# 20
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But the soldiers did not even dare to approach Joseph.
This is because the ferocity and murder accumulated in the body of someone who lived facing death day after day was overflowing from Joseph and flooding the place. Just a fleeting meeting of eyes was enough to make people kneel in fear.
“Do you intend to prevent me from taking the documents ordered by His Highness?”
Joseph slowed his speech, as if chewing the words, then slowly turned around.
«Huh? Isn't it, Marquis of Lenco?'
«……»
His eyes, wild as those of a predator, were completely devoid of any decency. He stared at the Marquis for a moment, then suddenly his lips parted in a slanting smile, and he quietly disappeared.
As soon as he disappeared, the place looked as if a hurricane had passed through it. With the first sigh, the employees’ complaints began, and they started picking up the scattered papers while complaining.
“This doesn't look like a search for documents!”
“They turned the place around on purpose, to humiliate us!”
“What crazy person is this?!”
As a result of this unexpected scene, the Marquis could only grind his teeth in anger. Then his wife shook her head lightly.
“It seems that the Duke has postponed the confrontation with you.”
“Shallow tricks he learned from nothing!”
"decent. "I will personally intervene and inquire about the Duke."
"You? What will you do?
The Marquise patted her husband's arm as if to reassure him, then turned around elegantly, and as soon as she left the office, she gave her order to one of the ladies-in-waiting:
“Go get Flora.”
＊ ＊ ＊
When Joseph arrived at the Duke's Suite, Walter was sitting on the sofa reading a book.
He was not wearing his blood-stained armor, nor was he carrying a sharpened sword. Rather, he was wearing elegant formal clothes. However, the aura of a master, and the dignity of a true owner, remained surrounding him.
It occurred to Joseph, as he remembered the Marquis who had only shouted, how wonderful it would be to see him like this. Then he said with discipline:
“I have brought the documents you ordered, Your Highness.”
Walter put the book down and extended his hand. Joseph immediately handed him the papers, and Walter got up from the sofa and began to quickly leaf through them.
Joseph glanced at the book he was reading. The edges were frayed from excessive use, and had no title. The Duke always read books without titles.
Contrary to the expectations of the Marquis, who thought that Walter would not understand a single document, the Duke finished reading it in the blink of an eye, with a cruel coldness on his face.
“Well done, Joseph.”
Joseph blinked slowly, then asked carefully:
“Weren't you supposed to move as soon as you arrived?”
«……»
“Hitting them before they were ready would have been…”
“Joseph.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Walter looked at him for a moment, then asked him quietly:
“Do you feel unsure if they prepare?”
Joseph laughed unconsciously, then straightened up and answered in a low voice:
“No.”
Walter seemed to like the answer, so he relaxed back on the sofa and said:
“For ten years, they thought I was wasting time. But in those years, I won you over.”
"Yes."
“Wait a minute. Whoever waits ten years, will days fail him?
"concept."
Joseph took a few steps back, then instinctively began to examine the place. But he felt no trace of Grace. He hesitated for a moment, then asked casually:
“Is Miss... moving?”
There was no answer, but Joseph caught a glimpse of the corner of Walter’s mouth rising for a moment and then falling.
Joseph pretended to see nothing and suppressed a smile. Even though he had only known Grace for so long, the mere thought of her moving now gave him a strange reassurance.
And at that moment
A lady-in-waiting knocked on the door and announced an unexpected and unwelcome guest:
“Your Highness the Duke, the Marquise Lenco and Miss Flora of Count Lewin's house request an audience with you.”
＊ ＊ ＊
Huge pink rose.
This was Joseph's impression of Flora. Her dress was decorated with prominent flowers that looked like blossoming buds.
Flora sat with her hands folded shyly, stealing glances at Walter every now and then. Up close, it looked even more amazing. He was the first man you felt that just looking directly at him was exhausting.
They said that the features of knights were no different from those of commoners, but Walter looked like an elaborate sculpture made by the most skilled sculptor. A sharp jawline, a nose as if it had been polished hundreds of times, deep-set eyes, and thick eyebrows, a complete statue of the ideal of beauty.
However, there was something indescribably wild in that idealism. Something you can't find in men who feign strength with a fake frown.
Her heart beat hard.
Flora gently pursed her lips and raised her eyes, wishing that their gazes would meet, and they did.
Their eyes met.
Flora quickly lowered her gaze, biting her lower lip lightly. Her senses tensed.
He...looks at me.
A shiver ran through her body.
“It's done.”
It felt like they had a common thread. This feeling was not hers alone, of course. As her face turned red, the Marquise said:
“Your Highness the Duke, this is Flora, eldest daughter of the house of Count Lewin, one of Richmond's most loyal servants. I consider her as my daughter. Her nature is as noble as her beauty, and she has refined her culture in embroidery, music and painting without fail.”
“…You shame me, ma’am.”
Flora said faintly, and the Marquise laughed lightly.
“You've always been so modest, Flora.”
Then the Marquise turned to Walter reclining on the sofa. At that moment, something froze in her smile.
She had expected the simplicity of a man raised among knights from him, but… he was different.
He sat impeccably, but he did not smile politely, nor did he initiate a greeting. He contented himf with silent observation.
I felt a strange déjà vu, and then he finally spoke:
“So, for what reason did you come to me?”
At his low voice, the Marquise swallowed unconsciously. After hesitation, she chose direct confrontation:
“Your Highness, there is a conversation going on among the servants of the Inner Palace... about who is using the Chandelier Room.”
Walter was silent, urging her to continue.
“Who is that lady?”
Flora quickly raised her head. I stared at his lips, and the answer came slowly:
“Grace. My dear."
«……»
«……»
The Marquise and Flora blinked slowly, then exchanged a slight look.
Grace.
That's it.
Flora almost laughed, biting her lip. As for the Marquise, her features controlled, she said:
“...Excuse me, but it is not permissible to open the Thuraya Room for personal reasons. Whoever is on Your Highness’s side must be carefully scrutinized.”
Walter raised his eyes slowly.
A thick cold crept in, like a mist of water, and goosebumps ran across the faces. Then the Marquise realized what this situation was like.
“Madame Marquise, what is my name?”
"…What?"
“Answer me the first time. What's my name?
“His Highness Duke Walter Richmond.”
“What is the name of this ancient palace that you revere?”
“The Duke of Richmond’s Palace.”
Walter passed his finger on his chin languidly and asked:
“In this palace, is there a room I need permission to open?”
At that moment I understood.
“And everyone I keep at my side is my choice. Who dares to re-verify those I have verified? You?"
He was… more like a prince of royal blood.
“No...it can't!”
The Marquise clenched her hand tightly.
“Don't back down. The Duke is just showing off.”
She looked up and said:
“If I have offended, I apologize. But the title of Duchess is not an easy matter. If Your Highness wants the respect of the followers, his wife must command the respect of the palace ladies and servants.”
«……»
“If the Duchess does not control the Inner Palace, Your Highness’s reputation will be damaged. And the woman most suitable for Richmond...is Flora.”
Then, Walter suddenly smiled, then turned his head to Flora who was stealing glances at him.
Flora caught his gaze, lost. He contemplated her for a long time until the Marquise secretly exclaimed victory.