MCC 10

Chapter: 10

Puff—The cigar smoke exhaled by Cervante dispersed helplessly into the air. Yet a strange heat, a mixture of shock and excitement, had risen across his face. Who would have thought that such an utterly unexpected situation could make the blood in his veins boil?

What an incredible twist.

Before he knew it, a smile spread across his face.

With her long hair fluttering in the breeze and wearing a gently swaying one-piece dress, Denise seemed to be bathed entirely in sunlight.

Only after seeing Denise transformed into a proper lady did Cervante finally become certain. She was indeed Captain Denise, his adjutant who had once roamed through the ashes wearing a military uniform and carrying a long rifle.

I have no reason to hate you anymore.

Because Denise had deceived the entire world perfectly. He did not want to condemn the miracle brought about by her meticulousness and audacity. Rather, he even felt a sense of awe toward her.

Not just anyone could accomplish something like this, and Denise had more than fulfilled her role on the battlefield.

Before coming here, Cervante had hired a private investigator to look into Denise’s family background.

‘Count Vertir has a pair of twins, a boy and a girl. However, the boy was born weak and suffered from illness throughout his childhood. Of course, he has recovered his health now, and I hear that his relationship with Her Imperial Highness is also deepening.’

Apparently, Count Vertir had given both twins the same name. Presumably, it was not merely because he feared that his heir might die and that he would eventually lose his title and fortune. Judging from his character, it was probably because of the grief and sense of loss the parents would suffer if they lost either one of their children.

In any case, Count Vertir’s grand deception of the entire nation had succeeded. If that was the case…

Is it my turn this time?

War was not merely a battle in which people killed and were killed with bayonets.

Jumping into the play that had already been set in motion and becoming an excellent actor was also a fierce battle.

A spark seemed to burst inside Cervante’s chest, and his anticipation for a kind of pleasure he had never experienced before continued to grow. He liked this indescribable amusement and the vitality that made his entire body pulse.

Denise, you’re not the only one who can do this. I’m confident I can do it well too.

Meanwhile, Denise repeatedly looked back as she walked along the oak-lined path. The scent carried by the wind was far too familiar.

That was the Commander’s cigar.

The finest Kubosan cigars gave off a fragrance combining the deep bitterness of well-dried tobacco leaves with the warmth of earth and wood. Their subtle sweetness, like burnt sugar, and dense smoke were exquisite.

There was no way she could forget it. For three whole years, whenever he reached out his hand, she had cut the end of his cigar with a cutter and lit it for him.

“My lady, why are you doing that?”

Misha suddenly asked, unable to bear watching her any longer.

“I could smell cigar smoke…”

“I thought it was something serious. Someone must be smoking one. This is a walking path, after all.”

“Ah…! That’s right.”

Only then did Denise nod. Just because it was a high-quality cigar did not mean it was exclusively Cervante’s.

The Count of Alvier’s household was thrown into an uproar. It was because of an unexpected visitor.

The Count and Countess, in particular, became extremely tense when they came face-to-face with Cervante. It was no ordinary matter for the man who had been their daughter Denise’s direct superior during the Battle of Sekari to visit without any warning.

“Count, please forgive my rudeness for suddenly showing up like this.”

Cervante began by apologizing with such impeccable courtesy that there was not a single fault to find.

“Not at all. There is no reason to refuse a meeting with a hero of the Empire. It is an honor.”

The Count quickly regained his composure and answered in a calm voice. Soon, Tania guided the two men into the reception room.

“I’ll have some tea prepared, so please enjoy your conversation.”

“Thank you, Countess.”

Cervante kissed the back of Tania’s hand. At the same time, he quickly observed the Count and Countess. He could sense the restlessness of people hiding a great secret.

At last, Cervante came face-to-face with Vertir, his childhood hero and Denise’s father. Between the two men sat fragrant tea in exquisite teacups, white steam rising from them.

“Duke Rojas…”

“Count, please call me Cervante, like you did when I was young. Speak comfortably.”

“Ah, well… shall I?”

Vertir was still his hero, just as he had always been. Vertir, who had been called the first “Golden Marksman.” And Denise, who had inherited his talent. There was no denying that they were precious talents, like jewels of the Empire.

The father and daughter’s plan had certainly been extremely dangerous from the beginning, but it must have been a choice born from strong patriotism. Since it had not been motivated by personal gain, Cervante could not simply condemn them.

“Hmm, first of all, I should apologize to you. I’m not sure how I could possibly compensate you for the damage to your reputation caused when our Dan became engaged to Her Imperial Highness…”

For quite some time, the front pages of every newspaper in the Empire had been plastered with articles about Princess Katarina’s old lover.

The provocative headline claiming that the princess had fallen in love with Captain Denise, Cervante’s adjutant, was still vivid in his memory.

“My reputation has not been damaged. Please don’t concern yourself with it. Rather, I see that Captain Denise’s nickname was Dan?”

“Ah…! Well, actually, Dan was the twin. It was our mistake to give them both the name Denise.”

“Then does that mean my adjutant Denise’s nickname is Dan?”

“That is correct… Denise is my daughter.”

The Count desperately avoided Cervante’s persistent gaze. He could feel the Count’s emotions—deep regret and self-reproach.

And so, Cervante thought this was the perfect opportunity.

“Count, I certainly did not come here to determine who was right or wrong, but it is a fact that Captain Denise took my fiancée away from me, is it not?”

“That is true. I also want to apologize to you somehow.”

“Rather than an apology, I would like you to accept a proposal I have for you.”

“Go ahead.”

Color returned to the Count’s stiff face, and Cervante leaned forward from the sofa before speaking in a serious tone.

Denise returned to the mansion around the time the evening glow had painted the sky red. By now, her mother’s anger must have subsided. But then she noticed a luxurious car parked in front of the mansion.

“My lady, it seems we have a guest.”

Misha spoke brightly as she looked at Denise.

“That’s a relief. Since a guest arrived at just the right time, Mother won’t scold me as much, right?”

Denise breathed a sigh of relief and entered the house. At that moment, Tania came rushing toward her as though she had been waiting for her.

“Did you enjoy your walk?”

A lively face, a bright smile, and even a gentle tone of voice… Tania should have been furious with her, yet she was behaving like an entirely different person.

“Mother…”

“A guest has come from the capital.”

Tania put an arm around her daughter’s shoulders and treated her with the utmost affection. Who on earth could have made her mother’s anger disappear so completely?

Well, it didn’t matter. At least she had escaped her crisis. But then Tania surprised Denise with some unexpected words.

“The slow local train left, and then an express train arrived, wouldn’t you say?”

“A train? What are you talking about?”

“A very important guest has arrived.”

Denise looked at Tania with a puzzled expression. Did that mean the precious guest from the capital was the express train?

She was curious about just how extraordinary this guest was for Tania to be this excited. Thanks to it, Tania’s face was blooming with smiles, and Denise found herself feeling happy as well.

“He’s waiting for you in the reception room right now.”

“You mean he’s my guest?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Was there anyone who would come looking for me from the capital? I’ve been in the army for three years…

There was no one who would come looking for Denise, the Count’s daughter rather than the soldier. A sudden sense of unease washed over her.

Seeing how happy her mother looked, it seemed that this must be someone very special…

“Who is it, Mother?”

Don’t tell me! Did she secretly start looking for a husband for me? The rumors about me aren’t good in Marina, so she didn’t go all the way to the capital to find one, did she?

“Duke Cervante de Rojas….”