“Just tell me whatever you need.”
“You’re so eager, it’s frightening. How much do you want as payment?”
“I’m not asking for money.”
Taken aback by his unexpected refusal, Karia tilted her head with a smile. She had never been stingy with Noah. If he had asked, he could have claimed back every penny she spent, even the cost of purchasing her title. Why would he refuse? Wasn’t money the most important thing for a mercenary group?
He was already entrusted with over a million gold. With just that, he could buy a castle in the provinces and live wealthier than the local lords. So what could he possibly want that makes him uninterested in all that wealth?
Karia stared straight into his eyes—the only part of her face not smiling—and Noah fidgeted with his lips a few times before finally making a decision and speaking.
“I want to make you smile, my lady.”
Blushing like a boy confessing his first love, he said something completely unexpected. Karia, who had created her composed expression to gauge him, couldn’t help but stare blankly and repeat, “What?”
“I like your face when you’re laughing, whether it’s mocking or giggling at something funny. More than that, I want to see you happy, truly laughing. Somehow… seeing you smile brings me joy. So I want to make you smile even more.”
Karia looked stunned. Noah’s sudden, strange words surprised her, but she had heard similar words before.
“Smile. Your smiling face is the most beautiful.”
Gilford often spoke kindly and thoughtfully, but he frequently mentioned her laughter. He always said he wanted to see her smile, so even when she was upset or angry, she would reflexively smile.
She always wanted to show him—the one she cared about—the face he liked.
“I need to go upstairs and wash up. I’ll tell you more about the mission later. Butler, prepare the carriage; I’ll leave in an hour.”
Karia couldn’t meet his gaze anymore and headed to the second floor. She seemed more shaken than he expected, leaving Noah flustered as well.
He couldn’t catch up to her as she climbed the stairs and could only watch her retreating figure. At that moment, Chagall silently approached him.
“Sir, the mood is good, but don’t forget to ask about the forest when you get a chance. Our future depends on it.”
“I know.”
Noah pushed away the subordinate who leaned too close and let out a deep sigh.
Had he been too hasty? He loosened his cravat, which he had tightened in melancholy. He thought he had been perfect when leaving the tailor’s shop, but perfection meant nothing if no one was there to witness it.
“You’re late.”
A composed voice greeted the Duke returning to the castle late at night. The Duchess signaled a servant to take his coat. The Duke nodded to her and went to ascend the stairs to his room.
Yet unlike usual, the conversation didn’t end there.
“How is she?”
“….”
The Duke stopped and returned to her side, motioning for the servants to step back. In the dimly lit foyer, with only a few lamps on, the two of them stared at each other silently.
“His Majesty did not permit the divorce.”
“Did Karia accept that?”
“-It’s not something decided solely by her feelings.”
“It’s her marriage. If not by her feelings, then by what?”
The Duchess, unusually agitated, spoke, leaving the Duke momentarily speechless. He swallowed once, then answered in a dry, detached voice.
“She cannot bring further shame to the royal family.”
“She hasn’t done anything wrong. Neither you nor I would deny that.”
“Even if it’s not her fault, it was because of her. His Majesty had no choice…”
“Karia’s father isn’t His Majesty—it’s you.”
The Duchess bit her colorless lips and glared at her husband. Seeing her, the Duke sighed deeply, pressing a hand to his forehead. His expression said clearly: he no longer wished to continue the conversation.
“Do you think it’s laughable that I worry about her now, after saying what I said back then?”
“Please, let’s stop talking about that…”
“Do you blame me?”
Closing her dizzy eyes, the Duchess’s eyelids trembled. She couldn’t tell if it was anger, regret, or sorrow flowing deep into her memory.
I hated the child who came with an innocent face to destroy my happiness.
When that woman first brought Karia, the Duchess felt as if the sky had fallen for the first time in her life.
Born a high-ranking noble’s daughter, married to the Duke, and bore two sons. Despite it being an arranged marriage, their relationship was not bad. Her weak health was a flaw, but otherwise, life was quite good—until the child appeared.
“Even if it costs ten times more, I should have sent the child back! How could you bring a child born elsewhere into our castle?!”
“She is my child. How could I send her away? She is also a royal.”
The Duke claimed he had only made one mistake due to overdrinking, but the Duchess couldn’t simply accept that. Who could guarantee that only one child would appear?
Yet, as the Duke’s child, it was certain she was a direct member of the royal family. With her blonde hair and red eyes, the Duchess could not deny it.
So, with a bleeding heart, she said:
“Fine, as long as she is your daughter, she should enjoy her rights as a royal. But promise me one thing.”
“-What is it?”
“Do not love her. If I ever see you treat her kindly, as you did Grenberic or Alkard, I will pack my things and return to my family. After that, I will never meet you or the children again. Remember that.”
The Duke bore her harsh words and even this cruel proposal. He entrusted Karia’s care to the servants and did not get unnecessarily close.
Karia, isolated within the household, began to wither. The Duchess felt guilt seeing her, yet also frustration at Karia’s fearful expressions. She was angry at who ruined her life but felt unfairly blamed for it.
“You will blame me, madam.”
“Yes, I blame you.”
“Do so until your heart is eased.”
“Still, this time, we must help Karia. We arranged this marriage, after all.”
Both the Duke and Duchess struggled to watch over Karia. When suitable matches appeared as she became an adult, they hurried to force the marriage, thinking it beneficial.
Yet the outcome was this mess. So this was a problem only they could resolve. But…
“I cannot go against His Majesty’s wishes over something like this. He is, after all, the Emperor before being my brother.”
With that, the Duke ended the conversation and turned away. The Duchess knew this was merely an excuse. Twenty years of marriage and she knew him too well.
He was running away, as always. When problems arose, he did not act proactively. He followed principles or someone else’s orders, so blame could be assigned later if needed.
“A coward.”
And a weak man. Pretending not to notice changes nothing. After everything ends, he will regret it beyond bearing.
Yet the Duchess could not leave this pitiful man. Though she felt foolish, his worried eyes moved her endlessly.
“Do we have to carry her from here?”
“Why, are you afraid of heights?”
Noah adjusted his knightly uniform as he walked carrying a large load. The child wrapped in a robe from head to toe grimaced at the teasing question, though her face was mostly hidden.
“I’m worried it might strain your weak arms.”
“You are not so fragile that a five-year-old’s weight could trouble you. Though, you are heavier than you look.”
The child’s small foot kicked Noah’s side. She apologized, but it lacked sincerity.
As Noah carried her with one arm and massaged his aching ribs with the other, a shadow fell in front of him.
“Are you Karia’s? Why are you here? And… like that?”
Alkard, dressed in royal knight attire, spoke with obvious displeasure. His question was reasonable; they were on the road leading to the royal palace’s main hall at this early hour.
Noah instinctively tightened the arm holding the child and assumed a formal expression.
“We’ve come to see His Majesty. I had no opportunity to speak yesterday, but as a noble… Baron Trantes, Noah Trantes. I manage mercenary work due to poor estate circumstances.”
