Chapter 49

Episode 49

He clearly had no intention of impressing the Lady.

‘No, this is actually good.’

I had planned to create discord during the engagement process. Starting off on the wrong foot was a positive sign.

As I refined my plans, I saw the checkpoint guard returning the documents.

“Everything checks out. You’re cleared to enter. The gate will open shortly.”

“Thank you for your hard work.”

The noble’s entrance opened in less than a minute. It was a testament to House Kalisto’s status.

I had heard that visitors from lesser houses were sometimes kept waiting for half a day, subjected to various nitpicking. It was an opportunity for the guards to collect bribes.

But for high-ranking nobles, merely making their acquaintance was a form of bribe. They had to treat us well.

As the gate opened, our carriage entered the main road.

A vast avenue stretched from the city entrance to the central square. Countless carriages and people bustled about.

Beyond the square stood the Imperial Palace, considered one of the greatest architectural marvels in human history.

We had seen its spires long before reaching the capital, but its true scale was beyond description.

Even in a world of swords and magic, I couldn’t help but wonder how they had built such a structure.

“It’s truly magnificent.”

“Hahaha, it’s your first time in the capital, right? I’ve been here a few times, but it never fails to amaze me. Did you know that hundreds of construction golems and spirits were used to build that castle?”

“Was it built when the Empire was founded?”

“That’s right. It’s about a thousand years old.”

Jericho pointed out the capital’s landmarks, explaining them kindly. In contrast, Selendis remained focused on guarding the carriage.

“The reception seems lacking.”

“What do you mean?”

“Prince Arthur hasn’t come out to greet us. It’s quite disrespectful, considering an esteemed guest from House Kalisto has arrived. Even with the current tense atmosphere in the Imperial Family, this is…”

“I was thinking the same thing. He seems to be more of a scoundrel than we thought.”

“The Duke will be disappointed if he learns that not a single person from the Imperial Family came to greet us.”

“What are you waiting for? Send a messenger immediately.”

“Let’s at least check the mansion first. I hope someone is there.”

After a while, we arrived at House Kalisto’s mansion in the capital.

This was where the Duke stayed when he had business in the capital.

It was as grand and spacious as the main castle. There was even a large pond in the center of the vast garden.

On one side, there was a training ground for knights, complete with various weapons. Selendis seemed particularly interested in it.

Her gaze was fixed on the training ground.

“Already thinking about training? You must be tired.”

“I’m fine, Master.”

“Rest well when you can. We need to practice dancing.”

Kalisto’s knights often requested duels, so it promised to be an interesting event.

We couldn’t use the excuse of being busy while staying here.

Selendis’s skills were legendary within the knight order.

It was impressive enough that she had been appointed as a junior knight despite being a woman, but few people knew her true abilities because she rarely participated in duels.

Rumors had spread that she might be hiding her true strength.

It was natural for people to be curious, given that she had become the Lady’s personal guard without anyone properly assessing her skills.

As a result, ambitious knights had been sending her challenges.

‘Considering her aura alone, she’s close to the advanced level. Lower-ranked knights would be defeated in a single strike.’

I couldn’t help but smile, imagining the knights’ reactions. It was a good decision to give Selendis the potion.

I planned to attend every duel if time allowed. Observing their fighting styles would be valuable experience. I could apply it to my ‘Automatic Combat’ skill.

While I intended to practice magic here, swordsmanship was still my primary focus.

As the carriage stopped at the mansion’s entrance, I opened the door and extended my hand.

“You must be tired from the long journey, my Lady.”

“You’ve worked hard too, Sir Aubrey.”

She took my hand and descended the steps. We entered the mansion, greeted by numerous butlers and servants.

Lady Lucia’s popularity was unmatched here as well. Admiring gazes followed her everywhere.

Jericho, who had followed us in, reported quietly.

“No one from the Imperial Family has arrived. The butler said someone is supposed to come in the afternoon, but I’ll send a messenger anyway.”

Jericho left, and the Lady, noticing his departure, asked me,

“Is something wrong?”

“We’re sending a messenger to the Duke about the Imperial Family’s lack of etiquette.”

“Lack of etiquette?”

“No one from the Imperial Family has greeted us since our arrival. It’s a significant breach of protocol. The Foreign Minister, at least, should have been more considerate.”

Foreign Minister Apellai was closely connected to Prince Arthur. He was the one who had introduced the prince’s mother to the Imperial Family.

In other words, he stood to gain the most from the current marriage negotiations.

His absence could be seen as an insult.

However, Lucia smiled benevolently.

“There might be a reason. Maybe they’re unwell. Is it necessary to make a fuss when it’s not my father visiting?”

“You’re as important as the Duke here, my Lady. You know what kind of person Count Apellai is.”

“It’s fine. Just let my father know we’ve arrived safely.”

Reluctantly, I went back outside to tell Jericho, who was about to send the messenger.

“Don’t mention the etiquette issue in the message.”

“Huh? Did something happen?”

“It’s the Lady’s order. She said it’s fine.”

Jericho shook his head, muttering that it wasn’t right. He revised the message and sent the messenger off.

Afterward, I summoned the head butler to ask some questions.

A head butler typically received treatment equivalent to an honorary knight or higher.

The fact that he treated me with such respect suggested that the Lucius Inspection Unit’s reputation had spread even here.

I had seen him talking to Vice-Commander Darius earlier, but it wasn’t to this extent.

“Please inform me immediately if any guests arrive. I’ll relay the information to the Lady.”

“Of course. Please let me know if you need anything during your stay.”

“I should be saying that. This is my first time in the capital, so I have much to learn. Please guide me.”

After exchanging pleasantries, I headed to Lady Lucia’s chambers. She had changed into simpler clothes and was enjoying her tea time.

Her beautiful smile still seemed enigmatic. What was she thinking?

“I’ll be in charge of your external schedule from now on, my Lady. Please let me know if you need to go out.”

“I don’t have any plans to go out, so you should rest too. I’ll meet most guests, so don’t be too strict.”

“I understand.”

But I needed to set some strict standards. The continent’s most beautiful woman from a prestigious family had arrived in the capital. The nobles wouldn’t sit idle.

Of course, there were ongoing marriage negotiations with Prince Arthur, but arranged marriages were uncertain until the wedding day.

“Sit down. I’ve asked for tea to be prepared for you.”

“Thank you, my Lady.”

A maid soon entered and prepared the tea. Once again, the Lady honored me by pouring my tea herself.

“I heard you’ve been practicing dancing lately.”

I flinched, genuinely surprised.

“How did you know?”

“The maids at the Caribe villa told me. I heard Lady Selendis is teaching you personally.”

It was the result of charming the villa staff in such a short time. I had asked Selendis and Jericho not to mention it, so they hadn’t reported it.

“That’s correct. I’m just starting to learn.”

“You seem to have taken an interest in dancing. I thought you weren’t interested in social gatherings.”

“I plan to attend some in the future. It’s not unrelated to the Inspection Unit’s duties.”

“Not unrelated? Are you investigating someone?”

“We’ve added Viscountess Rosalyn to our list of potential subjects.”

“Lady Rosalyn?”

The Lady seemed surprised. The mastermind was playing innocent, so I decided to play along.

“While Baron Gerard’s territory has been pacified, we believe we’ve only cut off the tail. We intend to find the root and eliminate it completely.”

“Do what you must, but be careful. She’s very close to my mother.”

To an outsider, it might sound like a warning to be cautious in dealing with her.

But I understood it as a warning to watch out for my life.

“Speaking of dancing, I could teach you. Why didn’t you ask me?”

“How could I be so presumptuous, my Lady? I wouldn’t dare.”

“You still haven’t opened up to me.”

What was this development?

Lucia set down her teacup, looking disappointed for the first time. Surely she wasn’t jealous of Selendis.

“When I asked you to dance at the banquet in the villa, I was trying to open up to you. The private dinner too… Can’t you be more comfortable around me?”

My heart sank. I must have let my guard down recently.

I was a possessed individual.

And this wasn’t my world. I could be stabbed at any moment.

“You’re my person, aren’t you?”

“That’s a different matter, my Lady. We’re here in the capital for your engagement. And you haven’t ordered me to break off the engagement. In this situation, it’s difficult for me to fulfill your wishes.”

“Oh my, Sir Aubrey. You’re quite the grudge-holder, aren’t you?”

The Lady smiled slightly. Her expressions had definitely become more varied.

“The people around me will drift away. When I leave the family, I’ll lose contact with them completely… But I thought you might stay by my side even after I leave the family.”

“I’m honored that you understand my feelings.”

“I got too serious. Anyway, I’ll teach you to dance from today. If nothing else, I’m confident in my dancing skills.”

I had fallen for her build-up. I had no choice but to follow her orders.

In a way, this was even better.

My original goal in learning to dance wasn’t to seduce ladies at social gatherings, but to provoke Prince Arthur’s jealousy.

‘Practicing with the person I’ll actually dance with will increase the chances of success.’

Of course, for this plan to work, the Lady would have to accept my invitation at the banquet. I needed to find a way to ensure that…

Just then, there was a knock at the door. The head butler entered and reported,

“My Lady, someone from the Imperial Family has arrived and requests an audience.”