Fortunately, there was no sign of reproach at all. Chloe patted her startled chest and gathered the armor.

'From now on, definitely! Definitely! Definitely knock first!'

Alessandro glanced at her retreating figure as she made repeated resolutions, and chuckled softly.

'Footsteps intending mischief aren't that noisy.'

He was a skilled knight with developed senses. Even before the door opened, he had confirmed the maid's cheerful footsteps and humming. Her bright demeanor was curious. Usually when he was present, she moved cautiously like a mouse before a cat. But even then, she couldn't completely hide her footsteps or awkward gestures.

'I thought it was strange.'

When he wasn't watching, she apparently moved quite vigorously, humming as she went.

'If she intended to cause trouble while I was away, she wouldn't have moved around like that at least.'

Indeed, no matter how he looked at it, Chloe wasn't a maid educated in a noble's mansion. Unless she was an herb gatherer who had wandered mountains and fields.

'That has some credibility.'

Just as he chuckled at his own amusing thought, knock knock. Someone tapped the bedchamber door.

"Grand Duke Graham, are you there?"

It was a delicate woman's voice. Chloe fidgeted, sitting and standing restlessly.

'Should I go out and ask what the matter is?'

When she looked at the Grand Duke as if asking for his opinion, he gestured with his eyes for her to go check.

'He really dislikes bothersome things.'

She rose from her seat with a sour expression and opened the door. Then a pure beauty with abundant golden hair flowing to her waist showed an eye-smile as if greeting.

'Wow.'

Chloe's eyes widened, flustered by the rare beauty's appearance.

"What brings you here?"

When she belatedly asked about the purpose, the beauty glanced inside the door and asked back.

"Is His Grace inside?"

Chloe unconsciously nodded.

"Yes."

"Is he alone?"

"Yes, that's right."

The beauty said she had something to discuss with His Grace and asked her to excuse herself. Chloe, who had hesitated, fell into brief contemplation.

'Surely... he wouldn't refuse such a beautiful woman.'

What man would refuse?

'Right, even if I were a man...'

If such a beauty stood outside the door, she'd welcome her with open arms.

'I should step aside, right?'