로그인Kaelus slowly released his embrace, creating just enough space to step toward the window without letting Roselyn see what was out there.A suffocating silence suddenly enveloped the room, broken only by the howling night wind rushing through the gaping, shattered glass.Kaelus pulled the black cloth from the sharp edge of the window frame, slowly turning it between his strong fingers.It was no ordinary fabric. At the edge, a tiny, almost invisible crest was embroidered—a cluster of five-petaled flowers, neatly sewn with silver thread that blended almost seamlessly into the black background.I didn't expect to see this again, the Grand Duke thought.It was the same symbol he had seen years ago on a dark battlefield. That trace of the past should have been buried deep within his subconscious long ago."Your Grace?" one of the soldiers called out hesitantly, noticing the sudden deathly pale shift in Kaelus's expression. "Is something wrong?"Kaelus did not answer immediately. His grip o
Kaelus had just pulled a list of names from inside the drawer when a faint shout echoed from outside the window.He looked up. One of the Valthorne guards who had been standing watch in the backyard was now sprinting toward the mansion’s side door.The torch in his hand swayed wildly from how fast he was running."Your Grace." The voice outside the study door sounded frantic, followed by a series of rapid, almost rude knocks. "There is an urgent report.""Come in."The door swung open. One of the guards stood at attention, straining to conceal his panic in front of his superior."The east wing lost power all at once, Your Grace."Kaelus folded the list of names and slipped it inside his shirt. His eyes flicked briefly toward the Baron, who remained sitting rigid in his chair, deathly pale and not daring to move an inch."Isn't Eden stationed there?""That's the issue, Your Grace. Captain Eden went to the east wing about ten minutes ago to search for a man named Osrik per your command.
Baron Adrienne's study was dimly lit, illuminated only by a candle on the old wooden desk. Bookshelves lined the walls in neat rows, holding a stifling silence as if concealing a thousand secrets.The Baron closed the door, then walked toward his desk chair."Please sit, Your Grace. May I pour you some wine?""No need.""Alright. So, what is this about my servant?"Kaelus did not answer. The silver-haired man stood rigidly at the doorway, staring coldly at the Baron’s back as he bent over to open a glass cabinet filled with expensive bottles.The sound of his footsteps was heard only when the Baron picked up a bottle and turned around.Srak!In an instant, the Baron’s body was restrained from behind. Kaelus’s arm wrapped tightly around his neck, while the cold tip of a silver dagger pressed directly beneath his jawline.The brandy bottle slipped, shattering into pieces on the marble floor."Y–Your Grace! What are—""Shh." Kaelus brought his lips close to the Baron’s ear. "If you screa
The stench of rotting wood and damp earth stung the nostrils as the iron door at the end of the stone staircase creaked open. The basement of the Adrienne Estate, typically used only for storing old wine casks, had now transformed into a torture chamber heavy with the smell of blood and terror."Please! Please let us go!" struggled a man whose hands and feet were bound."Shut your mouth.""We were only following orders! We know nothing!""I said shut your mouth!"They were bound in armless uniforms began to weep. Their faces were bruised, the corners of their lips torn, and their eyes bulged the moment a tall, imposing figure stepped through the dim torchlight.Kaelus entered alone.His outer coat—which had been soiled by mud stains and blood splatters in the courtyard earlier—had been replaced with a neat black shirt. The harsh blow from Derrick at the corner of his jawline had also been cleaned, leaving only a bluish bruise behind.Yet, it was not physical injury that made the two
Derrick walked briskly, leading the way down the back staircase, occasionally glancing back to ensure Roselyn was keeping up steadily.Right as she stumbled slightly on the final step, Derrick instantly extended his arm, catching Roselyn by the elbow before she could lose her balance."Careful," he whispered with immense gentleness. "There's no need to rush. I'm here."The torches on the stone walls flickered weakly, nearly dying out whenever the wind seeped through the window crevices. Roselyn’s steps were still somewhat heavy; one hand held up the edge of her dress to keep from tripping, while the other gripped the stair railing tightly.Roselyn glanced at him silently. Yet this time, she did not pull her hand away from his grip.“How far do you plan to guide me, Duke? You don't need to trouble yourself.”“I’m doing this for myself. I am going to see you home.”“That won't be necessary.”Are you still angry about what happened earlier? It’s only natural if you hate me.”Without rep
Derrick stepped closer, his movements slow and measured, as though he feared even the slightest sudden motion might shatter the woman’s fragile emotional state.Without a word, he removed his heavy cloak. With absolute gentleness, he draped the warm fabric over Roselyn’s shoulders, concealing her exposed skin."You're safe now," he whispered softly.Derrick’s fingers lingered briefly in front of Roselyn before he released the cloak entirely, as if hesitating—uncertain whether his hands were still worthy of touching the woman before him."Rose, please say something. Don't scare me like this.""You...""I'm right here. I won't let anything happen to you as long as I draw breath."Roselyn looked up, her eyes locking onto the face in front of her—the very same face that had once been the root of her destruction and despair in her first life.Thump!Memories she had desperately tried to bury suddenly resurfaced uninvited. The incident on the imperial balcony when her dress was torn, and th
Roselyn ran out without looking back. The night chill pierced her skin, shielded only by a thin gown, but it was nothing compared to the frantic hammering of her heart. It throbbed between anxiety and a strange sense of satisfaction for having just trampled on the Duke’s ego.The four-hour journey
"Prove your love, Lady. Try serving me tonight."The voice was soft, yet it carried no melody—only the toll of a death knell.Roselyn remained motionless on the cold marble, letting her knees go numb. Her dignity as the sole daughter of Count Sirius had long been cast aside. All that remained was a
A stifling silence enveloped the balcony, broken only by the sound of Roselyn’s ragged, fractured breaths. Before her, Kaelus stood motionless, like an ice sculpture untouched by time.Roselyn lowered her head, trying to steady her racing heart. "Forgive me for forcing you to witness such a shamefu
Three days of confinement were enough for the bruises on Roselyn’s body to fade from a deep purple to a dull yellow. Thanks to the Elysium from her uncle, the wound on her forehead had dwindled to a thin red line.Vogard personally ensured that the mark was buried under layers of powder before drag







