Episode 10
The man had an overwhelming presence.
He had jet-black hair, sharp blue eyes, and a face with perfect balance, as if a god had carefully sculpted it. At the same time, his face carried a wild and dangerous aura.
Just by appearing, he was handsome enough to draw everyone’s attention, and he gave off an intimidating pressure that made people hesitate to approach him.
It seemed Walter and his group had only recently arrived at the inn. His armor was dirty with mud, dust, and even blood.
But that did nothing to weaken his intimidating presence.
Instead, his appearance—like someone who had just returned from battle—made his dangerous aura even stronger.
Fortunately… or unfortunately… all of these things were very familiar to Eleonore.
For a while, the hall was so quiet that even the sound of a pin dropping could be heard.
“What is this commotion?”
Only after everyone had held their breath did Walter slowly speak.
His gaze landed on Eleonore.
He clearly recognized her, yet he showed no reaction.
He’s trying to pressure me.
Annoyance rose in Eleonore’s heart.
After her return to life, she had begun seeing many things differently. But when it came to Walter, she still couldn’t remove her negative feelings.
After all, she had suffered too much because of him.
In her previous life, Walter had despised her from the very first day and rejected her.
And that attitude had never changed during the four years that followed.
“I caused the disturbance on purpose. Because I wanted to meet you, Duke.”
In the sharp, cutting silence, Eleonore spoke calmly.
Walter raised one eyebrow in surprise.
Was she always able to speak this calmly?
As far as he remembered, Eleonore Vianello was a very impulsive and irritable woman.
He had only taken her as his bride because he needed military supplies from the Vianello family.
Naturally, she was not someone he was happy to see.
It must be a coincidence. People don’t change easily.
That was Walter’s conclusion.
Of course, he didn’t know that Eleonore had died once and returned.
He must be wondering why I’m different from the engagement ceremony.
At this moment, Eleonore could clearly see what Walter was thinking.
She smiled softly.
For a moment, everyone except Walter was captivated by her smile. It was that charming.
“I found it strange that you entered the outer castle, yet no one in the Grand Duke’s castle knew about it.”
“…Hmm.”
Walter finally reacted slightly to her words.
He frowned a little as he looked at her.
His gaze showed inconvenience and annoyance.
“I didn’t know I had to announce and ask permission every time I entered my own territory.”
His voice carried pressure and warning.
Benjamin and Becky both flinched.
Miss, please stop here.
Yes, Miss! I don’t know what’s happening, but let’s go back to the castle!
It felt as if Eleonore could hear their desperate pleas.
But she ignored them without even turning her head.
Instead, she looked directly at Walter and met his gaze.
Walter’s eyes showed surprise again.
“How did you know I returned, Miss Vianello?”
Walter asked.
His tone clearly showed that he believed she would answer obediently and submit to his pressure.
Ha!
It was ridiculous.
Eleonore forced herself not to laugh sarcastically and instead smiled brightly.
“At least you don’t have to worry about betrayal. No one told me about your location. I discovered it entirely with my own ability.”
It wasn’t a proper answer.
But for Eleonore, this was already a generous favor to Walter.
At least I told him there’s no traitor.
Walter’s eyebrow twitched.
“Answer properly, Miss Vianello. Otherwise…”
“Otherwise what?”
Eleonore interrupted him.
Benjamin and Becky gasped.
“Our marriage is a deal. A very big deal. If I ‘accidentally’ found you here in the outer castle, will you punish me? Or will you cancel the marriage?”
Walter pressed his lips into a straight line.
His expression clearly showed his displeasure.
“If someone gave Miss Vianello information about my location, that person will lose their status as a knight.”
“Then find them if you can.”
Walter spoke threateningly, but Eleonore didn’t care at all.
Very few people can lie so confidently in front of me…
At this point, even Walter felt something was strange.
My arrival in the outer castle today was a complete secret. I didn’t even tell Hekit.
Yet Eleonore had found him.
This woman… what exactly…
Walter narrowed his eyes at Eleonore before speaking again.
“Miss Vianello is right. It’s my responsibility to find any weaknesses. If there is a leak, then the fault is mine.”
He nodded slightly, showing that he would not harm her over this matter.
“Let’s move to the next topic. Tell me why you came to find me.”
“Of course. That’s exactly what I came to talk about.”
Eleonore’s purple eyes became lively.
“But before that, I’d prefer if we could talk somewhere private.”
Walter stayed silent for a moment.
Eleonore crossed her arms and looked at him impatiently.
This habit of staying silent before answering was one of the things she hated most about him.
“Very well. Let’s change locations.”
Just as Eleonore’s patience was about to run out, Walter finally spoke.
Without even telling her to follow him, he turned around and walked up the stairs.
“Ha…”
Eleonore sighed quietly so he wouldn’t hear and followed him.
“No one will be listening here.”
At the last room at the end of the hallway, Walter opened the door.
Naturally, Eleonore walked inside first.
Walter had unintentionally ended up escorting her. He raised an eyebrow but said nothing and closed the door.
Eleonore found a chair and sat down.
Meanwhile, Walter stood by the door like a statue.
“…”
Eleonore waited for him to speak.
But Walter showed no intention of opening his mouth.
What did I expect? Whenever we’re alone, he becomes completely silent.
She sighed.
Walter had always been like this.
In front of others he spoke when necessary, even if he was quiet.
But when he was alone with Eleonore, he wouldn’t even say the necessary words.
“I know you don’t like me, Duke.”
Finally, Eleonore spoke first.
“I also know you don’t love me.”
Walter’s body stiffened slightly.
It happened so quickly that Eleonore didn’t notice.
“But at least fulfill your duties as a husband.”
“…I believe I am already being considerate toward you, Miss Vianello.”
Eleonore slightly lowered her head.
Otherwise she might glare at him.
“The duty I’m talking about is much more direct and serious than what you’re thinking.”
After calming herself, Eleonore spoke again in a colder voice.
“Of course, I’m not asking this for free. If you accept my request, I also have something to give you.”
“I doubt Miss Vianello has anything I need.”
“I’ll find that child for you.”
Walter’s eyes widened.
“A child…?”
“The nephew you’ve been searching for everywhere… the one you’re still looking for now. I know where he is.”
Eleonore knew very well that Walter had not entered the inner castle after returning to the duchy because he was searching for traces of his missing nephew.
