“Your Highness, there are rumors circulating about suspicious movements of barbarians near the northern lands.”
Eric furrowed his eyebrows at the detective's words, Haiet.
K
He knew that if there had been such a thing, the soldiers on the border would have reported it long ago.
“Where did the rumors originate?”
“Although it has not been confirmed, herbal gatherers near the border are said to have seen the barbarians.”
“Did you check its authenticity?”
“Yes.
I sent guards to search the area, and they said there were indeed traces of barbarians.”
Eric stroked his chin.
Even after the victory of the Northern War, Eric had posted guards along the border to prevent any further mistakes.
Therefore, if mere herbal gatherers had ventured so far as to encounter the barbarians, the reports would have arrived long ago.
'But how did it take so long to reach my ears?'
Although puzzled by the sporadic nature of the information circulating among the public, the problem regarding the borders adjacent to Brant's lands could not be ignored.
“Haite, go ahead and check the situation first.
I will leave for the north as soon as I am ready.”
Haiet bowed his head in response.
“Yes, understood.”
As Haiet left, Eric let out a small sigh.
‘I must prepare for any emergency and leave as soon as the forces are ready…’
While he was thinking about leaving for the north, a figure suddenly came to mind.
'But it would be appropriate to see her face before leaving.'
✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧
[Princess, I have fulfilled all your desires; Now it's time to do what your father wants.]
Cornelia smiled as she glanced at the Emperor's responses and documents.
“It seems that the preparations are almost complete.”
As she whispered to herself, Cornelia glanced at the open window.
“He's here.”
After a while, a masked figure quickly entered through the window.
The masked person slowly approached Cornelia and knelt down on one knee.
“The head maid has ordered the servants to speed things up.
She seems to be in a hurry.”
“Well, it seems that my request to spread rumors about the barbarians to His Majesty has come to fruition.
Thank you for handling the matter so quickly.”
Cornelia then addressed the masked man.
“Sardines.”
“Yes, ma'am.”
“How are the Duke’s movements?”
"He's gathering soldiers, but there are no signs of him leaving yet.
He seems to be waiting for the rumors to be confirmed before moving."
As Sardin spoke, he wore a worried expression.
This is understandable, as these rumors were intended to send the Duke of Brant north.
If he didn't act soon, it would undoubtedly derail the plan.
“What if we sent someone to forge false evidence now?”
Hearing this suggestion, Cornelia slowly shook her head.
"No need.
The Duke will leave soon enough to know the truth."
While Sardin was confused about her response, Cornelia whispered in a sarcastic tone.
“When the Duke leaves the palace, will my mother-in-law give me a gift?”
Cornelia cast a soft glance at Sardine.
“You did well, Sardin.
Thanks to you, the plan is going smoothly.”
Normally, Sardine would have been ecstatic to hear his lady's praise.
However, even with her praise, Sardin couldn't smile as usual.
“Is… everything okay, ma’am?”
"What?"
Cornelia's expression as she asked was incredibly mysterious.
As if she had not suffered any injuries at all.
Sardin's outlook became more sympathetic.
'Ma'am, why...why don't you show any signs of suffering, even in difficult situations?'
Cornelia was always like this.
She did not allow anyone to see her tears, and she did not once complain to others about her suffering.
Like a small animal afraid to reveal its weakness for fear of becoming a weakness.
'I always feel sorry for you and want to protect you.'
But it was bold for a simple slave to have such feelings towards his mistress.
So Sardine hid those feelings and bowed silently.
Then Cornelia spoke, “By the way, I haven’t seen Janet lately.”
“So...it looks like she's still resting.”
Cornelia's gaze flickered slightly, then settled.
Although she said nothing, upon seeing her attitude, Sardin felt that his lady cherished that knight very much and perhaps felt a little guilty.
“However, she seemed to visit the Duke frequently, so there is no need to worry too much.”
“Tell her she can stop accompanying me now.”
Suddenly, the muffled tone made Sardin sigh as he lowered his head.
"concept."
Sardin quickly left, hiding his mask and cape in an inconspicuous place outside the window.
'There's not much time left.'
After a moment of anxiety and excitement, Sardin remembered Cornelia's previous orders.
'I must convey my lady's message to Lady Janet now.'
Sardin began walking towards the knights' pavilion.
Then —
“What are you doing here?”
Although he did not feel himself approaching, Sardin suddenly found himself under Eric's intense gaze, his penetrating blue eyes.
Sardine stared at the Duke with a deadpan expression.
'I didn't feel his presence until... when did he arrive?'
Sardine was very skilled.
He was hailed as a hero in the arena, and during his time in the palace, he fought and defeated several imperial guards, receiving offers from various nobles.
But even then, Eric's skills were as mysterious as a black sea of unknown depth.
‘And to hide his presence to this extent… even Janet, a rumored murderer, wouldn’t have been able to do this…’
Seeing Sardin remain silent, Eric spoke again.
"Why aren't you answering?
Is there something you're hiding from me?"
Just then, Sardine snapped out of his thoughts, remembering what he had just done.
'Did he see the hidden mask?'
Sardin wondered if he had been arrested, but the Duke seemed oblivious to everything.
Sardin quickly came up with an excuse.
“My lady said she wanted to see the flowers, so I was about to pick some.”
Eric's eyes moved to the floor of flowers next to Sardine.
Soon, his blue eyes turned icy cold.
“Lavender is not particularly good for pregnant women.”
Even though it was an excuse, Sardine felt embarrassed for making a mistake about Cornelia.
'It's my fault.
I should have checked if there were any flowers that were harmful to pregnant women.'
As he pondered his mistake, Eric spoke again.
“There is no need to bring her flowers.”
Sardin almost stared at the Duke.
‘I clearly told him that I came here to bring flowers for my lady, but he says this…’
He clenched his fists involuntarily.
However, with the plan about to be implemented, he couldn't act rashly.
As usual, he held back his emotions and answered politely.
“Your Highness, Madam will be very disappointed if I don’t bring her some flowers, so please be generous and let me use the greenhouse.”
At that, Eric's eyes turned into a murderous look.
But Sardine was prepared to face the consequences; He had no intention of backing down.
Then Eric spoke again.
“I'm sure I told you, there's no need to bring her flowers.”
'You...!'
No wonder Cornelia wanted to leave; He always acts like this.
‘I thought the Duke had changed for the better compared to what he was before; 'I was a fool.'
While Sardin gritted his teeth in suppressed anger, the Duke spoke.
"I'm the one bringing flowers to my wife.
I was about to head to the bedroom anyway."
Unexpectedly, Sardin unclenched his fists and stared at the Duke in amazement.
The Duke's gaze, still fixed on him, was as harsh and cold as ever.
Normally, Sardine would have interpreted it as contempt for the lowly slave he was forced to keep for his wife.
But now he could sense a different meaning behind it.
'Perhaps the Duke regards my lady as…'
However, one cannot recklessly assume another person's feelings.
Especially when it comes to the Duke, who was nothing but an empty husband, ignoring and neglecting his wife despite her love for him.
He was so cold and indifferent that she was tired of his indifference and wanted to run away, even if it meant lying to him.
'And...'
Those dreamy words he heard briefly reignited the pent-up feelings that Sardine had abandoned long ago.