Rond ughed. "Quite true, Duke." He smiled and said, "Then should I leave you be for now and return in the morning with news?"

  Elio sighed. "Yes. Do that. For now... I'll just wait."

  Rond paused and then looked at Elio, concerned. "...You should rest, Elio. I know you hate hearing that... but you'll be worn out at this rate. Don't stay up all night and try getting at least a little sleep."

  "...I will consider it."

  Rond sighed and then left the office, closing the door behind him.

  Elio stood up and walked over to his office window.

  Night had fallen. Outside, a full moon cast everything with a pale glow.

  Elio's dark gray eyes flitted across the nd and murmured, "A wife, huh?"

  It was a thought that had never crossed his mind.

  Elio had given up on romance and any sort of attachment. It was unnecessary for a man like him who had already resolved to perish on the battlefield. But...

  *You will treat her properly. You will be a proper husband. And you will accept her into your life as you wife. So We have decreed.*

  "What the hell are you thinking, Edmund?" Elio muttered as he recalled the resolute words King Edmund had given him before the dismissal.

  King Edmund was young. Only a year older than Elio at twenty one years of age. But the king was a man wise beyond his years. There was no action he did not take without reason or intent.

  So what did the king intend for Elio with this fiasco? Staring at his cold reflection in the dark window, Elio muttered, "Are you really concerned about the Grandark bloodline? About me? Or... is this something else?"

  It had been strangely out of character for King Edmund.

  Though the king hid it well in his words, Elio was sure. In that discussion, it hadn't been 'King Edmund vi Eternia' speaking, but 'Edmund.' And that left Elio pondering the reason why.

  Was this truly a matter of expected noble duties? Was this a sign of compassion for a man who helped Edmund reach where he was and secure his power base? Or was this something else entirely?

  Elio didn't know. But he did know that he would find out tomorrow when he met this mysterious woman Edmund had sent to be his bride.

  But until then...

  Elio closed his eyes. As he did, the familiar whispers and images that had pgued him for years began to emerge. And when they did, he opened his eyes with a cold gre, deliberately grabbing his sword and heading to the training grounds.

  Today too, Elio would fight his demons alone.

  ===

  Rond knocked on the door to Elio's office and then walked in. "Duke, the Duchess will arrive in a few hours and we have received the test information from the royal... mages?" He paused and then stared at Elio's hair, matted with sweat, and the wrinkled clothes. "...Duke."

  Elio ran his hand through his hair, making it somewhat presentable. Then he said, "What?"

  Rond sighed. "I know I cannot convince you to stop... but chasing away your demons by training through the night will one day lead you to an error you can't take back, Elio."

  Elio didn't respond, just casually looking out the window.

  The sun was just starting to peer over the horizon, casting everything a warm red hue.

  Like Rond said, Elio had spent the night training, swinging his sword to anchor him in the present. But he wasn't about to admit that to Rond.

  Rond sighed.

  Elio ignored it. Shifting his gaze back to Rond, Elio said, "Since you received more information, tell me of this foolish woman who dares to marry the Bloody Demon of the West, Rond."

  Rond adjusted his gsses and said, "There's not much to tell, Duke. As I told you yesterday, her name is Hope. From the portrait we received, she's quite beautiful. And it appears that she truly had sky blue hair and eyes. Other than that... the only information we received was that she is the daughter of a fallen Count and received the king's protection after the fall of her county."

  Elio clicked his tongue. "So I'm marrying the dregs of a fallen family?"

  "Well." Rond shrugged and said, "Considering the short timeframe the King gave for you to marry and begin trying for an heir, there weren't many options. I'm sure you know how slim the pool of prospects for a man of your reputation already is, Duke."

  Elio let out an exasperated sigh and said, "There's no need to remind me, Rond."

  Rond nodded. Then he hummed and said, "Well. If King Edmund personally assigned her as your bride... it should be fine, right Duke?"

  Elio paused to consider that.

  It was true. King Edmund did indeed have a discerning eye.

  That was a main part in why Elio was granted authority as the general overseeing the Western front despite his young age and ck of experience. "...Fine. I suppose we shall trust our king's insight."

  Rond chuckled. "You always have no fear of lese majeste at all, Duke..."

  Elio cracked a smile and said, "Well. As I said, our dear king cannot afford to lose me. And regardless, do you think any could successfully subdue me to stand trial?"

  Rond ughed. "True. The only reason why you didn't take the throne yourself is because you said ruling is a hassle."

  Elio's smile vanished and he nodded. "It is." He let out a dark chuckle. "And that is the only reason Edmund need never fear me aiming my bde at the throne."

  Rond sighed. "Such troublesome words as always, Duke..."

  Elio chuckled. "And this is why I leave management and other duties to you, Rond."

  Rond adjusted his gsses and said, "You are fortunate I consider you my brother, Duke. If not, I would have let you handle this travesty of a Duchy on your own long ago..."

  Elio chuckled. "And you are fortunate I consider you my brother as well, Rond. Otherwise this bde would have found your neck long ago."

  Rond rolled his eyes.

  Elio smiled. Then he rubbed his chin and said, "Then this woman to become my wife... Her name is Hope, you said. And from a fallen county... What was her family name?"

  Rond flipped through a stack of papers and said, "It appears that she was from House Valiant."

  "Then her name is Hope Valiant." Elio hummed. "A strong name. No wonder her world was crushed. With such a name, it was practically a challenge to the gods themselves to ruin her life."

  Rond hummed. "Perhaps so. But perhaps such a name is why she dares to marry you, Duke."

  Elio paused to consider it. Then he shrugged and said, "Well. I suppose so long as she performs her duty as a wife and settles the affairs in the household, I will tolerate it."

  Rond frowned.

  Elio noticed and said, "What? Speak."

  "...I'm just a bit worried, Duke." Rond sighed. "I understand you and the people who have been around you understand you. But... Well, we're men. We can take your gruff attitude and cold words. But Lady Hope is a fair maiden who has suffered quite a bit... I'm concerned for her."

  Elio snorted. "You speak of me as if I am some sort of devil who will ruin her."

  Rond looked at Elio and said, "Are you not? You are often a cruel man in words and actions, if not in intent. And I worry for the heart of an innocent maiden who would marry you... It's quite likely she will suffer a great deal."

  Elio snorted. "That innocent maiden would be fed the finest foods, enjoy the greatest luxuries, and wield authority second only to the royal family. What else is there to ask for? What else is there to want?" He leveled a firm gaze at Rond and said, "Is that not enough to sacrifice a little pain and emotional turmoil?"

  Rond sighed.

  Elio's brow twitched. "Speak your mind, dammit."

  Rond shook his head. "You just don't understand, Elio." He let out a wry smile. "But I guess a man like you probably wouldn't. Not yet. I just hope you understand before you make a mistake you can't take back."

  Elio frowned, mulling over Rond's words.

  Rond tucked his papers away into his bag and then nodded. "Lady Hope will be here shortly, Duke. Let's head to the entrance to meet her."

  Elio clicked his tongue at Rond ordering him around. But he stood up and said, "Fine."

  Rond led the way through the manor, heading to the front.

  Along the way, Elio took the time to examine his surroundings.

  As always, the manor's halls were pristine but silent. Maids hustled about with hurried steps, quickly averting their gazes when they noticed the duke.

  When Elio passed them, he saw the maids give respectful nods. But they never lingered, quickly moving to a different room or ducking around a hallway.

  Respect, but fear.

  Elio had noticed it before. But for some reason, seeing it now felt a bit... distasteful.

  Before long, they arrived in the front courtyard. And as they did, a modest carriage bearing the royal insignia stopped.

  Elio frowned when he saw it.

  A single horse, a sole driver, and a carriage that didn't look rge enough to carry more than a single occupant and the barest of luggage. And definitely not rge enough for all the belongings that a young noble maiden should have.

  But before Elio could comment to Rond about it, a young woman stepped out from the carriage. And when Elio saw her, his words caught in his throat, along with his breath.

  Ethereal sky-blue hair drifted beneath a straw hat. Matching blue eyes without a shred of guile of malice scanned the surroundings before settling on Elio. And when they did, a radiant smile bloomed on her delicate and beautiful face.

  'This... is the woman to be my wife?'

  Hope grabbed her straw hat with her white-gloved hands that covered her delicate pale skin up to her shoulders. As she stepped down on the ground with her simple white heels, the hem of her sundress shifted a bit, revealing a gap of milky skin between the top of her white leggings.

  Staring at her, Elio couldn't help but acknowledge it. That woman... Hope. She was the most beautiful woman that Elio had ever seen. So much that he was dumbstruck for a second. But he quickly recovered and strode forward to greet her.