Chapter 27
“So… you’re saying you fell for me at first sight?”
“…Pardon?”
“Understood.”
For a moment, Kallen was so startled he froze in place. Even Isana looked briefly taken aback, but then he gave a bright, amused smile and bowed his head politely.
“Then I hope we can meet again—formally this time.”
Kallen and Isana finally stepped back. Still shaken, Kallen glanced behind him and whispered as he leaned close to Isana.
“Captain, seriously… What were you thinking, vouching for her with your name like that? What if she actually is a thief? And falling for her at first sight? She’s strange. Really strange! How can someone like that be a guest of His Grace the Duke? It makes no sense!”
“She’s strange—which makes her a better fit. His Grace isn’t exactly ordinary either.”
There was a cool edge in Isana’s reply that made Kallen tilt his head. His captain was always the friendly, smiling type. Even when he disciplined his subordinates, he never lost that smile. It had earned him the nickname “sniper’s smile.”
“…Captain, do you dislike the Duke?”
“I don’t particularly like him.”
“…Sorry?”
“Anyway—do you think a real thief would show up in broad daylight, striding into the Duke’s estate, confidently dropping His Grace’s name?”
“Well… when you put it like that…”
“Besides, we can’t allow anyone to make fools of our guards. Still, that doesn’t change the fact they’ll need more intense training. And if she is a thief, well—she said it herself. She’ll take responsibility.”
“You mean… she’d die?”
“Exactly. It wouldn’t take much. With a dagger like that, ending her would be simple. A few holes in that small head, and that’s that.”
Kallen swallowed hard. Isana’s cheerful expression hadn’t changed, but the words were unnervingly cold.
That really is the smile of a sniper…
She remained in place, standing completely still, until Isana disappeared from view. Just then, a familiar breeze brushed past her. Sensing something, she turned her head swiftly—and there, at the end of her gaze, stood Eclite.
“Kamari.”
The woman—Kamari—immediately dropped to one knee and offered a respectful bow.
“Kamari, under Commander Cahillro’s orders, will now serve His Grace, Duke Clio.”
“You arrived faster than expected.”
“There was a reason.”
Eclite glanced into her eyes and nodded, but his expression shifted slightly as something in her face caught his attention. Her gaze held a strange brightness. Most people wouldn’t have noticed—but Eclite, who knew Kamari well, sensed something was off.
“Why that expression? Don’t tell me…”
Kamari, usually stoic and unreadable, gave a shy smile and spoke softly.
“I just met the captain of the sharpshooter unit.”
“…Captain of the sharpshooters? You mean Sir Isana?”
“Is that his name? Anyway, it was my first time seeing him—and he believed me without a hint of suspicion.”
“……”
“And… how can someone be that handsome? He kept smiling at me like sunshine. I swear, it felt like a divine revelation. He was practically glowing. He’s absolutely perfect!”
The fierce panther-like woman from moments ago had vanished, replaced by a dreamy-eyed girl lost in her own world. Eclite’s face darkened more and more as Kamari’s voice grew increasingly excited. But she paid no mind. She even bounced on her heels lightly as she continued.
“I think he fell for me at first sight. He said he trusted me because he had a good feeling about me. And he wants to meet again! He tried to hide it, but that was clearly just shyness.”
“…Good grief.”
“My heart’s still racing. I can’t stop thinking about him… I think I’ve fallen in love!”
Eclite closed his eyes tightly and muttered through clenched teeth.
“Here we go again… Lady Kamari.”
“No, really! This time it’s real! He did say he liked me at first sight!”
Kamari—second only to Cahillro in the northern region. She was a knight gifted with a naturally strong physique and exceptional swordsmanship. She learned faster than anyone, and her specialty was assassination.
But there was one secret no one else knew.
She fell in love just as easily… and just as fast.
“My name is Kamari. I have no surname—I was orphaned.”
Kamari stood before Amelia with a rigid posture, her expression cold and her tone detached as she gave a brief introduction. Her strict, formal demeanor made Amelia flinch slightly, but she forced a bright smile and extended a hand in a friendly gesture.
“I look forward to working with you, Lady Kamari.”
But Kamari didn’t take the offered hand. Instead, she bowed more deeply, showing even greater respect.
“I’m not of the status to dare hold the hand of the head of the household.”
“Ha… You don’t have to be so formal—feel free to be at ease.”
“I’m afraid I cannot.”
“Ah… I see.”
Amelia awkwardly lowered her hand and smiled stiffly. She had been curious when she heard someone from the North was coming, but she hadn’t expected to meet her this soon—or that the woman would be so striking. And yet, as striking as she was, she was equally cold. Was this just how people from the North were? Now that she thought about it, most Northerners she’d met—from Cahillro to the Duke himself—had been cold to her at first. Even His Grace had seemed distant when they first met. Though, of course, he was nothing like that now.
Maybe I’m just bad at first impressions with Northerners…
Eclite let out a small sigh as he watched the flustered Amelia and the silent Kamari, then formally introduced her.
“This is Kamari, a disciple of Cahillro. She is second only to him in skill. She will be staying in the South for a while, assigned to protect both you and me.”
Amelia leaned closer to Eclite and whispered quietly.
“Did I do something wrong? Or… is this just a Northern custom?”
“No, it’s just her personality. But you’ll see another side of her soon enough. Try not to be too surprised.”
“…What?”
“She’ll be completely different. And unfortunately for us, we’ll probably see that side very soon.”
Amelia blinked in surprise. It was unlike Eclite to sigh so heavily—and he looked visibly displeased. What exactly was she going to see? Why did he seem so against it? Amelia glanced back at Kamari. Their eyes met, but Kamari didn’t smile. She stood upright and expressionless, making Amelia once again offer a polite, awkward smile.
She doesn’t look like she’ll change much… No, don’t be judgmental. Even Lord Cahillro warmed up a little eventually… I think?
Kamari, having finished the formalities, turned to Eclite and got straight to the point.
“Your Grace likely already knows why I arrived early.”
“Yes. Because of the illicit liquor.”
“Illicit liquor?”
Amelia asked in surprise, caught off guard by the unfamiliar term. Kamari hesitated and looked to Eclite, unsure if she should speak so openly in his wife’s presence. This was, after all, a Northern affair. But Eclite nodded slightly, signaling that it was fine. He had chosen to keep Amelia by his side during this conversation for a reason.
“I wasn’t planning to say anything, but… I’ve decided not to hide things from my wife when I can avoid it.”
There are already too many secrets between us. If something can be shared, I want to share it.
Sensing the seriousness in his tone, Amelia straightened and replied sincerely.
“Please, go on.”
“There have been reports of unusual behavior among wild animals in the Northern territories.”
“In the North, too?”
“Yes. Northern beasts are indeed fierce by nature, but they never attack villages unless provoked. While investigating the cause, we came across an unfamiliar type of liquor.”
“Unfamiliar liquor…”
“In the North, due to the cold, strong alcohol is commonly used to maintain body heat. But this mysterious drink started spreading among the people, and somehow, it ended up being consumed by animals—who then began behaving erratically.”
Kamari added calmly,
“It appears to have a stimulant effect on beasts.”
“A stimulant…”
As Amelia echoed the word, Eclite continued in a steady voice.
“To the eye, it looks like ordinary strong liquor. But it causes a state of frenzy—something like madness—only in animals. It took us a while to identify the connection. We believe the animals came into contact with leftover drinks that had been spilled or discarded by hunters.”
“I see…”
“We’ve classified it as an unauthorized liquor and began tracing its distribution route. That trail eventually led us here, to the Southern territories. Of course, during the initial investigation, no clear evidence was found.”
That’s when Amelia realized—Eclite hadn’t told her the real reason for his initial visit to the South.
So that’s why he came to the Southern territories in the first place…
Kamari turned her gaze briefly to the window before speaking again.
“The reason I moved ahead of schedule is because of the night market.”
On nights when the full moon rose, night markets would open in various corners of Solra.
“We received intel that an illegal deal involving the liquor might take place during the night market. We haven’t identified the exact location yet, so we’ll need to comb through the entire market.”
As Kamari finished speaking, Eclite’s expression grew grim.
“So it’s reached here too, in the end.”
As Amelia listened to everything being discussed, a familiar situation came to mind.
“Wait… then—what happened in the western village. Could it be related to the incidents in the North?”
Eclite gave a short nod in response.
“Possibly.”
“So that’s why your expression darkened earlier.”
“I wondered if it could be the same situation. I didn’t act because there was no certainty, but after hearing what Kamari said, the likelihood has grown.”
“Since the western village has already been affected, I’ll focus on searching tonight’s market. If the South has already started to feel the impact, then we must catch the smugglers and root this out tonight—no matter what.”
Eclite agreed with Kamari’s judgment.
“You’re right. This could become extremely dangerous. There’s no guarantee the liquor only affects animals. I’ll move with you tonight.”
“Yes, understood. I’ll head out now.”
With a sharp nod to Eclite and Amelia, Kamari swiftly exited the drawing room. Amelia looked at Eclite with worry in her eyes.
“Were there any deaths in the North?”
Reading the concern in her gaze, Eclite gently reassured her.
“Fortunately, no casualties occurred in the North.”
“But if what happened in the western village was truly because of that liquor… and someone did die because of it… then we have to stop it, no matter what.”
“We need to inform Sir Isana about this as well.”
“You’re right. I’ll reach out to him right away. But, Your Grace…”
Amelia hesitated, asking carefully what had long been on her mind.
“There’s something I’ve been meaning to ask… Shouldn’t you return to the Northern territories?”
Eclite immediately understood what she meant. On paper, he was the ruling duke of the North.
“From what I’ve heard… it seems there are matters you handle directly up there too.”
“The North is different from the South.”
“Pardon?”
“No one truly rules the North. It’s a place where people simply survive against harsh nature. They just needed an excuse to send a prince away. That’s all. The North… was nothing more than a prison for me.”
The word prison struck Amelia like a cold wind—eerie, and quietly heartbreaking. Yet Eclite himself remained calm, even indifferent.
“There’s no need to worry. Cahillro is more than capable. Still, we must put an end to this liquor problem before it escalates further.”
“Of course. We have to.”
“That’s why… I won’t be by your side tonight.”
Eclite said it with hesitation in his eyes, clearly reluctant to leave her. But Amelia gave a small laugh and waved her hands, gently pushing him toward his duty.
“It’s fine! Don’t worry about me. I’ll be just fine. In fact, I’ll make sure no one thinks twice about your absence—I’ll play the part perfectly.”
Eclite felt a twinge of disappointment at how easily Amelia had let him go.
“…You seem a little too okay with this.”
“Hmm?”
“It’s nothing.”
“Anyway… the night market…”
Amelia repeated the unfamiliar term softly to herself. She had never been to one before.
A market held on the night of the full moon… how romantic.
She really did want to go. But this was serious business—she couldn’t possibly ask to tag along. And more importantly, she was the head of the household. She couldn’t move around freely on a whim. Pushing down the excitement that had briefly bubbled up, she told him what she truly meant to say.
“Please be careful. You can’t get hurt. Promise me—no matter what!”
“There shouldn’t be any danger.”
“Still!”
Eclite didn’t miss the concern hidden in her words. He paused for a moment, quietly taking in her expression.
Night had fallen.
The skies were clear—without a single cloud—and a large full moon shone down, lighting the night almost as brightly as the sun. As it was the day of the night market, the moon seemed to glow even more intensely.
That night, Amelia had chosen to stay not in the highest room of the estate, but in her original bedchamber. She paced slowly near the window, too anxious and tense to sleep.
“…The moon really is beautiful tonight.”
Tonight, that moon might as well be the sun.
Amelia clasped her hands together and whispered with quiet desperation.
“They say the moon borrows light from the sun god. So, please… I’m praying. Even if he said there’s no danger—please, make sure nothing happens. Don’t let him get hurt. I know I haven’t prayed often, but please don’t ignore me just because You don’t recognize my voice. From now on, I promise I’ll pray with devotion. Just this once—please, grant this wish.”
Her plea was so sincere, she almost felt like a real wife praying for her husband to return safely from the battlefield.
Well… maybe that’s a bit dramatic. But sincerity is what counts, right?
She turned her gaze to the violets placed on the windowsill. There were the ones given by her nanny, and the ones Eclite always brought her. They looked beautiful together.
Please… truly, please let him come back unharmed…
Just then, the door creaked open behind her.
Ah, right—she hadn’t told Mami about the change in her plans.
“Mami, I’m staying in this room tonight. His Grace snuck out, so I need you to manage things and—”
“My lady.”
Amelia spun around, startled.
She wasn’t greeted by her maid, but by Eclite’s voice.
Standing there in the doorway, cloaked in a black robe, was Eclite himself. Just like that night—when he had quietly entered her room for the first time.
“Your Grace?”
Amelia rushed over to him in surprise.
“What are you doing? You haven’t left yet? Did you forget something?”
“I did.”
“What?”
“You.”
Her eyes widened.
“I came tonight to steal you away.”
Eclite handed her a change of clothes he had brought with him and whispered with a mischievous smile,
“Shall we have a secret rendezvous?”
-
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