“…What?”

Dwayne, not understanding Noah’s words, blinked in confusion before shouting irritably.

“Ah, anyway, let’s do it again, Your Grace!”

Observing his persistent attitude, Noah narrowed his eyes.

“Then, in return, would you help me?”

“Me?” Dwayne’s eyes widened. It was the first time someone had asked for his help.

‘Asking for my help? Me, Dwayne?’

He stared at Noah, bewildered. ‘Is our Duke out of his mind?’

“Yes, I need your help.”

Noah stated firmly, glancing around. The maids and young ladies from the nearby village blushed as they watched them. Noah thought they came to see Dwayne.

‘During our journey to the North, he seemed to understand women’s hearts well.’

Surprisingly, women in every village or territory they visited seemed to regret parting with him. Despite his flirtatious appearance, no one seemed to dislike or resent Dwayne, which Noah found quite remarkable.

‘There might be something to learn from him.’

Noah had someone he wanted to impress. Therefore, he wanted to learn from Dwayne the secret to captivating women’s hearts.

Bradley, observing from the side, asked incredulously.

“Your Highness, do you really want his help? Seriously?”

Noah calmly nodded.

“When Dwayne comes, Jack and you will follow. It’s beneficial for me.”

“That makes sense…”

Convinced by Noah’s reasoning, Dwayne nodded. Bradley looked at him disdainfully, then turned to give Noah a meaningful glance.

‘This guy, huh?’

Despite his angelic appearance, people overlooked something. The Duke wasn’t as gentle or docile as he appeared.

Suddenly, a cold voice came from behind.

“What’s all this about?”

Dwayne jumped like a startled rabbit, retreating behind Noah to hide. Amy looked disapprovingly at Dwayne using the much smaller Noah as a shield.

“Amy, did you finish looking around?”

Noah, suddenly cheerful, smiled at Amy. A collective sigh escaped the onlookers.

“Yes. But it’s cold, what are you doing?”

Amy quickly took off her cloak and draped it over Noah’s shoulders. Noah pouted at the thick cloak enveloping him.

“I’m not cold.”

“But it is cold. And I saw Dwayne lying on the ground earlier…”

Amy scanned Noah from head to toe, looking surprised.

“Did Your Highness defeat him?”

At Amy’s comment, Dwayne complained.

“Do I look like a bear to be beaten?”

Noah ignored him and smiled again.

“Yes. I defeated him. With my bare hands.”

“Oh my…”

Joy spread across Amy’s face. Seeing her happiness, Noah felt a tickling sensation in his heart. Amy whispered to Noah.

“Well done. We can reduce Dwayne’s salary now.”

“No, that’s not it!”

Dwayne, who had been eavesdropping, screamed in protest, but Amy ignored him, urging Noah to leave the training ground.

As they walked away, Noah looked back at Dwayne and Bradley, mouthing ‘later.’ The two men nodded, understanding the message.

Walking alongside Amy, Noah asked.

“You’re not really going to reduce it, are you?”

Amy raised an eyebrow and chuckled.

“The guard’s salary will be decided by Vernon and Joseph together. I was just scaring them.”

“He’s quite helpful, you know.”
Noah took off his cloak and put it back on Amy’s shoulders. Amy frowned at his action. Then, following close behind, Edon quickly covered Noah’s shoulders with another cloak. He was already eager to fulfill his duties. Noah, adjusting the cloak, said,

“I just fought using Southern martial arts.”

“……”

Amy’s expression turned enigmatic, recalling the Crown Prince’s scornful remarks about Noah.

‘That Southern mongrel, learning how to roll on the ground and hit with his hands. How disgraceful for a prince…’

Indeed, Noah had learned martial arts from the South in his youth. If he had continued to practice, he would certainly be highly skilled by now. Amy blinked.

‘Could it have been deliberate…?’

Noah slightly raised the corners of his mouth and murmured contentedly.

“Now they can’t call me a morning star.”

“Morning star?”

That sounded like a spiky weapon, didn’t it? Puzzled, she assumed it was related to martial arts techniques and brushed it off casually. Then, glancing at the setting sun, she said,

“It’s almost time for dinner. We should go, Your Highness.”

“Yes.”

They hastened their steps.

In the hall of the Grand Duke’s residence, with the family crest embroidered on the wall drapes, Noah sat solemnly in the high seat. He didn’t even glance at the array of dishes before him, constantly looking around for someone.

At the long table set perpendicularly below the high seat, the employees pretended not to follow the Grand Duke’s gaze and whispered among themselves.

“He must be looking for the stewardess. She said she’d drop by.”

“Or the advisor, maybe?”

“You don’t know anything. The Duke hasn’t been looking for the advisor all day.”

“That’s why the advisor always looks so glum searching for His Highness.”

At another table, the guards were gathered, with Dwayne lamenting his unfair treatment. Suddenly, the sound of a fist slamming on the table echoed.

“How could this happen?”

Bradley immediately responded.

“It happens.”

“…I haven’t finished talking.”