Chapter 57
“Your Highness, the young lady is unwell again today….”
“I see. You may leave.”
Looking displeased, Allendo dismissed his attendant, who quietly left the room.
As soon as the door closed, Allendo leaned back in his chair, raised a hand, and covered his face.
“…Ha.”
If only he could see her face, he would at least be able to say something. But for now, there was no way to meet her.
Since childhood, they had regularly shared meals together. But this was the first time that Canaria had so one-sidedly and repeatedly canceled every appointment.
Could it be that the proposal he made at the last banquet had wounded her that deeply?
“…This is troublesome.”
Allendo groaned.
The less frequently she visited the imperial palace, the worse her treatment in the duke’s household would surely become.
And yet, barging in on her unannounced was risky too—especially with his engagement to Belia soon to be announced.
The duke’s family would no doubt take his visits as a positive sign, but what would they think when he declared his betrothal to another young lady just a few weeks later?
Every bit of blame would fall squarely on Canaria.
“…Should I still go see her?”
Allendo furrowed his brows.
Given the boundary Canaria had drawn between them, even visiting the duke’s household would likely not please her.
“…Ha.”
“You sigh far too much these days.”
Even at the sudden voice, Allendo didn’t flinch, still keeping his face buried in his palms.
“I may have released the barrier, but could you at least respect my privacy a little?”
“It’s your office, not your bedchamber. What’s the harm?”
“I’ve said it before—if you keep sneaking in like this and someone spots you, I’ll deny everything. It’ll be you accused of trespassing into the palace.”
“No one’s going to catch me.”
Allendo lowered his hands and looked at the intruder.
“…Carlton.”
Carlton pulled down his hood and sat casually on the sofa in the office.
“From the looks of it, something’s happened with the young lady.”
“How did you know?”
“You’ve been like this ever since the banquet.”
“You’ve gotten sharper, huh. Guess people really do learn from relationships?”
“Relationships?”
Carlton tilted his head. Allendo recalled Belia’s reaction from the other day and let out a short sigh.
“No, I misspoke. I meant… ‘connections.’ You’ve been interacting with Belia more, so you’ve grown perceptive.”
Carlton gave a simple nod.
“You need to smooth things over with the young lady, don’t you? Otherwise, there’ll be trouble with entry into the Misty Forest.”
“Oh, so that’s why you’re suddenly interested. Figures. Don’t worry—I’ve already resolved that matter by another means, regardless of her.”
“So, we’re still entering the forest in five days?”
“Yeah. But aren’t you curious?”
“About what?”
“How I solved it.”
“Do I need to know?”
Allendo stroked his chin.
Should I tell him about the engagement with Belia… or not?
Though the betrothal meant little to him or Belia, Carlton’s opinion might be different.
And Canaria too…
Allendo ruffled his hair.
“…You don’t need to know.”
If anyone had to be told first, it was Canaria.
“Fine.”
Carlton’s indifferent expression irritated Allendo.
Look at that emotionless face. Tch.
“Anyway, one more person has been added to the party for the Misty Forest.”
“Added?” Carlton frowned. “You know I hate unnecessary baggage.”
“Then you’ll hate this.”
“…What?”
“Belia’s coming with us.”
Carlton’s eyes widened.
“I’ll keep it brief. She wanted to go. So we struck a deal. But I’ve already arranged measures to ensure her safety….”
“It’s too dangerous. Absolutely not.”
Carlton strode up to Allendo’s desk, shaking his head firmly.
“If she gets hurt—”
“Since when have you been overflowing with compassion?”
“This isn’t about compassion. Belia is fragile. I won’t take such a weak girl into a dangerous place.”
“The deal is done. It can’t be undone now.”
“What was the deal?”
It wouldn’t be fun to spoil it now.
Allendo smirked and shook his head.
“I’ll let her tell you herself.”
“If anything happens to her, you’ll be in trouble too.”
“That’s why I’m warning you—don’t let her get hurt. And just in case, I’ve set something up.”
“…What sort of measures?”
“Something that will still leave hope, even in the worst-case scenario.”
“I have no idea what you mean.”
Allendo shrugged.
“Then ask Belia yourself. Either way, I’m counting on you.”
Carlton pressed a hand to his forehead.
Karin had also insisted Belia must be taken into the forest.
And Carlton knew well—if he was ever to fulfill the lifelong wish that had driven him, he had no choice but to bring her into this one and only opportunity to enter the Misty Forest.
So why does it feel so suffocating?
Seeing Carlton’s unwilling expression, Allendo pouted.
He clearly has feelings…
The flicker of anger in those normally calm red eyes made it obvious—Belia was indeed his stimulus.
But Allendo still wasn’t sure if it was truly affection… or just something born of resentment.
“What did Belia say?”
“What do you mean?”
“She must know it’s dangerous to enter the Misty Forest. Why does she want to go?”
“She said she wants to recover her memories.”
“Memories… of the accident when she was eight?”
“Yeah. Apparently, she overheard our conversation while drunk at the last banquet. She came to me afterward, asked if I was really going, and then struck the deal to join.”
Watching Carlton fall silent, Allendo gave him a sly smile.
“Don’t glare at me like that. Anyway, five days from now—safe travels.”
* * *
“For the next week, I won’t be at the estate. Most of the important matters concern the imperial family anyway, but those can proceed without me, right?”
“Yes. Only the deliveries remain, and we’ll make sure everything goes smoothly. Also, half of the salon orders should be producible by next month.”
“That quickly?”
“Yes. Since the last commission, more artisans have joined, and many of the workers who used to serve under Master Dorito have now entered the workshop, so production has sped up.”
“I see. Not bad. After the Second Princess’s birthday banquet, we’ll start taking new orders. Calculate the projected volume. Ah, and what about the Bea we’re sending to that princess?”
“They’re in a meeting about it right now.”
“Make sure they tailor the design and colors as much as possible to her tastes.”
“Yes, understood.”
“Then you may go.”
“Yes.”
As soon as her aide left, Su came running over with wide eyes.
“My lady, did you say you’ll be gone for a whole week?”
“I’m going on a trip.”
“What? With whom… ah, with Lady Songb?”
“No. With my brother.”
“Your brother… Young Master Bedol?”
“Yes.”
“Wow, really? Where to?”
“Nothing too far, for obvious reasons. Just outside the capital. Isn’t there a festival around this time?”
“Oh yes! The Tenbury Festival—it’s full of treats and the fireworks are beautiful!”
“Exactly. We’ll just go and enjoy the festival.”
“Oh my, then I’ll have to pack your things!”
“Just something simple. Oh, and Su—this is a secret.”
“…A secret?”
“Don’t tell anyone. Especially someone like Tob.”
“O-okay.”
It was odd not to inform her knight, but since she knew her lady never really trusted Tob, Su only nodded silently.
Knock, knock—
“Who could that be?”
Belia frowned, for no one was expected. Su quickly went to check.
“My lady—it’s Sir Rude, Young Master Barun’s knight.”
“A knight? Rude?”
“Yes. You remember his name?”
For some reason, Su’s eyes looked uneasy.
“What business does he have?”
“It seems the young master sent something to you.”
Belia’s brows immediately furrowed.
Sent something? But why send his knight…?
If Barun wanted to deliver something, surely he’d send his aide or his butler. Just like before, she couldn’t understand why he insisted on sending Rude to her.
“…Let him in.”
“Yes.”
Once Su relayed the word, a nervous-looking Rude entered Belia’s office.
“Welcome.”
Setting aside her suspicions for now, Belia greeted him with a gentle smile.
“Ah, good day, my lady. It’s been a while.”
“Yes.”
Looking at his polite bow, Belia’s face stiffened slightly.
It hadn’t been that long since they last met, yet he already looked gaunt.
Even his sword was the same as when he’d only been an ordinary knight.
As Barun’s personal guard, he should be treated far better than this. Why has he grown so thin?
“You must be training hard lately.”
“Pardon?”
“Secluded training, perhaps? You look much worse than the last time I saw you.”
“O-oh, not at all. Thank you for your concern.”
He scratched his head with an awkward smile, but Belia looked displeased.
“And what exactly is your master doing, neglecting his knight like this?”
