“I’ve never dreamed of a future with him. And I’m already married to the duke. He’s the only one for me.”

“I was curious about that. Why did you choose Duke Blandiche over His Highness Serdis?”

“He’s cool.”

“Specifically, what makes him cool?”

“First of all, I like black hair. Moreover, he’s a knight who never loses to an enemy, with a rugged body but a dolllike face. Do I need to say more?”

“Ah, I see.”

Habel seriously mulled over my words, then slyly took out his sword to check his reflection.

“But, Your Highness.”

“Yes.”

“Do I not also fit your criteria?”

He grinned.

‘What does he mean?’

What does it matter if Habel fits my type?

I didn’t fully understand him and awkwardly smiled along.

“By the way, don’t punish Elenore. She had some issues she couldn’t tell you, and I had no other way to solve them but to ask her.”

“Punish her? It would be inadequate even to praise her for helping Your Highness.”

“But you said you’d punish her earlier.”

“That was before I knew it was you, Your Highness. Now that I know, of course, I’ll help.”

I was surprised by his unexpectedly willing response.

Didn’t he want to beat me?

“Have your questions about me been answered?”

Habel gave a dry smile and nodded.

“Ah… it’s disappointing, but what can you do.”

What’s disappointing, I have no idea.

Rather, my image of Habel is disappointing.

I liked the image of him being subtly caring toward Violet despite his ticklish behavior, but meeting him in person now, it’s different.

‘He’s almost like a teenager.’

He seemed like someone lost in his own world.

Since he said he’d help, should I stop talking now?

I briefly glanced towards the entrance to the tent. Then Habel hastily called out to me.

“Your Highness, when are you leaving for the North?”

It wouldn’t be a problem to leave right away if Hertian were here.

It’s because Hertian is not here that there’s a problem.

“I’ll probably stay a little longer before leaving.”

Habel’s expression noticeably brightened.

“So, will there be another chance to see you before you leave for the North?”
If it weren’t for Elenore, I wouldn’t have considered coming, but for some reason, it seemed wrong to say no.

“I will.”

“Then I’ll serve you the prepared herbal tea.”

“I wonder what kind of herbal tea it is. I’ll return to the palace now.”

“Yes. It was enjoyable.”

I finally left the residence. Seeing that Elenore wasn’t around, she must have left. Habel escorted me to the entrance despite my refusal.

“It seems the carriage has not arrived yet. I should wait with you.”

“The carriage won’t come.”

Upon hearing my indifferent reply, he tilted his head.

“How will you go if the carriage doesn’t come? You mentioned the palace is far away.”

“I’ll have to walk, won’t I?”

“What do you mean…”

Habel seemed to realize the gravity of the situation.

Everyone knew the status of Hertian within the imperial palace.

Naturally, I would receive the same treatment as my partner.

‘I don’t care how I’m treated.’

Then, Habel suddenly spoke.

“Taking a walk from the imperial palace has its own charm. I had a full lunch earlier and haven’t been feeling well, so this will help me digest.”

“Are you sure? It’s quite far.”

“It’s all within the palace grounds, so what’s the issue?”

“If that’s the case… Don’t be surprised if the palace is a bit messy.”

Habel happily followed behind me.

(Time separator here.)

Hertian’s eyes slowly opened.

But it was unclear whether he was looking at darkness or light; everything was pitchblack.

‘Surely an arrow flew by, and at its end, I saw Anette.’

He recalled the situation leading up to his loss of consciousness while holding his throbbing head.

An arrow flew in front of Osun, and during the chase to find who had attacked, he saw Anette.

With her ivory hair limp, she was being carried on someone’s back.

He instinctively knew it was a trap. But what if it was the real Anette? If she had been taken hostage to threaten him?

That thought triggered his body to move. Even the slightest possibility couldn’t be ignored.

He ended up chasing Osun into the forest of the imperial palace and lost consciousness as soon as he saw the thick fog.

And now, he found himself trapped in a dark cave.

“Osun, are you there?”

As Hertian’s voice echoed, a rustling sound came from a nearby area.

“Can you see me? I can’t see anything! Where are you!”

Osun, who had been trying to assess the situation quietly because he couldn’t see, jumped up when he heard Hertian’s voice.

“How many battles have we been through, and you can’t recognize each other’s presence?”

“I’m just a regular person. Unlike you, I fought to survive!”

“You seem fine, considering your voice is intact.”

Embarrassed by Hertian’s words, Osun cleared his throat.

“I will look around. See if there is a way out.”

Osun pressed his body against the wall, trying to determine Hertian’s position in the darkness. But he didn’t take more than three steps.

The cave suddenly brightened. Enough to see the other knights of the Blanche Order who had collapsed.

“Fire, there’s fire!”

And at the end of where Osun was pointing, intense flames surged, using countless stacks of paper as kindling.

It didn’t take long for the two men to realize the identity of the paper stacks.

“Aren’t those… your letters, my lord?”