“I'm not sure this tea will suit your taste.”
Noah sipped his drink from his steaming cup, casting a wary glance at Fenric as if gauging his reaction.
“You visited me so suddenly that I didn't have time to prepare anything special. I hope you can forgive me.”
“I'm not someone who particularly enjoys tea, so I don't know much about its flavour.”
‘Should I have offered him alcohol instead?’ Noah’s facial expression was slightly tense with worry.
“But one thing is certain: your tea is the best I have ever had.”
“…”
“With my standards raised like this, I won't be able to drink tea anywhere else.”
“Oh, I'm glad you like it.”
Only then did Noah's tense face relax.
In truth, Noah was not the type to excessively flatter others or willingly bow his head, especially in front of other nobles.
It wasn't long before he ran into Atari and Prisippi in the garden, and his icy demeanor didn't change even in the prince's presence.
Of course, it helped that Atari was a prince of no great importance.
In fact, Noah was a model of an unscrupulous nobleman. He was accustomed to looking down on his inferiors, and using power and wealth as tools for amusement was among his favorite hobbies.
However, he found himself walking on eggshells around Fenric...
“It is a great honor for you to come and visit me. I have heard a lot about you, our Grand Duke.”
"I'm curious about what I heard. Stories about me are rarely interesting."
“Oh, I didn't mean it that way...”
"It doesn't matter. Just because rumors are unpleasant doesn't mean they're not true. So, what stories have you heard?"
"pardon?"
“A murderer swings his sword indiscriminately at men, women and children?”
“…”
“Or a madman who beheads nobles and kings alike without hesitation?”
This was because Noah was afraid of the man known as Fenric.
Well, when you think about it, they're basically the same.
“I wasn't trying to say anything like that, Grand Duke.”
Noah stammered, beads of cold sweat forming on his forehead.
“I have only heard good things. Your combat skills are so extraordinary that His Majesty the Emperor has great confidence in you.”
This wasn't a lie. In fact, Wenrich was one of Dietrich's closest allies. He played a crucial role in securing Dietrich's claim to the throne.
“Extraordinary combat skills… That makes sense.”
Fenric smiled, his lips curling as he spoke.
“After all, this is not the kind of thing a beggar from the streets could achieve unless he was exceptionally skilled – surpassing the nobility and obtaining the title of Grand Duke.”
“…”
“Don't you agree?”
“Well, I just meant… your abilities must be really outstanding...”
Fenric didn't reply, just stared at Noah with a sarcastic look.
The intensity of his crimson eyes sent a shiver up Noah's spine, making him want to flee from his seat. لكنه كبح نفسه بجهد كبير.
“As you know, my visit here was to inquire about what happened on the day Prince Attar died.”
“أجل، لا تتردد في السؤال.”
At this point, the best option was to answer the questions quickly and end the conversation. تظاهر نواه بأجمل تعبير يمكنه حشده ونظر إلى فينريك.
“سمعت أنه بينما كنت تحيي السيدة بريسيبي، قاطعك الأمير آتاري وأمرك بالمغادرة.”
“Yes, I informed His Majesty of this on the day of the banquet. After all, you were one of the last people to see Prince Attar alive.”
أكمل نواه حديثه على عجل، وكأنه يحاول توضيح نفسه.
"But that's all. I went back to the ballroom right after that, so I don't know what happened next. If anyone knows, it's Mrs. Priscipe, not me."
“…”
“بالطبع لقد سبق أن قلت لجلالته نفس الشيء…”
حدق فينريك ببرود في نواه، الذي كان يستخدم الآن بريسيبي كدرع.
“أعرف ذلك بالفعل. لقد أتيت إلى هنا على أمل سماع المزيد من التفاصيل.”
“Ah, I see. I understand.”
“يبدو أنه لم يعد هناك الكثير مما يمكن سماعه. أنت تدعي أنك لا تعرف أي شيء آخر.”
“أخشى أن يكون هذا هو الحال.”
تحدث نواه بتعبير اعتذاري حذر.
“لكن… كان هناك شيء غريب بعض الشيء. لا أعلم إن كان عليّ أن أذكره، لكن…”
“Something strange?”
"It seemed as if Prince Atari and Ms. Priscipe already knew each other. Prince Atari mentioned that he had a date with her, and it did not appear that Ms. Priscipe turned him down."
“…”
"I can't say for sure, but there seems to be something between them. Things between men and women are only known by those involved, so all I can do is speculate."
“… إذن ما تقوله هو أن السيدة بريسيبي مرتبطة بوفاة الأمير آتاري؟”
Noah, who had been talking nonstop, belatedly realized that Fenric's crimson eyes were now even more blazing and menacing than before.
“لا… لا، على الإطلاق. كنت أذكر فقط ما حدث.”
“…”
"Well, it must have been the killer who did it. I'm really relieved that Ms. Prisippi was not harmed."
الوغد المثير للاشمئزاز.
بالكاد تمكن فينريك من كبح جماح اللعنات التي هددت بالانسكاب من بين شفتيه. أجبر تعبيره المتصلب على الاسترخاء وفتح فمه.
“لقد انتهت أعمالنا الرسمية. لقد كانت إجاباتكم الجادة ذات فائدة كبيرة.”
“حسنًا، هذا أمر مريح…”
“لكنني سمعت أن لديك شغفًا كبيرًا بجمع الأشياء.”
"pardon?"
“They told me that you display all kinds of rare stuffed animals and art objects in your home.”
توجهت نظرة فينريك لفترة وجيزة خارج الممر.
"I have recently developed an interest in this field as well. I was looking for a like-minded companion who has an eye for beauty."
“رفيق، تقول…؟”
"Just as it seems. As you know, I don't deal with any other nobles."
What he said was true. Even after receiving the title of Grand Duke, Fenric refrained from participating in social circles or forming relationships with other nobles.
“But after hearing about your hobbies, it seems we might get along very well.”
This was a golden opportunity for Noah.
The Davern family has been loyal to the imperial family for a long time.
When Dietrich took the throne by killing the second prince - the previous heir - the family was put in danger.
But Noah, now the head of the family, was neither loyal enough to protect Dietrich's brother nor brave enough to intervene in the turmoil. وبفضل هذا، نجت أسرته.
However, having done nothing to help Dietrich ascend, the Dufferns no longer enjoyed the power they once had. This greatly upset Noah.
If he could form a relationship with Fenric, one of the Emperor's closest confidants...
“I was hurting that I had no friends to share this hobby with. It was very boring.”
Noah's lips curved into a soft arc.
“But now that you extended your hand first, I’m truly grateful.”
Fenric replied with a smile.
It was an evil and annoying smile, but in his excitement, Noah failed to notice it.
“Since you are already here, would you like me to show you my treasures?”
Noah jumped out of his seat eagerly.
“I have everything – masterpieces, stuffed animals, jewels. But the rarest and most beautiful of all are my stuffed animals.”
Even without the explanation, Fenric already knew.
He was keenly aware of Noah Duffern's twisted obsession with collecting.
“I like pretty things, Presby.”
“الأشياء الجميلة…؟”
“Yes, like you. Whenever I see something beautiful like you, I feel strong emotions.”
…And in Noah's way, he also knew how this obsession had led to Presibe's destruction.
Noah imprisoned her, played with her for a while, soon got bored, and moved on to a new game.
He deprived her of even food, leaving her with nothing but a husk of skin and bones. In the end, exhausted by loneliness, pain and hunger, Precipe hanged herself among his stuffed animals.
That was the end of Noah's road.
“...Since you're so kind, I guess I should take a look.”
Fenric slowly got up from his seat and began walking with Noah down the dim corridor.
“I'm sure you'll find something to your liking. There's a lot to see.”
“…”
"If anything catches your attention, let me know. I'd like to give it to you as a token of our new friendship."
“You are so generous...”
In the shadowed hallway, Fenric's lips curved into a crooked smile.
"…I appreciate it."
"Sorry."
“But with such a wonderful collection, I imagine you will have many visitors.”
“Oh, not at all. I have some noble acquaintances, but I never allow them to visit me here. They lack the good taste of someone like you, Grand Duke Fenric.”
“So you're always alone here?”
"I have maids, but they arrive late in the morning and leave in the afternoon. I'm afraid they'll mess with my precious collection. Besides, I've given my employees a vacation starting the day after tomorrow, so I'll be alone for a few days starting tomorrow afternoon."
“And your family?”
"I have no siblings. My parents have always resided in the northern region. I don't understand why they would attract attention to this barren, barren place."
“…So what you're saying is that even if something happened to you, no one would notice right away.”
"pardon?"
“At least not before tomorrow morning.”