CDTD 34

Chapter 34

“That was truly a cowardly move, Ludice-sama.”

Phil Evans expressed genuine admiration. Clapping his hands and nodding enthusiastically, Ludice scoffed at his reaction.

“Cowardly? Call it a strategy.”

“Are you serious… No, I see you’re right.”

Where on earth does that confidence come from?

Phil shook his head.

‘Has she always been like this? Or has her personality changed?’

Phil recalled the day Ludice first arrived at the D’Fania duke’s household.

Her first impression was cold. Unlike her fiery red hair, her face held a chilling coolness as she surveyed the duke’s mansion.

Soon after, she left with the duke to the battlefield, so Phil didn’t have much time to observe her.

He thought Ludice would never truly love D’Fania in her lifetime. Since she was going to leave soon, he didn’t even hold her in reverence, believing her loyalty lay solely with Duke Quinlan D’Fania.

But now, she had changed.

‘…Was it from that moment?’

When he rushed to the battlefield asking Ludice for reinforcements.

Her inscrutable expression shifted as she listened to his story.

After staring blankly in shock, she suddenly regained composure. Without hesitation, she requested the knights and headed to the battlefield.

Since saving the duke that day, she always tried to stay by her lord’s side, actively assisting him as his aide.

Though brief, Phil could truly feel that Ludice D’Fania had become a genuine person of D’Fania.

If she sincerely cared for the duke, Phil would serve her with all his heart.

‘Anyway, it’s a good thing.’

It was best if their lords were united and close.

However, Phil couldn’t understand why the duke wanted to leave his wife behind in the capital and go to his territory.

“Why does the duke want Ludice-sama to stay? It’s going to end up like this anyway.”

Clicking his tongue softly, Ludice gave a sharp smile.

“Exactly. I’m going to follow him anyway.”

“Of course. If you leave Ludice-sama behind, you’ll be cursed.”

“What?”

Flames sparked in Ludice’s eyes, and Phil quickly changed the subject.

“So, have you calmed down a bit?”

Though Phil’s intentions were obvious, Ludice decided to let it slide. She had no intention of discussing the matter seriously.

“Moving around for real made me feel much better. Besides, I’ve secured a good reason to go along, so it’s not bad.”

“That’s good to hear.”

“However…”

Ludice pressed her lips tightly and lowered her gaze. Her mind was somewhat troubled.

‘Why did Quinlan not want to take me? Was it really because it was dangerous?’

This place wasn’t exactly safe either.

The D’Fania dukedom was starting to gain power, watched by those who opposed them like the Marquess of Roxburg. And then there was Crown Prince Berze.

Did he really think this place was safer, expecting them to do something?

“Could it be… Quinlan thought of me as just some noblewoman? Thinking I couldn’t protect myself?”

“I can’t believe he really thought that.”

“But?”

“He probably thinks the territory is more uncertain.”

That wasn’t wrong. A land left neglected after a long war couldn’t be safe.

“We’ve already been apart for a year, and now he wants us to be apart again? I don’t like that. I don’t hate him, but I feel hurt. You know? Hurt feelings last a long time.”

“Ah…”

Ludice was serious. So much that Phil felt awkward.

It seemed her lord had made a big mistake. At the very least, he should have known his wife’s temperament before acting. It was his own fault.

As Phil shook his head, lamenting the duke’s troubled future,

“Ludice-sama!”

Serah burst in with urgent footsteps.

The duke’s wife and her aide both turned to her as she stopped.

“What is it?”

“He’s here. That person.”

“That person?”

Ludice looked puzzled, unsure who Serah meant.

“My lady, you know, the one from the imperial knights you went to meet last time.”

“…!”

Ludice and Phil’s eyes met. They seemed to know who she meant.

“Yes, he said he was the captain of the Imperial Knight Order!”

Ludice quickly stood up. By the time Serah recovered, Ludice was already gone.

Despite rushing out, Ludice entered the reception room with calm composure.

There, Gudel Austin, clad in the uniform of the Evnia Knights, awaited her.

As Ludice entered, Gudel approached from where he had been standing, observing the room.

“Captain.”

Gudel Austin gave a slight bow toward Ludice.

Her expression was relaxed, as if nothing was wrong.

“I hope you brought the answer I want.”

Without beating around the bush, Ludice went straight to the point.

Gudel chuckled.

“Even after becoming a duchess, you haven’t changed at all.”

“Do I look like I would change?”

Ludice shrugged.

“I’m Ludice.”

Her confidence overflowed, built solely on that name.

Such an attitude was hardly that of a noblewoman, and a smile appeared on Gudel’s lips.

“It’s funny to backtrack on what you said, but is the proposal you made last time still valid?”

At his words, Ludice’s face immediately turned serious.

“Of course. Have you changed your mind?”

“Hmm.”

He hesitated with a pensive look. Judging by Ludice’s reaction, it seemed the duke hadn’t told her anything.

He came back to make the proposal once more.

Duke Quinlan D’Fania said the same things as Ludice.

They needed more knights to manage the territory, and he was entrusting that responsibility to her.

But there was one thing Ludice hadn’t said.

—An imperial order will come soon.

—Have you spoken to His Majesty?

—I only mentioned what D’Fania needs. You will probably follow the imperial order once it arrives.

—…

—But before that, I hope you act on your own. That’s what everyone wants.

Gudel studied the duke.

His platinum hair was lighter than the royal family’s blonde, and his bright blue eyes were even lighter than the royal’s.

Though the crown prince Berze’s blond hair and blue eyes were more vivid, the one who drew attention was Duke Quinlan of D’Fania.

His presence as a ruler was equally imposing.

When alone, Crown Prince Berze fully displayed the nobility of the royal family. But when the duke appeared, the story changed.

He attracted gazes and naturally commanded reverence. It was not easy to look away once your eyes landed on him.

Perhaps that was why the crown prince disliked him.

—Give me time to think.

—I won’t wait long. We have to go to the territory.

—…

—If you don’t want to answer now, I won’t force you, but think carefully.

—Why go this far for me…?

At those words, the duke chuckled.

—Isn’t it obvious? She wants it.

And with that, he left.

That was the short meeting with the duke. Judging by his personality, it seemed he hadn’t shared what happened with Ludice.

So she didn’t feel the need to mention it either.

Gudel decided to keep the truth hidden. With an indifferent expression, he continued.

“Your proposal isn’t bad, it seems.”

“…Is that really all?”

“…”

Ludice narrowed her eyes, trying to read Gudel’s intentions. But since he said nothing further, she didn’t press.

Instead, she smiled and extended her hand.

“Thank you for coming, Captain. I look forward to working with you.”

“Of course.”

Gudel took her hand and kissed the back of it.

He now showed respectful courtesy to the woman who had become his lord.

“I pledge my loyalty, Duchess.”

“Welcome to D’Fania, Sir Gudel.”

Was it courtesy to a noblewoman? Or respect to a ruler?

Phil, quietly watching them after following in, suddenly thought:

Ludice was not merely a noblewoman.

She was a ruler.