DCHWT 48

Chapter 48

Maya’s swordsmanship drew not only the eyes of the crowd, but would undoubtedly catch the attention of the Emperor himself.

‘The Emperor isn’t exactly a kind man.’

Even Serren, who knew nothing about swordsmanship, could tell Maya Pendragon’s skills were extraordinary.

Especially that white sword that had appeared midair out of nowhere—it only confirmed her suspicions.

‘Maya Beiadin has awakened Pendragon’s power.’

But she clearly didn’t want the Emperor to know.

It was a secret she wanted to hide from everyone—and one that would be a definite advantage for Serren.

Because Serren wanted to be on Maya’s side.

‘If you want someone on your side, you have to be useful to them.’

Relationships always begin with give and take.

And it starts with showing favor first.

“I’ll say that an unknown figure took out the wolf and disappeared, and that the Grand Duchess went after them.”

Serren tore a piece of her dress and stained it with the wolf’s blood. She didn’t even flinch at touching the blood.

She had to look injured if she wanted to avoid suspicion.

Both Maya and Tristan were surprised by her boldness.

Tristan was the first to speak.

“Then we’ll go with that story.”

There was no way Lisefield would let today’s incident go lightly.

“I did technically trespass into the imperial palace, so you can say I’m the mysterious intruder.”

Even someone like Serren Baker might slip up under Lisefield’s manipulative interrogation.

So mixing in some truth would make the lie easier to tell—and harder to catch.

It would also help when she and Maya matched their stories later.

“Thank you. I’ll take Lady Maya and withdraw for now.”

Tristan bowed politely.

“It was an honor to meet you, Duke Beiadin.”

Serren bowed in return.

When she recognized Tristan’s identity as Duke at once, Maya—who had been holding the reins—gaped in shock.

Tristan looked at her curiously.

“There was a slip of the tongue from the Grand Duchess, and your mannerisms and tone were not that of a commoner. It’s not hard to guess. Not many people fit the profile of someone who’d be near the Grand Duchess.”

Serren had a good eye for people and an excellent sense for reading the atmosphere.

“I’ll see you again at the manor.”

There was no need for formal speech toward someone who knew his identity.

“Yes, and when you do, please contact me directly—not through Count Baker.”

Serren bowed again, preparing herself to receive the coming wave of people.

“What’s going on here?”

The knight commander, Graham, reeking of liquor from the banquet, yelled as he covered his mouth.

“I—I was just talking with the Grand Duchess on the terrace…!”

Serren burst into tears, uncharacteristically.

Such a change in behavior would only draw more attention.

“I’d like to hear an explanation myself.”

Between the knight commander and the knights, Lisefield appeared with his hands clasped behind his back.

From afar, he hadn’t seen clearly—but he had caught a glimpse of the white sword’s trajectory, graceful and elegant.

It was beautiful enough to make his skin tingle.

‘Pendragon?’

Had Maya Pendragon awakened?

But all that remained was Serren Baker.

Completely useless.

Lisefield felt a surge of irritation. This wasn’t what he’d come to see.

And the mysterious intruder who dared break into his private library today only soured his mood further.

‘Where did Maya Pendragon go?’

…Could it be she awakened and chose to hide it from me?

Serren Baker’s explanation would decide her fate.

“Tell me what happened.”

Lisefield’s lips curled in a twisted smile.

Meanwhile, Maya let out a gasp mid-flight atop the wyvern.

“Did you forget something?”

“No… I left Doshen behind.”

“Ah.”

Tristan let out a short sound, only now recalling Doshen’s existence.

Skreee.

Even the wyvern let out a whine, as if asking for a treat now that the job was done.

“I’ll give you a snack. You did great today.”

Maya gently stroked the wyvern’s head, patting it affectionately.

The more time she spent with it, the more adorable its little actions seemed.

And suddenly, she felt bad calling it “wyvern” all the time.

‘Even people have names, don’t they?’

To make it easier to call while moving around—

“…It feels wrong to keep calling you just ‘wyvern’ when we’re such a good team. Should I give you a name?”

The wyvern chirped positively in response, happily flapping through the air.

“How about Wivie? Since you’re a wyvern, get it?”

Of course, the wyvern had no idea how atrocious her naming sense was, so it simply rejoiced.

Only Tristan, who harbored feelings for Maya but couldn’t bring himself to love her naming skills too, remained in silent resignation.

As soon as they returned, Tristan guided Maya to the sitting room connected to the bedroom.

“I’m sorry you didn’t get to enjoy the banquet.”

He sat Maya down on the sofa and checked her arm.

“To be honest, it was dangerous.”

Tristan shot her a look.

“I thought I’d hidden it well…”

Maya mumbled, embarrassed, remembering how Tristan had suddenly appeared by her side.

She really needed to learn how to control her facial expressions. She felt guilty toward him again.

“I was watching only you—how could I not notice?”

Tristan placed his hand lightly over her forearm, and Maya’s tense mouth slowly relaxed.

The tingling sensation made her gulp. She quickly changed the subject.

“I think your healing ability has gotten stronger.”

It was true.

Not only was she healing faster than the last time she let Tristan treat her, she even felt invigorated.

“I could really feel it during the fight earlier. I’m curious—what’s your secret, Tristan?”

It was something even Tristan hadn’t figured out yet.

“I did increase my training hours, but not much else has changed. If there is one thing that’s different…”

Tristan’s fingers gently brushed the scratch near her lips.

“It’s your presence.”

“…I doubt I’m powerful enough to cause such a change.”

“You never know. Now give me your left ankle, please.”

“You noticed that too? It’s really just a minor sprain.”

She had twisted it slightly when she landed on the wolf’s neck from the wyvern’s back.

She thought she’d hidden it well, but Tristan had spotted it like a hawk.

“And the banquet doesn’t matter. I much prefer this little banquet with just you.”

“Was that guest you mentioned someone from the banquet?”

“Yes, Serren Baker.”

“Serren Baker.”

He had guessed based on her appearance, and it turned out he was right.

But as someone associated with Count Baker, Tristan couldn’t feel at ease.

Serren Baker had indeed helped Maya earlier, but being the daughter of Count Baker meant she couldn’t be trusted so easily.

‘And if what’s written in that ledger is true…’

Count Baker, along with Lisefield, was responsible for killing not only Tristan’s parents—but also Doshen’s husband.

He couldn’t let Maya get close to someone like that.

‘Though I still need to confirm the truth…’

And if he was to keep this from Lisefield, it might take a long time.

It could become dangerous, so he should warn her in advance.

“Maya, Count Baker has a bad reputation. It’d be wise to keep your distance.”

“I’ll definitely stay away from Count Baker.”

“But if you keep meeting Serren Baker, it’ll be hard to avoid the Count.”

“Still, Serren Baker and Count Baker don’t share the same thoughts.”

That was unexpected.

Though they had been apart, both Maya and Tristan were familiar with society gossip.

Maya must not have known the situation yet, so Tristan explained gently.

“It’s common knowledge in society that the Count cares deeply for Serren Baker.”

That rumor was widespread.

“No.”

She denied it again, locking eyes with him.

“She said she wants to escape from him.”

That was something even Tristan hadn’t known.

“She told me directly. And I really want to help her.”

That wasn’t something one said lightly after just leaving a banquet.

Now that he thought about it, they had been alone together on the terrace earlier.

Was that what they were talking about?

“Blood alone doesn’t make a family—that’s something I know better than anyone.”