Chapter 6
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 6
Chapter Title: The Princess and the Grand Duke (5)
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Days passed.
In that time, Kasian and Erin's relationship had noticeably grown closer.
"Grand Duke, my hand feels so cold."
"I'll have gloves brought."
"No, there's something even better."
Every day, Erin would say things like that as she laid her hand over Kasian's large one.
Yesterday, she had even boldly intertwined their fingers.
Even though it was her own daring action, Kasian recalled Erin's shy expression, unable to meet his eyes.
Kasian wore a happy smile as he thought back to yesterday, but soon he could only let out a deep sigh.
Kasian stared at the imperial decree stamped with the Emperor's seal on his desk in the office.
The paper bore these words.
[Transport Princess Erin Luna to the imperial palace immediately. The recipient will be Count Ponsword.]
Kasian's brow furrowed deeply.
'They've already figured it out...'
He had known it would eventually reach the Emperor's ears.
But the timing was too soon, and what he had been preparing still needed more time.
The fleet to smuggle Erin out of the empire wasn't due for another two days, and the safety of the duchy refugees hidden in the western territories wasn't fully secured yet.
'Haa... If only I had just a little more time...'
He could defy the Emperor's command, but that would be tantamount to premature rebellion when nothing was ready—and that meant all his long preparations would crumble.
Suddenly, the office door burst open roughly, and Count Ponsword strode in arrogantly.
Behind him stood the Emperor's eyes—the elite imperial knights—and the count's soldiers, arrayed with a sharp, menacing aura.
"Long time no see, Grand Duke. You must know why I'm here. His Majesty misses the princess terribly."
The count delivered his distasteful greeting with a sleazy grin.
Kasian clenched his fist at the count's attitude, his glove creaking and twisting under the pressure.
"The princess's condition isn't great. Come back in two days, and you can take her then."
"Two days... I wonder if you're aware you're defying His Majesty's orders right now, Grand Duke. Could it be you've taken a liking to that princess?"
As Kasian scowled and glared at him, the count added fuel to the fire, as if provoking his anger.
"Have you peeked under her skirt? Oh dear, His Majesty would be heartbroken to see spoiled goods."
"Count. If you utter one more insulting word from that mouth, I'll rip out your tongue."
Count Ponsword flinched slightly at Kasian's menacing tone but replied in a casual mutter, feigning nonchalance.
"In any case, by His Majesty's command, I'll be taking the princess today."
Kasian had no response to that.
Drawing his sword here would make all his preparations fail in an instant.
But sending Erin away meant he'd never see her again—he was certain of it—so he fell into deep conflict.
Soon, armored soldiers flooded into the annex garden.
The count's soldiers trampled the flowers and shrubs Luhan had lovingly tended with their boots as they advanced on the annex.
Vibrant blossoms were crushed into the mud, and carefully pruned branches snapped off.
The count's soldiers kicked open the annex door and dragged out the resisting Erin.
"Let go of me! What do you think you're doing?!"
The princess struggled, but a frail woman's strength couldn't overcome trained soldiers. She was thrown roughly into the middle of the ruined garden.
Kasian, following behind, froze at the sight. His beloved woman seized by those in power.
His hand trembled toward his sword hilt, but even then, he hesitated.
Once you spill water, you can't gather it back.
Starting now, with preparations incomplete, could only end badly.
He knew that, so he couldn't draw his sword recklessly.
"Which fucking bastards are these?!"
Luhan suddenly appeared, having stepped out briefly to the warehouse outside the castle for new fertilizer.
He dropped the dirt-covered sack from his shoulder to the ground.
"Grand Duke, what the hell are these bastards doing in this annex?"
He shot a sharp glare and snapped at him fiercely.
"That's..."
"Isn't this the place where the person you wanted to protect most is? Why make the princess suffer with all that fake acting if this is what happens?"
Luhan's chilling voice echoed through the garden.
"And worst of all, you just stood by while they wrecked the garden I poured my heart into... I'm truly disappointed!"
"Who the hell is this lunatic? Hey, get rid of him quick."
The count, who had been smug while grabbing the princess, looked irritated by Luhan's sudden entrance.
"Grand Duke, why do you even let trash like this into the castle? The servants here need training too..."
But the count couldn't finish his sentence.
Kasian closed the distance in an instant and pressed a sharp blade to Count Ponsword's throat.
"Wh-what is this, Grand Duke?! Harming me, here on imperial orders—it's blatant treason!"
"Treason... That was always the plan."
Watching Luhan curse the moment he appeared, Kasian realized.
Just do it.
If he let them take the princess from here, it was all over anyway.
Better to spill the water first while there was still a chance.
"What are you waiting for?! Seize this traitor now!"
"If the count's life means anything to you, drop your weapons."
The count's soldiers approaching Kasian hesitated, glancing around uncertainly.
"Ignore this bastard and—argh!!"
The count had thought it was just a bluff, but his eyes clearly saw his left arm severed and hitting the ground.
The count's soldiers sensed the Grand Duke's intent to kill him if they moved a step.
One by one, unable to act, they dropped their weapons.
"Grand Duke, please calm down and let the count..."
"Shut up. I don't negotiate with hostages."
But it wasn't just the count's soldiers here.
There were the elite imperial knights the count had personally borrowed from His Majesty.
"Grand Duke, those words apply to us too. Can't you see whose hands the princess is in?"
Imperial Knight Captain Rupert smirked coldly as he reached for Erin's hair.
"Don't you dare touch her."
Kasian kicked away the one-armed count and charged at Rupert like the wind.
Clang—
The two swords clashed, sparking flames. Rupert countered Kasian's sharp blade with fierce swordsmanship befitting the empire's elite.
"Today, even as His Majesty's brother, this won't slide easily."
"Too bad. You won't live to tell him yourself."
No one in the empire could match Kasian's swordsmanship.
With it, he had swept away the empire's enemies, never once losing a battle.
His attacks, abandoning defense for pure killing intent, gradually disrupted Rupert's guard.
"Ngh..."
Kasian didn't miss it. He deflected Rupert's sword at an angle and kicked his shoulder hard, creating distance.
Then Kasian drew on his mana. His blade shimmered like blue mist.
A strike like a flash of lightning rent Rupert's breastplate. Crimson blood sprayed as the imperial knight captain collapsed pathetically.
The Grand Duke didn't stop there, charging at the remaining knights by Erin's side.
With every swing of his sword through the air, imperial knights' sturdy shields shattered, limbs severed.
Finally, after felling the last knight blocking Erin, Kasian reached out with his bloodied hand, pulling her into an embrace behind his back.
Kasian looked into Erin's trembling eyes.
He could instantly tell she was overlaying the horrific scene from her duchy’s final day with this moment.
"...Sorry. I wanted to show you only the good sides, but here I am showing you this ugliness again."
"No... Even so, I'm in your arms right now, Grand Duke. That's enough."
Erin clutched Kasian's bloodstained armor, exhaling shakily.
As the princess and Grand Duke comforted each other, feeling one another's warmth...
Kasian's gaze caught Luhan grabbing Count Ponsword by the hair and slapping him repeatedly.
The count's nearby soldiers were already flung far beyond the castle walls.
"You fucking bastard. Give me back my garden. Do you know how much I slaved away, awakening my artistic soul?"