Chapter 29
“He’s truly a good guy, makes you think, ‘There really are women like that out there.’ And then Maria…”
He was talking about his recently made friend, Rued Seeker. The son of a Duke.
While the eldest son, Lord Rua, and the Duke were away, Kyle had been appointed by the Duchess—who, busy with her own duties and showing no particular interest in Lord Rued, had proposed he needed a companion—to be his conversation partner. What was meant to be a one-time visit had turned into frequent ones, where Kyle found himself listening to the same stories repeatedly.
“I wonder when I can see her next… I wonder if she read my letter. Maybe I should send another…”
“Persistent men are disliked, you know.”
“Wha—?! I’m not being persistent or anything… But maybe I’ll wait a bit longer for the letter.”
Kyle had initially thought him arrogant and typically noble-like, but upon talking to him, found him surprisingly honest and pleasant. When Kyle mentioned that this ‘Lady Maria’ he kept talking about sounded ‘too good for him,’ Rued’s manner of interacting with people seemed to have changed significantly, and he spoke of his memories with evident fondness.
“Kyle, isn’t there anyone you’re interested in? I’ve seen girls look at you and shriek like monkeys.”
Kyle found he rather liked this direct way of speaking; it felt like Rued was speaking for him, and he felt a sense of camaraderie.
“I’m not interested. I can’t even recall a single one of their faces. I have too much I must do to live up to my father’s expectations.”
“You’re a pretty cold guy too, huh. Well, women are all the same anyway. But Maria is…”
So, they were back to this topic again.
The woman who had so captivated him was apparently the precious daughter of the Marquis who governed the knight order his own father commanded.
Whenever Marquis Arnim visited the knight order, he would boast about his family, though Kyle had never heard any accounts of anyone actually meeting them. It was said they were kept secluded within the estate, including the Marchioness.
She must be a genuine, sheltered daughter. While Kyle found it hard to believe such a woman could render Rued so lovesick, he himself had no interest in his friend’s enthusiastic gushing.
She hadn’t even occupied the slightest corner of his mind. But the day came when her image was seared intensely into his thoughts.
It was at a royal palace party held to honor Marquis Arnim’s achievements for the Duchy. Kyle attended with his father, who was as happy as if it were his own celebration, having been invited to this grand stage for the one who governed his knight order. And there, he saw her.
Seeing off his father’s back as he exchanged greetings with other knight commanders and counts, Kyle was inwardly exasperated by the women watching him from a distance and making a commotion, truly like monkeys… when suddenly, the scent of flowers drifted into his nostrils.
Perhaps because he was accustomed to the unpleasant smell of perfumes, the fragrance made him turn around involuntarily. And just then, a lovely girl, as if a flower itself were walking, passed right by his side.
He was breathless before a woman of such inhuman beauty… She was the first woman he had ever thought was beautiful.
Flowing, beautiful silver hair that shone as if reflecting moonlight. Pale skin reminiscent of a creature of the night. Softly tinted, pale pink lips.
Slender, elongated limbs that looked as if they would break at a touch. Her dress and all her adornments seemed only to detract from her beauty.
Her gentle, slightly drooping eyes were sharp, glowing a strong gold as they gazed intently at something with an alluring intensity. That unbalanced beauty… those powerful eyes violently stole away his entire heart.
Her straight posture and dignified, mature aura would surely captivate anyone.
There were plenty of beautifully adorned women, but he was certain the beauty surrounding her was a mirror reflecting her inner self.
His eyes were drawn to where her gaze was directed, and he couldn’t look away… until her family closed ranks around her, as if to hide her.
Her family members were all beautiful too, and it was only then that he realized. One of the people surrounding her was Marquis Arnim.
So that woman was Lady Maria… He understood that she and her family were indeed the residents of that estate he’d heard rumors about, the one filled with beautiful dolls.
Driven by an impulse to chase after those eyes that seemed to possess a strong core, unbending to anyone, he was suddenly addressed from the side, making him jump and his shoulders shake.
“Hey, Kyle! This place is packed, it took me forever to find you. It’s a royal palace party, after all. I was thinking of introducing you to Maria later… though I wonder if I can even get close. I saw her earlier stuck right next to the Princess. She’s incredibly shy, you know. When she was younger, she’d even throw things.”
“…Lord Rued.”
“Huh? What’s wrong? Your face is all red… did you drink the wrong thing by mistake?”
“I feel like I might truly get drunk…”
“You okay? That’s unusual for you. Drink some water. I wonder if I can say hello to Maria… She was as cute as ever…”
“Cute…?”
What was this guy saying? Her? Calling someone with such a strong, beautiful gaze ‘cute’? Had he lost his mind?
“You said you weren’t interested in women, Kyle, so maybe you wouldn’t get it. Gulp… Pfft! This isn’t water, it’s wine!”
“…….”
Feeling a clear anger towards Rued for lumping her together with all other women, Kyle excused himself to rest for a bit and left his side.
His eyes constantly searched for her, but she was nowhere to be found.
That day… seared a memory into him that he would never forget.
In the following days, he was troubled, unable to get her eyes out of his head no matter how much time passed. Then, he heard that a sinister delivery had been left at her home. When he tried to investigate the details, he sensed it was clearly the work of someone with a twisted, obsessive desire for her.
Before seeing her, he would never have entertained such a foolish, single-minded possibility. But having witnessed her himself, he now thought no other possibility made sense.
The more he desperately investigated, the more the obsessive feelings of those targeting her came to light. He made a request to his father.
“This case is abnormal. I suspect the crime is motivated by obsession. Please arrange for me to be assigned as a personal guard for Lady Maria of the Arnim Ducal house.”
“This is the first time I’ve heard you say something like that, Kyle. I thought you had no interest in anything but honing your skills in the knight order.”
“A knight hones his skills to protect. There’s nothing strange about it. I simply wish to protect her.”
“Is that as a master and servant?”
“I don’t know. It’s certain that I am strongly drawn to her. I don’t even know what I’m seeking. But if there’s potential danger, I cannot overlook it.”
“Hmm. The Arnim Duke has been keeping this danger quiet, but very well. Then swear to me. Swear that you will protect Lady Maria with your life.”
“I swear it. From this moment, my life leaves my family and becomes the property of Lady Maria.”
“Good, understood. Then let us request Lord Arnim’s presence promptly. You should make the request to him directly.”
“Yes. Thank you.”
The day after the messenger was sent, Duke Arnim arrived.
In response to Kyle’s proposal, the Duke promised that if Kyle’s feelings remained unchanged when he and Maria inspected the knight order soon, and if Maria took a liking to him, he would appoint Kyle as her exclusive knight.
Kyle was told that Lady Maria apparently dreamed of joining the knight order, and that she lived together with a candidate for her fiancé, a Lord Leon. He felt his emotions churn unpleasantly at this.
Hearing about Lord Leon’s achievements and talents, an ugly emotion akin to panic covered his heart. He was surprised by the Duke’s next words.
“I want Marie to choose a man she loves of her own volition. Even if that’s you, I would welcome it.”
“So… it’s not already decided that it will be Lord Leon?”
“No, that’s why he remains a candidate. If Leon and Marie were to decide on each other only knowing each other, wouldn’t that close off their paths?”
“I think that’s a wonderful way of thinking.”
“Let me give you one piece of advice, as a friend. Leon is quite a formidable opponent. He reminds me of my wife. Even without a blood connection, they can resemble each other. They are my beloved children.”
“It’s not that I wish to become Lady Maria’s partner…”
“Is that so? I think you’ll surely fall for Marie. She’s my pride and joy.”
Seeing the depth of this man’s magnanimity, laughing cheerfully before a man who adored the precious daughter he seldom showed anyone, Kyle felt a little afraid.
