CHAPTER 57…………..
Leonhart quietly watched Adrian.
Today, Adrian was uncharacteristically different in many ways.
He had assumed she appeared only to push for a specific construction guild, but to his surprise, she offered unexpected help.
“She even designed devices for the animals and said she would cover the production costs… unbelievable.”
To Duke Ibrante, such words would have seemed perfectly normal.
Her way of handling dissatisfaction over the selection results was strange, too.
Of course, it was typical of her to crush people’s complaints with her signature arrogance and domineering attitude.
“Speaking calmly while grinning like a witch casting a curse…”
The moment Adrian smiled, it must have triggered vivid memories people had long forgotten—how she dealt with those who had harbored grudges against her in her prime.
“She buried them with a smile. So they would never dare raise a voice again.”
Who could have opposed her in that situation?
It was no wonder that people couldn’t even properly look at Adrian, let alone voice their complaints.
Up to this point, it was behavior one would expect from Adrian.
The only difference was that Leonhart had indirectly gained a benefit from her actions.
Usually, people feared Leonhart as much as they feared Adrian.
Especially nobles who had once ignored him by siding with other princes could barely breathe in his presence.
Yet Leonhart held no personal grudge.
He didn’t bury people just because they irritated him.
People must have realized this.
Both were terrifying in their own ways, but at least Leonhart was reasonable.
So, naturally, people had scurried behind Leonhart, hiding to avoid Adrian.
“Was that intentional?”
Did she know that today, her actions had increased the number of people siding with Leonhart?
He couldn’t tell whether it was deliberate.
“Judging by the way she said she would handle it, I guess it was intentional…”
Even now, he only observed the people leaving, their expressions still bearing that cold, arrogant look.
“In the past, I would have gone to the guild masters of the Wall and Vine, bragging about picking them, saying they should stay on my good side… every bit of credit would’ve been mine.”
But today, she had taken not a single step to show off; she had simply stepped back.
“Du—Duke, may we take our leave now?”
“Why are you asking me that?”
Even that response was surprising.
Leonhart emphasized that he was the one in charge, making it clear he was only an advisor.
“Clever.”
At that moment, a possibility he had never considered before crossed his mind.
“Have I misjudged her all this time?”
He realized he had never had a long conversation with Adrian.
Even brief exchanges had always been unpleasant.
Her habit of completely crushing her opponents in conversation made adaptation impossible.
“What if it was all a misunderstanding…?”
Leonhart felt conflicted.
Until now, he had been certain Adrian was merely imitating Adele.
But what he saw now went far beyond that.
Adele had never dealt with nobles this way, nor had she interfered in large-scale projects.
“This isn’t imitating Adele… she seems like a completely different person.”
Had her mindset changed, altering her personality?
He tended to believe that people couldn’t fundamentally change, yet there were rare cases of genuine reform.
“Exactly when did she change?”
Squinting, Leonhart tried to recall.
“Was it during the meeting about Adele’s statue? Yes, it was strange from then on.”
That was the first day Adrian had felt like Adele to him.
What had happened to her during the five years she had secluded herself?
One thing was clear: she had changed.
If so, rumors about her seeking a fiancé might also be true.
Leonhart waited until they were alone in the audience chamber before speaking.
“I didn’t expect to say this to you, Duke… but today you’ve been a great help. Thank you.”
“Not at all. I was just doing my duty as an advisor.”
“….”
“….”
The conversation paused.
Leonhart and Adrian looked at each other awkwardly, then spoke at the same time.
“I…”
“I…”
“You go first.”
“Oh, no, Your Highness, you speak first.”
Leonhart hesitated, then asked:
“About that rumor… that you’re seeking a fiancé… is it true?”
“Well…”
Adrian trailed off, staring into empty space.
A faint crease appeared on her smooth brow.
“What is she looking at?”
Hadn’t this happened before?
Just as Leonhart tilted his head in déjà vu, Adrian spoke.
“You didn’t believe it before, but now it seems you do. Are you disappointed that I’m engaged to another man?”
“…Are you serious?”
Seeing Leonhart’s stiff expression, she quickly added:
“It means it’s all true.”
Her way of speaking remained difficult to adapt to.
“Why does she talk like that? She doesn’t seem to want to fight, but…”
It sounded insane.
Adrian seemed aware that her tone caused misunderstanding, but for some unknown reason, she couldn’t change it.
“You may believe me. I have completely wiped out any desire to marry Your Highness.”
“…Good to hear.”
“The only reason I came here today was to carry out my duties as an advisor. I wasn’t here to spy on you. I have no curiosity about what you do.”
“….”
“As I said earlier, I have no interest in you. No matter what happens, I will never see you as a man. So rest assured—”
“Stop.”
“Yes?”
Leonhart bit his tongue.
For twelve years, what had Adrian put him through?
There was a time when just hearing her voice made him nauseous.
The reason he joined the Demon King expedition was that marrying her was worse than death.
But now Adrian had lost interest in him.
She even planned to be engaged to another man.
Finally, he was free from her grasp.
Of course, he should have been happy.
“Then why does it feel so strange?”
He felt empty and hollow, as if he had lost something immensely important.
Leonhart ran his hand through his hair, hiding a sudden irritation he couldn’t explain.
“You’ve made yourself clear, so that’s enough.”
“…Ah, yes, if you say so.”
Just then, Esir approached and whispered.
“Your Highness, Owen and Ruspell have arrived.”
Since the construction guild had been selected, they had been called to coordinate the schedule.
“Shall we have them in the reception room?”
“…Wait.”
A conversation with Owen flashed through Leonhart’s mind.
“Have you heard the rumor that Duke Ibrante has magical power?”
“The Ibrante family has never had anyone with abilities. They’re all normal people.”
“I thought so too. Then what did I see with the lady?”
“Saw? Was it something unusual?”
“I saw an aura. Grand and dazzling.”
Recalling the conversation with Owen, Leonhart felt he might have a clue as to why Adrian had changed.
“Perhaps she didn’t always have hidden power—maybe she gained it recently.”
It could be related to the reason she had changed.
After a moment’s thought, Leonhart instructed Esir:
“Take her to the study.”
“Understood, Your Highness.”
Adrian blinked at Leonhart and Esir in turn, then nodded politely while holding her dress.
“I shall take my leave now.”
“…So soon?”
“When work is done, one must go.”
“Wait, Duke.”
Leonhart grabbed Adrian as she tried to leave hastily.
“Yes?”
“Owen the cleric and Master Ruspell have arrived. The meeting about the construction will start shortly.”
“And…?”
“You should join as well.”
Leonhart saw it clearly: Adrian’s eyebrows twitched momentarily.
“I’ll pass.”
“We’ll be coordinating details including the schedule. Don’t you think it would be wise to attend?”
“No, it’s fine. As an advisor, you don’t need to be involved that much. Once the schedule is finalized, a written notice is sufficient.”
She had accepted the advisory role out of responsibility, she said.
“Then shouldn’t she attend the meetings? This is more important than selecting the construction guild. Why refuse so adamantly?”
“I have no idea how to handle her.”
“Are you that busy?”
“Yes, incredibly busy. Next week, I have deep interviews with the fiancée candidates. I have to prepare the questions, check everything, and, um… ah, there’s just so much to prepare.”
Fiancée interviews?
For some reason, he felt a sudden surge of displeasure.
Adrian once again stared into empty space.
“What on earth…”
What is she looking at?
Before he could ask, she spoke.
Mockingly, with a blatant sneer:
“I’m very busy, but seeing Your Highness’s sincerity, I will attend the meeting. But it’s a bit funny. Only now, after almost losing me, do you get serious. You should’ve been diligent when I was here. Work harder from now on. I’m not engaged yet.”
“….”
She was spouting nonsense again.
