Duke, Is This Your First Time? -R15 - Chapter 58

“Yes, I’ve been informed that it’s going to be an open-shoulder style dress in red. As you said, I’ve delivered it to Keetman.”

 

“I see. Thank you.”

 

Iker, who went to the office desk and sat down, quietly recited the dress information which was delivered by Nocturne to him.

 

A red-colored open-shoulder dress.

 

‘It would look good on Ellie.’

 

Madame Karen was going to dress up Elysia so that she would look the most beautiful woman of the day.

 

The color reflected strength for someone who’s already strong enough.

 

His loosened lips upon imagining Elysia would stand out the most at the birthday party, and twisted when he remembered Dustin, who had come to confront the emperor earlier.

 

He didn’t like how the prince, who relied on the power of Duke Russet, called Elly with her nickname as he pleased.

 

It was obvious why he wanted Elysia to become his partner at the birthday party even without looking for the reason.

 

He would have tried to emphasize that he had a special relationship with her and used the glamor to turn people’s attention from Rashian to him.

 

That’s why Iker and the emperor took advantage of the fact that Elysia was Rashian’s shooting teacher and the debt that the emperor and Elly had created so that she could not refuse to be Rashian’s partner.

 

Luckily, they succeeded, but he couldn’t let his guard down yet.

 

Dustin would try to get her by any means.

 

He would not stay still because his pride has been completely hurt today. Duke Russet could move Veramus soon. They need to hurry up and find out about the leader of Helios group.

 

Unlike Veramus, who does anything for money, Helios didn’t go beyond the norm.

 

Nevertheless, the leader’s ability was excellent because the group grew so fast.

 

Iker was thinking of meeting Helios’ leader.

 

There was a limitation which was to bind Veramus’ power only with the Investigation Bureau. However, it would have been possible if they cooperated with Helios, the opposite force of Veramus.

 

‘I’ll hold hands if it’s necessary. If that means I could keep Elysia safe.’

 

His thoughtful gaze turned to Nocturne, who was organizing the documents.

 

As the former aide retired due to family reasons, he had to hire a new aide.

 

The former aide presented him with a recommendation list of talented people to replace the previous aide before leaving per his request.

 

Some of them could be hired immediately, meanwhile others had to be scouted. Nocturne was the latter.

 

At first, Iker tried to exclude Nocturne from the list.

 

Although his better resume than other candidates caught his eye, it was because Nocturne was a foreigner.

 

He would also need a lot of work that he had to work out in a lot of things, such as languages matter and immigration procedures.

 

After deciding that it wasn’t enough to bring him along, he changed his mind again because of the name of someone he saw in Nocturne’s details.

 

In order to prevent spies from entering, he would always check details about someone that would possibly go into his personal life when hiring them.

 

However, there was a very familiar name written on the detail sheet.

 

[Dated a girl for two years during his time in the academy. Lulien Spencer, her ancestry is from the Empire. It was confirmed that the woman broke up with him when she had to return to the Empire.]

 

If his eyes weren’t mistaken, that was the name of Elysia’s aide. And when he confirmed that Elysia’s aide had studied at the Euvelos Academy, he was certain they were the same person.

 

Iker headed to the Cheville Kingdom to meet Nocturne that day.

 

It wasn’t difficult because the magic portal installed in the imperial capital could directly take him to the capital city of Cheville Kingdom.

 

Nocturne, whom he met face-to-face, knew how to speak the imperial language fluently and had a strong hope to go to the empire.

 

When he asked for the reason, Nocturne replied.

 

[There’s someone I want to get back to. If she can’t leave, wouldn’t it be right for me to go to her?]

 

Iker liked the firm will coming from the man he faced. As a man who is in love, he understood how this man felt.

 

Therefore on that day, Iker decided to hire Nocturne right away with several ulterior motives.

 

He still has no regrets about the decision he took on that day. Nocturne was a very capable aide for him.

 

‘I hope we both achieve what we want.’

 

A faint but gentle smile lingered on his mouth before he turned away from Nocturne to the papers.

 

***

 

Rashian’s birthday banquet is just a day away.

 

Unlike the nobles who were excited for the upcoming imperial banquet which was finally held after a long time, Elysia’s face was gloomy as she was selected as Rashian’s partner.

 

“It won’t hurt if I suddenly die tomorrow, right?”

 

When Elysia muttered it while laying helplessly on the sofa, Har and Lulien, who were talking to each other, turned their gaze at the same time.

 

“Yes.”

 

“It’s impossible, so stop being helpless and get up.”

 

Elysia slowly got up while pouting at the harsh answer of her two friends who turned around right away.

 

Lulien, who caught a glimpse of her droopy eyes and gloomily downturned lips, gave a consolation remark.

 

“I saw your dress in a plastic bag earlier, it looked gorgeous and wonderful, don’t you think so? The design is also unique. I’m not exaggerating at all when I say it’s a masterpiece of Madame Keren.”

 

However, it was not a comforting word for Elysia.

 

“Right. It’s fancy and cool. The problem is because it’s fancy and wonderful. Why does Madame Karen make such a masterpiece at times like this? I’d stand out.”

 

Elysia murmured gloomily with her face covered by her hands, and Har turned his head as if he had no way to stop her being like that.

 

Lulien was the same, but she never forgot to give advice before she turned around.

 

“It’s a banquet that you have to attend anyway. Just enjoy it.”

 

“You can enjoy it if you can. Can you enjoy it when you see something like thin ice? If I take a wrong step, I will be dragged directly into the cold ice water.”

 

“Then, at least you should pretend to enjoy it. You’ll do well when you go there, but you’re exaggerating it.”

 

“I’m not exaggerating! Why is my body really strong……”

 

“May I come in, My Lady?”

 

Elysia, who was grumbling like a child, quickly raised her head and changed her posture when she heard the butler’s voice along with a knock on the door.

 

“Come on in.”

 

Lulien and Har grinned at Elysia, who was holding her weight as if she had never complained.

 

After a while, the butler opened the door and came in. He held a letter envelope in his white gloved covered hands.

 

“What is that?”

 

When Elysia asked, the butler approached her and politely held out the envelope in his hand.

 

“A boy came and delivered this to me. He said it must be delivered to My Lady. He also asked me to say that My Lady would know the sender just by looking at the wax seal on the envelope.”

 

“Looking at the wax seal?”

 

Elysia’s expression turned strange after she received the envelope and flipped it over to check the wax seal.

 

After observing the seal for a moment, she looked up to stare at the butler.

 

“Thank you for bringing this.”

 

“Yes, then I’ll take my leave.”

 

It wasn’t until the butler left and Elysia heard the door closed that she lifted her hand and broke the seal on the envelope.

 

Opening the envelope and taking out the letter, she slowly read the contents. Elysia’s strange expression didn’t take long to change into a surprised one.

 

And there was no way Lulien missed such a change in his friend’s face.

 

“Where did you come from?”

 

She asked wonderingly but didn’t get an answer.

 

Lulien’s eyes narrowed slightly at the sight of Elysia who stared down blankly at the letter.

 

Har was also staring at Elysia as if he sensed something strange.

 

“Elly?”

 

When Luriane called again, Elysia looked up at her in surprise.

 

“Where is it from?”

 

“Oh, it’s from His Excellency……”

 

“His Excellency Duke of Damos?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“But?”

 

“It’s……”

 

Elysia’s dark purple eyes turned away in embarrassment as she closed her mouth while trying to speak.

 

As Lulien and Har were looking at each other wondering what it was about, Elysia read the letter in hesitation again and spoke up.

 

“I want to meet you for a moment this evening. There’s something I have to know. He’s going to come here.”

 

“What?”

 

Lurien and Har’s faces also showed a look of surprise.

 

“Give me that.”

 

“Here.”

 

Lulien, who received the letter from Elysia, read the contents quickly yet meticulously. She was quiet and lost in thoughts.

 

According to what this letter says, and given that today is the day before the banquet……

 

Lulien, who noticed the purpose of Iker’s visit, laughed inwardly.

 

The Duke of Damos seemed to be much more romantic than she originally thought. Otherwise, there was no way he would be like this.

 

Lulien raised her head, and she could still see Elysia waiting for her response with a confused look on her face.

 

Their eyes met and she immediately asked.

 

“Do you know the reason for His Excellency’s visit?”

 

After thinking about what to do for a moment, Lulien decided to put up an act. Even so, she had faith in His Excellency, so she shouldn’t light out the candle.

 

Therefore, she returned the letter to Elysia and shrugged.

 

“Well, I don’t know. How do I know your thoughts? You have to  personally meet His Excellency.”

 

“Oh, what if he comes all of a sudden? The bedroom must be a mess, too. Marie!”

 

Elysia, who stood up, hurriedly left the office and called her lady-in-waiting whilst clutching the letter in her hand.

 

Lulien smirked at the back of her rushing away figure.

 

If she doesn’t want him to visit, she can just tell him not to come.

 

However, seeing her act that way without thinking at all, she didn’t seem to despise the Duke of Damos.

 

‘I don’t even know if she’d moved on.’

 

Hoping that her best friend’s love affair would turn out well, Lulien turned her eyes to the papers again.

 

***

 

“What brings him here? Lulien said it was fine, so we’re going to meet now.”

 

Elysia, who was sitting on the edge of the bed, glanced at the open window.

 

She left it open because the letter said he would visit in the same way as last time.

 

“Does it have anything to do with tomorrow’s banquet?”

 

She thought it might be because today was the day before the banquet, but she suddenly came to a realization that she felt something different from usual.

 

She felt excited and her heart felt like it was beating a little faster than usual. As if she was expecting Iker’s visit.

 

“I must be crazy. What do I expect?”

 

Frustrated, Elysia tried to hit her head on the bed out of habit.

 

However, there was a warm palm where her forehead was supposed to hit the cool bed.

 

When she hurriedly looked up in surprise, Iker’s sculptured face filled her sight. His golden eyes bent and shone gently.