While following Windsor’s orders, Roman never once thought they would win, or rather, that they would return alive.

However, in the end, they managed to rescue the merchant ship from the pirates’ hands, destroyed more than half of the ten ships, and stubbornly held out until their allies arrived. The remaining pirates eventually surrendered to the black fleet that surrounded them.

Roman vividly remembered that day. Windsor, standing amidst the acrid smoke of gunpowder, looked like a demon.

Some even exaggerated, claiming they truly saw horns sprouting from Windsor’s head that day. Roman couldn’t strongly deny it because he thought he had seen those horns too.

In any case, the events of that day became legendary, long talked about both in naval circles and among pirates. It was also the day when the nickname ‘Demon of the Black Fleet’ was born.

Will there ever be someone who can break through that cold mask of his?

Roman chewed over the question he had pondered many times before as he looked at the inhumanly handsome Windsor. No matter how he thought about it, he couldn’t easily imagine Windsor losing his composure.

If such a thing were to happen, the opponent would probably be His Majesty the King, right?

At present, the King seemed the most likely candidate. He was constantly testing Windsor’s patience, and soon Windsor might genuinely explode.

Hopefully, Roman would be there on the day Windsor exploded. He couldn’t miss such an interesting spectacle.

“This is an invitation to attend the royal banquet this weekend.”

“How is the weekend schedule?”

“There are no particularly important appointments. Just minor commitments that can be adjusted as needed.”

“Then make an important appointment that cannot be adjusted.”

“Hmm.”

Roman let out an ambiguous groan instead of answering. He cautiously expressed his opinion.

“Since coming to the capital, you’ve declined five royal banquet invitations. There are no more excuses left.”

“Tell them it’s my funeral.”

“……”

Roman, who had been standing blankly with a loss for words, furrowed his brow.

“As your loyal subordinate, I advise you that you have no talent for jokes, my lord.”

Windsor slightly raised an eyebrow. It could mean that it wasn’t a joke, or that he didn’t care.

Roman scratched his forehead and carefully opened his mouth.

“His Majesty the King won’t let it slide this time. According to our sources, preparations for the custody trial are almost complete. Of course, the judge will be on His Majesty’s side. Since His Majesty appoints the Chief Justice, that much should be easy for him. Wouldn’t it be better to bow just once before things escalate?”

“Once becomes twice, and twice becomes thrice. Roman Miller, recite the fourth clause of the Navy’s code of conduct.”

“Yes! Never compromise with the enemy!”

Roman answered with his heels together and chin up. He had instantly transformed from a loose aide to a new recruit.

Only then did he realize his mistake, but the long-ingrained habit had reflexively come out before he could think.

Roman scratched his forehead again and said,

“The enemy? You mean His Majesty the King?”

“His Majesty will not be satisfied with just once.”

“I suppose so. We can tell just from Gallup, the ninth tutor, who tried to kidnap the young master. Then what on earth could His Majesty be thinking?”

“Well.”

Windsor fell into thought, tapping his thigh with his finger. Suddenly, his eyes narrowed. The finger that had been moving slowly also stopped in mid-air at some point.

A nonchalant voice escaped from between Windsor’s teeth.

“He’s a greedy old man who won’t pass the throne to his son even after seeing his grandson. I can’t understand what he’s thinking, coveting Benjamin.”

At those words, Roman silently recalled the King’s face. And his son, who had remained Crown Prince for 20 years.

“Moreover, if Benjamin starts interacting with the King, the Crown Prince won’t sit still. He’ll use any means necessary, fearing the King’s heart might shift to Benjamin. Don’t forget that Benjamin is third in line for the throne. We must be prepared for all possibilities.”

“That’s true. Could it be that His Majesty intends to use young master Benjamin as a shield? To divert the Crown Prince’s attention and consolidate his own royal authority?”

Windsor did not answer that question. He was not a man to make assertions about uncertain matters.

Instead, he cast a glance at Roman.

“Look for a capable lawyer. One untouched by the King’s influence.”

“So, someone both untouched by royal influence and capable? That’s difficult, very difficult.”

Roman sighed lightly but nodded nonetheless. He had no choice. His superior’s orders were absolute.

William, who had worked as the Preston family’s butler for a long time, was certain that he had rarely been as perplexed as he was now.

Entering the room, he hesitated to open his mouth. Even this experienced butler couldn’t decide what to say first.

His wrinkled eyes slowly scanned the colorful walls. “Hmm.” A deep sigh escaped from between William’s teeth.

Jacqueline, on the other hand, was more composed. Or rather, she was the only one among them who remained calm, to be more precise.

Turning his head, he saw Benjamin looking down at the floor with gloomy eyes. Pursed lips and trembling fists.

Even in this situation, the child was keeping his back straight. It seemed that the heir of the Preston family couldn’t allow himself to be fully dejected even at times like this.

“Benjamin.”

Jacqueline called the child’s name in a gentle voice. Benjamin slowly raised his head. The child hesitantly gauged her expression. Then he carefully moved his lips.

“Will Ms. Somerset be leaving us as of today?”

“Hmm……”

Jacqueline pretended to think for a moment, looking up at the air, then turned her gaze back to the child. Her eyes took on a playful glint.

“Well.”

“……”

“Would you like me not to leave?”

The child said nothing. A brief silence followed.

Just as William was about to say something, Jacqueline burst into a lovely laugh. Because Benjamin had nodded almost imperceptibly.

Jacqueline wanted to hug the child tightly, but she barely managed to suppress her desire. After all, the distance between them wasn’t for her to decide alone.

Clenching her fingers that were twitching, she whispered in a gentle voice.

“I don’t know much about Earl Preston yet, but he seemed like a very rational and reasonable person. If we explain today’s incident well, I’m sure he’ll understand. So, Benjamin, why don’t you go wash your face while I talk with Earl Preston? The paint has even gotten into your hair. And then, how about we eat some cookies together?”

“…Yes.”

Benjamin, covered in paint, sheepishly rubbed his cheek. A long streak of blue paint was left on the child’s cheek.

William, watching this scene, let out a groan, “Ugh.”

“Well then, see you later, Benjamin.”

With those final words, Jacqueline left the room. Benjamin watched her departing figure with worried eyes, wondering if he would really see her again.

She immediately returned to her room to change clothes, and exactly 30 minutes later, she knocked on the door of the study.

“We’ve been waiting for you, Miss Somerset.”

Instead of Windsor, a man with a light expression opened the door and came out. Recognizing him as the man who had been standing behind Windsor earlier, Jacqueline gave him a haughty eye greeting.

Elegant behavior, dignified attitude, refined pride.

The man, who had been looking her over with curious eyes, took a step back from the door.

“Please come in.”

“Thank you.”

Jacqueline slightly lifted her chin and entered the room. The door closed quietly behind her.

She heard a small whisper saying, “Good luck.” She turned around with a puzzled expression, but there was already no one there.

“……”

Inside the study were only Windsor and Jacqueline.

Windsor got up from his seat and walked to the sofa. Jacqueline, who had waited until he arrived, sat down on the sofa with a graceful movement.

A heavy silence fell. Neither of them spoke first. Though her shoulders were weighed down by the uncomfortable air, Jacqueline skillfully endured the moment.

“Miss Somerset.”

Finally, Windsor called her name. His dry voice, devoid of intonation, nevertheless had quite a resonance.

Jacqueline looked at him with a slight smile, her hands neatly placed on her thighs.

“Yes, Earl Preston?”

Windsor’s eyes grew complex. Her behavior and tone were that of a well-bred young lady, through and through. Moreover, she was a graduate of Bristol Girls’ Boarding School.

Currently, there were countless private schools in the kingdom. Wealthy businessmen and property owners sent their young children to boarding schools as if imitating the nobility, and those who realized this was profitable recklessly established schools.

Among them, Bristol Girls’ Boarding School was undoubtedly one of the top-ranked. In terms of history and tradition, it could boldly claim to be the best.

Even though the atmosphere wasn’t as strict as before, being originally a monastery, it was still much more conservative compared to other schools.

It was a school exclusively for noble young ladies, still not open to the middle class. A talented graduate who had completed her studies there with excellent grades.

Jacqueline Somerset.

He had judged that she would make a good tutor for Benjamin. He thought she could naturally teach not only knowledge but also the ingrained etiquette and manners.

That was something Preston couldn’t do.

He could fight against the royal family for Benjamin, he could hire good teachers for Benjamin, but he couldn’t teach his young nephew the etiquette and manners of the nobility.

Windsor, who had grown up under the care of his mother, an opera singer, had lived a life unrelated to the Preston family and had no opportunity to acquire the things that a nobleman should naturally learn.

Of course, he had no intention of letting anyone know this fact. That’s why he never danced with women at banquets or drank at social gatherings.

Rumors circulated that Windsor was arrogant because of this, but he didn’t care much. For him, preserving the Preston family intact was more important than anything else.

However, he wanted to raise Benjamin to be more excellent than anyone else. That was his loyalty and gratitude to Jeffrey Preston.

And the perfect young lady before his eyes, Jacqueline, possessed the refinement and knowledge that he lacked. The problem was…

“Do you have any explanation for the scene I just witnessed, Miss Somerset?”

“Explanation, you say?”