Chapter 28
“If you have solid proof, House Ascher will stand as the Empire’s shield,”
Michalis replied, carefully choosing his words.
Just as it had been during the previous generations of Dukes, Michalis also had no desire to involve himself in the mud of central political games.
“Is that the will of the Duke?”
The Emperor raised an ambiguous brow at Michalis’s noncommittal answer.
“It is, Your Majesty.”
Political struggles were rife with variables, and there was much House Ascher needed to protect. Michalis intended to stay true to the duchy’s legacy—keeping their focus on threats from beyond the borders.
House Ascher may serve as the Empire’s shield, but never its hunting dog.
That had always been the duchy’s stance.
“You may go.”
“I shall see Your Majesty at the investiture ceremony.”
After offering a formal bow, Michalis turned and exited the audience chamber.
“Duke Ascher!”
Just as he was heading toward the palace gardens, a sharp voice called out to him, causing him to halt mid-step.
“Who goes there?”
A middle-aged man with pale pink hair streaked with silver stepped into view.
“This is our first meeting. I am Count Espensen, Minister of Military Affairs.”
“A pleasure to meet you.”
Michalis greeted the man who, just moments ago, had been named the Emperor’s potential enemy. How unexpected, to run into him so soon after deciding to distance himself from imperial politics.
“I greet the Duke of Ascher.”
As Michalis studied the unfamiliar man’s face, a clear, bright voice chimed in.
“Ah, this is my daughter.”
At her father’s introduction, Freya—standing beside Count Espensen—smiled like a blooming flower.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Meanwhile, Eliana and the Crown Prince were halfway through the wisteria tunnel.
Whoosh—!
A sudden gust of wind swept through the tunnel, scattering leaves and sending a shower of pale purple petals cascading around them. The sight was breathtaking—so rare it felt like a dream.
“Wow.”
The exclamation slipped from Eliana’s lips unbidden, pure and sincere.
She found herself wanting to replicate this in the duchy. If she could create such a shaded tunnel of wisteria at the southern estate, it would be a perfect escape from the scorching heat.
“I’m glad it pleases you,”
the Crown Prince said with a soft smile, noting the brightness on her face.
“Yes, I love it. I wish I could bring it back with me to the South.”
“Haha, I’m afraid that might be difficult.”
By the time they neared the end of the wisteria path, the initial stiffness between them had relaxed, replaced by a comfortable lightness.
Beyond the tunnel, the garden opened into a wide expanse. On either side of a white marble path stretched vibrant lawns dotted with circular flower beds. Manicured hedges, squared off neatly, stood as natural fences at the garden’s edge.
A fountain, decorated with marble statues, sent cool water arcing into the air. In the distance, the palace from which Eliana had come was visible.
“Ah, that reminds me—I haven’t given you a wedding gift yet.”
The Crown Prince stopped walking, still gently guiding her by the arm.
“What do you mean? You already gave me one.”
Eliana tilted her head, puzzled. At the wedding banquet, he had presented her with a dress so luxurious it felt almost burdensome.
“That was a gift from His Majesty.”
“Oh…”
Now that he mentioned it, she remembered. The dress had been from the Emperor. The Crown Prince had merely been the one to deliver it.
“Please wait just a moment.”
With a formal gesture, the Crown Prince asked her for patience and stepped off the marble path, onto the grass. He paused for a beat, as if contemplating something, then bent gracefully and plucked a single flower. Even that simple act was filled with elegance.
“A wedding gift from me, personally.”
He returned with a pale pink peony and held it out to her.
“……”
A flower from the Crown Prince—so modest, yet somehow more overwhelming than a gem-studded gift. Eliana hesitated to accept it.
Was this standard palace etiquette?
The way he stood—one hand behind his back, his head slightly bowed—was more akin to a lover’s confession than a formal presentation.
“Congratulations on your marriage.”
Sensing her hesitation, the Crown Prince offered the flower without any hint of ulterior motive.
“…Thank you. I’ll accept it, then.”
She couldn’t refuse a wedding gift outright. Eliana glanced at the peony again, then slowly reached out to take it with a cautious hand.
As her fingers brushed the Crown Prince’s, she felt his hand flinch slightly.
What was that?
She glanced up at his face, puzzled.
“……”
There was nothing to read on his expression—completely blank, not a flicker of emotion.
“I think I should return now.”
By now, the Emperor and Michalis had likely finished their private audience. Considering how vast the gardens were, she didn’t want to lose her way before reaching the palace entrance.
“Allow me to escort you.”
The Crown Prince smoothly offered his arm.
“……”
As Eliana lightly rested her hand on his arm, he bit down gently on his lower lip, letting out a silent sigh.
The walk back to the palace suddenly felt far too short.
* * *
“Haha, I waited for your audience to end, Duke, just to see you,”
Count Espensen said, wearing a disarmingly warm smile.
“Did you have business with me?”
Michalis asked calmly, unable to gauge the true motive of a man he was meeting for the first time.
“I was too tied up with work to attend your wedding, and so, I missed the chance to congratulate you properly.”
“That’s quite all right.”
His words, though friendly, felt empty and uncalled for—especially after calling out so abruptly. Michalis turned toward the garden without hesitation.
“I’m a bit pressed for time.”
It wasn’t just annoyance that urged Michalis on—he genuinely didn’t want to be entangled in this man’s affairs. More than anything, what weighed on his mind was Eliana. She was wandering the vast Imperial Gardens with little protection. If she scraped her foot on a stone path, it would be a problem.
“Then allow me to walk with you as I speak.”
Unbothered by Michalis’s dismissive tone—borderline rude—Count Espensen followed without pause.
“I sent my son and daughter to the wedding in my stead, but I still wanted to offer my congratulations personally.”
“Your message was well received.”
Michalis quickened his stride, long legs eating up the distance as his gaze flicked toward a window overlooking the gardens.
“Haha. I fear I didn’t send a proper gift either—so instead, I’d like to invite you to dinner.”
True to his martial background, Count Espensen kept up with Michalis’s pace effortlessly, not a hitch in his breath despite the speed.
“I’m afraid my schedule in Wespera is quite full. But I appreciate the kind offer.”
Michalis rejected the invitation without a second thought. He had no intention of involving himself in political games.
“Haah… Actually, it was me who pestered Father,”
Freya admitted between breaths as she tried to match Michalis’s pace. “I wanted to get to know the Duchess better.”
“You want to befriend my wife?”
Michalis came to an abrupt stop at the breathy voice beside him.
“Yes… I’d like to be good friends with the Duchess,”
Freya said, still catching her breath.
Only then did Michalis turn to face her. He studied her properly for the first time. A vibrant beauty, brimming with life. She looked to be about Eliana’s age.
A friend, huh…
It gave him pause.
He had always been quietly uneasy watching Eliana live among men at the ducal estate, with no female companions. Perhaps it wouldn’t be such a bad idea to give her the opportunity to make a friend her age.
“In that case, allow me to check our schedule. I’ll reply by letter.”
“Haha. Then I’ll look forward to a positive response.”
Michalis offered Count Espensen a polite nod in farewell before turning his eyes once more toward the window that overlooked the garden.
“……”
And there she was.
Eliana had just emerged from the wisteria tunnel—but she was not alone. Someone was escorting her.
There was only one man in the palace with hair that color.
The Crown Prince.
“What’s out there?”
Count Espensen, about to turn away, followed Michalis’s line of sight, startled by the sudden chill in the Duke’s demeanor.
“……”
Freya, too, caught the scene from the window. Her expression stiffened.
That bastard…
Michalis stood there for a long moment, staring daggers through the glass. Then, without a word, he vaulted out of the wide-open window.
Escort? Fine. But handing her a flower? That’s where I draw the line.
“Kyah!”
Freya couldn’t help but scream at the sight of Michalis leaping from the second floor. This was the palace—even its second floor had significantly more height than a standard building.
Thud!
The sound echoed as Michalis landed. He had concentrated aura into his legs at the last moment—so the noise was loud, but he was unharmed.
“Duke—are you all right?!”
Count Espensen’s voice called down from above, panicked.
“……”
Michalis didn’t respond. He brushed himself off and began walking purposefully toward Eliana. The only trace left of where he’d stood was a fractured marble tile.
“Gasp—!”
Neither Eliana nor the Crown Prince had seen it, absorbed as they were in their exchange. But the two royal guards had. They clearly witnessed someone leaping from the palace.
Judging by the agility and fluid motion, the figure was at least a Sword Expert level or above.
“……”
And now, that man was striding rapidly toward the Crown Prince.
Both guards instinctively reached for their swords.
The pressure emanating from the approaching man was unmistakable—a palpable, dangerous aura only a seasoned warrior could sense.
“I think I should return now,” Eliana said.
“I shall escort you,” the Crown Prince responded calmly.
“Your Highness—enemy approaching. Please do not move.”
The moment Eliana placed her hand on his arm, the royal guard stepped forward, sword drawn, placing himself between them.
“What is the meaning of this?” The Crown Prince’s eyes widened in shock.
In broad daylight, within the Imperial Palace itself—what could possibly warrant a drawn sword?
