Chapter 62

At once, the masked men pressed down the limbs of the Arke siblings and grabbed their hair.

“Y… Your Grace?!”

“Mmph…!”

Their chins were lifted sharply, mouths forced open by a strong grip.

A cold liquid poured in. Eyes widened in shock.

“G… gah… Your…!”

Gulp. Gulp. Gulp.

The drug flowed down their throats endlessly. The veins in their eyes swelled and burst with faint, wet pops.

“Ugh… hhh…”

“Aaagh!”

Their groans came out unevenly, but they no longer seemed aware of pain. Their mouths hung slack.

Their muscles swelled, contracted, then hardened again as if turning to stone.

Watching their twitching, convulsing bodies, the Duke’s lips curved upward faintly.

That drug was called the Smile of the Spirits.

Of course, what they drank was only a diluted imitation made from a trace of the real thing.

Still, it worked well enough to create new toys for the arena.

“Aa… Aaaagh…!”

Their screams rose and broke, and the Duke laughed aloud.

Perfect timing.

He had needed test subjects for the newly improved version of the drug, and they had arrived on their own.

The Duke tapped his fingers on his stomach, amused, as though watching a puppet show.

House Arke.

They had once sold out their own kin in the Grand Duchy and lived as parasites under him.

He wondered how far such weak, untrained bodies could be strengthened.

“Heh.”

He laughed softly, already anticipating the results.

With a nod toward the masked men, he signaled for them to remove the bodies, then tugged the small silver bell rope beside him.

Moments later, the butler entered.

“What is Ines doing right now?”

The butler bowed respectfully.

“My lady has not yet returned from the Academy. She is said to be organizing her upcoming thesis presentation.”

“A diligent girl.”

The Duke nodded, smiling with fond pride.

“Prepare her favorite dishes for dinner. It has been too long since we shared a meal.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

The butler bowed again.

* * *

Servants moved silently, setting down dishes and pouring wine.

The Duke sliced through his thick steak with smooth precision and spoke.

“How are things at the Academy lately?”

“Everything’s going well. I’m doing fine thanks to your support, Father.”

Her calm voice pleased him.

He paused, gazing at his daughter, then spoke softly.

“Ines.”

“Yes, Father?”

Her sky-blue eyes lifted to meet his.

The same color as his own. Gentle and composed.

“You know how much your father loves you, don’t you?”

“Yes.”

Her answer came without hesitation. The Duke nodded, satisfied.

“I’ve given you everything you ever wanted. You studied at the Academy, advanced to the researcher’s program, and achieved impressive results in such a short time. I’m proud of you.”

Setting down his utensils, he took a sip from his silver goblet.

Then, in a casual tone, he said,

“Before I die, I must see your wedding.”

“Father…”

Ines’s eyes softened with concern.

“Are you unwell?”

“Of course not.”

The Duke shrugged lightly and spread his hands.

“I’m taking good care of my health. See? I drink no alcohol and smoke no tobacco. Unlike you…”

He smiled faintly, a hint of reproach in his tone.

“You spend too much time locked in your laboratory. Do you sleep enough?”

“Of course.”

“Good. A woman must rest well. It’s important for childbearing. As you know, marriage is a woman’s greatest joy, and bearing children is her most noble purpose.”

“You’re right, Father.”

Ines smiled politely.

The Duke nodded in satisfaction and added smoothly,

“Speaking of which, I heard that the second son of Eisenhart has returned.”

Ines’s hand stopped briefly mid-cut, then resumed as if nothing had happened.

“I see.”

After a pause, her soft lips curved.

“You said the second son, not the first?”

“Yes, Demius.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

She dabbed her lips lightly with a napkin.

The Duke admired her graceful movements, resting his chin on interlaced fingers.

“Tell me, where could I find a finer bride than you? If I could, I’d keep you by my side forever. But then I’d never get to see my grandchildren, would I? The world would benefit if a woman like you had many children.”

“Yes, Father.”

Ines lowered her gaze and answered quietly.

Pleased by her gentle demeanor, the Duke smiled warmly.

“That’s why I was thinking. How about visiting Eisenhart territory?”

“Visit?”

“Yes.”

The Duke frowned slightly and shook his head.

“I’ve heard rumors that the second son is already married. If that’s true, we can’t let it stand.”

He spoke firmly.

“Demius is your fiancé, after all.”

“Yes.”

Ines took a sip of water.

The Duke clicked his tongue softly.

“It’s unfortunate that the crown heir is a woman right now.”

His frown eased, and his expression softened.

“But remember, Ines, you are destined to be the most noble woman in the Empire. I will make sure of it.”

“Thank you, Father.”

Her voice was calm, her smile obedient.

As always, the Duke’s chest swelled with pride at the sight of his docile daughter.

“When you bear a child, that child will become the next Grand Duke. You’ll be the most honored woman in the realm.”

“Of course.”

Her smile was clear and serene.

“You’re right, Father.”

“That’s my girl.”

The Duke laughed heartily.

Dinner couldn’t have been more satisfying.

The steak was delicious, and the conversation warm.

His eyes lingered on his daughter with pride.

The Empire’s golden prodigy, top graduate of the Imperial Academy, now a member of the Imperial Research Institute.

“Your mother would have been proud of you too.”

He turned his gaze to the window. Twilight had fallen, and stars began to appear one by one.

His eyes softened as he recalled a distant memory.

“She always said giving birth to you was the best thing she’d ever done.”

“You’ve told me that before, Father.”

Ines smiled faintly.

The Duke smiled back and patted her hand.

“We’ll visit her grave together next time.”

“Yes, Father.”

Ines lowered her lashes in gentle obedience.

My good daughter.

The Duke smiled contentedly and placed another piece of red, bloodied meat into his mouth.

* * *

Chirp, chirp.

Birdsong echoed all around.

It was a bright summer morning.

A woman in a straw hat moved quickly, her hands busy.

Each time her shoulders shifted, her orange hair shimmered like golden waves under the sun.

My Lili.

The man watching her clenched his hand tightly.

The bouquet he held rustled faintly.

‘It’s been too long. I hope she won’t mind.’

Back in the Village at the Edge, he’d often made bouquets, but years of paperwork had made holding a pen more natural than arranging flowers.

This one didn’t look as good as he’d hoped.

He pressed the bouquet gently, steadying his breath.

It smelled of grass and petals.

A scent that reminded him of her.

His ears turned red as he straightened his back and hid the bouquet behind him.

Quietly.

He crept closer to the woman wrapped in sunlight.

But as if sensing him, the straw hat tilted up and turned around.

“Miss Mimi!”

Her green eyes sparkled with joy as they met his.

“You came just in time! Would you like to see this?”