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“Welcome.”

Just then, Duke Serin was approaching with a guide at his side.

“Were you startled by my sudden visit?”

“Not particularly.”

Duke Serin gave a sly smile.

“Shouldn’t you have been, though?”

“Well, I figured you’d come to give me a hit since I deserved one.”

“Oh?”

“If I’m going to get hit, here is better. I assume you wouldn’t go so far as to commit murder in someone else’s home.”

And this wasn’t just any house—it was Duke Herman’s estate.

“How should I say this…… It seems the prince has a natural talent for getting under people’s skin.”

“I hear that from time to time.”

Although in truth, it was more like ‘a lot’ rather than ‘from time to time’.

“Shall we go inside and talk?”

“No, the night breeze feels refreshing. Let’s just talk here.”

With that, Duke Serin glanced at the guide.

“Could you give us a moment? I’d like to speak with him alone.”

“Ah…… Yes. Of course.”

It seemed the guide had already been informed of the situation, as he withdrew without any fuss.

“……I’ve actually looked into you a bit myself, Your Highness.”

“I’m curious—what did you find out?”

“I heard you were kidnapped on your way to your estate. They almost sold you off as a sex slave.”

After saying that, Duke Serin lightly waved his hand.

“Please don’t misunderstand; I bring this up because I can relate.”

“You can relate……? What do you mean?”

Feigning ignorance, I asked.

“I went through something similar as a child. When I was nine, my stepmother assaulted me.”

“……!”

I hadn’t expected that answer.

‘I’m surprised he said that so casually.’

In a world where empathy and sympathy are often seen as weaknesses, it was surprising that someone of Duke Serin’s stature would reveal such a personal story so openly.

“But more importantly…… I did ask to speak with you alone. Was that really such a difficult request?”

Flinch.

Just as Duke Serin’s voice turned cold.

“Ahem.”

“What did I tell you? You should’ve just had a drink with me. Why’d you have to go and bother with night training out of the blue?”

From behind the practice yard, Marquis Foltaine and Duke Herman, who had been crouching, quickly stood up.

“I wasn’t aware the two of you had such a penchant for eavesdropping.”

“That’s……”

“How about maintaining at least some semblance of dignity?”

Although Duke Serin mocked them with words, the two eavesdroppers could say nothing to refute him.

“In any case, it’s clear you both care deeply for the prince. Even now, it seems you’re caring more for him than your guest.”

“Urgh…… You’ve misunderstood, Your Grace.”

“I might even get jealous. But once again, I’d like to talk to him alone.”

Both men looked flustered once more. Of course, Duke Herman and Marquis Foltaine must have known all along.

They would’ve realized hiding wasn’t exactly effective. After all, everyone present was among the nation’s masters.

Still, the reason they hid was obvious.

‘They were probably ready to step in if anything went wrong.’

And at the same time, they wanted to send a warning. We’re watching you, so don’t try anything foolish.

Just then, Duke Serin’s expression softened, and a gentle smile appeared on his face.

“Is this too much to ask?”

“……”

“With things like this, if I were to join your group, I might end up feeling left out. I wouldn’t be able to help sincerely.”

At that point, I broke my silence.

“Let’s do as he says.”

“……Since he agreed……”

Duke Serin’s smile deepened.

“How about we climb the hill overlooking the capital while we’re at it?”

“……”

My eyes darkened. A hill far enough on the outskirts to be completely outside the city’s jurisdiction.

-Are you seriously chickening out after all your arrogance?

Duke Serin’s expression seemed to say just that. Of course, I didn’t back down.

“Why not? Oh! You two—don’t follow us. You don’t need to worry about me.”

“Perhaps we’ll get along after all, Your Highness.”

His satisfied voice echoed in my ears.

Step, step, step.

We had ventured far beyond the outskirts of the capital.

Whether the others had truly stopped following us or were trailing us secretly, I wasn’t sure, but at least for now, I didn’t sense anyone else nearby besides Duke Serin and me.

“……”

We traveled in silence. Both Duke Serin and I were lost in our own thoughts. How much time had passed like that?

“……When someone dies out here, no one would care, would they?”

When we finally arrived in a place devoid of people, Duke Serin broke the long silence.

“Even if those two were following us earlier…… By the time they arrive, the body will already be buried.”

“I didn’t expect to be threatened the moment we changed locations.”

“Did it sound that way to you?”

I shrugged nonchalantly.

“However, there are three reasons why you can’t kill me, Duke Serin.”

“Are you stalling for time?”

“First, it would go against your principles.”

I continued, undeterred.

“And what principles might those be?”

“If I were to be killed, Duke Herman and Marquis Foltaine would inevitably suspect you. That would cause more harm than good. Acting on impulse would cost you dearly.”

“I wouldn’t be too sure. Would they really threaten me when the time comes? Even I can see that they’re fond of you, but it’d be water under the bridge. Wouldn’t they try to get anything they can out of me, instead?”

“You’re not the type to gamble on uncertainties like that, Your Grace. You’re not one to be dragged into messy situations willingly, either.”

Duke Serin tilted his head slightly, as if intrigued.

“You speak as if you know me well.”

“I do. You’re the kind of leader who firmly believes that sometimes doing nothing is the best course of action.”

“……”

His expression grew colder.

“Second, you’re curious about me. You won’t kill me yet—at least not until you’ve satisfied that curiosity.”

“Curious?”

“You want to know what makes me so bold, don’t you? What it is that draws others to me.”

At that, his threatening aura eased, if only slightly. As if he himself couldn’t deny it.

“You wonder if there’s something you’re missing—something only you don’t know. You feel unsettled, perhaps even left out.”

“……So there is something, then?”

“And third, because you’re human, not a beast.”

For a moment, Duke Serin gave me a look of disbelief.

“What kind of nonsense is that?”

“We’ve both endured similar pains—we’re both victims, aren’t we? Humans naturally feel compassion, and with shared experiences like ours, that compassion becomes even stronger. I don’t think you’re entirely heartless, Your Grace.”

“……Pft.”

Despite himself, Duke Serin let out a short laugh.

“For someone spouting nonsense, you sure know how to dress it up nicely. Though, I must say, I personally like the third reason best.”

By the time we finished talking, we had reached the top of the hill. It wasn’t a particularly high hill, so the climb hadn’t taken long.

“But…… You’re still too young. Or should I say, too naïve?”

Just then, I sensed someone’s presence behind a tree.

“In reality, humans are often more wicked than beasts.”

“It has been a while, Your Highness.”

The figure that emerged greeted me with a wave, acting as though we were old friends.

“Oh, dear. Was this all a trap?”

Before me stood a beautiful man and woman, both smiling as if they had stepped out of a painting.

Technically, Duke Serin wasn’t a ‘woman’, but his appearance could easily mislead anyone.

“Thank you for keeping your word, Your Grace.”

“……No need to mention it.”

The new arrival was Count Kaiman.

“Well, I’ll excuse myself.”

“You invite me here, and now you’re leaving?”

“Haha, I must thank you for the lovely walk. See you next time, pure-hearted prince.”

With that, Duke Serin turned and began retracing his steps.

It felt like he was heading back to guard the narrow, steep path—perhaps to intercept any reinforcements that might arrive.

“Surely that ‘next time’ won’t be in the afterlife?”

“That depends on what you do next, Your Highness.”

Duke Serin replied without turning around.

“Didn’t you once offer me some unsolicited advice, Your Grace?”

“……”

His shoulders twitched ever so slightly, as if the memory had resurfaced.

“Mind if I offer you some advice this time? Consider it my final words, if you like.”

Duke Serin halted for the first time. Meanwhile, Count Kaiman watched us with amusement, as if in no hurry at all.

“……And what advice might that be?”

“While I call it advice, the truth is, I can’t afford to die right now.”

Duke Serin smirked, as if amused by my supposed plea.

“Was this not advice, but an appeal?”

“I recently made a promise to a new friend. I told him that a man’s word is as good as gold, and breaking that promise from the start wouldn’t be right. It wouldn’t bode well for our relationship moving forward.”

A faint smile curled at my lips.

“If I die, I won’t be able to keep that promise.”

“So, keeping that promise is more important than your life?”

“Yes, it is. At least to me.”

To me, loyalty means more than life itself. Even if a blade were at my throat, I would never abandon it.

“You’re just stalling again. Get to the point. What exactly is your advice……?”

“The promise I made isn’t much.”

I tapped the hilt of the sword at my waist lightly.

“I promised that little friend of mine that I would cut down the Empire.”

“……!”

“You once spoke of relationships in terms of ‘distance’……”

In the quiet night, only my voice echoed.

“……The distance we’ve established between us today. If this is your answer, that distance will collapse before it even has a chance to form.”

For a fleeting moment, a murderous glint flashed in Duke Serin’s eyes.

“……So, you’re not advising me……”

I nodded.

“Exactly. I’m warning you, Your Grace. Watch your behavior.”

***