Chapter – 38
“Why do you keep looking over there, Duke?”
“Your Highness.”
“I thought I’d try to cheer you up a little, so I made a bit of an effort.”
Bellona spoke in a genuinely gentle voice as she moved closer to Decarno. It was a bit embarrassing, but if she didn’t keep close, someone else might try to take her place. Already, there were women lurking around, eager to try and talk to him.
Not a chance.
She quickly pointed toward the animals in the garden to catch the Duke’s attention.
“Look over there, Duke. Aren’t they just adorable?”
“…….”
Bellona clasped her hands together and let out a sigh of admiration. She wasn’t the only one — everyone around was crowded around the animals, many of them seeing such creatures for the first time.
“These were sent by the Governor of Addis before returning to the homeland. I suppose that’s why they seem so exotic — they’re animals from the Eastern Continent, isn’t it fascinating?”
“The Governor of Addis, you say?”
“Yes. The Count of Revel stayed there for a long time. He’s returning home now, so his eldest son brought these as gifts in his stead.”
Her voice grew more animated at Decarno’s unexpected interest. It was the first time he had shown such attention to her words.
“I didn’t realize the Duke was so fond of animals. Do you have any particular favorites—or any you dislike…?”
“Dogs.”
“…….”
“I dislike dogs.”
There was no trace of amusement in Decarno’s expression. Bellona, caught off guard, forced an awkward smile and nodded.
“I-I see. Even so, the late Duchess brought back a very rare lion dog from the North…”
“I dislike it most.”
“Oh… I see.”
There was no room left for conversation in the face of his strong, unyielding will, and Bellona pressed her lips together. Finally, realizing she couldn’t intervene, the Emperor approached them. He nudged his younger sister first, perhaps sensing the tension on Duke Teze’s face.
“Bellona, what did you say to make Duke Teze look so grim?”
“Brother, I just…”
“Duke, at least greet them. These are the young heirs of Count Revel from Addis. This one is Sir Andis, and this one is Sir Kirion. I’m sure you’ve never met them before, right?”
“It’s an honor to meet you. I am Andis of the Revel family, Your Grace, Duke Teze.”
“…….”
Decarno silently observed the young man who bowed abruptly before him. Though the young man displayed exaggerated courtesy and a nervous smile, there was something different in the Duke’s usual demeanor toward newcomers.
“Yes.”
His reply was far too curt.
“I’ve heard of Your Grace’s reputation in Addis. My father spoke highly of you as well.”
“Your father seems to be doing well there.”
“Oh, indeed! He’s been eagerly counting the days until your return to Loark!”
Decarno let out a slight chuckle at Andis’ overly cheerful tone. The two brothers flinched at the Duke’s almost rude attitude, but fortunately, the Emperor was busy examining the gifted pet snake.
“Where on earth are you climbing? Would you like to touch it, Duke?”
“I’ll pass.”
“Really? Thanks to Sir Andis, we get to see these rare animals. By the way, I was thinking of giving him a position as well.”
The Emperor lifted the yellow snake with the help of attendants, paying no mind to the subtle tension in the room. He seemed only concerned with placing the snake on his own neck.
“I hear Sir Andis has managed the port in Addis. Eventually, he’ll succeed Count Revel, so it’d be good for him to gain some experience beforehand.”
“…….”
“Perhaps an inspection of the western coast. That region is remote, and the towns are small, so it hasn’t been closely managed — Phyllos, Tenar… Ah, and Mare too!”
While listing the towns along the western coast, the Emperor raised his eyebrows. It sounded plausible, but the task itself wasn’t of any real importance. It was more of a formality — giving a distant noble family member a minor post when they brought gifts.
Yet Duke Teze’s expression remained anything but ordinary.
“It’s fine for you, but I don’t see why you look so displeased. The oversight of cities and the seas is part of the Upper Council’s duties anyway. Are you unhappy?”
“Not at all.”
Decarno shook his head with a cold smile.
“It suits him well. If it’s about secretly observing and taking action…”
“Oh, is that how it works? Inspection duties are all like that anyway.”
The Emperor nodded in agreement, sensing the ambiguity in the Duke’s words. He was about to invite him for a drink, but the Duke had already turned away.
“I’ll be going ahead, then.”
Bellona, disappointed, tried to follow, but the Emperor stopped his sister. It was clear that if she chased after the Duke, their already fragile relationship could be completely ruined.
“I think it’s better not to go.”
“Brother!”
“This is all for your own good.”
Even though siblings could be bothersome or irritating, the Emperor wasn’t trying to hurt her. Carefully, he placed the snake across her dress to prevent her from following the Duke.
“Ahhhhh!”
With a scream from behind, Decarno walked calmly across the hall.
It wasn’t only the animals who knew how to survive; even the nobles waiting to approach the Duke instinctively recoiled upon seeing his expression. Those who dared to step forward were either fearless or foolish.
“Your Grace!”
“…….”
Sir Kirion followed closely, calling out. Decarno, taking a coat from Michael, smirked and turned toward him, leisurely as if he’d been expecting this.
“So, Captain, do you have something to say to me?”
“I understand that Your Grace doesn’t think highly of me. But why treat my elder brother and father the same way?”
“Oh, that.”
Decarno unclasped his hands, gesturing for the curious onlookers to step back. Suddenly, the center of the hall emptied unnaturally. A born predator. Normally, Kirion might have panicked, but today he held his ground.
“My father ruled Addis for a long time, and my brother loyally assisted him. You have no right to treat them with such disrespect.”
“Really?”
“If it’s an insult to me, I can endure it. But not to my family. Apologize.”
“…….”
A bold and fearless demand. Decarno laughed suddenly, looking over Kirion’s clenched fists in uniform.
“Your Grace!”
“That’s for your brother, not me.”
“……What do you mean?”
“I can’t speak for your father, but your brother seems to have stirred up quite a bit of trouble. It doesn’t seem very respectable.”
Pushing Michael aside, Decarno stepped toward Kirion, hand on his shoulder. Though people had stepped back, there were still many eyes and ears observing the scene.
“Are you sure your precious brother never insulted anyone?”
“Your Grace!”
“If you dare question me again, first find out why your brother went to see Evangeline before asking me.”
Patting Kirion’s shoulder, Decarno’s gesture carried a mischievous undertone. Kirion’s eyes widened in shock — there was clearly something he couldn’t ignore.
“Th-then, could it be that when he met Eva at the hotel…”
“Well, who knows? It’s your brother, so you probably know better than I do.”
Decarno’s laugh was ridiculous yet telling. He lowered his hand, but the ambition and intensity in his eyes left no doubt about what had happened.
