“And I found this in the Duke’s office.”

Gabriel listened to what his assistant offered.

In the fluttering paperwork, Count Peliard’s recent business was written.

It was a document detailing where they borrowed money and how much the debt had grown.

This would be pretty helpful.

Gabriel returned the papers to the assistant.

“Take care of it separately.”

“Yes.”

“I’ll take a look around the mansion for a moment.”

Step step.

Gabriel walked down the hallway. His footsteps stopped at Daphne’s room.

As soon as I entered the room, I could smell Daphne’s scent. The sweet and subtle scent was just like Daphne’s smile.

At one point, I looked at Daphne and thought she was like the sun. She’s sweet and warm, but he thought she’s someone he’ll never reach.

But now Daphne is not in Cesare’s hand, but by his side.

In his mansion waiting for him to return. That fact lifted Gabriel’s mood.

Click-

Gabriel looked around and opened the desk drawer. Small items were placed in neatly organized drawers.

Daphne’s personality seemed to be revealed, so Gabriel grinned. An object touched his gaze.

“What is this?”

Gabriel took something out of the drawer. It was the first thing he had ever seen that had a round shape with things like small buttons.

Is this a new perfume bottle?

He looked around for a moment, then stopped paying attention and put the object down on the desk.

“Bruce.”

“Yes!”

“I’m going to the Imperial Palace.”

Gabriel, who wants to give Daphne complete freedom, still has a lot of work to do.

****

“What it is?”

The man looked around. It’s been a while since I’ve returned to the capital, but the atmosphere is strangely chaotic.

It was a man who went all the way to the Southern of the empire to find some kind of candy called Racasa. They said it was hard to find candy, but it was easy to find on the island.

The man, who was about to return home with an empty mind, encountered an unexpected storm and was stranded on the island for two weeks.

After getting out of the island, I almost met a bandit inland… Fortunately, a knight saved him, and he survived.

What is this disturbing atmosphere when the capital has barely returned after all the hard work.

“The food has arrived.”

The waiter at the inn brought the man’s order of lamb ribs and beer.

Lamb ribs dripping with oil made me salivate just looking at them. It was time for a man, thirsty with beer, to lift one of his ribs.

“That looks delicious.”

It was a hungry voice. Was it about 70 years old? The gray-haired old man’s plate was filled with grayish vegetable soup. It doesn’t look tasty.

The man who looked at the old man with the lamb ribs he had in his hand for a moment made a recommendation to the old man.

“Would you like one?”

“Oh, can I?”

“Yes, it’s okay. It’s too much for me to eat alone.”

“Oh my. Thank you so much! Then I will only eat one, just one…”

The old man was overjoyed and ate one of the lamb ribs in his mouth.

The man smiled kindly. Then he decided to ask a question or something.

“But what happened? It seems that the atmosphere is somewhat chaotic.”

“Oh, you’re not from the capital?”

“It’s true, but since I recently went on a trip, I’m on my way back after a month.”

“Hmm, I see.”

Seeing the man’s luggage and clothes, the old man nodded as if he understood.

“One of the great nobles was imprisoned. That’s why.”

“If it’s a great aristocrat, what kind of noble is it…”

“Do you know the Duke of Burstoad?”

Burstoad? I’ve heard of it somewhere.

The man who tilted his head for a moment answered roughly.

“There are rumors that the Duke of Burstoad was trying to kill the Crown Prince.”

“Yes? Is it treason?”

If blood and wind were blowing, he was going to run away without looking back. The old man was bruised at the man’s reaction.

“Yeah, people too. you have to be careful. Someone might be listening, but can I speak so loudly?”

“Ah, sorry… But did the Duke really try to kill the prince?”

“Yes! So it is said that the forest was set on fire. It is said that his kind hearted wife was also locked up in the tower… Tsk, It’s a scary world.”

The old man spoke up there and glanced at the man’s ribs. The man pushed the old man’s plate because it was just a few pennies.

Let’s order one more.

But, Burstoad…. I’m sure I’ve heard of it somewhere…

‘So what’s your name?’

‘My name is Daphne Burstoad.’

“Right!”

Bang-!

The man slammed the table and stood up. He spilled the beer from the mug and wet the table.

The old man was startled and slowly get away.

“Daphne’s last name was Burstoad.”

The family to which Daphne married.

It was the Duke of Burstoad.

*****

It has already been three days since I stayed at Gabriel’s mansion.

“Daphne. Does the food suit your taste?”

Gabriel asked with a gentle smile. The table was lined with my favorite foods.

“They said you didn’t eat properly this morning.”

I glanced at the maids of the mansion at the subtle rebuke. The maids who showed no emotional were like well-made dolls.

They would report my every move to Gabriel.

Putting down the spoon, I tried hard to smile.

“I’m not feeling well.”

“You can’t do that, Daphne. You have to eat well and get stronger. We have something to aim for.”

Gabriel added with a pretty smile. I just nodded my head.

Gabriel was in charge of all the work to rescue Cesare.

Everything from going to the Imperial Palace to filing an appeal, meeting people, and gathering evidence.

But that didn’t fit the reason I came to Gabriel’s mansion.

I came to Gabriel’s mansion to move freely.

In order to save Cesare without being disturbed by Count Peliard and without being captured by the Imperial investigation team.

In the first place, I didn’t intend to just sit there waiting for someone to step in for me.

But every time I tried to leave the mansion, Gabriel and the servants blocked me, so I couldn’t move properly.

I complained to Gabriel because I was frustrated.

‘It’s because I don’t want to see Daphne suffer. And I will never be able to forgive myself if Daphne is in danger.’

Gabriel lowered the corners of his eyes and whispered, because he couldn’t stand it anymore.

In the end, all I could do was ask about the information outside.

“Gabriel. Have you met Cesare?”

Gabriel opened his eyes wide and immediately shook his head.

“Your Majesty didn’t give me permission.”

“Ha…”

What the hell is the Emperor thinking?

I looked back to see if there was such a scene in the original, but nothing came to mind.

Was there one scene where Cesare was framed?

However, it was only a minor trouble arising from the love fight between Cesare and Gabriel, and it was not a severe punishment in this way.

“How about going for a walk together? The weather is cool and nice for walking.”

“I’m sorry, Gabriel.”

I politely declined Gabriel’s offer.

“I want to go up and rest.”

“You’re not feeling well, are you?”

“It’s not like that. I’m just a little tired.”

In fact, I feel guilty about spending such leisurely time in Gabriel’s mansion.

By now Cesare must be struggling in a cold dungeon…

“I’m going to bed early today.”

“I see.”

Gabriel seemed disappointed, but soon bent his eyes and smiled beautifully.

“Yes. Because today is not the only day.”

Gabriel drove me directly to my room. Gabriel grabbed me as I was about to say bow and enter.

Chu-

Gabriel kissed my forehead lightly.

“……!”

Startled, I looked up at Gabriel. Gabriel’s eyes met and he smiled softly.

“Because you are making an impression on your pretty face.”

“Gabriel.”

“Don’t worry. Everything will be fine.”

“I suppose so…”

“Sure. Then have a sweet dream, Daphne.”

Watching Gabriel moving away, I rubbed my forehead with my fingertips. The place where his lips touched felt somehow warm.

As Gabriel’s figure disappeared, Shannet, who was always by my side, pouted her lips.

“That’s too much to do for the Duchess.”

That’s right, I think so too.

So I was a little surprised.

Although we’re fighting together with the common goal of saving Cesare, we’re just friends, aren’t we?