MFTR 99

Chapter 99

It wasn’t just that she was pretty. It was to the point of being chilling.

At this rate, giving up the reward was worth it… No, maybe this is the real reward.

Even as Kardin dashed toward the reception room, driven by an instinctive sense of danger that Jeon and Anette should never be left alone, he couldn’t help but feel a twinge of regret that he would no longer be able to demand a kiss from her as his prize.

He forced himself to swallow the disappointment, reminding himself that he could always coax another pretty, endearing gesture out of her and claim it then. But to gain such an unexpected windfall like this—

Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad to make her angry now and then.

Entertaining such a cheeky thought, he quickly softened his expression, not wanting Anette to resent him.

And with his long lashes fluttering like feathers, he spoke in a sorrowful tone.

“Because it seemed like my fiancée was alone in a small space with another man…”

“Such a… what?”

Anette’s voice instinctively slipped into pity, but she caught herself and straightened up.

“No, but it’s not that small of a space.”

Her gaze swept over the vast, splendid reception room—worthy of the grandeur of a ducal castle.

But under Kardin’s look, which seemed to say, That’s not the point, is it?, she couldn’t help but glance away.

…After all, he wasn’t wrong. She was alone with another man.

The shadow of Kardin’s long lashes cast a pitiful, sorrowful air over him, making Anette’s heart sting with guilt.

As her resistance softened, Kardin relaxed. It seemed his beauty and charm had worked, at least somewhat.

When he’d spotted Luke and Larissa, he’d lost his head and barged in without even putting on his mask—but clearly, it had been worth it.

Now, his eyes slid slyly toward his true goal.

Jeon sat there with his brow furrowed, lips twisted, and eyes blazing with open displeasure.

At the sight of Kardin, he let out a bitter laugh.

He’d already realized that the man who had exuded such oppressive force yesterday behind a mask was none other than this very duke.

The same aura lingered now—the air of a man who had walked battlefields, who treated him with the sharp hostility reserved only for enemies.

Kardin’s smug, almost taunting smile reeked of arrogance, but Jeon met it with a wary glare, his tendons bulging on the back of his hand.

“You said you would wait.”

Just then, Anette—her voice calmer now—spoke again.

At her words, the duke’s sharp, chilling gaze melted into tenderness.

Like a sly fox, his eyes curved, and the icy edge of his voice suddenly turned soft, sweet, and velvety, brushing against her ears.

“I know. But I couldn’t rest easy, so I came. Forgive me.”

Though he apologized, it was clear he had no intention of leaving. He slid casually into the seat beside her, as if her forgiveness and permission were a given.

“You really don’t have to worry…”

Anette glanced at him briefly, then shook her head as though she had no choice.

Watching the exchange, Jeon felt as if his insides were burning to ashes.

The words that had risen to his throat—Come with me—had already vanished.

Because this man, whatever his sly nature, could give her what she deserved:

Not just fine clothes and jewels, not just affection—but loyal servants and maids who would genuinely care for her, a life of abundance and safety.

Not the life of a fugitive, but the life of a duchess. Protected with dignity against the Heiworth royal family.

The thought stung, because he remembered how long he’d been by her side before this man ever appeared. But that only brought pain—because it meant he’d had countless chances to reach out first, and every single time, he had failed.

It was already far too late to ask her to run away with him.

While his chest smoldered with grief, his mind accepted the truth: there was nothing left he could do.

By the time Jeon finally spoke again, his face was emptied of all emotion.

“Since His Grace the Duke is present, shall we proceed to the main matter?”

Anette turned back to him, and when her eyes met his, she felt an odd sense of relief.

This was the Jeon Millard she knew—cold, detached, and steady. Not a man blazing with feverish emotion, but one as calm as ice.

“First, before I convey His Majesty’s message, here is the princess’s sword, as requested by the Alkan Imperial family. For your reassurance, know that the attendant, the knight, and Count Randell’s family—who failed to escort the princess safely to the Empire—have all been duly punished.”

With that, Jeon carefully set the silk-wrapped sword on the table, since Anette hesitated to take it.

She looked at it with conflicted eyes. After confessing moments ago how weary she was of killing monsters, it felt embarrassing to take it back now.

Seeing her reluctance, Jeon simply placed it gently on the table.

But when he turned his head, he found the duke watching him intently, chin in hand, smirk tugging at his lips.

Strangely, Jeon felt as though the hostility in Kardin’s eyes had waned, as if he had realized Jeon had already let go of Anette.

Then the duke laughed amiably and—like a beast marking its territory—draped an arm around Anette’s shoulders.

It was childish, yet Anette didn’t push him away. She only blinked at the sudden touch.

Jeon’s mouth went dry, tasting of grit, but he forced himself to look away and speak in his usual businesslike tone.

“The Kingdom of Heiworth hereby formally requests the support of the House of Harzent, of the Alkan Empire…”

“Are you really fine letting him go like that?”

Later, Anette was in her new chamber—Kardin had insisted she move into the duchess’s quarters now that her health had recovered.

She was sorting through her precious belongings, mostly birthday gifts and letters Larissa had packed for her, when Kardin suddenly spoke.

He stood on the balcony, pretending to admire the view.

When she joined him, she saw, far in the distance, Jeon riding away from the castle on horseback.

Just as Kardin had predicted, Jeon had formally requested the duke’s aid in monster subjugation. And when Anette said she would send her reply by messenger, he only nodded, then immediately declared he would return to Heiworth.

She had worried he might press her for an answer on the spot. But instead, he had hurried away, citing the coming regular subjugation as his reason.

Monster hunting—a task she had once cast aside in disgust, but also the very thing that had given her purpose.

No wonder she was torn about how to respond.

Still, at least she had bought some time. She sighed in relief—until Kardin blindsided her with that question.

She looked at him blankly.

“My lady’s… closest vassal, wasn’t he? When I barged in, I wondered if there was something more you wanted to say to him.”

Anette let out a short laugh.

“Don’t tell me you’re still jealous. You saw it yourself. Sir Millard doesn’t see me that way.”

Her confidence made Kardin’s expression twist, but she stood her ground.

“You asked me once, if I was happy here when I had wanted so badly to escape. Yes. I’m happy. I think I’ve finally found where I belong.”

“…If that is truly how Your Highness feels, then I am glad. May happiness be yours from here on.”

That had been their last conversation before Jeon left.

Hardly the words of a man in love—it had been too calm, too neat.

If she had been in his shoes, she could never have spoken so.

And Kardin, who had been at her side the whole time, had heard every word. Surely he had no reason for doubt now.

“Even so, I’m jealous. You’ll never know how much.”

Instead of reminding her of Jeon’s feelings, Kardin chose to play the fool, sulking as he spoke.

Anette rolled her eyes.

“Why wouldn’t I know?”

“…What?”

“You said the same thing yesterday. Of course I understand what jealousy feels like.”

With a little huff, she stood on tiptoe and whispered something in his ear.

Something she never could have done back when she was still trapped in a child’s body.

“Really?”

Kardin’s eyes widened in disbelief.

Blushing, Anette nodded. Just thinking about it made her embarrassed—that she had actually been jealous of loyal, innocent Larissa, even for a moment.

“Oh no. My lady was jealous. That’s too cute.”

But Kardin didn’t care about her embarrassment. The only thing that mattered was that she had been jealous.

His face melted with bliss, hands cradling his cheeks as though he might dissolve.

Seeing him so giddy, Anette found herself smiling too. She was glad she had confessed, awkward as it had been.

“Then that means, my lady, you understand how maddening my own curiosity feels right now, don’t you?”

Still smiling brightly, Kardin spoke.

“How could it be that he knows what you meant by wanting to run away, and I don’t? That makes no sense at all.”