Chapter 172

“The Grand Duke, I do prefer homes with plenty of sunlight. They said this house faces south, but why does it feel gloomier than the north? ”
“That’s right,” 

Raygrain replied, turning his head to survey the surroundings. The Netri servants exchanged anxious glances.

The room where Scheuer had stayed before leaving the Netri estate was preserved as if time had stopped just before her departure. Aside from the most basic cleaning, it had the emptiness and aged feeling of a room that hadn’t been lived in for a while. In fact, it seemed that the servants had hurriedly cleaned after seeing Scheuer opening guest rooms, windows, and even the kitchen and storeroom doors.

Scheuer casually pulled the curtains open herself. The intense southern sunlight poured into the room. Though the sudden brightness made her eyes momentarily go blind, she resolutely opened every curtain in the room. Then, dramatically, she coughed.

“Cough, cough, ugh, the dust, the dust! ”

“Your Highness, are you all right? ”

“In the North, the high pressure kept the air clear… cough! ”

The maids following her looked flustered, unsure of what to do. Raygrain, familiar with her behavior, smoothly caught Scheuer as she swayed.

“Are you okay? ”

“Your Grace, I don’t think this place has good energy. Look at that.”

“The Grand Duke, I do prefer homes with plenty of sunlight. They said this house faces south, but why does it feel gloomier than the north? ”

“That’s right,” 

Raygrain replied, turning his head to survey the surroundings. The Netri servants exchanged anxious glances.

Scheuer pointed her delicate hand toward the sunlight streaming in through the open window, where specks of dust floated visibly in the air. The servants’ faces filled with frustration. No matter how much they cleaned, they couldn’t perfectly eliminate something so hard to see, and now they were being criticized for dust caught in sunlight.

Zeros following behind, dramatically called out, 

“Her Grace, ever since you entered the estate, your complexion seems unusually poor! ”

Though her appearance hadn’t changed much, the servants, unfamiliar with the details, could only bow their heads. They remembered Scheuer as someone who often sat indoors arranging flowers, not particularly strong or healthy. Though she sometimes regained her energy, she had generally been unwell.

If her health truly declined due to their negligence, they would be the ones punished. Sensing the tension, Scheuer raised her finger and rubbed the window frame.

‘Huh, it’s clean? ’

Unable to find fault, she changed her target. Swaying in Raygrain’s arms, she wiped the bookshelf and the gap between the wall and shelves, showing it in the sunlight.

“How could they maintain the estate like this when someone from the North is visiting? Are they trying to kill me? ”

At her words, Raygrain’s cold gaze swept over the servants, making them jump in fear.

“No, Her Grace! Absolutely not! ”

But Scheuer simply continued to cough dramatically while the maids rushed around, opening windows to air out rooms. The entire household, from the maids to the housekeepers, was frantically cleaning rooms Scheuer hadn’t yet entered.

When windows are open, security naturally becomes lax. The number of knights guarding them increased as well.

‘It seems Duke Netri has ordered them to keep an eye on us,’ Scheuer thought, covering her mouth with her hand and surveying the area. She could feel the growing presence of knights observing her and Raygrain closely.

Raygrain seemed to sense the situation as well, responding only with a slight nod of his head. Their plan to draw attention in this direction was working, so now it was up to Jess to handle the rest.

Scheuer picked up a common, empty vase from the hallway and started making a fuss.

“Hm, it feels like this pattern is glaring at me. I suddenly feel like my energy is being drained. If I had to guess, I think this vase is the reason Erina lost her powers recently.”

Just as she was about to hand it to a maid to get rid of, a familiar voice came from behind.

“That’s the vase Her Grace arranged flowers in last time.”

Lifting her head from Raygrain’s arms, Scheuer saw Erina standing there, her face tense. Erina was dressed in her knight commander uniform, as if to formally welcome a guest.

She strode in with determined steps and stiffly asked,

“Did you lose your way? ”

It was a pointed remark, clearly referencing Scheuer’s deliberate avoidance of the reception room.

Feigning ignorance, Scheuer replied,

“Well, no one came to greet me, so I thought I was free to explore as I pleased, like it was my own home.”

“If you really wish to see the estate, I can show you around.” 

Erina said, forcing a smile as she gestured toward the direction she wanted Scheuer to go.

By coming out to meet them herself, Erina had conceded in her own way. The clenched fist at her side revealed just how much she was holding back.

***

“This has been quite a while, hasn’t it, from the North to the South? ”

Despite Duke Netri’s sly question, Raygrain responded bluntly.

Despite the Duke of Netri’s sly question, Raygrain responded bluntly.

“I see you’ve been quite busy lately, Duke.”

“Not as busy as someone who’s just had their wedding, I’m sure.”

“Attending banquets, holding meetings here and there, discovering ancient tablets.”

At the mention of the tablets, the Duke’s smile deepened. 
He chuckled slyly and said, 

“That was pure coincidence, wasn’t it? Surely it was the will of the god Lapel, guiding everything as fate intended.”

“Fate, you say…He was openly suggesting that Scheuer and Raygrain’s marriage had displeased the god Rafel.

Erina’s sharp gaze briefly passed over Scheuer and landed on someone behind her—Lord Zero. 
In the tense atmosphere of the drawing room, Erina asked quietly,

“Isn’t Lord Zero under royal service? Why are you here with the Grand Duke?”

“Since His Majesty couldn’t attend this meeting in person, I’m here on his behalf,” Zero responded smoothly.

“Indeed, the North and South have never gotten along well. I understand His Majesty’s concerns about potential conflicts, but isn’t this time different? ”

His insincere gaze turned toward Scheuer.

“My daughter requested reconciliation, and as a father, I must accept, right, Scheuer?”

Erina visibly clenched her teeth at his soft tone.

“Your steward welcomed us. Thank you for that, Duke of Netri.”

With her pointed comment about his failure to greet them in person, the Duke quickly retorted,

“That’s just because we’re all family here. And family should feel comfortable, right?”

“Oh, that’s a relief. I’ve been meaning to ask you something, Duke.”

Scheuer’s quick response made the Duke lean back into his sofa, adopting a casual, dominant posture that no one dared to challenge. He smirked inwardly.
So, she thought she’d been slighted because I didn’t personally greet her, and now she’s throwing a fit.’

He nodded, as if to say, 

“Go on, ask away.”

Scheuer cautiously began. 

“It’s about the recent discovery of the tablets.”

While Erina grew tense, the Duke remained relaxed.

Raygrain picked up from where Scheuer left off. 

“Is it true the tablets were found on your estate?”

“That’s correct.”

“And you claim you just happened to stumble upon them?”

“Not stumbled upon exactly… But I’ve already reported everything to the temple. You’d get quicker answers from them, wouldn’t you?”

The Duke’s brow furrowed in irritation as he instinctively began to defend himself.

“Are you accusing me of something?”

The Duke of Netri straightened up, knowing full well what they were implying. Raygrain, unfazed, glanced up at the ceiling for a moment. A faint clattering sound could be heard. 
As Raygrain looked, the Duke’s gaze naturally followed to the empty ceiling above. Moments later, a commotion echoed down the hall. 
A knock, sharp and urgent, followed by a trembling voice.

“Apologies, Duke, but—”

“Later! I’m in the middle of a conversation with our guests!” 

The Duke snapped, irritated. But the door clicked open anyway. 
The steward hurried to the Duke’s side, not even taking the time to bow before whispering something in his ear.

At that moment, Raygrain produced a fragment of the tablet from his coat. The once vibrant threads of silver that bound it had faded and disappeared. 
Scheuer pulled a fresh sprig of Crown Flower from her pouch.

“I have a question for you, Duke.” 

She said as the flower in her hand bloomed, vibrant with power.

Scheuer smiled sweetly as she continued,

“What do you think the power of this flower is?”

“Smile Love”