Chapter 55

The high gates opened wide and the carriage went inside.

When the door opened, Dana got off the carriage and looked around. It was a familiar but strange place.

“Ah, this is the outer palace.”

Tertius Castle was very different in size and structure from other nobles’ mansions. This was inevitable because this used to be a royal palace.

As a formal royal palace, the outer palace and the inner palace were divided. The place where Dana stayed before was the inner palace, and Leon’s office existed in both the inner and outer palaces.

Those who came through the main gate came in and out of the outer palace for business.

As soon as Dana was absent-minded for a short time, something hit her forehead.

Herman had a habit of hitting people whenever he said something. Of course, he picked and hit those who were weaker or easier than him.

“Hey, don’t look around. You must never make a mistake.”

Dana came here with two top officials. Herman was in charge of practical affairs, and Stein with a large body followed as if he were an escort, but was ordered to monitor Dana so that she could not run away.

They were trying to say something in secret behind Dana.

“I heard you were coming. Please come this way.”

A servant came out of the building and greeted them. Herman and Stein relaxed their expressions as if it was time. Dana and her party headed to the parlor of the outer palace according to the guidance of the servant.

The outer palace was mainly composed of workspaces for commuting people and was decorated more practically and simply than the inner palace.

Looking at them, Dana thought that maybe it could flow in a completely different direction than expected.

“I’ll get the tea. Please sit here and wait.”

“I, by the way, is the Grand Duke really coming out in person?”

“I haven’t heard of such a thing. Usually, it’s not likely that someone like the Grand Duke would come out on his own, but…”

The servant spoke politely but answered a little as if he was amazed. For him, it was absurd that the merchants were thinking of meeting the Grand Duke who was as high as the sky.

In fact, this was met and handled by those in charge of the administration of the castle, and it was unusual to call merchants to the castle.

The servant who said so soon got out the tea and left without saying any more words.

Amid nervousness, even after quite a while, no one promising came out.

Dana became increasingly anxious, and Herman grumbled.

“Why did you ask us to come at this hour? It’s already been a long time since the appointment.”

“All noble families are like that. There’s no way they’ll be on time for such humble people like us.”

Dana didn’t say anything but looked anxiously at the entrance.

* * *

Now the day had gotten quite warmer. The afternoon sun was perfect for a walk. Spring flowers bloomed gently on the road from the inner palace to the outer palace in the west.

“Oh my, look over there. The two of them…”

“It went well. His wife looked for him so desperately.”

The maids working at Sophia’s separate palace were delighted to watch the two from a little distance. It was really rare, no, the first time in this castle.

Leon fixed his eyes on the strange sight under the window. If one didn’t see it with their own eyes, they would not believe the situation happening now even if they heard it from anyone.

Sophia was taking a walk beside Owen while being supported. Then they both sat on a bench that was very visible from his room as if to show Leon.

Leon could not hear their conversation, but he could see Sophia’s bright smiling face. Owen was sitting with his back turned to him, so Leon couldn’t make out his expression.

Even though it was just a show, Sophia’s bright appearance after a long time was good. So it was rather uncomfortable.

Threep-

He nervously closed the curtains and blocked his view. The situation of Owen playing obvious tricks was frustrating and pathetic.

If he didn’t want to get married at all, it was best not to get involved with Dana Deniz from the beginning. But if he ignored Owen’s words, he won’t be able to see Sophia like that again.

While he was frustrated, there was a knock on the door.

“Your Grace! This is Ahil.”

Leon opened the door without answering. Ahil, who was standing in front of the door, faltered in surprise.

“Did you find her?”

Ahil was a knight that Leon carried around as a close aide. He had been ordered to find Dana (Sarah) and had been searching. He was disappointed every time Ahil came back without meeting his expectations.

“I couldn’t find her. However…”

Leon, who was trying to turn his head away from the usual result, stared at Ahil again, wondering if he was adding something.

“I happened to hear this, but the source is not very reliable.”

“Tell me anything.”

“At a bar, a soldier heard this from a table next to him, that a pretty lady recently came into the upper headquarters of Deniz.”

“Deniz?”

Leon asked to confirm this familiar name and signaled to talk more.

“Yes, they made a bet among themselves, saying that they would seduce her someday. But at first glance, they said she had blonde hair.”

Boom.

As Leon punched the wall, a dull vibrating sound resonated through the room. Ahil couldn’t move, but he glanced at the ceiling because he was worried that the room might collapse like this.