Chapter 35
The next morning, right after breakfast, Siegmund was just heading toward his study when the butler approached him, looking somewhat tense. Bowing his head, the man carefully began to speak.
“Lord Siegmund, a guest has arrived from the main house.”
Lately, it seemed that unwelcome guests had been appearing far too often. Siegmund frowned, and the butler hunched his shoulders nervously.
In fact, a visitor from House Valdek had already come yesterday, only to leave when Siegmund was not home. However, since that guest had specifically requested that Siegmund not be told of their earlier visit, the butler had held his tongue.
“From the main house?”
“Yes. The Duchess has sent a seamstress and a jeweler.”
Siegmund arched a brow.
So, they were really holding a ball. Sending people directly like this—it was clear the Duke of Valdek had no intention of backing down this time.
“The head maid personally escorted them.”
The butler cautiously revealed the identity of the guest. The head maid was a woman who revered the Duchess as though she were a goddess.
“Lord Siegmund!”
Realizing exactly who had come, Siegmund abruptly turned away from the direction of his study.
“Tell them I had an urgent appointment and had to leave.”
What—just like that? The butler couldn’t hide his dismay and hurried after him. To stand up the head maid for two days in a row—unthinkable! Especially for a butler who, while serving Siegmund, still feared the Duke’s authority even more.
“But… she waited until nightfall yesterday before leaving.”
The butler hesitantly added what the head maid had told him not to mention. But even that wasn’t enough to stop Siegmund’s stride.
As he left the mansion, Siegmund’s thoughts naturally turned to Arnulf. His feet led him instinctively toward Josef’s estate, where Arnulf was staying.
Before entering the gates, Siegmund glanced around casually. The night before, one of his men had reported spies lurking near both his mansion and Arnulf’s residence. The culprit had been easy enough to guess.
Baron Preang.
Most likely, it was because Siegmund had taken Arnulf away the last time he was in a strange state.
Those spies had probably reported every detail to the baron—Siegmund’s visits to Arnulf’s estate, their stop at the jeweler, even the rumor of the two being seen together at a hotel.
It would be interesting to see what kind of reaction that provoked.
Still, Siegmund soon dismissed the matter from his mind and entered the estate.
Just then, Finn, who happened to be opening the gate, saw Siegmund and beamed.
“Lord Siegmund, you’re here!”
“Where is he?”
Siegmund only nodded slightly and went straight to asking about Arnulf’s whereabouts. Finn didn’t mind—on the contrary, he was rather pleased.
The relationship between the two had been improving recently, and seeing Siegmund come straight here to find Arnulf filled Finn with quiet satisfaction.
“He’s in the courtyard.”
Finn answered brightly, eyes shining. Naturally, Siegmund’s steps took him to the open training ground behind the mansion.
There, in his field of view, Arnulf was loosening his joints—arms, legs, shoulders, knees—stretching thoroughly.
Arnulf usually spent his mornings training his body. Today, since he had regained much of his strength, he had decided to begin hand-to-hand combat practice.
He swung his arms through the air, shifted his stance, and tested his balance. Siegmund had noticed it before, when Arnulf fought those thugs—his movements were surprisingly agile.
“A bit more training, and he might surpass even his swordsmanship.”
Of course, Arnulf’s forte was still cutting down enemies with his dagger and colichemarde. But really, how often would he need a sword now?
Every graceful and powerful movement made his loosely tied red hair flutter. Heat rose from his well-trained body, and sweat glistened on his forehead and nape.
Siegmund stopped in place, quietly watching.
The way Arnulf’s body moved—strong yet fluid, disciplined yet elegant—was mesmerizing. Siegmund found himself unable to look away.
Noticing him, Arnulf straightened his posture and wiped the sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand.
“When did you arrive, my lord?”
His breathing was still uneven from exertion.
“Your form in unarmed combat is quite impressive—not just your swordsmanship,” Siegmund said, his eyes lingering on Arnulf’s flushed cheeks. A faint smile touched his lips.
“Ah… well, thank you.”
Something about his tone and gaze was so gentle that Arnulf felt self-conscious. Pretending to brush his disheveled hair aside, he avoided Siegmund’s eyes.
“Do you train hand-to-hand every day?”
“Yes, more or less.”
He wasn’t avoiding his gaze just because of Siegmund’s expression—those small, teasing questions always threw him off.
“I see…”
His face felt oddly warm, as though Siegmund’s eyes were still fixed on him.
Indeed, Siegmund was watching him steadily, his gaze unwavering.
He really was a straightforward man, incapable of hiding what he felt. On the surface, he appeared calm, but if one looked closely, his emotions were always visible.
“It seems losing your memory has changed you quite a bit,” Siegmund remarked.
“Well… I suppose so,” Arnulf replied vaguely. In truth, nothing had really changed—training had simply become habit. But he couldn’t say that.
“Then, would you like to spar with me?”
Ah, here it was again—just like last time. Arnulf frowned slightly.
“Would I even be a match for you, my lord?”
“After seeing you fight those thugs, I’d say you’d do fine. And besides, we’ve sparred with swords before.”
That was different—back then, his body had just moved on instinct. He had been confident enough to handle a few ruffians, but Siegmund was another matter entirely. Still, Arnulf soon nodded.
“Go easy on me, please.”
Siegmund’s smile deepened. He removed his coat and stood opposite Arnulf in a more comfortable stance.
Their postures—different yet similar—reflected their long years of training and war together. Noticing it, Arnulf clicked his tongue inwardly. So much time together that even our stances are the same…
Well, it can’t be helped.
Determined not to let Siegmund study his form too closely, Arnulf was the first to move.
He closed the distance in an instant and thrust his arm forward, attempting to seize Siegmund’s wrist and pull him off balance. Siegmund deflected the attack smoothly and countered by grabbing for Arnulf’s hand. Arnulf blocked with his elbow and twisted, aiming a strike toward Siegmund’s chest.
Back and forth they went, attack and defense blending seamlessly. Their familiarity with each other’s fighting styles made for a perfectly even match.
“You’re quite formidable,” Siegmund said with an easy smile, no sign of tension on his face.
Arnulf rotated his wrist, expression neutral. It felt completely different from sword sparring—after just one brief exchange, his arms and hands were already aching.
“Coming again,” Arnulf warned.
He twirled his wrist once more and rushed forward. Siegmund narrowly dodged the punch aimed at his cheek, but Arnulf swiftly twisted, reaching to grab his neck.
Siegmund dropped his upper body low, causing Arnulf to lose balance for an instant. Siegmund immediately seized the opening and moved in.
Arnulf tried to recover and pushed Siegmund’s shoulder, retreating—but Siegmund turned half a step and hooked the back of Arnulf’s knee.
“Ah—!”
The blow buckled Arnulf’s leg. Instinctively, he reached forward to catch himself, but Siegmund caught his wrist and yanked.
Arnulf twisted, trying to escape, but Siegmund’s strong arm wrapped firmly around his back first.
“Ugh…”
Arnulf let out a strained groan. Only then did he realize he was flat on his back, staring up at the sky—Siegmund’s face hovering far too close above him.
“Lord Siegmund…”
Instead of asking to be released, Arnulf simply said his name. But Siegmund, expression unreadable, only looked back at him silently.
That quiet gaze made Arnulf’s chest tighten. He couldn’t hold eye contact for long. His eyes drifted—and froze.
Siegmund’s red lips.
The memory of that incident a few days ago surged up unbidden.
Why now…
Why did that have to come to mind? Arnulf bit his lip and started to turn his head away—
“Are you all right?” Siegmund asked softly, concern in his voice.
“Ah, yes.”
Arnulf blinked and nodded quickly. He tensed his body, thinking absently that his flexibility wasn’t bad, but his arm and leg strength still needed work. More than anything, he needed to get out of this awkward position.
He tried to focus on anything else, but it was difficult when he was still caught in Siegmund’s hold. He could feel the solid arm around his back, the heat radiating from the man’s body. For some reason, it only grew more noticeable with each passing second.
“Lord Siegmund… please, let go now.”
Arnulf couldn’t even look him in the eye—his gaze stayed fixed somewhere near Siegmund’s chest. Thankfully, Siegmund immediately released him.
Only after stepping back a few paces did Arnulf realize he hadn’t been breathing properly. His face flushed hot as he caught his breath.
