I hesitantly lowered my opera glasses, wondering if the harsh voice I just heard was because of me. Right, I had to maintain my dignity as a count. But what would they think if they saw me getting excited over men taking off their shirts? Oh my, who is that handsome man?
I lifted the opera glasses again and observed the training ground. A satisfied smile spread across my face.
I could now understand why the women here secretly admired the knights as if they were idols from a past life.
Just then, a man dressed in an ill-fitting black suit entered the training grounds.
It was Rail. Today, I had planned to visit the knights with Edmund for a request, so he must have come to inform them of our visit.
As a man with the same navy-blue hair as Rail began giving orders to the knights, they immediately stopped training and hurriedly picked up their clothes to put them back on.
Thanks to that, I had a chance to carefully observe the knights while they were still.
There were knights with massive builds and those who seemed smaller in comparison. Some had broad chests but narrow hips, while others had wide shoulders but thin necks.
‘Custom-made accessories would be too troublesome. I should design them with adjustable chains or leather straps.’
As I sorted through my thoughts, I heard a deep sigh beside me.
“Do you really need to inspect them in person? Some of them have had rough lives.”
“I’ll leave the measurements to a professional, so don’t worry.”
“If you wish, I can gather the knights’ measurements for you.”
“That won’t spark any ideas. I need to collect opinions and get inspiration from meeting them directly. Right now, I’m more focused on being a designer than a count.”
“What if the knights refuse?”
“Then I’ll go out myself and find knights to survey for market research.”
There was no response.
Feeling a little guilty about my behavior earlier, I quickly made an excuse.
“I’ll say this again, but it’s a misunderstanding if my gaze seemed indecent.”
“For a misunderstanding, your pupils sure dilated when you saw that handsome guy just now.”
“…Ahem, you have sharp eyesight. It was just instinct; I looked because he was good-looking. Please understand.”
Still, no response.
Feeling awkward, I stole a glance at him. He had his hands behind his back, looking displeased. No, rather than displeased, his expression was strangely… like a hurt kitten.
“…What’s wrong?”
He stared at me for a long moment before finally speaking.
“So, do you like all handsome men?”
His sulky tone caught me off guard.
“Huh?”
“You once told me I was handsome.”
“…”
“You even said I was more handsome than an opera singer. But now, why…”
Edmund slightly parted his lips as if to continue but swallowed the rest of his words. He furrowed his straight eyebrows and turned his head sharply. Even when he had his shirt unbuttoned, I hadn’t paid attention… yet now…
I heard him mutter in a sulky voice.
“…”
Feeling dazed, I lowered my opera glasses to my chin and stared blankly at him. It was the perfect setup for a misunderstanding—as if he were jealous.
But if I pointed that out, I felt like he’d react even more strongly, so I carefully reworded my question.
“So, are you saying you don’t like me calling other knights handsome?”
“…”
His golden eyes widened slightly and wavered.
‘No way. Seriously?’
I quickly covered the lower half of my face with the opera glasses to hide my twitching lips.
‘No, I must not laugh. If I laugh, he’ll really get mad.’
Damn it, he caught my trembling lips. Cursing under his breath, he rubbed his face roughly, his ears turning red as he took a deep breath.
If I hadn’t been biting my lip, I would have burst out laughing.
‘He’s completely used to my flattery and compliments, like a spoiled little lamb.’
Come to think of it, this was partially my fault.
Clearing my throat to suppress my laughter, I spoke up.
“There may be some handsome knights in your order, but I’ve never seen anyone as dazzling as you.”
Even if someone likes multiple idols, they always have a favorite. It’s the same thing.
Despite my reassurance, he still had his face buried in his hands. He didn’t seem pleased with my playful tone.
“Don’t tease me.”
“I’m serious.”
I had been speechless more than once because of the change in his demeanor lately. But now that he was back to normal, my playful side returned, and I twirled a strand of my hair smugly.
“But if you react like this, I won’t be able to compliment other men anymore. What should I do? It’s my fault, isn’t it?”
I rolled my eyes dramatically before checking his reaction again. Edmund was now staring at me with an entirely different expression from before.
Just as I was about to laugh it off like usual, the heated air surrounding him stopped me.
The previously relaxed and peaceful atmosphere turned tense.
With the sunlight behind him, he slowly opened and closed his eyes.
“If it’s your fault, will you take responsibility?”
Thrown off by the sudden shift, I hesitated.
“If it’s something I can take responsibility for…?”
“In any way?”
“…That’s too vague. It’s kind of scary. Do you need a favor or something?”
I was trying to figure out if his strange question was leading up to a request.
There was a subtle sensual undertone to his words.
Considering his lack of awareness about romantic feelings, it seemed unlikely he was doing it on purpose. Yet, this wasn’t the first time. When he returned to the capital, he had made a similar remark—warning me not to be so defenseless around him.
As if he had feelings for me.
Back then, I dismissed it as nothing because of Lilien. I convinced myself he said it absentmindedly, that he couldn’t possibly have such feelings for his sister’s friend.
‘Am I misunderstanding again?’
“…”
Edmund’s eyes burned like fire as he stared at me. Avoiding his gaze, I spoke softly.
“If you need anything, just tell me. If it’s you, I’d do anything.”
My voice trembled slightly as I said it.
Edmund had helped me with my divorce, sworn to protect me with his life, shielded me in a cave, and even supported my business. There was nothing I wouldn’t do for him.
But something about my offer seemed to bother him.
His expression darkened, and he frowned.
“You shouldn’t say things like that carelessly.”
In an instant, he moved closer—both quick and deliberate—trapping me between himself and the terrace railing, like a predator cornering its prey.
When my back hit the railing, he looked down at me with scorching eyes and murmured in a low, restrained voice.
“How do you know what I’m about to ask?”
His dangerous words sent a jolt through my heart.
I was left speechless, unable to even ask what exactly he wanted.
Because if I said it aloud, I had a feeling there would be no turning back.
For a moment, I wanted to ask what he was going to request from me, but I couldn’t open my mouth.
It felt like if I said it out loud, everything would go in a direction that I couldn’t take back.
At that moment, I heard Rail’s voice from the hallway. The loud noise, as if he was arguing with someone through the communicator, made Edmund’s straight eyebrows twitch. His cold eyes, sharp and fierce, turned toward the hallway.
I gently pushed his stiff shoulder and slipped away through the gap.
“Ah, it sounds like Rail is here. Maybe he’s taking the knights somewhere. Let’s go quickly. We need to get their permission and start the work right away.”
I spoke quickly in my panic and left the terrace like I was running away. I tried to ignore the loud thumping of my heart echoing in my ears.
About fifty knights who had arrived the day before at the Mipedian duke’s residence in the capital had just finished their morning training. They were the ones who had passed a very competitive selection to come to the capital.
The knights were excited after hearing that their lord, Edmund Mipedian, would soon come to the training ground.
They were all staring at the entrance of the training field with shining eyes. Among them were commoners—mercenaries or farmers—who had joined subjugation battles because of financial struggles. Their skills weren’t outstanding, but thanks to the duke’s grace, they were able to return to the capital and live as knights.
Though such a mixed group usually had trouble getting along, those who had shared life and death during subjugation battles respected each other. Even the noble-born knights who guarded the duke’s estate acknowledged and respected them, so the atmosphere in the knight order was generally good.
It was all thanks to the unifying presence of the Duke of Mipedian, whom everyone deeply respected.
Standing at the front of the line, Tale scratched his head. The knights were giving him looks, signaling for him to go because their master still hadn’t arrived.
‘Why hasn’t Rail come back? He said he’d bring the master soon.’
His whole body was sticky with sweat after the training. He wanted to shower as soon as possible, but Rail, who had promised to return soon, was nowhere to be seen.
Clicking his tongue, Tale couldn’t stand the heat or the stares from the knights anymore, and he finally headed toward the main mansion to find Rail.
