No duchess in history had ever permitted a “salutation to the lady.”

Strictly speaking, there had never been an opportunity for it.

Rafin and Julie conveniently omitted that part.

Bianca, who misunderstood, blanched in confusion, but they did not inform her that previous duchesses had never engaged in external activities, so there had never been an opportunity for such things.

It wasn’t that they had been instructed to prevent contact with other men.

But they had served closer to Gillian than anyone else.

Gillian Barlock.

His lordship was not obsessed with anything.

Even his own life.

As had all the Barlocks for generations.

The Barlock storehouse, filled with all sorts of treasures, also failed to inspire the duke.

In it, chunks of gold the size of fists and diamonds as large as grapes lay strewn about. There were clearly ancient relics from the founding of the nation as well.

They were just objects.

He wore clothes only because he had to, without any special fondness for luxury or particular taste.

Even an ordinary knight might own more clothes than he did.

Nothing had meaning for Barlock.

Except for considering himself a servant of Termina.

The first thing Duke Barlock was ever obsessed with was “Bianca.”

He had been disturbed when he first heard that he was returning with the princess of Termina as his bride.

However, that concern vanished the moment he saw the Duke of Barlock’s gaze upon the princess.

How should one describe it?

It was like a newborn blindly following its mother.

Or like a beast that had found its lost mate.

It was hard to explain the deep affection and obsession emanating from the duke.

His unilateral affection toward the princess was tragic.

But….

Rafin’s eyes landed on the “Duchess,” who looked sad.

Incredibly kind and delicate, so extraordinarily goodnatured that she was hard to believe as from Termina.

“What should we do?”

Her enchanting beauty immediately captivated him.

It was understandable why the Duke was so obsessed.

Yet surprisingly, the “Duchess” was not just frail and lovable.

Rafin vividly remembered how the Duchess had extended her hand and smiled at the merchant.

In contrast to her usual demeanor, she treated the foreigner with boundless yet modest grace, as if she was speaking for Gillian Barlock.

She had always been radiant, but in dealing with the foreigner, the Duchess shone even brighter.

Rafin knew at that moment that the merchant’s eyes had greedily sparkled.

“What should we do?”

“Perhaps keep some distance next time?”

So, he intended to ignore Julie’s sly lie.

As he had done during the last exchange of letters.

Rafin leaned back and looked far away.

His lord was Gillian.

He intended to protect ‘Bianca’ perfectly, just as his lord desired.

If necessary, even at the cost of his life.

A loud crashing sound.

Along with a harsh, piercing roar, the chandelier hanging from the ceiling trembled violently.

Kraaaa!

Bianca, who had been dozing, shot up.

Before her eyes could adjust to the darkness, Julie, who had run over at full speed, swiftly wrapped Bianca in a coat and hid her under the bed.

“What was that noise?”

“It’s probably a wyvern.”

“At this time of night?”

“Seems like a wave has started.”

“How do you know?”

Originally, wyverns are rare and not numerous, so they typically visit the ducal residence only once a season, Julie quickly added.

“So, is this one from beyond the ice wall?”

“Probably not. Wyverns are native to the areas near the ice wall. The fact it has come at night probably means that the wyvern habitat near the ice wall has collapsed. It’s not important, just ignore it.”

Despite her smile, Julie did not seem tense.

Lying prone under the bed with her, Bianca felt her cloudy mind clearing up.

“Who’s on the fourth floor?”
“Sir Haeli and Sir Raein have gone forth.”

“Sir Raein is…”

“He is a deputy captain of the second stronghold. Though not a commander, he has proven himself capable of serving as one in times of need.”

Though she usually dismissed Raein with remarks like ‘such as Raein,’ Bianca found herself appreciating his skill in a straightforward manner.

Perhaps she said it to alleviate my concerns.

Even in moments like this, her thoughtfulness made her irresistibly lovable, making Bianca smile despite the circumstances.

Seeing the smile, Julian’s eyes widened in surprise, but she couldn’t help but keep smiling.

“I feel relieved.”

“Ah, yes. That’s fortunate.”

“If it’s Haeli and Raein, we can feel at ease, right?”

“Of course. If it becomes dangerous, I will protect you, so don’t worry.”

While saying not to worry, he himself looked tense.

Bianca couldn’t help but chuckle at Julian’s suddenly rigid tone.

Thud.

A faint vibration traveled through the floor and into her entire body.

Roaaar.

A deafening roar reverberated without pause.

But that was all the noise there was.

There was no sound from Haeli or Raein.

Though she knew it was pointless to listen, Bianca found herself straining to hear.

“If you’re worried…”

“Shall we go up and see?”