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I didn’t expect any kind words, but I hadn’t anticipated such decisiveness. And that expression he just made—full of irritation—somehow made Elam’s feelings toward the Marquis of Ebon feel surprisingly concrete.
Even though he behaves almost like a stranger, is it because he’s still ‘my father’? Or is there some other reason?
I was very curious where that single judgment came from, but my growling stomach reminded me I couldn’t keep him here any longer.
“Let’s talk about it later.”
“Understood. Please wait a moment.”
He bowed neatly and closed the door silently. I watched him go, feeling a pang of regret, then turned to Lucius.
“What do you think about what he just said?”
“Are you asking what kind of person the Marquis of Ebon is? I think he was very appropriate. He has a good eye for people.”
“So, you think the same way? That the Marquis of Ebon is an irritating person who thinks too much?”
“Yes.”
I stared at him, struck by the simplicity and clarity of his answer. Among all the people I’ve met so far, Ebon was only the second person Lucius openly expressed dislike for. The first was his wife, the Marchioness of Ebon. Funny how both husband and wife share that trait.
“That must mean neither of them are particularly good people,” I thought.
Considering how sensitive Lucius is about character, I could understand. Remembering how the Marchioness had caused a scene at the restaurant before, and the Marquis’s earlier behavior and tone, I couldn’t help but agree with Lucius’s judgment.
What felt slightly off, though, was how particularly sensitive he was about these two among all the people he had given poor evaluations to.
“Seems like he’s had some serious unpleasant encounters with them. Or maybe their behavior simply rubbed him the wrong way.”
The Marchioness was predictable. She frequented the restaurant here, so Lucius must have seen her tantrums often and heard her reputation in society.
As for the Marquis, he might have crossed paths with Lucius at the Imperial Palace. Given their opposing factions, they likely didn’t collide much, but considering how cordial he had been with Lucius earlier, he must have attempted some conversation even over trivial matters.
“He talked endlessly about his affairs even when I stayed quiet. Maybe he stuck to Lucius persistently, which annoyed him.”
Judging from his brazen behavior earlier, he had probably acted similarly before. Even though Lucius treated nobles fairly regardless of faction, the Marquis was a noble of the Emperor’s faction. Despite the stark opposition between the noble and imperial factions, he had shown such friendly behavior.
“What is his ultimate goal, I wonder?”
Judging from appearances, it might be to seize the highest power within the Emperor’s faction, but the final goal could be something else. He was a character in the original story who, though appearing late as a villain, kept his desires carefully hidden.
“Perhaps Lucius noticed something,” I thought, seeing his unusual reaction toward the Marquis.
For future reference, it was necessary to know exactly what Lucius thought about the Marquis of Ebon.
Before the food arrived, I sipped some water and began the conversation.
“Before I hear Elam’s story, I want to hear from you first. How exactly is the Marquis of Ebon annoying?”
“Hmm… I see. If I’m to explain in detail, our first meeting was several years ago. I met him as a prince before I became a duke.”
“Oh, really?”
“Yes. The Marquis of Ebon runs businesses but also works in the Imperial Treasury. He is second-in-command after Duke Wiltman, the head of the Treasury.”
“I see. That fits him, I suppose.”
Not only in business but also in the palace, he handled financial affairs. He clearly loved money—or perhaps just power.
“He works diligently as well. Maybe because of his business experience, he handles financial matters carefully. But he is quite greedy.”
“What kind of greed?”
“Ambition… I’d say greed for position and power. While he desires wealth in business, his thirst for authority is considerable. Even when I was a prince, he always coveted the position of head of the Treasury.”
“I see. I knew he was ambitious, but aiming for the head of the Treasury too? Not an ordinary person.”
“Fortunately, Duke Wiltman has held the position firmly, so there’s no immediate concern. But with the recent changes in the Emperor’s faction, one can’t be sure what will happen next.”
“Ah, right. Now that the Marquis’s influence has grown, Duke Wiltman could feel pressured.”
Even a secured position could be affected by political currents. Perhaps the Marquis calculated even this when gathering neutral nobles under his influence.
“What a greedy man.”
Managing businesses alone wasn’t enough—he also had Treasury responsibilities. It was as if he had some unresolved obsession with money.
“Still, Duke Wiltman should be fine. He’s very experienced, having served as head of the Treasury since the former Emperor. Many nobles support him, regardless of faction. I respect him as well.”
“You, too? Then I don’t need to worry if he’s someone you respect.”
If Lucius respected him, he must have had widespread influence. Duke Wiltman… the name seemed familiar. He had been the only imperial faction noble to approve of Rael and Angelica’s marriage in the original story. Yes, it must have been Duke Wiltman.
An elderly man of seventy with white hair, he appeared healthier and younger than his age suggested. Notably, he had no sons, and the successor was a knight he had trained as a disciple.
A longtime friend of the former Emperor and a significant support to Rael, he treated Angelica almost like his granddaughter.
“Their marriage succeeded because of his backing, which swayed the hearts of the Emperor’s faction nobles.”
I had forgotten him since I’d never met him. Outside of work, he rarely participated in social activities and led a quiet life, so I had never heard much about him after my possession.
“I’d like to meet him, too, if possible.”
“If the opportunity arises, we can go together. But he rarely leaves his mansion except for work, making it hard to meet him. Surprisingly, he enjoys physical activity and is skilled in swordsmanship, but he always stays in the mansion.”
“Oh, then he might find being stuck at home frustrating.”
“Not at all. Instead, he trains his disciples, molding them into knights, which keeps him satisfied.”
“I see… he really is remarkable.”
In multiple ways. Head of the Treasury yet training knights? If he can train them as full-fledged knights, he must be highly skilled. Shouldn’t he lead the knight order instead of the Treasury?
“The original author’s setting… perhaps they misplaced talent. I get that the contrast is intentional for narrative interest, but I wish it had been elaborated more.”
Imagining seventy-year-old Duke Wiltman in knight armor seemed fitting—a stately, languid tiger vibe. Some readers would certainly appreciate the dignified charm of an older man.
“Tiana? What’s the matter?”
I twitched my lips, barely holding back a laugh, and Lucius looked at me curiously.
“Nothing, just a little itch on my lips.”
“……Here?”
“…!”
He reached out and gently pressed the tip of my lips I’d been touching. Slowly, his finger moved to the center of my lips.
Softly brushing, his finger pressed the fullest part of my lips, and I couldn’t help but part them.
“Tiana…”
“…Ah…”
His finger slipped between my lips, and the atmosphere between us shifted instantly.
“How did it come to this?”
I hadn’t expected such a development when I’d briefly diverted the conversation. What should I do?
“I never imagined he’d touch my lips just because I said they were itchy.”
His finger parted my lips, and I didn’t know what to do with the heat in his eyes. As I hesitated, I saw his face slowly leaning closer. Was he going to kiss me?
“But why doesn’t he remove his finger?”
He seemed to enjoy the feel of my lips. Seeing him draw near without withdrawing made me smile—there was a wolfish side to him.
I wanted to close my eyes and receive his kiss, but unfortunately, that was impossible. We were still in a public area, and judging by the clock, Elam would bring the food soon. So I had to postpone this pleasure.
I braced myself and prepared to speak as he drew closer.
“But first… a little revenge.”
I bit his finger gently, a small act of retaliation for the embarrassment he caused me.
“…! Tiana…”
Startled, he looked at me in surprise. I released his finger and stepped back slightly, smiling at him.
“Lucius. We’ll continue this at the mansion.”
“….”
His expression stiffened, and his golden eyes revealed a mix of astonishment and lingering heat.
