Chapter 96
Theodore’s face hardened with a coldness as if he had just encountered a monster, his every sense alert. Charlotte only regained her senses when Theodore reached for the hilt of his sword. She quickly grabbed his arm and signaled to Ash to move aside. But Ash didn’t flinch, even seeing Theodore poised to draw his sword at any moment.
“I don’t know why, but if you’re going to fight, do it outside the palace. Or shall I lend you the rear garden of the Ducal estate?”
Marquis Blanche, sensing the tension, stepped naturally between Theodore and Ash. Fortunately, Grandfather appeared and halted the situation. Still, Theodore’s gaze wouldn’t leave Ash; he didn’t even blink as he glared.
Seeing Theodore remain tense, Marquis Blanche approached and tapped his shoulder, urging him to calm down.
“Theodore.”
“Marquis Blanche, I…”
Before Theodore could finish, Blanche quietly leaned close and whispered to him:
“It’s not what you think. Don’t worry. Duke Valian was also taken in by Ronan, just like you.”
At the mention that Ash had been taken in by Ronan, Theodore’s fierce demeanor softened slightly. Charlotte, who had been tense from holding onto his sleeve, finally relaxed her shoulders. When she let out a small sigh, Theodore immediately turned to her.
“…Charlotte. I’m sorry. You were startled, weren’t you?”
“I’m fine. I wasn’t.”
“No, I would have been startled too if someone next to me suddenly reached for their sword.”
Though Charlotte insisted she was fine, she still held Aria tightly, who was sleeping soundly and undisturbed. Theodore’s reaction remained a mystery to her. Ash hadn’t done anything; he had stood in place the entire time since Charlotte had first acknowledged him. Yet Theodore had readied himself for an attack as if Ash had aimed a sword at him.
If Grandfather hadn’t arrived in time, Theodore might actually have attacked Ash.
“The reason I reacted like that is…”
Theodore trailed off, deep in thought. At that moment, a figure appeared behind him.
“Marquis Blanche, I’ve heard much about you. It’s an honor to meet the disciple of Ronan and a hero in person.”
If Theodore’s fierce aura had been witnessed, the normal reaction would have been to take a few steps back, not approach so boldly.
Theodore’s gaze sharpened again, and Charlotte wondered whether she should intervene between them. But Ash didn’t react to this at all and instead extended his hand toward Theodore—offering a handshake.
“I heard you survived the plague that swept through Leopold’s lands. I expected you might recognize me faintly, but I didn’t think you would notice immediately. A Paladin Captain truly is something else.”
Recognize? Notice? Charlotte, slowly digesting Ash’s words, suddenly recalled the curse of Leopold that he carried. Only then did she understand Theodore’s behavior.
Theodore had spent five years on the battlefield surrounded by dark mages, monsters, and plague. His body was naturally tuned to react sensitively to magic and mana. Facing Ash, who bore Leopold’s curse, it was only natural that Theodore would be wary.
Charlotte looked at Ash’s hand and then at Theodore, who had furrowed his brows. It would have been best if Ash could explain the curse, but it wasn’t something to be spoken of carelessly. Charlotte pondered how she could help Theodore lower his guard toward Ash. At that moment, Aria, who had slept peacefully through the tense situation, woke up.
“Mom.”
“Aria, you’re awake?”
Rubbing her sleepy eyes and surveying the room, Aria tilted her head upon seeing Theodore’s stern expression. Then she spotted Ash and, bouncing excitedly, called out in a clear voice:
“Duke!”
Aria reached out her arms, signaling to be picked up. Ash withdrew the hand he had extended for a handshake to embrace Aria, just as Theodore suddenly grabbed his hand.
“I am Theodore Arbelche. Nice to meet you.”
Even after hearing that Duke Valian had been taken in by Ronan, Theodore didn’t entirely lower his guard. However, he didn’t want to continue appearing sharp in front of Charlotte and making her uneasy, so he shook Ash’s hand.
Once Ash and Theodore’s handshake was safely completed, Charlotte breathed a sigh of relief and handed Aria to Ash. Theodore’s shoulder twitched momentarily, but he remained still. Meanwhile, Aria began chattering like a little lark.
“I toured the training grounds today.”
“Oh? That sounds fun.”
“I also met the knights, and they even gave me tasty food.”
The food Aria had eaten was a simple meal the knights consumed while on duty. Ash listened attentively and teased her in a playful voice:
“Is that so? No wonder your tummy looks a bit plump.”
“Eek!”
Startled, Aria hugged her little belly with her tiny hands.
“I’m not plump!”
“Your cheeks are a bit chubby too.”
With only two arms, Aria couldn’t cover both her belly and cheeks, so she curled herself up. Ash laughed and patted her head.
Marquis Blanche, quietly observing, confirmed the situation had settled and boarded the carriage first. Though he didn’t show it, he was slightly tipsy from finishing all the expensive, high-grade Baricogesan wine with Silbert. In fact, seeing Theodore and Ash face off had made him hesitant to leave at first.
Seeing Blanche board the carriage, Ash asked Charlotte:
“Will you also return to the Ducal estate, Milady?”
“It’s late, so yes. Would you like to board first? I still have something to say to Theodore.”
“Understood.”
Charlotte sent Ash and Aria ahead and turned to Theodore. Curiosity flickered across his face when he heard she had something to say. Charlotte hesitated briefly, then spoke quietly:
“Is it okay if I write a letter?”
Like Theodore, Charlotte had kept the letters exchanged between them. These letters were precious to her, as she had very few friendships she could consider genuine. Although the letters had ceased during the monster subjugation operation, now that she had returned, she wondered if it was alright to write again.
If he refused, she would understand, considering the five-year gap.
“It’s fine.”
Theodore was far happier than she had expected, smiling like a young boy.
“I’ll reply properly this time too.”
“Captain’s back!”
“Captain, did the date go well?”
“Not just smiling happily, right? Try using that handsome face of yours actively.”
Theodore, who had gone out with Charlotte, returned quite late considering the distance between the training grounds and the castle gates. They were first taken to the meeting room and bombarded with questions. Theodore, however, waved his hand as if to dismiss them and called for Mark.
“Mark.”
“Yes?”
“Do you know Duke Valian?”
Mark nodded.
“He’s the Lord of Nostri, the ruler of the North.”
“Have you ever spoken with him?”
“Yes. After fighting monsters there, I had questions to ask him. Why?”
“Did you notice anything strange about him?”
Strange? Mark paused. He knew the Captain wasn’t one to ask frivolous questions, so he thought carefully. After a few minutes, he said:
“I don’t know. But… he was incredibly handsome. Like an ice sculpture, though the Captain is even more so. Did you meet Duke Valian?”
“Yes. I did.”
Not only did he meet him, but the man’s aura was as menacing as a monster, almost prompting Theodore to draw his sword. But Blanche had assured him it was fine, and Charlotte seemed hesitant to speak.
Moreover, Mark, though appearing lighthearted, was an overwhelmingly skilled member of the knights. If he had sensed anything strange, he would have reported it immediately—just like the other knights.
‘For now, just observe.’
As Theodore considered Duke Valian, Mark and the other subordinates began bombarding him with questions.
“Captain! Tell us! We’ve been waiting to hear about your date!”
Annoying lot. But Theodore sighed and spoke, knowing if he didn’t, they wouldn’t let him go.
“I asked Charlotte to be my partner. Fortunately, she accepted.”
“What?”
“I’ll also start writing letters again.”
“WHAT?!”
As expected of the Captain; he had accomplished so much during that time.
“Captain, you may not realize it, but this is an amazing opportunity. This time, it’s not the training ground—you have a chance to schedule a proper outing. You write the first letter.”
Mark, who had never had a proper romantic experience, gave excellent advice about others’ love lives.
“Milady will pick the dress, right? Ask her to go together. Ah, it would have been nice if the Captain’s formal attire matched hers. Too bad it was already made in advance.”
“I didn’t match it.”
“What? Then you won’t wear it? The designer from the famous Dolores Atelier stayed up for a week to make it!”
“I spoke with Charlotte. She decided on white with blue decorations.”
“Unbelievable.”
Theodore’s formal attire, made by Mrs. Robellon of the Dolores Atelier, was of luxurious navy fabric. The color alone made it impossible to alter. Mark sighed, muttering about the Captain being crazy in love.
While Theodore and Charlotte enjoyed a pleasant day, someone else was left fuming: Rietta. Dressed like a blooming daffodil, she vented her frustration on the unfortunate Lea as night fell.
“I told you to let me know as soon as she returned! Did you check properly?”
“Well, yes, but she stayed at the central training ground until evening before returning.”
Rietta had finished preparing early, planning to meet Theodore as soon as Charlotte left. But Charlotte had spent the evening with him, leaving Rietta unable to see him.
“Check Duke Arbelche’s schedule for tomorrow!”
“Saintess, calm down first.”
“I cannot calm down!”
Rietta shouted angrily.
“How could he stay out this late… Hurry and find out! Right now!”
