TGDHC Chapter 76

Chapter 76. Love Triangle

“No use arguing. I’ll tell the Grand Duke himself about this matter of protection.”

As I declared that and turned to leave, Tiern quickly stepped closer.

“I’ve already spoken to the Commander.”

He said it firmly, as if conscious of how I once accused him of not even daring to speak to the Grand Duke.

“Then… did the Grand Duke approve?”

“…… He said what matters more is Your Highness’s forgiveness.”

Hmm. So he actually swallowed his pride and asked the Grand Duke, after all.

Maybe because the usual rebellious fire had gone out of his eyes, Tiern looked oddly pitiful today. His brown eyes trembled slightly, and I couldn’t help but feel a little sorry for him.

‘Is this guy trying to use his looks as a weapon now?’

Well, too bad for him—I’ve long been spoiled by our Grand Duke’s face, so this doesn’t faze me at all!

Still… seeing him lower his head like that, maybe I should let it slide just this once?

Even the knights of the 9th Division, who usually look like mountain bandits, seemed discouraged, and it tugged at my heart.

After all, to a knight, honor is everything.
And it wouldn’t favor them to be branded as “the division hated by the Grand Duchess.” That could weaken the entire order’s discipline.

“There’s no need to be so disappointed.”

I gave a graceful smile befitting a generous Grand Duchess.

“Accidents just need to be prevented next time. I know the 9th Division is capable, so if you take up guard duty, I’ll gladly accept it.”

Then I turned to Norton, who looked like he was biting his tongue to hold back his opinion.

“I was already worried about the 1st Division always carrying the burden. It’ll be easier if we rotate. Don’t you agree, Sir Norton?”

“It’s no trouble at all, Your Highness. The 1st Division is fully capable of handling the job alone…”

I gently cut him off.

“We’ll have frequent outings until the envoy arrives. And guarding me isn’t your only duty—you can’t stay tied to me all day, can you?”

At my soothing tone, Norton straightened up and answered firmly:

“As you command, Your Highness.”

“Thank you, Sir Norton.”

With the matter settled, an odd silence hung in the air.

It felt almost like we were in some awkward love triangle—me standing between Tiern and Norton—while Cecilia, watching curiously, leaned toward me.

“Your Highness, then… which division will guard you today?”

Her “whisper” was loud enough for both knights to hear.

Both Norton and Tiern stared at me at once.

‘What am I supposed to do with those looks?!’

Their determined gazes, as if awaiting my final choice, left me speechless.

***

‘Wait, is this really okay?’

As soon as we arrived at the lakeside walkway, I let out a tired sigh.

Though Norton had accepted rotating guard duty, he absolutely refused to accept who would guard me today.

“The 1st Division was already assigned today. My men are prepared.”

But Tiern was equally unyielding.

“The 9th Division is also ready. The 1st Division has been working nonstop these past days. They should rest.”

In the end, we compromised: both divisions would guard me together.

‘Honestly, anyone would think we were marching into war.’

The whole way here, the clatter of horses’ hooves echoed from front and back, loud enough to hurt my ears.

Even when I got off the carriage, Norton and Tiern both reached out their hands at the same time.

‘What do they expect me to do?!’

So, to be fair, I took one hand from each and stepped down—like some criminal being escorted by guards.

And the funniest part? The lakeside wasn’t even open to the public yet.

So really, Cecilia and I were the only people here, walking awkwardly in a crowd of knights. How ridiculous must we have looked?

Enolius, who had arrived earlier, didn’t even try to hide his laughter when he saw us.

“We’re the only ones here… What exactly are they protecting Your Highness from, swarming like that?”

“Welcome, Enolius.”

I pretended not to hear and quickly changed the subject, though my ears were burning hot.

Shifting to “business mode,” I led him to the center of the lake.

“So you mean you want music to play every hour, along with the fountain?”

Enolius raised his brow in disbelief.

“Not just music. I want the water to dance in time with it—like a show.”

I waved my hands, sketching in the air the movements I’d seen at a musical fountain.

“And lights, too.”

“Lights?”

“Yes, so it shines at night. The colors should change with the music. It has to be dazzling—the highlight of the evening view.”

“You want a giant fountain in the middle of the lake that dances with music and glows in colors?”

“Most importantly, it needs to be massive—visible from all around the lake. The water spray should rise so high, it’s as if they’re reaching the sky.”

Enolius tilted his head back, as if imagining it, then muttered:

“That will look incredibly strange.”

“No, it won’t. It’ll be grand and breathtaking.”

I said with confidence.

“Do you know why? Because you’re an artist, Enolius.”

“Don’t flatter me.”

Grinding my teeth inwardly, I encouraged him gently.

“I mean it. I thought that way the moment I saw the streetlamps you designed.”

“…You mean the ones in front of the garden?”

“Yes. Others may be skilled, but no one else can make something so beautiful. I guarantee it.”

At that, Enolius blushed faintly.

“What? You don’t hear praise like that often?”

He looked so unfamiliar with such compliments that I tilted my head.

“I don’t need to hear it. I already know.”

Kicking at the grass, he added bluntly:

“And you’re mistaken about something.”

“Hm?”

“There simply isn’t anyone more skilled than me.”

I hid my laughter behind a forced smile.

“Then I can look forward to the fountain, right?”

“I’ve never disappointed anyone in my life.”

“That’s reassuring, Enolius.”

“…Just Enol is fine.”

He hesitated, then muttered with a pout.

“Hmm?”

“My name. Just call me Enol.”

“Oh my, are you allowing me a nickname? I didn’t know you liked me that much.”

So easy to read—one compliment, and now a nickname!

“It’s only because ‘Enolius’ is too long. Everyone else just calls me ‘Mage’ anyway.”

That’s like calling someone “Office Worker” instead of their name. So cold!

“Alright, Enol. From now on, I’ll specially call you by your nickname.”

“It’s not a nickname.”

For the first time, the grumpy mage actually looked a little cute.

***

After he accepted my request and left, I was inspecting the construction materials delivered to the lakeside when:

“Your Highness.”

My aide Perel, arriving a bit later than expected, hurried toward me with a troubled look.

“I just returned from the Merchants’ Guild…”

He hesitated before speaking.

“There hasn’t been a single application for shops in the new marketplace.”

“…What?”

I let out a disbelieving sigh.

“I’m sorry, Your Highness.”

Perel looked guilty, as if it were his own fault.

“There’s nothing for you to apologize for. They’re the fools for rejecting a blessing handed to them.”

From the start, Perel had warned me that the Goldrain merchants would strongly resist.

“They’ll claim the new market threatens their livelihoods. They might even organize protests.”

If they declared a strike while the envoy was here, the impact would be serious.

So, to minimize opposition, we had granted them priority in applying for stalls.

Not only that—we eliminated all entry fees, charged no commissions, and even offered three months of free rent.

It was an incredibly generous offer.

Yet not a single merchant applied.

Which could only mean one thing—

‘Someone higher up is pulling the strings.’