Chapter 68

Nine looked down at the sleeping Chacha with a heavy heart, breathing evenly.  

Thanks to Tully’s treatment, Chacha was fortunately unharmed, but her wrists and ankles were bruised and rubbed raw from the ropes, and her skin was slightly burned, weighing heavily on Nine’s mind.  

Even though Tully said she was fine, Nine stayed by her side throughout the night.  

Her words, like a farewell, kept echoing in his mind, and he couldn’t take his eyes off her.  

If he left her side, even for a fleeting moment, he felt as if Chacha would disappear.  

“……”  

It was unbearably painful.  

At first, he thought it was just guilt over failing to protect her.  

But as he tidied her sweat-drenched hair, wiped her sweat, and moistened her dry lips with a damp cloth, his thoughts gradually changed.  

He now understood why it had been so upsetting and shocking to see her crying in another man’s arms.  

Insensitive to romantic feelings before, Nine realized only after nearly losing her.  

‘I was the one who couldn’t live without her.’  

He had no choice but to admit it.  

He gently kissed the back of her hand and clasped her cold hand tightly, contrasting with her fevered face.  

Nine stayed like that for quite a long time.  

***  

Since the previous evening when Nine brought back the disheveled Chacha, the duke family’s townhouse was engulfed in a heavy atmosphere.  

Everyone wore expressions mixed with shock, anger, and worry.  

Anyone who saw Chacha’s state upon arrival couldn’t help but feel those emotions.  

Besides, they were all fiercely loyal to the duke family and proud protectors of the empire’s citizens from monsters.  

So when an attempt to kidnap and kill their mistress happened right in the imperial capital, they all felt it was shameless and ungrateful.  

‘They don’t even appreciate the North that protected the empire all this time!’  

Such thoughts pervaded everyone’s mind.  

This incident was firing up resistance against the central government and other noble families.  

Meanwhile, more trouble arrived at the townhouse — imperial officials and royal knights.  

“Nine Eclipse, Duke, you are summoned by His Majesty the Emperor!”  

Nine, prepared for a possible attack, was scanning the entire mansion with sensory awareness while guarding Chacha and immediately noticed their arrival.  

Though irritated, he got up since the imperial court had at least waited a day to send an envoy as a courtesy.  

“Do not leave Chacha’s side.”  

“Understood.”  

Kroel, who was present, also accepted Nine’s order with a stern face, evidently affected by the situation.  

Nine and Norman headed to the mansion’s main hall.  

“The Silver Wolf Knights moving last night shook the capital upside down.”  

Though expected, Norman briefed Nine once more before meeting the emperor’s envoy.  

Nine nodded to acknowledge.  

When they appeared in the hall, the imperial entourage eyed them tensely.  

The reason for Eclipse’s military action was unknown, and the court regarded the Silver Wolf Knights with suspicion and hostility.  

An unstable atmosphere pervaded the hall.  

The official leading the group unfolded a decree and started reading to Nine.  

The Silver Wolf Knights and the court knights stood tensely behind the official, creating a fierce standoff.  

“…Therefore, you, Duke Nine Eclipse, are ordered to appear at the imperial court immediately and explain yourself.”  

“……”  

Though Nine wished not to leave Chacha, appearing at court was unavoidable to take revenge on those targeting her.  

“…Understood.”  

Nine got into the carriage arranged by the court.  

Norman sat opposite and spoke as if somewhat relieved.  

“At least the Emperor doesn’t suspect us. It’s a summons, not an arrest.”  

“Tsk.”  

Nine clicked his tongue, displeased. He wanted to handle everything alone but had no choice but to cooperate with the crafty emperor.  

The Eclipse family, once pro-emperor, had retreated from politics and was known as neutral. To maintain that stance, Nine avoided entanglements with the emperor.  

However, after this social season’s event, Eclipse was watched closely by all factions—emperor’s, nobles’, and neutrals alike.  

Moreover, they gave the emperor an excuse for military activity. Even Eclipse wouldn’t easily defend this incident alone.  

‘Doesn’t feel good, but I have to bring the emperor in.’  

This was the best option now.  

***  

Originally such matters would proceed in the reception or main hall, but the emperor, dressed casually, received Nine in his office.  

Only Norman knew this was an extraordinary favor and was restless, eyes darting nervously.  

Whenever Nine faced the emperor, Norman usually stayed behind, but now he looked pale, overwhelmed by the emperor’s presence.  

Nine sighed and respectfully greeted the emperor.  

“I greet the Master of the Continent and Descendant of the Dragon.”  

The emperor lifted his head, put down his papers and glasses on the desk, and stood.  

Norman swallowed hard at the imposing figure larger than Nine.  

The emperor said: “Hm? Why suddenly such a fancy greeting?”  

“……?”  

Norman, stiff with tension, stared blankly at the emperor’s oddly playful tone.  

Ignoring Norman, the emperor dropped into his seat and gleamed his eyes as if discovering something amusing.  

“Come, have a seat.”  

He waved at Nine.  

“So, my nephew doesn’t move his knights thoughtlessly; what interesting mischief has happened?”  

“Nephew?”  

Norman unknowingly repeated but quickly shut his mouth.  

He tried recalling the family tree between the dragon royal family and Eclipse dukes but remained puzzled.  

There was no marriage between the royal family and Eclipse, and the previous Duke Milo had no siblings.  

“…I am not His Majesty’s nephew. And this is no trivial matter to be taken lightly.”  

Nine dismissed Norman’s rudeness calmly while staring sternly at the emperor.  

Then, wiping away the playful mood, the emperor resumed his dignity, appearing somewhat indulgent toward Nine.  

“Well then, what’s the matter that made you act so?”  

The emperor’s grave tone prompted Nine to calm down and start explaining.  

“My wife has been kidnapped.”  

Though he spoke plainly, restrained fury was faintly audible.  

The emperor stroked his beard several times, looking entertained by Nine’s account.  

Yet when Nine looked at him, his expression was as serious as a sly fox’s.  

“Hm, I see. So you came quietly as summoned.”  

Having grasped Nine’s motives from the story, the emperor smiled slyly.  

“I understand your request. Then here’s a proposal.”  

“Please.”  

“Spread the Duchess’s case widely so it overshadows the military affair. The louder the better.”  

“…….”  

Nine’s expression hardened.  

He had considered this approach. The military action began because Chacha suffered great harm. Emphasizing her ordeal would reduce criticism on the duke family.  

But Nine worried this might tarnish her honor or hurt her further when she regained her senses.  

“But that would harm my wife.”  

“Fool! Have you lost your mind?”  

“……”  

“What is your goal, then?”  

To catch the culprit.  

Having saved Chacha, only that remained.  

“The more public pressure mounts on the Duchess, the more the court’s influence grows. Whoever the crime’s perpetrator, they won’t easily escape. Am I wrong?”  

“……No.”  

Despite the emperor’s persuasion, Nine remained silent for a long time but finally nodded reluctantly.  

Once agreement was reached, the emperor’s tone lightened, and he asked with a sly grin:  

“So, when will you bring my niece-in-law? You always come alone. Was the imperial banquet the last time I saw her?”  

The emperor pouted, clearly displeased by Nine’s attitude, exaggerating it playfully.  

He did not forget one last request:  

“Be sure to bring her when this is over.”