The Duke’s Daughter Trained a Wild Beast (Web Novel) - Chapter 11

Fortunately, we were able to reach the Imperial Palace before dark.

 

Black, who had been carrying us, soon landed gracefully in the middle of the garden, and both Ed and I landed accordingly.

 

And the moment I finally saw the palace up close,

 

“Wow……”

 

I couldn’t help but be amazed.

 

Though it wasn’t a wonderful admiration.

 

‘This palace is very…… It’s like I’m seeing a villain as itself. Did Ed decorate this himself?’

 

His spirit was black, the robe he wears was also black.

 

Even that was not enough, the exterior of the palace where he was staying was decorated in black and gold.

 

‘You actually know you’re a villain, don’t you?’

 

If he doesn’t know that he’s a villain, yet was still able to act one, perhaps he is a natural (?)

 

It was evident that he was special.

 

Should I call this a talent?

 

I was so startled because Ed suddenly asked a question.

 

“Do you like it?”

“Yes! It’s really cool!”

 

Since I can’t tell my heart, so I just put on a smile that has been trained in the service industry.

 

He also had a bright smile on his face.

 

Maybe we’re just giving each other a business smile?

 

……It was such a time when I was thinking useless thoughts.

 

When we came out, the servants working in Ed’s palace bowed their heads towards us.

 

“You’re here, my lord.”

 

I looked around them and sighed.

 

‘I guess Hannah hasn’t arrived yet.’

 

There was no Hannah among them.

 

Although she set off earlier, it seemed difficult to arrive faster than me, who flew through the sky.

 

Without a moment to be drenched in disappointment, this time, a man in a tailcoat came over and greeted him.

 

“Your Highness, did you have a safe trip?”

 

Judging from his attire and attitude, he looked like a butler.

 

And as Ed’s butler, he also had the impression of a villain, thanks it I could roughly guess his identity.

 

‘A black-haired man with sharp eyes…… Is this person Kylian?’

 

Kylian appeared in the original work as Ed’s left hand and under the role of a strategist.

 

Thinking back, he was often described as a ‘black-haired man with sharp eyes’.

 

If so, it was more likely that he was the said Kylian.

 

After hearing Ed’s words, I immediately knew that my suspicion was right.

 

“Kylian. This is the fiancé I was talking about. Lena, say hello.”

“Nice to meet you, Lena. I’m Kylian……I am serving His Highness as his assistant.”

 

Kylian bowed politely towards me and then straightened it out and opened his mouth again.

 

“I heard about the engagement. You are to be a princess, so I will take care of you without any shortage in the future.”

 

It felt strange for a moment that he had already heard of the engagement, but the Kylian in front of me is much more interesting than that fact.

 

 

‘After all, this man was Kylian.’

 

He was a man of many talents.

 

So, instead of looking like a cow and a chicken like in the original, it would have been better to get acquainted with him in advance.

 

Fortunately, I knew how to easily buy him.

 

“It’s my first time seeing you, Kylian. I wish you well too, and……”

 

I finally brought out a secret weapon that would capture his heart at once.

 

“It’s a really nice tie.”

“……!!”

 

His body staggered as soon as I praised his tie.

 

And this was the secret weapon that stole his heart.

 

He’s into fashion…… Among them, he’s a ‘tie maniac’, who were very obsessed with ties, so even giving a small compliment would bring him down like this.

 

“Do you recognize the beauty of this tie…… Well, you’re a person with a very good sense.”

“It was nothing.”

“I already feel like I want to serve you with all my soul. So please, feel comfortable speaking to all the servants here, including myself.”

“If it’s fine… then, should I?”

“Of course. You are the one who will marry His Highness, so it should be like that.”

“Okay, Kylian. I’ll do that then.”

 

As expected, the weakness for the tie compliment was great.

 

Within five minutes of meeting him, he was already sending me a kind look.

 

While Kylian and I were looking at each other closely (?), Ed intervened.

 

“Okay, that’s enough for greetings…… Kylian, are you preparing for dinner?”

“Of course, we are preparing the best dinner as you ordered.”

“Great. Then go ahead and focus on preparing the dinner. I will guide Lena to the palace”

“Yes, my lord.”

 

Kylian nodded his head and disappeared to obey Ed’s order.

 

Having sent all the other servants back, Ed led me to the main gate of the palace.

 

In the meantime, I asked Ed.

 

“Did you tell them to prepare dinner?”

“Yeah, of course. I have to treat you well.”

“But… how? It was just yesterday that we decided to come together. How come you get engaged to me and deliver it to Kylian a day before we arrive together?”

 

Of course, if the letter is delivered through a fast-moving spirit, it can be delivered in one day.

 

But Ed’s spirit took us all the way here, so he didn’t have time for that.

 

In other words, there was no way for him to send a letter to the Imperial palace within a day.

 

‘It would be impossible unless you used magic to communicate? Has he already learned that level of magic? Otherwise……’

 

I bit my lip tight as I remembered the ominous thought.

 

‘Do you already have other minions who use magic? For example, Isis……’

 

Isis, just thinking about that evil name brought goosebumps to her shoulders.

 

Kylian also has powers, but he only used it on Ed, so it’s not that dangerous.

 

However, Isis was different.

 

‘That woman…… No, should I say that man? Anyway, is a very dangerous person. It would be difficult if he’s already stuck next to Ed.’

 

It’s easy to keep him and Ed from meeting each other for the first time.

 

However, it would take more than twice of the strength to drop if they had already met.

 

With a serious expression on his face, Ed explained.

 

“When I was in the Duke’s Castle, Kylian sent me a letter through his spirit.”

“Kylian?”

“Yes. He asked me when I was coming, so I responded that I would arrive today with you… That’s when I gave the instruction to prepare your dinner.”

“I see……”

 

It didn’t seem like they were communicating by magic.

 

Or Ed is lying to me.

 

“……”

 

I looked at Ed with suspicion for a moment, then gave up.

 

‘I’m tired because I worry too much. I’m sure it’ll be okay. Earlier, there were no servants who looked like Isis.’

 

When I made that decision and relaxed my expression, Ed too followed suit and put a smile on his face.

 

“Are your questions cleared up now? Can I go on?”

“Yes, I’m sorry for taking the time. Please guide me.”

 

After calming my startled heart, the splendid interior of the palace caught my eye.

 

In the cold northern part of the castle, the atmosphere was really different.

 

Everything felt fresher, more colorful, and more sophisticated.

 

As I walked with admiration, I found myself in front of the bedroom on the second floor.

 

Ed opened the door and led me inside.

 

“You will stay here. Come in and have a look.”

 

As soon as I heard his words and entered my private bedroom, admiration flowed out.

 

“Wow……”

 

Unlike before, this admiration was pure admiration that flowed out because it was really cool.

 

‘Aren’t you perfectly hitting a girl’s preference?’

 

Of course, the outside of the palace felt a bit like a villain’s den, but fortunately, my room wasn’t.

 

Thanks to it, my voice was raised without realizing it.

 

“It’s a really warm and pretty room. Especially the curtains…… When I was living in the North, I could never dream of such as transparent lace curtain. Because if there weren’t thick woolen curtains, it would be very cold at night.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, that’s why when I saw a curtain with lace like this, I really… I really like it.”

 

I stared blankly at the rustling curtains as if beckoning to come closer, then she headed towards the window.

 

Standing there, I could see the garden dyed with the sunset at a glance.

 

‘Beautiful……’

 

Everything was beautifully red in the sunset light.

 

Red lawn, red garden stone, red fountain…… and a person with fluttering red hair.

 

“……?!”

 

The moment I made eye contact with the one with waving red hair, I backed away.

 

The hair all over her body stood up.

 

It’s as if she had seen something she shouldn’t have.

 

‘Just now… no way?’

 

I prayed that what I saw was not ‘it’, and I looked in the same direction again.

 

When I looked again, there was nothing there.

 

“Lena? What’s the matter?’

“A little bit… chilly. And I kept getting motion sickness on the way… My body condition must be really bad.”

“Really? Then you better take a break. There is still a lot of time before the dinner is ready.”

 

He supported me to the bed, rang the bell and called the nearby maids.

 

“Bring Lena comfortable clothes to wear and water to wash.”

“Yes, my lord.”

 

The maids were busily moving to get water and clothes.

 

Meanwhile, my body didn’t stop shaking.

 

‘Earlier…… I must have misunderstood because I was tired……?’

 

The image of him, that she had seen at first glance, kept flashing in her mind.

 

It was as blurry like a stain of oil on a carpet, but it was hardly erased from my memory.

 

“Lena, are you really okay? If it’s too hard, you can cancel the dinner.”

 

It was only when I heard Ed’s voice that I woke up.

 

I immediately shook my head.

 

“No. Kylian and the other servants worked hard to prepare it, I don’t want to ignore their sincerity. And above all……”

“……?”

“In order not to cause trouble to Your Highness, I have to take on the role of a princess as soon as possible. To do that, I have to attend today’s meeting, understand the atmosphere, and familiarize myself with the faces of the servants to some extent.”

 

I thought he would be happy if I showed my enthusiasm.

 

But he seemed surprised rather than delighted.

 

He just stared at me with his eyes slightly wider than usual, and after a while he opened his mouth.

“…… Do you think I’m going to force an unreasonable schedule on you, who is sick, just to be comfortable with me? If you’re really tired, it’s okay to take a break. It’s okay to adapt, but take it easy.”

 

He grabbed my wrist and held it softly.

 

It was a very warm touch.

 

Even though I know it was all acting, my heart was shaken for a moment.

 

Instantly, I made up my mind to be shaken.

 

‘Lie…… If it is deemed useless and only disturbing, you would immediately throw away your fiancé or anything else.’

 

No matter how gentle he treats me, I can’t let my guard down.

 

Because I know how cold the real expression hidden under that mask of his.

 

“I’m grateful for your kindness. But it’s okay. I just want to rest a little for now.”

 

She looked at him with eyes that he couldn’t understand what it meant, and then he sighed.

 

“……Okay. Then take a good rest and come down on time.”

“Yes, see you later.”

 

Shortly after he gave up his persuasion and left, the maids brought clothes and water.

 

I washed my body, changed into comfortable clothes, and my eyes naturally closed.

 

‘If you rest, everything will be fine.’

 

I suffered so much on the way, it was worth seeing in vain.

 

So I think that if I recover my stamina while sleeping. I’ll be fine, and I buried myself in the cozy bed.

 

* * *

 

By the time Ed arrived in his bedroom, the gentle smile on his face had already vanished.

 

Only a dry and cold look like a desert night remained in its place.

 

He had a lot to think about, and as soon as he entered the bedroom, the servants silently left.

 

Then he thought to himself as he took off his dusty clothes.

 

‘Why did you look at me like that?’