SDIV 28

Chapter 28

Four days ago, Deneb, the lord of the Altair territory, publicly announced the outbreak of an epidemic. The residents of the Altair Duchy were increasingly worried as the situation grew more serious by the day.

“Did you hear about that?”

“Hear what?”

“Well, I heard the imperial family is sending someone. And not just anyone—the Crown Prince himself.”

“Sigh… Let’s just hope he doesn’t interfere with the lord’s directives.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Zhang, you haven’t lived in the duchy for long, right? I might get arrested for treason just for saying this, but the imperial family has always been the worst to us. Whether it’s a year of plenty or famine, they always take our wheat. It’s a miracle our lord hasn’t raised the taxes yet.”

As soon as he finished with a sigh, a dust cloud appeared in the distance. Zhang nudged the man next to him.

“Speak of the devil, there he comes.”

Crown Prince Respan Procyon of the Empire and his retinue were just entering the duchy. The two commoners bowed their heads respectfully.

* * *

Lemine stood with a hand on his hip, openly displaying his boredom. He spoke to Arin beside him just for something to do.

“No new orders from the lord?”

“He just told us to do our assigned duties well.”

“Are you contacting him again today?”

“Unfortunately, the crystal orb ran out of power two days ago. Honestly, it’s a miracle it lasted this long—it was only a 10-minute recording orb, after all…”

Arin trailed off as she straightened up. In the distance, she spotted thirty riders approaching on horseback.

“They’re here!”

A soldier on recon duty shouted through a magical telescope, and the other knights also straightened up. As the dust settled, the man who had mentally tormented Arin these past days appeared.

Respan Procyon. The title “prince on a white horse” fit him perfectly. His radiant golden hair, almost translucent pale skin, and dimples that deepened when he smiled only amplified his charm.

“Lemine Abistane, Second Knight Commander of Altair, greets the Empire’s Little Sun.”

At Lemine’s greeting, everyone who had come to welcome the Crown Prince bowed their heads. Respan’s pale blue eyes calmly took in the well-armed and disciplined formation. He immediately sensed that Altair’s subordinates were no ordinary soldiers.

An army so desirable it made his mouth water. Respan hid his greed and put on a picture-perfect benevolent smile.

“I’m curious to know the current situation.”

Just like the novel described, Respan was a man who captured people with smooth talk. Even though he spoke formally, those icy blue eyes were impossible to defy. He was the epitome of soft charisma.

“Haha! Allow me to escort you to your quarters. We can speak more there.”

Even as he chuckled, Lemine never let go of the upper hand. Respan could tell it wouldn’t be easy to gain control in Altair.

They moved to a temporary command room in the village of Cogain. The space was cramped, so only four people entered: Lemine, Arin, Respan, and one of his knights.

“I am Count Giran Reiss, Crown Prince’s escort knight.”

Giran, known for his nosy personality, played a comic relief role in the novel. Arin felt a strange sense of familiarity toward him.

“Once again, I’m Lemine Abistane.”

“Arin Yan, Vice Commander of the Second Knight Order.”

In that era, it was rare for a woman to become the second-in-command of a group. A female knight—especially a vice commander—was almost unheard of. Both Respan and Giran’s eyes landed on Arin. For a woman to hold such a position meant she possessed overwhelming skill.

Respán greatly favored talented individuals, regardless of their origin, gender, or age. Convinced of Arin’s ability, he turned his attention toward her.

“A pleasure to meet you.”

As their eyes met, Arin awkwardly bowed. In moments like these, it was best to avoid direct eye contact.

Respán began with a harmless-looking smile.

“I’ve heard the situation around the duchy is grave. I’d like to go to the Altair stronghold as soon as possible.”

“As Your Highness mentioned, there is currently an epidemic. The Duke is focused on quarantine measures. I suggest you wait until things stabilize.”

The four exchanged sharp words, each trying to steer the situation in their favor. Arin was impressed at how Lemine could endlessly rephrase the same message: “Your Highness, why would you walk into a plague zone?”

“Then how about this—I’ll send a fast messenger to the castle and wait for three days.”

When Respan proposed a compromise, Lemine laughed foolishly.

“Of course, Your Highness. As you command.”

He accepted the proposal with exaggerated politeness, offering to show Respan to his lodgings. Respan’s eyes sparkled at Lemine’s sly diplomacy.

‘I want to take everything they have.’

Sensing his predatory intent, both Lemine and Arin shuddered instinctively.

* * *

Yellow (Yello) stared intently at a man who smelled strangely familiar. That man was Respan, and his golden hair was so bright it hurt to look at.

[He smells. Definitely smells.]

Yello decided he needed to keep an eye on him. To assert dominance, he enlarged himself and prowled around Respan’s lodging.

As soon as Respan stepped out of the Cogain village quarters, he was startled to see a massive creature staring right at him.

[Suspicious. Very suspicious. Who are you?]

Respan watched in disbelief as the massive beast circled him slowly, growling softly like a street thug.

[Hey! I asked who you are!]

Not getting a response, Yello smacked Respan’s rear with his thick paw.

Feeling the soft impact on his backside, Respan was utterly stunned. Not even his parents had ever hit him. And now, an animal?

Thud.

He turned at the sound behind him—only to find his escort knight, Giran, had dropped his sword and was covering his mouth in shock, eyes wide.

‘A knight, dropping his sword? How disgraceful.’

Respán’s gaze turned cold.

“Y-Your Highness…”

Then Respan noticed Giran’s eyes were fixed on his buttocks. The blatant stare filled his mind with question marks.

Trying to recall what had just happened:

Touched (??) by an animal.
Rubbing his own butt while awkwardly laughing.
Smiling after being smacked?

Putting it together… didn’t that look like someone discovering a new “interest”?

Respán stared piercingly at Giran, wondering if he had misunderstood.

Giran, meanwhile, was traumatized seeing his prince giggle after getting slapped by a giant leopard. When Respan locked eyes with him, Giran averted his gaze dramatically.

Seeing that, a vein popped on Respan’s forehead. He wagged his finger and smiled coldly.

“Giran, are you thinking strange thoughts again? Don’t misunderstand. That’s not what this is.”

Giran flinched at the tone shift—Respan’s eyes weren’t smiling at all.

“Come here. Now.”

“I didn’t think anything weird! I was just… facing reality. Also, Your Highness, your eyes… aren’t smiling.”

Respan ground his teeth. His once-pretty dimples quivered with fury. He began ranting while smiling murderously.

“How could you interpret it like that? Are you blind? What’s wrong with you?”

After a five-part lecture, Respan’s expression finally softened. Meanwhile, Giran’s face had turned white as a sheet.

Just then, Yello, annoyed by the noise, smacked Respan’s butt again.

[Hey Yellow-Hair! You’re too loud. You gonna keep making a scene in my territory? I’ll eat you in one bite!]

Touched again in that sensitive area, Respan’s face flushed bright red.

Arin, passing by, whispered “Oh dear…” and clutched her head.

It was Yello’s mistake, so punishment was unavoidable. Arin rushed in and smacked Yello’s back like a scolding mother. The endless scolding was a bonus.

Yello pouted at the nagging. Recognizing his bratty attitude, Arin narrowed her eyes and warned:

“No snacks. Got it?”

Threatened, Yello had no choice but to offer a handshake of peace to Respan. He stuck out his tongue and gave a goofy face. Jerky was worth it.

[Sorry for hitting you. But hey, you didn’t dodge. So that’s kind of your fault, right?]

Respan stared at the adorably crying leopard. Unaware of Yello’s thoughts, he awkwardly shook the animal’s paw—declining would make him look petty. And the mewling was just too cute to resist.

The paw was soft and squishy. Respan couldn’t help but press the pink toe beans. When the hidden claw popped out, he looked amazed.

[Yikes! The yellow-hair is squeezing my paw!]

Yello dramatically flopped over, pretending to cry. It was obvious he didn’t want to keep holding hands. What a drama queen. Arin stifled her laughter.

“Thank you for your forgiveness.”

“Yes, please be more careful next time. By the way, Sir Arin, your skills are quite impressive. I didn’t know you had mastered both swordsmanship and magic—and now beast-taming too?”

Calling someone by name so casually usually implied a certain closeness, and Arin was a bit taken aback.

‘He’s trying to get closer…’

His sparkling gaze made her uncomfortable, like he was about to investigate every corner of her life. But before she could dwell on it, someone shouted urgently.

“Vice Commander Arin! Urgent news. The duchy is under attack!”