Chapter 50
The mercenaries quickly exchanged glances.
Fatty looked at her, then Sir Raoul, and opened his mouth.
“It is expected that the Knights of Morte have been absent from their lands for a long time.”
“...Actually, I heard that the main mission of the knights before the war was to subdue monsters. Naturally, problems arose when such an army was absent for a long time.”
Raoul agreed too.
But she couldn't get rid of her doubts.
"Is that really all?"
Monsters were living creatures, and they had their own ecosystem.
They were affected by weather and predators, and there was a limit to their population.
It was very strange for their numbers and habitats to fluctuate to such an extent, even if they had been left unattended for several years.
She was sure there was something else.
She didn't know what it was, but if she could go and see it for herself....
Then I heard a familiar voice.
"Marion."
I took a short breath.
Her familiar steps and her favorite musky scent approached.
Soon a large hand gently grabbed her shoulder.
"The guests have arrived."
She slowly turned her head and called his name.
"...Viktor."
The Grand Duke smiled like silk.
I swallowed dryly.
It had been a long time since she had seen Victor during the day. He looked tired.
His black shirt highlighted his solid body, but there were undeniable shadows under his eyes.
However, his elegant aura was still intact.
He naturally sat next to her.
"Did I interrupt your conversation?"
“No, Grand Duke.”
Tal replied uncomfortably.
They looked terrified.
She couldn't blame them.
The situation and atmosphere were completely different from the past few moments.
He stopped the tall and fat two from getting up and greeting him properly. At the same time, his golden eyes quickly scanned the map.
"Were you talking about monster activity?"
"Yes."
“As expected, the mercenary maps are more accurate. Does your mercenary group also view the increase in monsters as a weakening of Morty’s security?”
The mercenaries looked surprised.
They didn't seem to think that this gentleman would admit his mistakes.
But they skillfully hid their expressions.
Long answered.
“Not exactly… Other than that, there is no convincing reason. It is already a popular rumor that Morty, without her Knights, has not been able to properly subdue the monsters for the past few years.”
"It's the same as what I was told. What's it like outside of Morty?"
“It's the same thing in general. The monsters' habitats have changed, and you'll often see monsters that are rarely found in the north like Fire Wolves or Sunflower Drakas.”
Victor stared at the map for a long time.
“I will send subjugation troops to various places in Murti. If the subjugation is completed before wheat cultivation begins, the mercenaries should be less worried.”
"But, isn't this dangerous?"
In the end, Omarion couldn't stand it and intervened.
Sending such weak knights to a place where monsters were infested bothered her.
“There are so many, is it okay for them to go alone?”
Victor explained to her calmly.
“The most dangerous monster in this region is the orc, Marion. It is a monster that my knights have captured dozens of times. Even if their habitat changes, subjugation will not be difficult.”
"Good."
“As I said before, my knights are not that weak.”
“But they are...”
I struggled to swallow those words.
I felt something ominous.
If the monsters were mostly wolves or drakes, even his knights would be able to kill them.
Since it was something they did every year, it wouldn't be difficult.
They can even kill an orc, as long as they attack in a group.
Finally she nodded.
Victor smiled, then looked at the mercenaries again.
"...It looks like we're done. Are we leaving?"
The mercenaries nodded carefully.
When Victor got up, she got up too.
It was because of etiquette that was mentioned that when a pair stood, they had to stand together.
In fact, she would have liked to talk a little more, but she heard everything she wanted to hear.
Victor said goodbye.
“Thank you for coming here thanks to you, I won’t have to send a scouting troop. Please tell your mercenary group about our subjugation plan.”
"...Okay, my lord."
“Please stop again. I will welcome you as guests to my wife.”
He smiled gracefully and headed towards the salon door.
She instinctively followed Victor, but something made her turn back.
The mercenaries were staring at her.
Dark and apprehensive eyes appeared between her and Victor.
Suddenly, Tal spoke.
“I won't ask why you're here, but if it's you, you should have a reason to call us whenever you need us.”
After she finished speaking, she bowed deeply.
It was a polite and serious farewell, different from the exaggerated farewell they had given the duke.
Omarion looked at them with astonishment and nostalgia.
Mercenaries rarely showed this level of respect to anyone besides their king.
She nodded and left the tea room in a daze.
***
Omarion and Victor walked quietly down the hall.
She was still thinking of questions from before.
How did these mercenaries know me? I've never hired a Right Leg Ogre before.
She was also worried about the monsters' behavior.
It was stranger than she thought.
She didn't know much about Morty's guard rotation, but she must have deteriorated during his absence.
Was it really okay to send only the knight's order?
At that moment, a low voice rang from beside her.
“It's been a long time since I've been able to walk with you.”
She stopped and turned to Victor.
Golden eyes watched her silently.
When I looked closely, the fatigue on his face was evident.
A question came out of her mouth before she knew it.
"Didn't you sleep well?"
Victor's expression darkened.
He shook his head.
"No, that's not true."
"This is a relief."
"You..."
He bit his lip.
There was obvious bitterness on his beautiful face.
Avoiding her eyes, he changed the subject.
“Please tell me in advance the next time you meet a guest that you are still worried about meeting strangers.”
"They're people I've met too."
"Is this so...?" Anyway, please, I’m afraid you’ll be hurt.”
I looked at him calmly.
Affection flowed from his gaze.
They were eyes that made her want to forget all her doubts and confusion.
Closing her eyes tightly, she asked a question she had been wanting to do for the past few days.
"Are you eating well?"
Victor was speechless.
It was a question they both knew the answer to.
I ordered quietly,
"Eat right. Don't keep skipping your meals if you don't eat with me."
In fact, she wanted to say something else.
She wanted to say that they could have dinner together, talk about their days, and go back to the happy times they had in the capital.
But she has not yet reached a conclusion.
She didn't know how to deal with this strange and cruel man.
As if reading her mind, Victor nodded slowly.
"...As you wish."
"..."
"See you tonight."
Victor took her hand, kissed her, and left.
I froze and watched him leave.
Her chest felt like it was going to explode.
***
The summer nights continued slowly.
After eating dinner alone, she went up to her room and took a shower.
The maids brought cold ointment and rubbed her neck.
Morty was on the cold side, but as a northerner, it was hard for her to endure the Empire's summer.
The servants generously found ways for her to beat the heat every day.
"That's nice, thanks."
Mary bowed her head with a red face.
"No, ma'am. We just..."
"Oh."
She knew what they meant.
She smiled bitterly.
The flight attendant they served had been down for the past few weeks, so they must have been very worried.
I felt sorry for these little girls' worry.
After getting dressed and thanking her maids, she headed to the bedroom.
Shortly thereafter, Victor appears.
She put the book she was reading away and stared at it.
The body visible through its thin robe was still charming, but instead of blushing, she simply turned away.
He lay down next to her, and she turned off the lights.
The only sound in the room was his faint breathing.
"...Marion."
"Yes."
She turned her head.
The moonlight shining through the curtains dimly shone on Victor.
It was a beautiful sight.
"Have a nice dream."
She nodded quietly.
"You too, Victor."
Did not receive any response.
Only the sounds of insects fill the silence.
I sat down next to him and looked around the room.
• End of chapter •
To be continued •••
My Instagram account [@I.n.w.4].