Chapter 20
As expected, the man saw right through Zenos’ identity.
Perhaps he even knew about Rene.
A deeper frown formed between Zenos’ eyebrows.
“Who are you?”
“Do you think you’d understand if I told you?”
“Reveal yourself. You’re not a resident of this territory, are you?”
“Hmm? Rather than calling me a resident, shouldn’t you use a more general term?”
Zenos felt frustrated at the trivial back-and-forth.
This man clearly possessed skills that even Zenos, a Swordmaster, found overwhelming.
Which meant that in this territory—and even in this empire—there were almost no people capable of confronting him.
‘If this man acts on any ill intentions… everyone in this territory would be in danger.’
Zenos was both a responsible lord and a duke of the empire.
He had a duty to protect his people.
During this tense standoff, Zenos, at a speed unnoticed by ordinary people, reached for the sword at his waist.
It was then.
[You really resemble that kid among my children. It’s a strange feeling.]
“?!”
The man’s bright yellow eyes narrowed vertically, and his voice reverberated in Zenos’ mind.
Yet the man across from him didn’t move his lips.
It wasn’t a voice—it was a command directly piercing Zenos’ body.
[But… why are you so corrupted? What happened while I was asleep…]
Zenos’ vision blurred as the resonance swirled around him like being inside a cave.
[Haah… this should give you some peace for now. Temporarily, at least.]
As the sentence ended, Zenos’ trembling subsided.
Then, a strange sensation he had never felt before washed over him.
He tried to maintain his upright posture, but strangely, he couldn’t.
All the sharp vigilance that had been standing on end vanished, and his will to attack crumbled like dust.
As if compelled to obey the man’s words.
Like… revering the voice of an absolute god.
‘This…’
It was a remarkable experience.
For someone who had always lived on edge, it was a rare, calm peace.
Like a violent storm subsiding, leaving a serene sea under a cloudless sky…
[I’ll come soon. Hold on until then.]
Feeling warmth spreading through his chest, Zenos closed his eyes without realizing it.
“…”
Meanwhile, Rene’s jaw almost dropped in shock.
I barely managed to close my mouth, which had almost fallen open in disbelief.
Just a moment ago, the duke—heading straight for Ternox as if to take down a person (or rather, a dragon)—suddenly became as tame as a lamb!
“Your Grace! Are you okay?! What did this crazy… person do?!”
“Hmm?”
“Ah! What’s wrong with you?”
I couldn’t contain my disgust as I watched Ternox, pretending to know nothing, raise his fist to his jaw.
What’s up with that old dragon? Puberty hitting again?
Did he want to become a transparent dragon again?!
The “Cerberus growl expression” I practiced with Betty naturally came out.
Regardless, Ternox didn’t care and tilted his head.
“Stop pretending to be cute! What’s wrong with this person?!”
“Don’t you know? They suddenly came and asked who I am. I didn’t do anything! And do I know you? I don’t know women like you~”
“Huh, hhh…!”
“Well, goodbye then.”
Nom nom.
Before I knew it, Ternox stuffed the bundle of skewers he’d gathered into his mouth and, as if nothing happened, disappeared from sight.
“What the…?”
Suddenly, I was left holding a dazed, grown man!
I just came to buy some skewers and enjoy the festival!
Feeling utterly wronged, I continued staring at the unmoving duke, head still bowed.
‘Is he… standing while sleeping?’
No, that can’t be…
But why does he look like a statue, barely breathing?
“…”
No, right?
“…Really not?”
Terrified, I quickly pulled off the hood of the cloak covering the duke.
Normally, his upright posture and height difference would make this tricky, but with his head bowed, it was easy.
“Your Grace! Wake up!”
I slapped the duke’s cheeks with both hands, examining his face up close.
…Honestly, I can’t deny a little selfish satisfaction…
But my intention was good!
“Hmm…”
Finally, the duke slowly lifted his head.
His eyes, a mysterious teal-purple, gradually opened.
They blinked slowly, like he was still sleepy, framed by long, black eyelashes in graceful curves.
‘…He’s pretty.’
I thought so from the start—the duke’s face was innocent.
Innocent or guilty, at least the face!
‘So please, just let me live quietly!’
I lightly tapped his cheek one last time and withdrew my hands.
No reason for unnecessary contact after achieving my goal.
But…
“Oh?”
The duke, still in a dazed expression, lifted his hand and grabbed mine as I tried to pull away.
He didn’t seem to grip intentionally, but maybe his natural strength made it hard to resist.
I was helplessly pulled toward him.
‘Isn’t our faces too close?!’
Thump, thump, thump.
Was it because of the sudden situation?
Or because I was so close to the tall duke?
Maybe both.
My heart raced violently, announcing its presence to my entire body.
We were so close our noses nearly touched.
“!”
Finally, the duke seemed to realize the situation.
His wide eyes clearly showing embarrassment.
I blinked frantically, then cautiously spoke:
“Um… excuse me.”
“Hah!”
Before I could ask him to let go, the startled duke pushed my hand away.
“Ugh!”
Like before, I fluttered down helplessly, like a paper doll.
I didn’t fall completely, but…
‘…Is he embarrassed?’
His ears and neck turned red as he covered his face with his wrist.
He clearly hadn’t intended this.
‘Ternox must have done something. Otherwise…’
I observed his face closely.
Other than the flushed ears and cheeks, he seemed okay.
‘Did he play a mischievous trick?’
Since he was a transparent dragon, I couldn’t let my guard down.
It seemed best to send him home.
“Ah! The lantern festival by the river has started!”
“Really? Let’s go quickly.”
People who had been scattered around the plaza began to gather, forming a flood toward one location.
I panicked slightly as they came toward us.
But something even more surprising happened.
“Uh… Your Grace? Isn’t that him?”
“I think so… The duke came to the festival? That’s new.”
“Should we pay our respects?”
“To come in person to a commoner’s festival!”
Some people recognized the duke.
As murmurs spread, more people gathered, curious to see if this dazed man was really the duke.
And…
“Who is the lady standing next to him?”
“Could it be… the new Duchess?!”
“Oh my! She’s so beautiful! Look at her silky hair and ruby-like eyes!”
“Those rumors about curses must have been false.”
“The duke finally attended a festival himself!”
“They make such a perfect pair. So romantic!”
The pink rumors about us were spreading in real time.
I looked up at the duke, dazed for a moment.
The embarrassment was gone—he smiled gently at the residents.
‘So he can smile too.’
Though cold to his wife, he was warm toward the residents—like a “warm iced Americano,” maybe?
I chewed over this in my head and stopped.
The duke opened his mouth, addressing the crowd now gathered around us.
