Chapter 16
I had intended to quietly dance just one song in the corner and move on, but in the end, I ended up showing everyone this embarrassing sight.
Even as we left the ballroom, people’s gazes clung to us, as if the banquet had suddenly come to a halt.
“Do we really have to cross the middle of the hall like this?”
Chayron didn’t seem to care who was watching. Well, he had never been the type to be conscious of others’ eyes.
Only after we finally exited the hall and reached a less crowded area did I feel some relief.
“Are you alright, my lady?”
As soon as we stepped out, the attendant who had been waiting for us outside the ballroom hurried over.
“It looks like you’ve twisted your ankle. Prepare something for cold therapy.”
“Yes, sir!”
A little while later, I found myself getting an ice pack treatment in a secluded hallway next to the hall.
“You need to be careful even with minor injuries. Ignoring them could cause trouble for days.”
Chayron watched the maid applying the ice pack to my ankle, then, dissatisfied with how it was being done, snatched it from her.
“You clearly don’t know how to do this properly.”
I didn’t understand what could be different about “properly” applying an ice pack, but apparently, it wasn’t to his satisfaction.
Holding the ice pack, he knelt down. I sat comfortably in a chair while he positioned himself at my feet. It felt almost like I was being waited on.
The maid who had been tending to my ankle looked uneasy.
In this space, everyone except Chayron and I felt awkward, but he seemed completely unconcerned.
Did he have some trauma related to ankle injuries? Perhaps a subordinate had twisted an ankle once, fallen behind, and died.
It was an over-the-top reaction for just a minor sprain.
He gently held my foot with one hand and applied the ice with the other.
“…….”
As a couple who barely exchanged a few words even in daily life, neither of us spoke.
Sitting quietly with my bare foot in his hand, the situation was uncomfortably awkward.
Better to distract myself elsewhere.
Instead of looking at Chayron at my feet, I turned my gaze to the far end of the hallway—and immediately regretted it.
My eyes met those of people secretly watching us.
Apparently, they had followed out of curiosity when I left the hall in his arms. Some even covered their mouths in surprise.
It was already awkward enough with just the two of us, but being on display in front of spectators made it even more unpleasant.
I’m guessing a new rumor about the Duke and Duchess will start today.
“Just let me handle it. I can do this myself.”
Finally reaching the end of my patience, I snatched the ice pack from Chayron.
An ice pack is fine even if done roughly.
I pressed the ice around my ankle with far more force than he had been using.
“This should be enough. Shall we head back to the hall?”
“Are you sure you’re alright?”
“Of course.”
I stood up and took a few steps. Since it wasn’t a severe sprain, it didn’t hurt much.
“See? I’m walking just fine.”
Only after watching my ankle carefully did he nod.
“Understood. But there’s one thing… I need to speak with you.”
“……?”
“There’s someone I’m supposed to meet at this banquet. They asked me to attend instead of postponing our outing. I suppose I must go.”
Then this must be someone important related to his work. Not a meeting to be delayed.
“I see. Then please go ahead.”
“You’ll be alone for a while. Will that be alright?”
“You worry too much. It doesn’t suit you.”
“I’ll be quick.”
“You can take your time.”
I practically pushed him out the door. He hadn’t moved fast, as if something was weighing on his mind.
Alone, I finally felt more at ease. If it weren’t for Chayron, he wouldn’t have made such a fuss over a minor sprain. It’s better without him.
I returned to the hall.
The music and dancing were still ongoing, but now only couples vying for the “Best Couple” award were passionately dancing.
Most of the others focused on social conversations rather than dancing.
I hadn’t come to make friends, and I knew most people held some hostility toward me. There was no reason to force myself into conversation.
I moved to a spot with a better view of the hall to watch the dancing.
Half a flight up, there was a space to rest or chat. I leaned against the railing and watched the hall below.
The couples moved frantically to the fast-tempo music. Their dazzling steps revealed they were skilled dancers.
I watched them leisurely.
Having taken my cough medicine beforehand, I wouldn’t cough today. I felt relaxed.
As I quietly watched the banquet, someone approached and stood beside me.
“Are your feet alright, madam?”
Turning, I saw Miss Lucy Stover, who had a minor incident earlier in the waiting room.
“Have you been waiting long?”
“A long time. How can someone be so late after calling me here?”
Marquis Meladin waited in a private room next to the hall. Though only slightly past the appointed time, he immediately grumbled.
“Apologies, Marquis,” Chayron said, sitting down and starting with an apology.
Since he was someone to be persuaded, Chayron needed to tread carefully today.
The meeting had been moved from the marquis’ own domain to the capital on short notice. After a long journey and attending a banquet he hadn’t planned for, the marquis was understandably displeased.
“My wife was slightly injured earlier, which caused the delay.”
“My wife?”
Marquis Meladin frowned as if the excuse was ridiculous.
“Never mind. I’ve read the documents you sent earlier. I trust the Duke’s actions, but…”
The marquis was a cunning man. Even in his prime, he had wielded influence comparable to a duke. Though old, his charisma remained.
“What I want to say to you today is that this isn’t something to decide lightly.”
“Is that a refusal?”
“Well, it’s hard to call it an outright refusal.”
He subtly implied refusal to gain the upper hand in negotiation.
“I, too, found it difficult to watch the temple clerics exploiting things among themselves.”
“Any imperial subject would agree with that.”
The temples were corrupt beyond repair. Commoners no longer revered them as before. Who now offered sacrifices or heeded oracles? They had outlived their usefulness.
But imperial law still recognized the temples, and those without divine power could not approach them. They were safely hidden in their fortresses, making them difficult to deal with.
“However, if I participate in this matter and it backfires as sacrilege, not only I but my entire family will be annihilated.”
Chayron listened, nodding as if understanding everything, letting the marquis continue.
“If this were someone else’s proposal, I wouldn’t even have considered it, but since it’s the Duke, I came.”
The marquis spoke as though bestowing a great favor. It was time to reveal his expectations.
“In exchange for working with the Duke, I want the Noire Mines under the Duke’s ownership.”
As expected. The Noire Mines were in the western region and rich in minerals. It was a fair target.
“Agreed.”
Chayron readily accepted the marquis’ proposal.
“Decisive as always,” the marquis remarked.
“I was going to give you the mines anyway.”
“That means… you don’t intend to offer any additional compensation?”
The marquis was quick-witted. No need for lengthy explanation; he understood.
“You understand well,” Chayron said with a faint smile.
“This is a matter where my children and grandchildren could die. I’m risking so much; the Duke must also commit everything to ensure success. Can I trust you?”
Chayron had never hesitated in pursuing his plans—whether avenging his mother’s death, killing his half-brother, or expanding the Black Lake Knights to its current scale.
So answering this question was easy.
He had never failed to achieve a goal. Naturally, he could guarantee the marquis success and his family’s safety.
He would run forward, only seeing his goal, and seize it.
Yet… today, even he hesitated slightly in answering.
The silence was brief but unusual for Chayron.
The impatient marquis furrowed his brows.
Chayron shook off the fleeting thought and spoke.
“Of course. You will receive as much in return as you have placed your trust in me.”
