The Marchen Duke
The Count of Tolkie is a reliable person, so I’ll put the Deaarc rock salt issue on the back burner for a while. Instead, I decided to focus on digging up dirt on the Duke of Noten Marchen. He’s a man I need to get rid of in front of Killian as soon as possible.
Just because I’ve read the original story 22 times doesn’t mean I know everything. I know the general flow of the story and a lot about my favorite, Killian, and my second favorite, Adele, but I don’t know the intricate details of the other characters living at the same time.
Besides, I’m already twisting the story while living among people breathing and living with their own free will. So, I can’t just optimistically rely on the original story. Right now, Killian can be kept away from the Marchen Duke since he’s my companion in the palace, but that’s not a fundamental solution. What if Killian follows the Duke to his estate next year?
“I have to nip it in the bud.”
I need someone to monitor Noten’s every move. Someone who can find out when he wakes up, when he goes to sleep, who he meets, and what he spends his money on. And it would be even better if that person had a bit of an issue with Noten…
“I’m pretty sure the Marquis of Ruwendif played that role.”
In the original story, it was revealed that Adele was the Marquis of Ruwendif’s daughter only after Killian killed Noten and became a definite couple with Adele. So, the Marquis of Ruwendif couldn’t oppose Killian and Adele’s relationship. But I remember the Marquis’s inner thoughts that would occasionally appear in the novel.
‘That guy is just as unpleasant as the previous duke. I can’t believe he’s not related by blood to him.’
‘That bastard is just as rude as the previous duke. His tone, expression, and actions are all displeasing.’
‘That son of a b**** is just as arrogant as the previous duke. The way his eyes change when he holds a sword is like he has a split personality.’
Of course, after he found out how Killian had lived and that his true feelings were solely for Adele, he became the best father and father-in-law.
“Oh… If I ask the Marquis of Ruwendif for help, will he oppose Killian later? Like Romeo and Juliet! ‘An enemy of the family! You can’t marry that boy!’ That would be a problem, wouldn’t it? No, no. I can cover for Killian. For now, the Marquis of Ruwendif is my best bet.”
No matter how I think about it, no one is better suited than the Marquis of Ruwendif. He was the only one who didn’t care about the Marchen Duke at the great noble meetings and spoke his mind. Their political views weren’t all that different, but I think he just genuinely disliked the Duke.
Since I’ve made up my mind, it’s time to put it into action. Thinking about meeting the verbose, no, the affectionate Marquis of Ruwendif, made my head spin for a moment… But I’ll overcome it by thinking of Killian!
“Tia!!!”
Was it because it had been a while since she came to the palace? Adele was even more excited than usual and ran toward me.
“Adele! Cough! Oof!”
Our Adele, who was nothing but skin and bones when she was at the orphanage, has changed! She’s got strong bones. I was surprised by the strength of her hug that squeezed my chest. I coughed, and a frowning Killian forcibly pulled Adele away from me.
“What are you doing, be careful! How can you just run at her like that? Tia, are you okay?”
“Tia, Tia. I’m sorry. I was just, just happy to see you.”
Adele’s face turned pale. I was about to hug her back in case she got hurt, but Killian was busy checking my body, so I couldn’t. I waved my hands and soothed Adele.
“It’s okay, it’s okay. Adele! What’s with all this strength? Did you train while I was away? That’s amazing! You’re so cool!”
“Tia, Adele has always been strong. She even pushed me down.”
“Hehe.”
I couldn’t help but laugh at what Killian whispered in my ear.
“What was that! What did you say?! Killian Marchen! What did you say? Were you talking bad about me?”
“No. I was just complimenting you on how strong you are.”
“Huh? Really? Hmm.”
Adele tilted her head. She seemed unable to tell if it was a compliment or an insult. This cunning Killian. It seems he’s intentionally saying annoying things to Adele so she doesn’t find out how he feels, but to me, he’s just adorable. I comforted Adele, who was still glaring at Killian.
“Killian is telling the truth, Adele. It’s a good thing to be strong. It’s a good thing in many ways…”
Exactly. You have to be strong to break the bed with the virile Killian every night! Being a little strong isn’t enough, hehe. I linked arms with Killian and Adele, as always, and we started walking.
“It’s even better with the three of us together! How about we make jam with Deaarc strawberries today?”
“Sounds good!”
“Me too!”
My beautiful possessed life with my favorite continues on and on.
“Your Highness, the Marquis of Ruwendif is here.”
“Oh! Really? Got it.”
Killian and Adele ate a bunch of strawberry jam sandwiches, played for a while, and then went home. My stomach was full, and I felt so lazy that I thought a nap would be perfect! But the Marquis of Ruwendif’s presence was so strong that it made me sit up straight.
“Fear not, Empire, even when the dark night comes! Is not Her Highness Princess Celestia Monde, who shines brighter and more beautifully than any star, here? You might even be blinded, so wear sunglasses! I greet the shining, beautiful star of the Empire, Her Highness Princess Celestia Monde. Baportem Ruwendif bows to you. It is a great honor that you called for me. I was so ecstatic that I couldn’t sleep at all.”
Seriously.
“Can’t you make it a little shorter, Marquis? I almost fell asleep.”
“Hahahaha! I feel that no praise is enough for Your Highness. It seems there are no words in the world that can express my sincere feelings for you, so I… I’ll be more mindful if it made you uncomfortable.”
“No, it wasn’t that uncomfortable.”
Hahaha. I gave an awkward laugh and offered the Marquis the tea in front of him before opening my mouth.
“I called for you because I have a favor to ask.”
“Is, is that so? Your Highness… has a favor to ask… of me? You think of me to that extent? I am so moved! This body, Baportem Ruwendif, has already pledged loyalty to Your Highness, but I swear it once again! Just tell me what you want me to do!!”
Ugh, seriously… This is a different kind of exhaustion from my dad… It feels similar, yet different…
“Yeah. Well, there’s someone I want to investigate secretly, and they’re a pretty high-ranking official, so it could be a bit dangerous…”
“Hahaha. You’re not talking about His Majesty the Emperor, are you?”
“What kind of nonsense is that! I don’t need to investigate my dad. He’s too transparent.”
“Hahahahaha. His Majesty? Hahahahaha. Transparent? Hahahahaha.”
“Ugh! Anyway! Could you do it, Marquis? You can refuse if it’s too much of a burden. It might be a little bothersome to find someone else,”
“…”
“I don’t want Adele’s father to be in danger because of me.”
“Oh, oh, oh, oh!”
The Marquis of Ruwendif let out an exclamation of some sort. Then his face turned red and blue. What? Is he transforming? I unconsciously clenched my fists in紧张…
“Your Highness.”
The Marquis of Ruwendif grabbed my hand. He looked at me, who flinched, with the warmest eyes and said, “I thought that meeting Adele again was a once-in-a-lifetime stroke of luck.”
“Uh, really?”
“But meeting Your Highness is the greatest happiness that I could never buy with death.”
“Huh? Out of the blue?”
I tilted my head at the Marquis of Ruwendif’s determined eyes. I tried to decipher his words as if I were taking a language arts exam. For the record, I was a student-athlete. That means studying was too difficult for me… I had to reread [Moon Flower] so many times because I couldn’t understand it properly, so that says a lot.
“What do you mean? It seems like a good thing, though. If it’s a good thing, then that’s enough, I guess.”
I tried to simply gloss over it with a three-step combo, but the Marquis suddenly got up from the sofa, came in front of me, and knelt on one knee, bowing his upper body. What? Why are you doing this now?! He looked at my eyes, which were so wide they looked like they were about to pop out, and opened his mouth.
“From this day forward and for the rest of my life, nothing in my life will take precedence over Your Highness’s command.”
“Mar…quis?”
Why did you say it like that?
“My safety, the honor and power of my family, all the wealth and knightage of my family, and even my wife and Adele. I offer them all to Your Highness.”
Gasp. My dad is still alive! Why are you making a vow that could get you accused of treason? As I stood there in shock, unable to say a word, the Marquis of Ruwendif looked up at me and asked, “Whose life shall I turn upside down for you?”
“Ugh, that’s creepy.” It was so chilling.
