For the heart - Chapter 51

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 51

The group that appeared to be the Blanche Duchy Knight Order numbered at least a dozen or more. They were all tall and powerfully built.

And when they came closer, a man from the second row stepped forward.

The man with a slender build, exceptionally handsome face, and ash-colored long hair tied in a half-knot wore a languid smile.

Only then did Nina notice that unlike the other knights, he wasn’t wearing a uniform but a short jacket with elaborate colored embroidery.

As if waiting for Nina’s blue eyes to turn toward him, the man brought his white-gloved hand to his chest and bowed in greeting.

As his head tilted slightly, his ash-colored hair flowed softly down below his shoulders.

“Cezar Blanche. I greet the Cold Sword of Arsed, Commander of the Imperial Knights.”

Cezar Blanche? Does that mean he’s Duke Blanche himself!

From his attire and the strange atmosphere he exuded, she had expected he wasn’t an ordinary knight, but she hadn’t thought he would be Duke Blanche himself.

“I meet Duke Blanche. I am Nina Arsed.”

Nina gave a knight’s greeting with a light bow.

But suddenly Cesare took another step closer and knelt on one knee in front of Nina.

Looking up at the flustered Nina, he smiled gently and removed the white gloves he was wearing.

“Please don’t be startled. This time it’s a greeting for the Princess of Arsed.”

He carefully took Nina’s right hand and gently pressed his lips to the back of her hand.

At this sight, Casian’s face immediately crumpled.

Cesare, who had lifted his lips from the back of Nina’s hand, seemed to sense the hostility directed at him and turned his head slightly to look at Casian.

The pupils of the red eyes looking down at him were narrowed small, emitting a murderous light.

“Ah, this is my—”

“I know. The Princess’s dedicated healer, Prince Casian Montregger, the First Prince of Montregger, isn’t it?”

Rising to face Casian, he narrowed his eyes and smiled smoothly.

Casian crossed his arms tightly in front of his chest at that sight.

‘What the hell is this annoying bastard.’

From his appearance to his actions, nothing pleased him.

Skin whiter and smoother than a woman’s, a leisurely voice, and an unnecessarily affectionate smile.

His very existence was extremely irritating.

Duke Blanche was quite a mysterious figure. He rarely showed himself outside the duchy territory.

Instead, what was known was that he held economic and military power that no one dared to challenge.

Having allied with the Six Small Nations for a long time before suddenly turning to Arsed one day, many cursed him, but even more feared his cold-headedness and quick judgment.

Among the thirty-five nations, it was the only country that had secured everything worth securing.

“They say when young ladies meet Duke Blanche once, they lose their minds. Since he’s young and unmarried, there are quite a few noble daughters who want to go to the Blanche Duchy.”

Was it Lucentio or Belhame?

It was a story told by noble ladies when staying in a country close to the Blanche Duchy.

He had just listened casually then, but seeing with his own eyes, there were understandable aspects.

That might be why he felt even worse.

Despite Casian’s clearly felt hostile gaze, Cesare looked at Tark with a smiling face as if he didn’t care.

Nina momentarily felt awkward about how to introduce her master.

If she introduced him straightforwardly as Tark Dagnir, troublesome things might happen.

Tark was the First Sword of Arsed and someone who needed to remain hidden.

She worried that if Tark’s identity was exposed, there might be more people pursuing him in the future.

She didn’t know how deep Cesare’s interest in Arsed was, but if he didn’t know about the First Sword, it would be best to let it pass unknown.

“I cannot stay in one place. Until the day I die… I will continue searching for His Majesty the Former Emperor.”

“Then, let me set up a common base where I can check on your news, Master. Please let me know how you’re doing and if you’ve found any clues about His Majesty the Former Emperor.”

Nina gave Tark the address of Information Guild Edma that she used, and they also decided on a code for checking each other’s well-being.

They were planning to part ways again once they escaped this place, but this situation had arisen.

She couldn’t avoid introducing him to Cesare, whose eyes had already turned toward Tark.

‘I should just say he’s someone who happened to help me.’

“This person is…”

“It’s fine. Since the Princess seems uncomfortable, I won’t ask about that person.”

Duke Blanche, who had declined the introduction first, smiled with narrowed eyes again.

At that smile, Tark’s face hardened slightly.

‘Could it be that he even knows who I am?’

If so, it would be surprising, and he judged it would be better to quickly leave the duchy territory.

“Please come down with me. This place has particularly rough terrain even within the duchy. Horses and carriages are prepared below.”

“We don’t need a carriage. We would be grateful if you could just lend us horses. We encountered trouble on our way back to Arsed and must return quickly.”

Cesare smiled at Nina’s answer and spoke while slowly putting his gloves back on.

“Please stay in the Blanche Duchy for a few days. You must be very tired.”

“I appreciate the kindness, but—”

“If you return to Arsed like this, it would be quite troublesome for me.”

He lowered his eyebrows and spoke as if something truly troublesome had occurred.

But the smile still remained on his face.

“What do you mean by that?”

“Oh my. I thought you would understand. What happened now is that an attack occurred against the Princess of Arsed, who is the Knight Commander of Arsed, and the Princess’s dedicated healer within the Blanche Duchy. How could I, as the duchy’s master, avoid responsibility?”

Nina recalled what Tark had said yesterday.

Really, he had known everything and come here.

“The treaty between myself and Arsed contains various clauses. I can’t go through them all here, but anyway, this matter is not so simple for me.”

“I don’t think the duchy’s people attacked me either. So even if I return to Arsed—”

Before Nina could finish speaking, he slowly shook his head.

Then he took out a round pocket watch from his jacket pocket and checked the time.

“If you ride the prepared horses and travel fast, you’ll reach Blanche Ducal Palace by this evening.”

Cesare’s attitude seemed polite yet had a coercive aspect to it.

Though he spoke gently, his words carried the implication that no matter what reason she gave, she couldn’t leave the Blanche Duchy territory right now.

“Duke Blanche.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“With the Six Small Nations as the last, Arsed has conquered all countries. As the supreme commander of the imperial army, I have a duty to report to His Majesty the Emperor promptly.”

“The news of the conquest should have already been delivered.”

“That’s just news. The war’s progress, surviving forces, and military deployment status reports can only be handled by me as the commander, no one else can substitute.”

Though she indirectly conveyed her intention not to delay any longer in the duchy territory, he didn’t back down.

Instead, his light blue eyes gleamed as he moved a little closer to Nina.

“Rather than returning to the palace quickly… it would be more helpful to confirm who targeted Your Highness and your Healer.”

At his words, Nina quietly steadied her breathing.

Her blue eyes turned cold at the Duke’s persistently pressing attitude.

“We were ambushed, so I couldn’t see their faces. Finding out who attacked us won’t be easy.”

“Gaien, how far did you say we brought those bastards when we departed?”

“I received a report by carrier pigeon that they’ve reached Solteria. They’ll probably arrive at the ducal palace by tomorrow morning.”

At Gaien’s answer, Cesare turned his head back to Nina with a sly smile.

“How about it? In just one day, you’ll be able to confirm those bastards’ faces.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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