The man’s face crumpled at the mention of coming from the north.

Not only was it the first time seeing someone from the north, but there were also rumors that they were generally considered ‘barbarians.’

A boy with a rough and less developed appearance.

The boy pressed his face closer.

Gray eyes resembling a wolf shone in the outer-angled glasses of the front desk man.

“If I see that expression one more time… you might end up dead.”

“…….”

“Huh? Got it?”

Leo growled as he spoke.

His appearance truly resembled that of a young wolf.

The front desk man couldn’t say anything and narrowed his eyes.

Although he had been working here for years, there had never been such an impudent guest.

As expected, the rumors were true; people from the north were barbaric.

“Maybe I should just gouge out your eyeballs.”

“……. ”

Leo brushed his black hair with his hand and went upstairs with the group.

“Um, sir…”

The front desk man stared blankly and watched the northern boy disappear.

Arriving at the suite on the top floor, the Wellington family looked around the interior.

The knights and servants followed and unpacked.

“Wow, a bed!”

Plop.

Atia sat on the large bed, testing the softness of the mattress.

It wasn’t as luxurious as the Duke’s, but the bed here was quite comfortable.

“This should be fine.”

Atia sat down and repeatedly bounced on the bed like a spring.

Kesha looked at her with amused eyes.

“If there’s anything uncomfortable, tell me right away. I’ll change what I can.”

“Yes, yes~.”

Atia replied briefly and looked around.

After a while, the knights and servants who had almost finished unpacking left the suite.

They had arranged separate rooms for them to stay in.

Only Kesha, Hari, and Atia remained in the suite.

Kasus approached Atia.

“I’m planning to visit the palace. It’s nearby anyway. I’ll rest here for now.”

“Huh? Won’t the Duke rest?”

Kasus shook his head slightly, as if there was no time to delay.

“Just stay here without moving. It’s better not to go out elsewhere. I’ll be back soon.”

Then, Leo pulled his face out through the door.

“Don’t worry. I’ll watch over here.”

At the words of Leo, Atia and Kesha smiled lightly, as if finding it cute.

Kasus narrowed his eyes and said to Leo.

“If you mess around, I won’t forgive you, even if you’re you.”

Kasus flashed a menacing, venomous look like a poisonous snake.

Leo, momentarily taken aback by his sharp gaze, mumbled something.

“Uh, yeah… got it.”

Kasus took a short breath and passed by Leo, heading outside.

After confirming that Kasus had left, Leo stuck his face out through the crack in the door again.

“Can I come in? Are you busy?”

Atia raised her eyebrows and gestured with her hand.

“Come in.”

Leo’s mouth curled up slightly.
Only Atia, Kesha, and Hari remained in the room.

The maid with short yellow hair and many freckles next to Atia was familiar as she had seen her often.

However, the blonde woman was a stranger.

There was a subtle atmosphere.

She seemed to be a new maid.

Leo had seen her once before but couldn’t remember.

Leo was relieved at the thought of one more person being added next to Atia.

“If anything happens, tell me. I’ll be right next door.”

Leo never let go of his tension, never knowing when something might happen.

Atia sat on the bed, stretching as she yawned.

“Is it okay if I stay here?”

“Huh?”

“I said you can stay here.”

Leo raised his eyebrows.

“…Really?”

“Yes. If it’s okay with you.”

Leo felt good as if his mood had lifted, but he didn’t show it outwardly.

Atia playfully smiled.

“If you’re afraid something might happen, isn’t it better here than in the next room?”

“Well…”

Leo opened his mouth, pretending to deeply consider the matter rather than giving a quick answer.

“Fine, well… I’ll stay here.”

When it came to rumors about the Empire, the social circles were the fastest to spread the news.

The news of valuable guests from the North soon reached the nobles.

“Did you hear? The Duke of Wellington from the North has come down.”

“Oh my, really?”

“He rarely comes down, right?”

“That’s true.”

“How many years has it been…?”

“More than three years. He didn’t even come for the official invitations.”

The young ladies at the tea party widened their eyes as if they had heard tremendous gossip.

“He came alone?”

“I don’t know yet.”

“He came to the capital for some reason even though there’s no official event…”

Clatter.

A lady who had been listening dropped the teacup she was holding.

It was Lady Bianca, the Duchess.

With her elegant raised hair contrasting her red lips, which were more prominent than ever, Lady Bianca, known for her strong influence in the social circles, pursed her lips.

“Do you think it’s a good idea?”

Lady Bianca fixed her gaze on something.

At the end of her gaze was Lady Madrid, the wife of Viscount Shupen.

Lady Madrid raised her eyebrows.

‘Came to the capital?’

Lady Bianca’s mouth twisted.

“Are you okay?”

“…Yes.”