Chapter 5

My father tightly clasped both of my hands, his face filled with concern.

“…Yes?”

“Even though it is an imperial command, I think it would be better if I went in your place for this mission.”

“…What?”

“Your older sister can inherit the title.”

My eyes naturally fell to my father’s hands.

Those once-strong hands had become as thin and bony as dry branches. He had aged that much.

“I thought that if you went to war, you and the Grand Duke of Wolverlake would be assigned as commanders.”

In fact, that would have been the normal thing.

High-ranking nobles who graduated first or second from the academy were usually assigned command positions even if they were serving as officers.

“But after hearing His Majesty’s command, I just can’t bring myself to send you.”

The strict father I knew was nowhere to be seen.

All I could see was a warm father who was deeply worried about his daughter.

It wasn’t unreasonable for him to act this way.

The Emperor had given Aiden and me an extremely dangerous imperial command.

We were to find out why the demons had gathered there and whether there was any way to make them withdraw their army.

We were to serve as imperial envoys, meet the Demon King, determine what he wanted, and negotiate a peace treaty.

Apparently, the Emperor believed we could accomplish it by combining the brains and strength of the academy’s top two graduates.

“I have already told them that the Empire will be sending envoys. I said that if they have demands, we will consider them positively, so they only need to wait until the envoys arrive. They have replied that they will do so.”

With that, the Emperor gave us a map showing our route and the names of the people we were supposed to meet.

“No matter what happens, make sure you stop at every place marked on the map, stay there, and meet the designated person.”

According to what he said next, four of those people would provide us with information about the demons as well as the equipment we needed.

Apparently, once we had met all of them, we would have some sort of solution.

In any case, the conclusion was that the two of us were being sent straight into the middle of enemy territory.

It wasn’t an imperial command that guaranteed we would die in one swift blow, but it was one where we could die at any moment.

I screamed inwardly.

Why is everything going in a completely different direction from the original story?!

Did the original story become distorted because of me?

Unlike the original setting, my grades were among the best, and I wasn’t weak enough to be killed in one swift blow.

So there was no incident that would make the Crown Prince finally proclaim the love he had supposedly been hiding.

Maybe if an extra doesn’t follow the predetermined route, the novel’s entire plot begins to lose its logic.

In any case, seeing my normally strict father show such a vulnerable side…

My nose stung with emotion at the depth of his love.

I met my father’s trembling eyes and squeezed his hands tightly.

“No, Father. This is something anyone from House Hedesson should naturally do. This time, it’s my turn.”

Although I had possessed a character in a novel, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that I had lived my entire life as a member of a ducal family.

As such, it was only right that I fulfill my responsibilities and duties.

“Don’t worry. I’ll carry out the imperial command properly and come back safely.”

At the same time, I made a vow to myself.

I will not die in one swift blow.

If Ophla is kidnapped while we’re there, I’ll cooperate with the Demon King without putting up a fight!

Ophla wouldn’t die anyway.

Her ending was marrying the Crown Prince.

My father soon looked resigned.

He probably knew that no matter what he said, there was nothing he could do to stop me.

I had just finished saying goodbye to my father and was about to leave when he suddenly grabbed Aiden and said something unexpected.

“Grand Duke Wolverlake, I know I have no right to ask this of you at this point, but may I entrust my daughter to you?”

I was startled.

Why is Father entrusting me to Aiden?

And what did he mean by “at this point, I know I have no right to ask”?

I could understand why he might feel embarrassed about asking someone to look after his daughter when he couldn’t even guarantee his own safety.

But the phrase “at this point” sounded strangely significant.

Aiden, however, immediately gave a reassuring answer.

“Do not worry, Duke Hedesson. No matter what attack comes our way, I will protect Lady Hedesson’s safety.”

“Thank you for saying that. If my daughter returns safely, I will show you my gratitude accordingly.”

“……”

I wanted to stop him and ask what exactly he was talking about.

But I couldn’t.

My father’s worried expression had eased somewhat.

Aiden and I rode northeast for quite some time before finally arriving at a baron’s residence.

The sun had already set, so this was where we would stay for the night.

Pleasant music was flowing from the mansion.

It seemed there was a social party underway.

“It is an honor to receive you, Your Grace the Grand Duke of Wolverlake, Lady Hedesson.”

The baron greeted us politely before continuing.

“I had been waiting under His Majesty’s orders, but…”

But?

“I sincerely apologize. His Majesty’s command came so suddenly that I was unable to make proper preparations.”

“What do you mean by being unable to make proper preparations?”

At Aiden’s impassive question, the baron forced a smile.

“I was supposed to provide you with a quiet place to stay, but as you can see, we are currently holding a party. I’m afraid this may cause some inconvenience.”

“There will probably be some noise.”

At Aiden’s words, the baron repeatedly wiped his cold sweat with a handkerchief.

“Please remember that His Majesty ordered you to stay here. I will show you to your rooms first.”

His words seemed to carry some hidden meaning, but since he repeatedly emphasized the Emperor’s orders, we quietly followed the baron.

After walking down a long corridor, we reached a brightly lit hall.

Several nobles were enjoying the party inside.

“Since you are staying here anyway, would you care to join the party?”

Aiden looked at me.

His expression was blank, but he was silently asking whether I wanted to attend.

The atmosphere of the party looked pleasant, and the food laid out on the tables looked excellent.

But I was tired from riding all day.

Besides, it didn’t feel right to enjoy a party while heading toward a battlefield.

It would be like a congressman casually going out to play golf while the country was in turmoil because of some major disaster.

“I’d rather just rest.”

At my decision, Aiden gave a small nod.

“I feel the same way, Baron. We will have our meals quietly in our room.”

“Understood. Then, this way, please.”

He led us to a room at the end of the third floor.

The room contained nothing but an antique-style double bed, a wardrobe, and a console.

It was a little disappointing that the room was so small there wasn’t even a sofa, but it was clean and seemed like a good place to rest.

Then the baron said something unbelievable.

“Your Grace the Grand Duke of Wolverlake, and Lady Hedesson. I sincerely apologize, but the two of you will have to share this room.”

I couldn’t believe my ears.

“What? What did you say?”

“I am terribly, terribly sorry.”

The baron broke into another cold sweat at my reaction.

“All the rooms had already been assigned because of the party when His Majesty’s command arrived. So I immediately informed His Majesty of the situation here, but…”

Since an imperial command had been issued, informing the Emperor if the conditions couldn’t be met was the obvious course of action.

But what the baron said next was shocking.

“His Majesty has ordered that the two of you stay at this residence, even if it means sharing a single room.”

“……”

“You will be camping together anyway, so His Majesty thought it would be fine for you to share a room as a way of getting accustomed to it…”

No. Even so, how could he put an unmarried man and woman in the same room?

It was an order that could only have been issued by someone who had lost his mind.

But before I could say anything, Aiden crossed his arms, clearly displeased.

“My, Baron. Do you really think that makes any sense?”

He dislikes this that much…?

For some reason, my pride was a little hurt.

Still, it was encouraging that he clearly didn’t want to share the room either.

The baron looked genuinely troubled as he tried to persuade Aiden.

“I agree with you, but His Majesty’s command is extremely strict. There was even an additional order that we were to report immediately if we failed to obey the imperial command.”

The baron’s answer made me suspicious.

Why would the Emperor do this?

Could he have intended this situation?

Was he trying to test how obedient his envoys would be to an imperial command?

Perhaps that was the case.

Aiden and I weren’t just ordinary people.

We were the first- and second-ranked graduates of the academy, and we were acting as imperial envoys.

With a massive war looming and such an important mission ahead of us, perhaps the Emperor wanted to test our loyalty to the throne.

At that moment, Aiden spoke.

“Hmm. Is His Majesty testing whether we are truly loyal to the imperial authority?”

Apparently, he had come to the same conclusion as I had.

“We have no choice.”

Shaking his head, he spoke to the baron.

“I will follow the imperial command and use the room provided. Please have someone bring us clothes to change into.”

Then he looked at me impassively.

He seemed to be seeking my agreement.

I couldn’t arbitrarily refuse an imperial command either, so I silently nodded once.

“Apparently, Lady Hedesson agrees as well.”

Once he settled the matter, the baron smiled with obvious relief.

“Thank you for your understanding.”

After changing into comfortable clothes, we ate our meal.

Aiden didn’t say much to me during dinner.

The atmosphere was rather awkward, so I secretly studied his expression.

He had smiled briefly when he made that promise to my father earlier, but ever since we departed, he hadn’t looked particularly happy.

Come to think of it, there probably wasn’t anyone who would be happy about being forcibly conscripted.

I remembered the Aiden I had known during our academy days.

He had always been quiet and reserved, but he wasn’t an unpleasant person.

So even though he knew this was unreasonable, even though he couldn’t guarantee either my life or even his own, he had answered the old duke’s earnest request with as much consideration as he could.

It was only natural for him to be tired and uncomfortable after being suddenly summoned in the middle of a journey and sent straight toward a war.

It would be better if I tried not to bother him as much as possible.

With that thought, I quietly focused only on my meal.

When I lowered my eyes to my plate, I felt Aiden’s gaze fall on me.

Wondering if he had something to say, I looked up.

But Aiden was looking at his own plate.

Seeing that, I lowered my gaze back to my food.

Then I felt his gaze on me again from across the table.

I looked up once more, but Aiden was focused entirely on his meal.

“?”

Was it just my imagination that Aiden had been looking at me?

We finished our peaceful meal and returned to our room.

Aiden settled down on one side of the bed first and turned onto his side, facing away from me.

“It is equally uncomfortable for me, but given the circumstances, I think it would be best to focus on getting as much rest as possible.”

His words were perfectly rational, so I couldn’t think of anything to say in response.

So I was about to lie down on the opposite edge of the bed.

“Oh, right. Could you turn off the lamp on the bedside table?”

His voice sounded sleepy, perhaps because he was exhausted, so I turned off the lamp without another word.

Darkness immediately descended upon the room.

But only for a moment.

Moonlight streamed through the window, casting a faint bluish glow over our surroundings.

Lying still, I turned my head and looked at Aiden.

The broad back beside me didn’t move at all.

He must already be asleep.

As I stared at his sleeping back, I suddenly remembered the coming-of-age party we had held at the academy.

I had been very drunk that night, but as I slowly recalled what had happened, I realized that I remembered everything Aiden and I had done very clearly.

This thing… that thing… and that other thing…

That night, emboldened by alcohol, I had followed my desires and spent the entire night indulging in him.

The more I thought about it, the more vividly the memories of that night returned.

Aiden had trapped me between his arms and looked at me with a sensual, intense gaze.

I had felt the firm muscles of his arms beneath my fingertips.

As I quietly watched him while recalling that night, I suddenly swallowed.

I hadn’t even been drinking, yet it felt as though I were becoming intoxicated.

My face grew hot, and my heart began to pound.