14. The uninvited guest
Franz Spern.
He was a handsome young man, tall, slender, with soft silver hair.
His violet eyes are like sparkling gems, his pale white skin that almost shows the veins underneath, and his red lips that fascinate both sexes.
His appearance was both relaxing and seductive.
He was the eldest son of the ancient family of the Duke of Spurn, which had inherited glory, enormous wealth, and status in aristocratic society for hundreds of years.
At the same time,
He was the leader of the rebel faction that sought to take over the Kingdom of Ruberia, and Erika's secret lover.
I bit my lower lip without realizing it.
I longed to stand up immediately and inform Carlex that this man was the leader of the rebels, and then shout for the royal palace guards.
Then I will not be led to the scaffold.
I know this is crazy. I have no evidence, and Franz hasn't done anything yet... at least not yet.
I don't understand.
How did Erica fall in love with a man like that?
In the original story, Erica was a quiet, timid, and civilized girl.
She did not even resist Birdie, who appropriately seized her wealth and status.
She thought that living quietly with the one she loved was enough for her.
Do you think that Erica even betrayed her country and threw everything she had into the passion of love?
Grand Duke Franz flashed an elegant smile and greeted Carlex with a slight bow of his head.
“Duke Reinhardt, I hope I did not interrupt your dinner time. How have you been since I last saw you?”
His voice was soft and sweet as honey.
As if that voice that could charm anyone was annoying to his ears, Carlex looked at Franz with a sharp look.
“I don’t remember inviting the Grand Duke of Spirn.”
Indifferent to Carlex's explicit banishment, Franz smiled with a smile with cat-like eyes.
“I have always admired your honorable person, and it was necessary to extend my regards. I heard that you have returned to the capital after performing impressive feats on the battlefield. It seems that His Majesty the King greatly praises your heroism.”
Carlex sipped his tea coldly.
He made it very clear that he didn't want to talk to him anymore.
But Franz did not care, but crossed one leg over the other and sat on the opposite chair.
When Carlex's eyebrows rose, Franz gave a meaningful smile.
“I heard that you are very upset these days due to the problem of stealing magic books. If you need help, please visit us at the Spirn family’s home at any time.”
“Your family’s ability to collect information is truly astonishing. The secrets of the royal palace have already leaked into your ears. It seems it is time to clean up the little mice.”
Carlex's tone was sour.
But Franz seemed to have received a compliment, and his features brightened with joy.
“Your words are beyond my worth. It is proof that there are many in the royal palace who trust and support our family.”
Carlex let out a cold, mocking laugh and looked at Franz.
“My patience is running out, Grand Duke Franz.”
“Oh, I was rude. You were having an intimate time with Miss, and I interrupted you.”
He was an amazing man in so many ways.
To never be defeated by Carlex's prestige.
What's even more surprising is Erica's unique taste.
What does she like in a man so rude?
Because I could not understand why she loved Franz, I stared at him unconsciously.
When he felt my gaze, Franz's charming violet eyes stared at me thoughtfully.
“Pretty miss, whom I am seeing for the first time, may I know your name?”
I couldn't decide whether I should reveal my name, so I hesitated.
“I refuse. I hope you will not speak further to my precious guest.”
Carlex banned it with one sentence.
His features remained expressionless, but his blue eyes burned with pent-up hatred and anger.
Franz studied me slowly, like a cat who has found an interesting toy.
Gentlemen, you seem to know even Erica's eighth-degree relatives, so why are you looking at me like that?
I faced him with a sharp look, without concealing my disgust.
Now that I look closely, it looks like a fox too.
A white fox with nine tails.
“For His Noble Highness Duke Reinhardt to spend secret time with a beautiful lady in a restaurant, the capital’s society will be in chaos for a while.”
“The moment my guest becomes the subject of conversation in high society, I cannot guarantee her safety. Do not be hasty, Grand Duke.”
“Oh, Your Highness is personally protecting her. It seems that she was the one who was able to charm the Duke’s heart, which did not waver in the face of the courtship of so many ladies. This is amazing.”
Franz stared at me.
His bright violet eyes radiated a unique aura as if they were swallowing everything.
As if they were two cursed jewels.
I felt afraid and quickly turned my head.
Let's not even make eye contact.
Let's not talk.
Every nerve in my body was sending warning signals simultaneously that this person was dangerous.
Carlex looked at Franz and said:
“An uninvited guest is like an enemy to me that I will not warn twice, so I hope you will disappear.”
Franz smiled and bowed with elegant courtly politeness.
“I look forward to seeing you again, Your Highness.”
Then he naturally took my hand and raised it to kiss the back of it.
My whole body shivered.
I had to get free quickly, but my body was frozen and I couldn't move.
An instinctive feeling of rejection felt like a spider's web constricting my body.
Then, a large hand quickly snatched my wrist.
Carlex stood in front of me to protect me, without me knowing when he approached.
“Don’t touch her, Grand Duke. It seems you need to learn etiquette before you inherit the dukedom.”
Carlex looked at Franz silently.
With a lifeless look that carried only a little boredom.
It was a look like the one you give at a stone in the road, something annoying but never threatening.
Under Carlex's gaze, Franz's elegant smile distorted for the first time.
His violet eyes changed color and ignited in an instant with anger and insult.
But it was just a moment.
In the blink of an eye, Franz changed his facial expression and took on a desperate, apologetic look.
“Oh, I was reckless. I apologize for disturbing you.”
Franz greeted me politely, then closed his eyes slightly and smiled.
“See you soon at the Royal Library, Miss… No, Librarian Erica.”
Damn, that white fox knew everything.
Did he guess I was a book reader too?
He left with Miller, and vanished like the wind.
Not long after, Michael entered with a puzzled face.
“What happened, sister? Isn’t the man who left just now the Grand Duke of Spirn?”
The observant Michael recognized the character immediately.
“Nothing happened, never mind, Michael, come and have some tea.”
Carlex slowly offered Michael black tea.
The boy looked at me with a questioning face.
I pretended not to know and hid my facial expressions behind the teacup.
***
Our pleasant meal with Michael was spoiled by the appearance of the uninvited guest, Grand Duke Franz.
After that, I asked for new desserts but I couldn't swallow them.
Even the food I ate felt heavy on my stomach.
I arrived at the library residence by carriage with Michael, thanks to Carlex's sponsorship.
My mind was a mess due to worry and confusion about the Grand Duke of Spurn, so I got off the carriage without being able to talk to Michael.
Michael waved his hand at me with a worried face.
“Take care, sister, I will visit you when the library opens.”
“Come anytime, little prince. Thank you for today’s meal. See you soon.”
After greeting me, I turned to leave, and Carlex approached me.
“I'll drive you.”
What? The distance is so close, if I fell I would hit my nose!
Before I could refuse, Carlex started walking forward.
He remained silent all the way through the small garden inside the residence towards the entrance hall.
After a long hesitation, I cautiously discussed the subject of Grand Duke Franz, which I could not discuss in the carriage for fear of worrying Michael.
“Your Highness, did Grand Duke Franz guess that I was a book reader?”
Even though I pretended not to be afraid, my hands were constantly shaking.
I don't want to be attached to Franz anymore.
I want to escape from him by any means possible.
Carlex's gaze went softly downward and stopped at my hand.
He might have noticed her trembling.
I hid my hands behind my back to escape his gaze.
“It is true that he knows that you are a book reader and that you also have a book compass. William and I believe that the theft of the magic book and the carriage attack are the same.”
"Is this correct?"
Carlex nodded slowly.
“Since the information of us going to search for the magic book was leaked, it is likely that the reason why the book compass in Baron Hamilton’s house did not work is because they removed the magic book’s tracking device at that time.”
“So, that enemy is…”
“We believe that the Duke of Sburne’s family and the nobles who support them are the most likely.”
Carlex said quietly, as if reciting a lunch menu.
It was expected that the hero would have accurately detected the rear forces.
But he was unexpectedly quiet.
“So, the reason you didn’t take action sooner… is because there was no evidence.”
Carlex looked at me with interesting eyes.
“It's strange that you weren't surprised. You seem to be aware that he is the force behind this incident.”
His cobalt blue eyes stared at me as if they were piercing my soul.
I was afraid that everything would be discovered in a moment of inattention, so I did my best to maintain my composure.
This was my advantage too.
Pretending to be rude and cold in any situation.
While I was trembling with fear inside.
“I assumed there was a background force when I saw that Baron Hamilton was easily released despite being accused of hiding the magic book. The Spearn family was the strongest candidate to have such a force, and that guess was proven today.”
I paused for a moment to organize my thoughts and then continued.
“Basically, the Baron is unlikely to steal a magic book that is strictly managed by the state. The magic book is difficult to read, cannot be used, and is also difficult to sell illegally. In the end, I thought that the goal that the rear force sought to achieve through the Baron was to obtain the magic book and the book compass.”
Carlex opened his eyes in surprise.
He looked a little happy, too.
“Amazing, Librarian Erica. I respect your judgment and observation.”
“No, I just expressed my personal thoughts.”
Why is he praising me suddenly? This is confusing.
“No. Your judgment was accurate. If a war broke out over the magic book, the Spirn family would be the first to run. But there are no clear clues, and the Spirn family is weakening in strength due to the Duke’s illness. They just lack the strength and authority, and even the capabilities of Franz, the heir to the dukedom, to attempt anything yet.”
“So, what will happen to the book ‘Introduction to Lion Magic’?”
“It is a book without magical power. In any case, it was decided to republish it in the Royal Library. We will leave that magical book as bait to throw to them to see how they will behave after that.”
His eyes sparkled darkly and the corners of his mouth raised into a sinister smile.
If you looked at his appearance just now, you would think that His Highness the Duke was the leader of the rear force.
I must approach and flatter the hero from now on. He seems to be the most dangerous if he becomes an enemy.
“Then, Your Highness, I will go now. Come back safely.”
I greeted Carlex with a slight bow of the knee and turned to leave, but a low, soft voice suddenly restrained me.
“Miss Dale.”
"Yes?"
He grabbed my wrist normally.
Then his charming lips slowly approached the back of my hand.
[To be continued in the next chapter]
Loving translation