Chapter : 12
I Don’t Want to Ride a Horse With the Grand Duke
William’s gentle voice could be heard through the door.
“Tomorrow I must meet His Majesty the King. While I am away, I ask you to take charge of security at the residence.”
“So even the King feels a twinge of conscience. It seems he’s been calling for you because of that nightmare for seven years.”
At Calix’s mocking tone, William let out a sigh.
“Please at least show loyalty publicly. For the sake of your house, don’t make more enemies.”
“An insincere relationship of loyalty is inferior to a practical one based on mutual benefit. After my father was murdered, I long ago abandoned any loyalty toward the King. From the moment he was killed. I simply protect my country and my territory. That was my father’s pride and conviction—and the duty of our house.”
Calix spoke each word as if biting them down, suppressing his rage.
“I still have that nightmare every single night. I vividly see my father being attacked by monsters. If the royal family had responded properly, my father would not have died! He gave everything to the nation. Yet the King was nothing more than an incompetent ruler who could not save even his most loyal subject. How could I swear true loyalty to such a man?”
I remembered what I had read in the original story.
The tragedy of the royal palace banquet seven years ago, where the first crown prince and high nobles were killed by monsters.
Calix’s father was also said to have died there.
Startled by his grief-filled voice, I peeked through the gap in the door.
Why does he suffer so much? If it was monsters, then it wasn’t his fault…
William looked at his friend with pity. Only Calix’s back was visible.
His broad silhouette in the darkness looked as if it might collapse at any moment.
His trembling shoulders, as he struggled to control his breathing, carried deep resentment, pain, and unending sorrow.
William placed a hand gently on Calix’s forehead, and a soft light began to flow.
“Calix, you are still suffering from nightmares, aren’t you? When do you even sleep? I thought you were doing better—why didn’t you call me?”
“After returning from the northern border, I was busy managing the ducal territory. You were also busy going back and forth between the library and the palace.”
“Do not mistake self-punishment for atonement.”
“William, you talk too much nonsense.”
So Calix had been suffering nightmares for seven years.
Was his terrible personality caused by lack of sleep? People needed proper rest—good sleep improved both skin and temperament.
Not that this was the time to think that.
The soft light from William’s hand faded.
“With this, you should be free from nightmares for a while. Consider this repayment for treatment—and protect her. At least until I return from the palace.”
At William’s polite request, I held my breath and listened.
“What exactly is she to you?”
Calix asked sharply.
“I… am a sinner to her. I must spend the rest of my life atoning to her.”
William spoke softly, like a confession offered to God.
A sinner? Why does he need to atone to Erika?
Calix also looked puzzled, but William only smiled bitterly.
After a long silence, they began to rise, preparing to leave.
Ah—if I stay here any longer, I’ll be caught.
Leaving behind only more unanswered questions, I quietly returned to my room.
When I opened the door, the palace outside the window glowed solemnly in the deep night.
A magnificent white palace, towering as if overlooking all humanity.
It had stood firm for hundreds of years, its walls lit with torches.
How many people had fallen to protect that light? Even Calix’s father…
Watching that brilliance that would never fade, I drifted into a heavy sleep.
* * *
“Good morning, Lady Erika.”
On the third day at the residence, I finally stepped outside to enjoy the bright midday sun.
Sir Lloyd of the Shadow Knights greeted me with a cheerful smile.
He was a man in his early thirties with brown hair and a handsome face, though he gave off a slightly flirtatious impression.
Because he was so sociable, even though I had only seen him a few days, he felt like a familiar senior from school.
“You’re on guard duty again today, Sir Lloyd. Thank you for your hard work.”
I smiled politely and tried to slip past him quickly, but Lloyd blocked my way.
“You’re wearing your librarian uniform. Are you heading to work? I thought the Royal Library was closed.”
“It’s a bit stuffy staying at the residence, so I was planning to check on some work at the library. The Director gave permission.”
Lloyd smiled knowingly.
“Hm. Is that really all you’re doing today? You do have an important appointment for lunch, don’t you?”
“…An appointment?”
I pretended ignorance, but Lloyd didn’t back down.
“Come now, don’t act like that. Gilbert is already bringing the Grand Duke and the young lord here. You had a lunch appointment today, didn’t you?”
In truth, I had received a letter from Michael the day before.
A polite but sincere invitation—he wanted to repay my help during the carriage accident by treating me to a meal.
For a ten-year-old, his handwriting was surprisingly elegant and mature.
I had replied that I would come since staying at the residence was boring anyway.
“I swear on my life, I will safely escort the Grand Duke’s lady,” Lloyd declared, striking a knightly salute with his fist over his chest.
I quickly waved my hands.
“It’s just lunch. Don’t overdo it. And please stop calling me ‘the Grand Duke’s lady.’ That’s absolutely not true.”
But Lloyd ignored my protest and continued solemnly, as if facing an enemy on the battlefield.
“This is unprecedented. Since I began serving Grand Duke Reinhardt, this is the first time he has arranged a lunch appointment with a lady. How could I take it lightly?”
“I knew the Grand Duke wasn’t social, but… that much?”
At my worried tone, Lloyd’s eyes suddenly welled up.
He was really expressive. He could probably become an actor.
“I have served the Grand Duke since he first went into battle at eighteen. He spent his youth fighting monsters and enemies, and buried under mountains of ducal paperwork. He never even had time for passionate romance… Watching him devote himself only to work is painful for me as his subordinate.”
So he really is a workaholic.
Wasting that perfect face like that.
I nodded vigorously.
“How unfortunate that he hasn’t even dated once. Don’t worry, I’m sure the Grand Duke will soon meet his destined partner—”
Before I could hint at the heroine Priscilla, Lloyd interrupted me with shining eyes.
“I believe that lady is you, Lady Diel!”
“…Pardon?”
I froze.
“No, I think there’s a serious misunderstanding—”
But Lloyd was already lost in his own world.
“I saw it clearly at the carriage accident. The way the Grand Duke held you in his arms—it was truly moving! To think he could be so romantic!”
At the carriage accident, Calix had apparently carried both Michael and me to safety. I barely remembered it.
“That was just a rescue. Anyone would have done the same.”
“The Grand Duke never touches a lady unless absolutely necessary. Normally, he would have ordered us to handle it.”
What a difficult man. Not even a gentleman type—more like a cleanliness obsession.
“Why does he avoid ladies so much?”
“Well… the truth is…”
Lloyd lowered his voice, glancing around cautiously.
“The Grand Duke used to visit the palace as a companion to His Highness the Crown Prince when he was young. The noble ladies there apparently adored him excessively. Since then, he has developed an almost obsessive dislike of social gatherings and ladies. That’s what I heard from Director William.”
“Oh my, what kind of ‘adoration’ did he receive?”
“I don’t know either. But I suspect…”
We both leaned in, deep in thought.
So Calix as a boy… I kind of want to see that.
Right now he’s a cold, sharp-eyed man—but as a child, maybe he was as adorable as Michael?
I smiled slightly imagining it—
And then—
A flash of light.
A sword blade stopped right in front of Lloyd’s neck.
“Eek—Grand Duke!”
“Lloyd. I told you to guard the residence, not harass the librarian.”
Calix stood there in a pure white uniform, radiating cold anger.
Under the sunlight, his black hair and muscular frame looked almost like a noble foreign emperor.
Lloyd immediately stepped away from me and dropped to the ground.
“I’m sorry, Grand Duke! I’ve committed a grave sin. I will atone with my life—”
“Wait! It’s a misunderstanding!”
I shouted quickly.
“I was just talking with Sir Lloyd! He was very polite. Drawing your sword is too harsh, Grand Duke.”
“Lady Erika, why do you always treat me like this? It’s quite unpleasant.”
“What do you mean?”
Calix sheathed his sword and looked down at me expressionlessly.
“You are kind to everyone except me. And yet I am the one who actually protects and supports you.”
My ears grew warm.
I switched into professional work mode and forced out a diplomatic smile.
“I am always grateful for your protection and assistance as a Royal Library librarian.”
My cheeks twitched from holding the smile.
“That attitude… is not bad.”
His expression softened slightly.
“Then let’s depart. Michael is already waiting at the restaurant.”
He turned toward his horse.
“…Grand Duke, where is the carriage?”
“Why would we need one? We will ride horses together.”
“…Are you serious?”
He looked at me like I had asked something foolish.
Oh no. My neck already hurts.
Ride a horse through the capital… alone with the Grand Duke?
Who exactly is he trying to ruin here?
Lloyd suddenly stepped forward.
“Lady Erika. You must not ride that horse.”
“Why not? Come on, get on.”
One was pushing me forward, the other stopping me.
Seriously… what am I supposed to do?
