CHAPTER~18
About an hour ago.
Frezen Decart was standing in front of the fountain, having arrived in the capital, Gelande, for his scheduled meeting.
He felt the gazes of people sneaking glances at him and signaled to the escorting knight, Hubert.
“Move aside, Hubert. Everyone’s staring because of you.”
Hubert let out a ridiculous chuckle and protested indignantly.
“Huh!? That can’t be. It’s not because of me, but because of the Duke, isn’t it?”
“Why me? I’m standing here like an ordinary knight. People are scared because you’re holding that intimidating sword.”
“Wow! I honestly don’t know how to explain this.”
No matter how many times Hubert insisted, Frezen didn’t notice it was actually because of him.
He had disguised himself as a commoner in his own way. To hide his noble status, he wore a light linen shirt and a shabby robe.
He even left behind the sword he always carried like a shadow.
And to prevent people from recognizing his red eyes, he had subtly used a bit of magic to change their color.
It was a perfect disguise. Yet, there was one fact Frezen didn’t realize.
No matter how ordinary his outfit was, his exceptional physique and aura could not be ignored.
It inevitably drew attention from those around him.
He could have waited in the carriage, but choosing not to was his consideration for the person who would arrive later.
“Anyway, Duke, haven’t you been visiting the capital a lot recently? What if you end up on the front page of the newspaper again, like last time? Not that we mind.”
Hubert, thinking further explanation was useless, tossed a coin into the fountain and changed the topic.
The coin jingled as it fell into the water, and a stream of the fountain shot elegantly toward the sky.
“Looks like today will be lucky.”
Hubert smiled in satisfaction at the faint rainbow visible through the spray.
“What’s so good for you if I end up on the front page?”
“Naturally, Duke. You haven’t had a single scandal in five years, and that article cleared up all rumors about you.”
“You mean my scandal?”
Frezen asked, feigning ignorance. Of course, he wasn’t truly unaware, but Hubert, not knowing, continued to explain the rumor in detail.
“Yes, scandal. Specifically, that you became infertile from an injury on the battlefield, or that you divorced because of… well, unspeakable reasons.”
“…Did I say I’d have good luck today? I think my fortune’s off.”
Frezen’s eyes curved as he smiled, sending a chilling aura, making Hubert realize his slip too late and scramble to recover.
“I-I just meant that, uh, so who are you meeting this time? You won’t tell me. I’m Hubert, I feel neglected.”
Frezen simply stared at Hubert with an expressionless face and then checked the time on the clock tower.
It was almost time. His face showed both anxiety and a subtle sense of urgency. Even though he had sent a family carriage, he worried because the person would arrive alone.
Hubert, noticing something, asked frantically.
“Is it a lady? It has to be a lady, right? It must be a lady.”
Having served as Frezen’s escort for a long time, Hubert had already noticed something was different.
Frezen nodded without denying it. His gaze then shifted to a carriage.
“Yes, it’s a lady. So don’t do anything foolish.”
“Huff…!”
Hubert covered his mouth, gasping in shock. A real lady!
“She’s arrived, I suppose.”
Frezen even smiled while looking at something. Hubert was stunned.
He knew the kind of man Frezen Decart was.
Frezen only smiled like this when facing dozens of gigantic monsters.
The man who always smiled at the thought of fighting or killing was now smiling like this—what could it mean?
Hubert’s gaze followed Frezen to where the lady stood.
“…Huh?”
Hubert’s eyes moved downward, and there she was. Or rather, a very young lady, practically a little girl.
* * *
“I wanted to see the capital, Duke. Thank you.”
Mela bowed ninety degrees to Frezen, who had come to greet her.
Frezen asked in a kindly tone,
“Was it difficult getting here? The carriage seat must have been hard to sit on for so long.”
“No! It was very soft and comfortable. Thank you for sending the carriage yourself, hehe.”
“Good to hear. But why did you want to see only me? Did something happen to Hubert?”
“Uh, no. Aunt Hubert has been busy lately! And I also have something to tell you separately…”
“Alright. Let’s go. If you want to buy anything, tell me. I brought a porter; it should be useful.”
Hubert, who had been quietly listening, suddenly popped out.
“Huh? Am I the porter? Duke, that’s too much. Hello, little one. We meet again.”
“…Ugh.”
“Huh?”
Hubert grinned slyly, and Mela frowned.
“Ugh! My heart just got stabbed and pierced, Duke.”
Seeing Hubert clutch his heart, Frezen said casually,
“That’s because you pointed your sword at Mela without fear. How did you live to be hated by a kid? Anyway, let’s go, Mela.”
“Yes! Okay!”
Mela glared at Hubert with piercing eyes, then turned her head sharply.
“You stay with the carriage.”
“Huh? Duke…!”
The central square they headed toward was crowded with people.
In celebration of the Empire’s founding festival, new routes between continents had opened, bringing many visitors from faraway lands.
Frezen asked Mela while listening attentively,
“Yes! I heard from the maids that the place is very popular, and you can eat delicious cake there.”
“Delicious cake?”
Frezen smiled, mimicking Mela’s emphasis on the cake.
He said briefly, “Alright,” and then headed toward a building with a sign that read ‘Lumière Salon.’
“Duke! Let’s sit here!”
Mela ran in small steps to an empty table and sat down.
“Alright, understood.”
Was it really that good? Frezen followed Mela with a satisfied smile.
For a moment, Mela’s gaze fixed on something.
Her face turned pale, so he followed her line of sight and saw…
“Haha! I did it gently again. So kind too.”
Hubert was talking to the bread that had been smashed from a hit.
Frezen’s eyebrows tilted uncomfortably.
And he realized why Mela suddenly asked to meet him, and insisted on coming here.
“Ah! Today Aunt Hubert said she’s meeting a man she likes! Actually, she got a love letter, hehe…”
“Love letter?”
Frezen’s eyes ignited like roaring flames.
Mela watched quietly, smiling brightly.
Everything was going according to plan.
* * *
Honestly, my side was stinging like crazy. I was sure there would be a hole if I checked later.
Ever since, Mela and Frezen had been staring at me intently.
‘How did these two even get here?’ I wondered.
The maids had said Mela was surely holed up in her room reading books. When I had visited her before coming to the capital, she was indeed in her room.
Not only was she in the capital, but she was with Frezen.
My narrow mind couldn’t deduce how they had met.
Because of this, I couldn’t hear what Arno was saying at all.
I thought it might be better to end the conversation quickly.
“You must be tired, managing everything… I worry your delicate body might not hold up.”
Arno’s voice reached me. I barely focused and answered,
“I look frail, but I’m actually quite healthy.”
“Still, a head of a family should be a strong man. Since the Count didn’t want to become head, it must have been frustrating.”
“Haha… Well, I never said I didn’t want to…”
At the same time, Arno interrupted and continued speaking.
“Isn’t it natural? A noble lady should sleep in, wear flowing dresses, and attend social gatherings. Laugh and dress without purpose! Haha!”
“…”
Prejudiced speech and a subtly condescending tone.
No matter how much one hides it, human nature eventually reveals itself, just like now.
I stared quietly, wondering how far I would let him go.
“Uh, may I ask how much debt remains in the family? I heard the previous Count left a lot.”
“Debt? Why do you ask that? I don’t quite understand…”
But the questions that couldn’t be ignored kept coming. When I showed my displeasure, Arno laughed and recovered.
“Haha! Ah, I know it’s rude. But knowing this helps our relationship progress, doesn’t it?”
“…”
“So, if you were to remarry, the head of the Leella family should probably be a male husband…”
Just as Arno crossed the line, I could no longer hold back.
“Wow, that’s complete nonsense!”
A harsh voice, not at all matching the delicate tone, rang out.
