Chapter 60
“Hohoho. How the men of the Grand Duke’s family, once cold as ice, have changed so much. Do come visit more often. It’s good to see a family so harmonious.”
“We are only grateful that you look upon us kindly.”
Gerald bowed politely, and Sinclair, embarrassed, covered her discomfort with a smile before glancing at Theodore.
“The young lord is very filial.”
At that moment, the Crown Prince cut in. Though only seven years old, his tone was like that of an adult.
“Not filial—he’s a fine man.”
Theodore straightened his shoulders, stuck out his lips, and lifted his chin proudly, like a baby chick spreading its tiny legs and chirping defiantly.
Pfft. Oh dear.
Sinclair barely managed to hold back the laughter that threatened to burst out at his cuteness.
“It warms my heart to see the young lord cherishing Aunt Sinclair so. And to see the Grand Duchess looking happy—it makes me glad.”
Ah, of course. That’s our Alfred.
Hearts practically sparkled out of Sinclair’s eyes.
Theodore bit his lip.
She was looking at the Crown Prince like that, and not him?
Trying to meet his aunt’s expectations, Alfred spoke kindly to Theodore.
“And… thank you again for the wedding. Thanks to you, I was able to finish my role as page boy properly.”
“’Course. The star of the weddin’ shouldn’t have their flower path ruined ‘cause of anyone.”
Though Alfred offered his warmth with a voice like spring sunshine, Theodore’s eyes flashed like an angry red rose showing its thorns.
Huh? What was this tension?
“Right, Stepmother?”
Theodore puffed out his thin cheeks and looked up at Sinclair, demanding she take his side.
Sinclair caught how Alfred pressed his lips together silently.
Huh… what was going on here?
Was it because they were destined enemies in the original story? Even so, this wasn’t right.
She grew worried about their little standoff. At the very least, she had to help them build memories so they wouldn’t end up pointing swords at each other someday.
Theodore finally let all his crumpled little feelings show.
“Prove it, Stepmother. Is it me, Theodore—or the Crown Prince?”
He gulped audibly. One more slight, and the tears might start pouring down.
“If not me, then I won’t look at your face anymore.”
“I was impressed by the young lord’s wit. Seeing the two of you together, I felt certain the Empire’s future would be bright. That’s the hope I felt.”
Sinclair lowered her gaze softly and smiled, looking at Theodore once, then at Alfred once, making sure to be fair.
“That day, I wished you both would care for each other and stay close.”
Gerald’s cheeks flushed as he stared at Sinclair, entranced by her beauty.
The Emperor and Empress forced their lips upward, straining not to break into grimaces.
“There’s nothing like camaraderie to build closeness.”
It was Hereis, the Emperor, who spoke. Everyone turned at his words.
“For this year’s Demonic Conquest Commemoration Hunt, what if we reinstate the children’s division, Grand Duke?”
Hereis remembered vividly—the severed neck of the demon beast Taronatius he had tossed at Gerald’s feet.
“Look, this is the power of five-year-old Schlezens.”
All the little beasts Gerald had slain seemed to lose their light. His deeds were washed away like sandcastles by the tide.
Five-year-old Gerald. That budding talent of yours—
If only I had cut it off then, I’d never have had to concern myself with you again.
This time, it wouldn’t be bad to prove my blood was far superior.
Hereis’s eyes gleamed, savoring it like a predator about to toy with prey.
“That is—”
“It’s fine! I’ll show Schlezens’ spirit proudly!”
Sinclair tried to stop him, but Theodore pumped his fists with triumphant confidence.
Clip-clop, clip-clop.
The carriage ride was silent.
Perhaps tired, Theodore had fallen asleep with his head in my lap. I gently brushed his hair back, staring down at him with worry.
Gerald, lost in thought, only stared out the window.
“How could you…”
“My lady…”
We both began to speak at once, then stopped, facing each other.
“Ladies first.”
“Very well. How could you accept His Majesty’s suggestion so readily?”
“Because I believe in Theodore.”
“He’s only five years old.”
“He’s already five.”
“He hasn’t even fully recovered yet.”
“Theodore is heir to Schlezens. He has trained in swordsmanship and other disciplines since he could walk. A trivial monster hunt is nothing.”
I knew. I had seen the flickering flame within his body on that night of the waning moon.
“But… this means killing a living being.”
Remembering the future Theodore—who would commit cruel deeds—I couldn’t bear for him to learn killing so young.
“That is the mission of Schlezens.”
“…!”
A problem I hadn’t expected loomed before me.
Killing, from such a young age…
I had to stop it. Killing could awaken the demon within Theodore.
“It’s a trap.”
Gerald curved his lips in a faint smile and lowered his gaze.
“A trap that will save Theodore, my lady.”
Then he cupped my hair tenderly, inhaled deeply, and pressed a soft kiss to it. Sparks shot through my whole body like lightning.
How dare he try to deflect with cheap romance!
“No. I am firmly against this.”
“This is also an opportunity for Theodore to gain the strength to protect himself.”
I snatched my hair from his hand and threw it over my other shoulder.
“Oh… is that how it is?”
“Yes, that’s how it is.”
“Why?”
“Because he is my child.”
“You said he was precious.”
“Exactly. He’s too precious—that’s why.”
“You saw the demon birds. This is a place where you kill or be killed.”
“Then tame them. I saw the restraints and monster cages in my castle.”
“…Ah.”
“Children shouldn’t have to learn killing so early. Don’t we learn swordsmanship and magic to protect what’s dear?”
“To protect it—by killing.”
Perhaps we were arguing the old question of which came first, the chicken or the egg.
But what if all these experiences became the root of the destructive heart that would someday ruin the Empire?
The thought alone chilled me.
“Fine. Then I challenge you to a duel.”
“What?”
“A duel!”
“…Hah.”
Gerald lifted the hand I had resting on Theodore’s head.
“You mean this delicate wrist is to fight me?”
Oh, so you’re mocking me now?
“Yes!”
“I cannot. How could I fight such soft, fragile hands?”
He dared to raise my hand toward his lips.
This man—I’m serious right now!
Smack!
“Ugh!”
I snapped my wrist sharply, striking his lips before he could kiss me, and glared. His eyes went wide with shock.
“I told you not to touch me. The duel—no magic, no weapons. Just with our bodies.”
“Mm… Father and Stepmother, are you dueling?”
A tousled head, round as a chestnut, poked up between us—it was Theodore.
The tension inside the carriage grew taut again.
Huff, ah! Huff, haah!
Gerald was flustered. Breathing—he couldn’t breathe.
When Sinclair had stepped out barefoot, wearing only a simple shirt and trousers, he had thought she looked adorably lovely.
He wanted to dodge her punches only to draw her into his arms.
He wanted to brush kisses across her violet hair as it whipped past his face.
He wanted to catch her kicks and hold her close. Such desires welled up wickedly, making his body taut with restraint. He couldn’t touch her carelessly; she hated that.
He had even barred Theodore from joining them, half-hoping for a stolen moment of intimacy like in the bathhouse. But Theodore had insisted, dragging Sinclair to bring him along, so Gerald had seated him at the edge of the training ground.
Yet that noisy brat had quickly drawn knights to watch, until the grounds swarmed with them, eager to see the Grand Duchess duel.
The duel began with them facing each other, bowing politely. Gerald’s eyes swept over her delicate shoulders that would fit snugly in one arm, her narrow waist, and her legs, slender as branches.
Sigh. What was she thinking, challenging him like this?
He circled, keeping distance. She stood steady, fists raised, eyes locked only on him.
It seemed she wouldn’t strike first.
So stubborn. If you’re scared, surrender.
His visit to the palace had been meant as a warning—to the Emperor, not to touch Sinclair or Theodore again.
The Emperor had surely ordered Theodore’s poisoning. Teaching a mere marquis a lesson hadn’t been enough.
This whole mess was the Emperor’s doing. Soon, his smile would fade.
Gerald hadn’t thought to leave his study without lifting the curse. Lifting Theodore’s curse had been his top priority. If he did, things would return to how they once were.
But after marrying Sinclair, he had seen the world again. While he’d locked himself away, everything had fallen into ruin.
Sinclair had been right. Hiding in his study wouldn’t solve anything.
The demon realm was stirring, the Emperor was wrecking the Empire with misrule, and even before Theodore’s curse could be fulfilled, Schlezens and the Empire itself might fall.
The rot was spreading—even into Schlezens.
And now they were targeting Theodore’s life.
Who dared to aim at a child of Schlezens?
At the son of his sister who had given her life for the Empire?
They needed to be reminded: Schlezens still lived, and Karikas was still strong.
So that when the curse was finally lifted, Theodore could spread his wings fully. As his father, Gerald had to open that future for him.
Thus, the Demonic Conquest Commemoration Hunt was symbolic. It was a chance to prove Theodore was an indispensable hero for the Empire.
Of course, the Emperor would try again to disguise murder as an “accident.”
But Gerald would no longer merely defend. It was time to draw his sword and act.
So, Grand Duchess—go and rest. You’ve been sleepless, preparing endlessly these past days.
Gerald looked at her weary eyes and stepped forward, ready to end the duel.
But then—
She smiled.
Why? How?
Confusion flickered across Gerald’s face.
