Chapter: 142
The Duke’s office was packed with luxurious furniture and shelves crammed with books. In the center, there was a large desk topped with important documents, hefty tomes, and high-end ink and quills arranged meticulously.
Behind the desk sat the Duke, elegantly posed with a serious gaze. Next to her stood the butler, maintaining a formal posture. The scent of books filled the air, contrasting with the warmth of a softly crackling fireplace, creating a heavy atmosphere.
Fixing her eyes on the documents, she spoke in a casual tone, “Is Pantone alright?”
“Yes, he has some minor injuries, but nothing has been severed.”
Swish.
The sound of paper fluttering echoed like a sharp blade. When the expected reply didn’t come, the butler cautiously asked, “What should we do about Pantone’s companion?”
A companion, not a child.
Both assumed that whoever was with Pantone was not of the Duke’s bloodline. The Duke signed the last document with a firm thud before brushing herself off and standing up.
“I’ll step out for a moment, so handle things here.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to meet with Sir Pantone?”
“Even if he’s physically fine, it seems there’s a problem in his head, right? Treatment must come first for a proper conversation.”
Bam!
She flung open the study terrace and, in an instant, threw herself over the railing. The butler silently watched her back.
‘Looks like she’s trying to relieve some stress.’
Whenever thoughts of her child or the hero crossed her mind, she would grasp a sword and sweep away monsters. It was her unique way of relieving stress.
“Phew…”
The butler let out a small sigh before quietly walking out of the study and down the long corridor toward the castle entrance. His steps felt infinitely heavy. A few wrinkles creased his otherwise tidy face, and deep concern flickered in his gaze.
‘It’s a relief that Sir Pantone returned safely, but…’
Swallowing another sigh, the butler quickened his pace.
A carriage gracefully approached the castle entrance along the paved stone road. Under the brilliant midday sun, shadows stretched long, the movement of the carriage creating the illusion that time was flowing slowly.
As the guards at the castle gate spotted the carriage, they saluted and opened the way. The imposing castle gates, steeped in history, creaked open, allowing the carriage to slowly enter.
The sound of wheels meeting the cobblestones shattered the tranquil air.
Upon entering the castle, the carriage veered toward the central plaza. Knights, the butler, and the head maid gathered around, waiting for the carriage’s arrival. All eyes were on the elegant vehicle, but the ambiance was icy.
Among those gathered, no one expected the Duke’s bloodline to be riding inside, hence the chilliness in the atmosphere.
As the carriage halted in the plaza, everyone—knights, butler, and head maid—prepared to welcome the individual stepping out of the carriage. A few knights even placed their hands on the hilts of their swords.
In the tense atmosphere, akin to three seconds before an ambush, a clattering noise signaled the opening of the carriage door. All eyes converged upon it. As the figure emerged from the carriage, shock washed over the faces of those gathered in the plaza.
“….!”
“Wow..!”
The first thing to catch their attention was the hair, whiter than the snowy peaks. With skin as radiant as the moon and gold eyes that seemed to mesmerize anyone who locked gazes, it revealed he was undeniably a strikingly handsome man.
Their shock didn’t end there.
His hair, cascading down to his waist with a hint of silver, complemented his profound golden eyes, reminiscent of a tiger’s gaze. His charmingly pale and delicate features seemed to brighten the surroundings.
The piercing look in his eyes reminded them of their lord, causing several knights waiting nearby to flinch and avert their gazes.
Widened eyes from the knights, a slightly agape mouth from the butler, and the head maid raising her brows in surprise – all present exchanged glances of shock before turning their gazes back to the figure stepping down from the carriage. Their expressions mixed confusion and astonishment.
‘Whoa… there are way more people than I expected!’
Lian, startled by the unexpectedly large crowd, wore a tense expression. Iris, slightly furrowing her brows, positioned herself in front of her brother. She felt irritated by all the stares boring into him.
“Ugh! We’ve arrived!”
Jess disembarked from the carriage with a bright smile and stretched. Her cheerful voice eased some of the tension in the air. It seemed the door for the following carriage opened as well, quickly filling the plaza with people.
The butler took a moment to gather himself, then stepped forward to perform his duties.
“Greetings! I’m Seban, the butler. We have been expecting your arrival. You might be tired from your journey, so please come inside. Everything is prepared for your comfort.”
The head maid, snapping back to attention from the butler’s smooth introduction, chimed in belatedly.
“I am Head Maid Benny. It’s an honor to host you. Should you need anything during your stay, please don’t hesitate to ask me.”
Everyone but Lian was taken aback by the overly grand reception. As they were shuttled off by the capable butler, they found themselves assigned to luxurious accommodations and soon pampered with lavish baths.
At that moment, in the butler’s office…
The butler, head maid, two captains of knights, and a magic commander sat on a sofa, engaging in a serious discussion.
“The white hair and golden eyes are the most notable traits of the Duke’s bloodline.”
“Because of that, I was shocked too, but… changing hair and eye colors isn’t impossible. Haven’t we seen someone change their hair before?”
“However, turning it completely white is impossible. Even then, it was closer to gray than white.”
“What matters is that there exists a method. If magic has adapted and become more refined, it may not be impossible. Alternatively, it could be due to the power of a magical tool.”
The white hair and brilliant golden eyes were traits of the Duke’s lineage. This well-known fact made it easy for many to attempt gaining from it, and therefore they couldn’t readily let down their guard.
“Even if not, it could still be a distant relative of the Duke’s.”
“The odds are low, but it’s possible.”
“Ugh… I should have just detained the Duke when I had the chance.”
The butler sighed deeply, showing a bitter expression. The magic commander, who had been quietly listening, spoke up, his face serious.
“There were no magical reactions whatsoever.”
“That means…”
“It implies that they haven’t dyed their hair using magic or magical tools. Simultaneously, it means Pantone hasn’t been subjected to brainwashing magic.”
“Ah…”
“Whether this is good news or not remains uncertain.”
The idea that Pantone hadn’t fallen victim to brainwashing magic indicated that he was mentally sound. However, negatively interpreted, it could mean he’d undergone physical brainwashing, completely siding with the Demon King’s faction.
The thought that those they’d assumed were con artists might genuinely be of the Duke’s bloodline darkened the expressions of those present. The head maid, who had been silently observing, opened her mouth with a poised expression.
“First… let’s observe until the Duke returns.”
“That seems wise.”
“We should approach them as kindly as possible to gather information.”
Thus concluded the day’s meeting.
*
‘Wow, this place is fancy!’
Lian was gleaming with excitement as he roamed around the castle, allowed to explore. The areas that hadn’t been well described in the original work caught his attention even more.
Upon entering the castle, the first thing that stood out was the lofty ceiling. It was decorated with intricate wood carvings and refined stonework, with a grand chandelier hanging in the center.
The corridors stretched wide and long, with glossy marble flooring that echoed with each step, creating a serene atmosphere. Oversized vases adorned here and there, brimming with fresh flowers that only bloomed in winter, infused life into the castle’s interior.
Every room in the castle had its unique purpose and theme, making exploration delightful.
‘The fanciest rooms are probably mine and Iris’s, huh? Is it a thank you for bringing Iris here?’
He had taken it all for granted, forgetting to clarify that he and Iris were not siblings and that she was truly the Duke’s bloodline.
Consequently, Lian was oblivious to the fact that others were misinterpreting him as a Duke’s child. He simply sparkled with excitement, thinking, ‘When will I ever get to see such a castle again?’
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