Chapter 114 – Duke Serin (3)
Having received the message, I walked out into the front yard of the Duke’s estate.
“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.’
“......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.”
***