“So, did you win?”
Only then did Marin straighten her chest, swelling with pride.
She hadn’t won, but she hadn’t lost, either. She was certain she had landed more hits.
“I didn’t lose.”
“You should have won. For those under my command, ‘not losing’ is not enough.”
“Those maids are also under your command, Duke.”
The Duke ignored her, his expression placid as he called for Olive.
“Olive. The dress shop.”
“Yes.”
As Marin listened, a sense of déjà vu washed over her. Was she once again being excluded from matters that concerned her?
“Duke, surely you aren’t talking about my dress, are you?”
“Olive. Step out.”
He brushed her inquiry aside and commanded Olive once more.
“Yes, Duke.”
Olive bowed formally and exited. Marin watched his retreating back, her gaze wistful.
*He could have taken me with him, too.*
Once the door clicked shut, an awkward silence settled over the office.
“What shall we do?”
After a long while, the Duke finally spoke.
“Pardon?”
“Aren’t you going to work?”
“May I read a book?”
“I am not a coward, so…” he replied, his tone indifferent.
Marin held her breath, her eyes widening.
*No way. He heard me calling him a coward, didn’t he? No, it can’t be. It shouldn’t be. Please, let it not be true.*
She prayed fervently in her heart.
“I believe I said I dislike repeating myself.”
“Yes, I’m reading it now!”
Just as she reached for the fairy tale book, she realized her wrist was still caught in his grasp.
“Could you please…”
The Duke naturally released her and leaned back, his posture loose in the chair.
“I shall begin. Once upon a time, there was an emperor who was revered by his people.”
“A lie.”
He pointed it out with sharp precision. Marin desperately pretended not to hear and continued.
“The imperial citizens loved the Emperor very much.”
“Falsehood.”
*I can’t hear it. I can’t hear it.*
“The Emperor also loved his people and bestowed his warmth upon them.”
“Also a lie.”
Marin took her eyes off the book, narrowed them, and peered at the Duke.
“Shall I stop reading?”
“Why?”
“Because it seems you aren’t prepared to listen.”
“Impossible. I am no coward.”
“Wow, what a grudge…” Marin whispered, her voice barely audible.
She vowed never to forgive whoever had tattled to the Duke.
“What?”
“I said nothing.”
“Continue.”
“The Emperor had a very beautiful Empress. Among their otherwise happy lives, there was just one problem. The Emperor and Empress had no heirs. Every night, they prayed to the gods.”
Marin paused to catch her breath. The Duke should have chimed in by now. When no reaction came, she cleared her throat and finished the tale.
*Please, fall asleep.*
As she read, she found herself becoming immersed in the story. She felt sad when the beautiful princess faced a crisis, and rejoiced when she met a prince from a distant land. Her heart swelled at the final scene where they left together.
“And so, the two left for a distant place and lived happily ever after.”
Marin closed the book cautiously. The already quiet office felt heavy with a profound stillness. She lowered her eyes, keeping a wary watch on the Duke.
He was leaning back, perfectly motionless.
*Is he sleeping?*
I wish he were truly asleep.
“Good night,” she whispered, afraid her words might wake him.
As she turned to leave, clutching the book, an object on his desk caught her eye: a thin, long silver letter opener.
*No way.* Her heart pounded, and she quickly checked the Duke’s ears. Thankfully, there was no blood visible this time. She looked at him with a pitiful gaze.
*What if he uses that again? Should I steal it and hide it?*
The dilemma lasted only a moment before she shook her head vehemently. She could not afford to be branded a thief after being branded a spy. With one last look of regret, she walked away.
***
If one rides a horse for ten days from the west of the Omen Empire, the Sairan Desert, which has no end in sight, reveals itself.
The Sairan Desert, situated between the Sanders Empire and the Omen Empire, was home to thousands of types of monsters. Ironically, it was thanks to those monsters that the two empires had signed a pact never to invade each other.
One hundred years had passed since that pact. As research into the desert monsters became more active, the trade routes connecting the two empires developed accordingly.
The Western Vines Ducal Family was responsible for blocking the monsters emerging from the sands. It was the duty of the Vines family to engage in battles with these creatures every season to ensure the safety of the trade.
Duke Gerald and the Vines Knights, along with his soldiers, had finally finished a grueling fortnight of battle and were crossing the mountains to return to their territory. However, the soldiers sent as scouts failed to return, and the same fate befell those sent to find them.
Stranded in a place that offered no cover, anxiety stirred among the exhausted men. Watching this in silence, Gerald summoned a knight from the rear.
“Handers.”
“Yes. Just give the order.”
Handers, his voice nasal from a head cold, bowed low.
“No matter what you see, do not attempt to help recklessly. Just grasp the situation quickly and return to report.”
“Yes.”
Gerald sent Handers, the most observant of his subordinates, as a scout. Not long after, the knight came running back, his face grim.
“Duke, I believe you must see this for yourself.”
Having dismounted, Gerald followed. As they ventured deep into the forest, a beautiful field of flowers unfolded before their eyes.
Colorful blossoms, each as tall as a person, gave off a cloying, sweet scent. Gerald forced his senses to paralyze, fighting the exotic odor that was sharp enough to sting his nose.
“You told me not to act recklessly, so I turned back the moment I discovered them, as they seemed intoxicated.”
The soldiers were dancing merrily in front of the flowers. Had they not been swaying with such glazed eyes, Gerald might have admired their beauty.
At that moment, a soldier approached the blooms. The flowers gently stroked him with their petals, welcoming him. As he moved closer, the flower’s red flesh ripped wide open.
It was a monster, disguised as a plant.
The monster flower swallowed the soldier whole. Handers gasped, and Gerald glanced at him. The knight’s head cold had saved his life.
“Go and inform everyone. These are monsters that utilize the sense of smell. Tell them to block their noses and stay as far away as possible.”
“Yes.”
Handers replied, quickly covering his nose.
“And everyone is to stand by in the rear.”
Handers looked at him with wide, startled eyes.
“Duke, there are too many monsters.”
“Who can fight with one hand while holding their nose?”
Gerald, who could freely control his own sense of smell, drew his sword. The first thing knights learn in their training is breathing technique; for them, it was paramount.
“Not a single scent must be inhaled. If there are those among you who can manage that, you may bring them.”
“Yes.”
Handers bowed and turned to run. This was possible only because of his absolute faith in the Duke.
The monster flowers were distributed as if guarding the center. As Gerald approached, the petals fluttered as if trying to seduce him. When he showed no interest, the flowers began to release a dizzying variety of scents, desperate to entice him.