Chapter 29
“I’m just here to look around. You don’t need to mind me.”
“If you show up so suddenly like this… S-someone, inform Lord Vermont!”
“There’s no need for that.”
I smiled sympathetically, imagining how Vermont’s heart must’ve shriveled upon hearing the sudden news of my arrival.
“Shall I guide you?”
“No need. I came to look around freely, so carry on with your work.”
Despite my words, everyone was too busy watching my every move.
When did people start acting so cautious around Irene?
It was fascinating how quickly last night’s news had spread even all the way here.
Sensational rumors really do hold power.
“It feels like your status has changed, my lady.”
“It’s a good thing, really. I hope there comes a time when no one is unaware of the name ‘Irene.’”
“Our trade ship is scheduled to arrive in a few days, so until then, shall we visit the ship under construction?”
“I can see it from here, though.”
I spoke while gazing off in the distance, at the tallest structure near the harbor.
It amazed me that something so massive could be built by human hands.
“If I get too close, I might end up craning my neck.”
“It does have an overwhelming presence.”
“When’s the launch?”
“Roughly two months from now,” Elliott replied, flipping through his notebook.
“I need to secure this business project in my hands by then.”
“Is there a particular business you’re aiming for?”
“I’m always full of ideas.”
I began walking slowly.
The scent of the sea, the sounds of the dock, the rough and unrestrained atmosphere—it all made me feel refreshed.
This kind of place definitely had more life than any enclosed space.
That’s when I noticed children swimming by the pier, surrounded by small boats.
“Isn’t it dangerous to swim over there?”
“These children have been one with the sea since birth. There’s no way they’d fear the ocean or the ships.”
“They’re great swimmers.”
Unlike me, who could only manage basic survival swimming, the children seemed to be embracing freedom with their whole bodies.
Every time their laughter rang out, the corners of my mouth rose on their own.
It was such a heartwarming sight—how could it not be?
Or at least, it should’ve been…
“…Am I seeing things?”
Why did the face of the person swimming among the children look exactly like Duke Lahan?
I stared at the man who waved while shaking water from his soaked hair.
His hair, his eyes, and even that breezy smile that mirrored the ocean—no matter how many times I looked, it had to be Lahan.
“Do you see the Duke over there too?”
“Yes, I do. I wonder where he left his shirt.”
Each time he dipped below the surface and reemerged, the way his glistening body caught the light drew everyone’s gaze.
What kind of nobleman swims shirtless in a harbor, seriously?
“The water must be crystal clear.”
“…I’ll be off to meet the supervisor in charge of the ship construction.”
“Why? Not asking me to come along?”
“Well, that’s probably because His Grace is waving at you right now, my lady.”
“Hmm. You do know betrayal doesn’t always mean a knife in the back, right?”
“…Please make sure to tell me the full story later.”
With that, Elliott turned and walked away.
And now, the only one left to respond to the man waving in my direction… was me.
“How many bodies does that man even have?”
He shows up everywhere I go—at this point, I’m starting to get suspicious.
Is he following me?
No, wait… I arrived later, so am I the one following him?
It was such an absurd scene; it left me at a loss for words.
Caw, caw. The sound of seagulls echoed in my ears.
* * *
“It’s still quite chilly today.”
Splash! Cutting through the water, Duke Lahan climbed ashore—one could say he was in a rather underdressed state.
“Did the sea steal your clothes, Your Grace?”
“Ha! Even the finest silk becomes a nuisance in the water.”
As Lahan stepped onto solid ground, his attendant approached with something like a robe.
“Do you usually enjoy swimming just anywhere?”
“Not really. But today was a special occasion.”
While drying his face with the towel he was handed, the Duke glanced toward the sea where he’d been swimming.
“Your Grace! Look at this! I found it, just like I said I would!”
“Haha! And you call yourself the ‘King of Diving’? You’re no match for Jake!”
The children waved a massive shell in the air, calling out to the Duke.
Sigh… So he threw himself into the water just to retrieve that?
“That kid’s the best swimmer around here. Yesterday, he bragged about seeing the biggest shell in the world, and I couldn’t let that go unanswered.”
“…You challenge children to contests?”
“When it comes to winning and losing, does age really matter?”
Laughing heartily, the Duke waved at the children.
“Mahal, once they’re back on land, take them to the restaurant. I promised them a feast if I lost.”
“Yes, understood.”
His attendant walked off to gather the children.
The Duke loosely tied his robe and began to walk, and I, for some reason, found myself following.
Why am I following this man again?
“By the way, Lady of Mergen, what brings you all the way out here?”
“I came to check on the ship under construction for our family. I’ve got a lot on my mind to sort through…”
“Hmm, so your next move is trade?”
To be honest, maritime trade was Duke Lahan’s area of expertise.
Owning four ships, he was often called the Dragon King of the Land—half-jokingly, of course.
No one was unaware of the vast fortune he’d accumulated through his trade empire.
“It’s not enough to just build things on land anymore if you want to make money.”
“Still, sea folk might be a bit rough for a noble lady to deal with.”
As the Duke walked past, people at the docks turned their attention to him.
“Your Grace, you’ve arrived!”
“Duke! We just got a fresh batch of meat at our shop!”
Everywhere we went, not a single person failed to recognize him. They called out freely and cheerfully.
The Duke, seemingly used to this, returned their greetings with a wave or a smile.
It was a curious sight to me.
“You seem to be quite friendly with the merchants.”
“Well, you could say I’m liked all around.”
What is it about this man that draws people in?
His easygoing nature, straightforward way of speaking, that naturally likable face…
It’s probably harder not to like him.
But that doesn’t mean he’s a shallow person.
He was a man of freedom and elegance—that was the Duke.
“On land, Mergen is known as the representative of the gods. At sea, the Bahel family is seen as protectors. The people of the sea naturally have great affection for those from Bahel.”
It was a story I had heard before.
People like me usually chalk it up to clever branding—just another tool for business.
“I honestly thought… you were following me.”
“Following you?”
“Well, you’ve been everywhere I went.”
“Hmm… I’ve been here for hours. Shouldn’t I be the one suspicious that you’re following me?”
“You’re welcome to think that, if you want.”
“Not the most exciting response.”
From where I stood, I could see his throat move as he let out a soft laugh.
He was the kind of person whose smallest actions drew your eye.
“So, did things turn out the way you hoped?”
“Thanks to you, everything went smoothly.”
“If this is what ‘smoothly’ looks like, then if you’d put in just a bit more effort, the Empire might’ve been turned upside down. This way.”
Without warning, the Duke changed direction.
He was striding toward a small cluster of boats tied together at the dock.
“…Wait, are you planning to take me out on a boat?”
“And here I thought you came all this way just to wander around on land?”
The Duke looked at me like I was the odd one.
“But I didn’t prepare anything—”
“Just trust the sea. You don’t need to do a thing.”
With a light leap, Lahan stepped onto the gangway and boarded the boat.
It might’ve looked small next to the big trade ships, but it was still large enough to carry several dozen people.
“Are you seriously going to make me go fishing?”
I looked at him, clearly uneasy, and the Duke smiled—broadly, confidently.
“If you fall in, I promise I’ll come save you.”
“No, that’s not really the problem…”
“You’ll hear the sea’s voice. You’ll like it.”
“The sea’s… voice?”
Did he mean the waves? The sharp cries of seagulls? The harbor was overflowing with sound.
“Come on.”
Urged by the Duke, I found myself stepping forward without thinking.
Seeing the water ripple beneath the gangway, I felt it—the moment I left solid ground.
“Let’s get moving!”
“You snuck aboard again, didn’t you?!”
The captain shouted, clearly shocked when he spotted us.
“Don’t be so harsh. Oh, and by the way—there’s a storm coming. Make sure all the ships are moved to safety today.”
“Tch.”
The sailors looked like commoners, yet the way they spoke so casually to him was fascinating.
Just like the children earlier.
“This ship’s captain isn’t exactly known for being friendly.”
“Don’t you own most of these ships anyway?”
“It’s hard to keep track when you own so much. I stop bothering with what’s mine or yours.”
“…Are you trying to show off your wealth to me?”
“Was it that obvious?”
I really couldn’t figure this man out.
Did he just enjoy teasing me?
Still, the Duke led me forward—so naturally, so effortlessly, as if it was the most ordinary thing in the world.
