CH 3

love or deception (2)

Translated by Wook

Edited by Wook

“Your Excellency, you can eat alone today as well.”

At the words of Heins, the butler of Duke Khajans, the servants busily cleaned up the tableware on the opposite side.

[T/N: Changed the butler’s name from Hines to Heins.]

There was no unpleasant fricative noise even when they were handling sensitive craft bowls.

Davan, who had been looking down at the documents as usual, lifted his head.

The blue eyes that contrasted with the black hair were relentlessly cold.

“If you don’t like the tea, shall I prepare something else for you?”

Heins noticed the unpleasant feeling exuded by his master at once.

In fact, Davan Khajans was not a master who was difficult to serve.

In most cases, he did not unnecessarily nitpick or make difficult demands.

However, once he was unhappy, the other party had to be prepared for the end in some way.

Even though he was only at the age of only a little after adulthood, it was enough to make those serpent-like elder aristocrats kneel down on their knees and swear the oath of allegiance.

“Or would you like a change of menu?”

Heins, who knew the master’s personality better than anyone else, had been wary.

“It’s been about a week, hasn’t it?”

Davan put down the tea cup and asked.

His voice was without the slightest warmth.

“Pardon? Yes. It’s been exactly a week today.”

Despite the sudden question, Heins replied promptly. It was a question about when Leah had not been seen.

“There wasn’t much news. Meals are served every time, but only tea, scones, and biscuits. She didn’t even finish it.”

Davan tapped the table with his fingers.

“Is she going to try another protest?”

His bitter eyes narrowed slightly. He already knew Leah’s tricks.

If she’s dissatisfied, she’d run to the emperor, or protest in various childish ways.

“She said she wasn’t feeling well.”

[T/N: It is Leah who locked herself in her own room for a week, not Davan. I mistranslated the last chapter, but it’s fixed as per Jan 30th. My apologies for the inconvenience.]

Heins tried to wrap it up even though he knew it would be useless.

Davan looked like he couldn’t be bothered to deal with his opponent. In addition, he did not seem to be interested in any of Leah’s excuses.

“It’s the first time she hasn’t seen you this long.”

Heins carefully tried his luck.

“It wasn’t like this before even when she was seriously ill.”

Leah’s seat, which had been empty for several days, was on his mind.

This was a sight that anyone in the duke’s house would feel unfamiliar with.

“…”

But there was no reply from Davan for a long time.

Instead, there was only a little more power in his fingertips tapping the table.

“I apologize if I went off topic.”

Heins, recognizing the subtle change, bowed his head.

“Your Excellency, are you done with your meal?”

Davan, who seemed to be fatigued all of a sudden, stood up from his seat while pressing the corners of his eyes tightly.

During the first three days of Leah’s absence, Davan ate casually as usual.

But after that, the meal time gradually shortened, and like today, it eventually stopped as he got up from his seat.

‘Is he sad because he can’t see her all of a sudden?’

Heins glanced at Davan’s back.

‘Ayy, it can’t be.’

Heins smiled as if it was ridiculous even just thinking about it.

Although the two of them had breakfast together every day at the emperor’s order, Davan had never properly given a glance to Leah, who was chattering.

It was like saying “Why didn’t you shut up?” with an emotionless face.

‘How could someone’s heart be so cold? I feel bad for the lady, too.’

Just as Heins smiled bitterly, Davan, who was leaving the hall, turned around.

“Is there anything urgent?”

Heins bowed his head hurriedly.

His master’s face, as straight as a statue, was cold.

“Tell her to come down tomorrow.”

Davan added as if finding it tiresome.

“Stop being silly.”

***

“Leah’s been doing that for a week? Why are you telling me this only now?”

The expression of Emperor Fven Khajans suddenly turned serious.

The problem was that Davan, who posted the report, was calm.

“Did you do something that upset her?”

Fven clicked his tongue at Davan.

“It must be because you don’t know how to soothe or embrace a woman.”

“To be exact, I have no reason to know.”

“You punk, she’s still your fiancee!”

Eventually, Fven threw the papers in his hand.

Davan turned his body and skillfully avoided it. His expression didn’t even waver.

“Sigh. Why does she have to like someone like this?”

At the sight, Fven staggered as if the back of his neck was being pulled.

“You’re my little brother, but you…”

It was like the young emperor’s face was deep in water.

‘Who the hell does he resemble?’

From generation to generation, the Khajans imperial family was said to be the romance of ladies and the model of a gentleman.

“Nevermind. Let’s not talk about this.”

Fven shook his head like he couldn’t get it.

“What about Cadel Vernon?”

“He just crossed the border.”

Davan’s answer was clear.

“It looks like he will arrive sooner than expected. I wonder what will happen in the future.”

Fven leaned back in his chair and smiled strangely.

The power of the imperial family and aristocrats was a seesaw game. When one is strong, the other is bound to be weak.

In particular, the power of the young emperor, who had just ascended to the throne, was enough to feed the high-ranking aristocrats.

‘Cadel Vernon.’

Among them, Cadel of the Vernon Duchy was the most dangerous person.

From the honorable position of the Duke of Vernon family to his ability to inherit the title even though he was the second son, and the outstanding character and appearance that everyone liked.

In the meantime, the Vernon family, which had not had a significant presence in the southern part of the country, seemed to be entering the capital city soon.

“I wonder if he will be our friend or foe. What do you think it will be?”

“Well, it’s a habit to hide a knife under one’s tongue even if one’s whole body is stripped.”

Davan replied dryly with unexpected words.

“…”

Fven’s eyes looking at his younger brother became complicated for an instant.

As Davan said, this was a world where it was not uncommon for the wife to put a knife into the husband’s heart and the child into the mother’s heart.

In particular, Davan saw it with his own eyes at a young age and had to experience it with his own hands…

Fven sighed inwardly.

“If this job is done well, then you should get married too. Be kind to Leah.”

At Fven’s words, this time Davan’s eyebrows furrowed blatantly.

He had been sick of Leah over the past few years, and now just the name alone had revealed his displeasure.

“It’s strange. If she’s had enough, she should have already contacted me…”

Curious about this situation, Fven gently stroked his chin.

She didn’t show up for breakfast for a week.

Come to think of it, it had already been a week since Leah last entered the palace.

He loved Leah like his younger sister since he was young, almost to the point of where it was unusual.

He felt sorry that Leah’s father, Count Prezis, was caught up in the tragedy of the imperial family and died…

‘My baby is so cute.’

Above all, he had a great love for the character Leah itself.

In particular, Fven enjoyed the time when both families were together in private.

There were six crazy men who were second to none in the empire: the three brothers of the Khajans imperial family and the three brothers of the Prezis County.

She was the only woman among them, and she was the youngest, yet she was so bold.

Even though he valued politeness, he did not hate her. Because she was cute.

As a result, it could be said that Leah was the only person whose attitude did not change even after Fven became emperor.

“She hasn’t come to Your Majesty yet?”

Davan asked in surprise.

He thought she had already run and cursed at him…

“Yes. I haven’t even gotten a letter.”

Davan’s expression darkened slightly.

“Why the hell are you being so indifferent to Leah?”

[T/N: The literal translation is “Why is Sir being so indifferent to Leah?” This entire time, Fven is calling Davan with “Sir” and Davan is calling Fven with “Your Majesty”. It is so rigid and unlike a relationship between siblings, but it is normal in the imperial family. Putting this here so readers won’t be confused the next time I use “Sir” in their conversation.]

Fven rebuked Davan with an expression that he couldn’t understand at all.

It was the youngest, Davan, who was said to be the best of the Khajans lineage, that he was blessed by God.

Perhaps that’s why he had a colder disposition than any other direct line.

He even accused his mother with his own hands…

Regardless of the fact that the late empress was his mother, she was the criminal who murdered his father, that is, the late emperor.

“Be nice to her. You wouldn’t have survived back then if it weren’t for Count Prezis.”

He was not even interested in whether his benefactor and fiancée were dead or alive.

“I miss my baby so much. How long does she want me to worry by myself?”

Fven muttered in a sighing voice.

He thought that office work was particularly difficult these days, but it seemed like it was because he hadn’t seen Leah’s face in a long time.

“Don’t overdo it.”

You’re not even married. What do you mean by that?

Davan looked like he was getting tired of this situation.

At those words, Fven hit the top of the desk in desperation.

“You take care of yourself. What if Leah runs away saying she doesn’t like you?”

In fact, Fven already knew.

Because she was the fiancée of the fearsome Davan Khajans, there were only a handful of people who’d flirt with her openly, most would conceal their feelings for Leah inside their heart.

If Davan really misses Leah…

[T/N: The missing here is like “missing an opportunity” instead of “wanting to see”]

Fven’s expression was crumpled.

“It’s already been a week, and people’s minds change in an instant.”

Davan burst out laughing for the first time. He obviously took Fven’s words as a joke.

“Who— We were talking about that Leah Prezis, right?”

Davan’s speech became informal, like when they usually talked in private.

It was Davan’s habit that came out when he was speechless.

It was the same when he had to deal with not only his brothers, but also the elderly aristocrats with white hair.

“If that really happens, I’d be really grateful.”

Davan said in a calm tone.

Her existence itself was exhausting, if only she’d leave easily.

However—

“But that won’t happen.”

Davan said it very plainly.

“Because she’s Leah Prezis.”

Because ‘that’ very Leah Prezis would lose the meaning of her existence without Davan.