Nelia felt enveloped by an ominous aura.

It didn’t seem like the Duke she knew.

Unconsciously, Nelia stepped back. The snake watched her as it flicked its tongue.

She was certain. This snake was not the Duke she knew.

She had to escape.

Nelia took a quick glance behind her.

There was a forest. Maybe she could hide among the trees and evade the snake.

Drawing a deep breath, Nelia ran in that direction.

Haah, haah.

As she ran, panting, Nelia soon realized her judgment was flawed.

The snake was impossibly fast and, as if excited by the fleeing prey, wrapped around Nelia in no time.

Kerack. Nelia felt as if her ribs were breaking from the powerful constriction of the snake’s body.

The snake that used to lick her cheek like a puppy was nowhere to be found. Only a ferocious monster remained.

Fire sprouted around the snake. The onceblue background turned quickly red.

‘Ugh…’

The smell of burning filled her nose, so strong that it was hard to breathe.

Nelia wondered if this bizarre phenomenon was caused by the snake.

The Duke was originally just a small, insignificant snake, so where did this power come from?

What’s with this gigantic size?

Nelia barely looked into the snake’s eyes.

They were still dull, as if shrouded in mist. Like it had lost its soul.

But there was no time for contemplation; the snake widely opened its mouth.

Its sharp fangs glowed menacingly, as if they could pierce through any armor.

There was no time to beg for mercy.

Nelia closed her eyes.

And just when she solemnly accepted her end,

Whoosh!

She woke from the dream.

That’s why she was drenched in sweat upon waking.

As she remembered the dream, Nelia rubbed the goosebumps on her arm.

‘A bad dream, indeed.’

Was it because she was aware of the lunar eclipse? She had an unusually ominous dream.

Nelia got up, feeling drained, and walked over to the window to pull back the curtain.

The morning sky was cloudy. Like it might rain.

Is it going to rain again?

Although the climate of the Andrian Empire was generally dry and not prone to frequent rains, today of all days.

‘No, it could just be overcast.’

Nelia forcefully brushed off her uneasy feelings.

First off, she wanted to shower to wash off the sweat covering her entire body.

Luckily, after showering, she felt refreshed, and her unsettled mind was much relieved.

Nelia, now dressed, headed downstairs.

Today was a weekend, so she didn’t have to go to the palace. She knew the Duke would be up early, reading the newspaper elegantly, waiting for her to wake up.

‘Huh…?’

But the Duke was nowhere to be seen in the hall.

At this time, he should have been sitting leisurely under the painting of the Moon Goddess.

As Nelia was hesitating, Ton approached her.

“His Grace hasn’t woken up yet.”

“Oh…”

That was unusually late for the Duke. Was it because of the weather that seemed like it would rain?
Nelia regretted not stopping by the room next door since she was already there.

But she soon dismissed the thought and looked at Ton.

Since she had run into Ton, it was a chance to ask the Duke a question that was difficult to bring up.

“Ton.”

“Yes, Lady Nelia.”

“Today marks the anniversary of the late Duke Hart, does the Duke hold a memorial ceremony?”

Ton shook his head.

“He does not.”

So he doesn’t…

Duke Hart had a deep love for his father, and Nelia knew that he wanted to avenge his father’s death at the hands of the Emperor.

So she had thought he would do something special on this anniversary, but it seemed not. The Duke must have his own way of paying respects.

Nelia had refrained from asking about it for a while, sensing that the Duke was uncomfortable talking about his late father’s anniversary.

Ton’s voice reached Nelia, whose face had hardened.

“Um, Lady Nelia.”

Turning her head, she saw Ton looking at her with a puzzled expression.

Ton hesitated for a moment before finally speaking.

“His Grace said yesterday that you should head home directly without any formalities.”

Despite listening carefully, Nelia blinked in confusion, taking a while to grasp the meaning.

So, Duke Hart right now…

“You mean I should just leave without any greetings? No need for a meeting?”

“…Yes.”

Ton replied, showing signs of discomfort.

If Ton, who usually stood his ground, felt awkward conveying the Duke’s words, then there must be an issue. Ton probably knew how special he was to the Duke.

Nelia was also shocked.

Last time, he had been reluctant to let her leave for just one night, saying twelve hours was too long…

“If I may add, today is somewhat… difficult for the Duke. I hope you won’t feel offended.”

“I see…”

Though disappointed, Nelia quickly accepted Ton’s explanation.

Indeed, not just today, but the Duke seemed to have been struggling for the past few days…

Besides, the weather wasn’t good either.

“I’m sorry, but I won’t be able to escort you today due to some work. A carriage is waiting for you outside. You may leave.”

Nelia nodded.

“Alright. Don’t worry about me; you go ahead.”

With Nelia’s permission, Ton respectfully bowed and quickly walked away.

Ton was heading toward the storage next to the main building.

It appeared that something was being prepared in the storage according to the Duke’s words, but what could it be that required so much effort?

Nelia craned her neck slightly to see.

She thought she saw a metallic object amidst the people, but couldn’t make out exactly what it was.

Soon Nelia lost interest. A few raindrops had started to fall.

It would be better to head home before the rain poured. Nelia opened her umbrella and walked past the storage.

Not foreseeing what would unfold there.