STWR 2

Episode 2

“Welcome back to the empire, Duke. How does it feel?”

“Nothing much has changed.”

Lucas replied in a flat voice as Ian tilted his teacup.
For some reason, Ian let out a quiet chuckle.

“Don’t you see the looks the nobles are giving you? A hero of the war against monsters, returning covered in glory and showered with royal favor—everyone is desperate to get close to you.”

“I’m not interested. You know very well that I have no desire to enter politics.”

“I know. Both His Majesty and I are always grateful for your loyalty to the empire.”

Lucas looked down at the tea that had long since gone cold and turned his gaze away.
He hadn’t abandoned his territorial inspection just to hear empty pleasantries.

“May I ask why you wished to see me here, in a reception room rather than the banquet hall?”

“Straight to the point, then. Very well. In two months, the Grand Duchess of the Bolt Duchy will be visiting, and I’d like your help.”

As expected. Lucas’s red eyes flashed briefly.

Noticing the change, Ian continued.

“I want to learn firsthand the methods you use to deal with monsters so effectively. Beyond that, maintaining friendly relations with the duchy will allow us to exchange technologies and culture. You know how important this is.”

“So you require me because it concerns monster subjugation?”

“There are few in the empire more knowledgeable than you in that field. Will you assist me?”

Lucas let out a quiet sigh, fully understanding the meaning behind those words.

Ian was as thorough and calculating as ever.
He already knew—knew that Lucas, who valued the empire’s safety above all else, would never refuse.

“…As if I had a choice.”

“Thank you. Ah—perhaps I’ve kept a war hero too long. Let’s return to the banquet hall. Many are eager to see you. Well, more precisely, their daughters are.”

“I’m not interested.”

“You truly never change. Have you no intention of marrying? Even His Majesty wishes to introduce you to a fine young lady.”

Lucas frowned briefly, then shook his head.
An image from earlier surfaced in his mind.

“I’m fine as I am. That said, Your Highness seemed to be monopolizing the attention of the ladies.”

“Ah, you mean the daughter of Count Adrian—the one who confessed to me?”

Ian set his teacup down and pressed his fingers to his temple, as if recalling the incident gave him a headache.

“A troublesome young lady. I’d already heard rumors—she even spread nonsense about me liking her. I was rather inconvenienced. But after rejecting her today, it should be settled.”

“I see.”

“I didn’t intend to humiliate her publicly. It just… turned out that way.”

Ian continued speaking, but Lucas let the words pass through one ear and out the other.
It had nothing to do with him, after all.

“Enough of that. Let’s return to the banquet hall.”

“…I have reports to handle. I’ll take my leave.”

“You truly live only for work. Do as you please. Even His Majesty has given up on changing your stubbornness.”

With permission granted, Lucas stood at once.

“Then I shall excuse myself. Enjoy the rest of your evening.”

Leaving behind Ian’s clicking tongue, Lucas stepped into the corridor.
Rain—absent earlier—was now pouring down.

He quickened his pace, scowling.
He disliked rainy days. For many reasons.

“Help me!”

Blood mixed with rainwater—monster blood, human blood—and the stench that rose from it.
The screams of subordinates fighting desperately.

The memories made Lucas groan softly.
Shaking his head, he heard the distant noise of the banquet hall ahead.

“Tonight’s banquet is such a disappointment. His Highness left so suddenly.”

At the nobles’ murmurs, Lucas’s expression darkened.

While damage from monsters increased daily, those meant to stabilize the empire gossiped instead of worrying about the crisis.
Foolish and laughable.

He knew of their complacency—but the glow of the banquet hall lights unsettled him more than usual tonight.

Just as he was about to move on—

Rustle.

Sensing movement, Lucas turned toward the garden entrance.

A woman staggered into view and collapsed directly in his path.
Her ragged breathing made her look dangerously unwell.

Lucas moved quickly toward her.

“Are you alright?”

At the sound of his voice, she slowly lifted her head.
Tear-filled light-brown eyes, framed by dazzling blonde hair—clearly a noble lady attending the banquet.

“Your Highness…?”

Her eyes widened as she looked up at him, then she struggled to her feet and approached unsteadily.

Lucas frowned, caught off guard.

“Ah—”

She stumbled again.
Instinctively, he reached out and caught her.

As he was about to ask if she was hurt, she lifted her head.

“You came to see me.”

Lucas opened his mouth to correct her—then closed it.

After seeing nothing but grief-twisted faces of those who had lost family to monsters, the sight of such unguarded happiness robbed him of words.

She smiled as though his presence were a blessing, tears falling freely.
He found he couldn’t be cold to her.

“I’m so happy, Your Highness.”

Smiling brightly, she raised her hand.

It came to rest against his cheek.

Lucas froze.

Startled, he nearly released the arm supporting her, holding his breath instead.
He lifted his hand to remove hers—

“Ah…”

A soft sound escaped her lips, and without warning, her body pitched forward.

Lucas had no choice but to catch her.

The weight settling against his shoulder felt unfamiliar.
He looked down at her flushed cheeks and labored breathing.

So the fever he’d sensed earlier wasn’t his imagination.

“This is troublesome.”

Murmuring quietly, he lifted her in his arms, picked up the fallen bag, and headed toward the rear gate where the carriage waited.

“Your Grace!”

Near the end of the corridor, a familiar voice called out.

Connor, his aide, approached with a startled expression, then looked at the woman in Lucas’s arms.

“Who is she?”

Lucas frowned and handed him the bag.

“I was wondering that myself. There should be a royal invitation inside.”

“I’ll check.”

Though uncomfortable searching without permission, there was no alternative.

Soon, Connor pulled out the invitation.

“Her name is Elisha Adrian.”

“Adrian…”

Lucas recognized it—the woman who had caused a scene earlier that evening.

“She seems to have fainted from a high fever. It’s late, so finding a physician may be difficult. Should I call the doctor at the ducal estate?”

Connor asked carefully.

“No. Taking her back to the Adrian estate would be better.”

In a world obsessed with appearances, rumors would spread easily if two adults were seen together late at night.
Lucas could endure it—but for a newly adult noblewoman, the damage could be severe.

Now that he knew her family, the solution was simple.

He looked down at Elisha, then spoke.

“Where is the Adrian estate?”

“It’s along our route.”

“Then we’ll drop her off on the way. Let’s go.”

Without hesitation, Lucas seated her in the carriage.

Connor closed the door and climbed up front.

With a jolt, the carriage began to move.

Lucas leaned back, watching Elisha groan softly.

She’s in worse condition than I thought.

Just then, her eyes slowly opened.

“Are you conscious?”

She didn’t answer—only stared at him.

“Miss?”

Tears spilled from her eyes.

“It’s cruel.”

“What?”

“His Highness, who rejected me so easily… and everyone who laughed at me…”

She pulled away from the wall and began sobbing.

Slurred from drink, she continued.

“I must look ridiculous. A nobody from a minor family who doesn’t know her place.”

“….”

“Someone like you couldn’t possibly understand my pain. You think it’s foolish to cry over something so trivial—I can tell just by the look in your eyes…”