Chapter 72

Chapter 72

Min-ha stroked the back of his hand as if to comfort Seth’s grim expression as he was grinding his teeth with a fierce look. At that, he turned around and smiled sweetly before grabbing her hand that was on the back of his hand.

Gawin and Bediviel, who watched the friendly couple, let out a complicated sigh and spoke.

“I see. He said that…”

“That damn b*stard. There had been no movement for several months, but I didn’t think they’d progressed to that point.”

“Still, there’s one thing I know for sure. I guess his purpose was not just for divorce alimony, but for the Madam as well.”

“…It would’ve been easier to separate them if they were just aiming for alimony for the Duchess, though this is a headache in many ways.”

The three of them shared their thoughts with subdued faces as if they were frustrated.

Perhaps, she had brought up something she should not have said. As she thought so, Min-ha’s expression darkened as she looked at their faces. Seeing that, Seth turned to her as though to exhort her.

“It must still be very difficult, but thank you for telling me.”

“Thank you, Duchess. It’s been a huge help.”

“…No. I’m sorry I couldn’t be more helpful.”

“No, this is enough.”

Min-ha waved her hand at Seth and the two knights to express their gratitude.

It was not something to hide anyway and she did not want to hide it, so it was natural to bring it up. Seeing their reactions, she could not help but feel shy for some reason. Smiling awkwardly, she then glanced down while Seth smiled at her tenderly.

Bediviel, who was relieved to see the friendly appearance of the two people, continued his words with a serious face again.

“As the Duchess said, Rupert Guinivis is now using Grand Duchess Blaine to influence His Majesty.”

“Did the Vatican’s public opinion also move by Grand Duchess Blaine’s father and uncle, the Resitia, as they convinced the pontifex?”

“Well. So, didn’t Resitia also have many enemies within the Vatican since ancient times? It’d be difficult to move public opinion simply by his persuasion.”

“…That’s right. I think we need more information about the Vatican.”

“Then, wouldn’t it be better to leave it to Sir Lancelot in that regard? He’s the most indisputable.”

“Why do you say Sir Lancelot is the right person for this?”

At his words, Min-ha tilted her head at Gawin’s words and asked. Bediviel smiled and answered.

“Haha. Sir Gawain’s cousin is a paladin in the Vatican.”

“Really?”

“Yes. That’s why we’re more knowledgeable of things going on in Vatican’s movements.”

Consequently, that was why it was easy to predict how the Vatican would rule on her and Seth’s divorce. Min-ha nodded her head, understanding Bediviel’s explanation.

“Gawin. Where is Sir Lancelot now?”

“He led the knights by Young Master Noah’s side until dawn. However, he left before me, saying that he would collect the letters that came to Your Excellency a little while ago. I thought he would come soon because he was simply collecting letters, though it took longer than I thought… Maybe he was caught by a lady somewhere else?”

Gawin shrugged his shoulders in response to Seth’s question. At his words, Seth narrowed his brow slightly.

“Your Excellency, may I enter?”

“Come in.”

It was then that Lancelot’s voice came along with a knock from outside the door.

Speaking of the devil. Min-ha turned her head slightly and greeted Lancelot, who slowly closed the door and entered.

“Good morning, Sir Lancelot.”

“Good morning, Duchess. Did you have a good night?”

“We were just looking for you, Lancelot.”

“Is that so? I also have something to tell Your Excellency, as well as the Duchess.”

“…Yes? Me?”

Entering the bedroom, Lancelot greeted Min-ha and Seth with courtesy before pulling out some letters from his pocket and holding them in front of Seth. After receiving the letters, Seth opened them up and began to open them one by one. Then, when he saw a letter wrapped in a white silk envelope, he smirked and muttered.

“What is this? Did I see it wrong?”

“Unfortunately, I afraid not, Your Grace.”

Seth fluttered the letter between his two fingers as if disgruntled. At the same time, Lancelot replied with a bitter smile as if he had expected his master’s reaction.

‘…What was written on it that made Seth look so displeased?’

Thinking so, Min-ha glanced at the letter in his hand with a squinting glance.

Although the contents could not be read all at once because it was written in English, and it filled the whole page. As the letter was flipped inside Seth’s hand, the letters written on the envelope on the outside were barely recognizable.

‘This is…’

It was an invitation from the Marquis of Loengram to Minase Persen and Seth Persen.

‘What is it? What kind of invitation is it…?’

After recognizing the sender, Min-ha also had the same expression as Seth. Then, looking at the faces of the two crumpled side by side, Lancelot continued.

“It’s an invitation to the monster subjugation and the banquet afterwards.”

“If they send an invitation to an aristocrat to convey something that can just be conveyed verbally, they’re either obsessed with the pretentiousness of social status of an aristocrat… Or, they’re making sure that we’ll be attending.”

“That’s right. In fact, other invitations other than this one contained checks instead of an invitation.”

“Are they trying to get yesterday’s noble ladies back to their side? This is getting rather irksome.”

“Well, wasn’t the Marquis of Loengram originally that kind of man? Since he’s been caring about his status since before, he would only want the nobles who attended only on the first day as a courtesy should now return, while focusing on pleasing the high-ranking nobles who are profitable to him.”

“It’s obvious. It’s no good for him to get together with the nobles who have no use for him.”

“No, wait… Another ball again? Wasn’t it over yesterday? Besides, it’s monster subjugation… Isn’t that dangerous?”

‘…Also, having to talk to people who are united with that pretense is rather uncomfortable.’

It was only last night that she escaped with harsh words to Grand Duchess Blaine, Young Lady Vivian, and other noble wives with the thought they would never see again. But now, she has to face those people and have to go through another unsatisfying ball again…

‘No. Besides, I don’t know why I’m going to go hunting for monsters that seem dangerous at first glance, even if they give a hundred reasons for that.’

The more she thought about it, the more confused Min-ha became.

Lancelot, who had a look of surprise at her reaction, replied with a bitter smile.

“The hunting of monsters hosted by nobles isn’t very dangerous. At best, it’s hunting for a magic weasel or a monster wild boar that harms the land.”

“If so, I’m glad to hear that. So, what about the banquet? I don’t know, but didn’t we have a banquet all night yesterday? Isn’t it enough to hold it once… But, they’re holding it again?”

“I’d like to ask that too, though… As the Duchess knows, banquets for nobles usually last for more than three days. Depending on the wealth of the aristocrat that hosts it, it may last a week or even fortnight.”

‘Then, no way… Does that mean I might have to spend two more weeks here?’

Min-ha asked, surprised by Lancelot’s answer.

“Oh my god, fortnight…? It would cost a lot of money. Is the Marquis of Loengram that wealthy?”

“No. According to the information, his fortune has decreased while trying to establish connections with the nobles who hold central power. Even so, he wants to flaunt his name.”

“So, how long do we have to stay here?”

“The schedule on the invitation was until tomorrow. So, perhaps tomorrow morning, we’ll be able to return without any problems. We can’t even empty the Persen Castle forever.”

“…Phew, that’s a relief. If possible, it would be better if we could leave today. However, it seems like he’s the kind of person who would risk his face just to parade his name, the Marquis Loengram.”

“Well, the Duchess knows well, don’t you? The nobles are the ones who would buy dresses and jewelry for the banquet right in front of them, even if they were about to starve to death. Besides, the commander and the Duchess, and Grand Duchess Blaine have gathered in one place like this… There’s no way that ambitious inspiration would deny an opportunity to look this good.”

“…I see. So, does that mean Seth and I have no choice but to run to them again?”

When Gawin added an explanation to Lancelot’s words, Min-ha murmured with a stunned expression on her face.

The next moment, Seth tightened his grip on her hand and spoke.

“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure they won’t do anything outrageous to you again.”

“…Seth.”

“And, you don’t have to go if you don’t want to. As for the excuses, I can make them up in moderation.”

The image of Seth, who uttered as if he was determined, completely melted away her nervousness at the thought that she had to go through something like yesterday again. In addition, Min-ha could feel his heart’s unwillingness to force anything if she did not want to, making the corner of her heart feel warm naturally.

Feeling grateful and sorry for his heart, which always thought and cared for herself first, Min-ha opened her mouth while gently holding Seth’s hand, which was holding her hand, with her finger.

“No. Now that I think about it, I didn’t do anything wrong, so I don’t think there’s any reason to avoid them. It’s okay, I’ll go with you.”

“Are you sure you don’t mind? You don’t have to push yourself.”

“It’s okay. Rather, I think it’d be more anxious to do nothing in this situation.”

When Min-ha replied with a smile as if it was nothing, Seth smiled sweetly at her. Then, he turned his head back to the invitation in his hand with sharp eyes before setting it down on the tea table.

“I don’t like it, but as long as Grand Duchess Blaine attends, there won’t be many choices for us. Let them know that we’ll attend.”

“All right, Your Excellency.”

“While the men, including me, go out hunting for monsters, what will the ladies do?”

“I heard they’re going to have a tea party at the hunting ground.”

“This time, make sure no one can harm her. I don’t want to be away from you for even a moment, but…”

“Don’t worry about me. I’m not going to be that easy this time.”

Min-ha reassured Seth, who looked at her with an anxious gaze.

‘Well, if the noble ladies, including the Grand Duchess, initiated a war of nerves like yesterday, it would have been enough to respond well.’

What bothered Min-ha more than that was that Rupert might approach her again. Still, even if that happened, she was not afraid anymore, knowing that Seth would come for her again this time.

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