Chapter 6

“Even now, House Lupel is still considered one of the most desirable marriage prospects among the nobility. Despite my misfortune, my prosperous territory remains intact, and I am the only surviving direct heir.”

While Bailey and the few remaining servants cleaned up the Duke’s office, Artiella listened to Kirien Lupel’s story as they walked through the garden.

“But meeting new people only became a burden to me. I could see the greed in those who secretly wished for my early death after marriage. The irony is that the one put in danger is never me—but the people precious to me.”

Artiella quietly observed the man as he calmly recounted his past.

Whenever they passed a large tree or a statue, he deliberately took the long route, avoiding anything that might stand overhead and choosing wide, open paths without a trace of shade.

Even beneath the warm spring sun.

It looked like a habit born from trying to avoid accidents.

“So after I rejected every marriage proposal, that was when the trouble really began.”

“The young ladies came looking for you and ended up caught in accidents?”

“Yes.”

He nodded.

“I avoided going out whenever possible, but I couldn’t skip imperial banquets or meetings of the nobility. Every time I attended, there were always young ladies following after me.”

“And that’s why you mistook me for another lady who came to confess her feelings?”

“You’re the first person who actually sneaked into my estate.”

He looked at her with genuine admiration.

“I was truly impressed.”

It was just climbing over a wall…

There’s no need to admire me for that.

“By the way,” Artiella asked, “how did you know I was there?”

It was something she’d been wondering ever since yesterday.

She had never failed at hiding before.

Kirien’s eyes wavered slightly.

“A pleasant fragrance drifted toward me on the wind…”

The Duke’s ears turned faintly red.

Artiella didn’t notice.

Instead, she sniffed at herself.

I don’t smell like anything.

Which was perfectly natural.

She never wore perfume.

Even the oil she used for bathing was fragrance-free.

Artiella Soltis was a knight.

At worst, she might smell of sweat—but she’d bathed before coming yesterday.

“Ahem… anyway, I was surprised because I thought there were no more ladies left who would come searching for me.”

“I said quite a few harsh things to those who confessed.”

“Oh… is that why none of them ever came back?”

“Yes.”

He lowered his gaze.

“My words must have been difficult for ordinary noble ladies to bear. They must have been terribly hurt… I still feel sorry.”

His shoulders drooped.

…I doubt anyone was actually hurt.

If someone truly inflicted pain out of malice, the lips of their soul would at least be bruised or darkened.

But the Duke’s soul…

Its lips had been beautiful.

Soft and full, tinted the color of ripe cherries.

Moist and glossy, as though brushed with honey—

Pretty enough to make her want to poke them with a fingertip…

Have I lost my mind?!

Artiella hurriedly shook her head.

I’m the bearer of the Holy Sword!

She fanned her burning face with one hand.

Fortunately, the Duke didn’t notice and simply continued speaking.

“I’ve heard the rumors.”

“That the young ladies who were injured or nearly killed became so frightened they shut themselves away.”

That was understandable.

Such experiences would have been too much for ordinary noble daughters.

And they couldn’t exactly go around announcing that they’d been rejected.

Even less that they’d nearly died chasing after the Duke.

In high society, reputation was everything.

Their families had probably buried the matter and quietly kept them out of public view.

“Hm…”

“I only recently learned that several disappearances occurred around the same time.”

Kirien smiled bitterly.

“Considering that even the Temple investigated me… I assume you believed I was behind them.”

The sadness in his smile was almost heartbreaking.

Artiella immediately bowed.

“I sincerely apologize once again!”

“Your Grace is completely innocent. Please don’t trouble yourself over it.”

Kirien hurriedly reached out and stopped her.

“No.”

“If anything, you’ve proven my innocence.”

He smiled gently.

“If anyone slanders me again, I can finally defend myself with confidence.”

“Then please call for me whenever you need.”

She puffed out her chest proudly.

“Even if it’s the Emperor, I’ll chase him down and testify on your behalf.”

She intentionally emphasized the word Emperor.

The Duke simply smiled.

“Your willingness alone means more than enough.”

“Huh? But…”

He’s too kind.

He didn’t even question why I specifically mentioned the Emperor.

“Instead…”

“There is one favor I’d like to ask.”

“Please, go ahead.”

“As I said earlier…”

His ears slowly reddened again.

Unable to meet her eyes, he lowered his gaze.

His long eyelashes trembled shyly like lily-of-the-valley blossoms swaying in the breeze.

“I hope…”

“That you won’t abandon me.”

This time it was Artiella’s face that burst into flames.

“Y-Your Grace?”

“But earlier…”

“You said you understood.”

“I-I was flustered! I spoke without thinking…”

“And you also promised to take responsibility for me.”

Her eyes darted left and right.

She really had said all of that herself.

And she was the Commander of the Holy Knights.

The master of the Holy Sword.

A knight whose honor was founded upon keeping promises.

“I’ve always heard that the master of the Holy Sword is someone who never breaks their word.”

He struck straight at her conscience.

With those innocent rabbit-like eyes.

Those eyes…

Didn’t I already lose to that attack once today?

“But I’m a Holy Knight!”

“I can’t belong to anyone!”

“And naturally, I can’t accept your proposal!”

She hurriedly took several steps backward.

The Duke blinked.

“A proposal?”

“You belonging to me?”

His utterly confused expression made Artiella stare back in equal confusion.

“Lady Bailey told me you were writing me a marriage proposal…”

“Oh.”

He looked embarrassed.

“My nurse misunderstood.”

“I simply meant that I wanted to keep you by my side from now on.”

…Isn’t that basically the same thing?

Artiella frowned.

The Duke gently took her hand again.

His fingers trembled slightly with nervousness.

The aura around him shimmered softly.

“I beg you.”

“Please free me from the misfortune that follows me.”

“If you’re a knight of Edelion… surely someone like you can do it.”

…

How humiliating.

If Yusiel ever found out…

She would tease Artiella about this for the rest of her life.

Artiella traveled to Edelion together with Kirien.

The coachman, though timid, visibly relaxed once he learned that the Commander of the Holy Knights would be accompanying them.

He explained that despite maintaining the carriage carefully, strange accidents constantly occurred—wheels came loose, reins snapped, and countless other mishaps.

Fortunately, they reached their destination today without any major incidents.

“So this is the holy land… Edelion.”

Stepping down from the carriage, Kirien looked around with sparkling eyes full of curiosity.

“Why didn’t you ever think about seeking help from the Saint?”

Artiella asked.

“When I was young, I refused to believe the accidents were because of me.”

“After I grew older, Father opposed it.”

“The former Duke?”

“Yes.”

“He believed that if word spread outside, it would become a stain on my reputation.”

“I was frightened too.”

He smiled faintly.

“If I hadn’t met you… I probably would have remained trapped inside my estate forever.”

The two walked side by side toward the central garden where the Sacred Tree stood.

Naturally…

Everyone’s eyes turned toward them.

The Holy Knights who remembered Artiella leaving on an assignment yesterday widened their eyes when they saw her wearing a different dress.

The worshippers visiting the Temple couldn’t take their eyes off Kirien.

The Duke immediately grew tense under all those gazes.

Oddly enough…

The more nervous he became…

The more dazzlingly handsome he looked.

His aura gets stronger when he’s nervous?

Without saying anything, Artiella stepped closer and blocked the crowd’s view of him.

The sparkling aura was admittedly beautiful.

Still…

It was better than letting someone so timid become overwhelmed.

“Th-Thank you.”

He quickly realized what she was doing and thanked her.

“Don’t mention it.”

Soon, they spotted Yusiel pacing anxiously near the Holy Knights’ quarters.

The moment she saw Artiella—

She stormed over with a terrifying expression.

“Arti!”

“Where were you yesterday?! Do you have any idea how dangerous that was—”

She stopped mid-sentence.

Her eyes landed on the man from the portrait.

“…Who?”

Yusiel froze, just as she was about to smack her younger sister on the back.

“Arti…”

Have you completely lost your mind?

The message was written plainly across her furious face.

Praying her sister wouldn’t disgrace the dignity expected of a Saint…

Artiella smiled brightly.

“This is Kirien Lupel.”

“The man whose life I’ve decided to take responsibility for.”

“Your Grace, this is Yusiel Soltis, the Saint of Edelion.”

The corners of Yusiel’s carefully composed eyes twitched upward.

She slowly looked back and forth between the Duke…

And her little sister.

There wasn’t the slightest trace of saintly compassion left in her expression.

“Artiella!”

“You!”

“What did you just say?”

“Take responsibility?”

“What on earth have you been doing?!”

At that moment…

Ownership of Artiella’s backside officially transferred to her big sister.