This Life, I Will Save The Duke (20 Chapters Left to Complete) - Chapter 12
Kaius opened his eyes just as dawn began to break. It was a habit he had maintained throughout his entire life.
Having just stepped out of the bathroom, Kaius changed his clothes and neatly combed his tousled hair. Being abroad hadn’t lightened his workload at all. Even now, steaming hot coffee and documents sat waiting for him on the table—placed there by Lemon while he was bathing.
Just as Kaius, crossing his long legs, began sipping his coffee, Lemon rushed in anxiously.
“Your Grace, an urgent telegram has arrived.”
His brow furrowed as he read through the document handed to him by Lemon. It had come from Kaltenbach.
Setting his coffee cup down, Kaius pulled out a cigar and lit it. A month ago, the largest hotel project ever planned by the Empire—under construction in the capital Bronshu—had been abruptly halted. The reason given was that, imperial capital or not, even private land required the Emperor’s approval. It was a move orchestrated by the House of Lantiano, backed by Emperor Hart.
Oddly enough, Emperor Hart had publicly declared that the winner of a cooking contest would be granted the right to the project. As a result, a large public notice had been posted in Bronshu’s Fountain Square:
One steak and one dessert each. However, both dishes must be suitable for future sale at the hotel.
Kaltenbach of Elbaltan vs. Berryhouse of Lantiano.
Date: October 22, Imperial Year 1755, at 5 p.m., during the Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet.
Venue: The Grand Banquet Hall of the Imperial Palace.
— Emperor Harten von Cladeos.
It was stipulated that the fifteen judges would be selected by lottery on the day of the contest. Emperor Hart had announced that whichever company received a majority vote would earn the right to build the hotel in the capital.
Kaius knew this was clearly another transparent scheme by the Empress to secure the hotel rights for herself, yet outright refusal was impossible—the Emperor held precedence over matters concerning the imperial capital.
But Kaius decided to treat this as an opportunity.
An opportunity to breathe new life into his hotel business, which had stagnated after discarding its aristocratic branding.
And the one who could turn that opportunity into reality was none other than Elia Company.
Thus, Kaltenbach had secretly reached out to Elia Company—but according to the report, they had received a reply asking them to wait a month. It was a company he’d coincidentally learned about through its spices. Upon acquiring a bottle of their seasoning and testing it, he discovered an ingredient he’d never seen before.
The astonishment he felt the moment he tasted the steak seasoned with it…
Though the company had existed for less than half a year, Kaius recognized its worth at a glance. That was why he had wanted to acquire it if possible. He’d hoped to finalize matters before the contest, but now time had become terribly tight.
Less than a month remained until the competition. White smoke from his cigar drifted from between his lips and dispersed into the air, brushing against the telegram in his hand.
“Elia Camelon.”
The unknown owner of Elia Company, whose name appeared on the telegram.
It seems I’ll have to move personally.
Kaius composed a reply stating his intent to make direct contact, handed it to Lemon, and then picked up another document. Just as he finished reviewing all the papers, Lemon entered once again.
“Your Grace, it’s nearly time for your luncheon appointment with King Leon.”
Kaius gave a brief nod, put on his jacket, and stood before the mirror. He meticulously checked his appearance, neatly smoothed back his loose strands of hair, and stepped out the door.
***
“Let us begin eating.”
At King Leon’s words, Kaius started cutting into his steak. After placing a piece of meat into his mouth and chewing a few times, his eyes lost their calm. A sigh, tinged with admiration, escaped from between his lips.
“Could this possibly be Elia seasoning?”
A quiet sigh slipped from King Leon’s lips as he regarded Kaius with intrigued eyes. He’d heard production was so limited that sales hadn’t even begun in the Empire yet. Indeed, Kaius was unmistakably the true heir of Elbaltan.
“I didn’t expect you to recognize it.”
“I was fortunate enough to taste it once before.”
“Isn’t it truly exceptional?”
As Kaius observed the King, he noticed a gentle smile lingering at the corners of Leon’s mouth—not merely a compliment on the seasoning.
No matter how extraordinary his talents, would a mere company truly draw such a tender smile from the King? Seeing that expression, which even bordered on pride, Kaius reached a conclusion nearly certain in his mind.
The owner of Elia Company must be someone very close to the King.
“Go ahead and eat. It’s delicious even when cool, but far better while warm.”
Kaius let out a quiet chuckle and cut another piece of steak into his mouth. Just as he’d thought—it was perfect. Kaius was certain.
If he served this steak at “Le Cordon Bleu,” victory would be guaranteed.
Then he must acquire it. But there was no need to rush.
“Your Majesty, I have one question—may I ask it?”
King Leon paused his meal, took a sip of jasmine-infused tea, and studied the man before him. He had already heard about the cooking contest and knew what the Duke likely wanted—the connection to Elia Company.
“By chance, I saw Princess Ariel’s appearance from a year ago.”
Huh…
An unexpected question drew an involuntary sound from Leon. He hadn’t anticipated Kaius would inquire about Ariel’s past.
“Is that so? About a year ago, without any particular reason, both her hair and eye color changed. Does that matter?”
Of course, it didn’t matter at all. It was merely a question born of slight curiosity—and a subtle attempt to ease the King’s wariness regarding Elia Company.
“I see.”
“Is that your only question?”
“Yes. By the way, this steak is truly delicious.”
The Duke before him showed no sign of haste, completely at ease.
His tall, robust frame and handsome features—combined with his cool gaze—lent an air of flawless elegance to the way he sat upright and ate. King Leon smiled faintly. Though their alliance had been forced upon him by Emperor Hart’s threats, he found himself genuinely fond of the Duke before him.
***
After dinner, Kaius sat down with several members of his delegation to coordinate schedules. They remained seated late into the night, smoking cigars, drinking wine, and exchanging crude jokes—mostly about the women of Retiana.
But having grown weary of such dull, vulgar talk, Kaius was about to speak when Lemon entered with an urgent look on his face.
“Your Grace, an emergency message has arrived from Tris’s territory.”
Seeing Lemon hesitate to speak in front of others, Count Hammond promptly stood up.
“Duke, we shall take our leave now.”
Once they had departed, Kaius leaned back into the sofa and asked Lemon, “What’s the message about?”
“It’s an excuse.”
Kaius raised an eyebrow briefly, then chuckled softly. Lemon stepped closer and handed him his sword.
“From now on, don’t let your sword leave your side. They say increasingly powerful creatures are appearing. If you face monsters again without your blade, as you did before, it’ll be disastrous.”
Kaius nodded slowly and slid the sword into his belt. It was uncomfortable, but there was no alternative—he had reached the point where he could no longer afford to be without his weapon.
Dressed lightly, Kaius stepped outside his quarters and went for a solitary walk to clear his tangled thoughts.
His steps, beginning at the Outer Palace, only halted in front of the North Palace annex. Unlike when he’d left, his appearance was disheveled, and his left arm—wrapped tightly with a handkerchief to stop the bleeding—was clearly injured.
While walking, a barrier had opened, and he’d engaged in battle. The demon had grown stronger; without his sword, he would have suffered far worse injuries. Though these were clearly the same creatures he’d encountered during the war, inside the barrier they were several times more powerful.
His eyes slowly narrowed as he stared at the annex. What exactly had he come here to confirm?
Though his first meeting with Ariel had seemed suspicious, there was no way she could have known his current situation. Neither the attacks nor his injuries were known to anyone except his closest confidants. So why did he keep fantasizing that she might appear here to heal him?
Kaius flicked away the blood dripping from his wound, tightened the knot on his makeshift bandage, and strode firmly into the annex.
***
Lying in bed, Ariel found herself thinking of Kaius without realizing it.
“What if he’s injured again tonight…?”
If he were badly hurt, as he had been on the day of their arrival, his recovery would be slow—and if another demon attacked him in the meantime, his injuries could worsen. According to the illustrated grimoire of demon-world flora she’d seen in the past, the more Zaphros’s poisoning progressed, the more frequently demon attacks occurred.
No.
Ariel abruptly sat up and began pacing her room. Her silver hair, falling past her waist, shimmered in the moonlight.
If he was injured… perhaps he was even now waiting for her in the North Palace annex. When they’d been far apart, she’d had no choice—but now that they were close, ignoring it despite knowing felt deeply unsettling.
“I’ll go check.”
As Ariel, wearing a light cloak and her magical artifact, stepped out of her room, Kaius was quietly surveying the interior of the annex. A small desk, a bed, a bathroom, and a simple kitchenette for preparing light refreshments. Fortunately—or perhaps unluckily—she was nowhere to be seen.
He almost laughed at himself for coming all this way based on mere speculation. Just as he decided to turn back, Kaius changed his mind and walked over to the large desk by the window. Stacks of papers, pens, and half-scribbled notes with indecipherable meanings lay scattered about.
While gazing at the small, neat handwriting and thinking of Ariel, he heard the faint, light sound of footsteps approaching.
Relying solely on the moonlight, Ariel arrived at the annex entrance. The moment she raised her hand to open the door, a thought she’d overlooked suddenly struck her.
What if he’s inside—wounded?
Even if the first encounter could be dismissed as coincidence, repeated occurrences would instantly raise suspicion. Ariel quickly pulled her hand away from the door and stepped back one pace.
Should I just go back?
But it’s because of me that he’s hurt…
Hesitating, she approached the door again—yet upon reflection, confronting him now would only invite unnecessary suspicion.
Better to casually ask him during the day—and if he’s injured, I’ll treat him then.
Having convinced herself, Ariel stood before the door for a moment, then turned to leave—just as the door quietly opened. Through the gap, Kaius’s deep, still gaze met hers.
As her startled heartbeat gradually calmed, she finally took in his appearance. His usually tidy hair had fallen across his forehead, and his clothes were disheveled. When Ariel’s eyes drifted lower, they widened in shock—blood droplets were steadily falling from his hand onto the floor.
The door opened a little wider, and Kaius stepped aside.
Male lead fell into her trap — and shattered when she walked away
This is also on my reread list!
This one is a slow burn, but when it burns, it burns hard.
Definitely worth a read, y’all!
The story follows a thousand-year-old seductive spirit who, on a bet, sets out to charm the male lead—a once-promising but unfortunate cultivator.
But just when she succeeds in making him fall for her, she heartlessly leaves, driving him to madness.
Determined to find her at all costs, he captures her, keeping her by his side no matter what, even if she hates him.
I love this kind of trope—I enjoy watching the male lead suffer in agony.
The ending drags a bit with unnecessary filler, but that’s fine.
As long as I enjoy the beginning, I’m good.
Intro
As an enchantress, Su Heng possesses captivating eyes and charming beauty, easily manipulating the joys and sorrows of living beings at her fingertips.
But to enchant a god, making him taste the bitterness of love’s separation, long-lasting resentment, unattainable desires, and inability to let go…
Do you dare?
Su Heng assists a divine lord in his cultivation, aiming to make him experience all the sufferings of love, so that he can attain the Great Dao.
Only after being chased down from the heavens by the divine lord, confined and completely possessed by him, does she realize how successful she has been.
The once gentle and polite youth has transformed into someone she no longer recognizes.
[Touch the gear icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to move to the next chapter if you want.]
MANGA DISCUSSION
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Chapter Comments (3)
I really don’t understand Ariel. I mean, she says she’s in love with Kaius, and right now when he gets close, she struggles to break free and then runs away. In fact, admitting her feelings would have been the best way to make him believe she wanted to keep the engagement with him.
Ugh, Ariel should have been firmer in pushing Ludvian away. I would love it if Kaius got way more involved in that and took her away with him instead of letting her stay with Ludvian—even if that parasite ended up being the third wheel, I wouldn’t have minded!
Kaius is everything that is right with this world. I would have liked him to stay and accompany Ariel since he is her fiancé, but following her and rescuing her from Ludvian was way better hahaha. They get their moment alone, even if Ariel doesn’t take advantage of it.
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Rahzel Everlasting
I don’t understand Ariel. I mean, she used to say that the appearance artifact interfered with her healing magic, which is why she had to take it off to heal Kaius, but this time, she did it without removing it. And they don’t even mention that her appearance changed or that she had silver hair.