#074

It was a smile that even Cullen had only seen once. For Kiyen to so easily show a smile more precious than any jewel he had named and obtained.

Even knowing it was a smile with a purpose, an inexplicable emotion filled his chest heavily. It was a feeling he had never experienced in his life.

The Young Duke seemed completely mesmerized by Kiyen’s smile. Forgetting all pretense of composure, he stared blankly at Kiyen smiling, then belatedly came to his senses and laughed. With a genuinely joyful smile, he grabbed Kiyen’s wrist.

“A beautiful thing also has a good grasp of the situation. You made a good choice!”

The intensity of the unknown emotion deepened. Something felt lodged within him, and a heat boiled beneath it. Cullen thought Kiyen would push the Young Duke away, but instead, he just watched what the other was doing, following his smile.

“Instead, I have a condition.”

“What is it?”

“These people are my retainers, brainwashed to follow me. I will keep them by my side.”

“Hmm.”

The Young Duke first looked at Lasano, then surveyed the rest of the group. His gaze finally fixed on Cullen.

“I cannot give up the black-haired one. What exactly do you need the others for? There are plenty of excellent retainers in this castle, far better than them. I will bring anyone you wish.”

As he listened to the Young Duke’s words, Ulli muttered softly.

“Does he think he’s prettier than me? He must have bad eyes, that Young Duke.”

Normally, he might have laughed at such absurdity, but Cullen’s attention was entirely focused on Kiyen.

The smile drawn on Kiyen’s face kept catching his eye. Neither confessions nor gifts had made Kiyen smile. That was why he had asked what Kiyen liked. He wanted Kiyen to smile even once more because of him.

“The tallest man is my cook. The one pretending to be a priest here is not entirely sane, but he is very good at grooming. And that short one is my personal guard. I don’t want anyone but them.”

“You are fearless and demanding.”

The Young Duke lowered his voice to intimidate, but Kiyen didn’t even flinch. He remained silent, merely narrowing his eyes, and it was the Young Duke who was swayed.

“……He has a charmingly aloof air.”

He muttered a nonsensical remark close to himself and clapped his hands.

“I am a master with broad ambitions, so I will listen to your words!”

The Young Duke’s state had been strange even before entering, but after seeing Kiyen’s face, he became even stranger, as if bewitched. Cullen, knowing he was a married man, could not suppress his disgust.

However, it was clear Kiyen had his own agenda, so Cullen decided to defer this debt for now. Until Duke Ruffellon returned.

“Moet, you will confine and watch that black-haired man. Assign as many knights as possible.”

The Young Duke pointed at someone. Where his gaze landed, a man wearing glasses stood silently leaning against the wall. He had been hidden among the knights, but he appeared younger than the Young Duke and resembled Ruffellon.

He had said Ruffellon had two sons.

“Brother, are you serious?”

A title that turned speculation into fact was heard. The man detached himself from the wall and walked with heavy steps. Standing before the Young Duke, he asked quietly.

“Do not argue.”

The Young Duke, with an attitude of no further discussion, led the knights. Ulli and Arne were pushed forward, while only Cullen was surrounded by knights. The Duke’s second son, Moet, looked expressionlessly at the Young Duke before stepping in front of Cullen. His height was similar to his brother’s, but he was slender.

The glass of his spectacles glinted, reflecting the light in the hall. The dry eyes within scanned Cullen.

“Let’s go.”

He gestured, and the knights herded Cullen to the other side. Before leaving, Cullen looked back at Kiyen. He hoped to meet Kiyen’s gaze with blue-gold eyes.

However, Kiyen did not particularly look back. Instead, he showed only his inscrutable back, cold and distant.

Moet walked silently for a while. After they were moved to a secluded annex on the east side, the knights were stationed at the door, leaving only the two of them in the room, before he spoke. Bowing respectfully.

“Please forgive my rudeness, Your Highness.”

Kiyen’s complicated thoughts returned to reality.

“What do you mean?”

Cullen probed him. Moet cut straight to the chase.

“I know that the symbol of royalty is purple eyes. Since Lady Kihelene was a woman, it means that the person before me is the new Crown Prince.”

It was natural for someone of the Duke’s son’s standing to have seen Kihelene. With the other party coming out so directly, Cullen felt he could also be direct.

“Then why is your brother like that?”

“Please speak more respectfully, Your Highness.”

Moet seemed slightly flustered, perhaps not expecting the continued use of honorifics. The blue eyes behind his glasses curved in a troubled manner. Cullen had already experienced that it was better to compromise with nobles than to argue over such trivial matters.

“To answer Your Highness’s question… my brother is currently in a state of severe mental instability.”

“The Duke never said that.”

“He was not like this originally. He began to change about half a year ago, after attending secret parties in high society. He completely lost his reason less than two months ago. It happened to coincide with Father’s absence and many matters at the Imperial Palace… they don’t know properly yet.”

Moet glanced outside, then sighed and spoke to Cullen.

“My brother has committed an impious act, but please show leniency. He is not normally like this. It is all due to addiction to some drug and meeting strange people.”

“Does his infatuation with beautiful women, despite having a wife, stem from that too?”

It was an unnecessary remark. Cullen admitted his mistake. However, Cullen had always detested those who were unfaithful to their loved ones. Especially if the perpetrator was a man.

Perhaps an unexpected question, Moet’s eyes widened. He scratched his chin slightly, then shook his head.

“It is shameful, but… his liking for beautiful women is his original disposition. However, Lady Anita, his wife, also has someone she cherishes. It’s not an excuse, but it’s common among nobles who have arranged marriages.”

……It’s an incomprehensible world. Cullen was certain he would never get used to the way nobles thought or lived. With him saying so much, Cullen had nothing more to add and returned to the main topic.

“Why bring this up? Do you mean you want me to spare your brother’s life later?”

“That too… but if my brother remains in this state, the territory will be destroyed before Father returns. You saw it too, didn’t you, Your Highness? That monster.”

“The monster the Young Duke believes Kiyen-nim summoned?”

“……So his name is Kiyen-nim. Yes, that’s right. The territory is overflowing with problems to deal with, but my brother will think he has resolved everything with what just happened. If he is part of the entourage assisting the Crown Prince, he surely wouldn’t be involved with the strange phenomena in the territory, so the monster will surely reappear.”

The more they talked, the more Cullen felt Moet was a reasonable person to converse with. His directness and practical nature, without unnecessary words, were not frustrating.

“Has the monster appeared before?”

“Not exactly. However, there have been strange signs before. Normally, our Dukedom should be in the midst of cultivating fruits and crops. Being the warmest place in the west, it has many specialties, as you know. But spring is not coming. Only here. And today……”

Moet looked out the window. The snow that had spread from the collapsed walls had now reached the city and was turning into a blizzard.

“It doesn’t snow here even in winter. Many of the territory’s people will suffer. The Elves will be the same, I presume.”

The mention of Elves was unexpected.

“You care for the Elves too?”

“Ah.”

Moet closed his mouth. He glanced at Cullen, then cautiously affirmed.

“The Elves are also living beings of the Empire. They are helpful to the territory, never harmful. They just look different……”

“You don’t need to say more. I’m not interrogating you.”

It was not uncommon to find rulers who cared for their people. Cullen had read about such individuals in history books.

However, a heart that considered other races as well could only be described as an innate disposition, not something learned through education. While the heir apparent was falling into a trap, was the second son thinking of this?

Cullen felt renewed doubt about the Empire’s law of primogeniture. The reason he had embarked on his pilgrimage was due to that meaningless tradition.

“Have you tried persuading the Young Duke?”

“He will likely take the monster seriously, but he will show little interest in the territory’s people.”

Moet could not hide his frustration.

“You seem to have a different idea.”

“……Shouldn’t we navigate crises by thinking of the future? But it is all beyond my authority.”

He fell into thought for a moment. The issue of the territory’s people was too much for Cullen to solve immediately. Since it was his territory anyway, Moet could handle that part, and he could resolve the matter of the monster with Kiyen.

The problem was the knights. It wouldn’t be difficult to sideline them, but it would be bothersome to do so every time.

“Can you proceed with your plans while avoiding the Young Duke’s notice? You will need to handle the knights appropriately so they don’t interfere with my work. It would also be good to be informed of the Young Duke’s schedule in advance.”

Moet’s face brightened at the readily given answer. A smile appeared on his face, changing his appearance.

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

“However, it will be difficult as it is. You must handle the knights appropriately so they don’t interfere with my work. It would also be good to be informed of the Young Duke’s schedule in advance.”

No sooner had Cullen finished speaking than the floor vibrated. The entire castle felt as if it had lurched with a ‘thump’ for a moment. The torches embedded in the walls actually swayed. Faint screams could be heard from a distance. He scanned the window but saw no sign of any monsters. Yet, his premonition was not good.

“……Yes. I will entrust it to you.”

Moet, his smile gone, nodded with a grave expression. Cullen swallowed his sigh. After gazing outside for a while, Cullen asked Moet one last question.

“So, where did the Young Duke take Kiyen?”

Moet wore a troubled expression. After hesitating for a few seconds, he spoke softly to Cullen in an apologetic tone.

“Probably… to his room. When he meets someone he likes, he always tries to dress them up…”

Moet left the rest unsaid. Cullen, his face stiffening, said coldly.

“Tell me where the Young Duke’s room is.”