CHAPTER 08
Lahan let out a hollow laugh.
He figured they would be suspicious—and honestly, even he would’ve thought the same in their shoes.
Grand Duke Yvette Lachaise would do anything to claim the throne.
The most frequently cited example of her ambition was the Glorious Expedition.
She had launched a crusade across the sea to Til Neve Cedric, a continent of nonbelievers who rejected Eridrahan’s faith—solely to gain the support of one of the prince-electors, Archbishop Victor.
And the one sent at the forefront of that expedition, standing in for the Grand Duke, was the young Lahan Norwich.
Everyone said it would end in failure, but after six long years, Lahan Norwich established a temple of Eridrahan in Til Neve Cedric—and returned.
That was why even Archbishop Victor, who had always remained neutral among the electors, ended up supporting Grand Duke Lachaise.
Now, Lady Eselheim was suspicious that once again, the Grand Duke was using Lahan to seize control of the House of Ahen, another elector family.
Frankly, she wasn’t wrong. Lahan smirked.
“Think whatever you want.”
But deep down, he was uneasy. The Grand Duke had instructed him only to abduct the bride and pretend to be married. After that, she had said, “I’ll handle the rest.”
But how was she going to handle it?
He really had ruined a legitimate wedding and kidnapped the bride. Who knew what kind of retribution the ducal house would exact on him?
While Lahan kept these thoughts to himself, one of the maids behind Lady Eselheim was outraged by his insolence.
“You! Watch your mouth!”
Just then—
Clip-clop, clip-clop, clip-clop…
Urgent hoofbeats echoed from somewhere. Everyone turned toward the monastery’s entrance.
“Urgent message!”
A woman knight appeared, armored in light gear and mounted on horseback.
As soon as she entered the monastery, she scanned the area, spotted Lahan, and screamed at the top of her lungs.
“Oh my god! Sir Norwich! You crazy bastard!”
Everyone stared in shock—including Lahan himself.
The knight jumped off her horse and hurled curses at Lahan Norwich without a care.
“No matter how much you like women—how could you mess up this badly, you lunatic?!”
“Damn it, Riette…”
Lahan scowled and took a step back from the female knight.
Everyone who heard the name was stunned.
Riette? That Riette Klein? The “Little Giant” of the Grand Duchy?
But Riette Klein showed no regard for their surprise.
“Because of you, I had to ride a million cubits in three days!”
At that point, Lady Eselheim intervened.
“And who might you be?”
Realizing she was speaking to someone of high rank, Riette quickly released Lahan’s collar and bowed formally.
“I apologize. I am acting on behalf of Grand Duke Lachaise. I’m here to deliver punishment to Lahan Norwich, who abandoned his duty to protect Her Grace and left the Grand Duchy without permission.”
Lady Eselheim frowned.
“I am Lady Eselheim, close handmaid to Her Majesty the Empress. And you say—punishment?”
“Oh dear, you’re that Lady Eselheim! Well, you see…”
“Hey.”
It was then that Philrod interrupted.
“You say you’re the Grand Duke’s agent? I’m Philrod Ahen. That devil’s spawn stole my bride. Are you saying—”
He was about to ask if this meant the Grand Duke was involved—but Riette let out a dramatic scream.
“What? He stole the bride? It’s already done?!”
She fell to her knees and wailed theatrically.
“Oh no, oh no! Her Grace is going to be furious! Absolutely livid!”
“What do you mean?”
“Are you saying Sir Lahan didn’t come under the Grand Duke’s orders?”
The crowd buzzed with confusion.
Finally, Abbot Wilbert stepped forward.
“Excuse me, knight. I don’t understand what you’re saying. Why is the Grand Duke involved here? And what do you mean by punishing Sir Lahan Norwich?”
Of course, it was a calculated question.
Riette wiped her tears and replied dramatically.
“It’s a sensitive matter, but now that things have gone this far, I must speak up.”
“What matter?”
“Damn it! I can’t believe I have to say this!”
Riette shouted and clenched her fists for theatrical effect.
“Grand Duke Lachaise was attacked by unknown assailants a few days ago! And damn it all! She tragically lost her left eye in the attack!”
The crowd gasped.
“The Grand Duke was attacked?”
“She lost an eye?! What?”
Riette’s flippant tone made people wonder if they had misheard her.
But the gravity of her words was undeniable.
The Grand Duke Lachaise… lost an eye?
“What are you talking about?”
“As I said, damn Lahan Norwich was responsible for guarding the Grand Duke. But a few days ago, he abandoned his post!”
According to Riette, Lahan had been scheduled to guard the Grand Duke two weeks ago, but he left his duty and fled the ducal castle.
Riette spat her words in disgust.
“Yes. On the very day Her Grace was attacked and lost her eye, this womanizer skipped his duty to chase after a woman!”
Everyone was stunned by the shocking news.
“And once he found out Her Grace had been attacked, he fled the Grand Duchy while she was still unconscious!”
A guilty man always runs. Even if he’s the Grand Duke’s right hand.
Lahan Norwich had fled in fear. Everyone had been desperately searching for him—until the Grand Duke finally regained consciousness.
“And Her Grace, being wise as she is, predicted that this man, trying to earn a pardon, would target Lady Erishy Ahen, daughter of the former Elector of Ahen, and sent me here.”
According to Riette Klein, Lahan had learned about the recent events in the Ahen house.
She pressed a hand to her chest and mourned melodramatically.
“Oh, our poor Grand Duke…”
The crowd buzzed again.
“This is… serious.”
“If this is true, we’re in real trouble.”
“Now we know what he was after.”
Of course—everything Riette said was a lie.
Lahan looked on with a sour expression. He wanted to say, Did I do that?
So this was what the Grand Duke meant by, “I’ll take care of it.”
Even she knew she’d face backlash if she married off her right-hand man to Erishy Ahen. People would claim she was scheming against the powerful House of Ahen.
So she found an explosive excuse:
Her own eyeball.
The Grand Duke really had lost an eye in a recent ambush, likely orchestrated by Elio Poldenbach. It had happened months ago.
But such an injury was top secret. Now, she was using it as political cover.
“Unbelievable,” Lahan thought. “She’s out of her mind.”
Still, it was an effective strategy. People were starting to accept the situation based on her narrative.
Especially Philrod, who exploded in rage.
“You bastard! Do you think everything will go your way? You’re after an elector’s pardon, aren’t you? But the Elector is my father!”
Electors had a special privilege: unless the crime was treason or heresy, they could issue up to three pardons in the name of the Archbishop.
Those were reserved for the Elector, their spouse, and one direct descendant.
Naturally, everyone began to connect the dots.
Their assumptions were as follows:
Lahan Norwich had neglected his duty, causing serious harm to the Grand Duke.
Rather than face punishment, he remembered Erishy Ahen—daughter of a former Elector and candidate to succeed the title.
She was in a strong position to become the next Elector.
So Lahan abducted her, hoping that if she inherited the title, she could use one of the pardon rights on him. And he consummated the marriage to seal the deal.
“I’ll kill you!”
Philrod Ahen screamed at Lahan.
